The Dyrad's Story

~in the beginning~

For what felt like eternity she stood by these banks, tall and strong; holding strong before any wind or storm that came her way. She was not just a mere weeping willow, after all. She was a dryad, and she was in love.

Now this love was not just one of those simple loves or cases. No, not at all. This was a pure and time tested love. This love started one spring morning many, many moons ago.

He showed up in her part of the woods, playing his flute. He had been walking alone for hours, just softly playing to the woods. Victor was very youthful then, full of life and vibrant in his step as he waltzed through the woods like a little faun playing their lute to the Nymphs and Fayes of the forest. He seemed to be loved by the very woods he walked through as though it had just about took him in with open and welcoming arms to their private little sanctuary of the forest.

He would pause and sit along the banks of the babbling stream with its trout jumping along in their seasons to their new homes. He would play to the deer as they came up to drink from its cool, crisp waters.

Eventually, he would begin to play for the bear and her cubs as they started to appear to fish for the very trout he first played for.

This continued each day for what felt like eons to her. Soon, his song brought her more to life. Her branches slowly began to sway in time to the songs he played along the banks.

One day, he started to climb her branches to play high up off of the ground. She could feel herself smile as he did so. How wonderful it felt when he easily and carefully climbed up into her branches and then begin to play his songs once again. His songs flowed now from her branches, making her feel so free. She felt like she was now a part of his songs. She vowed her undying love to him on this day.

Many more moons passed along, and the lad grew taller.  

~among the moons~

As the days became weeks, and months even, Victor would come more and more, climbing her large limbs and resting in the nook of her branches to play his songs and sing out to the forest.

Months grew into many moons and soon, Victor became a young man. He stopped climbing her branches and returned to sitting under her shade along the banks of the stream. Only now, the stream had turned into a small river over the course of time.

She felt his hands press gently on her large trunk and it made her sway her branches gently as though a wind had passed through them in response.

Sometime after, she felt him carving something into her trunk. She focused carefully as he outlined a shape within the thick bark of her trunk.

'A heart, he carved a heart. Oh, he does love me...' the dryad thought happily to herself. She knew then, that she had to find a way to turn into a form he would recognize so that they could be together. No matter how long it would take, she would find a way to be with him. The song maker who had turned her into a feeling spirit of the trees.

Every day from then on, he would place his hand on the carved heart and sing. She would again, sway her branches in reply to him. Other than this, no words every passed their lips to the other. Well, she had no human lips to be heard and he was not of the creatures of the forest that could speak to them with the ease as such, but they still had a connection. She could feel it. She just knew it.

She waited for his return every day to feel his hand on their heart upon her bark. Until one day, he stopped coming by the water banks.

~the dryad’s decision~

She waited for what felt like forever. Many more moons passed by, and she began to think. 'What if I changed my form? But can it be done? Surely, I must be able to do so. I thought my kind was able to dance along with the Nymphs and the Fayes among the moonlight in the centuries past. I must do this. I have to find my Victor...'

She contemplated over these thoughts for weeks until a nymph passed by under her shade. 'You there, wood nymph. Surely you know how I may be able to change my form?' She whispered in its ear as it dozed off in her shade, her branches gently swaying in the light breeze.

The nymph just hummed back dreamily, "oh, surely you, dear dryad, remember the old ways, the old tongues. As you speak it clear as day now to me. You must know exactly how to change your form already. Now, stop playing such silly tricks upon me. I am tired from all of my frolics in the forest this day. Let me nap under your quiet shade, this once." She gave a quiet yawn as she spoke these words to her.

The dryad let out a heavy sigh, "but I do not remember, not at this time. Please, little nymph, remind me of our old ways. I need to remember so I may find my love once again. He has stopped coming, and I worry so."

The nymph just laid there and giggled. She opened her eyes and stared up through the willows long, flowy branches, "surely you don’t mean to say the young and handsome man by the mortal name of Victor, has stolen ones such heart?" She lets out an even heartier laugh now. "You do know he was turned into a vampire just the other year, do you not? This is why he has stopped coming by, my dear tree." She now whispered through the branches as she turned over to her belly. She looks up into the bark and sees a faded heart carving upon it.

The dryad gasped in her new found information from the nymph. "Well, now I must take human form now so that I may find him! By becoming a vampire, he is now immortal. Which means he loves me even more!" She says excitedly to the nymph.

"And how is that a proof that he loves you so much as that?" The wood nymph looks up at her, puzzled. "I do not seem to understand how this can be such proof for you?"

The dryad sends her branches waving more in the gentle breeze. "He choose an immortal life as a vampire. I, as a dryad have lived for just about forever. Therefore, he loves me so much." There seemed to be almost a soft giggle echoing from her branches as she sings this.

