The young girl twisted and turned, one way then another. She turned on her side, flopped on her back, tried curling into a ball, but the grass and ferns of the forest floor could not offer her the same comfort it did her horse and dog. She had little choice, dozing off from sheer exhaustion. The wizard had made it very clear, time was running out, and she had to bring back the elixir from the bottom of the ocean in forty-eight hours.
She jumped on to Philippa, her grey mare with the brown star on its forehead, in a trice. As they galloped away, Alexandre her faithful St Bernard galloped not far behind. They were on their way to the Ocean. They plunged ahead galloping, interspersed with walks, never daring to break their rhythm or pause. Hours later, the sun dropped in the horizon while they found themselves in the midst of a forest and were enveloped in inky darkness. Forced to pause, she knew it was better to take a break, they all needed the rest.
Settling down her companions she said, “Sleep well friends, tomorrow is going to be a long day!”
The strange sound reached through the fog of her tired sleep. A high pitched, flute. Ethereal, pleasing and captivating. She sensed rather than saw a presence. Something or someone was going all around her. Was she dreaming? She pinched herself hard. “Ouch, ouch, ouch!” she jumped up with a start.
“Who are you?” she cried.
“Rosemary! The Forest nymph!”
“What do you want? I am not harming anyone!”
“Why are you here? Who gave you permission to step into my forest? Where are you going?” she asked ignoring Joan’s outburst. The soft piping voice did mask the annoyance, but not completely. She did not take kindly to intruders.
Joan sized up the situation and narrated her predicament. Her beloved Grandfather had suddenly fallen ill, and the wizard had sent for the elixir at the bottom of the ocean. “I promise to leave as soon as its daybreak,” she pleaded.
“Hmmmm, you are speaking the truth I can tell, not going to wage a war for sure. OK I will show you the shortest path through my forest at daybreak. Get as much rest as you can.”
It seemed like the next moment, when Philippa and Alexandre came nudging her, washing her face with big wet licks. After a quick repast, the trio was set to begin their daunting journey. Vaguely she recalled the midnight conversation. And there she stood… the wood nymph… a picture of flawless beauty, the most beguiling smile, and the kindest blue- green eyes gazed at her. “Come, follow me,” Rosemary softly whispered.
The nymph flew ahead. The trio followed close on her heels. The wind was curious to see the strange trio and came closer to take a peek, whipping their hair, mane, and fur. Sweat was already beading on Joan’s forehead and upper lip, but they had no time to notice such things. The tall emerald foliage parted reverentially to let them pass. The multi coloured leaves piled on the floor, muffled the powerful staccato of the hoofbeats.
Suddenly the wind lifted. It blew stronger. It was now roaring.
Then she saw it, the vast expanse of a delightful turquoise blue. It could have easily been mistaken for a gigantic glass. The surface was mysteriously still. No crashing of waves, no signs of whipping whites.
“C’mon guys, we are there!” saying she charged towards it wondering how she would get to the bottom.
Rosemary had melted into her forest after a cheery wave of her hand.
As she reached the shore, which lay unperturbed, she jumped off her mare. Patting Alexandre, she stepped to the edge of the water. The icy cold water sent shivers up her spine. The tranquility seemed unreal. The beauty of the water was surreal. Suddenly she noticed Phillipa pawing the sand and Alexandre growling deep in his throat. Turning to check what irked her mates, she missed the thunderous parting of the waters and a spectacular being emerged, glistening in the sunlight, green and icy stared its eyes. It parted its black beak and snaked out its fiery tongue with the most bizarre, cackling cry. It would rend the hearts of all and sundry.
She was struck motionless, watching the gargantuan creature, part monstrous, part spectacular, yet definitely dangerous.
It swooped down and aimed to pluck Philippa… A tasty morsel no doubt!
That galvanized her! How dare the monster think so! Out came her Sword, no less than Excalibur!
For long they clanged! Her swift sharp-edged sword, against the horrendous saw edged, beak and sharp, dagger like talons! The terrible screeches, rent the sky. Incessant barking and neighing punctuated the merciless cacophony! Sweat poured down Joan’s head and nape. The rushing, the leaping, the stepping aside, like some choreographed dance of an ancient tribe went on and on. She screamed with all her might, mustering up every ounce of her energy. “ You cant stop me, Monster! I am going to take the elixir for Grandfather!”
For a moment the Sea monster paused to get a better look at her opponent. That was all that Joan needed as she plunged her sword into the beast’s heart right up to its hilt. Thick, clammy blood oozed out as a fountain, spurting into the sky, and then splashing into the ocean, darkening the pristine waters as it swirled in a frenzy. White capped breakers thrashed against the shore as the grisly creature lay in the throes of Death!
Splattered in blood, some hers, some the monster’s, Joan wasted no time but plunged into the waters. Miraculously the water parted. Her purity, her selflessness of purpose, paved her path. The gruesome battle had lasted all day. The golden orb, turned crimson, before it plunged into the ocean to rest its weary limbs. A silvery moon hung low in the horizon. It seemed reluctant to witness such a bloodied battle, that had concluded.
Leaping on to Philippa, she dug in her spurs and off they galloped like the wind…. The path kept unfolding and soon they reached a huge rock. There lay the largest clam shells she had ever known. Alexandre barked incessantly and tried to pry open one. “Leave it!” she yelled. But he wouldn’t leave it alone. She was forced to dismount and grab the gigantic clam. At her mere touch it flew open and there lay a shiny liquid, flecked with silver and gold. The moon wake reached down to inspect.
The Moon Goddess Selene, emerged in her flowing silvery robes, her Silver crown sparkling. “Joan you your courage and dedication will be remembered for eons to come! A selfless and loving soul shall always receive my blessings!”
Rosemary watched from behind the green sentinels as a horse, a dog and a blood-spattered girl beamed up in the ethereal moon wake. She was clutching a gigantic clamshell, close to her heart!
