IN THE LAND OF FANTASIA – C 2011 JOJO

I posted this in the writers’ group by mistake, so I’m re-posting it here in case some of you don’t belong to the writer’s group and wouldn’t have been able to read it.

’m going to attempt something I’ve never done before – write a fantasy tale. I just wish these inspirations didn’t come to me at 2.00 a.m. though. I’ve never written in this genre before, and it seems to be as if it’s working out to be a fairy tale for children rather than fantasy. Frankly, it’s hard work because it doesn’t come naturally and easily to me, like writing autobiographically. I’d appreciate your honest opinion about it because I’m not sure it is worth proceedings with it. Thanks.

IN THE LAND OF FANTASIA

Delphistra, the wood nymph stepped out of her tiny wooden home inside a huge oak tree. Lazily, she stretched her tiny arms over her head and yawned.

From his little tree house up on the next big oak, Coalis, a pixie, watched her as he always did every morning, marvelling at her delicate but beautifully shaped face, with eyes as blue as the midnight sky on a moonlit night. Golden tresses tumbling down her back in a glorious disarray, looking like strands of the finest spun gold, each strand fluttering around her perfect face, like a single dandelion fluff blowing in the breeze. So tiny yet so perfectly formed. He was lost in loving contemplation of her, when he noticed she’d started looking around the ground, in the sun dappled woods.

Hurriedly, he darted into his tiny home and came out bearing a small basket. He’d sat up in the moonlight for hours the previous evening, weaving it from guapa leaves, just for her. He quickly climbed down agile as a little monkey and approached her.

”Good morgantide to you Delphistra,” he said shyly.

Startled she turned. ”Oh Coalis, it’s you. You scared me – for a moment I thought it was Bactris who’d come to torment me again.”

Coalis frowned. ”Has that brute been pestering you? You should’ve told me – I would’ve sorted him out.”

Delphistra laughed, a sound like a string of softly graduated tiny bells ringing. It never failed to enchant Coalis who felt it enter his ears and trickle gently down his spine, warming him heart and soul.

”Don’t worry about Bactris,” she said loftily. ”I can protect myself against him, and he knows it. After all, as you know, I have the rainbow ark, which is more powerful than he could ever be.”

”Yes well you have me too Delphistra – I would never allow him to harm you.”

Her mouth curved into a smile. ”I know,” she whispered softly and touched his hand gently.

Shyly he held out his basket. ”Here Delphistra, I went out this morning early and picked the florestras I know you enjoy eating.”

Her little face lit up, her mouth forming a little surprised ”o” – then smiling she took the basket and reaching over, planted a little kiss on his cheek, which caused him to blush right to the roots of his bright red curly hair. His brown eyes glistened with pleasure over the unexpected sweetness that welled up inside him at her caress.

”You are most kind,” she said looking with delight, at the bounty of his gift in the beautifully woven basket, ”Look they are so fresh, I do believe there’s still dew on them. Thank you.”

Coalis blushed again and stood awkwardly, fiddling with his feet, kicking the odd stick on the forest floor.

”Come and sit by my side, and we will enjoy them together,” she sat, perching her perfect little bottom on a rock.

Sidling over cautiously, Coalis sat next to her, making sure not to touch her, even though he ached to do so. Reaching into the basket she offered him the biggest florestra in the basket, then took one for herself. Slowly she bit into it, her eyes closed in raptures, as she savoured its delicate velvety texture and delicious taste. Coalis watched her chew it – the movement of her little jaws munching on his gift, and her evident enjoyment of the food, made his lack of sleep and getting up early to garner it for her, all worthwhile.

”I think I should tell you something I heard about Elvistra the other day.” Coalis said after a few moments had passed.

”Oh what has my evil cousin been up to now?” Delphistra said with a chuckle.

Caolis coughed awkwardly. ”Well Mauna told me that Evilstra has cast a spell on you.”

Throwing her head back, causing her golden hair to fly over and tap Coalis on his cheek, she tinkled with laughter.

”Oh don’t worry about Evilstra, her spells never work.”

Coalis touched his cheek to memorize what it felt like when her hair had caressed his face. He yearned to run his fingers through it, holding a handful of her golden tresses up to his face to sniff at its delicious scent, that was all her own.

”Maura said Evilstra has been taking lessons from Bugana, the witch.”

”Neither of them can touch me Coalis. I have the rainbow arch, remember? That protects me from everything… excepting … ” she paused.

Coalis felt a cold hand of fear grab his heart. ”Excepting … what?” he asked anxiously.

Delphistra pulled herself together. ”Oh nothing, really don’t worry … nothing at all.” Then to get him to forget what she’d just said, she jumped to her feet.

”Tell you what Coalis, I will put a spell on Evilstra! Not a really nasty one, just one she’ll hate.” She laughed again.

Dancing in a circle she began to chant:

”Delphistra, Delphistra, in the dell,
On Evilistra casts a spell.
Every time that you will bend,
Some hot air, you will expend.
Which will pop from your rear end

”There!” She turned and faced Coalis, hands uplifted, arms extended, her face radiant and as beautiful as early morning dawn. ”I did it! Now when Evilstra bends to pick florestras, she will break wind. Every … single …. time! And she’ll soon realize why too – Elvistra isn’t stupid. Oh this is just too much fun!! Maybe I should make her nose drip as well? What do you think Coalis?”

Coalis threw his head back and laughed. ”Oh you are naughty Delphistra, really wicked in fact.”

”I know, I know” Delphistra said clutching herself with glee. ”But that will teach her not to try to cast a spell on me now, won’t it?”