It was an incident that occurred when Tirrellda had barely seen the light of the world for less than a month.
The elf Taielle was quite tall, possessing a stature that allowed him to look down upon ordinary humans.
Normally, he would have maintained an elegant appearance with his long silver-gray hair neatly tied back, but now it was different. After several days of travel, tossing and turning in his sleep and waking multiple times to check on his daughter's safety, his hair had gradually become disheveled. Now fully unbound, several strands cascaded forward, messily veiling his forehead and cheeks. His pointed ears peeked through the locks, and his sharp, deep green eyes always held a vigilant gleam, as if constantly on guard against something.
In ordinary times, he would have donned tidy attire to uphold his graceful demeanor, but now he wore a travel-worn brown leather overcoat. Dangling from it were meticulously carved small wooden spoons, softly woven tiny blankets, palm-sized wooden bowls, and leather pouches filled with fruit powders and herbs for the baby to eat.
On his back was securely fastened an intricately woven wicker cradle. Originally an ordinary cradle used indoors, Taielle had personally reshaped it over several days.
He had attached cushioned straps on both sides with leather cords to minimize shocks while walking, and the bottom was layered thickly with wool and soft cotton. At the top, a small foldable canopy was installed to block rain or intense sunlight, and the sides featured several small pockets stuffed full of cloth diapers and various essentials.
Inside that meticulously prepared cradle, wrapped in a white blanket and sound asleep, was the baby Tirrellda. Her tiny lips were slightly parted as she breathed peacefully, and occasionally her small hand would emerge from the blanket, gently groping the air like a flower petal. Whenever that happened, it had become Taielle's habit to halt his steps, turn around, and confirm his daughter's safety.
"Ehehe! You're so pretty today too, Tirrellda. Daddy will protect the most beautiful daughter in the world. Daddy will definitely find a spirit and keep you even safer... Once this dangerous journey ends, we'll never go on such an adventure again. It's only because it's absolutely necessary, so please bear with it, my daughter Tirrellda."
Taielle whispered softly while glancing over his shoulder at his daughter.
Then suddenly, his warm expression turned cold, a subtle tremor appearing at the corners of his eyes. The gentle smile lingering on his lips slowly faded, soon replaced by firmly pressed lips. His pupils narrowed slightly, and faint wrinkles creased his forehead.
"But that leaf over there, swaying in the wind... What if it falls right onto you? If that pointed tip even grazes our Tirrellda's soft cheek... No, it won't fall. Daddy will clear them all away in advance."
He genuinely looked up at the branches overhead with a worried expression. Each leaf rustling in the wind seemed like a sharp blade capable of wounding his daughter's delicate skin.
"And that little bug over there... It can't come too close. It might harm our Tirrellda. What if it's poisonous?"
Spotting a small butterfly fluttering up from the roadside bushes, Taielle tensed his body. As the butterfly approached the cradle, he carefully waved his hand to shoo it away.
"If the sky is too bright, it could hurt our daughter's eyes. I wish the sun would shine a bit more gently... No, if it's too dark, she might get scared..."
He gazed up at the sky, pondering how wonderful it would be if the sun's brightness could be adjusted to perfectly suit Tirrellda.
From the entrance path into Di-Neah's arboreal expanse, Taielle's worries intensified even more. The arboreal expanse was known as one of the most mysterious and dangerous places on the continent, yet it was also where spirits were most abundant. Ancient trees thousands of years old completely obscured the sky, allowing only faint light to filter into the forest even at midday.
"It's... a bit dark in here. Will our Tirrellda be scared? No, our daughter is brave, so she'll be fine. But what if she does get scared? Should Daddy sing her a song?"
Taielle murmured as he surveyed his surroundings. His pointed ears captured every subtle sound: the rustle of leaves, distant bird calls, the movements of small animals—all of them registered as potential danger signals to him.
Amid those sounds, Taielle quietly parted his lips.
