My darling, shh, shh, shh. There, there. There, there. Don't try to move. Please. For the
healing to work, you must try to rest. Stay still. Thank you. And you shall need to get
that heart beating slow for me. The healing works best if it beats slow. All right. Shh,
shh, shh, shh. You dare not speak. I wouldn't risk it. I know all that you wish to know.
You fell. Your horse panicked and reared. What were you doing so far into my wood? Did
your mother not warn you to stay away as a child? Of course you didn't mean to. That's
why you crossed the Great White River and packed a full week's food in your pack. Your
horse is fine. You need not worry. Rest. Rest. He's a fine, strong-hearted Gregor steed.
A part of me tends to him, as one does to you. A simpler part. As a mind does worry
with such haste. Shh, shh, shh, shh. Please. Do not struggle, I beg of you. I do not wish
you harm, no matter what you have heard. What has been told, it is far from true, or what
I'd consider true. I am the spirit of the wood, but I will not take your soul. I would
not want it. It is perfectly good within you, as is. But it would cause me a great harm,
as it would you, to see you fall. Oh, goodness forbid, perish. I have been called, shall
we say, determined before. You would not wish to anger me, so would you. But you are just
getting on my good side. Shh, I jest. There, there, traveller. A weary, weary traveller.
I do not wish to see you harmed, as when you crossed that river you entered my domain.
And all those who enter my domain become entwined with me, somewhere beneath, unseen. So you
see, when I say I need you alive, I very much mean it to be true. And that is why I'm brushing
your hair, because it feels good for me to do so. And if you wish me to stop, I would
have. But you do not, and so I have not. As far south the storms do come during the day.
They are not afraid of the sun, so it's all right. It's all right. None shall disturb
us here. I have you. I have you. Good. I can feel you slowing. Can you feel my body?
Perhaps you care to look. I think perhaps it would not be so human as you are used to.
I know that you wish for me to kiss you. But you did not want it, I would not. And by this
it is the pulse in our hearts, so. And you need not worry if it is what I truly want.
I am no slave to such magics. Should you wish to leave, you could stand up and walk out.
But your walk out would leave you wet and cold and worse off for home. And I would return
you only when I am sure you are fit and fetching.
There. Now let me inch a little closer to you, traveller.
Good. Good. I am going to kiss you now. I want you to know that before I do, I wish
to test that your blood still rushes as it should win quick. You are safe with me. Do
you understand? Good. So, let me twist my form around you until my face may reach yours.
Coil. Coil. Coil for you. Do you like the way it feels? Yes. It is not unpleasant.
It can be. Startling to some who come here to find my true nature. Most who fall I would
not take in. Simply patch as I could and have awakened outside my realm. Other few who I
would take in, they mostly run out the door at my sight. Perhaps it is those who have
passed down the tales. But with some, and with you in particular, I feel comfort. Yes, your
beat is like a tight echo and your body is cooled by my touch. It is not all to know,
more close. Would you like to see my form more true? Even if I told you it might be
more upsetting? You would? Perhaps you do not know what you promise. All right. I assure
you it will not hurt, but it may startle if just for a moment. Though I feel, yes, you
are quite relaxed enough for that. All right. Here I go. There. Do you now see? Does this
Does this please you?
What?
Oh, my, my tongue, of course.
Look.
Oh.
See, it splits and barbs.
Well, not like an arrow, no.
It's all still the same muscle of a kind.
But this is where most cells run.
Are you not frightened?
No?
Truly?
This is a fateful day for both of us, traveller.
I've never known such a tolerance from your kind.
Thank you.
I'm going to kiss you again, because we want to.
Thank you for your party, traveller.
I'm going to kiss you again.
Thank you for your party, traveller.
Just for a while, I need the heat as you do the cold.
I've heard some fever grip to you,
and I'll try as I might if fever can only be healed,
not dispelled.
But you must stay, stay a little longer,
just a little longer, until you heal.
But for now, rest.
It is all right should you sleep.
You drift only into my comfort.
It is all right.
Sleep.