The head jewel crafter, a young rabbit that was far too thin and frail, was panicking. She didn't have a name, her mother died before she could name her, and there was really no point in it. So she had no name.

She'd spent the last two days straight walking. Not a blink of sleep. She hadn't even laid down, hadn't rested for even a moment. Just kept walking. She had to. If she didn't find some kind of new treasure to please Lord Zalim's bride, well… he'd hunt her down and she'd die a painful death. She knew it. She hoped his bride was someone nice, or at least halfway decent. Then maybe she'd say she was happy with her gifts, and she'd be spared. It all depended on what she would say. It could the most beautiful, perfect, astounding jewelry in the world, ever to be crafted, but if Zalim's wife wasn't pleased with it, she'd be killed without a second thought.

She'd been walking for two days, and still had found nothing special. She hoped she got to the Crystal Caverns soon, or… she didn't even want to think about it. Not to mention she'd have to mine for who knew how long to find a new type a jewel. She was sure every type on the island was harvested for Lord Zalim, but she had to try. She wasn't just going to around and wait for him to kill her. She was at least going to try to save herself.

She went over all the different types of precious gems there. Amethysts, rubies, emeralds, zircons, sapphires, diamonds, gold and silver, and more. She worked with all of them. Polishing, shining, cutting them to perfection, hoping they pleased Zalim. She wondered what the new gem, if found, would look like, and what the best way to perfect it was. Would it look best cut into a triangle, or a square, or a circular orb? What color would it be? Should she set it in gold or silver? What would please the new queen when she arrived?

She sighed, squinting into the distance as, suddenly, a black smudge appeared on the horizon. Was that… yes! It must be! The Crystal caverns! "I made it…"she breathed in relief. "I actually made it." With a spurt of glee, she started to run, as fast as her legs could carry her. Maybe she'd live after all!

…

"Wow…" the tiny mammal whimpered in awe. She'd made it. The Caverns. Where to start? For a while she could only drift around in awe, looking at all the raw gems, not polished or cut, but having a wild, natural beauty to them, glimmering like stars despite the dim light. She drifted by aquamarines, pearls, topaz, a rainbow gem she'd never seen-

-Wait. What?!

She jumped back and gaped in awe at the crevice. If you weren't at her tiny eye level, you'd never even see the crack. She got on her knees for a better look. Sure enough, deep inside the crevice, hidden by two small boulders tented over it, was a white jewel of sorts. Every time she blinked or moved, it shone a different array of colors, ever changing! And, along the sides, rainbow ones, dyed every color imaginable! "Oh my…" these were the ones. They had to be. For all the years she'd worked under Zalim's rule, she had never seen such a beautiful gem. None like them! Not one! If this didn't please Lord Zalim, nothing would.

She got right to work with her tiny, crudely crafted pick, working away the plain, rocky outer shell, before she could reach her arm in, chopping away at the stone. She only had a small leaf sack with her, to bring back the new gems she had found, so she could send regular workers to gather them. Usually those that harvested the jewels were large, strong predators, leopards, tigers, wolves. Not tiny rabbits that were underfed and had very brittle bones. But she'd have to make do. She stuck her tiny pick into the dirt to mark her place, so when the regular harvesters came for the special gems, they'd be able to find them easier.

She made sure to grab as many as she could of both kinds, stuffing them into her sack until she was sure if she put one more in it would burst. She then heaved it over her shoulder, and began the long, long journey home. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her- though because she was weak and underfed, she couldn't go as fast as most rabbits. At a decent pace, but not nearly as fast as most rabbits, lucky rabbits, that lived far away from here and knew nothing of Lord Zalim's rule. She hoped they were lucky enough to always remain this oblivious.

She could only hope she'd make it in time.

…

The sun was setting when she returned to her village. You couldn't really tell, as there was no visible sun to set. You could only tell because the gray clouds were slowly turning darker gray to black. Waiting there was a wolf, gray fur with black markings down her back, her eyes midnight blue. She stood there with a stony expression, observing her as she approached.

