A Fable of the Moon and Sea

By: Moragaine Posted on: November 09, 2005

Long ago, before time was recorded, when the world was still new, things were very different. The moon rose and set over the world in only one phase, a thin sliver, never growing, never fading. The sun shone upon the ground bright as ever, and the sea was as unpredictable as today, though the surface was always dark, never showing what was above or below.

The moon and the sun, though sisters, rarely saw one another. The sun, with her bright light dominated the day. She was a haughty creature and too great pride in her ability to make the plants grow and in her skill at giving light to all the creatures beneath her. The moon, meanwhile, was a timid creature. She was thin, almost frail, and kept only the stars as company while the beings below slept.

Proteus and Phaestus had only just created the Tsol'aa, and took great pride in the newest race to walk the planet. The Aldar were content with the way the world was, but Proteus felt something was missing. The Aldar were busy with their own projects, and Phaestus was quite occupied with His own creation, the Dwarves, and so Proteus called out to the Sun and Moon, bringing Them together to meet with Him.

"Sisters of the skies, there is something missing from Our world. The Aldar are all busy, and I'm afraid My latest creation has sapped My own energies, though temporarily. I am in need of Your service to help create the newest part of the world."

The Sun seemed utterly horrified by Her Lord's suggestion.

"Surely, Lord Proteus, you must be joking! If You were to change the Sun, all below Me in the world would be thrown into confusion! All You have struggled to create would be undone!"

The Moon, seeing the sense in Her Sister's argument stepped forward.

"Lord Proteus, She is right. We can not suddenly alter all that Your creation has become comfortable with. I will take on this task, and the sleeping world shall never know."

Proteus looked between the two, touched the Moon's forehead, and disappeared in a flash of light, leaving them with the words "It is done."

The Sun went back to Her daily patrol across the sky, proud that She had managed to shove the extra task off to Her Sister. Soon, She had even forgotten that Proteus had approached Her.

Meanwhile, the Moon found Herself changing. Each night, Her form filled out a little more, and She could feel the life growing within Her. As Her joy grew, so did Her light in the sky. She was overjoyed to serve Her Lord, and was delighted with how she was changing. The stars around Her, however, were frightened by Her growing brightness, and began slowly moving away, fleeing from the bright light before it obscured them completely.

The Moon took notice of Her friends' sudden disappearance, and knew it was because of the changes that were overtaking Her. She was sure that Her growing form had become hideous, and her ugliness was scaring all Her beloved stars away. She called to them, begged them to return, but they were too far from Her to hear. She became despondent, and soon, the night was filled with her quiet sobs.

Far below Her, the Sea had noticed Her change, and had noticed Her tears. The water rippled as He called out to her, "Lady Moon! You have been crying for months! What has made You so very sad?"

The Moon, surprised at the voice below Her, looked down to the rippling, dark surface and sniffled, Her voice hoarse and quiet. "I have taken task a from Lord Proteus upon Myself, but it has made Me so hideous that even the stars refuse to keep me company!"

The Sea, looking to the Moon and seeing She was more beautiful than ever before, couldn't help but laugh. "Lady Moon, You are breathtaking. Your gentle light brings joy to My heart! The stars are only frightened of the overwhelming glow You cast upon the world! Even now, you are nearly as bright as your Sister of the day!"

The Moon closed her eyes in disbelief. "I am a monster, My shine is of that of a horrible abomination."

The Sea smiled, and calmed His surface, granting a gift to the distraught Lady. "Lady Moon! Look at me! See how radiant you truly are! You are as lovely as the Aldar!"

The smooth waters stilled to a mirror-like sheen, and for the first time, the water reflected the Celestial Lady.

She gazed upon her own reflection and marveled at how stunning She had truly become. Her light bathed all below her, and Her full, circular appearance presented Her life-giving form for all the world to see. She was delighted in this gift from the Sea, and each night, She gazed upon Her own visage, reassured by Her companion below.

Soon, She felt the pains of labour and gave birth to triplet daughters, and named them Noxtra, Somnustra, and Lunastra. They had each inherited their mothers tender light, and predisposition to haunt the night sky, though Proteus decided to hide them from the world below for a much more important task somewhere in their unknown future.

To remember Her beautiful children, the Moon continued to change her form, disappearing from the sky as a child, growing full with life and light, obscuring even her star friends with her joy, and finally withering away, empty and alone once more. Below Her, the Sea continued showing Her Her own beautiful image, to remind Her of Her true beauty, and how lucky the world was to be able to see Her.