The wood nymph can't help but giggle with her, "I think you have gone simply mad in your internal youth, my dear friend. But if you wish it, then I shall do my best to help you remember the ways of how to transform back to your humanoid form."

~A little help from a friend~

The next day, the wood nymph returned just as she had promised. The dryad became excited when she heard her coming through the forest, her song filling the air as she danced around.

"You have kept your promise, dear wood nymph. This makes me happy."

"Call me Riona, please." The wood nymph whispers as she scoots down along the water to scoop up some to drink. She smiles as she places the cool water to her lips.

"Thank you, Riona. Then, I am called Charis." The dryad returned, her branches swaying in the gentle breeze of the morning. "Do you think that we will be able to turn me humanoid again by nightfall?" She whispers through her branches.

Riona giggles in a song like manner, "Do the ravens have feathers upon their backs?"

They both give a giggle at this question.

"Then shall we begin quickly? I can't wait any longer. I wish to hurry and find my Victor as soon as possible." Charis begins to babble in her anxious excitement now.

"Patience, dear Charis. Patience. Our forest cathedrals were never grown in one night, remember?" Riona sings as she skips her way up the bank of the stream.

~The Change~

Riona hums as she quickly and carefully sets to work. She picks up a bag she brought with her, pulling out stones to lay around Charis in a ring. Charis babbles more in her nervous excitement of being turned to humanoid.

"Easy, friend. It will not be much longer now." Riona hums along in her work. She sets the items within the circle she formed and looks around. She wanted to be sure all was in place.

Charis swayed her branches in response. "I'm sorry. I am just nervous. I wish to know what Victor will think when he finally seems me."

Riona smiles and begins the spell, singing in an old tongue over and over. She gets gradually louder as she continues on.

Suddenly, the wind blows quickly around them, flowing through Charis's branches. The magic flows through the breeze and then through Charis's veins as her branches slowly shrink and her trunk becomes a woman's body. She falls to the ground, naked, as the spell changed her.

Riona pauses after she completes the spell, looking down at her friend, holding her breath. She stands there waiting for anything, hoping her friend was not harmed during this dramatic transformation. Finally, Charis begins to stir.

Riona falls to the ground beside Charis. "Oh, thank goddess!" She whispers as she grabs her bag close and pulls a shawl from it. She wraps Charis with it, holding her friend’s now human form close to her.

Charis whispers, “Did, did it work, dear friend?” she holds her hand up towards Riona’s face in wonder.

Riona smiles and nods, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. “Yes, dear friend. It worked. You’re now human.” She pulled her close against her relieved she had done the spell right.

Charis hugs Riona tightly, “thank you!” she then makes to try and stand, stumbling in her efforts.

“Easy,” Riona catches her as she stumbles. “You have not tried out legs nor feet yet. We must go easy so you may learn.”

Charis holds Riona’s arm to steady herself, “I suppose you’re right, Riona. Let us learn the way of these new legs.” She shifts the shawl now falling off of her shoulder.

“Yes, we shall get you ready before we find your Victor.” Riona slides her arm around her waist so they may slowly walk along the paths of the woods. They spent the afternoon and evening practicing with her new legs.

~Getting Ready~

The next day, Riona returned with a pretty summer dress for Charis to wear, “You can’t possibly wear that old thing when you finally meet him like this.” She started as she helped her slip the dress over her slender human form.

“Oh, Riona, this is simply beautiful. But, do you think he will know it’s me when he sees me?” Charis begins to question.

Riona smiles softly and whispers in her ear, “If he truly loves you, he will recognize your heart. One always knows ones true love by their heart.”

Charis nods happily to this thought. “You’re right. If he loves me, he will know it’s me.” She makes to walk a little once the dress was situated on her form and attempts to twirl in it.

Riona watches ready to catch her in case but smiles proudly as how seamlessly Charis now moved. “It is like you were always human…” She whispers watching her.

Charis smooths out the skirt and looks at Riona, “Shall we be heading to look for him now?”

Riona nods and takes her hand, “Of course. Let us be going.” She slides her arm into Charis’s arm as they begin to stroll through the woods and to the village in search for Victor.

~Finding Victor~

Upon reaching the edge of the woods, they pause before the village. “It’s so big,” Charis whispers, suddenly nervous. “How shall we possibly find him?”

Riona gives Charis’s arm a slight squeeze, “By asking around.” She smiles knowingly and leads her to the first building.

A tavern named “The Drunkard Fool” with the “k” backwards on its sign. A bell jingles softly as they walk through the old, worn wooden door.

“What may I do you young lasses for at such a wee hour?” A voice calls from behind a doorway in the shadows.

They both turn to the voice, startled at first from the emptiness of the room and on how the voice seemed to carry through it. They give each other a look before Riona speaks, “We are seeking someone, kind sir. If you might be able to lead us in the right direction, we will not take any more of your time.”

