The elderly faerie, reaching near his sixtieth winter, had been the owner after his father and his father’s father. He ran it with pride, keeping the place clean and not allowing any to enter who wished harm to others. He kept the tavern full with customers because of his kinds words, the promise that a mug would never stay empty, and the promise of unknown secrets. Some argued that Terance was one of the wisest creatures in the Land, of course after Old Woman Eliya who lived in her lonely tower near the clifts of Ragmoor. Rumors floated around that Terance knew the exact location of the great hidden treasure hidden in the Great Desert, the same treasure which had lured hundreds to their deaths as they traveled south into uncharted wilderness. It was said that Terance knew the only way to kill Dierrdon, yet he had sworn to die with that secret to his grave. Terance deed indeed know the Land better than almost anybody. He had traveled the Land when he was younger. A great tapestry, woven with magic threads that never dulled, was hung on one of the tavern’s walls. It was detailed in fine silver thread showing the roads through the Land. The mysterious Great Desert was embroidered with black and gold dots. A great pair of teeth were etched into the bottom, indicating the home of Dierrdon laying in wait in his underground lair made up of maze-like catacombs and caves so enormous, one couldn't see their end. The High Kingdoms of the Northern First Part were stitched in so much detail one could almost see every tree. Brook Town was stitched so one could see distinctive details, such as the hole in the thatched roof of the Blue Blood Inn, and the north-facing stain glass window of the Lion’s Eyes tavern. On another wall hung a large tooth, the pointed ends stained red. That belonged to Dierrdon. No one knew exactly how Terance had received it, only that he had brought it back with him from his travels in the Land. Again rumors floated that he had actually injured the great dragon so much he had only been able to take the tooth before the dragon had flown off. Terance wouldn’t say. He just laughed and shrugged his heavy shoulders before he poured you another drink. The first sight one saw upon entering the tavern was the great bar itself opposite the door. It was massive, with intricate carvings in the dark wood that covered the entire back wall up to the ceiling. Two lions were carved on the wall's sides, their heads flat and bracing a long scroll. The scroll was the uppermost part of the bar and reached from one wall to the other. The slab of black marble that made up the bar was unlike any other as it kept its glimmer without polishing. Carved silver dragon's feet supported the great bar on the old wooden floor.

Terance knew his tavern was the meeting place for the Second Part of the Land. Brook Village was situated on three major crossroads: the High King's Highway, The Wandering Road, and the Red River Highway, and these roads brought quite a few travelors and patrons.  He was glad of the popularity his tavern held in the Land and was happy to see new faces every day. It was only a few days in the year that his tavern was ever empty. As long as his wife Onelle and himself kept healthy he kept the tavern open every day of the year. He didn't mind that people told rumors about him, he knew better. Terance stroked his white beard as he stood behind his bar and eyed the crowd. It was a good bunch, a few local farmers and a passing-by adventurer. Though one face worried him. It was of a young man, he recognized him to be Rilan, the son of the Brook Village’s woodcutter. His eyes looked red from crying and he gulped down his ale as if to drown himself from life. Onelle came over, placed her tray on the marble slab and looked at him. Terance only stared into his wife’s violet eyes framed by her fiery red hair. Despite her years, fifty plus (she wouldn’t tell him her true age) her body still had its youthful appearance. Her hair was wild as it was a bunch of spiral curls escaping from the braid she put it in each day. She had but two wrinkles- they were at the corner of her mouth from her endless smiles. Terance was lucky to spend his next century with her. He pitied those faeries who couldn’t live past two centuries. 

"An ale and a Gleaming Sunrise," she reported. Terance bent over and started to make the drink. 

"Who ordered the sunrise? It’s a very powerful drink," he asked as he refilled the ale mugs.

"Rilan. The boy has a serious problem. See if you can find out what happened dear," Onelle whispered. He nodded as he handed her the drinks. He gave a wide smile as she pulled up her skirt so she wouldn’t trip on the ends.

"And don’t go flirting with the customers," he said with a laugh.

She nodded and smiled. "Worried about competition? I wouldn’t; no one’s cute enough today." She got out of his reach and began to whistle as she headed to her customers. Terance nodded to Glern, one of his crew who tended bar when he slipped away. Terance headed towards the woodcutter’s son and sat down. Rilan didn’t notice as he took a swig of his drink.

