A Golden Lady stood surrounded by mist; soft, white mist that parted like a veil before her as she passed through, and closed softly again. Images swirled within that whiteness, reflections of the world beyond the one which she inhabited. A world full of color, and pleasure, and pain, and joy, and sorrow, hate, friendship, love...all mixing together and existing together, the good with the bad, in the type of existence only Life could give.

The Lady had been part of that mortal world once, not so long ago. She could still remember what it was like to run in the wind, or to taste food, or to feel the hand of a lover caressing her hair. But that was all gone now. Her life had ended, and now she lived in a higher plane, where there was still love and joy, with none of the darker emotions and feelings hidden beneath.

It was peaceful in her new world, and yet she still found herself drawn toward the old one, to watch those that she had left behind live their lives, and to wonder what might have been had she stayed. She didn't regret her passing, little choice though she had of it. It would have happened anyhow, she knew, as it would happen to everyone. For now, she was content to watch over those who needed her, and it was a task that she quite enjoyed, and took very seriously.

There were two in particular to whom she gave her utmost attention. Those two were those she had loved the most, and she guarded them as carefully as a mother cat guarded her kittens. He was sad, she sensed. She could see it in his eyes, and she felt sad for him. She was the one he loved most in the world, but now she was gone. He was alone, but for the other little one, his son. The son she had never had a chance to know. Their Life-threads were woven together, shining gold and silver, and there was also the glimmer of a third Thread woven among them. This Thread was as green as the spring grass. It belonged to her, a friend that the Lady had known. This Thread was full of life and laughter, and with the crystal blue that traced from her thread to his, it was clear that she loved him, as well.

The Lady smiled, pleased with her discovery. Oh, she had suspected during her time in that world, though she was never certain. Perhaps the loneliness and pain that laced his Thread would ease, once he realized...She was going to have to help this along, in her own, subtle way, of course.

But here, now...what was this? She paused and looked closely at the three woven Threads. A glimmer...no, two...there were two other Threads woven within this braid! One was a fiery red color, like a brilliant ruby, or a drop of mortal blood, filled with spirit and strength and imagination. How lovely, the Lady thought, tracing the delicate strand to a beautiful young woman. She didn't recognize the woman. How was it that her Thread was linked to the others? She traced the Thread yet again, but she was not mistaken. Yes, this woman was linked. Somehow, she would be united with the others. Though it had not yet happened, as he and his son were not aware of the woman as of yet, Fate would soon play its role. This, indeed, would be interesting. Especially with the second Thread that was woven so closely with this one.

This Thread was clear and shining, like crystal, and it pulsed with light. A very otherworldly light that, nevertheless, was not the light that came from the Lady's world. Fascinated, she traced the Thread to its source. To her astonishment, it did not stop at the edge of that mortal world, but continued on into another one. To one that was old; far, far older than the mortal realm. One in which Time had no place or meaning, and where Death had little hold over that world's inhabitants. This place was filled with power, and creatures that were formed of that power. Magic, it was called. The Lady remembered magic. She remembered hearing stories of magic, and of those formed of that magic.

The Thread she held in delicate hands was joined with one such creature. A creature of great beauty, and who held great power. The light that pulsed in his Thread, he called upon with ease. It was a part of him, of his own unique life. But his Thread was intertwined so firmly with the crimson Thread of the girl that the Lady could barely begin to distinguish one from the other. The crystal-blue of love was woven between these two, as well, she saw, but she frowned, for also woven there were the grays of mistrust and fear, and even a glimmer of black hate.

"This is not good," she whispered. "These two are bonded as closely together as two can possibly be, and yet they are torn apart." Indeed, the two Threads were frayed in many places, where it appeared as though something had attempted to yank them apart. A deep, festering green clung to the frayed edges, like an ugly wound that refused to be healed. The woman's Thread was darkened with hate in many places, and yet in others the crystal-blue was so bright and pure that the Threads of both were completely whole. The crystal Thread of the otherworldly being, on the other hand, was nearly covered with the blue, laced with the reds of desire, and only a glimmer of black for hate, and brilliant yellow for some pain he had suffered by her hand.

Here, indeed, was a pair most in need of her help, the Lady thought sadly. She smiled as she gathered all the Threads together in her hands and began to weave them subtly, carefully. Sometimes one could do irreparable damage if one wasn't careful. "You will all be bound together, as Fate would have it," she whispered. "Together, you will overcome your differences, and you will all find the happiness you seek. I will help you."

She finished with her weaving and released the Threads, and they floated free, twined together in a single, strong chord. "Five strands joined together are stronger than five strands standing alone," she added. "Friendship will help you to stand strong." She smiled again, and looked to the world of magic. Ah! Such life that pulsed there! So fresh, and yet so completely different from that of the mortal world. She knew that a great part in the Fates of those lives would be played there, and so she brought herself into it with merely a thought.

The one who ruled here sensed her presence, the Lady realized, and smiled at his confusion. "Even you cannot keep one such as me from coming into your realm," she murmured. "But fear not. I come to help, not to harm. I am a visitor only." The ruler relaxed, although he was still cautious, having never felt the presence of one such as she before. So mistrustful. That, there, was part of his problem. Well, no matter. Fate would soon play its part, and then all would be right in both worlds again.