A.N. So my October goal was to finally publish a Halloween-themed story, however I unexpectedly had to move down to England (as you do) for work and a large scale fic just wasn't going to possible. I hope this ficlet will be enjoyable enough, and if I have time then I'll update something ASAP. This was the easiest to do as 99.9% was written years ago and I just needed to finish it up. I'm not great at magic-themed stories but happy to attempt! Just in case some aren't aware, a bard is an old word we might use in Scotland to describe a poet or story-telling musician.

Plot: Woodland nymph Kurt, a young Keeper of the Forest, goes against his natural instincts and the rules set for his kind of avoiding humans when a beautiful singer strolls through his midst.

Warnings: Graphic sexual content (assault).

Dark!Blaine Level: Manipulator/Sadistic.


Voice of a Bard


The gentle wind carried the honeysuckle and wild flower scents through the woodland in a soft, motherly bid of 'good evening'. The dipping sun was still as fresh as the morning but warmer; it basked in its own power whilst sharing its spoils with the gracious animals of the forest that were collecting the last of their food stores for the day.

The squirrel on its top branch danced along the twigs, armed with several nuts. It then took a run down the tree trunk and tossed them into its nest before turning its attention to the plump rabbit rolling around on the dusty spot of dirt below. Never in want, never in need: the forest was the most deserving of the title 'home'. It was safe. It was plentiful. The residents were as loving as they were hard-working. The circle of their lives was perfect and that was the way the Keepers of the Forest liked to maintain it.

But...What was that?

The songbirds ceased in their carols as a new sound greeted their ears. More singing! - Though this came from no animal they had come across before. The squirrel and the rabbit paused, their heads darting left and then right. Dropping the new nut in its hand as if it were nothing, the squirrel raced down the last of the trunk and joined the rabbit, who tussled itself onto its hind legs to sniff the air.

'Oh, but when the time comes

When the time comes

Come to me

Be mine,'

The singing continued. It was closer than before, as if winding towards the heart of the woodland on the warm breeze. It was beautiful. Enraptured, the animals strolled forward. The baby deer still finding its own legs staggered out from its den, her mother not far behind her. Sweet song invited them and they were drawn to it.

Then, he appeared; a wanderer. A stranger. A human male who was not hunched over in hunting fashion but rather upright and free on his twisting path through the foliage. His feet were ever so careful to avoid crunching on fallen twigs and his hands were like feathers on the leaves he caressed. Through his song he was smiling, and through his wondrous eyes his gaze glistened. He approached the clearing.

'I bring my soul and song

Will you bring me your hand?

Come to me

Be mine.'

He gazed up through the branches of the high trees before lowering his face to the small audience he had gathered: the squirrel, the rabbit, the deer and her mother, a lone fox, a family of hedgehogs, and more entering into the clearing with every passing moment. His eyes grew bigger and his smile wider. Birds flew down and rested on his shoulder to curiously nip at his unassuming farm clothes. He chuckled and slowly knelt down beside his crowd.

'Put your mind at ease

Allow my hand to please

Don't hide away

From me.

Come to thee

Come to me

Oh, won't you come to me

And be mine.'

The baby deer rubbed up on his knee and tripped into his awaiting arms. He nestled in close and laughed as the appreciative tongue licked at his cheek. The fox crept under his elbow and rested against his side. The rabbit and squirrel fought for their space in his hood until he murmured in amusement that there was room for both. They listened intently to his words. 'What a welcome I have received. Look at how you entreat a poor lost traveler – I may never leave!' He laughed again and lightly petted the nose of the smallest hedgehog. 'But I must. I was too enamoured by your own home here in this wonderful yet vast wilderness that I forgot the path to my own home. If only you could guide me…'

At upon hearing this hopeful request, the pointy-eared, brown haired, ever-cautious Kurt brought his head up from the bush he was crouching behind. He could go unseen for days at a time, and often he did, but something about this human - this visitor - intrigued him. He knew what the other wood nymphs would say of his interest; they would criticise his lack of discreetness or insist he return to a hiding place, out of view and out of danger. But what danger could such a lost traveler pose?

