[INDENT]After a time, a wet fog begins emanating from the resting place of the most recent dreamer in Willow's Weep. Puddles of condensation form, rippling with the faintest of sounds reminiscent of the singing waters of a distant wood. Three tiny elfin creatures pull themselves out of the pools, an iridescent sheen to their watery features, and "wings" not meant for flight but for brief twirls and glides above the surface arching from their backs.
After looking around, whispering amongst themselves and pointing, they turn and retrieve a star shaped diamond, glittering in the mists. "A present from the princess!" one whispers to the monument, as if it could hear. "Lucky..." the other mutters. "Not so lucky if he's dead!" the first retorts."Shhh!" hisses the last to them both.
"This diamond, but a memory," she explains as they press their burden to the stone, pale webbing showing between stretched fingers. "It passes not the grave," another adds, and moisture darkens the area surrounding it as a tear forms in the center of the gem. Slowly it sinks back into the stone, as if the erosion of water were taking place in a moment. The three messengers step back to admire their handiwork, the star now set as though it had always been.
"Was that it?" one whispers anxiously. "I think so," murmurs another. "We forgot to say thank you!" the last exclaims, gills fluttering at her neck. "Thank you?" the first offers in a helpful voice. The one in the middle pushes at the first, who dances up and back out of the way with a quick outstretch of gliding wings. Each of the queer little fey creatures clusters again around the diamond and reaches a tiny hand to touch it, and their melodic voices raise in what in other times might resemble school children reciting a lesson.
We pray that time gave meaning
To our words well meant
And that we played a small part
In a life well spent
"Thank you!" adds one again, earning a swat from a companion. "Good night!" calls another as they slip back into the small pools of water. The last pokes her head back out to look one more time, and waves. "Sleep well..."
The mists dissipate with their departure, the puddles shrinking and disappearing altogether, until all that remains for the next traveler to discover is the glistening diamond set in the stone, and the last remnants of moisture in the air...
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