The Friendship In The Forest   ( In her forays, Treeheart often visits a chat room which has discussions concerning books.  There she met a new friend, Tyraelin, who is a talented writer.  Treeheart sent Tyraelin an electronic postcard with reference to a book they were reading in their online book club.  Tyraelin, envisioning Treeheart as a dryad, sent back an imaginative message on an electronic postcard with a fantasy forest picture.  Treeheart was very touched, and saved the message.  There ensued the following postcard correspondence.  When Treeheart decided to make a web site, she originally did not plan it as  The Magic Forest.  But she kept thinking of the dryad concept, and decided to go ahead and go with that. Though she already consistently used her handle Treeheart,  most of this postcard correspondence with her friend Tyraelin took place BEFORE Treeheart created The Magic Forest!  You are now privileged to see the treasured correspondence and touching writing abilities of Tyraelin the Elf.  You must picture each one of these messages illustrated with a lovely forest painting chosen and sent by the writer.)
 
      The Maiden Of The Trees   By Tyraelin     She wanders through the forest, one with the trees and the unicorns.  There is no power she does not wield.  She is of the magic realm, known to few humans.  She dances with the faeries and wanders with the elves.  One such Elfmaid, by name of Tyraelin, has befriended the Dryad and helps in time of need.  They are a magical pair, an immortal pair.  Their friendship shall last forever.
   
  The Friendship In The Forest   By Tyraelin     The Elf Tyraelin is walking through the river and meandering with the wild-life.  She is sad and alone.  The non- magical reality of the human folk has affected her, and her soul is lost.
 
But these are the woods of the Dryad Treeheart.  The Dryad spies her, comes down to her, and comforts the lonely Elf.  The two friends embrace and walk together in the forest.  Tyraelin is comforted by the companionship.  She is made strong enough to face the days she must spend in human company.  Some day, the Elfmaid thinks, she must show the Dryad her gratitude, and repay it.
 
      A Short Journey   By Treeheart   One day, Treeheart observed the Elf in lonely reverie.  She noticed a single crystal tear slipping from Tyraelin's eye.  Unexpectedly, Treeheart materialized from the oak, slightly starling her friend.  "Come," Treeheart whispered, and gently took the hand of Tyraelin.  "I will show you a treasure."  The two ladies of faery traveled lightly down through the forest, following the sparkling Lethe River.  Neither spoke.  Instead, they listened intently to the musical voice of the tinkling waters.  Finally, they reached their destination.  Tyraelin took in her breath.  It was the magical Mirrormere Lake!  "I show you your reflection,"  Treeheart told her.  "Behold!  The power and the beauty of the sensitive soul!

  A Time Of Understanding   By Tyraelin     The Dryad Treeheart sits alone at the base of a waterfall, the spray pearling her hair, and her eyes far away.
 
Out of the forest, stepping soundlessly, comes the lone Elf, Tyraelin.  She is dressed modestly and honestly.  Slowly she sits at the bank next to the Dryad.
  "Something has happened.  Something which changes our friendship.  You have noticed it, as have I.  A few mistakes and the Dance changes, and we can never take back those missteps."   The Dryad says nothing.
  "But we still have a friendship, my dear Treeheart. A friendship I would not give up for the world. I want you to know that, no matter what we may say to each other, no matter what we may do, I will always be here for you."   The Elf holds a white rose, which she presses into the hands of the Dryad.  Slowly, Tyraelin rises, and with a faint smile she disappears again into the forest
 
      Returning From A Long Journey   By Tyraelin     The lone Dryad Treeheart sits under a lone leafed tree near the ice-filmed waters of the Nameless Lake.  She can barely remember how long she has sat here.
 
Silently, a wooden canoe glides out of the mist.  A feminine figure stands in its center, rowing with a long oar, cloaked and hooded with her head down.
 
The canoe reaches shore and the figure steps softly onto the long-missed earth.  The Elf Tyraelin raises her head, her deep green eyes far away and sad, and the two friends recognize each other.  They embrace.  "You have waited for me," the Elf says quietly, a hint of a question in her voice.
 
"Of course I waited," responds the Dryad.  She gestures to the tree, whose leaves remain green and strong although the air has grown chill with the passing of Mabon and the coming of winter.  "Summer has waited for you here."
 
Tyraelin ties her handcrafted canoe to the bank as she says, "'Tis high time I returned home.  Let us return to the Forest; 'tis a long time since I've rested under her canopy.  And I daresay, I'd take kindly to a cup of tea."
 
Smiling, the two walk in silent, eternal friendship away from the lake.  There are many tales to be told, many ballads to be sung.  But for now, they are content with each other's companionship.  The grass seems to spring up with renewed vigor where they walk, and the bitter wind dies down.  Behind them, the tree sheds it's first leaf.  
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