'Kurt, you are a Keeper of the Forest; an integral part of all living things and it is your primary concern to look after for the creatures in your care. The human is not yours to test. He could be here with ill intent. Go, now, and inform your fellow Keepers in case the human means to do these animals harm.' Spoke the conscience that had been deep-rooted in his heart since his creation. It appealed to his nature to protect, and his duty to his family. But even his conscience could not out-weigh his eyes. The strangers smile was so gentle; how could Kurt fear him? The manner of which his hands pet and rubbed at the bellies of the eager animals was nothing if not loving. His clothes and knapsack were basic and well-worn, his ebony hair wild and untamed: he appeared to be a farmer's boy. Yes, Kurt thought as he inched closer, a farmer's boy! He's just as the older nymphs described! Older than an adolescent yet still to reach his prime, he was strong looking with golden skin – clear signs of him working the field. Kurt yearned to feel his arms and find out how such firm arms could also hold a baby deer so tenderly. Of course - he cares for creatures living on his farm! It was all so obvious now.

What was not obvious, though, was the strange sensation taking place deep inside Kurt's slender frame. His insides were ablaze in rampant desire and he at last experienced the notion of 'self consciousness'. He had never cared for his appearance before as he was still a few hundred years shy of being old enough to mate with fellow nymphs but suddenly he was all too aware of his elf-like ears protruding thought his unkempt locks and dusty bare skin. He was embarrassed. For someone experiencing it for the first time, he did not like it at all.

'Listen; take heed

I shall plant the growing seed

Show me love

I sorely need

Come to me,

Play the part

I'll play the strings

Across your heart

Just come to me

Be mine,'

His voice was heavenly; like the sound of angels above. Perhaps he was a bard? Others had told of humans known as bards who made their living through song. Kurt eased forward in the thicket and tried to hum the tune. So moving… He had to see his eyes.

Though making no noise as he approached the clearing, Kurt's presence was noticed and the stranger's head jerked up in surprise. Stunned hazel eyes met that of apprehensive blue.

He's more beautiful than I thought possible!

The suddenly shy nymph darted behind a nearby tree trunk and pressed his lithe body against the bark as his face slid out only far enough for one eye and his perfectly straight nose to peek out. The man did not move either away or closer but instead remained seated on the ground with his mouth dropping open in search of words. The animals did not react at all.

'You there, boy!' Even when calling out, the human's tone was lyrical. He gradually raised a hand inviting him back. Kurt bit his lip and his toes wriggled into the dirt as a small smile was revealed. 'Please, I won't hurt you. Come out.'

Against the instincts several thousand of his ancestors had honed to perfection, the chestnut brown haired child of the woodland stepped out from behind the tree and into view once more. The man gasped and his eyes grew wider taking in his form. If it were possible, he seemed just as enraptured by Kurt as Kurt was with him. His gaze lowered down his bare chest and navel, pausing on the leaf mesh that concealed his loins, then down his slim and nimble legs. The human licked his lips and from across the ground Kurt heard his breathing hitch and quicken. The pupils of his eyes dilated and his own trouser-clad legs opened up. Kurt's gaze was drawn momentarily to the stranger's own crotch and it occurred to him this was very similar to mating rituals of warm blooded mammals. Was the man attracted to him? Something so daring could not be true! But the mirroring of Kurt's small smile and the slower motioning to come closer spoke the truth.

'Kurt! Return to your senses this instant!I implore you to turn and journey to neighbouring Keepers of the Forest so together you may chase this unknown danger out of your home immediately. You know what men of the world are capable of. They have weapons, spells, enchantments and they wish to harness your power as forest dwellers or skin you into their decorations. Do not be drawn in to his reach. Run, now, and do not look back-!'Kurt was aware of his instincts screaming something or other at the back of his consciousness but as to what they were saying he could not tell. The hand reaching for his invited him closer and he complied. He was not being foolish: men could be dangerous but they could also be vulnerable, in need and – perhaps most enthralling – capable of love. And Kurt was a wood nymph! Notorious for their stealth, creatures such as he developed strength and agility when learning how to protect their land. If Kurt was ever required to, he could kill in an instant with his hands alone. One swipe was all it took. But it would not come to that. He simply wanted to engage with a human at last. This human.

