Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter franchise. I do own my right to fantasize. See what I did there?

Chapter One – Nymph and Wood

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I was always fascinated with wood.

I know that it is rather ironic, given that my last name is Wood.

But I don't care.

I am actually proud to have a last name that is related to what I work on.

Yes. Laugh it off.

Oliver wood likes to work with wood.

After being a reserved seeker of Puddlemere United, I decided to retire at the age of 31.

I know that there are professional quidditch players who are still playing at 35 or 40 years old, but I do not want to play the game for most of my middle aged life. To be honest, I was never completely focused on quidditch. I do like the strategy that comes with game, especially the team comradery.

But the real reason why I liked playing quidditch, was that I get to play with a broom all day.

Ever since I got my first broom when I was ten years old, I have this obsessive interest on what brooms are made out of. Other than enchanted bristles and rope, the wood is the highlight of every broom. Brooms can be made out of all kinds of wood. Birch, Oak, Willow, Pine, the varieties are endless.

Obviously, my favorite part of the broom is the wood.

Every piece of wood being used for brooms, creates a character that quidditch players must master.

After admiring the mount of brooms for years, I decided that I will be a broom maker when I retire.

And so, here I am in the middle of nowhere, looking for broom materials in the forest of Alaska.

I am currently in Tongas National Forest, the scenery is magnificent and the air is fresh.

And the trees in this area are just..wow. I can't wait to get started.

I only began as a part-time broom maker apprentice three years ago, but my advisers tells me that I am a natural. I finished my apprenticeship before I retired as a quidditch player. And I am very proud of that fact. When I finished the broom making program, I was recommended to have advanced classes.

The advanced classes are not as practical as the broom making program, they are designed in order for a broom maker to have a specialty in the craft. Normally, novice broom makers get to choose their specialty, but I was vehemently required by master craftsmen to become an enchanted wood specialist.

I was told that my carving is impeccable, and that I bring out the character and functionality of the wood mounts. But the advisers in my apprentice classes noticed that I have a rare gift of identifying the difference between enchanted wood and ordinary wood. Apparently specializing on that gift is vital.

Even the most skilled and experienced broom makers cannot see the difference.

Ordinary wood would make good foundation for brooms. But strong versatile flying brooms of legendary players are usually made out of enchanted wood. Brooms made out of enchanted wood are not in any way different from the genes of ordinary wood. A Birch tree can be just as enchanted as a Cypress.

The only difference between ordinary wood and enchanted wood, is that enchanted wood is enchanted.

Simple right? Well, not exactly.

For a tree to be enchanted, a wood nymph must reside on the tree. The tree will then grow and develop, based on the magical core and signature of the nymph. If a tree is considered a home for a wood nymph, the tree is much stronger and fortified compared to ordinary wood. Also, the wood is magically altered.

Enchanted wood is not rare. One in five trees all around the world is enchanted.

What makes enchanted wood uncommon and expensive, is the fact that it is very hard to identify an enchanted tree. Wood nymphs do not like their homes to be damaged or taken away, so enchanted trees can only be identified by humans who have magical cores that resound to wood elements.

The magical cores of wizards and witches usually resounds to one of the four basic elements: earth, water, fire, and air. Wood is a combination of earth and water. It is very uncommon for a wizard or a witch to resound with a combination of the basic elements such as metal, earth, plants, and animals.

For a broom maker who resounds with the wood element, such quality should be refined. It would be a sin for me not to specialize in the identification and extraction of enchanted wood. Thus, after finishing my apprenticeship, I have chosen the identification and extraction of enchanted wood as my specialty.

"Look over there! Now that is a beauty." Angus tells me, pointing on an enchanted great cypress.

"We already collected enough pine, we should focus on birch trees." Connor advises, walking towards a lovely silver birch tree.

Only one in ten broom makers can actually identify enchanted wood. Therefore I only have two fellow broom makers who are part of my specialization. Angus and Connor are talented broom makers, we get along quite well. As an assignment of our course, we are extracting enchanted wood varieties.

We have already extracted from different places: Oak from Germany, Palm from the Amazon, Cherry from Japan, and Maple from America. As much as we love to travel and see different wood varieties, Alaska will be our final destination and we are damn well ready to finish this long expedition.

"Connor is right, we are already stocked with pine selections. Best that we look for silver and river birch trees." I tell the freckled man with a buzz cut.

"Alright. But we go back to that cypress yeah? The nymph over there looks friendly." Angus suggests.

As we make our way to a bunch of birch trees, I can spot the enchanted birch right away.

For wizards that have magical cores resounding with wood, enchanted trees are identified by a faint glow or mist that wood nymphs emit. Mist or radiance can also be spotted in enchanted wood products. A wood nymph can also be physically spotted near the tree. Nymphs never leave their homes.

Although an enchanted tree can be identified, dealing with nymphs is not as easy.

Wood nymphs are territorial. In order to extract wood from the tree that nymphs reside in, one must offer a barter or trade. Some nymphs would like to trade a branch of their home for simple things like candy or a silly dance. Other nymphs would like complicated things like rare gems or chores.

There are wood nymphs who ask for difficult things. But I have yet to meet a wood nymph who would like to trade for something that cannot be attained. Territorial as they may be, wood nymphs are also fair, so long as you respect their home and treat them properly, trading for enchanted wood is possible.

"Hello there." Connor says to the silver birch wood nymph who is sitting on a branch above us.

The wood nymph does not answer, choosing to simply watch us carefully. Wood nymphs can actually understand any human language, but they cannot speak a word. In order to communicate with us, they use body language, drawing, or writing. Angus offers pen and paper, but the nymph refuses.

"I would like to trade for a branch of your tree." Connor explains, taking off his hat to show his face and regarding the nymph directly on the eyes. The nymph accepts his request by nodding at him, and then jumps out of the birch in order to regard us properly.

Wood nymphs come in different shapes and sizes. Some are larger than the tree that they reside in, some are small but their home is huge. Some look very old for a sapling, and some are very young for a thousand year old tree. Some are beautiful, while some are considered ugly or terrifying.

This particular nymph that we are trying to communicate with, has the form of a child. But every wood nymph must be respected like an elder. Although the nymph has a childlike appearance, all nymphs are as old as the earth. Disrespecting them is like disrespecting forces of nature. And nature can be deadly.

