The story of Rethwyll is not well known, as her deeds were done not so very long after Crow brought fire to the world (and thereafter was ever shunned by all mankind).

In these times so long ago, men began to bring light and warmth to the night, and in this way began to drive back the dark things. But while men celebrated, the lady Night feared for her life. She watched the fires of men grow ever brighter, each one a wound, and she worried that they might destroy her entirely.

It happened that during the day, Rethwyll rested in the shade beneath an old grandfather pine tree. She had no sooner closed her eyes, than a voice whispered in her ears. “Fair lady, I would speak with you about my mistress.”

Rethwyll thought it might be some small bird or insect, as she was known among them for her singing, but when she turned, she discovered it was the lady Night’s handmaiden, Shadow, who spoke to her. Shadow explained how her mistress was worried over the fires of men, and what they might do. Rethwyll felt sorry for the poor lady Night and Shadow, and she promised to think of a solution.

“Come and speak with me when the fire dances on the walls of my home, Shadow, and I will see what I can do.”

That night, as Rethwyll lit the fires, Shadow appeared in her home, wavering in the firelight. She bowed to Rethwyll and asker her what they would do. “Your mistress,” said Rethwyll, “fears the light too much. The fires of men will only burn brighter in the totality of darkness.” Rethwyll then picked up a brand from the flames. “Take me to her, and I will show her what she must do.”

Thus Shadow swiftly carried Rethwyll through the darkness to the highest mountain, where the lady Night sat with folded legs and veiled eyes. She looked sadly at Rethwyll and only said, “So this is how I shall meet my end.”

Rethwyll raised her eyebrows to Shadow, as if marking those words which she had so recently spoken. “Come, Lady Night, the fires of man cannot destroy you. Men have lived in darkness for as long as we have memories, and it is possible they may drive it wholly away. But if you light their way, they will no longer fear the darkness you bring.”

Rethwyll held the fiery brand out for Night. “You must take the fire of men and make it your own. Make it a part of you. You need never banish Shadow like the day, but show men that your darkness is not always cruel.”

The lady Night bowed her head, and sat for a moment, before lifting away her veil. “Thank you, good lady,” said the Night, and carefully took the fire in her left hand, where the color of it drained away and left only the pale silver of its light. With her right hand, she took her eye from her head. “For you,” she said to Rethwyll, “a gift in exchange.” Thus the lady Night gave to Rethwyll her right eye, and she replaced it with the flame in her left hand.

Night stood, and the fire in her right eye grew brighter as she stood taller and taller, until she could look across the entire world.

“You have my thanks, as well,” said Shadow to Rethwyll. “I will carry you home if you like.”

“You are welcome, Shadow, but that is quite alright. I believe there is enough light to find my way.”

And that is the story of how Rethwyll set the moon in the sky. As to what she did with the Eye of Night, that is another story entirely.