Day 7: Fairy Tale
Everyone knew about the witch in the woods. From infancy into adulthood, the whole town knew well to keep clear of the forest especially during the full moon. It was a period of simple living and even simpler laws. James Diamond, however, wasn't satisfied with that.
James knew he was destined for greatness and greatness was not supposed to be confined in a shabby hamlet in the middle of nowhere. James has a passion for singing, an inborn talent if you will, and not one single person from their town has ever thought otherwise. That was the thing, though, in this dingy little town: James had no competition, he had no measure of how great he really was. So on his seventeenth year, James finally decided to go out into the world.
Logan was shocked when James put forth the proposition to him. Him? Local librarian and wannabe healer join James in his venture? Logan shook his head, as much as their friendship meant to him, a selfish part of Logan wanted James to stay put in their village. It was a dangerous world out there and very few of those who wandered out ever came back. Of course, that could mean that those people found a better life elsewhere but Logan wasn't willing to risk it. James was special and Logan... Logan couldn't imagine living without him.
They packed their bags, filling the burlap sacks with clothes, food, and scrolls that Logan thought would be relevant. James was provided a horse by his family, a steed with a robust body and a mellow brown coat, its saddle to be used to carry their baggage. Prior to their departure, teary goodbyes were shed together with the most sincere hopes that they encounter no trouble in passing the dreaded woods. They mapped out their route and left early to cover more ground, James insisting that Logan ride with him and the latter's resolve was never really strong around the former.
They entered the forest round noon time when the luxuriant growth seemed magical, abundant with creatures and flora that made their travel more relaxing than expected. Lunch was eaten beside a clear stream, which they later used to refill their water pouches.
All the stories relating to the forest were filled with such horror and mystery that they found it fascinating to experience the total opposite. James decided to travel on foot, leading the horse by its bridle, because it would be such a pity to traverse these wondrous lands they have been so denied in a hasty gallop. Even Logan's uncertainty eventually faded and the rest of the afternoon was passed in a casual stroll.
Filed with inspiration, James sang aloud, tune sweeter than anything Logan has ever heard before. With the bits of grass and petals sticking to his hair and clothes from their short nap earlier, James looked akin to the immortal fey Logan has read about in childhood. But the solid warmth of the hand clasping his own – a shock in itself to register since he did not recall initiating such a thing – only served to remind him that this man was his dearest friend. This man had chosen to share this journey with him, and only him. Smiling bright, Logan carefully reached over and brushed away a small white flower that threatened to fall into James' eyes.
Before they knew it, the sun had dipped over the horizon, taking with it the forest's luster. As the stars came out of their hiding, James started out a new song – calmer but no less emotional. Logan held James' hand tighter, suddenly wary at the sound of rustling leaves. Above them, an owl hooted before taking off from its perch and circling over their heads. Rendered immobile with fear, it was not until the bird landed on the ground and morphed into a hag that Logan realized they'd strayed too far from their path.
He tried to run, grab James and get away from the witch but his whole body remained frozen. The scariest part of it, though, was discovering that his hand held nothing but empty air. There was no James beside him, only an exotic bird looking lost and confused. Oddly enough, its plumage was colored exactly like the missing man's clothes.
A cackle from the witch chilled his bones and she took the bird, put it inside a cage. "I have not heard a voice so pure in a long time," she crooned. "You will make a fine addition to my collection." Her eyes found Logan and a sinister smile shone beneath the shadows of her face. "You, I have no use for."
Unable to move or speak, Logan could only watch the hag retreat into the forest with his James. He strained to see where they were headed and managed to glimpse the pointed roof of a tower above the line of trees. In the long hours of solitary that followed, the village's old lore came back to Logan: of the witch who turned songstresses into birds for her own keeping, of the impenetrable castle at the heart of the forest, of the curse that seized motion from whoever came near its boundaries.
At the touch of the waning moon's beam, Logan found control over his body returned but he could hardly rejoice at his freedom. James was still gone and Logan was no fool to risk barging into an old hag's castle. Lamenting their fate, Logan knew he could not return to their home, not after what he had unwittingly let happen. Heart aching, he gave one last look at the tower and proceeded to walk away in defeat.
Years have passed but Logan hardly dared forget.
He had come upon a village at the outer edge of the forest and had lived there as a healer's assistant. James' horse had run off by the time he'd regained control of himself so his research was started from scratch. This new village had very limited resources but Logan absolutely refused to let that stop him. He would question visiting merchants, trade his coins for foreign scrolls, anything he could do to find a possible reversing spell.
Sometimes, Logan would wander the forest, finding the castle walls peeking between large trunks and shrubbery. He'd walk around the perimeter, taking care not to walk too close or linger when the sun would set. His dreamspace wasn't safe either, filled with memories of that perfect afternoon and the nightmarish separation dealt upon them. He would see James smiling, apparently talking to him but no words were decipherable, drowned out by the trilling song of a nightingale.
Then one night his dreams changed. Logan found himself in an unfamiliar meadow, drawn towards a peculiar flower: petals red as blood, nestled at its center was a dew drop bright as a pearl. He picked up the flower and headed for the witch's castle. There, everything he touched was freed from enchantment, including the bird that transformed back to his beloved James.
Come morning, Logan started looking for the flower everywhere that he could. On the ninth day, he found it, vibrant and mystic much like in his dream. With strengthened purpose, Logan travelled back to the forest, going straight to the witch's front door. No spell could touch him, his movements were free, and he strode in more determined than ever to reclaim what he'd lost. The sound of a thousand birds chirping led him across the courtyard and into the high tower.
When the witch saw him, she snarled and spat out a curse to no effect. The flower protected him, and upon seeing it, the witch's eyes grew white. She attempted to run, grabbing a bronze cage from its stand but Logan recognized the bird's distinct plumage.
With a great leap, Logan blocked the hag's escape. He touched the flower to her ashen hand and she dropped the cage before phasing out of existence right before his eyes. Heartbeats thundering in his ears, Logan touched the flower to the bronze cage and prayed.
Lean, muscled arms surrounded Logan, pulling him close to James in his recovered form. The rest of the birds warbled urgently at seeing the magical transformation but Logan decided they could wait. He held James just ever closer, savoring the fulfillment of his most fervent wish.