We bowed to the wood nymph and keep our eyes directly at the creature. Looking elsewhere is discouraged, and bowing is a sacred greeting. We learned from our advisers about a broom maker who was decapitated by a wood nymph just because the broom maker forgot to bow. Never forget to bow.

Having given the proper greeting, the wood nymph regards us with a playful manner. The nymph skips around us and sings a simple tune with words we do not know. A singing wood nymph is a happy wood nymph. Three of us smile at each other, silently glad that this nymph won't be difficult to deal with.

The nymph stops skipping in order to stop at where Connor stands. Without giving a warning, the nymph pulls strands of Connor's hair. Connor winces in response, but chooses not to complain. He scowls at Angus who is snickering beside him. Unfortunately for Connor, nymphs adore red hair.

Having taken a suitable trade, the nymph gives us three branches of silver birch. One branch for each strand of Connor's hair. After giving our thanks, we walk away silently, choosing to laugh loudly once we are at a safe distance from the birch tree grove. Connor chooses not to laugh, rubbing his head instead.

"That is the tenth time a wood nymph wanted to trade for Connor's hair. Merlin, I'm going to ask the Weasley Clan for hair donations when we get back." Angus comments, laughing as he did.

"Doesn't work mate. Nymphs like red hair from people who are the only red head of the family. Same goes for blondes. If everyone is blonde, they prefer brunettes. Nymphs prefer rare things." I inform.

Connor is not a relative of the Weasleys. But he is the only red head in his family.

"It is a good thing this assignment will be over soon, I fear that I am going to get bald by the time this course is over." Connor says, bringing a small mirror to the top of his head and looking up.

"You'll be fine. You should be worrying about broom makers and wand makers instead of nymphs. One of us might cut all of your hair in your sleep." Angus jokes.

As we walk to the cypress that Angus wants to visit, I notice a tree glowing strongly from a distance.

"Do you see that?" I ask the two, pointing at what appears to be cotton wood.

"That is a very handsome Cotton Wood. But I don't see a nymph." Connor reacts, squinting his eyes.

"Must be hiding behind the tree, I'll go check it out." I tell them, walking on my way.

"Want us to go with you?" Angus asks.

"No, I'll be fine. I've dealt with cotton wood before. I'll see you guys at the camp." I reply.

"Alright, don't take too long. It's getting dark." Connor warns.

Halfway through the way towards the tree, I notice a stone wall. The stone wall is like any typical hedge that kind to be found in provincial areas of Europe. To find a wall set in stone in North America is very strange. But I heard aboriginals in the area practice stone setting, so I think nothing of it and walk on.

Crossing the stone wall, I feel this immense instinct of not belonging in the area. My chest tightens momentarily and I feel a jolt of electricity run through my spine. I sense the hair on my arms and legs rise under the clothes that I wear. My body hesitates as I take tentative steps forward.

I observe my surroundings, making sure that my physical experiences is not due to some magical creature which I wronged, but I see nothing except the typical outline at the other side of the wall. The ominous sensation of being unwanted dissipates as I decide to continue walking towards the tree.

Reaching the tree, I watch it carefully, hoping that my discomfort earlier is not being projected by the cotton wood. But I sense no sensation of animosity similar to what I felt earlier. Perhaps I was just imagining things because the day is ending. Resolved, I focus on looking for the wood nymph.

"Excuse me? Is anyone there?" I call out.

And then a large black creature climbs down from the tree.

The wood nymph is huge and terrifying, hundreds of eyes surround the head of the creature. The nymph smiles at me with thousands of teeth, waving with long sharp claws and walking towards me with long legs that would outrun me even if I try to walk away. Immediately, I bow at the creature.

After taking a bow, I force myself to look at the nymph directly, even though the being is frightening to look at. I gulp loudly but other than that, I keep myself at a professional stance. If I show the nymph further weakness, I can be manipulated. As the nymph circles me like a predator, I hold my breath.

I sigh when the nymph decides to stand in front of me.

"I would like to ask a trade, for a branch from your home." I say slowly, careful not to stutter.

The creature comes closer, until we are face to face with each other.

The eyes of the nymph scrutinizes my face carefully, and then focuses on one specific feature.

My eyes.

With one of its long sharp fingers, the being points at one of my eyes.

The nymph looks at me with expectation.

"You..you want to trade a branch for one of my eyes?" I ask hesitantly.

The wood nymph nods.

My knees weaken and I start to tremble, reacting physically at the creature's request.

I have never been in this situation before.

Although the trade is possible, the trade is also detrimental to me. Of course, I can deny the request, but I have no idea how the wood nymph will react. For a second, I consider giving an eye, denying the creature could mean very dire consequences. I could be killed, just because I do not give an eye.

No. I can't do it. My eye is worth more than any wooden branch.

I need to risk my safety. Rejecting the trade is the best option.

Bringing my knees to the floor and bowing until my forehead touches grass, I pray to Merlin that the nymph will be merciful.

"I am so sorry, wood nymph, I do not wish to trade my eye for a piece of your tree. Please forgive my rudeness towards your offer, I promise that I will not request another trade or cross your path once more. I beg of you, with all due respect, spare my eye and my life." I say to the nymph.

I wait for any physical repercussions with my eyes closed, but there is none. Thinking that the coast is clear, I open my eyes to find the wood nymph is still in front of me. Instead of smiling with sharp teeth, the creature is now baring teeth with contempt. The nymph roars loudly, so loud that my ears hurt.

Finding the nymph obviously upset, I return to my bowing stance. Even though the nymph screams and hits my back with sharp claws, I dare not run. The master broom makers warned us that if we are faced with an angry wood nymph, running will guarantee death. Running is never the option with a nymph.

I could tell that my back is already bleeding from the blows that I have to endure. But I do not retaliate. Even though I have a wand, a wood nymph can move faster than my hand or my words. The beating continues until my knees start to give way, until my arms could not lift myself.

And then finally, I am struck to the ground to the point of losing consciousness.

When I wake up, I am faced with the night. Millions of stars light up the sky, but not as bright as the northern lights that reminds me that I was able to survive the ordeal. I start to smile and laugh with success, but my enthusiasm is instantly removed by the excruciating pain that I feel on my back.

I cannot control the tears that are streaming down, using my good arm, I cover my face out of habit. On occasions such as losing an intense game of quidditch, I would sob uncontrollably. In order to hide my tears, I cover my face with my arm. The habit still continues, even if I do not have an audience.

But when I raise my arm away from my face, I am wrong. There is an audience.