The voice approaches quickly from the shadows, revealing an elderly man wiping his hands on an old cloth. Both looked as though they had seen much in their time. “Is that all, then?” He motions for them to sit as he heads to the bar to pick up a pitcher of lemonade to serve them each. “And just who might this lost soul be that ye seeks?” He questions with an almost knowing smirk to his lips as he pours them each a glassful.

“We are looking for my love-” Charis started.

Riona cut her off, placing a gentle hand on her arm. “His name is Victor and we have travelled far in search of him. We hope he was in this village.” Riona simply said. Being around humans made her nervous, but she also learnt not all could be trusted. And this elderly man’s smile made her more than a little nervous.

“Ah, Victor, is it now?” He took a glass of his own and downed it quickly, suddenly seeming not so old any more. Once he slammed his glass back down, he glared into Riona’s eyes and asked again, “And just what do you want with this Victor?”

Charis, not understanding what was going on, grabbed Riona’s hand, scared suddenly. She stared at the man.

Riona seemingly calm in the whole matter, stared the old man back in his eyes, “Like I said, sir, we are mere travelling women, looking for a lost soul.” She eyed the man carefully as she spoke her words. He must have known this Victor in his reaction to the name. But now, she wondered if there was more to it than what Charis was blinded to in her love.

The man grabbed for Riona’s arm as she quickly leaped up from her seat, taking Charis along with her. He yelled out as they moved quickly from his grasp. Riona looked around as she realized they were not alone with the man. There were at least three others closing in around them from the outer shadows of the room.

“You were asked a question,” one raspy voice snarled. A cowboy hat covering his face in the shadows.

“What is happening?” Charis asked worried now.

“Don’t worry, I shall get us out of this.” Riona mumbled, trying to reassure her. She pulled Chairs close behind her. The last thing she needed was a weeping willow to be murdered because of some stupid human. ‘Such vile creatures to walk the earth,’ she thought to herself. Well, maybe not all of them. But, in her experiences, not all could be trusted.

As the men lunged at them, a blur came through the room. Some creature moving swiftly darted around the room, lashing at their attackers. Keeping Charis against her, Riona watched, puzzled at who would possibly help them.

“Come,” she whispered to Charis as the others were distracted by their rescuer. She grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the fight and into the alley outside of the tavern.

~in the alley~

Once in the alley, Riona pulls Charis aside to hide in case they were followed. After making certain they were safe, she began to explain the ways of humans. “We are not always safe around them. You must be more careful in what you reveal to these things. Not all humans can be trusted.” She started.

“Nor can all wood nymphs be trusted either, I hear tell,” A charismatic voice behind them spoke softly as a finely dressed man stepped from the shadows to approach them. He adjusted his suit jacket and then looked up at them once again.

Riona studies him slowly before answering. “I suppose a thank you is in order?” as she noticed the blood stains on his shirt sleeve.

“While I will take that, I do suggest in the future to be more careful in your searching of people. Especially vampires, in this village,” he continued.

Charis stepped forward without thinking of anything else and asks, “Do you know of my Victor? Where might I find my love?”

Riona looks at him with her head tilted, ‘Where have I seen this one before?’ she thought silently. ‘I recognize this one from somewhere…’

He gave a slight smile to Charis as he glanced to Riona, almost to say, ‘Keep my secret.’ He addresses Charis with a lift to her hand upon his lips, “Miss-?” he starts and pauses, then looking at Charis questioning for her name.

“Charis,” Charis blushes as she watches his lips place gently to the back of her hand.

“Charmed to meet you. Now this lost soul of yours?” he begins to ask her softly.

“Victor, yes, please. I must find him. He has stopped visiting the forest some time ago…” Charis began then stopped suddenly, glancing at Riona.

Riona simply nods an okay to her to continue speaking with this stranger.

Charis looks at him and smiles sheepishly. “I came to find him. I turned to come be with him.”

“Turned?” intrigued by this knowledge, he holds his arm out to her. “Come, I might know where to find your Victor, if you would be so kind as to indulge me in your story while we walk?”

Charis happily takes his arm and slips hers around his to walk with him. She bubbly begins to explain all that had happened until that moment while he escorted her. Riona walks closely behind them to watch for any new attackers. She tried to remember where she met this gentleman before, running possible names over in her head.

~Finding Answers~

The kind gentleman led them to a large family home while Charis shared her story. He silently indulged in her every word, seeming to enjoy the story he was being told.

“Such a fascinating tale you have had. I certainly hope that you do find this Victor of yours after all your hard work looking for him.” He motions for both of them to take a seat at the elegantly laid dining table in the hall.

Charis eagerly sits down, “Why thank you. I do hope so too.”

