(The First Joining)

The soft evening breeze played with Fìorea's long, violet hair and sent grains of sand through the air around her. Those tiny specks of dust reflected the glow emanating from the Sìthicris' eyes. She took in a breath and let it out in a steady blow as she stared across the wilderness that stretched between her and Vidurram's home lands.

After only a few moments, she lost track of how many exactly, she saw her Troglobha friend ambling towards her. A smile curved her lips, she waved her hand and saw his muscular arm rise in response.

The two of them had been meeting regularly for weeks now. They would sneak out to the wilderness and then visit one of their home lands - taking it in turns. This week was the eighth week and Fìorea would be in charge as they would be at Sìthicris Terran.

Fìorea lifted her glowing hand and drew the eight-pointed star symbol on Vidurram's chest. He barely registered what she was doing, it had become common practice by this point. Once the light sank into the Troglobha's skin, the two of them made their way to Sìthicris Terran, with no words exchanged.

Vidurram's large khaki hand enveloped Fìorea's pale fingers. She gazed up into his warm amber eyes. The smile that met her gaze lit a warmth in her core and she felt at home by his side.

She led him into the trees of Iar Coilva, then to the bank of the west side's lake.

"Is today the day?" Vidurram asked the violet fairy as he glanced over the lake that Fìorea had told him about already during his other visits to Sìthicris-Terran.

"It is, Illuminare-Trabem told me this morning."

"I still don't understand what the Great Power was trying to tell me the other week. He told me in the smoke that our people belong together, but what does He mean?"

"He said the same to me. He said, our magic belongs together for it is all from Him," Fìorea responded, then began to watch the graceful patterns on the lake's surface.

"You've told me about how Illuminare-Trabem speaks to you and your people, but I've never seen it." Vidurram pondered out loud. "How does he speak to you?"

Fìorea opened her mouth to answer him, but was interrupted by a bright light that reflected off the rippling water.

"They see my light and hear my voice," Illuminare-Trabem's words echoed in the air, sending Vidurram to his knees. Fìorea knelt down beside him, her eyes not leaving the glistening white beam. "Today shall be the last day that you two hide your union from the others. For it is time their minds and hearts are readied for your joining, which will occur in eight days time."

"Our joining?" Fìorea asked, whilst glancing up at Vidurram. His scowl reflected her own confusion.

"Yes." Illuminare-Trabem's velvety voice drew Fìorea's gaze back to the lake. "There shall be a ceremony. The first of many - too many to even count. Your names shall forever be the first to join, bringing the two tribes together, making a new people. A people who will harbour a new form of magic, which will be wielded with the help of nature."

Fìorea's mouth fell open as the plan sank into her mind. The possibilities that unravelled before her seemed endless and the future felt full of hope. These last eight weeks had opened her eyes. She had never felt happier than when she was by Vidurram's side. Of course, a part of her felt uneasy at such a thought. It was unheard of. A Sìthicris and a Troglobha being acquaintances, friends, or even maybe more.

"But, Great Power. How are the tribes going to accept this?" Vidurram's question echoed Fìorea's own thoughts.

"I have tasks for you to undergo within the next eight days, one being for you both to personally invite everyone from your tribes to witness your joining ceremony. This ceremony will have traditions representing both Terrans."

"But how are we going to get them to understand?" Vidurram questioned further.

"I shall be with you both, every step of the way," Illuminare-Trabem reassured the two of them. He then went on to explain exactly what they needed to do in preparation for the world changing event.

Those eight days rushed by in a blur of manic organisation and spreading the word to many. Illuminare-Trabem appeared to every soul they spoke to, just as he promised He would - speaking through a bright beam of light to the Sìthicris and through curling white smoke to the Troglobha. That is all it took to convince them, Illuminare-Trabem knew this as both tribes respected his power.

They all gathered within what once was part of the wilderness, south of Chridocus - the Sìthicris' central city. Fìorea with the help of her best friend Nèopri and a couple of other Sìthicris used their magic to bring life to that area. They built up a beautiful garden, following the directions given to them by Illuminare-Trabem.

On the ground were fresh blades of grass. Trees and shrubs were also grown to enclose the area. All the guests were seated on naturally-grown, wooden benches, standing in rows in front of a circular, marble pool, filled with the cleanest water.

Vidurram stood before the pool - named the Trabem Pool by the Sìthicris; they named it after the Great Power, who invented its purpose. Also standing beside the Trabem Pool was Chief Dìonad, Fìorea's father. They stood waiting for the arrival of the violet Sìthicris, who was instructed to arrive later than everybody else. She was told to wear a long, golden gown that represented the magic that connected the two tribes. As she walked through the central aisle between the filled benches, tree creatures from Troglobha Terran ran beside her growing flowers by her bare feet - beautiful blooms in the repeating pattern of pink, yellow and white.

Once Fìorea joined Vidurram's side, they faced each other. As their eyes met, loving smiles decorated their mouths.

"You look beautiful," Vidurram whispered.

"Thank you, so do you," Fìorea said whilst stroking her hand up and down the Troglobha's strong, bare arm. He wore the same earth coloured clothes that he always wore, as did the rest of the Troglobha tribe members. The Sìthicris wore their usual delicate attire, it was only Fìorea who was instructed to wear something different to the norm.

"Let's begin." Chief Dìonad clapped his hands together, then dove into the script that Illuminare-Trabem gave him to lead the ceremony. "Fìorea and Vidurram, hold your left hands over the Trabem Pool."

The couple did as instructed, and as soon as they did, Illuminare-Trabem showed his presence by lighting up the water with a golden beam of light. It danced, casting rays into the surrounding trees and upon the faces in the crowd. It then formed together to create gold letters that spelled out the couple's names.