Skidding to a halt, the tiny rabbit nearly tripped, falling forward at an alarming rate. She squeezed her eyes shut, preparing to hit the ground, when something shot out and caught her. Something soft stopped her fall, gently setting the bunny back on her feet. The wolf stared at her for a moment, mild humor dancing in her eyes, and the jewel crafter was tempted to smile. Then the wolf spoke. "Zalim awaits to see your find." All sense of gratefulness dropped, replaced by cold fear. Oh no…

…

Zalim was in the throne room, per usual, when the jewel crafter arrived with her small pouch of gems. She knocked on the boulder that sealed the entrance nervously, twitching, thoughts flying a million miles a minute. 'What if he is displeased?' she fretted. 'What if I do not have enough? What if-'

The boulder rumbled for a moment before splitting violently in half, causing the ceiling to rumbled. Then they both caved inwards being sucked into the room. The rabbit was as well. She was dropped right in front of him, standing in the middle of the room. He waved a hand, and several bone and skull torches lit themselves around the room. He bent down to her level, so he was staring into her eyes. She was glad he was in his mortal form; had he been in his monstrous one, she was sure her heart would burst. His ruby eyes bore into her brown ones as she scrambled to bow respectfully, having landed unceremoniously face-first on the floor.

"I'm waiting." His voice was cold, but soft. Not necessarily threatening, but it still sent shivers down her delicate spine.

"L-Lord Zalim" she began, untying the strong on the top of her bag. "I- I present th-these new jewels. I hope they will p-please my queen when she arrives." And she emptied the pouch at his feet.

She heard a sharp intake of breath, and she could see him rise up. After a moment of dazed breaths, she dared to look up.

Her overlord's expression was dazed and disbelieving. The jewels reflected in his unfocused eyes, his amazement shining in them. He swooped down again and took one in his palm, running his thumb over the smooth rainbow jewel. "In the name of… what are these?"

"I- I don't know, Lord Zalim." She squeaked out. She didn't know if this reaction was positive or negative. You just couldn't tell with Zalim. "I- I just discovered them today."

"Do you have a name for them?"

"…Milord?"

"Have they been named?" he asked again. She as amazed at his apparent patience- although this conversation hadn't lasted for even a moment, his temper hadn't flared, even at her question.

"N-No sir. I thought you should have the choice." She couldn't help shrieking when suddenly his paw was suddenly coming towards her. She flinched and squeezed her eyes shut, prepared for her demise.

She was suddenly lifted off the ground. She found herself face to face with their ruler, his eyes locked on hers. "Little one" his voice was just the tiniest bit warmer than it's usual cold cruelty. Not by any means nice, but a bit more pleasant. Just a bit. "Have you a name?"

She laid a hesitant hand on her chest. "M… Me sir?" he nodded. "No, Lord Zalim, I don't."

"Well then." He held up the gem in his hand. "You and this jewel will share a name." he summoned the others into his hand. "I will call you all Opal." He dropped her back to the ground, and she managed only to stumble, and not fall. "Do you accept?"

She knew better than to protest. "I… I would be honored." She bowed again.

"Good." His voice turned icier again. "Off with you then. I expect these polished and cut to perfection by the time I retire to bed."

"Yes Milord." She scrambled to put them all back in her bag. As she ran back to her workshop, the newly named rabbit felt an unfamiliar sensation spread through her. Happiness. Lord Zalim would be furious if he ever found out, but he'd done the very opposite of what he strived to do. He'd made her happy. As she realized this, for the first time in many, many years, Opal smiled.

That's a wrap. What'dja think? Good, bad? Halfway decent? Please review! Yeah, I just had to give her a name, as she's fairly important in the story.

And when I say opals, I mean like these: images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS0_krB4H7pxrfbORoqbbyIVLsuq5AvOT2u9ZxP5D eVGKOfPVWxjw

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRvye4Ev3i1CJxz8EUU5k3lZEViLv-30uqjk8auR2 4tMiqDluev

Just thought I'd out that out there, so ya'll can kinda have a visual of these beautiful new jewels she found. Just thought I'd put that up there.

Please review!