Riona hesitates a brief moment as she glances around the room they were now in. ‘Where do I know this man from?’ she still puzzled over. Reluctantly, she joins her friend and sits at the table with them.

The gentleman waits until both women had seated and then walked over to the buffet, reaching up a chilled bottle of red wine to pour for them. “Wine, ladies? There is plenty of food here to enjoy, as I am sure you must be weary from such an adventure as you have described to me. Please, enjoy yourselves while in my home.”

Charis happily lifts her glass to him, “Thank you so much, sir. You are very kind.” She gives him a bright smile for his hospitality.

Riona give a slight nod with a pleasant smile to him. As she watched him pour the wine into her glass, she finally asks, “Tell me, sir, where might I have seen you around before?”

Without stopping in pouring her glass, he simply replied, “I have lived here a long time. Might be you have seen me in passing?”

She shook her head, “I am rarely in town, kind sir. Might I have seen you near the woods once before?” she gave a sincere glance as she then lifted her glass slowly to her lips to smell its aroma. “I suppose it really does not matter at this moment. I was simply wondering.”

He gave Riona a slight smirk as though he just knew she would not reveal too much on herself either. They could both be easier around each other knowing neither one will reveal more than was needed nor would they prod too much into the others affairs.

“Well played, my dear lady.” Was all he said as he replaced the wine bottle in its home. He then took his seat at the head of the table. He paused some minutes to allow them time to enjoy their food before he continued. “If my memory serves me correctly, miss Charis. The gentleman you are seeking. This, Victor. He has left the city. I have a feeling that he might not be returning anytime in the near future.”

“Why do you say this?” Charis asks confused and almost heartbroken. She had gone this far to hear this news on her beloved Victor?

His reply was matter of fact, “well, because dear Charis, I turned him myself. Then, he betrayed my family and I had him ridden from here before my charming brother murdered him. That is why I say it. So it might be wise for you to cease your searching for him. My brother is not too happy with your Victor. And quite frankly, if he found out that you even existed… well, my brother has a lack of self-control on practically any matter.” He paused to look at them both before picking up a small piece of food to taste himself. “it would be wise to return to your woods and remain there until the day your Victor might happen to return to you.”

Riona nodded her understanding in the matter at hand. She knew exactly who this gentleman was now. She wanted nothing more with him or his family. They would be wise to listen to his warnings. “Come Charis, let us look elsewhere.” She stood up from her seat and smiled at the old vampire. “We thank you for your time and your help earlier. We shall take our leave now.”

Charis, not understanding fully, wanted to stop them, “but.”

Riona gave her a gentle look and took her arm, “I shall explain on the way.” As she guided her out of the house.

The old vampire stood up and nodded, watching them both leave. He stood and listened as they left.

~what now~

“What are we doing?” Charis started whispering as they made their way to the door.

“Not now.” Riona whispered back. “when we are safe enough away from this place.” She led them out the door and back on the streets of the city. She kept Charis close as they moved quickly through the city and back to their precious woods. Back to where they would be safe. Grabbing Charis’s hand and practically running towards the end so they could be away faster. She wanted nothing more at this point to be away from that one vampire and his family. She remembered very clearly now who he was. The family well known in New Orleans. The very first vampire family. She knew better than to remain near them.

Once they were safe in their woods, Riona fell upon the soft mossy grass near the banks of the water and breathed heavily, “promise me.” She started.

“promise what? Are you alright?” Charis sat beside her friend, concern growing more over the events that had taken place.

“promise me,” Riona grabbed her arm and held it tightly. “you will never go back to the city again. Nor will you continue to look for Victor. If he is willing, he will return one day. But if that gentleman is correct in what he says. Which I have not a doubt in my mind he spoke nothing but the truth to us then. Victor may not survive should he return here.”

Shocked over what she was being asked, but no seeing the fear in Riona’s eyes, she sighed with a heavy heart, “if that is how it must be. I promise.”

Relief washing over her, she hugs her tightly, “I wish for our safety that is all. After what happened in town, I fear it even more now.” She whispered.

“the sun begins to set, let us make for nightfall and discuss it in the morning?” Charis suggests softly in their hug. ‘If I cannot look for Victor here, maybe I can search in other towns away from here. Surely away from here is safe…’ she thought to herself.

With a nod, Riona agrees and they curl up together as they have the last few evenings. Once Riona was fast asleep, Charis slips out from her friend’s arms to sneak away silently. “I am truly sorry, my friend,” she whispers as she walks away son silent feet. “but my hear must find my one love. I must know for sure… goodbye…” she fades out of view as though she became one with the woods.

The next morning, Riona woke to find Chairs gone and frantically spends days searching their woods and the risks the town for her. Never to find her again…

~the end~