Well here goes! I just want to make sure something's in. Peace.

Sat, 07 May 2022 20:24:04 GMT

The rumbling bellies of the children surrounded him. They were starving. Tom could change that, but the twins needed shelter from the elements first. Finding a heavily bowered oak tree would be needed, for in this condition they would not make it to his home. Rest and food would help them immensely. He knew not from where they'd run, but they were exhausted.

Using his magick, and asking the tree's spirit, he could weave the branches into a small cave. It would at least get them out of the winds, and keep the beginning snow from their backs. For flooring he'd have to rely on the roots of the tree to cooperate and weave themselves above ground.

He would offer the tree his thanks, and promise it no harm and a song in the future. Besides, the Dryads would see it as blasphemy if he did harm the oak and the spirit within, dispelling him from his home, immediately.

When finished he'd find rocks for a fire pit, and gather fallen twigs and branches so the children would at least be warm and safe for the moment. Tom had gathered cat tails from the pool earlier, but he felt cooking them with some easily found mushrooms, and some forest creature's noble sacrifice, would help the twins strength more. Tom didn't eat meat, but all that mattered were these children and they needed to be strong. They were precious to the forest, and to Tom.

They had been prophesied!

When two small children
Twins and fair
Enter the world
Hand in hand
The whole of earth shall tremble.
Hunted they will run
Finding the druid's home
And the forest of the dryads
As the evil one's army does assemble.
Years shall pass
And they shall grow
Learning arts of the
Dryad groves, sword
And others elemental.
They shall slay dragons
Capture hearts and bring
Together that which is disassembled.
Returning lands to peace
And plenty and all things
That are and will be gentle

They had been almost run down. The forest trees were the ones who had protected them. Trees never could abide children being hurt, so they lowered branches to knock men off horses and raised their roots to encircle the evil riders.

The mighty oaks dispatched a bluebird, to lead the children to the druid, who had gone to gather the last of late fall's gleanings. The beautiful winged creature tweeted at the children turning to fly away, and circled back to hover and chirped again at them. The children understood and followed.

The bluebird led them to Tom.

Tom, was born of a hedgewitch gifted with the sight. Tom had the sight also along with small woodland magicks. He could have become a more powerful druid but he never felt the need, rather learning the gentler ways of ensorcelment.

His knowing these precious two were his destiny however, made Tom go off to apprentice with a knight to learn the sword. Tom knew he would have to teach the boy and he endured that which was against his nature for the future child's sake.

He would use everything in his arsenol of little magicks and sword play to keep them safe. For they meant the future peace of the land, and the death of the evil one. Tom would teach them what he knew of defense, and magick. Everything else they needed was in the forest. And the forest was enchanted, the trees themselves would protect the twins.

He would dye their hair with walnut paste so they wouldn't appear so fair, and he'd change their ages if anyone asked. Tom would use whatever means he had near to keep them safe.

From this point on, they were the forest druid's children, and Tom would hold them dear, laying down his life if need be, so they could fulfill their destiny. For she would be queen, marrying the evil one's gentle son, and her brother the duke of all their armies,

And peace would reign once more.

comments

Desiree L Henry

Well here goes! I just want to make sure something's in. Peace.