A Fool's Tale

Chapter 4 - The Girl in the Woods

Over the next few weeks, I diligently scrubbed my clothes with soap and water during every free moment. They were still oversized and threadbare, but at least the original colors became recognizable. Uncle Martin observed my fastidious behavior and gave me curious looks, but he didn't comment or ridicule me. He likely believed the care I took with my clothes was a way for him to save money and didn't want to discourage me. Had my uncle mocked me, I wouldn't have been deterred. I was determined to look presentable if I ever met the girl in the woods again.

The daily dreariness of my life seemed to drag worse than ever. I tended the garden, fed the chickens, fetched the water, and so on, but my thoughts were often distracted by memories of the girl in the yellow dress. I liked to imagine what we would say to each other or what her voice sounded like. Sometimes, I dreamed she would invite me to look at the book she was reading, but others I dreaded the girl would send me away the instant she laid eyes upon me. My inattentiveness to my chores became obvious, and I received more clouts from my uncle during those weeks than I had in many years.

At last the day came when Uncle Martin departed for the village. I dunked my head in a bucket of water, vigorously scrubbed my face and hair, then set off for the clearing. It was an overcast day, and as I jogged through the forest, I despaired that the ominous skies would keep the girl away. Worse yet, maybe she'd only been there for that one day, and would never return again. Strangely, the terrible thought hadn't occurred to me up to that point. I suppose it was because I could always be found in the same place, and assumed it would be the same for others.

The clearing drew near, and I grew anxious, peering through the brush and trees, hoping to catch glimpse of her yellow dress. I exhaled with relief when I spotted her, although it was not a flash of yellow that caught my eye this time. Today the girl wore a sky blue dress with red trim around the waist.

Silently, I crept to the same tree from where I'd watched her before. The girl appeared to be reading a different book today. I could make out a picture of a man wearing armor. He rode a horse toward a giant lizard, while wielding a long, thick pole that appeared to be a weapon. She opened the book and began kicking her feet and smiling, much like the first time I'd seen her. I studied the scene before me intently, my gaze flicking back and forth between her and the book. She looked so happy. It was like watching someone from another world and I felt like I could stare at her forever.

I don't know how much time passed when the girl twisted, angling the book toward my hiding place. I leaned forward eagerly...and trod upon a dry stick. It snapped. Nuts. I jerked back behind the tree and held my breath. My heart raced as if she were a wild animal that would tear me to pieces the instant I was discovered.

"I know you're hiding behind the tree. I can see the back of your shirt." Her voice was clear and melodious, much as I'd imagined.

I flushed and cursed my oversized clothes. The first thought that leapt to mind was 'run!' It had been so long since I'd spoken to anyone other than my uncle that I didn't know what to say. The confident conversations I imagined having with the girl scattered from my mind like leaves in a storm. I felt scared and inadequate, yet I resisted the urge to flee, for a great fear overcame me that I may never get this chance again. Steeling my nerve, I emerged from my hiding place.

The girl regarded me with a kind smile. I don't know whether my appearance disgusted or frightened her, and she was too well mannered to say, but I was nearly overwhelmed with gratitude that she didn't recoil at the sight of me.

"Hi, my name's Talia." She rose to her feet and brushed bits of grass from her dress.

"Hi." I stood awkwardly beside the tree. I didn't know what to say or how to behave. Sadly, if she were a fat, abusive drunk I would have felt more comfortable, but Talia's sweet smile only served to remind me I hadn't seen a kind expression in years. And so I acted in the only manner I knew and put my head down.

"What's your name?" she asked.

My name. What was my name? My uncle had called me "boy" for the past eight years. I reached into my pocket and touched my mother's necklace, trying to recollect her. A loving woman's voice whispered in my mind. "Gael." I breathed the name she spoke.

"Gael. I like that. Come. Sit with me. We can read together."

I didn't need to be asked twice. I hurried to her side and we both sat cross-legged on the soft grass.

Talia flipped the book open to the front cover. "Kaveh and the Dragon. It's one of my favorites. Have you ever read it before?"

I looked at the cover. A proud man in armor posed with his hands on his hips. In the distance, a fearsome creature soared across an azure sky. Fire streamed from its mouth. There were letters on the cover, but I couldn't make out their meaning. If I had ever learned to read anything when I was young, it was an art long lost to me. I felt ashamed and didn't want Talia to know.

"No, I haven't," I replied shortly.

"Oh, I can't wait to hear what you think of it." She flipped over the cover. "Just let me know when you're done."

We sat in silence. I examined the pages. On the left side was a picture of the man from the cover, who I assume was Kaveh. He was walking through a village and the people on either side of him were throwing flowers and gifts at his feet. The right page was filled with letters. Talia was focused on the words and I imitated her expression of concentration.

I was unsure how long it should take. "Okay, done," I spoke after my eyes had scanned across the words to the bottom of the page.

Talia regarded me suspiciously. "Are you sure? I was only halfway through, and I've read this book at least ten times."

I blushed and hung my head. It was pointless continuing with the deception. Even if I managed to pace my "pretend" reading correctly, Talia would surely want to talk about the book after we finished.

"I'm sorry. I can't read." I felt stupid and worthless.

I stood to leave.

Talia grabbed my hand. "That's okay. I'll read to you, and I'll even teach you the words at the same time. I don't know anyone else who likes my books, so it'll be fun." She pulled me back to her side.

I didn't know what to say. The harsh treatment at the hands of my uncle these many years had left me devoid of human contact and kindness. I'd been expecting Talia to call me an idiot and shoo me away, but her gentle touch and kind words filled me with warmth and gratitude. At that moment, I knew I would do anything to protect her.

I looked at the book and realized the picture was a bit harder to make out. Strange. I glanced around to see the cause. It was twilight. Already! I leapt to my feet. "I'm sorry. I have to go. My uncle will be upset if I'm late."

"Oh, that's too bad, but I suppose I should leave too. I'm always sneaking out on my own. My parents get so mad at me."

"Um, are you here often?"

"Only the days I'm not being tutored and I get the chance to slip away from my attendants."

"Oh." I didn't know what being tutored meant or what sort of attendants she would have, but I grew worried that I would never see Talia again.

"How about if we meet in one week?" she suggested.

One week! My uncle took a month to go through his store of alcohol. "That might be tricky. Maybe I can make it in two?"

"Okay, great." Talia snapped the book closed and stood. "It was nice meeting you, Gael."

"You too, Talia."

She raised a parting hand and strode away.

I watched mesmerized, as Talia walked from the glade in the direction of the castle, her sky blue shape flitting though the trees. It felt like I'd spent the day in the company of a fae creature and been ensnared by her sweet enchantment. If time could stand still, I would happily have remained staring at her retreating form for the rest of my life.