A tentative step into the clearing brought him close enough to touch the stranger's hair, had he wanted to. And he did: he sorely wanted to. Yet, he resisted. The big hazel eyes seemed to sparkle with awe, a perfect combination of admiration and wonderment. Kurt realised that he himself had caused such a doting expression. The stranger's beckoning hand slowly changed to one reaching out. He wants to hold my hand. But why? Is this a human habit? How oddly intimate. With a shy smile of his own, Kurt placed his palm flat on the young man's. In turn, the young man's fingers tenderly curled around his and urged him to sit beside him.

Kurt, you fool: you are exposed! Any manner of being – human or worse! - could be watching you right now. You must conceal yourself before it's too la-

His skin is so soft... Kurt's inner voice was immediately distracted by how breath-taking the human was. As he knelt down, letting his knees push into the earth, he could not help but be mesmerised by the face in front of him which lit up like the sun. Such big, dazzling eyes... His smile is infectious, I wonder if his lips are as smooth as they look.

'My name is Blaine,' The stranger spoke quietly, perhaps not wanting to frighten the 'boy' he had just met, as he was no doubt under the impression Kurt was just an odd-looking human. Nowadays, humans do not put much belief in nymphs or other natural creatures other than the animals they believed they dominated. But this human, this Blaine, did not seem like such a foolish person. He shared his name! Kurt's kind rarely revealed such a personal trait so early on in meeting. For this reason, though Kurt felt endeared to Blaine, he was not going to reveal his own name.

'I am Kurt,'

At once, Kurt wondered who had spoken in such a whisper. When it occurred to him that it had indeed been himself, he sat in shock. He hadn't meant to...

Blaine laughed lightly, happy to hear his voice. 'Kurt... How precious and perfect you are.'

Feeling his cheeks burn dark, Kurt felt more of this 'self-consciousness', only this time the awful notion that he was ill-conceived was replaced by a positive swirl due to the fact the human seemed so very pleased with his appearance. For many moments, Kurt was lost in the human's deep, amber-like eyes and the familiar flow of energy from the ground radiating up through his limbs assuring him that, yes, this was happening. The alluring angel in front of him was as real as the earth's heartbeat that encompassed them all.

He was lost. So completely and utterly lost.

And it felt wonderful.

Blaine seemed equally as entranced, humming his song softly as he leaned forward. His hand came up to caress Kurt's cheek, his finger dipping under his jaw to draw him closer. Enticed, Kurt complied and soon found himself captivated by the human's lashes: so thick and black. 'You aren't like me, are you?' Blaine murmured against Kurt's lips. Why does he want me so near? If he comes any closer, our mouths will touch. Is that what he wants? Confounded by the odd yet alluring habits of the young man and curious at how his skin tingled with every gentle stroke of Blaine's knuckles, Kurt barely noticed the rabbit as it poked out from the human's hood. Why was I so worried? Do we nymphs have the wrong interpretation of humans? He is so kind and gentle. I find myself already enamoured by his spirit.

The rabbit twitched its nose and blinked. It was then Kurt noticed a flash of scarlet. Rabbit's eyes...they're glowing red. The realisation came slow. Gradually, Kurt tore his face away from Blaine – who continued to hum his song all the while watching the nymph's reaction – and stared into the faces of all the other animals gathered around them. Each one looked only at Blaine. Each one with their own sets of glowing red eyes.

Fear dropped into the pit of Kurt's stomach so hard he almost fell back. His blood ran cold as panicked thoughts raced through his mind. Magic. Magic, they are all under a spell! This is unnatural, it's evil!

