A hush hung in the forest and across the commune trails.
The foresters were solemn and the frost hags were uneased.
The scent of change was rising in the shifting of the breeze,
and waking from our slumbers, the dreaming told the tale -
Oh Luna, oh the Maiden, our most dear and fair and frail!
We saw you cast before us as though ridden with disease:
behind you lurked the shadow of a many-headed beast.
And then our nightmare's waking: we found you cold and pale.

The merry laughter left you and a weakness dimmed your eyes.
What had happened to our Maiden? Were we careless of our guard,
and had the whole of Serenwilde let down our precious ward?
We kept a constant vigil in the forest by your side.
We sought out Chuchip's wisdom in our zeal to find a guide
and ciphered out his puzzle: Silver weak and marred,
the horror of the twisted ones escaping from their bars -
but hope was named united in the Three whom none divide.

We called out to our Mother and the Moon drew close to hear;
She had no strength to loan us as she felt the Maiden's pain -
for all the faces of the Moon were struck down just the same.
Then She told us of the Silvered One, the Goddess dwelling near,
who might renew our fallen ones and ease us of our fear.
We left the Mother's presence fully certain of our aim.
But how and why this tragedy? The answer shortly came,
as echoed through the Basin wide it went to every ear.

A hag proclaimed her sovereignty as darkness swarmed the road.
We found ourselves surrounded by the spawn she had unleashed!
But you languished in the Etherwilde, incapable of speech,
and so we left the Serenwilde to seek the lost abode
where we might find Lisaera and the answer to our hope.
Upon a hint from Hinagar, we scaled Avechna's Peak
and descended to Her fulcrux to unearth a hidden beacon.
Nourished by our sweat and tears, a silver sapling glowed.

We tended to this fragile sprout, with every effort made.
It radiated silvery beams that pierced into the Void.
That tender plant, the constant beam - we found our spirits buoyed.
Surely now the Goddess felt the faith we had displayed!
Now maybe She would come to us and all our fears allay,
and heal you, Maiden, blessed Moon, the centre of our joy.
But even as She came to us, the hag revealed a ploy:
she ordered spawns against Her and She found Herself waylaid.

Weakened by the journey and attacked from every side,
Lisaera fought the villains as we watched in angst below.
And Fain joined in the onslaught, cruelly mocking with each blow.
But Terentia then, with Charune, surged at once to Their ally.
We watched in helpless wonder as the three Immortals vied.
Finally the conflict came abruptly to a close,
and Charune caught the Silver One before She fell also.
We thought of you, sweet Luna, but we had to then abide.

For the spawns were still erupting from a source we had to learn.
Selene had taken it herself to watch for the fae child,
who had whispered of the visions headed for the Etherwilde.
And we were left to puzzle out the facts we could discern.
West of the forest, near the road, our fortune took a turn.
We found the hag secluded, one so wicked, dark, and vile -
and the truth: she was the remnant of the avatars defiled!
We slew her for the punishment and vengeance she had earned.

And settled thus, we waited for the Silver One again.
We kept our vigil over you and prayed then for the best.
And soon the Lady rose once more healed partly from Her rest.
With joy we saw Her make you as always you had been.
Praise to the Maiden Luna, you our dearest kith and kin!
Praise also to the Mother, of compassion unrepressed!
And lastly praise to Albion, the wisest can attest!
Blessed be Lisaera, Silver Lady fair within!

All that hangs now in the forest is the echoed call of birds,
the sweet caress of guileless winds and water rushing by,
the rustle of the living trees: a never-ending sigh.
It is the calm serenity we always have preferred,
but proof lies in this story that we are not deterred.
There come another darkened day, as one we will arise
to protect as we are able even should we live or die.
So is spoken in the forest and is written in these words.