The Lady of the Forest

The Golden Boy

In the morning Peter and I go outside into a suffocating heat. Bright sunlight scorches the grass which curls up on itself hiding from the deadly beams. Peter grimaces as he surveys his surroundings, he holds a silver spear in one hand which I look at.

"Summon your staff."

I do as I'm told and hold firmly onto my staff as we both turn towards the forest. I feel anxiety creep into my thoughts, what are we waiting for. 

Stop, no... I think and try to banish my memories that assault my mind. The golden boy with his sharp white teeth comes from the forest wearing clothes of gold and newly found age. He doesn't snarl or smirk, but just smiles. His blue eyes taunt with the deceit of kindness. All of him enveloped in a golden splendor, but my eyes are too keen and so are Peter's we see the darkness that he tries to exterminate with his facade. 

My heart goes bam bam bam as I see he is walking straight towards me, how can I fight this brightness? I concentrate closing my eyes and I float up into the air my white dress swirling out into delicate gossamer wings that explode from my back in a pure white light. The light pierces through the golden boy, whose smile collapses for just a second as he gasps in pain. 

"Forest friends,

Please gather for me,

And fight off this intruder,

This fiend.

He is a demon disguised

By brightness and tricks

Please grant me this wish."

I say it quietly hoping my prayer will be answered swiftly as the golden boy towering over me reaches out a large hand. It is smooth against my chin and Peter flings the spear, but the golden boy catches it in his free hand twirling it about between his two fingers and testing the point with his thumb. He laughs musically, but it seems so fake and I cringe because I have heard it before. Everywhere I go, in the background an evil twinkling chuckle resounds against the walls. 

As his hand travels down resting gently on my throat a stag comes rushing in. Antlers pointed majestically it charges the golden boy with intimidating strength and prowess. Then come wolves howling as foxes weave their way inbetween shadows taking on the part of darkness. Birds lunge about with beaks of steel and eyes full of fire. Peter watches now with a broadsword gripped firmly in his hand. The golden boy just grins as crimson pours from him and drips onto the ground charring the already parched grass.

He knocks a dove from the air and I feel as though I've been punched in the gut. I float up into the air taking upon myself a sword endowed with the power of a moonlit night. Cold and icy a power that sneaks up upon one like ivy. I slice at the golden light creating great archs in the air of ivory. Butterflies spring up upon gossamer wings that caress the air with razor thin papers. They slice and crimson sprinkles about patterning my dress and making my skin darken and boil.

I smile sadly holding the moonlight to the golden aura of the boy and he laughs. I falter and then he is gone from the world. But I know he was there because the laugh remains with me. Even now thinking about it I puke, then I collapse onto the ground that has been scarred by the golden boy. The animals gather up the wounded slowly dissapearing until only the stag remains.

I now recognize her,

"Caelestis..."

I can say no more, but  find solace in my friend.

My Lady, you've done well, now sleep.

With Caelestis spreading her strong wings over me I snuggle into her warmth as a little girl once more.