Prologe
In a small part of a desolent snowly forest, an old man poked at his lonely little fire with a stick. He was tall and slender with a long white beard that was as white as the snow that had just fallen that morning. He was old...much older than many would have ever imaged...
Suddenly the wind the changed a little and with out even turning around he said...
"Ahh...my old friend..so you come at last"
The mysterous presence behind him shifted a bit...but still he didn't turn around.
"I would say that it's wonderful to see you again.." he said with a raspy chuckle "But unfortunitly time... has deprived me of my sight.."
His old clouded eyes gleemed with amusement at yet another change in the wind
"Oh suprised are you? You seem to forget so easily how much time effects us poor mortals"
Suddenly he felt a large pressure on his shoulder and after recovering over his own suprise at the action, placed his hand over the being resting there. He could feel soft short fur, softer than anything he had ever touched and the warmth that came from it gave him memories of long ago, when he could see the being behind him as clear as the summers rays...
"Oh don't worry you self about it..." he said softly as he stroked the warmth "I remember so clearly...like it was only yesterday. And..." he couldn't help but added in a deep laugh " you haven't changed a it. Not even your bad habit of regret"
The warmth shook side to side in slight anguish, embarrassed by the old man's comment.
"Well it true you silly thing! You regret not coming to visit me sooner..before I went blind eh? Before..Molly lefted this world..."
The warmth once again moved, but not in anguish, but as if it was sighing.
"Like I said, don't worry about it. As she was dying she told me that she could see your face...smiling down at her. She loved you so much...and she always will."
The mysterious warmth shifted once more and left the old man completely. His sharp ears could almost hear it backing away. His heart ached a bit...longing for that familiar warmth once more, but he knew reason of the removal.
"Yes..." he breathed "We do have important business to attend to"
He himself suddenly shifted his weight and pulled out a small pouch from his side.
"This..I think will do quite nicely, don't you think? Once I find them I will present them with these. After that, dear friend, it will be up to you. Are you sure...you're up to this?"
There was silence...as if the being was pondering that question itself...
"I know it must be done...but are you ready? You are not like the others...not anymore. They can not feel what you feel. They have never tasted the sting of regret and personal longing...or sweetness love..but you have..."
"It...must be done..completely.." a clear beautiful voice whispered
Then wind changed again and the being was gone...
"Yes.." the old man breathed out once more "but what about you?"
And with that he left his small fire and walked slowly but steadly out of the old wood...leaving the wind to blow away the light small hoof prints by his camp site..