Leaf and Petal, Vine and Moon

A Fairytale written by Christine Wichman c. May 22, 2014 -October 21, 2014

All photos taken from Pinterest.

At the edge of an English forest, a family of Romany wanderers, met with a coven of local Witches. 

“We are gathered here today,” announced The Gypsy Queen, “to create a truce between our tribes. The Gypsies and The Witches have both lost daughters today. We must put aside our differences and join powers to bring our girls back from the Dark Kingdom.” 

The somber, dazed crowd did not react to the beautiful Vashti’s words. Quietly her husband, Horace took her hand, and moved in close to her side, gazing into each face with his soulful brown eyes, he was able to break their aprosexia.

“We will help.” Viridis’ words were weak, but she was the first to step across the invisible line between them. “We want our daughter back, as much as you do, yours.” 

With a swish of her long black cape the High Priestess freed her arms to embrace Vashti and set into motion an unheard of alliance. Following Viridis the other Witches turned toward the other Gypsies and offered the same. A blend of the Mother’s tears mixed in the earth that day and created a new tribe of people, with one common goal. They immediately set off to rescue their two children from evil, and bring them home in peace.

****

Beneath a large mossy rock, lie a hidden cave with endless chambers. Once thought to house Ursula the great Bear, and the last King of Albion. Now abandoned, and long forgotten, faint voices could be heard echoing inside.

“Tzigane, tell me the story again, about your parents.” Cymbeline rested her head in her best friend’s lap, in the quiet eerie cave where they were being held against their will. The story was the only thing that could give them joy, in such a dire place.

Tzigane’s small voice began, “In mid February Vashti and Horace were married beneath a tree of hearts…by mid December, the snow was steep and white, but the tree still bore three red hearts upon it’s bare branches. Their first baby was born with hair as red as the hearts, and skin as white as the snow. They called her Tzigane Persimmon, deciding she was half Gypsy, half fruit of their tree, for every Gypsy before this child, had hair black as night or silver like the moon…”

Suddenly there was a crackling sound. “Shh,” Cymbeline perched herself up to listen, “Did you hear that?”

“No, I was talking…how could I?” whispered Tzigane.

“They’re coming back?” Cymbeline was terrified.

Eight hours prior a group of hooded men in black armor wielding swords kidnapped them from the wood between their villages and told them they would never see their families again. Cymbeline and Tzigane had been secret friends since they were old enough to walk. They met wandering in the wood at a very young age and became instant playmates, creating an enchanted world of their own. Each day something new was discovered as they explored the magical aspects of nature together. The insects and birds knew them both by name. Fawns and Roebucks joined in their games. Each beast was tame in the presence of their purity and innocence and would never think to harm them in any way.

Now, at the ripe age of thirteen, they found themselves facing the greatest danger of all…..Man.

******

The moment the two tribes of Gypsies and Witches set foot across the Forest border, they looked to the twilight sky to see great clouds roll over the hills bringing darkness from above.

“This Forest is enchanted indeed, it does not welcome us.” Viridis called back to the others.

“It knows our daughters are lost, how do we beg for it’s alliance?” Vashti looked to the Great Priestess to employ her own magic in this matter.

Viridis closed her eyes, and held her twisted rowan staff to the sky. A mysterious wind encircled her, blowing her long black curls from her cape’s hood and twisting them up in the dance of the gale. Viridis sang softly to it’s music, words in the old latin that it would recognize, a song set to the tune of the Druid’s trees…the oak and the ash. When the song was finished, she knelt down before the great forest and bowed her head repeating;

“We come in Peace. We come in Love. We come bearing Grace, and harm to none.”

The Gypsies and the Witches repeated her words and offered them to the Forest for their own entrance. Almost immediately the clouds parted unveiling a full round white Moon, with beams of sparkling light that shot down lighting the way to a Bridge.

“This way.” Viridis led them through the portal into the vast, verdant wood.

Cymbeline tucked in behind Tzigane for protection. “They’re coming for us!” 

The young gypsy girl stood tall to face their oppressors. “Who’s there? What do you want from us?”

From the dark shadows came a figure, not of a man, but a large black wolf with glowing yellow eyes. He was calm and slow in his approach.

“Isn’t that your wolf?”

Tzigane turned to Cymbeline, who peeked out from behind, and with great relief recognized her familiar.

“Blitzer!” Cymbeline was no longer afraid and moved quickly to embrace him.

With her forehead pressed to his, she stroked his fur and listened to his telepathic warning. 

“He followed us here and has heard the men plotting. He says they want us for their King. One of us is to be his Bride and the other her hand maiden.”

Tzigane moved toward the wolf, “You must lead us out of here Blitzer. This cave is a maze, and we were blindfolded coming in.”

Blitzer nodded and turned to lead them out, but a rumble of low voices began echoing toward them, 

“The King will have your head, you fool. He requested you bring him the Gypsy Queen, not her daughter,” said the first voice.

“Time won’t let me return for the Queen. We have come too far with these two. I’m sure her daughter can serve in her place,” replied the second voice.

Blitzer began to run the opposite direction hoping the girls would follow. 

“Come on, Tzigane.” Cymbeline was already moving quickly on Blitzer’s heels. 

