The Legend of Temira and Katan
A tale of blind, unconventional love between a tall, beautiful, Human girl and a short, misfit Dwarf.
Summary
Once upon a time, in Taungoun, there were two children; a girl named Temira and a boy named Katan. The girl was from a tiny village on a hill that bordered a forest. Very often, Temira would venture into this forest to play.
One spring day, she was skipping along when she happened upon a pleasant young lad named Katan who was around her age and height. Little did she know that he was a Dwarven child who had been spying on her long before he worked up the courage to approach her. When she asked from whence he came, the lad told her that he lived in a hilled village on the other side of the forest, and he also came here to play. Temira had never ventured all the way through the forest, so she knew not what he was, nor what lay on the other side of the wood. She smiled and nodded, proceeding to play with Katan all kinds of fun games. They chased each other around, they played hide and go seek, they pretended to be princess and prince. They found plants, collected stones, gathered flowers, and explored the wildlife of the forest. Sometimes, when they heard a passerby, they would hide and spy on them; sometimes even playing tricks on them. Temira had lots of fun with Katan, but every evening when they parted, Katan asked her four things;
The day I fear is at its end, But please, forever, stay my friend. And, though be it our time to part, I pray thou keep me in thine heart. As time goes by, lass, see me true Still as this kindly lad to you. Sustain our bond, although you grow, For some things change, but others no.The first time she heard this, she was surprised. She told Katan that she loved his poems, that she knew not he was a poet. When he proceeded to recite this upon their parting every day, Temira would nod and smile. Soon, she learned it by heart and chanted it with him, but she did not understand the depth of the words. As weeks and months and years passed, Temira began to grow into an even more beautiful girl with womanly features. Her hair flowed out, and her arms, and legs grew. Her stature became tall and majestic. Her voice sweet like a song. Katan, though he aged, did not increase in height. His face matured, and his voice deepened a tad, but his stature grew only an inch or two since they had first met. Temira noticed not this fact until they were playing a climbing game and she felt the need to assist him in reaching the branch. She was never able to do so before. They would help each other, for they were around the same height. But in this moment, she realized that he was a Dwarf. Katan was worried-- for, now that her eyes had been opened, he feared she would no longer love him. But, Temira thought for a moment, then smiled. She suddenly understood everything all at once. She repeated Katan's poem back to him, then hugged him. This bond they held was too strong to be broken.
Cultural Reception
Dwarves are not often trusted by humans due to the fact that a lot of them are tricky by nature. But this story is a reminder that good can be found everywhere.
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