"Uaine-" The King said, their eyes like brilliant topaz shining in the shade of a great banyan tree. "Are you certain about your decision?"

The deep, gravelly voice, usually imperious and disdainful towards even the King's trusted- and only- companion was instead tinted with a tone of concern and tenderness.

The Man in Green looked up from the piece of dried bark he was tracing his fingers upon to look at the huge creature. His face was hidden behind an impenetrable green veil, but nevertheless it was obvious to the King that their friend was smiling softly.

Being seated in a nook of two large roots of the ancient banyan tree, the man looked particularly small and frail compared to the towering jet black beast. However, the aura he projected was overwhelming.

"My dear friend," He began in that musical tone the King was so familiar with, "Are you sure? You are to play an important role in my plan, and I do not wish to impose an unnecessary burden upon you."

"Ha!" The King laughed, "Do not play coy with me, Uaine. I am well acquainted with your ways after all these years travelling with you. Answer my question first, and I will do you the courtesy of answering yours."

"You wound me," Uaine answered in a mock-offended voice. "I am hardly the snake-tonged individual that you make me out to me."

"Snakes would be hard pressed to match you," The King shot back drily, "You could tie ten Gordian Knots with that tongue of yours."

The Man in Green laughed heartily, "I am unworthy of such praise, least of all by one of the Fae-Kings."

Uaine dropped his playful demeanor nonetheless and said solemnly, "But yes, I am sure of my decision, my friend."

He gracefully got up to his feet, the robe of various shades of green adorning him straightening and cleaning itself to become immaculate. The King lowered his head so that his dear friend could embrace him and run his fingers through his thick, black fur affectionately.

"It's a decision I'd made a long time before we first met. Perhaps its seed existed from the time I first drew breath- after all, I was not born as other Humans are." He whispered into the fur of the great beast's cheek. "I wish for at least one human to remember these forgotten names, and cherish these stories. The Knowledge of the Unseen I have preserved is not in the service of Humans, so I cannot entrust a Human to teach that knowledge to my Successor."

"But why? Why even have a Successor?" The King demanded, his words heavy with barely-suppressed emotion, "As you yourself have said, you were not born as other Humans are. You are not bound by death and decay or the burdens of the body, yet..."

The Green Man affectionately hushed the creature, whose eyes threatened to betray tears, "I'm sorry for being such a cruel friend..."

A few moments passed, and the King successfully mastered themself, "You should be sorry. Truly." He snapped in that familiar, haughty tone. "To think that I would need to suffer on my own for who knows how long!" He sniffed.

"I am certain that you will find more companions you will cherish dearly," Uaine said, moving to run his hand over one of the legs of the great beast, "Perhaps they will be able to endear themselves to you even more than me-"

"Never!" The King snapped, "There will never be a friend dearer to my heart than you- least of all from among Humans!"

The Faceless Man shook his head, "You underestimate humans- surely they can prove their worth over this mere mar-"

"Enough." The King ordered, "I will not allow you to degrade yourself. This Fae-King chose you as his nearest and dearest friend! Remember, you not only degrade yourself with such words, but you degrade me as well." He declared imperiously.

"I swear to you, Uaine," The Fae-King continued solemnly, "I will see your dream fulfilled!"

"Thank yo-" Uaine began, but was cut off by the King,

"And at the end of that dream, we will meet again." He said, his topaz globes looking into the green veil which hid the man's face, "And we'll embark on our greatest journey, on the path whose end lies where even starlight doesn't reach."

Uaine looked down to the gnarled, ancient roots. For a brief moment, the golden rays filtering through the leaves seemed to grow in intensity, as though the sun itself was flashing a smile at the exchange, and he replied with a small nod.