I do not own anything Twilight related.
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In the Beginning
The garden really was beautiful, in a primitive, fragile kind of way. I guess compared to the rest of this planet it was paradise. When He tried to describe it and prepare me for the change, I still did not understand. Even if He had gone on for an age, not that time had any relevance with me then, I never would have been prepared for that first onslaught of simple earthly beauty. The colors were different from any I had experienced before. They were very bright and took some getting used to. And who knew that things could be so breakable? My body was strong, even stronger than the rocks in this world. I reveled in the perfection that was my form. I had seen the humans and they were nothing compared to me. A little lower than the angels had, in my mind, made a big difference. My skin was white and sparkled in the sun, a warning to any with thoughts of entering the garden. My muscles were perfectly formed and they rippled under the hard, smooth skin. I was perfect.
I think I was young at the time. Young, that is, in regards to how long I had existed. I don't believe any of us in the beginning were ever really young in the true sense of the word.
When He charged me with my task of guarding the garden, I was fully intent on keeping with my duty. I had nothing against these weak human beings that were made in His image; they had done nothing to me. He made the decision to send them out of the garden and so I was charged with keeping them from reentering. Simple duty on my part. He was in charge of everything and it was perfect. I was in no position to see things otherwise.
The Other might have decided that he wanted the glory, but far be it from me to want the same. I was happy with my lot. To desire anything else never occurred to me.
It was perfectly understandable that the humans would desire to come back the garden if they had the chance. It really was the most beautiful place on the earth and I have never seen its equal here, in all my wanderings. He never told me why the humans were sent away. Looking back now, I would guess He did not want me to be tempted from the beginning and to fail at the same test that caused them to fall. A lot of good that did. If He had only warned me of the danger I was in, I would not have been so confident. I might have been able to see the trap for what it was; instead, I was just as gullible as the human creatures.
It was not my fault I had not been warned.
Or so that's what I try to tell myself.
I never left my post at the east side of the garden and my devotion never wavered. I do not know when it was that the serpent first came to me. I still had not quite grasped the concept of the counting of days and years to measure the progression of time. I never really needed to pay attention to it, since time has never had any effect on me. It did not seem like much time had passed before he found me. It could have been days or months or even years for all I knew. I was in the same place as always, at the east entrance, holding my sword, when I heard the voice. It seemed innocent enough, soft and rather pleasant. I looked around and there twined in a small bush beside me was a bright green serpent. I had no need to fear any of the creatures of this strange world I had been placed in, so I was not on my guard.
"Why do you stand here day after day in this place? Does it not become tedious with nothing else to do?"
"This is my duty," I said, rather confused by his wording. Tedious? I knew the word, but the concept was foreign to me. I had never understood the meaning behind it.
"I see. And is this duty really important, keeping these human creatures out of this particular garden? I do not see why this place should be any more special than anywhere else."
"It is very beautiful here. They may wish to return from the outside." Why was he asking me these questions? I was only doing my task set forth for me.
"Beautiful?" The serpent was sneering at me by this time. "Ha, I guess it depends on what you are looking for. What is your punishment if any of those pitiful things sneaks back in?"
"Punishment?" My brows lowered as I tried to comprehend his meaning. I was really confused by now. Why would I be punished for something that was not going to happen?
"Yes. Punishment, you know, the consequence if you fail your duties?"
"There is no punishment. They won't get back in."
"Well is there a reward, then? Something that you get in return for keeping them out?"
What was this serpent talking about? It made no sense whatsoever. Punishments? Rewards? At the time I lacked the understanding of these abstract notions. Why did I need anything to stop me from slacking my duty? It was my duty, therefore I did it. Anything else just seemed absurd. He must have seen my confused face for he continued on, sounding amused.
"I see I have lost you. Oh well. I will leave you to your duty. I don't want to cause you any trouble."
I watched as he slid smoothly to the ground and slithered away, green scales glinting faintly in the sunlight, pondering his confusing words. I sighed quietly and soon gave up trying to understand. No point in getting frustrated over something that really didn't seem to matter anyway. I went back to guarding the entrance, determined to forget what the serpent said. Little did I know how significant our talk would turn out to be…
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