“What does the King want with my Mother?” Tzigane was now disturbed. 

“I don’t know,” whispered Cymbeline, ” but we’re better off not finding out. We have to escape, and now’s our only chance!.” 

Just then the first man caught sight of Tzigane’s colorful skirts trailing down the narrow passage, “After them, they are trying to get away!”

Viridis and her sisters walked silently on the path, while the Gypsies began to sing a lively song to pass the time. 

“England in the summer is a pretty sight
Flowers in the meadow in the morning light
You know, satisfy the song inside
And the dream is making you care , ev’rybody smiles
And the dream is taking you there….”

They repeated the song seven times before the Witches joined in, almost unknowingly the beat and the rhythm kept them steady on the long path toward the hidden cave.

*****

In the narrow tunnels of the cave, Blitzer was running at full pace, while Cymbeline and Tzigane struggled to keep up, having to duck and dodge the cavernous rocks and crystals that were jutting out from the top and sides. Tzigane’s skirts were shredding, against the sharp stones and leaving a trail of orange and pink threads.  

The men were closing in on them, when suddenly forced to slow down, for their height, which gave the girls an advantage as they forced themselves to make haste. 

After practically crawling through what felt a mile of twists they came to a large opening and found themselves on a high ledge overlooking a pool of blue crystals. There were endless waterfalls spilling into the pool. The rush of the water echoed creating a deafening sound as mists filled the air. It was still dark, but the crystals glowed an unearthly turquoise, resembling the core of glaciers.

Cymbeline turned to look back through the small space they had just emerged from. “Do you think we lost them?”

“They were giants, how could they have squeezed through the last of that path?” Tzigane was out of breath.

Blitzer sat calmly, surveying a way down the ledge. He knew he could manage it, but was worried about the girls.

The reflective waters against the stones cast a magical moving light. A soothing wave of blues, danced about the cave, mimicking the Northern Lights.

Suddenly an apparition appeared within the moving lights. It was a beautiful young woman, in a flowing white dress. She was speaking to them, but they could not hear over the din of rushing waters.

As if she sensed the problem, the woman raised her arms and with a commanding wave, the waterfalls froze to a halt and all was silent.

The girls looked up to her, mesmerized, as she began to speak.

“Do not be afraid. I am the keeper of this cave, Goddess of Nymphs and sister to Echo. Cymbeline you must remember me from your bedtime stories. Your mother knows me well.” 

The Goddess smiled. Cymbeline did remember, her Mother told her many tales, but the tales of the Mermaids, and the Water Nymphs were always her favorite.

“Are you Halcyon? Thee, Halcyon?” Cymbeline bowed before her hero.

“Yes, I am Queen Halcyon of the Blue Lake.”

“I can’t believe you are real, I thought you were just a fairytale, one of my Mother’s stories.”

Halcyon giggled, “Oh we are all real, my child. We just live beyond the Veils, and over the mist. You’ve crossed a line, come past the boundaries of the human world, into mine.”

“Will we ever get back?” Tzigane was worried.

“Oh yes, you must go back, I’m afraid. Though, you are perfectly safe in this realm, it is your destiny to go back. Your lives are not complete on the human side just yet. You are still very young and have many lessons ahead.”

Just then, the beautiful lady was holding a blue crystal teardrop on a thick chain of gold and diamonds. It was too large and cumbersome to be a necklace. 

“I am going to give this to your Wolf for safekeeping. He shall lead you onward, and can be trusted to protect you both as you continue on your journey.”  

Suddenly the diamond and blue crystal collar was around Blitzer’s neck and he bowed to the great lady. 

“With my magic close at hand, you two will find your way. Blessed be.” 

Almost immediately, the apparition dissipated into the mists and the waterfalls noisily resumed.

The girls looked to Blitzer to lead the way, and he beckoned them to both climb onto his back. Then with a surge of new mystical power, he leapt from ledge to ledge carrying them through the next twist of tunnels.

The path ended abruptly and only a tangle of wood lay before the search party. Viridis turned to Vashti, at her side and spoke.

“I think we are close, I am sensing my daughter.”

Vashti did not question the Witch’s sixth sense, she was overjoyed that their long journey was not in vain. “But how do we continue? The path ends here.”

Viridis smiled a sly knowing smile, “I have ways of infiltrating such obstacles.”

Suddenly where Viridis stood, there was nothing, nothing but her black cape lying in a puddle of dirt and leaves.

“Where has she gone?” Vashti was astonished. Horace stepped up from behind, and looked down at the cape, to see a mysterious black cat crossing his path. 

When his eyes met the creatures he noticed they glowed. “The Witch is here,” he smiled. “Behold, those eyes.”

Vashti bent down to the cat and instructed, “Please go find our girls. We will wait here for your return.”

Viridis relished being a feline, every sleek and agile move felt so natural to her as she infiltrated the cave with ease and used her keen new whiskers to sense any danger or dark demons about.  Suddenly she heard the murmurs of men and tucked herself into an alcove just above them, to eavesdrop.