What emerged first, before words, was a light, slender melody like a breath. That tranquil and soft tune, akin to grass swaying in the breeze, flowed on his voice. The low hum seemed to envelop the child's heart even in the darkness, and within his embrace, Tirrellda soon closed her eyes quietly.
Then, when Tirrellda made a small noise and shifted in the cradle, Taielle immediately stopped walking and turned around.
"Huh? Are you awake? Hungry? Or is it the diaper... No, I just checked... Then maybe bored? Should Daddy tell you a fun story?"
He hurriedly untied the cradle's straps and lowered it from his back. But Tirrellda was still deeply asleep; it was merely a small movement from dreaming.
"Ah, you were just dreaming. It must be a good dream, right? Maybe one where Daddy becomes the guardian of the forest, protecting our Tirrellda under the warm moonlight?"
Taielle lightly kissed his daughter's forehead and hoisted the cradle back onto his back. Such occurrences repeated dozens of times a day.
As they ventured deeper into the arboreal expanse, the trees grew even more colossal. Trees so massive that several people with arms outstretched couldn't encircle them lined endlessly, their roots protruding above ground like immense walls blocking Taielle's path. Among those roots grew bizarre flowers and mushrooms in vibrant colors, and occasionally, small twinkling lights danced in the darkness.
"The air here feels a bit damp... What if our Tirrellda catches a cold? No, our daughter is healthy, so she'll be fine. But just in case..."
Taielle sensed the surrounding humidity with a concerned expression. He pulled a small blanket from the cradle and wrapped his daughter even more snugly.
"Feeling warmer now? Daddy will always keep you warm. Not too cold, not too hot—just perfectly comfortable."
Several more days passed, yet Taielle still hadn't found any trace of the spirits. He spent one night in a rounded space formed by intertwined roots of a massive oak, and rested near a small stream at times. He couldn't sleep properly through the night, vigilantly guarding his daughter. Every sound in the forest echoed as a danger signal to him.
"There's an owl hooting over there... It's not targeting us, right? No, owls eat mice, so they won't be interested in us. But what if it mistakes our Tirrellda for a really big mouse? No! Absolutely not!"
He genuinely harbored such worries, staying awake through the night.
It was the same when he encountered a small stream. Clear, clean water trickled along, but to Taielle, even that was a source of concern.
"If the water sound is too loud, might our Tirrellda get startled? But if it's too quiet, strange noises will be more audible... Ah, what should I do?"
He paced back and forth multiple times between spots far from and near the stream, searching for the 'optimal' location.
"Here, the water is too loud... Over there, it's too quiet... Ah, isn't there a spot that's just right in the middle?"
When he discovered a small clearing blooming with beautiful flowers, he briefly marveled.
"Ah... Truly beautiful. Would our Tirrellda like these pretty flowers too? Since our daughter is the prettiest in the world, she'd match perfectly with such flowers."
But worry soon flooded in.
"But those bees... What if they take interest in our daughter? And if the floral scent is too strong, Tirrellda might sneeze... If she sneezes too hard, her throat could hurt!"
He left the beautiful flower field behind and ventured back into the dark forest.
As more days passed, Taielle's appearance grew increasingly weary. It was due to lack of proper sleep. His silver-gray hair was even more tousled, and his usually neat attire bore the marks of travel. Yet his love and worry for his daughter hadn't diminished in the slightest.
"Daddy's a bit tired, but for our Tirrellda, I can endure anything. We'll meet the spirits soon. Then we can find a really good spirit to protect you—one much stronger than Daddy, who can always watch over you!"
*****
It was a night when the moon shone unusually bright. Taielle was walking along the moonlight filtering through the massive trees. Then suddenly, he noticed a strange light emanating from ahead.
"What... is that? Is it fire? Fire would be dangerous... But fires don't come in such varied colors..."
