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The Ghost of the Moor
"This is hardly anything more than a ghost story told by
young elves in the wilderness on cold, stormy nights to help them
through their rite of passage. I have yet to discover any historic
background on the girl Rayne, but the moral of the story is most
compelling."
Briede Songweavyre
It is spoken of in women's circles and around the fires on cold,
dark nights... that there is a ghost on the moor. She is not
the kind of haunting, evil specter that most ghost tales are made
of; her story is one of sadness. Rayne once lived in the city of
Ta'Illistim as the daughter of a blacksmith. She was considered
one of the loveliest elves in the city and, despite her common lineage;
her father had hopes that she would one day marry a nobleman.
When the mayor's son, a commander in the Empress' army, sought
out his daughter, the blacksmith was overjoyed and quickly blessed
the union. Rayne denied the man her hand in marriage, asking that
he court her first, so that she might look favorably upon him before
she took her vows. The commander agreed and the two courted for
many years.
Over the course of their courtship, Rayne grew to love the commander
with all her heart, yet she did not accept his proposal. Each time
he would ask, she would manage to fend him off, asking him for but
a month more. The commander remained steadfast in his love for her,
promising he would wait until the end of time.
Rayne's father grew angry at his daughter's games, chastising her
for being so careless with a man's heart. He cautioned her, for
no good could come of her trickery. Yet the girl paid her father
no mind, and she continued her games for seven long years.
During this time, the elven forces were gathering in an effort
to quell the growing dissension from the south. Rayne knew her beloved
commander would be sent into battle, and she could not bear the
thought of losing him. She went to him and agreed to marry him in
a fortnight. The commander was overjoyed and promised her that once
he returned from his father's stronghold to the north, he would
marry her. With a heavy heart Rayne said goodbye to her love.
A week later, Rayne received word that her commander would be returning
the following fortnight and she was to meet him on Glo'atern moor,
where they would be married. Rayne was ecstatic and set to the task
of arranging a cleric for the ceremony. It is said that she walked
on clouds throughout the week, so great was her joy.
Seven days after the arrival of the letter, Rayne stood upon the
moor, waiting patiently for her love's arrival. The day slowly passed
and friends came and went, growing weary of the wait. Rayne alone
remained well into the night. As the sun rose on a new day, it found
her still waiting. Days and nights passed and yet still she remained.
Neither drinking nor eating, Rayne stood facing the north waiting
for her love to return.
Without food, water or sleep, Rayne's health began to fail and
it is said that somewhere, deep within her heart, she knew her commander
had been slain and so she had given up on her own life. Rayne's
father found her body, hours after she had died, and buried her
upon the moor.
There are whispered tales that a young woman can be seen standing
on the moor, facing north. If one listens close enough, it is said
that her crying can be heard. Tears spent for the loss of love and
for the tragedy her cruelty had caused her. Let this be a lesson
to those who love... love well, for tomorrow may never come.
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