‘The moon loved the sun, and the sun loved the moon. They were two halves of one soul. But they were parted too soon, both lost in the heavens. And now they chase each other across the sky in hopes that they will one day meet again.’
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This story begins long ago, in ages past. Before kings and queens. Before wars and strife. Before people knew what it was like to feel loss. Before the moon and sun gave light to the world. During these years, the world was dark and dim. In this world there was nothing in the sky for the people to measure their time or passing of days. Instead, the world was lit by the stars. The stars were marvelous and many, dancing across the sky in their joy. People worshipped the stars, for the stars lit their world, though muted light as it may be.
In one tiny corner of the world sat a village. A small village, with but a few buildings, made of marble and metals. And in this village lived a boy.
The boy was pale and of silvery long hair. With grey eyes that resembled the clouds and freckles upon his cheeks that shone like the stars that dotted the sky. His smile was wistful and he carried himself with poise. Now this child was a curious one, and would often wander away from his village. He would worry his mother and the rest of the villagers, always finding himself in some odd part of the woods or by the sea.
They called him “Moon.”
In another tiny corner of the world sat another village. This one was also small, with its building of sandstone and clay. And in this village lived another boy.
This boy was sun kissed and had locks of fire. He too had grey eyes but upon his cheeks sat not freckles of silver, but that of sparks of the brightest flames. His smile was brighter than any light a hearth could provide and moved with pride. This child too was curious, wanting for any adventure he could find. He would journey far and wide, looking for the excitement that only foreign lands could bring.
They called him “Sun.”
Whether it was by luck or by fate, the paths their legs carried them eventually brought them together on one fateful night.
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“Stone.” Step.
“Branch.” Another step.
“Puddle.” A jump this time.
“Tree.” A skip around the trunk.
The one called ‘Moon’ twisted and turned across the path in the forest that he had come to know well. A left turn here, a dash right there. It was ingrained in his memory. His feet followed the same path it had taken hundreds of times before. If one were watching, all they might see would be a bright flash of silver, weaving in and out of sight.
His glee was apparent, lips pulled into a wide grin with every step he took. There was nothing more wonderful than the sights and sounds of the forests. The stars twinkling up above the treetops lent a little light, casting the forest in an ethereal aura
“Moon!” His fathers voice calling from the edge of the ethereal forest.
“Little Moon!” And there was his mother.
‘Moon’ ignored their calls, for they knew he would come home when it pleased him.
His journey through the forest continued, as he flew in between the large fir trees. The child followed the trodden path before he was forced to pause in his steps. A sound assaults his ears, one he had not remembered hearing before.
“Water?” He whispers to himself. And just like that, his usual path is abandoned for the sound of rushing water.
Perhaps it was the distraction that youth like him were prone to. Or perhaps something else. But something drove him away from the path that night.
“Stone.” Step.
“Branch.” Another step.
“Puddle.” A jump this time.
“Tree.” A skip around another tree trunk.
*Smack*
His sure steps that he was used to this time failed him. The silver haired boy is sent flying into the shallow stream, the impact from running into another person’s form harsher than it should have been.
“Oh!” ‘Moon’ looks up and finds that the one he ran into was not so different from himself. A boy, around his age it seemed. But taller, with fiery red locks of hair, and warm eyes that peered down at him curiously.
“Hello.” Says the other child. His voice kind, but stern in tone.
“Hello…” ‘Moon’ replies, unsure of what to say to this stranger. He had never met anyone else before, at least not from his village. He was always hiding around in the forest.
“I am sorry for running into you. I was not paying attention.”
The other reaches a hand down to him and after a couple pondering seconds, the pale boy takes the hand and allows himself to be brought back to his feet. Once on his feet, ‘Moon’ tilts his head curiously.
“Who are you?” He asks simply.
“Sun.” The red haired boy says, standing tall and proud.
“That’s an odd name.” ‘Moon' has never met another boy like himself before, so his words might seem harsh.
“Is not.” ‘Sun’ says, crossing his arms with a pout. “Who are you?”
“I am Moon!”
“Odd.”
“Is not!”
Their argument comes to a standstill almost immediately and they both just stare at each other. ‘Moon’ shifts back and forth on his bare feet under the intense stare of ‘Sun’ and eventually looks away. His curiosity builds again when he takes in the new scenery around him. The two were standing ankle deep in a stream.
The two stood on the precipice of a cliff, the water flowing over the edge in a deafening rush. The silver haired child quickly forgets his new companion and carefully steps to look up in the sky.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” ‘Sun’ approaches the edge as well, gazing up at the stars.
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And so it was that ‘Sun’ and ‘Moon’ met. They spent the next several hours standing upon the edge of the rocky cliff, speaking of their homes and naming the stars that glittered in the sky above them.
Every night for years and years, 'Sun' and 'Moon' would meet in the middle of the stream, talking about nothing and everything. And each night came with a new question. The two liked to talk. Time spent together meant time speaking and conversing. There was never any silence with each other.
