The Midnight Eulogy

Occasionally, my mind is given to running off on flights of fantasy. I give it voice by putting words to those flights of fantasy. This is one such flight of fantasy that I started off some time ago, but have never gotten around to continuing. I hope you enjoy it (forgive the formatting as this blog tool completely wrecks any formatting I might try to perform).

Act I, Scene I

Solstice

The forest silhouettes proudly in the luminescence of the moon as it coats the land in its silvery lustre. The leaves gently stir in the nocturnal breeze, rustling gracefully in sleepy demeanour. All is quiet save for an owl hidden somewhere in the canopy as the night-time melodies echo across the eerily lightened dark realms. Stars blink their presence in a sky unburdened by cloud. Vermillion jewelled entities studding the special vacuum.

Upon the forest floor, a gentle mist gracefully makes an entrance. It gathers slowly in momentum in the chill evening air, trapping the lunar light in its midst, creating a truly magical aura for it seems unaffected by the breeze. In ever increasing density, it chokes all pretence of vision or distance.

From within the shroud walks forth a delicate creature of such beauty and grace. Dressed in iridescent colours, her eyes dart this way and that, as if seeking out some unseen enemy or danger. Her bare feet appear to almost glide across the earth as she moves forward in what can only be described as a dance.

Once again, the unseen owl hoots casually. The startled, lithe female figure abruptly lifts a few feet into the air on the delicate, fragile wings that adorn her back. Settling gently back onto the grassy, dew-heavy carpet, a broad smile breaks out across a stunningly fair and beautiful face. She gently preens her long blonde hair as it settles about her shoulder like a silken scarf. Satisfied with her grooming, she kneels.

The air seems to hang momentarily as if in expectation of some approaching event. Then, as she parts her soft red lips, the forest fills with a haunting, hypnotic voice of unadulterated harmony and purity as she sings with such perfectly gay abandon. Her lullaby ascends to the heights, holding everything around in a complete stasis. Even the breeze halts in progress and the misty shroud begins to swirl around her body in ever increasing velocity. Her voice chases through the octaves causing the mist to shimmer and dance in a wild but controlled movement. As her song grows in volume and intensity, even the moon appears to skip and move with her rhythm.

In the fringes of the misty cloak, silhouettes appear one by one to surround the serenading figure like ghostly apparitions – seen but not identified. Gradually, her song diminishes, the mist once again begins to settle, the breeze resumes, the silhouettes become clear.

The wood nymph remains seated, encircled by the now visible and myriad creatures of the forest. She is the centre of attraction. Her beautiful face smiles warmly as she regards her audience all drawn to her radiance, her song.

Wood Nymph: Hello my friends.

She giggles with an impish quality, extending her hand to the captive audience. A pause hangs in the air, then a squirrel breaks ranks, runs to her and nestles itself against her hand. Suddenly a rabbit breaks ranks and does likewise, closely followed by several of its species. Then a mouse, a badger, a fox, a snake. All the creatures of the forest rush to surround her, as if vying to gain her favour. Animals all, many of them natural enemies, all of which is forgotten in the presence of this beguiling vision. Once again her impish laughter of joy fills the air as the animals eagerly gather around her, nuzzling up close.

Wood Nymph: How are we all tonight ?

Voice: We are entranced it would seem

Startled, she runs a few yards before turning to face the direction of the voice. The animals instantly scurry away into the shadows, away from the voice. A puzzled look crosses her face. She can see nothing.

Voice: With all your enchantments, I would have thought you might do better than that my beauty.

Peering upward, she espies a shadowy figure sat atop the bough of the tree. Nervously, she backs away further. A deep giggle emanates from the shadowy figure.

Voice: Do not fear my beautiful nymph. I will cause thee no harm.

Wood Nymph: Who are you sir, if I may be so bold
That startles me so from atop the bough ?
Pray tell how long you have sat there watching me ?
Hidden away in the treetop canopy ?
Dare I ask what you want ?

Should I be wary of your attentions ?

Will you reveal yourself so that I may see ?
Who it is that so startled me ?

A chuckle spills forth from the darkened bough, the leaves rustle loudly with every movement.

Voice: If I should come forth, please do not be alarmed
For I am not what you expect in this darkened realm
Despite anything else that you might have heard
I would not cause thee harm
Though you will have been warned against those such as I
I would bear you none ill for they are nought but lies

Wood Nymph: Please emerge mysterious Sir
I give you my word
Not a scream shall I utter
Nor a call for help
For my friends of the forest are here close at hand
They will watch over me in this twilight land

The branches of the tree heave violently under the strain of movement from the figure. A few muffled grunts are heard amidst the rustling leaves, then a shadow drops down into the luminescence. The Wood Nymph gasps in recognition of the tall but slender figure. Attired in tight-fitting green clothes of the forest, the pointedly handsome face is enshrouded by long dark hair. His accentuated eyebrows compliment his piercing light eyes that reflect the moonlight. Pointed ears peep out from his dark thatch revealing him to be the very creature she fears.

Wood Nymph: Y-You’re an Elf !!

A broad grin breaks out across the Elf’s face, revealing perfect, pearly white teeth.

Elf: Yes pretty Princess. I am an Elf

With a faultless lithe movement, his body arches into an exaggerated bow, revealing his longbow and a quiver of arrows strapped to his back. His eyes scan the forest edges, the creatures in the shadows merge out of sight into the darkness. The Wood Nymph, evidently frightened of the figure before her, straightens her stance and feigns boldness.

Wood Nymph: Well Sir, to whom do I speak ?
Why is it that my consort you seek ?

Elf: My name is Lacia
I am from the Vacacia Grove
I was on the hunt when I heard your call
Enchanted I was drawn to this wooded glade

To see the creature with such a wondrous voice
I could not resist

Though I knew you are taboo
For I seldom get to witness such creatures as you

Wood Nymph: Well Lacia
You have me at a loss
For I know not how you know who I am

I have been forewarned of those of your kind
No better than the humans who raze our land

You kill my friends for food

You are said to be bad

Wandering the darkness of the forests

How come you to be in our realm ?

Elf: Princess, I do know not who you are

Save for a creature of beauty with a wondrous voice
I wonder why your kind consider us bad

As the human race
Whom we avoid just as you do

We’ve no wish for their contact

All we do is kill to survive
Even we must eat to stay alive

Wood Nymph: But you call me Princess

So you know who I am
The daughter of Calisto

The King of this land

I have been told that you consort

With humankind

Our people have seen this

Witnesses who are certainly not blind

The Elf dons a surprised look, then laughs.

Elf: Then I truly am in the presence of a Princess
Though this I did not know
I just used to term of endearment

For one so fair
Please forgive my intrusion
You have my assurance that I will do you no harm

The word of an Elf is his solid bond

Wood Nymph: I believe you Lacia

Though it puzzles me why

That you would not harm me

Despite all I have been told

But now you must excuse me

The sun will soon rise
I am expected back before the night ends

Elf: Very well Princess
I will honour your wish
But pray tell me your name
Before you leave me for home

Wood Nymph: I am Acacia

Elf: Well Acacia, you are one of a kind

A beautiful young Wood Nymph

A creature divine

I bid thee farewell

Safe journey home
Hope one day I will see you

Again in the night.

Acacia nervously acknowledges the Elf, then slips lithely into the shadows and is gone. Leaving Lacia alone with his thoughts. Absently he rubs his chin.

Elf: Yes sweet Princess

I will see you again.

End of scene.

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