The Laila Mythology

The Omega tree

Chapter Twelve

The Omega Tree

Once more Laila found herself on a never ending journey through thick forest in the company of her friend the Green man.

"How far is it to Puo Landum?" she asked.

Jack began to chuckle quietly to himself. "You are always asking me about the distance of things; it's as if knowing is somehow going to make the journey shorter".

I'm sorry Jack I'm just tired I guess".

"No need to be sorry Laila, you have every right to know. It's about thirty miles across the actual marsh but we will stick close to the margins this time as it's safer. We'll camp over tonight so you can get some rest and we should arrive in Puo Landum in about a day or two" he said.

After a long hard days ramble Jack eventually set up camp for the night close to the marsh undercover of some towering hornbeams.

A cool breeze blew in from the east across the peaceful wetland as the evening sun set low in the sky. The view across the boundless landscape was outstanding, so Laila sat down to admire the scenery and contemplate for a while in the peaceful bliss.

"Are you ok?" asked Jack strolling over.

"Yes I'm fine, I always like to sit and think about things when I'm in a beautiful place, it makes me feel happy inside" she said.

"I know exactly what you mean as I often do the same thing myself" he replied sitting down beside her. "Sometimes I have the strangest thoughts Jack, like flying to other worlds and meeting fairies and stuff but nothing quite as strange or as real as all the things that have happened to me here. I still keep thinking that maybe this is all just a dream and I am going to wake up any minute".

"Soon this will all be nothing more than a dream when you get back to your world Laila" he smiled.

Laila looked up at the Green man lugubriously and sighed.

"I know this sounds silly but I kind of don't want to leave. Not without you anyhow" she said lowering her head. "You are the best friend I have ever had and I will miss you terribly when I get back"

"Hey come now Laila, don't speak like that. Sadness is transient and so we must not dwell too long on it. Anyhow, you never know what the future holds so don't waste your time on such silly pessimistic thoughts. Who knows, I may come and visit you by Warren pond someday" he said softly.

"And what if you don't and I never see you again?" asked Laila despondently.

"And what if we had never met?" He answered. But Laila gave no response to his retort. Instead she just looked out pensively across the wild marsh with the tears rolling slowly down her cheeks. Jack felt awkward and slightly uneasy in the quiet melancholia and struggled to think of anything to say that would be of any comfort to her so instead decided to alter the mood.

"Hey I thought these places were supposed to make you feel happy inside?" He quipped forcing Laila to break into a grin.

"You always make me smile" she chuckled.

"Well that's nice to know, now come on over and sit beside the fire before the temperature drops as it can get pretty inclement around the marshes at night" he said walking back towards the hornbeams.

"Ok I will be over in a minute" she said, deciding to sit a while longer to watch the far off clouds changing shape over the marsh.

The fire was a blaze when she had returned to camp and Jack was busy roasting Burdock roots in the ashes