"Where do you think the water leads to?"
"Do you like to chase butterflies too?"
"Have you learned how to ride a horse?"
"Want to hear about the cat I saw earlier?"
And as the two grew older their child-like questions changed.
"What do you think love is like?"
"Have you had your first kiss?"
"Will you still come here each night, when we are married and living our own lives?"
"You won't forget me, will you?"
The two were close and as the years continued they grew ever closer. They were inseparable. Some might have seen them as friends, some might have seen them as more. But all anyone else knew was that they could not be separated. Where one went, the other followed.
'Sun' and 'Moon' cared little for the outside world. What they did back in their villages was of no concern to them. All that mattered to them was each other. They were everything to their companion.
It was as if they were bound in some way. It was as if their souls had found their fated half.
Their daily meetings became routine. And that routine became tradition.
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They were older now. Taller, and stronger. But still so innocent and naive. On this day they sat on the edge of the cliff, legs dangling over the edge as the water flowed in between the two. Their hands were clasped together as they watched the stars.
"Moon?" 'Sun's melodic voice rang out through the peaceful silence.
"Hmmm?" The other asked distractedly.
"The stars..."
"What about them?"
"What do you think it would be like to be one?"
"Boring I would assume? All they do is sit there in the sky.”
"But wouldn't it be wonderful? To be able to see the whole of the world? To fly so high in the sky that nothing on this earth could touch you?"
'Moon' frowns and shrugs at his companion. This subject was new and he had never heard anything like that from the other. Luckily, or perhaps unfortunately, that was the end of it. The conversation was left there, for they quickly dropped the topic for something else.
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'Moon' quickly forgot about the conversation about the stars, only relishing in their time spent together. Topic of conversation mattered little to him when he was with 'Sun'. But 'Sun' did not so easily forget. He could not get his mind off of his question.
'What would it be like to be a star?' He would think over and over again.
And every time that he brought it up to his silver haired lover, the response would be the same.
"Boring of course. Why do you keep thinking about this?"
'Sun' does not reply. He just takes 'Moon's hand in his and smiles at him.
"No reason, love. Forget about it."
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And so their lives continued. They met each night under the stars, sharing their lives, their dreams, and their love. ‘Moon’ would talk about his love of the stars. How he would dance under their light for the rest of time if he could. And ‘Sun’ would talk about his love of the stars, for they reminded him of the silver hair that sat upon ‘Moon’s head.
They spoke of other things of course, but it seemed that stars were always brought back up. And ‘Sun’ could not forget, no. He could not forget his own desire to be a star. Now, knowing how much ‘Moon’ adored the stars, how could he? He thought about it night and day. What would it be like to be a star?
‘I want to be a star.’ He would think. If only to receive all of ‘Moon’s love. He wished and wished that he would light up the sky like the stars that his ‘Moon’ seemed to love so much.
And then one night, as he lay awake in his bed, a thought occurred to him.
‘I can become a star. I can fly high in the dark sky, just like the rest of them.’ He falls asleep, a plan forming in his mind.
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The next night, 'Moon' would find himself back in his usual spot, walking towards the cliff that had become their meeting ground. But 'Sun' was not sitting on the ground as per usual. He stood on the edge of their cliff, staring up at the stars.
"Sun?" He asks in his soft, gentle tone.
The other does not reply, only continuing his staring at the sky. So 'Moon' tries again.
"Sun? Is everything okay?"
Finally, the red haired man speaks.
"You love the stars, yes?"
"Of course, I adore the stars."
"And you love me, yes?"
"I love you more than anything in this world. Why?"
"I can be your star, 'Moon.' I could be everything for you. Would you like that?" 'Sun' turns to look at 'Moon' with a delighted smile.
"What do you mean? You are already everything to me." 'Moon steps forward cautiously, brows furrowing in confusion.
"I can make you happy, 'Moon."
"But you already make me happy..."
"Then I can make you happier. I promise. It will be so easy." He reaches out a hand for 'Moon' to take.
'Moon' takes the hand, though he stays slightly behind 'Sun.'
"But what are you talking about?"
"Moon, do you see that star up there? The one to the east? The largest one?"
"Yes?"
"I will be like that one. Only bigger, and brighter. I will be the only star you need." Unconsciously, 'Sun' steps closer to the edge, sending 'Moon' into a panic. He knows 'Sun' and he knows what is about to happen.
"Love, please. I am confused. You are not a star. You are my 'Sun.'" In his panic, he had tried to drag the other around, further away from the edge. And then, releasing 'Sun's hand. But 'Moon' made a mistake. A mistake he had only once made before. He took a wrong step. And this step caused him to trip on a loose stone in the river bed, sending the silver haired man flying. And ‘Moon’ flew. He flew over the edge, and he fell.