Blocking my view of the aurora is what appears to be a woman. But based on the glittering ebony hair and a horn sticking on the side of her head, I am most likely facing a magical creature. She has large violet irises that are shaped like that of a feline. Her skin is unnaturally pale with a green undertone.

This creature is either a faery or a nymph.

I look around to know that we are in the middle of a meadow. But I find no faery ring nearby, the only residence for magical creatures are trees that are a few feet away from us.

Much to my misfortune, this creature is most likely another wood nymph.

Although I am physically suffering, I raise my upper torso and attempt an improper bow.

"I apologize wood nymph, for my poor gesture of respect to you. But my body is not in a good shape to greet you properly. I am not interested in causing your harm, nor am I interested in trading for a branch of your tree. I just need to rest for a little while, and I will be on my way." I say with a hoarse voice.

"Roll over." The creature says with a soft voice.

"I'm..I'm sorry?" I react. I heard what the nymph said, but I cannot believe it.

"I said, roll over." The nymph repeats, pushing my left shoulder and hips with her hands.

I do as I was told and make no sudden movements as she rips my shirt in order to expose my back.

"You can..you can talk?" I ask, more curious about how she is speaking to me instead of why she wants me on my back.

"I am a half blood. Part of me is a wood nymph and the other part is human." She informs as she removes debris and other foreign objects from the skin of my back.

"How is that..how is that even possible?" I say, cringing as she cleans my back with what appears to be a wound cleansing potion which she takes out of her satchel.

"Use your imagination." She simply replies, stuffing a linden tree branch on my mouth before pouring healing salve on my wounds and massaging the ointment without delay. I bite on the branch gratefully, the salve might be working well but her rubbing and kneading is anything but gentle.

Biting on the linden branch, the pain I feel is reducing as expected. Even though her massage is ruthless, my back is miraculously less marred. I can sense the deep puncture wounds closing up faster than I expected. The healing salve she uses is powerful, not an ordinary salve used for healing purposes.

Within fifteen minutes, I can sit up properly in order to drink the birch water she offers.

As I drink the birch water slowly, she continues to meticulously work on my back.

"Linden wood is used to deal with pain, and birch water has both healing and nutritional properties." I tell her, trying to drown the awkward silence. "You know your trees more than the average..person." I point out with hesitation, since I do not know if I should refer to her as creature or human.

"Humans are also creatures. Other than being immortals, wood nymphs have very little difference to that of a person." She says as she puts more of her healing salve on my back.

"Yes well..I don't want to offend you but..the wood nymph that attacked me might want to argue with your reasonable perspective." I try to make the conversation light, but she stops her healing gestures in order to bend over and look at me with interest.

"Who is the wood nymph that attacked you? Is it the Black Cotton Wood nymph?" She asks me.

"Black Cotton Wood?" I question, groaning at my mistake.

Of course. I should have checked first if the Cotton Wood is Black or any other variant. If the Cotton Wood tree was Black Cotton Wood, then I made a very stupid mistake.

"I don't know..it was a Cotton Wood nymph. But I don't know if it the tree was Black Cotton Wood, I didn't bother to check." I inform her.

"There is only one Cotton Wood tree in this entire forest, and the tree is Black Cotton Wood." She slaps my uninjured arm with disappointment that I can understand. "You were attacked by Abbadon. That wood nymph is a monster. You must have given him immense respect in order to spare your life."

"I am currently studying the extraction of enchanted wood so..I give the credit to master broom makers and my current adviser." I reply with a painful laugh, but she continues to look irritated towards me.

"Whether you are a novice or a master, as a wizard who resound with the wood element, you should know better not to trade with a Black Cotton Wood nymph. They are dangerous!" She scolds.

"You know my profession well, for a wood nymph." I say, surprised that she knows that wizards who have a magical core resounding with the wood element specialize in enchanted wood extraction.

"I am not just a wood nymph, I am also a witch. My father is a wizard who specializes in making wands. I would like to help him in his trade one day. As an apprentice, it is my duty to learn about other professions that use enchanted wood." She informs, healing my remaining injuries.

"You also make an accurate wound cleansing potion and a very strong healing salve, does that mean that your mother was an Oenone Nymph? I read that Oeonone Nymphs have mastered the herbal healing arts of the gods. What ingredients did you use as a base for your salve?" I question.

"How do you know that I make my own healing items?" She says, pausing from giving me treatment.

"Your healing items cannot be made sufficiently by any Apothecary. I should know because I have had many injuries before as a quidditch player, none of the healing potions or salves in the wizard realm can work as well as yours. You should share your knowledge of herbs to the world." I compliment.

"You know nymphs well, for a human. But not enough." She counters, wrapping my wounds with a version of gauze that looks like thin translucent sea weed. "Yes, my mother is an Oenone nymph. However, as an Oenone, I am forbidden to share our healing knowledge to humans." She informs.

"That is a shame." I tell her, watching as she covers my back with more of the strange sea weed.

"These sea weed patches will help with the healing process. Eventually your skin will absorb the patches and the patches will disappear. Your injuries will be gone in a few hours." She says.

"Oh..okay. Thank you for your help." I tell her, she looks away in response.

"No problem." She answers, keeping her healing materials on her satchel. "Abbadon asked for one of your eyes, didn't he?" She guesses.

"Yes. How did you know?" I question.

"Black Cotton Wood Nymph collect eyes of wizards who resound with the wood element. Other than that, your eyes are colored green. Irises that are colored green guarantees precise empathy for all magical creatures as well as instinctual understanding of natural phenomenon." She informs.

"Useful information. I'll make sure to remember what you said, the next time I deal with a black cotton wood nymph." I say as a witty remark.

"As you should." She simply replies, not catching my witticism.

"My name is Oliver. What is your name, by the way?"

"My name is Gwendolen."

As she sorts her things, I get a closer look of her appearance. Like any Oenone nymph, she is adorned with metal accessories. Her arms and ankles have numerous silver and gold bangles. Her neck has a chain which holds what I assume to be an obsidian gem for protection. Most of her fingers have rings.

Unlike an Oenone nymph however, or any nymph for the matter, she does not have a glowing or mist-like outline around her. Since she does not expel light or fog, she is not associated with a mountain or forest dwelling which Oenone are known for. Her appearance is more human than a naiad or nymph.

Having sorted her things, she stands and offers her hand. I accept her help and find that I can stand without much assistance. I smile at her with gratitude, she smiles back but in an uncomfortable manner.