He approached cautiously. A space appeared where colossal ancient trees formed a perfect circle. Each tree was immense, as if pillars upholding the sky, appearing so ancient that one couldn't fathom how long they had stood there. Mosses and small plants grew on their bark, and from the crevices, tiny sparkling lights leaked out.
But what was truly astonishing was the center of that circle. Hundreds of small glowing orbs floated in the air, moving slowly. Some were fist-sized, others as small as a finger joint. Emitting lights of various colors, they danced like living stars.
"Spirits..."
Taielle murmured in a voice filled with awe.
Those radiating warm golden light, cool blue glows, soft silver gleams, vivid green shines—all colors of spirits were gathered there. Each movement created tiny sparkles in the air, evoking the illusion of music.
Taielle stared at the scene in rapt wonder. To actually behold the spirits' sanctuary, known only through tales.
Then, the spirits began approaching Taielle and baby Tirrellda one by one. They circled the elf father and daughter with apparent curiosity. A warm golden spirit drew near the baby's face, casting a gentle light. Cool blue spirits slowly orbited around Taielle's shoulders.
The spirits started emitting strange sounds, as if communicating among themselves. Mystical voices resembling wind whispers or dripping water droplets.
"Kiliring~ Kiliring~"
"Huuuung~ Uung uung~"
To Taielle, however, they were merely beautiful yet incomprehensible sounds.
"I... I wish to converse with the spirit lords... I've come from afar for our Tirrellda!"
Taielle said cautiously. But the spirits continued their communication in their own language.
Then, one small blue orb pushed through the others and approached Taielle directly. Its light was a bit sharper than the others, with a deeper blue hue. The spirit drew close to Taielle's forehead and suddenly emitted a bright light.
In that instant, the small orb of light seeped into Taielle's forehead. He felt something simultaneously warm and cold spreading through his mind—like an ice shard melting in water, imparting both coolness and warmth in a peculiar sensation.
And suddenly, the spirits' voices became clearly audible.
"Oh, now the elf can understand our words."
"The baby is really pretty."
"Why does that elf look so anxious?"
"He seems like he hasn't slept properly for days..."
Taielle's eyes widened.
"I can... understand the spirit lords' words! Thank you so much!"
"Of course. I shared a bit of the spirit's light with you."
The blue-light spirit approached his front again, its voice distinct from the others—somehow rougher and brimming with vigor.
"Thank you! Truly thank you!"
Taielle bowed deeply.
"I... I've come to this place from afar in search of the spirit lords. For our Tirrellda!"
"Tirrellda?"
The other spirits gathered closer one by one.
"I'm seeking a spirit to protect my daughter... my daughter Tirrellda!"
Taielle's voice grew earnest.
"This child is still so young and fragile... Today, just a slight breeze made her sneeze twice! If even a single fallen leaf touches her face, it might scratch her cheek as soft as snow! That's why I clear away dozens of leaves every day! Ah, even saying this scares me!"
The spirits exchanged glances and murmured softly.
"That elf... seems to worry excessively..."
"The baby looks sturdier than he thinks..."
"His parental love is overflowing..."
"He's so sincere it's a bit frightening..."
"So please!"
Taielle pleaded in an even more desperate tone.
"Do you remember the pact from long ago, when elves and spirits vowed to protect each other and the forest? Like that noble oath... If there's a spirit who would safeguard my daughter, I can offer anything. Even my life, I'd give it gladly!"
At that moment, the blue spirit who had shared the light with Taielle approached closer, as if intrigued.
"Protect her? From what exactly do you want her protected?"
"From... all dangers, of course! Do you know how perilous the world is? I've layered three protective magic circles in this cradle alone! That's how untrustworthy the world is. I'm the kind of elf who thinks 'This is a curse!' even if this child just yawns!"
Taielle continued excitedly, his eyes wide.
"Evil people, dangerous forest monsters, thieves, sorcerers, malevolent souls... And from all beings that would harm my daughter! I won't forgive even those who say a single bad word to her!"
