Disclaimer: Nothing from DL is mine, though the plot was completely my idea.

A/N: Yes, this is the promised spin off on Chapter 6 of Daughter of Prophesy. For those of you who don't like tragedy, it shouldn't get too bad until the very end. Please review honestly – constructive criticism is as helpful as pure praise is gratifying. However, if you choose to flame, keep it civil, and remember, I respond to all reviewers at the end of every new chapter. Now, without further ado, my story:

Prologue

The young man stepped into the carriage, and sat down beside the richly garbed young woman. "Good day, Eve." He tried, not very successfully, to mask his commoner's drawl.

"Good day, Edward." The young woman, Eve, had no need to disguise her voice. She was a pure noble. The young man sighed. How was he going to ever be able to marry her? He must have been dreaming to ever think to hope. Young 17th century writers didn't just up and marry noble women!

What madness had afflicted his brain to make him agree to go meet her parents? Well, too late now. This was the point of no return, and all he could do was hope. Now, his love turned to him. "Now Edward, don't try to change your speech pattern to sound noble – you just sound like a fool. Don't worry. My parents have always said I should marry for love."

Edward made a noise of disbelief, but Eve shushed him. "I told you, it isn't my parents you need to worry about, it's Grandmama." Edward raised an eyebrow in question. "Well, maybe I never had mentioned her before. She's not really my grandmother – she's older than anyone can realize. Generations of my family have looked to her for guidance. Whatever she says is the law. Don't worry, though." Eve reached over to squeeze Edward's hand. "She'll love you. How could she not?"

Edward, surprised at this uncommon display of affection from his sweetheart decided it was wiser not to argue with her. Instead, he sat back and enjoyed what he expected would be the last ride in a carriage this nice for the rest of his life. Finally, they got to Eve's mansion. Edward estimated that the entrance hall alone would be big enough to fit his whole house inside.

Upon entering the house, Edward was not disappointed. The house had two enormous levels, and the walls were painted with intricate designs and gilt work. Hanging on the main wall inside was the family crest – two trees intertwined, one strait and silvery, the other twisted and dark. The background swirled with black and white.

Edward stopped looking around in awe when a fairly young-looking woman appeared in the door. Judging by her resemblance to Eve, Edward guessed this must be her mother, though she looked more the age of a sister. She had Eve's long, golden blond hair, and brilliant blue-green almond eyes. At seeing her, Edward bowed deeply. Always proper, Eve's mother Fia nodded slightly, as befitted a noblewoman addressing a commoner.

At that, Eve looked furious. "Mother, this is the man I told you about. Edward?" At this outburst, Fia barely blinked, though such talk was considered quite rude at that time. The women of the Dante line were famous for their strong, outspoken manor.

"Of course, Dear. Grandmama is in her room. Come, both of you. She is expecting you." The proud noble beckoned, and the young couple followed her up a winding set of stairs. At the top, they went down a long corridor, to an enormous room on the end. There was a big canopy bed in the corner, and several chairs around a table. Everything was decorated in somber shades, as though for someone in mourning.

In the room, the eye was not drawn to the bed, or the décor, but to a throne-like chair at the end of the room opposite the bed. Seated in this chair was a woman. Though she was quite slender, there was an aura of power, majesty, and magic that surrounded her. She had the same dull green eyes as Eve and Fia, and her golden hair had not yet seen the taint of old age. Her hair was elaborately pulled up so it framed her face in ringlets, hiding her ears. Her face was as smooth as a bride's, and Edward had trouble believing that this was the dreaded family matriarch.

When the lady spoke, however, all doubt was erased. "Welcome, Children." The woman's voice was sonorous and bold. If properly trained, the woman likely had a gorgeous soprano singing voice. Her two word statement held ages of knowledge and pain, of joy and suffering.

"You must be Edward." The woman turned to the young man, and he quailed under her powerful gaze. Even in her plain light green dress, it was evident that this woman was of high breeding. All Edward could do was nod and bow to the formidable matriarch.

"No need for that, young man. I'm not much for formalities. Now, I suppose you're here because you feel you need my blessings." She now turned toward Eve. "If that's true, I haven't gotten through to you. I've always told you that a girl may marry whomever she damn wants!" At this tirade, Edward looked shocked, and even Eve's normally emotionless demeanor showed some surprise.

"However, before you marry, there are some things that you both have the right to know about the family. Eve, you're a serious girl, so I trust that if you've brought Edward here, you're both sure that this is what you want. So much like... Well, we'll get to that later. This is a story every Dante must here before he or she gets wed, so that when I finally do pass on, our history will not be lost."

At Edward and Eve's twin expressions of shock and disbelief, the woman motioned the two closer. "Sit. Both of you, and listen." They both sat on the carpeted floor, as though they were still the children the matriarch had called them.

"Now," the woman's expression was sad, as though she relived memories that had a bittersweet flavor. "This tale begins long ago – nearly one hundred years ago. However, it does not take place on this Earth. It takes place in a world of magic; a world none here know of, a world most would scoff at as fallacy. However, this world was, and still is quite real – as real as this one. It is a world called Krynn, where beings capable of thought are as numerous and varied as the trees. It is in this world that the tale of a young elf begins..."