The First Tale of Men

This story is known to all Roni’im as “The First Song of Men” or the “Song of Beginnings,” but here the tale is told in prose, for my scribe cannot hear the song as easily as she can interpret words.
In the beginning there was nothing save the King. No darkness; no light.
No silence; no song. No red; no grey.
Then the King sang. As the notes of His song, the First Song ever sung, echoed throughout the Void, they took shape, and became the Abir. Stories say they appeared as ordinary men, yet that was not their true form. For they existed before the foundations of the world were laid, and their bodies are to ours as a candle flame is to a forest. But none have come openly since the fall of Ahava and Avidan, though that is another tale and may be told another time.
The notes were taken up by the Abir, and became even deeper and higher and longer and richer. The world unfolded like a garment new-cut from the loom. Hills and mountains, valleys and plains, the forests of the east and the deserts of the south, and the great sea, called the Endless, were all created, yet they were empty of living beings. So the Abir followed the yearnings of their hearts and created the beasts: leaping, crawling, swimming, flying, creeping, running, prancing; loud, quiet, short, tall, tiny, huge, ugly, beautiful-- all came into the world.
And the King began the Second Song, which created the roses. In those days roses were not as they are now, but had a different glory: strange, yet not more beautiful. For the thorns were not painful to endure, but glorious reminders of life. And they had a different name, a name which none now living know. It is said that each rose whispered a word, and the breeze through their branches was as the voice of many choirs.
As the roses sang the lyrics and the Abir the melody, the King descended to the world he had made. It is said in many songs that he took the petals of a rose and made of them a beating heart; poured the rushing waves through the veins; called down two stars from the heavens for eyes; molded the ears from soil; wove the lips from the strings of an Abir’s harp. Last of all, he breathed his own breath into them, on this all the tales agree. And so the man was made, and he was named Avidan, first made of all men. Avidan opened his mouth to join the songs, and his heart was lifted into the wonders of the world the King had made. But he felt the need for another, a partner to join voices and hands with.
Therefore the King cast Avidan into a deep sleep, and he awoke to find a new creature by his side. She was like him, and yet not so, a being of his own nature, yet different and grand. And he named her Ahava, beloved, for she was the greatest treasure of his heart. She took his hand and led him into a clearing where they joined hands in the First Dance. Roses sprang up where they stepped, and the sky shone clearest blue overhead. And there will never be another dance such as that, for they did not grew weary nor stumble, but clad their praise in movement and song for his glory. And so they were called the Dancers, but in after days the Roni'im, his song and his delight.
Scribe’s note: Yes, I have noticed the similarities to Tolkien’s Ainulindalë, but Micah has yet to read it. With writing rarely used in his world, he has a difficult time understanding the concept of ‘novels.’

Celebrations (Part 3)

To summarize, the majority of your world's holidays seem to be attempts to assuage guilt by restricting respect and responsibility to a few days a year, especially in relationships. The rest are merely justifications for lazy days and slacking work. The celebrations we do have in our world are meant to remind us of the King's care for us.

In spring, we have the Feast of Rains, commemorating the first discovery of the emeth, also known as the truthrose, and the first Shoshannah, Vered.

Summer opens with the Feast of Fields, an occasion to praise the King for his wonderful creation and tell the stories of making.

Autumn hosts the Feast of Winds, at which we tell the story of Acai, of all stories most beloved, for it tells of the King's concern for all his children, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

Winter is the time for the Feast of Flames, where I tell the story of my namesake Micaiah, who stood firm under temptation and trusted the King in his darkest hour.

These are the Four Feasts of my people, though other celebrations may occur; these are the ones celebrated throughout the lands.

Family Portraits

I had planned to further discuss holidays, but a friend has painted portraits of me and my family, and my friend Galadriel says you might be interested.

Abigail, daughter of a friend of mine. Her family portrait is below.
My son Joel.
Keturah and her sister Abigail on the left, with their parents Tirzah and Arioch on the right.


The top of these two portraits is more accurate with tunic length, but the bottom is a better likeness of my wife. Both show my son Joel, my wife Elizabeth, and me.

Celebrations (Part 2)

To continue the discussion on celebrations and holidays, I will repost an interview I did with Micah on the occasion of Valentine's Day.

So, what do you think of Valentine's Day,

Micah: It's childish and slighly horrifying.

Why? I explained the historical background and significance...

Micah: I still don't understand how someone could have enough power to outlaw marriage, but what modern people have made of it is childish. Do they not understand what marriage and love really are?

So let's break it down. What do you think of the candies and cards?

While sweet things are nice, they are more meant for children or the ill. And cards I also do not understand. Our system of writing is rarely used, and letters are precious, not just gooey expressions of mush

Ah. Now for the big can of worms. Flowers and Valentines.

Micah: Let me try to explain. In your world, you have a symbol called a cross, correct? And this symbol is of great significance to believers, though other people sometimes treat it as simple jewelry, although less so when it is a crucifix?

Yes.

Micah: Now imagine a holiday where you doodled crucifixes on scraps of paper, handed out ones that were thrown away afterwards,and plastered you with advertisements to buy some.

Ouch.

Micah. Yes. That is why I find this holiday called "Valentine's" to be childish and more than slightly sickening. The holidays in our world focus on the King and the world he created, not mushy feelings.

What would your wife say about this?

Micah: She'd be slighly more sympathetic, but not much.

Celebrations (Part 1)

My apologies, but it seems the question-and-answer will have to wait for a later time. For today is the birth-date of my friend Galadriel, and she wishes to know how the folk of my world celebrate those times.

First of all, we do not have specific dates as your culture does. We observe the moon-cycles and seasons, and some even notice the solstice and equinox, but most days pass simply, as only days. When a child is born, we might mark the day by some significant event--the first rainstorm of spring, or the cutting of hay, and if special gifts were given, it would be when that day comes again.

But it seems to me that there is a significant flaw in your culture's way of doing things. Do you only honor the person on this day, or all year round? If you honor them all the year round, why bother with one particular day? Perhaps the closest ceremony we have is when a child's rose deepens hue and remains blossoming all winter, for then the child is a baby no longer, but a young one learning the ways of the King.

An Introduction

Greetings to all of you from the small town of Naveyl. I am Micah, named after the hero Micaiah of who of old refused the Rovinih. My joy and delight is Elizabeth, my wife and the mother of my son Joel, who is of an age to be apprenticed, for he seeks not to follow my vocation as the Shoshannah. I am intimately acquainted with all the families of Naveyl, but the children of Arioch are my special duty, as their parents died three feasts back. I hope, as the King allows, to become better acquainted with you all and instruct you in His mighty ways.

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scribe's note

Micah has used terms some of you may be unfamiliar with. In his next visit, I hope to interview him and clarify points that may be confusing.