In her realm

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It was a beautiful dawn that day. I woke up early because I had a hike planned. I didn’t want to get back too late. I planned to be home for lunch. Packing everything I needed, the essentials I headed out the door at 9am. Arriving at the parking lot in just half an hour. A few cars were already there but it wasn’t too crowded. I took out my compass, backpack acquired from the boot. I also had a first aid kit, for emergencies. Setting off down the shade covered path, which was clearly marked with signs to help everyone. Even the amateur walking enthusiast. They also had arrows along the way.

15 minutes passed by. I walked, head down keeping my eye on the compass. It was the first time doing this trail. It was so green and lush inside the forest. I smelled the scent of wet bark, the morning dew covering them. I observed my surroundings. Looking at the snails and many different insects in their atmospheres. I walked out into a stunning meadow, covered in a multitude of colours. “Wow” I said aloud at the beauty before me. I lay down carefully, so as not to crush anything. Breathing in their scent. Ticking that off her bucket list. Standing up, and walking to a spot to get a photo. Photos taken I had the urge to go deeper into the forest, to the left of the meadow. Squeezing through a narrow doorway, caused by two trees growing together and creating an archway. The branches intertwining. It was a sight to behold.

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Stepping through the door, it took a while for my eyes to adjust to the darkness created by the thick canopy of trees. I walked in further and entered a glade. The sunlight was shining all about, it was as if this was a special scene. Lit up by a spotlight specifically for this magical secluded spot. Branches reached out above me. Their tall twisting tendrils. There were thicker arms and my eyes reached the tree trunk, supporting all of them. The bark was medium brown colour with striations of a lighter and even paler tan colour. I could hear the birds chirp in the distance. It sounded muffled, as if I was in a room with the door shut. I thought that was strange, not unsettling. There was also no animals or insects inside. Not even a bird or butterfly to be seen.

Looking around this glade I hear a voice resounding. It was a woman’s voice, medium tone. Not high nor low. It was commanding.

“Welcome, to my secret spot. Away from the humans who would harm those under my protection. I do not perceive you to threaten nature. That is why I allow you to enter my inner kingdom. My throne room.” I bowed, suddenly feeling like I needed to respect this being speaking to me.

“Thank you for letting me enter your kingdom. I am most grateful for the invitation.” I couldn’t see the source of this elegant voice. It appeared as if from everywhere. “I appreciate your bow of respect. I wish to speak with about many subjects. Tell me, what are your thoughts on what your kind are doing to the beloved green landscapes? Their buildings cause pollution to the flora and fauna. It saddens me greatly.” I thought for a short time. “I do not like it. I wish there was not so many people cutting down forests. The pollution is a big issue. There are some humans trying to combat it. Electric vehicles. Recycling, grey water tanks.” “I see. I know you are not malicious or evil at heart. You care deeply for people, animals and nature. My sources told me you have flora at your home.” I was shocked. How did this spirit without a shape know about my plants at home?

“Yes I do, am I giving them the right amount of water? Did they speak to you about that because sometimes I never know how much is enough or too much..” I laughed, slightly nervous. “No need to worry, dear. They inform me that they are perfectly hydrated, every week.” She laughed a light happy laugh. It made me feel calm and happy.

I frowned. “Tell me do you know about the terrible situation in the worlds oceans, the pollution and the beaches too?” “I do my dear. I can feel how much it hurts your heart.” I nodded, angry now. “Yes I wish I could help more with the cause. To clear all the plastic and many different materials that do not belong. If I were rich I would do all I could. There are many people who feel the same and do organise beach clean-ups and ocean cleaning inventions. So that’s a good thing.”

“Exactly. Focus on the positive and good that is being done. Now, a change of subject, what is your favourite animal, out of interest?” She asked. “Oh easy, a fox. Next a dolphin.” “Aah I see.” I was looking up at the tree again, trying to spot this woman. The mysterious voice. When I looked back at the entrance a fox had appeared. I gasped, in excitement. “A fox, oh my goodness. I have always wanted to touch one!” “I summoned her here so you could, my dear.” I stood up and knelt down in front of the beautiful vixen. She had the most verdant green eyes. Looking at me with suspicion at first. I let her sniff my hand. I know it works with cats, not exactly sure about foxes though.

Smelling me, she seemed to stand down slightly. I reached my hand towards her head to pet her. She allowed me to lay my hand. I started with one stroke. She let me without any anger. I gently stroked her soft fur a few times. I didn’t overdo it though. She sat down in front of me, watching me. She seemed comfortable with me. “Thank you for calling her. I am so glad I met this elegant creature.” “Of course, darling. You did say that foxes are your favourite, after all.”

She came to lay down next to me. Licking me on the hand, even. I laughed, not expecting it. “Well that’s a good sign.” I laughed. I don’t know how much time passed but eventually my new friend left. Looking back at me before going through the door.

“Your.. majesty can I see you please? I would like to see the form attached to this lovely voice..”

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“I am afraid you cannot see my true form my dear but I can come to you in another.” I heard the rustling of the leaves and an Elven woman appeared in front of me. Pale complexion, dark chestnut brown hair. It fell like a waterfall down her back. Her ears were also pointed. She had indescribable eyes. Colours shifting in the light. Blue, green, even gold. I stood, entranced by her beauty. “Hello, my darling. Let us speak together once more. In person.” She smiled warmly. A bench formed of leaves appeared before us. Sitting down on it we spoke for what seemed like hours. “I sense you have a fearful nature, yet sensitive and caring. Do not let your fear control you. It is degrading to ones self. Physically and mentally. I can tell you are affected by it. Also I feel a sadness surrounding you.” I nodded slowly. She was right, of course. Happiness was hard to find in my life sometimes, as it was. I had to find glimpses of it in my everyday life. It’s how I survived. Days differed. I was stuck in a whirlpool of no purpose and loneliness. I needed to break out of my own walls, that I built. I was looking down at the forest floor. She touched my shoulder gently. Prompting me to look at her.

