Xaviers!

"Nothing good comes of consorting with crows," she says, "you'll catch a death that way."

"Eventually, but not yet. I have found I do prefer knowing her as I do and should death come because of it then it was my choice, I choose to love and serve her."

She smiled and held out the ring.

"She is why I have come to you in need of your artistry and skill."

The troll squints at the ring.

"Now that's a sad story you've gotten your hands on."

"Written, then rewritten by men for men. I am hoping to use it to help rewrite my own."

"To what purpose, though?"

"I, and another who serves the Morrigan, bear a wolf's curse. My plan is to give the ring as a gift to the Morrigan, giver her the power over the change we undergo. The magic of the curse is...most uncomfortable when it touches me... black and oily, it is also highly infectious, a bite or a scratch could be disastrous and if those aspects can be changed...I would be most grateful. I personally do not mind becoming a wolf, it has its' benefits and animal shapes are not uncommon tools for Druids to utilize."

"When it's someone else's story you can put it on and take it off like a fancy frock, if you're careful enough."

"The trouble comes when you change the story. Then it's not someone else's story, it's yours."

"And you say you want to hang a story on the Morrigan? That will be quite the trick."

"She and I are already well entangled in each other's stories. If the request is too much or simply can not be done, I will not blame you."

"I am just wondering what kind of story you wish to tell, little one."

"Ultimately happy, healthy, not under anyone's control unless I wish them be. Willing service, love, acceptance. Partnership and companionship."

"And you present to me a story of betrayal and abandonment."

"I can change this story, but I will need to alloy it with something else you bring to me."

"Those aspects are already part of my story as well. What is it you need?"

"Melion could not reconcile with his wife, nor did he wish to be a wolf anymore."

"How does your story play out?"

"I have forgiven the one who hurt me, accepted her and her second lover as my own. My hope is to present the Morrigan with this ring, giving her the power over us, taking it from whomever or whatever first put it into play. I wish to stand beside them, to fight and live with them, to be theirs and have them be mine. The Raven Queen and her wolves of silver and gold."

"If your role in this story becomes that of the Morrigan's wolf, that will change you. You will have to live with that change."

"I believe that I can do."

"To change this story then, I will need something from you. All good stories have something fair and something foul. If you only have the former it isn't compelling, and if you only have the latter, who would want to hear it?"

"I hold both within my past. My present is tolerable. As for my future, more then likely there will be plenty of both as well."

"I've no doubt you can supply both, but I'll need a token of each to work into this."

"I think I have some items that can be used. I will been some time to collect them. Will you be remaining here?"

"There's not many other places in this world that will take me, little one."

"One day I hope that will no longer be so. Your help have been most valuable." She bowed.

"I shall return."