“We’ve lost the girls, the King will have all of our heads! First we take the wrong Gypsy and now this…” the first Knight was enraged and tiny spittle escaped as he shouted in the faces of the other two dark knights. “We are doomed Gentlemen, this mission is a complete failure.”

“If they’ve found a way out of this purgatory, which I’m sure they never will, we can go back into the Dark Forest and track them there, they cannot get far, it is full of traps and they are but two little girls,” The second Knight seemed sure of himself.

“Traps and evils, yes, but pure souls often find aid with the Fey, this Forest is full of them lurking good kindly folk,” The third Knight shook his head with contempt.

Just the words of these horrid men, these men who wished harm upon her only daughter, caused Viridis’ long black velvet tail to swish with agitation. 

The first knight bellowed shaking his armored fist, “Those two are better off dead then alive!”

Viridis’ tail, thrashed violently knocking a boulder loose from place, sending it careening down, hitting the first Knight on his shoulder.

Dust and more rocks followed, as if an avalanche or cave in was underway.  

The men looked up and began to run for cover but it was too late. All three of them were buried alive beneath the remains of the cavernous chamber. Viridis sat safely a top the rubble, licking her paws and thinking to herself, “Hmm, I really must learn to control my temper.” 

She then leapt from the stones and began to explore the other chambers of the cave, in search of her precious daughter, Cymbeline.

Watcher in the Woods

In the dark wood there stood a watcher, a Knight similar to the three that perished. In black hood and ebony armor, with a fierce scythe and a Raven familiar. The bird cawed long and loud as if portending a death and the fourth Knight bent down upon a mound of discarded skulls to pay his respects. As he knelt he removed the armored glove from his right hand and set it beside him on the pile of skulls. Shockingly his forearm and his hand were not that of a human being, there was just flame and bone. He chose this moment to reveal his truth, no flesh, no muscle, only a fiery skeleton beneath the armor, burning souless.

Fire and Ice, The two elements that make up a Hellion. Hellions were the worst kind of Demon. No allegiance to good or evil, only an allegiance to themselves. Selfish to the bitter end, the only thing that could kill them was a crushing. It is said Hellions in this Realm were once the souls of devious children, children who were bullies or brought harm to the animal kingdom. They were forever doomed to serve the evil King, or be crushed to dust. With fire for blood and ice for veins, Hellions were the lowest form of entity one could evolve from.  Over the bones the Hellion whispered, 

“I know not why I am doomed to this path, if there be a salvation, I pray for it. I beg for it. Send me a way into a new world, a new beginning. A new path for a black heart, that wishes to redeem itself at last.”

Viridis padded through the cave tunnels, using her heightened feline senses. Suddenly she knew the girls were still alive and close at hand, as she spied the trail of colorful threads dropped from Tzigane’s skirts. She picked up speed as the cave walls closed in and the ceiling lowered, her small size made every twist manageable. Finally she came to the great pool and vast cavern of waterfalls. Slinking out of her Cat persona and Into her original womanly form, she stood on the ledge and looked down to the mists. She too witnessed a great fire rainbow arc across the pool and shimmer into a dance of lights. With a great splash the Lady of the Lake emerged. Viridis recognized her from the lore, the books, from the Tennyson she read to Cymbeline. “…an arm rose up from out the bosom of the lake, clothed in white samite, mystic, wonderful, holding the sword…“

Viridis, instinctively bowed before the great lady. The voice was as shimmery as the apparition. 

“Dear Viridis, it has been a lifetime since we last met. You were but a sweet babe in my arms. It grieved me so, to turn you and your sister over to the men, but you two were our only hope.”

Viridis was taken aback by her words, stunned into silence. The Lady continued,

 “You know you are one of us, my dear. You shall always belong to the Spirit side. If it were not for the Dark King spoiling this Queen, I would have kept you both here, in your true realm,” she slowly moved her arms above the waters, as she floated ethereal on the surface.

As if a veil was lifted Viridis remembered being here before. She was born of these waters. She was this woman’s true daughter. Taken as an infant, along with her fraternal twin sister to a man in the wood, who split them up and gave each to another Mother. Viridis was raised in the Hamlet by an elderly Hedge Witch, called Charlet. Charlet died when Viridis was 13, and the Coven of Sisters took her in, there after.

“Do you know who your sister is Dear one?” The Lady reminded her, “She was bequeathed to the great Spiritualist and Palm Reader, Gitane. They traveled many continents before returning to the Motherland.” The Lady smiled up at her, taking a long pause to dramatically reveal, “She is of course, your once enemy, The Gypsy Queen.”

Viridis did not smile. She took it all in, and a tear of understanding escaped, breaking the seal for a flow of tears, a flow of truth and revelation. “I have a sister?” she whispered through the tears. “Vashti is my blood?” 

“Indeed.” The Lady now echoed like a song, “The Dark King is your Father, and he knows only of one child being taken from me. I kept one of you a secret, to protect the lineage, in case he ever tried to find you or bring harm to either of you. I did not want him searching for two. It appears he has tracked down your sister, and sent his Black Knights after her, under false pretenses. He knows any child of mine holds great power. He wants to use that Power for his own means. His Knights have mistaken Tzigane for Vashti. Cymbeline was taken as a spare prize. I’ve sent the girls out of harms way. They should be rising from this lake, on the otherside very soon.”