"Well then Gwendolen, I guess this is good bye. I should not take up more of your time and I have to get back to my colleagues who are waiting at a camp not far from here. Again, thank you for your help. We should keep in touch so that I can do something for you in return, if you want me to." I say.

I offer my hand to her which she reluctantly takes with hers, and then I give her a careful handshake.

"Actually, I have something that I would like to request from you." She says, looking at me cautiously.

"Oh all right. It is very late in the evening and all, but you did save my life. What can I do for you?" I ask with expectation, willing to return the favor as soon as possible.

"I would like to pay my human father a visit, but leaving the forest is not possible for a nymph. Nymphs, like any magical creature, live in another dimension despite being in the same universe. Although I am half human, being a nymph prevents me from being part of the human dimension."

She curls her glittering black hair nervously as she continues to explain her predicament.

"So, like any other nymph, I can only remain in this forest. I cannot visit my father who cannot write me letters or meet me in person because he is already too old and too ill. Unless nymphs have a formal agreement with a human, a nymph cannot be a part of the dimension of humans." She explains.

"Okay.." I respond, nodding as I absorb the information she gave. "Alright...how does this formal agreement work?" I inquire. To my surprise, her problematic face is replaced by an excited expression.

"Are you going to do my request? Will you do the formal agreement?" She asks.

"Sure, sounds simple enough." I tell her.

She astonishes me even more by crying in front of me. She must miss her father so much.

"There, there. It's okay. We'll work this out. You'll meet you father soon." I say, patting her back. I wipe her tears and then she astounds me by giving me an unexpected hug. After a few minutes, she mumbles gratitude and gives me space to gather my bag and jacket. I leave my torn shirt and we start walking.

"So, how does this formal agreement work? Do I just accompany you outside the forest or do I have do some sort of ceremony or something? If the ceremony will take days, I have to tell the guys that I am with." I ask, confident that the formal agreement must be within my capacity of accomplishing.

"The formal agreement is very simple. We just have to consummate our union." She answers.

"Ah consummate our union, and how do we do that exactly?" I continue to question.

"Both of us will have sexual intercourse with each other." She says without looking uncomfortable or disturbed that I could not believe the words that she just told me.

"Sexual intercourse with each other..wait..what?" I react with disbelief.

She looks at me funny, but decides to explain further.

"You know, when a man uses his private organ in order to enter a woman's private organ. A man's private organ is a penis and a woman's private organ is a vagina." She says with no shame.

"I know what sexual intercourse means!" I say raising my voice, finding her audacious explanation to be so strange. "What I don't understand is how sexual intercourse is related to this formal agreement that you would want me to do. Sex is inappropriate as an agreement for anything." I tell her patiently.

"Sexual intercourse is a formal agreement between a man and a woman in order to share their worlds with each other. Even in the ways of the Nymph, a formal agreement requires sexual intercourse."

"What exactly is a formal agreement for nymphs, hm? Does getting a tree from another nymph require a formal agreement? Should a male nymph have consummation with another male nymph when both of them want to have a truce in an argument?" I say, exasperated at such an odd means of communication.

Gwendolen slaps me on the face.

"Like humans, nymphs consider sexual intercourse a sacred act. If we are both of the same gender, a formal agreement is not possible. Formal agreements are not also done for small meagre things. Don't you dare ridicule or mock what you do not understand." She warns.

I sigh.

"Then make me understand better, because I find it difficult to understand." I reply.

"Formal agreements are done in order to ensure a strong bond with another. A bond that crosses dimensions. If we have a bond, I can easily cross into the human dimension. I will no longer be bound to this forest as every nymph should be. I can go where I please, I can finally see my father again."

"Your explanation sounds metaphorical and abstract. You can't expect me to believe that paranormal limitations can be solved with something as simple as sex." I debate.

"And yet you were asking if there is a ceremony that you need to do in order to have a formal agreement? Isn't a ceremony more simple compared to consummation?" She counters.

"How can you be so sure that sexual intercourse is the formal agreement that you require?" I question, combing my hair with my fingers in frustration.

"Because my mother was able to be with my father in the human dimension, before I was born. When I was conceived, she returned to the forest in order to have me. And then, as soon as I am old enough to be on my own, she is able to go back to the human dimension without problems." She explains.

"Couples have sex all the time, a formal agreement cannot be based on that. Is that the only solution that you came up with? Based on one single situation? How can that formal agreement be logical, based on the situation of your parents alone?" I automatically assume that her basis is narrow-minded.

"Several other nymphs had the same situation. The formal agreement of sexual intercourse is the only similarity that they have with each other." She says with an agitated voice, I could tell that she is doubting my resolve to help her. "Why are you fighting with me over this? Is the task difficult for you?"

She starts crying again. But this time, instead of tears of joy, she is crying out of hopelessness and desperation. I look at her with concern and guilt, but I do not want to console her too much. I still find her terms to be bizarre, even though I owe her an arm and a leg for treating my wounds.

"Do you not want to have a formal agreement because I am a half blood?" She presumes unfairly. "Is it because I do not look like a human girl? Is that the reason why you do not want to consummate with me? You do not consider me beautiful or pretty? Is that it?" She continues to speculate.

"No, no, no. None of that is true. I don't want the agreement, not because you're a half-blood or if you're not beautiful. Nothing like that." I assure here, gathering her in my arms. "Whether you are a human or a nymph, or both, you are beautiful and you should know that." I tell her truthfully.

She shakes her head in denial, but permits me to hold her.

As I hold on to her, I sway her gently as a means of comfort.

"Oliver, why are you moving me back and forth?" She asks in between sobs. I smile, liking the fact that she regards me by my name for the first time throughout our conversation.

"I'm trying to comfort you. Do you not like it?"

"I like it. My father and mother used to move back and forth with me as well."

"Do they give you hugs too?" I ask, seeing as she does not seem uncomfortable with the idea of hugging.

"Yes." She simply answers.

I close my eyes and rest my chin on top of her head, finding the words to explain to her.

After gathering my thoughts, I bring my hand on her shoulders and separate her from me gently.

"I know this formal agreement is important to you, I understand that. But sexual intercourse should only be done if two people who have feelings for each other. Do you think you love me?"

"I..I don't thinks so. But I do like you." She admits.

"Exactly. Your parents had the right to do the formal agreement because they love each other. But you do not love me, right? And even though I like you too, that doesn't mean we love each other. You miss your father, I get that. But you should consummate with someone you love." I conclude.

