He's beautiful.." a sweet, feminine voice whispered. Her voice sounded strained and rightfully should. Kensa had just given birth to a strong buck, who was cuddled up next to his mother, happily.

They sat in a clearing deep in the Meridellian woods. Here was the residency of the Woodland Elf Ixi, which the fawn was newly apart of.

His pelt was a deep shade of green-- almost the same hue as his father's. The new fawn blinked his large orange eyes and looked up at the great buck, who was watching over them.

He'll make a great addition to the tribe." the buck noted, nodding a bit. He looked his new son up and down: the green pelt and a brown undercoat, which resembled neither parent. Light green tipped the fawns ears and, in the same hue, three dots above each eye. These most likely came from his father, who bore a crown of them upon his forehead. A birth mark that resembled an "M" was on his left flank.

Why, he looks as though he's covered in moss!" he said with a booming laugh. The fawn, who had put his head back down, jerked it back up, startled at the noise.

What do you think of Mossy, love?" the fawn's mother inquired softly.

Mossy! That's fabulous!" His father grinned.

Welcome to the world, Mossy..." his mother said, snuggling him close.

.:Chapter II:.
Gifts of Many

C'mon! Hurry up! We're going to be late for my party!

Shouts of laughter and excitement were heard through the forest as two young Ixi galloped, winding in and out of the trees. Their hoof beats echoed through the wood as they ran on.

The two soon came to a large clearing. In the middle was a large, magnificent tree that seemed to stretch up to the heavens forever. Gathered all around this colossal tree, and the whole clearing, was a large group of Ixi. They were chatting and mingling about each other waiting for something -- or someone.

As soon as the two Ixi, who still were fawns, burst through into the clearing, it got very quiet. All heads turned to look at them.

Happy Birthday, Mossy!!" They all called out joyfully. Mossy and his friend, Thistle, walked among them making their way to the large tree, where their mothers and fathers were waiting. "Thanks!" the handsome fawn answered every now and then.

When they reached the four noble Ixi Mossy cried out happily, "Mum, dad!

Happy Birthday, son," Udaewood said as his mother, Kensa nuzzled him.

You're what, fifteen now?" the other elderly buck joked.

No, Emperor Kapp. Five!" Mossy said smiling.

Mossy's family was very close to the royal family. Udaewood was the captain of the Watchriders, who protected the herd. Thistle, the Emperor?s grand daughter, and Mossy were the same age and spent most of their time together playing in the woods. "Did you have a good time with Thistle this afternoon?" the other doe, Zainelle, the Empress said.

Mossy nodded. "How about some presents then?" She winked.

The birthday boy sat eagerly by the tree as every Ixi ceremonially gave him a gift. Some gave him rare food and chocolate, other gave him gifts that they made.

Finally Thistle came to give him his gift.

Here you go, Mossy" She said shyly.

Thistle presented him with a necklace of a gold moon.

This is great, Tistle!

His fawn friend blushed. Thisle took the leather band in her mouth and as Mossy bent his head, she gently put it around his neck. The gold moon lay magnificently on the brown fur of his chest. Mossy looked down at it proudly.

Happy Birthday, Mossy. Happy Birthday..." she whispered.

.:Chapter III:.
An Early Arrival

Mossy!" a doe call as she sprinted through the woods, "Mossy!" She darted in and out of the closely packed trees, branches cutting into her beautiful pale yellow fur. She panted, her bright blue eyes dotted with gold flecks darted this way and that, looking slightly worried.

Ah ha!" she muttered to herself and increased her speed as something ahead caught her eye.

The doe burst through the trees into a clearing. Mossy, who was pulling a rope with logs attached to it, looked up.

Hello, Thistle!" he said and smiled. A woman with brown and green hair poked he head out of a cottage slightly in back of Mossy.

Thistle! What a pleasure to see you again!" Illusen stepped out of her hut and walked over to the two Ixi.

Thistle bowed her head in respect for the Earth Faerie. Breathing heavily she turned to her friend and said, "Moss, you must come quick! your mother has gone into labor!

But it's much too soon!" Illusen said with a concerned look on her face.

Father said she wouldn't be due for a while. Does this mean somethings wrong?" The nine-year-old Ixi looked at Illusen with hope that she'd say everything would be alright.

Come," was all that was uttered from her mouth as she waved her staff in the air and green sparkles fell over them.

***

They appeared by the same enormous tree that Mossy had had received his necklace four years earlier. The moon still shone brightly from his chest as sunlight hit it from between the leaves.

Illusen, Mossy, and Thistle all hurried over to where a large group of the Woodland Elf Ixi had gathered. A pregnant Kensa lay in the middle of them with a strained look on her face. She saw Illusen and whispered, "Please... h-help me...

Illusen looked fearcely around."All of you leave!" she commanded, "Only The Emperor, Empress and Udaewood may stay.