At once, Kurt leapt back – or, he would have had he been able to move. But his gaze had returned to the human's and those eyes were ordering him to stay still. Somehow the order seemed to flow through the hum of Blaine's song.

Come to me,

Be mine.

And Kurt had. He did as instructed. The words were not music, they were an enchantment so powerful Kurt had abandoned all sense of self-preservation which he had been building on for centuries. He wanted to speak – to tell the human to stop or to call out to fellow wood nymphs or any other sensical creature not under the spell to come to his aid. No elder had prepared him for this. He whimpered.

Blaine now smirked. 'Keep your eyes on me, Kurt.' His voice was so melodic, it was hard to associate it with the evil behind those words. The trapped protector of the wood had already felt an enforcing urge to not look away from Blaine, but after the human's order it now intensified and he could no longer blink. All he could do was stare into those amber eyes as they melted from gentleness into smug pride. 'Come to me, be mine...' Those words now stung like a lemon dripping on an open wound. With a wave of a hand and a sharp 'Be gone!', the human broke his spell on the surrounding animals and they scattered instantly – no doubt to hide in their trees and burrows – leaving Blaine with just one focus. 'You behaved so well; exactly what I wanted. I have something just for you.' With one hand, Blaine held Kurt's chin upright and he did not once turn away as his other hand dipped into his pocket.

His power is in his eyes. His words hone the magic, but he needs my gaze for his spell to work. I need him to look away!

But Blaine did not.

He will. He has to. He can't keep his eyes on me forever; sooner or later the magic will resonate throughout the forest loud enough for my fellow protectors to sense it. But no human could maintain eye contact that long-

Lost in his own thoughts for escape, Kurt only became aware of the necklace being draped around his neck when the pendant beat hard against his chest. At once, he felt as if he was being choked. However, it was not air being restricted or taken; it was his power. He could not look down to see the pendant, but it was no doubt a stone. Only a stone had the ability to steal and contain a soul's energy, and it was sapping Kurt's so rapidly that he felt he might just collapse under its weight.

'Stay still, Kurt.' Blaine smiled sweetly, caressing Kurt's cheekbone before turning away. The order he had given was like an arrow through his chest – no, it was like an arrow into the pendant which broke through his chest, forcing him to obey. 'My amulet looks well on you. If I may offer some advice, you will not be able to defy its power and you will feel a great deal of relief if you don't resist. It won't seem so heavy and burdensome.' Blaine was pulling out coils of rope from his knapsack, leisurely stretching it out as if he had all the time in the world.

That is because he does. I-I cannot move. It hurts when I try!

Tears began to form at the corners of Kurt's still-startled blue eyes. His own natural magic now drained into the stranger's stone and his freedom became a foreign concept, Kurt could only do as he was told: stay still. That meant when the bunched up rope was slapped sharply across his cheek, a gasp of pain was all he could give. The human met his stare again. 'Be silent, Kurt.' He was smiling and Kurt knew that his command had little to do with there being a necessity for quiet: he was just demonstrating his power.

'Now, I want you to lie on your back.'

Moving without meaning to, Kurt gradually shifted his knees out from under him and stretched them out on the ground. He lowered himself backwards, his shoulder blades making contact with the dirt, and his head followed suit. Blaine stood up and strode around him, his hungry eyes lighting up in a new way as they drank in Kurt's compliant frame. Kurt was unable to even flinch when Blaine's feet moved to his head. The man leaned down and lazily rubbed a firm hand up Kurt's exposed stomach. 'You still look so confused, my pet.' He mused with a short chuckle. 'It seems you have forgotten the danger of a mage. Perhaps you have been living within the trees too long.' A mage? Kurt had heard of those people: they were unnatural harvesters of dark magic. The last known order had been destroyed over a thousand years ago, and tellings of such beings had become so rare that it was long believed they had died out many centuries before Kurt came to first breathe. As he rounded the mostly-naked body to finally stop and kneel between Kurt's legs, Blaine continued, 'I've been hunting you down for weeks. I was beginning to think wood nymphs were smarter than I gave them credit for, but,' He laughed and ran his hands up Kurt's inner thighs as he looked him straight in the eye, 'I was wrong.' His hands stopped short of the grassy mesh maintaining Kurt's modesty. 'You are fool. A naive, easily-led fool. Fortunately, you are also stunningly attractive, even more so than the descriptions I found in books. I doubt you'll bore me anytime soon.' Without warning, the mage ripped away Kurt's covering. The wood nymph would have jumped and cried out at the violation had he been able, but all he could do was let the tears flow and his shame flood his body as the stranger greedily took in his complete form. 'Oh no,' Blaine licked his lips, 'You won't bore me at all...'

