Challenge #04623-L239: With This Ring...

Unable to find a ring beautiful enough, he dedicated a lot of time to learning to smith jewelry. Using all he remembered of what the fae liked, though it seemed as though his hand was guided, he made a very unusual ring. When placed upon the hand, he learned that day, he had become wedded.
OOPS! Well, there were worse fates.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04566-l182-bonded-bargain -- Anon Guest

The bad news was that there was a fashion for ugly, clunky jewellery in most of the shops. Archfae didn't care about fashion. They cared about finesse. Rin had been searching for it since he passed his exams. Thanks to the stipend, he had enough for the search, but...

There was a sense of elapsing time.

Rin had a year and a day, and it was clear that what he searched for was not immediately available. Still, there were ways to make things happen. Starting with finding a Gnomish crafter who also followed D'varuv engineering principals. He needed something delicate that would not fall apart with the first knock against a solid object.

It would also not hurt to be sparkly, because inhabitants of Nanogh were suckers for a lot of sparkle.

It took months just to learn how to design it properly. Gold, naturally, as a noble metal would not corrupt. Rainbow quartz was especially prized by the Fae, as it sparkled especially brightly in sprite-light. Lots of facets, naturally, to allow for more sparkle.

Rin added chains to the design, to signify the bond he hoped to maintain.

It was done, with just a day to spare. Rin gathered the picnic once more, and found another mushroom ring to set it all up in.

"Right on time," ze said, looking just as entrancing as the last time. "You have what I charged you to fetch?"

"Yes. It took great effort to make it for you," said Rin. "I studied long and hard to create it." Still on his knees, he presented the little box and opened it for hir to see.

Ze was thrilled at the sparkle, thank the gods, and allowed Rin to put it on. It would fit, of course. The Faekindred of Nanogh could reshape themselves to wear anything they liked.

"Perfect," ze said. "Now you won't forget anything of Nanogh when you visit. And we can get on with the fun part."

The... fun. Part?

Memories came rushing back with the Fae kiss. The exchange of rings. The meeting of bodies. The promise of...

His firstborn child.

Oh.

He was married to a Faerie, and they were very jealous spouses.

[Photo by Gary Yost on Unsplash]

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