He was bold and daring. Sweet and kind. He was tall and handsome with dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes that made the girls swoon. At the end of every story he would carry her away to his castle in the hills. There she could live a contented life with her true love. But alas, she was afraid that she would never find her true love. She had never ventured out of her forest. She felt safe in her own little world where she had all she needed. But she longed for so much more. She longed for someone to love who would love her in return. At the end of her story, a lonely tear would slide down her cheek and she would wish that one day one of her stories could come true.
One day a stranger came to the forest. The trees and the wind whispered to each other, for seldom did anyone ever venture into the forest. When the girl heard of the strange visitor, her heart leapt into her throat. Perhaps, he would come her way. Maybe, just maybe, her story would come true after all. The strange man did not come near her cottage. She sighed wistfully at the news of his departure from the forest. If only someone could come into her life. Someone, who could love her. No one ever did though and she knew her dreams could not come true. But still, she hoped with all of her heart. Praying to the moon and stars, for someone to fill her empty nights.
It was Sunday and the girl ventured to the river to wash her clothing. The river was cool, crisp and inviting. While her clothes dried in the wind, she swam in the river. Basking in it's serenity, she was floating peacefully when she heard a noise that was unfamiliar to her. A very rhythmic thudding. It was coming closer. Frightened, she flew out of the river, climbed up the nearest tree, and watched over the river, waiting to see what was causing the noise.
The birds whispered to each other. It's a man, it's a man.
Curious, she climbed out onto the limb that hung over the river. Through the brush, a man on a horse emerged. He led his horse to the river where he dismounted. While the horse drank, the man splashed the cool water on his tired face. Hearing a rustling noise above his head, he looked toward the sky where he caught a glimpse of white flitting in the tree.
�Is someone there?� he called out. Curiosity getting the better of him, he waded through the river to the tree where he met the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. They were a warm brown sugar color dusted with emerald. The eyes were open wide and had a wild, frightened look to them. �Please, come down. I will not harm you.� .
Slowly and warily, she climbed down from the tree. He was beautiful, she noticed. His hair was black as coal and his eyes were the color emeralds. He had a smile that was dimpled on the left side.
Do you have a name?
She did not respond from a fear she couldn't identify. She had waited so long for someone to rescue her and now she was scared to death.
Can you speak?
Not knowing what to do, she ran. She flew through the forest.
Please, stop! he called after her, following her through the forest.
She came upon her cottage and dashed inside shutting the door behind her. She leaned against the door, out of breath from the run. Finally, he came upon the cottage.
Miss, are you in there? I mean you know harm. All I ask is for your name. I wish to know the name of the lady who has stolen my heart so that I know what to call this aching in my heart.
Slowly, she went to the window and looked out at the man. He did not look as though he could harm anyone. Perhaps, it would not hurt to give him her name. She would probably never see him again.
Lily.
what?
my name is lily.
Lily, it's beautiful. My name is Derek. It's nice to meet you. Could you come out?
She was still weary of the strange man named Derek and shook her head.
Then, perhaps I could come in?
Oh, no. That would not be right.
I fear that I need you, dear Lily. My life would not be complete if I left you here all alone. Please, walk with me down to the river. I fear you have left your clothing. I will not harm you. I shall not leave. I will simply stay here and watch and wait. surely, you will have to come out. Your fine garden will need tending to.
Slowly, she walked to the door and opened it. There is no harm in a walk and it's true. I must fetch my wash.
They walked down to the river. She told him the story of how she had always lived there. The faeries flitted around them whispering back and forth about the strange man whom they knew to be a visiting duke. she retrieved her clothing and he walked her back to her cottage.
May I see you again, fair lily?
I do not think so.
Every night, he came to the forest and stood at the window and listened to her tell the faeries her stories. Every day, he grew more in love with the simple girl.
One day he came to her door.
For the first time, she invited him in.
He noticed the cottage was small, but cozy. She had a bed in the loft, a small fireplace, a table with one chair, a sink, and a cupboard which held a plate, a cup, and a doll. He asked about the doll. It had come from the gypsy woman who had raised her in the cottage until she died when the girl was ten. Lily kept it there, so it would be safe and remind her everyday of the woman who had given her everything she needed.
Finally, he could wait no longer. He had to return home where he was needed. However, he did not wish to return alone. It would please him greatly, if she would return to his home as his bride.
She could not believe her ears. She had found her prince and he wished to wed her. He wanted her to leave her home. The only things she had ever known. She could not do it. She couldn't leave everything she had. She would be alone in a strange world with strange customs.
Tears welling up in her eyes, she told him she could not leave the forest.
It can be our special retreat. He insisted they could spend summers there and they would visit as often as possible. He declared that he could not live without her.
After all this time, her dreams had finally come true. She wished she could go with him. Marry him, learn his customs, be happy. She knew she could not. She told him that he must return without her. There are plenty of girls out there who would die for the chance. Who could love and honor him. They would make perfect wives. She knew nothing about being a wife. It would be far better if he would marry one of them.
Not having any choice, he left the forest without her and returned home.
That night she told no story, instead she wept by the fireside. Her one chance had come. All her dreams could have come true. She had thrown them all away. The faeries did not know how to comfort her. They left her to sort out her feelings and weep in peace.
She went along with her daily routine for many moons. Every night, as she lay in her bed, she wondered if he still thought about her. She wondered if she had done the right thing. She missed his beautiful face and his deep voice that melted her insides. She longed to see him again, but knew she would never look in his emerald eyes again.
As the aching lessened, whispers sprung up. The trees and the wind chatted endlessly and the sky rumbled and the earth shook. She knew that something big was happening in the world. She hoped that the coming rains would cleanse the forest and her soul.
The whispers grew softer as the rain came upon the forest. She sat inside and listened to the sky rumble and the rain pour down. As she sat, she heard something that was familiar and ignited a spark of hope in her heart.
In the distance, she heard the pounding of a horse.
The rain began to come down in torrents and she knew the only thing she heard, was hope taunting her.
She closed her eyes and laid her head on the table.
She dreamt she heard boots sloshing through the mud and a horse whinnying. She heard a knocking. She lifted her head of the table. The squirrels must be dropping things again, she reasoned. The knocking came again. She stood up and crossed to the window and looked out at the streaming rain. Emerald eyes looked back at her.
You came back.
My heart never left.
Please, may I come in? It's soaking wet out here.
She opened the door and let her dream come into her life where she waited with open arms.