At that, Blaine's head dipped down out of Kurt's line of vision. Lips dragged up Kurt's legs. This new and foreign sensation made Kurt's hair stand on end and his skin to erupt in goosebumps. Jolts of horrible pleasure shot from his crotch right into his abdomen, twisting into heated knots that grew bigger and bigger as the kissing motions became licks and soft bites. Kurt was young – barely old enough to be considered the same as a human adolescent in terms of maturity – he did not know why his body was reacting without Blaine's direct order. It was as if it was feeling pleasure all on its own. Stop it! Stop it – you shouldn't allow yourself feel it!

Blaine's hand, somehow wet and warm, took hold of Kurt's sensitive member firmly. Kurt's throat hitched as if something wanted out. 'You don't have to be still or silent anymore, Kurt.' Blaine spoke in a murmur, but Kurt heard so clearly. Without his mean to, a sudden cry broke through his lips and his hips moved upwards, urging himself into the awaiting fist. Blaine chuckled, murmuring something about a 'virginity' and an 'awakening' which he was more than willing to perform.

The man stretched out over the nymph's form. His hand working mercilessly below, he focused his mouth on the other's ear. He kissed his lobe and then trapped it between his teeth. Kurt cried, torn in the pain and pleasure. Blaine's dark chuckle was loud at his side. 'You haven't been touched before. I like that. Unspoilt. Pure. I'm glad I could introduce you. But I'm curious: as a Keeper of the Forest, you must have seen natural urges running rampant in these very woods. Animals are animals, Kurt – haven't you ever watched?'

Kurt's fingernails scraped against the dusty dirt ground as his lithe body attempted to facilitate the new sensations of burning goodness. He couldn't quite take in the words spoken to him. Something about animals and watching something rampant – what was the question? Did this evil human truly expect an answer?

'Animals aren't courteous.' Blaine continued purring in his ear. 'They don't ask. They don't care. All they want…'

A second hand slid southwards and Kurt felt his bottom be grabbed, causing him to gasp and moan a quiet 'No'.

'You must have seen them. But you're no doubt so young, so naïve; you don't understand the raw passion taking place, hmm?' Another dark laugh, followed seamlessly by a growl. 'It's time you grew up, just a little, and returned the favour.' And with that, Kurt was lifted by his naked hips and tossed back down on his stomach. 'Get on your hands and knees.'

Kurt's palms met the ground he had been scratching at only moments before. They hoisted his dirty body until his knees shook in fear holding his lower half up. Blaine stood, his hands lazily running over the nymph's exposed skin. He rubbed up his thighs, back down so that his index fingers could drag down his calves and lightly tickle his feet. Kurt squirmed: it wasn't physically painful but his whole being was rejecting the contact and making him feel as though he was no longer in his own skin. When the roaming hands ventured onto Kurt's back, tracing along his spine and shoulder blades, he heard Blaine walk around him. At one point, a shoed foot pressed on the back of his neck. He ordered me to be on my hands and knees – I cannot fall! Kurt wished he could just crumble onto the ground as Blaine dug his sole into his tender muscles but the pendant which now dangled under his chin had just as much control as it did when it had been thumping against his chest. Blaine hummed, amused. He pressed his foot down further and Kurt whimpered loudly as one of his bones threatened to break. Would the pendant allow that to happen? Why wouldn't it, so long as he stayed in place? However, the mage appeared satisfied at the obedience displayed and lifted his foot off him, striding to stand in front of Kurt's face.