"Careful boy, that stuff can kill a man if he isn’t careful enough." Rilan finally looked up at him. Terance could tell he was quite drunk, his eyes were watery and his breath reeked of liquor. Rilan’s head turned slowly as if he was in a daze. Terance reached over and slid the drink away from the young man. "Perhaps you should lay off for a few moments."

Rilan’s eyes darkened. "I want to forget," he hoarsely whispered. Terance was confused. 

"What? What do you want to forget?"

"That I’m in love," came the quiet reply. Terance laughed, his hearty laughter ringing through the tavern. 

"That’s nothing to get drunk over boy. Unless she’s the shepherd’s daughter, then I can see why you would want to drown her out."

Rilan shook his head. "No, it is with a dryad."

"A nymph? That hardly seems your type Rilan. I would think another faerie would catch your fancy."

Rilan looked up at him with his red eyes. "She is the most gorgeous creature in the Land. Her hair is like spider’s silk it is so soft. The sun’s rays reflect off her hair as if it was silver. Her skin is the color of cream, so fair and soft. Her figure causes even the celibate to rethink their vows. I can see her now, her green lips and her deep green eyes."

"Ah, she’s a tree dryad." Terance started to see a problem of the love affair between a woodcutter’s son and a tree nymph. "But tell me why you’re sad? You should be happy."

"It is a story, a dreadful story."

Terance chuckled. "Then tell me. You know I crave stories. If I deem it good enough, I will pay for your drink."

Rilan nodded, cleared his throat then began:

"Father had asked me to bring in some trees. I am still eagerly learning his trade. It is a good trade, keeping Brook Village rebuilding. I was in the woods, and not seeing anything too spectacular I wandered farther and farther into the deepest part of the forest. I wanted to surprise my father with a tree that was amazing and up to his standard. Once I saw this tree, I dropped my axe and just stared. It was a young tree- meaning it would make wonderful bow strings and be ideal for carving into furniture and for ornamentation. This tree would make my father happy. I was about to take my axe to it when I heard a voice cry,

"‘Please stop!’

"I turned to see her. This was the beautiful maid I had told you about. I can still see her, standing in the sun’s light, framed by the mighty trees that stood behind her. 

"’Please don’t cut down my tree,’ she wailed. Confused I asked her why not. ‘I am a dryad and that is my tree. If you cut it down you will kill me.’

"’Then I won’t do that. I wouldn’t want to end a life as beautiful as yours.’ Of course I sounded like a school age boy with a crush but I couldn’t help myself. Her smile was dazzling as she looked at me. I thought I would leave the ground my head was so light. I instantly fell in love with her. I stayed with her that day, not being able to order my legs to carry me away from her. She kissed me goodbye that night. That kiss was like fire flashing through me. I will never forget that feeling as it coursed throughout my veins. 

"I left her and knew I had to find a tree before I returned home. Unfortunately, I got lost and didn't know my way. I finally looked to the moon and used it as my guide. I knew I needed a tree so I chose the small one in front of me and cut it down without a second thought. The tree was so young, its sap oozed out of the cut and onto my axe. It caused me to miss my mark and I gave a low chop. I finally cut it down and my father was proud at me when I returned home. That was the best day of my life. I had met my love and had earned my father’s pride.

"The next day I returned to my lovely dryad. I froze when I saw her tree had been chopped down. A few roots had been uplifted as the tree had fallen. I almost cried when I saw the low mark near the ground. It was at that instant when I realized I had chopped down this tree last night. I had cut down the dryad’s tree. I would have killed myself if I had brought my axe. I had killed my love."

Rilan finished his tale and Terance couldn’t help but let the young man have his drink back. "That my friend, is a powerful story. Your drinks are free tonight." He sat in deep thought as the boy finished his drink. "Rilan, I’m going to help you." The young man looked up at him with wide eyes. 

"How can you help me?" he asked. 

"I know a thing or two. I’m going to give you a seed. Plant it right by the roots of your beloved’s tree. In two years, it will be full grown and if your love is strong enough, the dryad will return to you in this new tree."

"Thank you! Thank you Terance!" Rilan cried as he leaned over the small table to hug the old faerie. 

"Yes, yes. You’re making a scene. I will give you this with one condition: You can’t tell anyone who gave you this seed and information. I can’t give this to everyone."

"Your secret is safe with me. I promise to never tell a soul! I swear on my own life!"

"Good. Now run off. Two years isn’t that long." Rilan jumped to his feet then raced out the door. Terance only smiled as he watched the door close behind the boy. 

"Now I shall have to wait for another story."