Okay, I think this is how stories start off: Mukashi mukashi--or long, long ago... there was a fair maiden who traveled into a village one evening. She was pale and beautiful to behold, but always she was sad. The villages doted upon her and wished for her to stay the night, but she would just shake her head and ask where her lover had gone. For you see, he had run from her to keep her safe and to accomplish his own quest before he could return to his beloved. The villagers, however, knew this man well for he had passed through just earlier that day.
"He has gone away toward the next village, you could easily catch him there if he stays too long. But please rest a while," the villagers said and implored. This was because this maiden of pale face and dark hair was good fortune for the village.