Fragile Rose
The fragile rose is a well know item today but few know its past. Of how it was first created through the true love of a man and woman centuries ago. The woman, a poet, was the most beautiful in her small village of Buya and the man, a warrior, was the strongest of his village Sanhae. Both had fallen deeply in love and expected to marry when they came of age but when the day came for him to ask her fathers blessing another came forward to challenge the young warrior for her hand.
He was a wealthy rogue from the village of Kugnae. Immediately the girl's mother favored the rogue for she was just as greedy as him and wished to have the wealth of the man in her family. The father saw the love his child felt for the warrior but wished to make sure that she was well cared for and thus could not decide who to give his permission to. To solve the problem he demanded that both men give one gift to his daughter to show their feelings for her.
The rogue gave her an expensive gold and jeweled necklace and said "Just as this and all my other treasures you are the best and I would pay anything to have you." Next the warrior handed her the most beautiful rose she had seen and said "Though our beauty pales even the most perfect of roses and your smile warms my heart better then the strongest fire they are not what makes me love you. It is your kind heart and gentleness towards all, my love for you could surpass even death and I would gladly die for you."
Seeing that the rogue just wished to have his daughter as a wife because of her beauty and that the warrior truly did love her, the father granted his permission to the warrior. Rage filled the rogue and he cast a killing blow at the woman thinking that if he could not have her no one would. Frozen by shock the woman could not even move to protect herself but the warrior leaped in front of her the rose still in his hand. At that moment a blinding flash of light exploded around the warrior causing all to shield their eyes. When all could see again they saw the rogue crumpled on the ground dead and the two lovers standing unharmed.
Just then like a rumble of thunder a voice was heard in each of their minds. "For your willingness to sacrifice yourself for this woman we have saved you. We leave this flower as a reminder of the love you share but always keep in mind that just as this rose is fragile so is love and you must always fight to protect it." As the words died out in their minds the two lovers embraced and thanked the gods for their intervention. The two spent the rest of their lives happily together and upon their deaths the rose disappeared. It was placed by the gods in the care of the mythic dogs for just as the couple was loyal and loving to each other so is the faithful dog. To this day any brave enough to venture into their realm and strong enough to defeat their leader may be rewarded with a fragile rose and it's protective qualities.
Author: Tali