'Lift your head.' Kurt raised his head and his eyes widened at seeing the man's belt become undone just beyond his nose. 'Open your mouth.' His jaw dropped. 'Let me see that sweet tongue of yours.' As Kurt's tongue slid past his bottom lip, Blaine ran one hand through the nymph's hair as his other slowly unbuttoned his pants. 'That's nice, very pretty.'

Kurt could not tell if his words were truthful or if the intention had been to create a foreign sense of shame, which it succeeded in doing. Tears burned his eyes and dropped onto his hands below, but were then unceremoniously wiped away by the cloth of Blaine's pants as the young man pushed his crotch onto his face. Kurt winced. Through the material he could feel something firm and long. Blaine's hand in his hair held fast and urged Kurt's open mouth against the bulge. The contact elicited a low groan from the human. What is going on? Am I hurting him? Why is his male part hard? I thought it was supposed to be soft. Did my own change when he touched it? Is he feeling good? I don't understand!

Blaine hooked his thumb on the belt holding his pants up, tugging until it fell from his waist. Kurt gasped and tried to lean his head away when the man's full erection became exposed. Blaine gripped his hair again and shoved him back in place. 'Oh no, no, Kurt,' The young man drawled, 'It's far too late for that. Now, you know how to kiss, don't you?'

Kurt did not. Kissing hadn't been something he had personally experienced due to his youth, and he showed affection to the animals through nuzzling and petting alone. He did not have first-hand experience of kissing other than having them forced onto his nakedness minutes before. 'N-no.'

Blaine made a sound of thoughtful understanding. 'I'll train you well, but for now,' He placed the head of his cock on the tip of Kurt's tongue and slowly slid it into his mouth. 'I want you to suckle like you're trying to get sweet sap out of a tree.' His tone was definitely mocking now, but frustratingly Kurt was able to visualise what Blaine wanted. And…he couldn't ignore the order. His lips closed around the man's member and he tried not to gag when he felt it hit the back of his throat. With Blaine's mutterings of 'encouragement', he hollowed out his cheeks and sucked hard. Blaine moaned out in pleasure, pulling his hips back and forward so his cock slipped in and out of the nymph's mouth. The sensation was entirely foreign and in no way comfortable for the scared and confused creature unable to stop his body giving the human massive enjoyment through his actions. Tears continued to flow but the slighter male found himself slamming into a state of shock. The strangest taste met his tongue and at first he thought he was imagining it through his dazed recollection of the tree sap analogy, but he soon realised that he was indeed sucking something out of Blaine's member. A liquid. He couldn't place the taste and therefore did not want it in his mouth.

'That's it – good, so good!' Blaine said through clenched teeth. 'Keep going. Faster. Faster.' Kurt's neck ached as he picked up speed and his head instinctively bobbed back and forward without instruction. 'A-almost there… Ah-ah!'

And suddenly the droplets of the foreign liquid became a mouthful. Kurt couldn't stop his throat from closing up and his tongue from pushing at the appendage to try and force the taste out from his mouth. But those hands were now clutching at both sides of his head and the member was thrust into him so far that his lips pressed against his crotch. Unable to breathe, Kurt scrunched his eyes shut and his arms and legs strained with the effort. 'Swallow. Swallow it all.'

Kurt's throat opened involuntarily and gulped down hard. No-no-no I do not want it! The taste seemed to spread across the entirety of his mouth but the hotness could still be felt lurching down into his stomach. He wanted to reject it all but that would clash with the last command. Head pounding, he was lost in a haze of stinging tears and blood pumping hard to create a tremendous headache. Blaine's member, still firm and now thoroughly wet, was pulled away and positioned near his lips again. 'Lick until I tell you to stop.' His every inch of his body now tired and no longer under his control, Kurt tried to focus on clearing the cloud surrounding his mind as his traitor tongue emerged once again to obey the order. It felt sticky and messy.

