- A story of the Dale-lands, known to many children in those parts, presented here as it was told by Angrinc of Dale to Nenaras Wanderer, Song-maker and Sea-wise when by chance they met in strange lands.
((Content warning - this is a Grimms' style dark fairy tale.))
There once was a forest beyond the edge of night, where three boys went winter-wandering, far from home. And those three boys came to a cottage, and they were afraid, for there was an evil stench about it and its windows were black.
So it was that the Princess Starbright stole secret over the land, swift-flying in eagle cloak. And she marvelled and wondered at the wide fields and green hills, for over long years had she seen naught but the woods of Mother Applebloom. Yet ever as she drew closer to the castle did her heart turn from wonder to sorrow, for the orc-king had defiled the land, and despoiled its beauties.
There once was a little king of a great kingdom. His wife bore the king a daughter, and she was named Starbright, for her eyes were deep as the night and gleamed as the heavens. And she was fair and loved by all, and grew in grace and kindness.