"Master of the Lords of Dream, Bringer of Meritorious Dreams and Blessed Forgetfulness, Lord of the Starlit and Thrice-blessed Realm, King of the Uttermost West, Master of the Sundered Ones in Exile, Spirit of the Mist, the Never-changing Lord of the Azure Bowl."
She sat unnaturally motionless for a child her age, alone on the grass. As I stepped forward, my eyes roamed about the area, seeking the one I had come to meet. And yet, there was only this child sitting in silence, her eyes closed to the world. I was hesitant to break the peaceful air of the grove, but time pressed, and I had to return home by Winter. I cleared my throat. There was no reaction from the child. I tried again, louder.
Crystal blue eyes opened and peered up at me as a small, impish smile played along the girl's lips. "Have you come to play?" she asked, suddenly interested in my presence here.
I shook my head slowly and said, "I’ve come in search of the Keeper of this grove. I was told by a man in the village that this was one of the places of Siem."
The girl’s expression became momentarily downcast, but was soon lit by a warm smile. "Oh, it is!" she nodded her head very quickly, disheveled blonde hair bouncing into an even more frazzled state. "Are you seeking guidance?"
I had never been very fond of children, and the reason for this one being here was dancing further from my grasp. A bit impatiently, I inquired again, "Is the Keeper here?"
As if I had reminded her of something very important that she had forgotten, the child’s eyes widened for an instant, before snapping shut, and her posture became once again straight and motionless.
I approached the girl, crouching in front of her, and with an effort not to snap at her, I said, "I really would like to find the Keeper, if you could just tell me when..."
One blue eye opened to give me a scrutinizing look. "I’ve been expecting you," she said finally.
I opened my mouth to tell this silly child to stop playing games, but she silenced me before the words left my lips.
"Sit, little one, I will teach you...," she said, "... and your first lesson shall be in patience."
Only then did I realize my mistake, that in fact, I had been speaking to the one I sought all along.
Siem is the primary god of the Sindarin, Khuzdul, and the ancient human races who have long lived among the elder races. Siem is the god of restful sleep, oracles, and dreams. The Khuzdul acknowledge Siem, but concentrate their practical worship to a lesser god who serves Siem:
Sereniel; The Judge of Stones.
Human followers of Siem are mainly those who have lived among the Sindarin or Khuzdul. However, individuals who love and protect wild places and things often turn to Siem, as do many who dabble in magic.
Siem lived on Harn with his Sindarin subjects thousands of years ago. While me moved on the Blessed Realm, many of his followers remained until this day.
Siem has no real organized church, most of his followers worship secretly in sacred groves. The influence of Siem's followers in political affairs is subtle, as befits the nature of their god.