"I guess you're right." She accepts with a sniffle.

"Don't worry, when I get back to the human dimension. I'm going to come back here and introduce you with as many men as you want. One of them will surely fall in love with you." I tell her with a grin.

She nods her head reluctantly.

"Now then, if you can please point me to the right direction, I'll go back to my camp and find you a bloke as fast as I can." I say, wearing my coat because the night is getting cold.

"You can't." She says.

"What do you mean I can't?" I ask, grabbing the strap of my bag.

"You can't go back to your camp because you're not in the human dimension." She expounds,

"I'm not in the human dimension? Well then how do I get back to my dimension?"

"You can't leave." She states.

"Why not?" I say with a confused knot on my forehead.

"Didn't you cross that stone wall when you got here?" She asks, pointing at the stone wall that I went through hours ago.

"Yes."

"That wall is the boundary of the Nymph dimension from the Human dimension. Since you went through the wall, you cannot return back to your dimension."

"That doesn't make sense. The wall is right there, I just have to cross it." I say denying her statement. After giving her a light hug, I make my way to the wall without delay. As much as I would like to interact with her more, Angus and Connor might be worried that I have been gone for so long.

"I'll be on my way now Gwendolen. I'll make sure to come back here with a lot of guys who would like to meet with you." I tell her, giving a wave.

"Oliver, wait." She says, but does not protest any further.

When I reach the wall, I identify a broken area and cross the wall with ease. Now it is just a matter of finding the camp. But as I walk away from the wall, I realize that I do not see any familiar signs or trees that will guide me back to camp. Nevertheless I walked on, but I start to wonder after an hour.

From the horizon, I see another stone wall, thinking that the camp will just be on the other side, I cross the wall, but still I could not find Angus and Connor. I walk again for another hour, but this time I avoid the wall as much as possible. However, no matter what direction I go, I am always faced with a wall.

Eventually the sun rises, and then I end up walking until the afternoon.

Before I know it, I walked for an entire day. And then I can see the moon above me.

Exhausted and not willing to wander any further, I decided to look for a safe place for the night. Scanning the area from a hill, I notice faint light that looks like a bonfire. Excited, I make my way towards the light, hoping that I finally found Angus and Connor. But as I went closer, I do not see any tents.

Instead of tents, I see the bonfire and what appears to be a small dwelling on one side. The dwelling seems to be a small cottage underneath a large cave. The cottage is manmade, not in any way created or designed by magical creatures. Seeing the cottage is rather assuring to me.

As, I approach the fire, I hear noise coming out of the dwelling. Not wanting to scare whoever lives there, I hide myself at the nearest tree and carefully catch a glimpse of whoever lives at the cottage. A person opens the door and takes a seat by the fire, the person is a familiar face.

The person is Gwendolen.

Realizing who it was, I reveal myself from my hiding place. Hearing my footsteps, she turns to face me. She smiles and continues with what she is doing. She is currently skewering pieces of meat which she then roasts by the fire. Silently, I take my seat next to her. She then passes me some cooked meat.

"I was able to hunt a deer, the meat is tougher than rabbit, but just as good." She says.

I look at the food she gave me with longing. I haven't eaten anything for hours. After wolfing down what was offered to me, she gives me more, as well as some hot sweet potatoes and warm birch water.

When my stomach settled, I look at her calm demeanor with acceptance.

"You were right, I couldn't find my way back to my friends. The camp was supposed to be close by, but I have been walking for miles and I still couldn't get back. I'm not in the same place that I was in yesterday." I admit with a tired sigh, resting my elbows on my knees and propping my face on my hands.

"When you crossed the stone wall, you separated yourself from your own dimension. The only way back to your own dimension is if you have a formal agreement with someone from this dimension." She states, cooking the remains of the meat that she prepared and taking out potatoes from hot coal.

"I was afraid that you are going to say that." I tell her.

"I'm sorry, if there is any other way. I would have told you." She says sincerely.

"I believe you." I assure, finally understanding a miniscule part of this peculiar situation.

I look at the stars above us, I notice that the northern lights are not showing this time. But at least I can see the stars better. Noticing the countless bright stars before me, I start to wonder if Gwendolen has someone else with her in this place. Based on how she moves, she appears to live on her own.

"Is this your home?" I ask.

"Yes. My father made it for me and my mother a long time ago."

"Are you the only one who lives here?" I query further.

"I am the only nymph in this forest who requires a home. I cannot dwell in trees or any structure like other nymphs. I have human visitors from time to time, but they do not stay long." She replies.

"Didn't you have a formal agreement with any of your human visitors?"

"All of my human visitors are already in a relationship with a nymph. You are the only one who did not seem to be in a relationship."

"Why did you assume that I am not in a relationship with someone? What if I have a human girlfriend at home?" I counter.

"Why would you come alone? Shouldn't the one you love be always with you?" She questions.

I laugh. She can be naïve in many ways, but she does have a point.

"Well, your assumption is correct. I'm not in a relationship right now. I can't seem to keep a girl by my side, my career always comes first. Specifically my fascination for quidditch and brooms." I confide.

"If the women that you were with decided to leave you, you never had a relationship with them." She states with a scoff and an expression of being absolutely sure.

"And you based your opinion on what? On your past relationships?" I react lightly with a laugh.

"I have dated nymphs, but I have never been on a relationship before. My mother and father however, I know they were in a relationship. I know because, my mother chose to be in the human dimension even though she will become mortal. She decided that she wanted to be by my father's side, even in death."

She goes back to the fire, taking out the rest of the food that are now cooked and putting them on a container.

"Humans can have all the time in the world in this realm. But when they go back to the human realm, all of their loved ones have grown old and have died. It would be too much for my father to stay. So my mother decided to go with him."

Gwendolen expresses sadness with a trembling sigh, before she adds a log on the fire.

"On the last letter of my father, I learned my mother passed away. If both of my parents stayed in this realm. Both of them should have been alive." She adds.

"I'm so sorry to hear that." I respond, not knowing what else to say.

"Don't be. Every time my parents visited me, they look so happy together. Leaving me here was painful for them, but my father would feel so alone if he stayed here. Although it took me some time, I understand why my father did not want to stay. Being the only human here is not a pleasant feeling."

Witnessing her smile and look back at the lights above us, made me realize a crucial fact.

She understands her father because part of her is human.

