Forgotten Fairytales

A melody, which livens up the forest... and awakes a long forgotten fairytale...

There is some kind of a story behind this picture. But I want you to imagine yourself what this story could look like so tell me in the comments

This image took so much time and effort to draw! I think it's my hugest picture so far! I hope you like it!!

Drawn in PS CS4 with Hanvon "Artmaster" - graphic tablet
about 20+ hours

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RIFT theme: This is the colossus of life

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has written a very beautiful and awesome shortstory for this picture... thanks so much!!:

That...tune....has not been heard on this side of the world in....a very long time. It has been so long...I had almost forgotten just how wonderful it is. I must see. I must see where it is coming from. Who brings it here?

The earth is stiff around the Guardian but despite of this he lifts himself above the surface. Nearby there is a young woman playing a small instrument on the stump of what was once a mighty tree. The Guardian speaks in her mind "you who are you?"
Without faltering the woman answers "my name is Arethusa. My ancestor was once the nymph who resided in this tree."
"Why do you come here Arethusa? Why do you play that song?"
"This song has been passed down my family for hundreds of years. As a child I heard the stories of you, great Guardian, and how you have kept this forest pure."
The Guardian was silent
"I have come here to tell you that there is very little of the outside world left and what is left is burning....did you know this is the last forest?"
"Yes. I have felt my kin dying this past millennium."
"Why have you done nothing to stop it?" Arethusa said. A tear trickled down her cheek and onto her flute.
"I cannot leave this forest. I am the very heart and soul of this place. I am bound to this place forever."
"The song is almost finished."
"Then we must soon part ways and you will go back to the outside world."
"There is nothing for me there."
"You must go. If what you say is true then it is time for a new age. I give you a piece of my power..."
Arethusa felt roots entwining themselves around her feet and crawl up her legs. She felt a glow fill her up. For that one moment she was bound to the forest itself and she could see it. In her mind's eye she saw every tree, flower, and blade of grass. For that one moment she could hear the forest singing along with her little tune.
"You must return to the world and may where ever you step be the home to my children. The age of the forest will rise from the ashes. All will be well.'
As the song ended the roots fell away and the guardian returned to his slumber, preparing to wake at the dawn of a new and brighter earth.