“My daughter,” Viridis was brought back to reality, “I must go and retreive her.” Viridis began to run toward the next ledge.

“Wait,” The voice called, “the Dark King will not be stopped. He will come for Vashti. Viridis, I am counting on you and all the power within you to protect her, to protect your daughters and to destroy him once and for all. Then we can all be as one in peace again.”

This was a heavy request. Viridis felt the weight in her heart, the twinge of fear and the black spike of hate. Hatred for the man that ripped her from this womb of paradise. 

“I promise.” Viridis bowed before the great lady. “Will I see you again?”

“When it is done, my Love…when it is done.” With that she disappeared completely.

Queen Halcyon of the Blue Lake

Cymbeline, Tzigane and Blitzer had come to a dead end, there were no more ledges to leap, no land to place their footing…only water, only a deep rushing river that churned beneath them. 

“I think it’s the only way out.” shouted Tzigane over the echoing sound. “We have to jump in and flow with the river.” 

Blitzer nodded, his brow furrowed with worry. Cymbeline was terrified of water, two near drownings left her vowing never to set foot in the tiniest brook, let alone a rushing river.

“Please say it isn’t so,” Cymbeline looked down trembling, “there has to be another way.” 

She sat down on the dirt ledge and planted herself there, scared frozen. “Please there has to be another way…”

Tzigane knelt down beside her friend and calmly coaxed her to change her mind. “I’m telling you Cymbeline, it’s the only way. The Lady of the Lake has promised we will be safe. I know she will not let you drown, be brave my love. We must get back home. I know you want to see your Mother as much as I do mine. Be brave with me. Hold my hand, we will jump together, and flow with the river.” 

She looked to Blitzer and in his eyes she read his words…”Be the River. Let yourself go, surrender and you will see…the light.” 

Slowly Cymbeline rose, dusting the dirt from her skirts, she took Tzigane’s hand in hers, In a small voice she whispered. “Don’t let go.” 

Together they leapt from the high cliff into the rushing deep waters. Hands held they opened their eyes and saw a swirling slow motion world beneath the river. The waters were moving, but it was as if they were held still within the motion of the current. Nymphs floated in a circle around them. Protecting them from rocks and walls. Cymbeline observed the moment as if it were a dream state and she took it all in with a feeling of peace and resolution. The Nymphs in their white gowns, long blonde hair flowing, smiled reassuring smiles that carried them through the river to a lake bottom, and finally to the surface of a grotto. Upon them the light of day, the light of the otherworld, from which they came. Yet lifeless their two bodies floated there on the surface amidst fallen leaves and dragonflies, in a shimmery green pool they lay in wait. Their bodies changed from the journey…changed by age and years and time. Blitzer stood on the banks Howling to them, calling to them to wake…He too had changed, his black sheen now twinged with white. 

Water Nymph

Another Water Nymph

Water Nymph

Tzigane

Cymbeline

Tzigane

Cymbeline

Viridis

the Lake

Beyond the trees Blitzer’s howl could be heard by Viridis. She had emerged from the other side of the lake having shape-shifted into a minnow and was now rushing toward the familiar call of her daughter’s wolf. Meanwhile the Dark Watcher heard the wolf’s cry and mounted his horse to investigate. Viridis running through the trees like a wild animal, frantic and desperate to hold her child again. The Dark Watcher, dutiful, picking up speed toward what he sensed to be a reward for his King.

His ever wrathful King, the Dark Lord and Master of all their fates…

As Viridis came upon the banks of the Blue Lake, she was too late. The still bodies of the girls had been swept away by the Watcher in the Woods, as the Kings last servant on this mission, he was determined to deliver, upon the Kings request, the key ingredient in his long standing Magnum Opus.

It had been rumored that the Dark King wished to live forever and that he employed those with knowledge of Alchemy to reside in his Castle. These wise men and women were then confined to a small dungeon and told they could not leave until it was done, until The Philosopher’s Stone was in his possession.

Drachma, one of the wise women had a vision that the King’s own blood would be needed in the recipe, but not a drop from his own veins, a drop from a female offspring. This is when the King remembered his night with Queen Halcyon and set out to find his daughter. Not wanting anyone to know of his secret plan, he told his Army he was collecting a wife. 

As The Watcher rode with Tzigane strewn across his lap and Cymbeline draped over the rear of his horse, he had that pang again, that sick feeling in his mind he had never known until recently.  His Raven chimed in his ear a squaking lament…

“Beneath the white fire of the moon, Love’s wings are broken all too soon”  

He did not question the bird, he listened, he listened to the whole of the bird’s poetry and he felt compelled to do something he had never done before. He turned his horse around and he headed back, back to the door of the Forest, back to the place from which these children were stolen.


************

At the edge of the lake, Viridis knelt down beside Blitzer and hugged his plush black and white twinged fur, she cried into his mantel and asked him to tell her everything.  