As a half human, she may never belong to this dimension that she is in.

She may have fellow nymphs with her, she can have relationships with them. A family even.

But she will always feel different.

She will always have a mortal void that will make her wonder about existence beyond living.

She gazes at the stars and breathes deeply.

"Even the stars need company, don't you think?" She says with a broken smile.

Her statement feels like a stab on my heart.

Every mortal longs for an end to the journey of life. But nymphs do not.

Nymphs do not see the essence of time, which is why they never think about the future.

But as a half blood, she does, and she values what any mortal values. Nymphs will never understand. Unless they understand mortals. She understands, she knows the fragility of human life.

Just like any mortal, loneliness will haunt her. But unlike any mortal, her loneliness may not end.

All this time she was alone. Caught in between, with no one to be with her.

But she doesn't have to be alone forever.

"Gwendolen." I call out to her, getting her attention.

I lean in to her and draw her face with my hand, and then I kiss her on the lips.

At first, she did not know what to do. But when I pull her to my lap, causing her to gasp and giving me the opportunity to deepen the kiss with my tongue, she kisses back. Her response was reluctant at first, she didn't know what to do with her hands so I encouraged her to hold on to my neck or my back.

After kissing her thoroughly, I break the kiss so both of us could have some air.

Also, so that I can explain myself.

"I don't know if the formal arrangement will work. But if that is what you want to do, I'm going to do the arrangement for you."

"Didn't you say that sexual intercourse should be done by couples who love each other?" She asks.

"I know, and I still believe that. But after getting to know you better, I realize that I now like you even more than any girl that I have been with. And since none of the girls I dated are with me right now, that would mean that I never did love them in the first place and they never loved me either." I reason.

She tilts her head, expecting further details.

"I think I can love you, Gwendolen. But being in this dimension is preventing me from knowing that. I also want you to see my dimension as well, find your father and meet him. After that, who knows? Maybe I can take you out on a proper date, and maybe we can actually have a relationship." I explain.

She smiles, her eyes brimming with tears.

"If I am in a relationship with you, I am never leaving your side." She says, resting her hand on my chest.

"Looking forward to that." I reply with a grin.

Tucking my right arm underneath her knees and my left arm on her back, I lift her up and make my way to her home. She opens the door to her cottage and then closes the door when we arrive inside; with some awkward turns, I am able to locate the bed due to a wisp lantern that glows at the background.

Sitting on one side of the bed, we started taking off our clothes. She giggles when I struggle in taking off my boots, I close my eyes as she shyly takes of her top and then her undergarments. When we are completely undressed, I pull the top cover and envelope the both of us with the inner blanket.

Easing her on the mattress and then positioning myself above her, I kiss her slowly on the lips as she adjust with my proximity. I rest some of my weight on her, keeping my knees bent so that she wouldn't carry too much of my body. Feeling her soft figure, I could not control my hips from pushing forward.

She gasps as I steadily move my hips, simultaneously pressing my hand on her breast and teasing her nipple with my mouth. After some time of caressing her, her breathing becomes shorter and her hips start to follow the same movements of my own. She becomes rigid when I finger her vagina.

She's ready for me.

Slowly, I raise her hips and let her legs wrap around my waist.

In order to make her relax, I press my left hand on her back to raise her upper torso. I lavish her breast with attention as I massage her clit. She moans when my tongue rubs her teat at the same time that I stroke her folds. Her body becomes more pliable, and then she tightens her legs on my torso.

Resting her head back on the pillow, I slow down my ministrations and rub my throbbing penis on her thigh, in order for her to be prepared for what comes next. Her body starts to tremble so I bring my lips to her mouth and sooth her with my tongue. When she stops shivering, I raise my chest and gaze at her.

"Gwendolen, look at me." I tell her.

She looks back nervously, but her expression softens as she focuses on my face.

"Tell me if you want to stop." I say reluctantly, my body not agreeing with my statement.

She smiles and strokes my hair, bringing me closer.

"The color is truly striking. A beautiful shade of green." She says, looking at my eyes.

"I can give my eyes to you, if you want. So long as I can look at you endlessly." I say with a grin.

She laughs lightly, causing her breast to rub on me, bruising my self-control.

She tips my chin and kisses me on the lips lightly.

"I'd rather have all of you." She murmurs.

My resolve strengthens with her words.

Gathering her to my arms, she inhales sharply as I slowly enter her. Her nails dig into the skin of my back, but she does not push me away. Having filled her completely, I start pushing into her at a slow pace. She makes the most delicious noises as I grate into her, coaxing me to move faster and harder.

She whimpers when I raise one of her legs, touching her at a spot that pushes me further.

"Oliver.." She beckons, searching for my face.

She kisses me on the lips, invading my mouth with her tongue that pushes and pulls at the same time that I drive into her. I start to tremble as her actions overwhelm me. When she pushes her hips in order to meet mine, my thrusts become more erratic and painful to be bear. But she meets me perfectly.

She's so perfect, and beautiful. And I couldn't hold on any longer.

"Oliver..I'm almost there..I'm so close.." She says in between pants. When she arches her back and trembles involuntarily, I continue to push into her throughout her orgasm. I link my hands on hers to keep her steady, and then thrust into her a few more times to catch up with her climax.

As I spill into her, I notice that the nerves on our skin are showing. Starting from where we connect, our veins are turning to a radiating shade of copper brown. The veins on our faces are also prominent, and then I feel this sensation of being completely aware of her presence. I can feel everything about her.

Suddenly I have this insatiable urge to know her more, feel her thoroughly. I start to harden inside her again, and then my stamina is revitalized. She yelps as I flip her over and start fucking her from behind. The feeling of being inside her is so intense that I just want to strengthen this growing bond.

A bond that transcends time and space, a bond that defies borders.

"Yes..more..harder..deeper..Oliver..ah.." She urges me with her moans which are turning into cries of pure bliss. I let her lie on her back again and then raise both of her legs, making her eyes widen in surprise as I continue to pound into her. We gaze into each other until we feel a familiar release.

I groan as I release myself a second time, pressing my forehead unto hers and closing my eyes.

As we start to calm down from the highs, the veins on our bodies started to go back to normal.

I look at her in awe, stunned that I truly experienced a paranormal union with her.

The formal agreement is accomplished.

At a loss of words, I kiss her as I separate myself. And then we lie side by side from each other.

When our bodies have calmed down, I trace the outline of her face with my" fingers.

"That was..amazing." She expresses with content.