The blue spirit's light suddenly brightened further.
"Fighting enemies?"
"Yes! That's right!"
"And battling monsters too?"
"Of course! Please fight all things that try to harm my daughter!"
"Thieves as well?"
"Naturally! If anyone dares to target our Tirrellda!"
"Evil sorcerers too?"
"Yes, yes! All of them! I... I'm serious. If you can ensure not even a pebble rolls under her feet, I'll do anything."
The blue spirit began spinning rapidly.
"Oooh! This sounds like a great contract!"
The other spirits looked at him in surprise.
"Hiyalkho, don't tell me..."
"You're thinking of contracting with this elf's daughter?"
"You, of all spirits, protecting a tiny elf baby?"
The blue-light spirit called Hiyalkho whirled even more excitedly around Taielle.
"Protecting her, yes... But think about it! As this baby grows, how many enemies will she encounter? Thieves, monsters, evil sorcerers... Fights every other day!"
"Ah..."
"Slashing! Slicing! Cutting! Freezing! Smashing! Days filled with that!"
The other spirits murmured in realization.
"That's so like Hiyalkho..."
"Ever the battle maniac..."
Taielle didn't fully comprehend the spirits' conversation, but sensing the blue spirit's interest in his proposal, he spoke even more fervently.
"The world is truly dangerous! You never know when peril might strike! It'll require constant vigilance and fighting throughout life! If Tirrellda seems even slightly in danger, please repel the enemies immediately!"
"Constant fighting?"
Hiyalkho's voice grew even more exhilarated.
"Throughout life?"
"Yes! For her entire life! Until her hair turns as white as snow, until her breath fades like a gentle breeze... I hope you'll stay with her!"
"Great! Let's make the contract!"
Hiyalkho replied immediately.
"Really... truly?"
Taielle asked joyfully.
"Of course! I am the ice spirit Hiyalkho. I'll contract with your daughter Tirrellda and protect her for life!"
The other spirits sighed.
"Hiyalkho at it again..."
"That elf still doesn't seem to get it..."
"Well, in the end, he'll protect the daughter well..."
"Thank you! Truly thank you!"
Taielle bowed his head repeatedly, tears welling up in gratitude.
"Now our Tirrellda will be safe! I'm so happy!"
"But there's a condition."
Hiyalkho said.
"Tell me! I'll agree to anything!"
"When this child grows and opportunities to fight arise, she must never avoid them. She must always face them boldly alongside me. No running or evading."
"Of course! If my daughter is in danger, she must fight, naturally!"
Taielle answered promptly. To him, it sounded merely like 'justified battles to protect his daughter.'
"Good! Then the contract is sealed!"
Hiyalkho shone even brighter and approached the baby Tirrellda in the cradle. A cold blue light enveloped the infant, but miraculously, Tirrellda remained comfortably asleep, not feeling the chill.
"From now on, I, the blue ice blade Hiyalkho, am the spirit protecting Tirrellda!"
Hiyalkho declared.
"I'll have countless exciting battles with numerous enemies ahead!"
Taielle, still oblivious to Hiyalkho's true intentions, continued bowing in overwhelmed gratitude.
"Thank you so much! Now our Tirrellda will be safe!"
The other spirits watched quietly, letting out small sighs. Likely thinking of the 'adventures' Tirrellda would face as she grew in the years to come.
"Oh, and one more thing."
Hiyalkho added.
"I am the sword of pure white frost-forged ice, the cold will dance under moonlight! The moment an enemy's breath is felt, I become a blade!"
"A blade?"
"Yes! A sharp sword to cut down enemies!"
Hiyalkho said, shining brightly to Taielle.
Taielle understood it as 'a powerful weapon to protect his daughter' and rejoiced even more.
"Perfect! Truly perfect!"
Thus, the contract between Tirrellda and the battle-crazed ice spirit Hiyalkho was formed. Each harboring completely different reasons and expectations.