In his silence, his eyes spoke to her and he revealed that when all three of them surfaced from the depths of the lake, they came away changed, older by at least three years, the girls appearance was not of thirteen but of two young maidens ripe for marriage. He was not sure if the waters cast an aging spell, or if time had taken them through some sort of portal and back again. Either way this is the state they were now in…

Viridis also learned that the girls were unconscious and abducted by one of the King’s men. So immediately she instructed Blitzer to follow her to the Dark Castle for an embittered encounter with The King. They trudged on beyond Halcyon’s Blue Lake, into the hills of Ice and Snow, passing ancient towers and neighboring stone cottages until they entered the Black Moss Grove, which stood as warning to the land they were about to enter.

 

Viridis and Blitzer

Blitzer

In the eerie grove of mangled trees and draped bearded moss, there was a deafening silence. No wind, no water, no warmth, just a cold stillness…the overwhelming feel of death. The Witch and the Wolf began to slow their steps, as if walking through black molasses, something had a hold of them here, something was coming for them.

A twig snapped, and a pair of glowing eyes darted out from behind one of the trees. Blitzer growled moving into a protective stance in front of Viridis. 

“Shhh,” Viridis hushed the Wolf. “We will be fine.” she was convincing herself, willing herself to move through the threat.  When from out of nowhere a skeleton fell from the tops of the trees, and then another and another until there was a troupe of skeletons, slithering toward them, hunched and bent, and knotted. Moving like the broken bones they were. Blitzer continued to growl and bark, Viridis took up her wand and held it high, to show them her power. To defend herself against these strange and unusual beings, beings who were morphing before her eyes, their bones gaining a painted flesh, an incandescent glow and their bodies beginning to display a sinewy flow. Moving closer, and closer around them. The skeletons danced in a circle, silent to the rhythm of their own music.  

Viridis stood transfixed, mesmerized by the motion and the movements of these ungodly creatures. 

Vashti and Horace were on their third day with no sleep, sick with worry and grief.  

“I cannot take this any longer Horace, I have to go in there and make sure they are alright.”

“My Woman you are not going in there, it is too dangerous. Viridis knows what she is doing. She can handle their kind. We do not have the power she holds over the dark spirits. We are human you and I, we must wait.”

Vashti put her hands to her face and cried out to the skies above, “I want my daughter! Give me back my daughter please, please dear Spirits bring them home.”

Horace embraced his wife and held her close, allowing her tears to flow into his chest. Silently he kissed her forehead, and rocked her in his arms…”Shhh my darling, shhh we will see her again. I feel it in my bones she is alive and well.”

***************************

Without words the Watcher gently carried Tzigane to the center of a circle of Horse Chestnut trees, the Aesculus Flava were known to be the most magical and healing of Nemetons, surely time with these tree spirits would bring the girls back to life. The Dark Knight then hoisted Cymbeline over his shoulder and placed her next to her friend on a large bed of moss, central to the grove. 

His Raven ceremoniously circled the girls twice and then alighted upon the Watcher’s shoulder. A long caw echoed approval of The Watcher’s good deed. The Watcher then mounted his black horse, which reared as they fled.

Hours passed, the girls lie dormant and lovely, like two ethereal creatures blooming resplendent in the moss. 

A breeze turned to a swirling wind as the Tree Spirits began to hum and whisper. Three Feys came forth; one, a woman made of flowers, the second, a tiny butterfly queen, and the third a green woman with purple wings. While the girls held fast to their unnatural sleep the Three Feys held conversation over them.

Blodeuwedd spoke first, “Ahhh how beautiful these spirits be.”

“Sweet children of man, they cannot be.” added Seraphina as she fluttered past their faces “They, too seem made of flowers, like you dear sister.”

“Flowers not…I sense there is more to these souls,” whispered Foxglove, her green countenance flushed pale with concern, “I fear they are in a state between. They are not of this world at the moment.”

“Can we bring them back?” asked Serephina in her tiny voice. “I can call my kaleidoscope of kindreds to administer life’s kiss.”

“By all means we must give them a chance.” smiled Blodeuwedd. 

“I surely would like to meet them.” added Foxglove.

Within moments a swarm of vibrant orange and gold butterflies hovered above the girls lips, bringing them back to life.

Cymbeline was the first to open her eyes. While Tzigane took much longer to revive. Soon both girls were stirring, blinking, stretching their limbs.

Tzigane

Blodeuwedd broke the silence, “Fear not my lovely ones. We will not harm ye.”

“We are benign spirits.” whispered Foxglove. “From where do you hail?”

Cymbeline was speechless as she looked down to her unfamiliar hands and longer than usual arms. She then gazed at Tzigane and was filled with wonder. “Tzigane is that you?”

Tzigane was in equal astonishment at the appearance of her beautifully matured friend. “What’s happened to us?”

Foxglove continued, “Ahhh this answers my question. You two must have come from the depths of the Blue Lake.”

“Yes. That is the last thing I remember. I thought we had drown.” Tzigane was still admiring her new legs.

“The Nymphs are known to embellish humans in their midst,” informed Blodeuwedd, “they’ve taken you to your prime age of beauty.”

“You truly are beautiful my friend,” Tzigane admired Cymbeline’s new face.  

“As are you. Lovely and fair,” smiled Cymbeline.

