The Lively Maiden

Prologue

Renee was part of the retinue of Hermes, in her Nymph capacity. Being a Nymph, she was an eternal nubile maiden. Hermes, The patron of boundaries and Guide to the underworld, treated her well. Of course, by nature Nymphs are frivolous and flighty creatures and are driven to extremes in order to find a mate once every 1728 years. And so it was that Renee left mount Olympia and searched the whole world for a perfect mate for 12 years. It wasn't so easy. The bloodline was taken into account, in addition to fertility and the quality of the psyche. Willingness was NOT part of the requirements, since lovability was an inherent quality of Nymphs. Men just could not help themselves; they craved their attention and found joy from their smiles. Also, she had to locate her mate in a place in touch with nature. The vicinity of a spring was a must, for she could only maintain her vitality by drinking young waters. She travelled from springs to creeks, from ponds to lakes, from rivers to gulfs, from seas to oceans, to finally land in Port Angeles, Washington state in early summer of the 12th year. Time was inconsequential to an immortal; 12 years searching did nothing to impede her resolve, NAY, her need of fulfillment. She came across a most outstanding mind, in a forested neighbourhood of a town named forks.

Of course, she sensed at once the presence of the ill begotten spawns of Proteus, not that they knew that, in the close-by settlement of La Push. She was not irked with them, although it was her opinion Proteus had erred in their making. In any case, they could never have known what she was. They were a lost tribe, isolated from their maker, ignorant of their true origins, unaffected by benevolent creature like herself.

Charlie was 21 years old, studying to be a police officer. He was simple by nature, far from cocky, in short, a good guy. What drew her to him though, was his singular mind; although she could not read minds, she could sense a hint of magic permeating him. Creatures of magic can usually sense one another, not as a sudden influx of knowledge, but rather as a tingling sensation due to similitudes. Humans sometimes had traces of magic in their blood from their ancestors' unfortunate encounters with gods, be they major or minor gods (like Nymphs). Since they were 99% human due to the inevitable combination of time & blood dilution, they could not themselves sense the likeness they possessed with pure magical creatures. Thus, Charlie was perfect for her; a unique mingling of blood would insure an intriguing result for an offspring. She approached him, ensorcelled him by her delightful essence and mated with him. She could never return the love he had for her, for she was sworn to Hermes, body and soul, but she liked him, enjoyed her time in this mortal world and endeavoured to make this task, that was built into her, a memorable one.

She gave birth to a little baby girl, which was a Nymph-human hybrid. Her name was Bella, Bella Swan. Even at a young age, she was very spirited; how could she not be with a minor goddess as a mother? She was pure, devoted to good; she was the joy of Renee's life. Bella instinctively knew they both were different, for she was acutely perceptive. Furthermore, she did not feel that sense of likeness toward humans that she felt toward her mother. When Bella was 12 years old, her mother left to rejoin her fellow gods, but not before explaining to Bella her heritage or legacy.

Bella-Point-of-View

Chapter 1 : Unforeseen

Mama was tensed today, but I did not know why. My mother was always so jovial. The change in her worried me greatly. She asked me to take a walk with her...to her favourite spring. I accepted her invitation, but I was confused. Well... I DID know of her sanctuary there, she often went to that place to think or something...

"Bella honey, it will not be far now"

Ugh? oh yeah…I was so lost in thought that I was not even aware we were walking in the woods behind our house.

"sure mama, I am sorry, I was just thinking…"

She smiled at me reassuringly. We walked for another 10 minutes, but I was not tired. At our destination, Renee sat on an outcrop, leisurely putting her feet in the spring water, with a beatific smile on her lips. She then proceeded to tap the rock beside herself to invite me to sit. I did, but I could not refrain from voicing my questions any longer.

"What is going on mama?" I asked with a hint of doom in my voice.

"You are a big girl now, smart enough to understand and I hope, mature enough to accept what life throws at you" omg ! I was freaking out now…she was too serious.

"Ok" I said "please go on"

"Alas, I am leaving, for I must" my thoughts were in a frenzy…sadness..denial..doom..unworthiness.

"Don't you love us anymore?" I asked with unshed tears in my eyes

"Oh honey, YES I do…but the world is more complicated than you think, love. You see, I am not from here."

"Forks ?" I replied confused

"No sweetie, I mean this world. You know I am different! And so are you. But I don't belong here. My place is elsewhere…with my kind. I have stayed for as long as I could, to watch you grow up"

I was speechless. I mean..I knew she was special..but not out-of-this-world special.

"What are you then?"

"I am a Nymph…I am bound to Hermes..I have been gone a long time, 24 years to be exact..I have been feeling the pull to return for many months now" As she said that, her feet still submerged began to glow eerily.

"Wooah…!"

"I have an affinity to pure and fresh water. It gives me strength and joy to be in contact with it. That is why I came here so often" sure…why not, as long as we are dreaming…can pigs really fly too? God

"Ok sure, you are a Nymph..you glow in spring water" did I sound surprised..nope..I was aiming for smug..unaffected..did I fool anyone? " but what does that make me" I asked

"Why darling, it makes you an hybrid of course" she stroked my checks gently "human-Nymph hybrid" the best kind of hybrid in my opinion shemuttered under her breath. Was I meant to hear that? There WERE other kinds? Sweet Mary mother of god ! "Also" she continued "you have a gift…your mind is self contained, self protected in an innate, unconscious way." Mama was leaving us, but I had a gift..wouhou ! cry..I would have to ponder the meaning of that later.

"But what about daddy ?" a sob escaping through my façade. "what will he think ?"

"Oh Bella, come here!" she held me tight, caressing my hair. After a moment, she said "I talked with your father already. It was not easy but I convinced him he could do nothing to prevent my departure. He does not know exactly why I leave, and you can't ever tell him. I am so sorry honey!" she was becoming very emotional too. "I do love you and I want you to remember that" her hand went into her pocket and brought back a seemingly delicate bracelet of intertwined twigs. Finally she handed it to me with soft words "wear this to feel my presence…I have infused this trinket with a sample of my essence. It may look fragile, but I assure you it's harder than steel." We were both crying openly now, hugging each other.

"Will I ever see you again mama?" I whispered due to the gravity of the moment, my voice almost pleading, although I knew the odds were slim. "I love you so !"

Renee stood up slowly and, her feet still in the water, languishingly keeping her gaze on mine. After an interminable silence, she shook her head and began to sink into the 1 foot deep creek. Her feet, then her legs dissolved into the pure water, as the water itself started to glow a wondrous turquoise light. As her torso and arms slowly dissolved, I heard the last words my mother would ever say to me "You are a very rare person Bella. The joy your life will bring to this world is immeasurable. I am so proud of you" and she was gone. The bluish-green light amidst the water flared once and speeded away towards rivers, lakes and ocean.

I let myself drop to my side unto the hard rock outcrop, and cried my heart out for hours. Then I went back to my home, in search of my father both to receive and give comfort. I was 12yrs and motherless. Life was cruel.