Oella

The Fae of the Mistwood care not for bloodlines or legacies. To them they are all the forest’s children and the forest loves them equally, and it merely grants some more power than others. When a cocoon appeared on a branch of the Heart Tree, the Sylvan knew it would bear a Fae destined to protect and care for the forest. For a century, the Heart Tree fed the cocoon love and compassion, and on the final day of its hundredth year, a Faerie with glowing pearlescent wings, who radiated with power, broke out from it. With the fairest of hearts and unending love, the Fae named her Oella and queen of their court. Season after season, Oella was a guiding example to the Fae folk and she led and loved all with patience and understanding. After Siroth’s darkness spread through the land, none wept as much as Oella for the forest’s suffering. Though not a warrior, she worked tirelessly to aid those fighting back the corruption, healing wounds and curing maladies, and offering them all her warmest encouragement. There seemed little she could do to displease her people, until the time she came to the city of Nyresa in the company of a Dark Elf. Oella had heard of the Dark Elf known as Ultan when Sylvan Watchers warned her of a trespasser on the forest’s border. Instead of chasing him from the land, Oella secretly met with the stranger on many occasions. At first sensibly cautious but also curious about the Dark Elf’s gentle ways and dreamer’s eyes, that were uncommon among his kin, Oella subtly teased out Ultan’s wants and desires, and judged his character. When all he ever wished for was to find a bountiful land bathed in sunlight, where the people laughed and the land sang back, Oella’s curiosity turned to trust and the unlikely pair harbored a deep friendship. When the Sylvan saw this outsider strolling around Nyresa at their queen’s side, they demanded he be imprisoned, but Oella claimed that Ultan loved the Mistwood as much as any Sylvan and that he would defend its beauty with his life. As a final stroke to end her people’s arguing, she inducted Ultan into the Fae Court and dubbed him an honorary citizen. Though her people resented her decision, they respected her enough not to openly oppose it. Decades passed and Ultan proved himself a worthy companion, confidant, and bodyguard to Oella, but she knew her people did not accept him as one of their own. Though it pained her, she did not rebuke her people’s coldness, believing that Ultan might one day yet gain their acceptance. She never wished he would need to overcome as terrible dangers as he did to achieve it. Accompanied by her handmaidens one morn, Oella and Ultan set out on a mission to purify the Great Grove, which had been long lost to corruption. Upon arrival, they were assaulted by a host of corrupted warriors. Had it not been for Ultan’s courage and skill with a blade, all of them would have been killed. Having suffered fatal wounds, Ultan fell after he slew the last of their attackers. Safe but distraught, Oella held Ultan’s body and proclaimed her love. She poured her magic into his wounds, into his very spirit, in a desperate attempt to return him from the brink of death. Pushing her powers to unknown limits and relying on instinct more than age-acquired knowledge, she felt something tug at her heart and she offered it all the power it sought, sealing her miraculous spell. Ultan’s soul was bound to hers. For as long as she drew breath, so too would Ultan. They returned to Nyresa and Oella was so overjoyed that she named Ultan her consort to rule beside her until the end of their days. When news spread of Ultan’s heroic act, the Fae finally showed him a modicum of respect and no longer ignored him as though he were a problem that would go away with time. The queen and consort’s love only grew stronger as they ruled and protected their people together. Yet once the initial euphoria of their miracle settled, Oella began to sense cracks in Ultan’s strength and mind, and in her own. His heart did not beat and she realized her strength was shared between them both. Fearing that her people would revert to their dislike of her beloved should they notice how his existence weakened her, and what Ultan might do should he discover the truth, Oella has scoured the Mistwood and the Rhythm for a way to rejuvenate herself. Should she discover one, there is no telling what it might be, and what price she might have to pay to use it.