Suddenly an Ash amongst the Nemeton spoke up, “we have moved through the time beyond before. My wife and I were once taken into the deep waters by the Nymphs and with the assistance of Odin himself, were born of human bodies. Our images lingered in Norse mythology, for a time, we were known as Ask and Embla. Now centuries later we have evolved back to our original form, the Ash and the Vine 

Cymbeline being a true daughter of Nature was compelled to kiss the trunk of the tree, and place her hand upon the delicate vine that dangled beside it. “True Love.” she whispered. “I feel it here.”

Tzigane rose from the moss and hugged the tree. “We hold inspiration whenever a tree speaks.”

The Fey felt their hearts warm to these girls, as they saw how pure and innocent and full of truth they were.

Cymbeline

The Ash whispered back, “Ours is Love, true and real. Here we shall remain a sleeping King and Queen, hands held through time…one branch, one vine.”

The Three Fey then joined the chorus of trees in song…

“Leaf and Petal

Vine and Moon…

Thor’s hammer,

thunder’s storm,

Earth, and Air

Passions fair, 

the Veils do fall…

as tempests call.” 

Cymbeline and Tzigane, felt safe in this circle and knew now, they would soon be home.

Viridis and Blitzer’s bodies stood frozen as the Dancing Skeletons wove a hypnotizing spell around them. Carrying their mind’s eye across the threshold and into the light. 

As the spell was nearly complete, hooves from the distance thundered forth. The Watcher in the woods was on the same path back to the Dark Castle to stand his ground with the Evil King. He pulled the reins back tight, stopping short of the wood to take in the scene, and surmise who the victims of this Death Dance were. 

He could see the black wolf and a female figure in a black hooded cape, but he had no idea who they were or how they came to this god forsaken place. 

Again his thoughts were new, instead of carrying on with his mission, he was compelled to free these poor souls of their gloomy fate. 

Aloud he cried to the woman, “Make your mind up not to follow! You can lead yourself away. Understand, you can have what you say, you can lead yourself away…”

His words penetrated through the fog in Viridis’s mind…she heard the Watcher and she began to fight, she began to clear a path to her own thoughts.

The Watcher in the Woods

The Watcher continued to guide her with his words.

“Bring out the Magic you possess. Use your will to fight them off.”

Viridis, though her mind was swirling like a carousel, could feel herself coming back, feel herself holding to the Watcher’s words. She remembered now how to hold on. How to fight. How to find her Magic. With every ounce of her mind’s strength, she focused on the Rowan wand that had dropped to her feet. She willed it to be lifted from the ground and into her right hand. The moment it flew into her possession a renewed and supernatural strength returned to her body, her mind and her spirit.

“Noooooo” she commanded toward Death, “I will not go.” 

Wand raised she spun in a circle, pointing her twisted stick at each and every last skeleton until they dropped, crumpled bones, still and lifeless, sinking back into the earth from which they rose.

And then exhausted from the ordeal Viridis collapsed in a heap, tears running forth uncontrollably. She was so thankful to be alive, thankful for her wolf and for the one who saved them. 

The Watcher approached slowly and dismounted his horse. He bent down to meet the crying woman’s eyes and he let her see into his own. He offered his armored hand to help her rise. Without words. There was a deep recognition between them.

“I know you,” Viridis spoke. “From dreams, I know you.”

The Watcher was silent, but fixed on her eyes, in them he saw something familiar and then the answers came. 

The Raven

His Raven flew up from his shoulder to the branch of a tree overhead. Then the Raven’s feathers one by one, changed from black to white. The completely white bird then shape shifted into a breathtakingly beautiful White Angel, with all encompassing wings.  

Softly the Angel spoke, “I am Amitiel, the Angel of Truth I am responsible for assisting with the realization of your deepest levels of truth. My purpose is to encourage you to find the truth in your desires and to lead you away from denial. You see, now that you have had three truthful thoughts, I may now show myself and reveal to you your destiny and your origin.”  

Viridis and The Watcher stood silent, taken aback by the Angel’s beauty and light. The Angel continued.

“Your Dark King has blinded this forest, has taken it over with his obsession for eternal youth and power, through the use of Dark Magic and Alchemy.” The Angel, waved her graceful hand and a cloud appeared. A cloud that filled with visions, as if a crystal ball. The Kings face appeared in it, and the things Amitiel was explaining played out, illuminated before them.  

“Listen carefully,” the Angel explained. “We are all connected in his plot. Long ago the first Alchemist came to the King and shared his secrets. He told the King in order to control the universe, he must first control the elements. He must find the divine channels that govern each element and possess a piece of that divinity. So he came to the Blue Lake seeking it’s Queen. He forced his seed upon Halcyon and she bore him twin girls on the night of All Hallows, these girls Viridis and Vashti possess all the powers of the Cups. Water. Emotions and the Ninth Wave. He then went to the top of the high Mountain to collect inspiration from the heavens, and disguised as an Eagle, he mated with one of the Seraphim. He mated with me. The child was taken from me the moment he was born and put into the Kings dark Army as a Hellion. That child, with no name…is you my son.” The Angel swooped down and embraced the Watcher. She held him until the raging fires within him subdued. His hood came down, his dark armor came off and in place of the fire and the exposed bone, there appeared human flesh and a face so fair. His eyes matching Viridis’ in color and warmth.  