But--" Mossy started and looked at his mother. Their eyes met and Mossy saw the pain and almost madness in her eyes.

Go." Illusen said sternly, but with kindness in her eyes.

Mossy and Thistle both went toward Mossy's favorite spot by the big tree.

It'll be OK, Moss.." Thistle said looking at her friend sitting next to her. Mossy gazed out over the clearing. He could just barely make out Illusens large, green wings.

All through the night everyone waited. Kensa's screams could be heard frequently, as sharp as a dagger, they pierced the night.

Finally with one long, loud wail, her screams stopped. Mossy picked up his head, which had been lying on his front legs and gazed over to where his mother lay. He got up and slowly made his way over to Illusen and the now growing crowd around his mother. Thistle followed her friend timidly.

Mama?" Mossy asked keeping his head low and ears back afraid of what he'd see.

A few older Ixi parted to let him through. Damp, leaves coated in a deep red surrounded his mother as she lay panting on the ground. Thank goodness it was dark; the little buck couldn't see his mother surrounded in all too much blood.

He walked up to her slowly and touched her nose with his. The golden-pelted doe breathed heavily and opened her tired eyes to look at her eldest son. She smiled. "Hello, my darling." she said in a whisper, "take a look at your new baby sister.." Kensa lifted her head upward to Illusen who was kneeling by Kensa in the middle of the surrounding Woodland Elf Ixi.

Illusen carefully lowered the abnormally small fawn who was wrapped in a soft, light green blanket in Illusen arms. Mossy poked his nose at the strange little thing, who opened her lids to reveal soft, milky gray eyes. Mauve-purple bands wrapped around her ears and light blue streaks down her cheeks made her look forever sad. A sky-blue splotch of fur hit right between her eyes. Her bubble-gum pink fur was damp and tiny pale yellow wings barely poked out from under her back. Her green-blue underbelly resembled nothing like that of her family. The fawn's tiny little legs were marked with apple-green streaks of fur and as the fan curled over toward Illusen, Mossy noticed a strange curly marking in the same hue as her wings. Two large sky-blue spots of fur that wrapped around her back. Mossy observed his new sister carefully.

What do you think, Mossy?" Udaewood asked, standing behind Mossy. He has been observing his new daughter with Mossy. Illusen stood up and adjusted the blanket back over the fawn.

She's pretty." Mossy said with a shy smile.

Illusen, Udaewood and a few other listening Ixi laughed. The new Ixi turned her head around every which way, surprised at this new noise. Illusen smiled and looked down at her. The fawn, wide-eyes, seemed to stare back at her. With a small gasp, that only Mossy heard, Illusen stroked the little fawns eyes shut.

Kensa," she said suddenly.

The doe opened one eye, exhausted. "Yes?" she replied.

Why don't I take care of your child for a while? You need your rest and Udaewood is busy protecting the herd.

That would be nice..." Kensa said softly, a dreamy look upon her face.

Udaewood nodded his thanks and walked over to his new daughter. He looked down upon her.

You need a name, little one," he whispered kindly, a grin across his face.

The buck pondered for a moment. "Xariiah." he said softly, the more loudly, "What do you think of 'Xariiah' for a name, dear?" He turned his head and smiled as he saw his tired mate mumble "Mmhmm.." sleepily.

.:Chapter III:.
Growing Up

The next couple years were hard for the little buck. Mossy was growing into a fine young stag just like his father and with growing up he faced more and more challenges.

Being twelve years old now Mossy was due to start showing his potential for helping the tribe. But the only problem was he hadn't developed his powers yet.

I think mum and dad are getting mad at me again." He turned to glance at Thistle as they took a walk through their favorite part of the woods. They were headed to their secret hideout -- a large, hollowed-out tree by the river. They had been going there since they were fawns.

. "C'mon, Moss, it's not that bad." Thistle had turned into an elegant young doe like her mother -- or so that's what her grandparents said. Thistle didn't really remember her mother too well since she died in a battle with rouge Lupes when she was two.

. "Yes it is!" He stopped and glared at the ground. Thistle turned around to face her frustrated friend. She looked at him with concern in her eyes.You already have your powers! So do all the other Woodland Elf Ixi our age and some younger than us! Why can't I have mine now? I overheard Father saying most of us get our powers between nine and eleven. I'm already twelve!

Mossy," Thistle said rubbing her snout against his face, " Please. It'll be alright. I promise. You're be the bravest Ixi I know.

Mossy looked into her eyes. She was awfully beautiful. This was the first time that he had thought of her more than just a friend.

Thistle stands up. "Hey! Lets go catch some faeries for good luck!" She gives him a toothy grin, turns around and leaps through the bushes with Mossy not far behind.

***

When the two friends get back from their adventure Mossy walks slowly toward his mother, who was lying alone near the edge of the clearing.

How are you today, Mum?

*not finished*