"Yeah..incredible." I reply, brimming with joy that she is sated.

"Should we try crossing the wall?" She asks with excitement.

"What? Now?" I say, surprised that she want to go so soon.

"Let's go." She says, pulling me out of the bed and making her way to our garments with quivering legs.

"Shouldn't we rest a little bit?" I suggest with an amused grin.

"We can rest once we reach the other side of the wall." She insists, passing my clothes and bag to me.

I laugh but do not resist as I put my coat and pants on, meeting her by the entrance without delay.

We leave the cottage and pass the dying bonfire, cross the meadow, and then went through several tree groves until we reach the stone wall. We stand at the familiar wall for a few seconds, and then she grabs my hand. Her hand is cold and trembling but her face is determined. She spares me a smile.

I squeeze her hand, tightening my hold on her as we find a broken part of the wall. I take the first step without delay, not letting her hand go as we pass. This time, instead of an uncomfortable feeling of trespassing, I feel the sensation of belonging. My instincts are telling me that I have returned.

Keeping her close to me, I look around to find familiar groves and a familiar path. I hear a group of people shouting my name from the distance, lights from wands are flashing around. From the group of voices, I hear the familiar voices of Connor and Angus. Surprisingly, I also hear the voice of my adviser.

"Oliver, where are you?" My adviser bellows, waving his glowing wand like a mad man.

"Over here!" I shout back, waving at the group enthusiastically.

Having heard my voice, the lights from their wands blind us for a few seconds. And then they started running towards our direction, shouting in reaction to finding me. As we wait for the party, I pull Gwendolen to a tight hug which she returns. She looks up to me with tears of relief.

"So, what do you want to do first?" I ask her.

"I'm going to see my father of course. He's going to be so overjoyed to see me!" She gushes.

"Do you know where he lives? Maybe I can take you there." I offer.

"My father lives at Diagon Alley South Side. London, England." She informs.

The address is familiar. Very familiar.

"He lives above his wand shop known as.."

"Ollivanders. Ollivanders Wand Shop." I finish for her.

"You know my father's shop? His wands must be very famous." She says proudly.

"Are you..is your father Garrick Ollivander?" I continue to question.

"Who is Garrick Ollivander? Is he my cousin? My father's name is Gerbold Octavius Ollivander." She states, causing me to gape at her.

"Gerbold Ollivander..that's..he's Garrick Ollivander's great grandfather." I tell her, covering my mouth before I say anything else that might make the truth difficult to hear.

Do I have to tell her that her father is already dead?

"What's wrong?" She asks with worry, noticing my stunned reaction.

"Gwendolen, I don't know how to say this but..the average life expectancy of a wizard is between 120 to 150 years old. You father existed three centuries ago." I tell her slowly.

"What are you..what are you saying?" She says, tears falling from her eyes.

She understands. She knows what I am trying to say.

I rest my hands on her shoulders, sharing her grief.

"I'm sorry Gwendolen. Your father passed away a long time ago." I finally tell her.

"No, no you're wrong. The last time I saw my father was thirty three years ago. He should still be alive." She says, denying the truth.

"I'm a pureblood, I had to memorize every family tree of the sacred twenty eight. I saw your family tree and I read your father died in 1845. It has been more than one hundred years since his death." I explain.

She collapses to her knees and cries, and I can do nothing to keep her from the pain. I gather her into my arms and stroke her back soothingly.

"I'm all alone." She says with a wounded voice that can shatter any man's soul.

Before I could utter another word, I notice lights and hear sounds coming from behind us. Alarmed, I move in front of her in order to keep her from any danger.

"Oliver, are you okay?" Angus asks from a few feet away, stepping out with other men who are also wielding wands.

"I'm fine." I reply, relaxing from my defensive stance.

"How did you survive here out on your own?" Connor asks as they make their way towards us.

"I wasn't alone. I have someone with me." I say, pointing behind my back.

They peer behind me and look at each other with worry.

"No one is behind you, boy." My adviser says.

"She's over here." I say, stepping away and looking at where she should be.

But she is not there. She's gone.

"What the..she was here a few seconds ago." I tell them, looking around to find her. "Gwendolen, where are you? It's okay, these men won't hurt you. You can come out." I say.

"Oliver, are you sure you're okay?" Angus questions, looking at me like I lost my mind.

"Someone was here with me, I swear. I just..I don't know where she went." I insist, recalling how vulnerable she is after I told her that her father died.

"Gwendolen, you're going to be okay. Please come out." I tell her, but no one replies back. In a panic, I start circling the area but my rescuers are keeping me from searching any further.

"Brother, no one is here. You must be hallucinating after being on your own for five days. We should go see a healer and check your vitals. Okay?" Connor says.

"Five days? I was only lost for more than twenty four hours, what are you talking about?" I correct.

The group look at me funny.

"Mate, you were missing for five days. We were supposed to call off the search tonight, but thank Godric's balls that we were able to find you. You must have hit your head somewhere." Angus states, approaching me with caution. "We need to leave Oliver, no one is here with you." He insists.

"Gwendolen! Gwendolen come out, please!" I shout, looking at the darkness in desperation. She must have thought that her father's death is too much to bear. She must have decided to leave.

She must have returned to the other side of the wall.

"Someone was with here with me, we came through those stone walls." I say looking behind, to find that the stone wall is not where it used to be.

The stone wall is gone.

"No..there was a stone wall behind me. It was right there! I'm serious!" I tell them, but they do not look convinced. Seeing as I am not making any sense, Angus and Connor grab me by the arms. I push them away and run to where the wall used to be. I search for signs of life, but I find nothing.

"Gwendolen! You're not alone! You have me!" I shout in vain, but still no one replies.

I was about to shout some more, but then I hear someone cast a binding spell towards me. Three men started carrying me without consent.

"I'm telling you the truth! I was in another dimension that was on the other side of a tall stone wall. I was lost but I came back with someone who helped me. We have to find her!" I protest.

"Wait..did you say you were in a different dimension?" One of the rescuers ask. The rescuer is one of the master broom makers who I recognize.

"Yes, yes I was." I affirm gladly.

"Were you in the dimension of the nymphs?" He continues to confirm, I nod in response. He crosses his arms and regards me with an impressed look on his face. "You were spirited away boy. The same experience happened to me when I saw a lovely Aspen from the other side of the wall." He says.

"You saw the wall too?" I ask, peering down at the master broom maker.