“A devil’s son no more. You are mine now,” the Angel smiled. “You were born on the eve of the Harvest Moon, and you posess all the powers of the Sword. With Heaven at your back, you are a Warrior of Truth, and shall now bare the name Justice,” Amitiel handed her son a mighty sword, and cloaked him in royal garb. He stood tall, and proud, now a guardian and Watcher… of Truth.  

Viridis was stunned, first it was revealed she had a full sister, and now a beautiful half brother. Silently she walked over and embraced him, a tear sliding down her cheek. 

Justice’s smile was beaming. He was free at last. He was filled with glory and light and redemption.

A cascade of possibilities before him now. Limitless and endless.

The Angel sighed. “Ahh, but my tale is not over.”

The cloud shifted again, darker now, and holding the image of the King.

“Your Father, only knows of Vashti as his Lake daughter, and Justice as his secret son from the higher realms. He knows not where the last two elements lie, and he has no knowledge that Vashti has a twin sister. So, I believe the odds are in our favor. If we discover the last two children, before he does, we can out number him. We hold all the power. We can conquer his army and the balance shall be restored to this Forest and beyond. Good shall prevail, once we are all in alignment.” 

“What do you know of the last two children Amitiel?” Viridis was ready to begin the search immediately.

The Angel answered, “They must be of the last two elements, one of Earth and one of Fire, most likely born of women who hold a divine lineage.”

“Earth? Fire? Hmm,” Viridis deliberated and then it struck her immediately. “My daughter, she was born on the Thirteenth of September she is an Earth child, a Virgo. I’ve sensed Tzigane is fire. A Leo through and through.”  

The Angel smiled. “Of course, your daughters, also offsping and blood of the King. They are the missing elements. Pentacles and Wands, Earth and Fire…roots and strength.” 

“But I’m afraid the King’s men have taken them, he holds them captive as we speak. I’ve been on a quest to find them.” Viridis broke down in tears again.

“Wait,” Justice put his hand on Viridis’ shoulder, “Don’t cry. It was I, who stole them away, and they became my second pure thought. I laid them down in a circle of trees. They are safe.” 

“Oh please you must take me to them Justice.” Viridis begged, rushing toward his horse.

“Once you have the girls, and Vashti is with you. The five of you must confront the King. It will be a battle, but you have Heaven on your side,” with that Amitiel kissed her beloved son on the cheek and vanished, leaving only a fluttering of white feathers hovering about the air.

Justice and Viridis rode swiftly out of the woods of death, Blitzer trailing behind them. With each stride toward the Nemeton, their strength, their power and their bond was heightened.

Viridis gripped her brother’s waist and whispered in his ear. “This is a blessed day, Thank you.”

******************************

Tzigane and Cymbeline had very little recollection of their time spent in the cave, or the deep lake. They had no knowledge that Blitzer was missing, or that he had been with them at all.  The waters had erased most of their recent past while enhancing their appearance. 

“We have to go home now.” Tzigane announced to the grove. “Somehow I hear my Mother calling me.” 

Cymbeline blinked, trying to remember how long they had been in this wood. She felt strange when she tried to find answers to her many questions. “Yes, home…” she had a pang to return to where she truly belonged. 

“Foxglove can show you the way out of this wood, and to the bridge that leads you back to your world, you will find yourselves in the Autumn of Old…” The Lady of Flowers informed them.

“It was lovely meeting you both, do come again.”

“We shall certainly try,” smiled Tzigane, taking Cymbeline’s hand and following the Green Fey with Purple wings.

 They were barely over the second hill past the grove when a horse with two riders, followed by a black wolf, came barrelling toward them.

“Cymbeline!! Cymbeline!!” called Viridis, leaping from Justice’s horse.

“Mother!! Oh Mother.” Cymbeline knew her own Mother immediately and the Wolf as well. Upon nearer approach, Viridis was taken aback by her daughter’s appearance.

“What’s happened to you?” Viridis remembered what Blitzer told her but she did not expect such a drastic change.  Cymbeline appeared more woman than child. 

“Come here, oh come here My Love.” Viridis embraced her daughter tightly with tears of joy in her eyes.

She then turned to embrace Tzigane, “Your Mother has been worried sick, we must go to her immediately.”

Tzigane was grateful for these words.  Foxglove hugged both of the girls farewell and then nodded her Good-byes to Viridis and Justice.

“Thank you dear Fey, for looking after them.” Viridis was indebted to the good spirits for keeping the girls safe.

Viridis then introduced the girls to Justice and explained what she could of their new found connection. 

“You mean Tzigane and I are cousins?” Cymbeline was overjoyed.

The girls hugged and squealed, over the news that they were blood related.

Justice then lifted each girl up to his giant Black Horse, allowing them to ride, as he led. Viridis walked along beside them, Blitzer trailing behind the horse. 

It was near midnight when they reached the Gypsy camp outside the Dark wood. Most of the Gypsies were sleeping around the campfire, some still playing violins, in a mournful dirge as requiem to the lost girls. 