Mothers do this to their young. Kurt's recollections of the animals did nothing to lessen his terror-fueled confusion. They lick their wounds. Clean their fur. Groom their families. Why are you making me do this?

The mage did not tell him to stop for a while; rather he reveled in what appeared to be a continuation of pleasure as Kurt's tongue ran over his length collecting the remnants of the taste. When his cock was coated in nothing more than the nymph's saliva with traces of tears, Blaine pushed him back and uttered a relaxed 'Stop'.

Kurt was made to kneel back onto his legs and his hands shook as rope was wrapped around his wrists and tied together tightly. Blaine's fingers stroked the section of rope left over: his lead. 'You are better than I dreamed you would be.' He traced his thumb lightly over the moist areas around Kurt's mouth, chuckling as the bottom lip trembled. 'I had best get you home before one of your kind tries to stop me from taking you.'

Kurt's stomach turned and he couldn't stop the sob which broke through his attempt at silence. 'No! Please, I belong here – I need to stay!'

'Stand.' Blaine smirked. He toyed with the rope until the nymph was on his feet. 'Do not worry, Kurt, I fully intend to provide you with a life of relative comfort. A beauty like you deserves that, at least.' He then paused, softly biting his lip as another amused thought crossed his mind, 'Or, I will. After I display you for my brothers in the guild.' Kurt's reddened eyes did not understand. 'Fellow mages who would adore to experience you first hand. Sebastian, especially, will want time with you. He has always been fond of creatures of the forest.' He twisted the rope between his fingers, forcing Kurt closer so he could hear Blaine's lowered voice. 'They bleed beautifully in his eyes.'

Kurt's inner core flared with anger as his protective traits attempted to lash out at his words. Hurting an innocent animal was beyond despicable and his reason for living was to prevent such harm – but his reason for living was stripped away from him and hanging around his neck as a symbol of his shame. This other human, this fellow mage, would make him bleed. And Blaine would let it happen. It was a sickening confirmation of all the warnings Kurt's elders had given. They reside in their stone homes, illuminated in fire with their burning passion for pain and suffering. The image itself caused Kurt to grow dizzy, reminding him of his own mortality. 'You forget,' He stammered, 'that without the soil beneath my feet, the heart beats of my animals and the aura of the woodland, I will die. I cannot live in your world.'

The human was no doubt ignorant of this fact, explaining his presumptuousness in thinking he could simply have a wood nymph. Yet, Blaine merely smiled. 'I forget nothing. I've prepared a small…habitat for you.' He tucked his hand behind Kurt's waist and groped his rear. 'Somewhere you will be able to thrive, where you will still have your precious connection to nature. I plan to use you for many years; it wouldn't do to have my prized pet lose even an ounce of his wonder. And as for your inherent magic…' Now his fingers slid up between them to play with the pendant holding Kurt's free will hostage. 'I will keep it stored up safe. After all, there is plenty of fun to be had when tasting natural magic.' With that, he leaned in and kissed Kurt softly on the lips, his gentleness a teasing mockery of the invisible chains he had placed on him. 'Now,' He whispered against Kurt, his rope-wielding hand tugging at his wrists, 'Walk.'

The animals of the woodland did not dare leave the safety of their homes, but as they felt the warmth of the forest floor diminish they did dare to look out at the reason: their protector – the boy who had always existed in their homes, the boy who had helped nurse their babies and who had created shelter from passing storms – was being led away. One bold squirrel attempted to follow but the ground grew chilled and dangerous to the touch the further Kurt was taken from what he knew.

A sense of unexplained dismay set in as the animals panicked at the foreign atmosphere. Instincts were failing them, creating a loss of balance in their world. It did not take long for neighbouring protectors to pick up on the nearby shift and enter the territory to investigate. The loss of spirit in the air told them all they needed to know, but it was too late to act. Young Kurt was gone. In his place, the sinister song of a bard which started it all weaved between the foliage like a poisonous breeze.


A.N. Thank you for reading, please leave a review before you go! :D