This is one of my absolute favorite pieces in the collection. I fell in love when I first read it--it was one of the first sent in as well--and loved it more when I reread it today when it was posted. The imagery is just stunning: the simultaneous inadequacy and potential of Arien's fire, Varda's hand with the constellations at her fingertips, the fruit a mere candle flame. And then the ending, in the style of a Celtic boast, indeed speaks of one who is soaring.

Beautifully written. Bravo.

almost biblical ! i think Tolkien would approve...

"she is made of stars and darkness"

"constellations twinkle on her fingers" 

well done !

This is amazing! You are painting images with your words and I see it all so vividly. :D Thank you for sharing.

Lovely! Great job. Full of gorgeous images.

It is reminiscent in cadence of a medieval oath--or at least one that may exist in my imagination. Hey, that's why the genre is called High Fantasy. Very nice work!

This is terrific! Beautiful imagery and an interesting form. Thank you for sharing :)

Breathtaking. I love this glimpse at Arien's personality -- her despair, the sense of being "smoking and scorched", the way she describes her world, then the joy as she recovers her sense of purpose, "born for this", describing herself in terms of lights that suddenly split the darkness. And then - she flies.
Absolutely stunning imagery and perfect use of words. Bravo indeed!

The imagery here, especially in the last section, is breathtakingly beautiful.