Horace was still awake, poking at the fire, Vashti lie sleeping on his shoulder. When he looked up to see what strangers were approaching, he immediately recognized Viridis and whispered to his wife, “Wake up My Woman, they are home.” 

Tears filled his eyes as he and Vashti rose to greet them. 

Vashti had no words, she could only sob and hug her daughter. Viridis explained the reason for their womanly appearance, and the girls filled in the few parts of the ordeal they could remember. 

The Gypsies quickly brought the travellers blankets and warm tea from their kettles, as all of them gathered round the fire to share the tales from the Dark wood.

Viridis instructed Blitzer to go to the Coven and tell them they had returned. “Invite them to join us,” she touched her forehead to his brow and gently scratched the fur behind his ears. “Go sleep the night my dear one, then bring the Coven to me in the morning.”

The tireless wolf ran off obediently.

As they sat around the fire, Viridis unravelled the entire tale of The Dark King and his pursuit for power over the elements through Alchemy, and through the use of his own daughter’s blood. 

Vashti was beyond emotional, beyond comprehension, yet taking it in with a courage that was somehow not her own. Looking into Viridis and Justice’s eyes she was filled with Love, she sensed the bond that had never been before.

Mid story, Tzigane and Cymbeline retired to one of the Gypsy wagons to snuggle into a deep sleep. The other Gypsies took to their own beds. Leaving Horace and Vashti, Viridis and Justice to strategize against the King and his madness. 

********

As the first rays of light touched upon the dwindling fire. The Wolf appeared, licking Viridis’ face awake. Viridis slowly came to the realization something was wrong, dreadfully wrong. 

When she opened her eyes, she saw towering over her the black silhouette of the white bearded King. Behind him a small Army of dark Knights. Around Blitzer’s neck a spiked chain, and in the King’s hand Halcyon’s Blue Crystal Talisman, that was meant to protect them. 

“Get up.” The King commanded, kicking at her thigh. “Witch, you owe me My Daughter, where is she?” 

Viridis looked around, all the Gypsies were in their wagons. Justice was no where to be found. She was all alone with the enemy.

“Justice!!” she cried for her brother. An echo resounded down into the valley, there was no answer, only silence. Everywhere silence.

The King took her roughly by the arm and lifted her to his face. “I said, I want my daughter, Witch. You know where she is. I have spies, they know you are responsible for keeping her from me.”

Viridis spit in his eye. Enraged the King struck her with his metal glove across her lovely face, blood trickling from her lip. Viridis went to shapeshift into a Lynx, but before she could, Justice emmerged from the wood armed with a cross bow. He shot three arrows strategically into the large branch of an oak, releasing it to crush half the Dark Army. Causing the other half to advance upon him, Justice drew the men away from the camp and led them into the woods. 

Viridis then completed her shift, and lunged first at the chain that held her wolf, with one clean magical bite Blitzer was free and began to attack the King. When the King was down, the Lynx held herself over him with all her weight and energy. Willing the King to look deep into her Feline eyes, she cast a spell of immobility.  He could not speak, could not move, could not harm her or anyone for the next twenty four hours.

It was then the Gypsies woke, and came forth to behold the sight of the King on the ground and the Wolf and Lynx circling him. Viridis returned to her form, this time wearing a female Armor. 

“Look upon your King, our Father. A man so small he must harm others to rise, to live, to hold onto his stolen power.” Viridis stood shouting above his crumpled body. “Look at me Father. Yes, I am your blood. How dare you harm your own, how dare you take from those greater than you. Look here, my Sister. A Queen, a Mother a Lover and Wife.” Viridis brought Vashti before him. “Look there, our two beautiful daughters, pure of heart, no thanks to you.” Cymbeline and Tzigane came forth to see the King.

“And now yonder comes our Brother, your stolen child…your kept soul. He deserves the most credit for living under your reign unknowingly.” 

Justice, victorious rode down to the circle of onlookers and dismounted. With vengence he went to strike a blow to his Father, but stopped mid air, mid action. Instead looking deep into the devil’s eyes and smiling upon him. 

“I am free now Father, you have no hold over me. You have no hold over any of your flesh and blood. For you have no heart, no soul. Nothing to connect us.”

“How dare you. I’m the one who gripped you tight and raised you from perdition.” 

The three siblings joined hands and stood before their Father. Horace and another Gypsy moved the King to his feet. Defeated the Dark King looked upon them, gazed upon them and remained silent.

Suddenly from the crowd, Cymbeline and Tzigane instinctively burst forth and without hesitation threw their arms around the King and held him in their embrace. “Grandfather, why have you forsaken us?” cried Cymbeline.

“You belong to us, we are a part of you,” whispered Tzigane.

As they clung to the King, there hung a silence. Viridis and Vashti were too shocked to move. The circle of witnesses watched a hardened man soften before their eyes.  Almost immediately the fear and hatred melted away as a river of tears flowed down his lined cheeks. Could the curse of his evil core be removed by the innocence of unconditional love?

No spells, no words. Only truth. Only love. 

(The End…for now)

Viridis

The Dark Wood

Cymbeline

Tzigane

Viridis as a LYNX

To see the story board for this tale go to the following link on Pinterest: 

Viridis