Fìorea Lus Nutrix • Vidurram

Chief Dìonad raised his glowing royal-blue hands and recited exactly what he was told to say, "perimhe lux ain urra, leigat Illuminare-Trabem beannai conila ain ursad." Then for the sake of the Troglobha he translated his words. "Through my light, let Illuminare-Trabem bless your union."

The names within the pool were then changed by the power of Illuminare-Trabem.

Vidorea Lus Nutrix • Vidurram Lus Nutrix

It was Fìorea and Vidurram's turn then to recite, at the same time, the words they were made to memorise for the ceremony. Fìorea in Sìthicris-Sana and Vidurram in Troll language.

"Tha sinnos conilai aeteràdh, etus tha sinnos alligailte aeteràdh anns an aeteràidh impachd de lux."

"We are forever joined, and we are forever bound in the eternal power of light."

They shared a gentle kiss as all the guests stood up and threw magical flowers that the tree creatures handed out. The pink, yellow and white blooms disintegrated into puffs of glittering, white smoke wherever they landed.

"Urra vossa amaradh," Vidurram whispered the only words he knew in Sìthicris-Sana.

"I love you too," Fìorea replied in a hushed tone that only Vidurram could hear.

It was time to set up the feast. The Sìthicris, with their magic, made the wooden benches disappear back into the earth and placed their glowing hands upon the trees, making them produce all kinds of juicy fruit, which fell into waiting baskets. The Troglobha tribe brought out blankets and dishes they were instructed to bring also.

Everybody split into groups consisting of a mixture of both tribes and they feasted together.

There was a miraculous sense of peace amongst all who sat and ate. They chatted with a merriment that they all didn't think would be possible up until that very day.

Fìorea, now to be known as Vidorea, was sat beside her new husband, Vidurram. Also beside her was Nèopri, who was talking quite intently with a Troglobha. He was strongly built, wore black heavy looking clothes and his eyes glowed a fiery red underneath his shaggy, dark-brown hair. Vidorea could see that Nèopri was quite taken by him. Her wide grin and the sparkle in her shining, yellow eyes were a dead give away.

"I don't think I have ever seen Nèopri so relaxed," Vidorea commented about her friend to her husband.

"She's speaking to Severton, my brother," Vidurram informed her, whilst taking a bite of an apple. "He has a unique condition, Illuminare-Trabem gifted him with a scent, when you get close enough to him, that scent relaxes you."

"Really?" Vidorea questioned with a raised eyebrow. "I didn't know there was such a condition. Do you also have that? Is that why I ended up falling for you?"

"No, I don't have it," Vidurram answered with a wink and a knowing smile. "Only Sev has it. The scent doesn't affect people's thoughts or true feelings, only their nerves. If someone is feeling nervous his scent turns those nerves into laughter."

A loud roar of laughter then left the little, yellow Sìthicris, as if on cue, proving Vidurram right.

"Fascinating," Vidorea whispered to herself and took a sip of water, which she nearly spilt as a loud crashing rumbled the air.

Clay pots and dishes broke under the feet of an angry looking Troglobha who was now squaring up to Sol, the blue Sìthicris.

Vidorea could not quite catch what the Troglobha was saying as he growled at Sol. The blue Sìthicris lit up his hands, ready to defend himself from a violent attack.

Vidurram got to his feet.

"What is going on, Gren?" he bellowed across the feast. Everyone stopped eating and looked towards the two individuals, who were at odds. They didn't seem to hear him, because they did not break eye contact, nor did they back down. Vidurram turned to his brother. "Sev, go and calm him. We can't have the day spoilt!"

Severton nodded his head, got to his feet and walked over to the angry Troglobha. He simply placed a hand on Gren's shoulder and his tensed muscles immediately relaxed. Sol also physically relaxed, but when he glanced towards Vidorea, she could see that his anger was not gone from his face. Something in his eyes sent a shiver down her back. He stormed away from the feast, walked amongst the surrounding trees and went out of sight.

Severton returned to his seat beside Nèopri and the feast carried on as before. Everybody pretended like nothing had happened. Everybody that is, except Vidorea, who couldn't stop thinking about her blue Sìthicris kinsman.

"Are you alright, my love?" Vidurram asked her as she stared in a lost haze at her half filled plate.

"His eyes..." she vocalised, to nobody in particular.

"Whose?" Vidurram asked, glancing around the room.

"Sol's, the Sìthicris that left. His eyes were black."

There was not a beat before shouting was heard from beyond the trees. Nobody had noticed that Gren had also left the gathering. Vidorea glanced towards her father then ran towards the trees, followed by many others.

It didn't take long to find Sol and Gren. But when Vidorea reached them the fight was already over. Sol fell onto his knees. His face was battered and his nose was bleeding. Vidorea rushed to his aid and he collapsed into her arms.

"Sol? Sol can you hear me?" she called to him. Then made her hands glow violet.

"Gren! What have you done?" Vidurram yelled as he made his way to Vidorea's side.

"I - I..." Gren's voice came out in a confused tremor as he glanced towards the trees that surrounded the feast. "I don't remember coming out here..."

Vidorea covered Sol's bruised face with her glowing hand but the magic couldn't touch him.

"It's not w-working!" she stammered in blind panic, as she tried to heal him over and over again.

A gasp left her and many others as his whole body began to glow with a golden light. That glow grabbed the attention of everybody present. The Sìthicris knew exactly what it meant, but the Troglobha were utterly baffled by the foreign magic. However, no one could deny the heavy atmosphere as all the eyes belonging to the Sìthicris tribe were welling up with tears.

Soon the question in all of the Troglobha's minds were answered, as Sol's form disappeared from Vidorea's grasp. What was left behind was his soul that transformed into a bunch of golden, sparkling lights. Everybody watched them in silence as they began to float up towards the starlit night sky.