The Legend of Silver Leaf

 In a time beyond time, when the world was young and magic did still abide, there stretched a vast woodland where the trees put forth leaves of silver and summer was unending. In this ancient realm there dwelled a multitude of beings; each different; each unique. Despite their disparities, these beings lived together without rancor. They used wisdom instead of weapons in the settling of their quarrels.

Time, as it is wont to do, moved onward in this realm. Little by little, the magical places shrank as men nibbled at the edges of the vast forest with ax and flame. One by one, the mighty, silver-leaved trees died, slain by the greed and carelessness of man, until only a small portion of the once boundless wood remained.

The Queen of Silver Leaf wept to see the destruction of her home. She knew that soon all of her people would fade and pass from the sight of man, that the magic of the forest would be forever lost. So carefully, she laid her final plans. She gathered in the power of the silver leaves; building with them a great magic that would save the last remnant of her beloved woods.

Long she labored; but at last, her hand was readied. She poured the magic of the silvered leaves over the last refuge of the creatures of her domain. Thus she created the realm of Faerie which she took beyond the reach of man.

The price, however, was high. The silver leached from the leaves and henceforth the trees were mantled all in green - the color of hope. But the Queen of Silver Leaf was content, for here in one small corner of time, magic did still abide. And sometimes, of a day, Faerie could still be found nestled in the glades of summer.

 by Zandra Cole