'Sun' watched in complete horror as 'Moon' fell, and fell. Until he could see him no longer. Just like that, his other half was gone. And just like that, he was alone. Just as it had been many years ago before he had met 'Moon'. He was now alone. And his lover? Gone. He dropped to his knees and a scream unlike no other was ripped from his throat. He cried for what felt like ages. He cried for himself and he cried for his lover, so easily ripped from the world. How could 'Moon' be gone just like that? When not minutes ago they were talking of their love and the stars. He cried and screamed, and pulled at his own flame colored hair. And then he prayed, to whatever or whomever would listen. He prayed for his young lover to be saved. But would they listen? He did not know. He could only weep and pray.
But the gods were watching that night. And these gods who watched the young, silver boy fall, were not so cruel. They were kind and they were just. They had seen everything. From the moment the boys were born, to the fateful moment they met. Their nights together talking, and the fact that they were inseparable. So the gods made a choice. 'Moon' was raised from the depths of the river he had met his end in.
The kind gods felt pity for the young man. For they had not foreseen this fate for him. He was pure and innocent. And he deserved more. So they healed his broken body and placed him up in the sky among the stars he loved so much.
'Moon' was given free reign of the skies, and of the night. He could now dance among the stars and light up the dark skies that he had grown up with. His parents, old as they were now, could look up and see him. They would see he was safe and happy. They would see that he was free from the troubles of life. He was 'The Moon.'
After the gods placed him in the sky and he was given new life, 'Moon' dared to ask them one question. He gazed down at his forlorn and weeping lover upon the edge of their cliff.
"Forgive me for my insolence, for your generosity knows no bounds. Please, let 'Sun' be happy?"
And the Gods felt their hearts twinge in pity once more for the two young men. And they gave their word to 'Moon' that his 'Sun' would be happy. The gods left 'Moon' then. He was safe now, and content, if not happy. And they spoke to 'Sun' then. 'Sun', who still cried for his fallen love.
"You, boy. What is your name."
"I am 'Sun.'" The tears have not stopped, and he does not look up yet to see his visitors.
"'Sun.' Look up at the sky." The kind gods whispered in his ears.
'Sun' gazed upon the night sky, seemingly brighter than it had been before. And he saw. He saw his silver lover smiling back down at him.
"'Moon'" He calls out. "'Moon' is that you?" He stumbles to his feet, mouth parted in shock.
"That is indeed your Moon." The gods replied. "He is safe, and he lives. We have seen to that. And he has requested something of us."
"He is alright?" 'Sun' can not tear his gaze away from the smiling Moon.
"He is more than well and no harm can ever come to him again. Tell us, 'Sun.' Do you wish to be happy?"
'Sun' nods eagerly, before bowing low to the gods that had come to him. "Aye, but I wish for 'Moon' to be happy first."
"His happiness is your happiness, young one. We will give you a choice. You can either return to your home and live a long life, a happy one in the scheme of things. With a wife and many children. You will be prosperous and will want for nothing. What do you think of that?"
"It sounds like a good life. And something that many could only dream of. But what is the second option?"
"We can put you up in the sky. You can be up there with the Moon. We will make you that star that you so wished to become. Would you like that?"
'Sun' then falls to his knees again, bowing reverently to them.
"I could be up there? I could be with 'Moon' again?"
"Yes, dear 'Sun'. But there is a catch. You will be set up there in the sky with your lover. But the two of you shall never touch. You will never hold hands, hug, or kiss again. You are destined to be up there together, but seperate. For all the ages to come you will be just shy of holding each other. Until the end of time, 'Sun.' Think carefully on this. For these are your choices."
'Sun' sits quietly in front of them for many hours, pondering the choices given. But when he does finally look up, his lips are set in a grim line and his features determined.
"I would rather be with 'Moon' what little I can than never at all. I choose him."
"So be it." And so the gods set 'Sun' up in the sky, but far from 'Moon.' So far that they could barely see each other. 'Sun' lit up the sky so brightly that he drowned out the stars around him. He was now, the brightest star. His dream had finally come true. He was 'The Sun.'
The situation was less than ideal. They could not see each other well, and they could not hold each other in their arms. But they knew the other was alive and well. And that was all that mattered. They were as happy as they could be now.
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These days, there is little thought given to the sun and the moon. We see them in the sky yes, and they give us little more than light and time. Many have forgotten about the two young boys that met one fateful night below the stars. But the sun and the moon? They have not forgotten. Nor will they. Their lives have been forever intertwined, even now separated as they are.
The sun loved the moon. He loved the moon so much that he would pick the stars out of the night sky for him. He loved him so much that he would follow his lover into the sky, so that they might spend eternity together.
The moon loved the sun. He loved the sun so much that he would sacrifice his life for him, trying to save him from falling. He loved him so much that he would chase after him day after day night after night, hoping to finally take his hand once again.
And so it shall go, until the very end of time, when the two will finally be reunited.