"I saw the stone wall, but dare not cross. I wanted to know what the dimension is like, but I was a coward and I had this feeling that I may not return. I was in Ireland at the time." He continues.

"Ireland? But that is millions of miles away from here." Connor points out, giving me an apologetic look as we continue to leave the area.

"The stone walls appear in random places, they won't show up at the same place twice. I should know because I couldn't find the stone walls at the same place I found them."

He pats me on the shoulder to console me.

"I don't know how you were able to get back. But perhaps it is for the best. Time in that dimension is different from ours. Maybe that is why you think you were only lost for a day. If you stayed there any longer, perhaps you would have been lost for months or even years without you knowing."

I do not know how to react with his statement. But it makes a lot of sense.

All this time, she must not have known that time in the human dimension is different.

Maybe the truth about her father's death was too much for her to bear.

Maybe she went back to her dimension, without telling me.

Maybe she thought that she no longer had a reason to stay.

Maybe she..doesn't want to be with me.

Hopeless, I let them carry me back to civilization.

A week after I was rescued, I went back to Alaska to search for the wall. But I couldn't find it. I searched for a month, looking at places where the walls might show up. I intentionally delayed my progress to finishing my advanced course, reasoning to my adviser that I did not collect enough enchanted wood.

Instead of finding the wall, I end up with piles of extra enchanted wood that the master broom makers are more than pleased to exploit. Enchanted wood is expensive, so I sell most of the wood that I gathered in order to pay for my travel expenses. Despite searching everywhere I could not find the wall.

I could not find her.

After a few months, my experience beyond the stone wall is more like a distant dream.

I decided to stop searching for the wall, and move on with my life.

If she ever existed..she would never want me to waste my time.

"Ollivanders would like to trade Alder branches for a bundle of Cotton Wood. Do you have some?" Angus asks, disturbing me from my thoughts.

"Sure. I'll drop by as soon as I finish this mount." I reply, carving the end of a handsome yew for a Fire bolt prototype.

I have my own enchanted brooms shop now, the shop specializes in customized enchanted brooms. Although Connor and Angus finished their advanced course ahead of me, they applied to become suppliers and craftsmen of my shop as soon as I completed the course required for my specialization.

Business is great.

I get a lot of attention for providing quality enchanted brooms. I was even interviewed by The Daily Prophet about my experience as a retired professional quidditch player who decided to create brooms and work on wood for a living. The public never get tired of using my last name as an ironic pun.

The ironic pun is so catchy that I decided to use it for my shop's catch phrase:

Welcome to Woods, Oliver Wood's shop. In Woods, wood likes to work with Wood.

Hearing the catch phrase on the radio and television always brighten my day.

I mean come on, it really is a good hilarious pun.

Most of the time, I focus on the shop. But every now and then, shops would like to purchase or request a trade for enchanted wood that are out of stock or out of season. Therefore, other than the shop, I also supply common to rare enchanted woods for shops who require such materials.

Making my way to Ollivanders shop, I open Ollivander's door to see Garrick Ollivander and his son arguing about not having enough dragon heart string for a customer's wand.

"It's not my fault that the new apprentice is squeamish about dealing with hearts of any creature!" Gentian tells his father who is fuming.

"Garret is your apprentice, which means he is your problem. If you can't even teach your younger brother properly, how do you expect me to leave this shop to you?" Garrick reasons.

"I'm sorry to intrude, but I'm here with the cotton wood you would like to trade with." I tell them, not wanting them to think that I am eavesdropping.

"Ah yes, do come in Mr. Oliver. I'm sorry you have to witness me and my son making a fuss. Please have a seat and one of our apprentices will be trading with you. As much as I would like to trade with you in person, I would like to continue my conversation with my son privately, we shall take our leave."

"It's all right dad, you trade with Oliver. I'll fix the wand that Garret messed up." Gentian states.

"No, no. Our conversation is very serious. We must discuss further at home." Garrick insists, pushing his son outside the shop.

"At home? But dad, we can't just leave the shop. It's only 9:00 in the morning." Gentian responds.

"Just do as I say boy!" Garrick scolds before giving me a toothy grin that is a rare sight to see. "Don't worry Mr. Oliver, someone will get back to you soon. Look at our wares while you wait." He instructs.

I hesitantly nod and decide to sort out the cotton wood that I intend to trade. Taking the bundle of enchanted wood from my bag, I put the cotton wood on top of the long glass desk. Underneath the glass, I notice a wand that is similar to mine. Aspen wand edged with cypress and dark walnut.

"A nice collection of cotton wood you have here." A woman's voice comments, disrupting me from admiring the wand encased in the glass desk before me.

"Only the best from Woods." I reply automatically, not wanting to be interrupted from taking a closer look at the wand. The wand is a very impressive replica of my own wand.

"We will gladly trade your cotton wood for our alder branches." The lady says before passing a box to me, blocking my view of the wand I was looking at. Seeing the alder in front of me, I raise my brows in surprise. The alder branches have the same enchanted quality as the wood that I offer.

"Your alder branches are quite impressive as well. Bartering with the Alder nymph must have been difficult." I compliment.

"Trading with nymphs are rather difficult. Once I finish my apprenticeship, I'm looking forward to specializing in the extraction of enchanted wood." She informs.

"Oh, what a coincidence. That is actually my specialization. I gained a lot of experiences and travelled to many places by taking that advanced course." I reply. Looking forward to an animated conversation on enchanted wood extraction, I look up to a familiar face.

"I would love to hear about your experiences and the places that you have been, over a cup of tea." She says with a tremble on her voice, and a dazzling smile that I overlooked so much. Her violet irises are still entrancing to behold, and the horn on the side of her head is endearing to see.

"Gwendolen." I whisper.

"Oliver." She replies.

I stand from where I sat and pull her towards me, leaning in and kissing her without permission. She kisses me back and I curse the desk that is keeping her away from me. I feel drops of water falling to her face, but she was not the one who is crying. Using her fingers, she wipes away the tears from my eyes.

She reminds me of pine, of aspen, of birch, of cedar. She reminds of every tree that I care for.

She reminds me of every wood variant that I know.

Wood always fascinated me.

But nothing is fascinating compared to this moment.

"When you said that I'm not alone..did you mean it?" She asks shyly.

"You are not alone, Gwendolen. You will always have me." I reply, saying the words that I said when I thought I lost her. Saying the words that I will never tire to say, for the rest of my life.