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“Let me take away those feelings of insecurity and sadness.” She looked at me with absolute love and kindness. Pulling me into her embrace, she held me. I wrapped my arms around her in turn. Emotions boiled up and I started weeping. Releasing all that was bubbling away in my body. We embraced for minutes. I broke away, feeling a calm that came over me. I wiped away my tears, hanging on my eyelashes. “Thank you, your majesty. I feel peace.” Nodding, she motioned for me to stand up. I did. “I have a gift for you, darling”. A bright pink bloom formed in her hand. It looked like a hibiscus, but not. She put it in my hand and I handled it carefully.

“Oh and another.” She gave me a handful of seeds. “For your garden at home. They are same species as your flower there, but with a little kick. To brighten your days. They are easy to care for. Indirect sunlight will do, watering once a week too. Can you remember that?” She laughed lightly. Teasing me. I laughed in turn. “Yes, I can do that. I will ensure it is happy!” “Your time with me is up for now. Do not fret. I am with you, in the green and nature of the world. If ever you need my help, call out to me by touching the bark of a tree or flower. You can call me mother. I will be there for you, swiftly. I am here if you need guidance too.” I put the seeds safely in a spare lunchbox and the flower too. “Thank you, mother. For the time I have spent with you, until we meet again. I hope we do.” “Go safely, child. We will see each other again. I will call you.” I walked through the arch out into the late afternoon light of the meadow. Walking along the trail to get back I heard rustling of the leaves. It sounded like many footsteps. Multiple feet. I sped up but not in time. I felt a flash of pain as something hard connected to the side of my head. Falling flat on my back, I look up to see four men staring down at me, menacingly. They took the opportunity to rifle through my bag while I was concussed. They took my phone. I was going to protest but changed my mind. Four to one wasn’t very good odds. The memory came flooding back to me. I looked to the side, making me dizzy. There was a tree right there. I reached out and touched its rough bark. ‘Mother, please I need you’ I said in my head. The men were standing laughing at me, trying to get into my phone. They came up to me telling me to unlock it. I opened my mouth to speak, but my vision was becoming narrower. I was going to faint. The last thing I saw was them being flung up by an invisible force. I passed out and knew no more.

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Mother had come to my aid. She hung them upside down and lashed them to a thick and long tree branch. Vines holding them, knotted around their ankles tightly. Picking up my cellphone she called an ambulance telling them what happened. Also where in the forest I was. She then called the police and told them about the mugging. Changing to another human form, a hiker. Both arriving at the same time, I was taken to the hospital. Mother stayed and told the police the events. All the while the muggers were hanging, their faces reddening as the blood rushed downwards. The vines were loosened and they arrested the men. One officer took her statement and she signed it so she wouldn’t have to go to the station. The men tried to say that they were attacked by nature but the officer looked at them like they were high. Shaking his head. “You idiots, getting high all the time. You know it makes you dumber, right?”

Mother was thanked for her co-operation and they took them all to the squad car. My bag was loaded into the ambulance, including the seeds she had gifted me.

I awoke a day later to the sound of a heart rate monitor. The humdrum of the hospital noises, was buzzing in the background. I looked around and blinked a few times from the bright lights, from above my head. Speaking of my head it was pounding from a headache, also dizzy from moving it side to side. A busy nurse walked by and saw that I was awake. Coming in she told me what happened. I had a concussion, hence the dizziness and headache. I asked when I could go home, she told me in a few hours and my mom was picking me up. I nodded, regretting it.

I slept for a little while and then my mom came, worry written on her face. She told me of the dangers of hiking alone, as a woman as well. I agreed with her. “Next time you have to bring at least three friends with you. Maybe even a body guard!” She said seriously. The tone of her voice rising in pitch. That happened whenever she was chiding me. I recognized it, well. From when I was a young child. They gave a document to sign, to release me.

Back home at my parents place I collapsed on the bed, in my old bedroom. It was great to come back here. “I should visit home more often” I said aloud. My mom walked in and said, “I agree, we don’t see you that much nowadays.” I laughed and vowed to visit soon again.

Three days later I was dropped off at my lovely little cottage. Walking into the sunlit kitchen I put my bag down and sat at the table. Standing up, grabbing a glass of water. I was thirsty.

Looking out into the neat garden, I noticed my flowers in the box outside my window. A memory surfaced. Meeting Mother and the seeds. I ran, straight to the backpack, the side pocket. They were inside still, perfectly unharmed. Digging a pocket in the soil. (Finding a free pot) I put them individually in their own space. Covering them up again, watering them with with the watering can I had handy, always. (To remind me) Now to wait for them to grow.

A few weeks went by and so had my seeds. They blossomed into beautiful dark pink and yellow flowers, with frills on the tops of the petals. They gave off a golden glimmer to them, that I couldn’t see yet. They had healing magic, embedded in them. I would find that out later. I sighed in happiness at them. Inhaling their scent which was sweet but not overpowering. Subtle in a way. Ever since meeting mother I wanted to connect with nature more so I would go outside and take breaks from working or studying. Reading a book, artwork.

Meanwhile, in her realm, Mother watched over me and the flora in my cottage garden. She sent me messages through them. I didn’t know it then, I had actually met the Mother Nature. A chance of a lifetime or was it meant to be? Did she call to me? Or did my intuition send me to her? I was a human blessed by her. I was happier for it. I hoped to see her again, one day. Perhaps I would.