“Gentle goes the wind, rustling in the reeds,I hear it, as I wake, as I sleep,
it reminds me of you, for at both times,
you are my only thoughts.
And I am hoping that the gentle wind,
as it rustles through the reeds and the leaves,
is carrying those thoughts to you.”
The voice fell away, returning the sounds of the pond back to the thoughtful croaks of the frogs and the buzzing of dragonflies. Swarm, clinging to the willow in what should have been her terrifying wasp form, sat unmoving, as if turned to stone.
The tactic had not yet worked and she was regretting ever returning to this pond.
“What do you think?” Inquired a voice and she turned her head slightly to look at the buck, with his dreamy half-lidded eyes and complete lack of terror. Was it because she had blessed his mother? This was one of her own and perhaps he felt that she was no danger to him.
But that didn’t mean she wanted to hear his poetry.
He seemed to take her silence as approval of some kind, nodding his head slowly. “Oh yes, yes, I agree. It is quite poignant. I think I will recite it every morning and evening, until I see her again.” He gave a sigh full of wistful longing. “Did I tell you about her? Oh how beautiful, such perfection I have ever seen. The curl of her horns and the way her pelt reminds of the light on water, sparkling, as the water reflects the colours of a setting sky. Simply magical.”
What had she blessed for that day? She remembered the little doe well enough, hiding in the reeds with her cheeky smile.
Patience, she’d offered. It was meant to help them be good hunters.
Instead she’d made this one an idle poet, patiently terrorizing the locals with his long-winded chatter. And the terrible part was, he kind of reminded her of Dapper Mantis and that was what made her stay and listen, as the time turned, and she learned everything there was to know about his thoughts and love life, until even he fell silent and the moon started to rise.
Finally she crept down the tree and shed her wasp form, standing as a mare.
He looked up at her smiling, delighted.
Such a strange fellow.
“May your children run down their quarry and be strong of mind and body,” she said flatly. There. That wasn’t as ambiguous and might fix some of the problems she’d made. Though there was something to be said for a buck who knew the art of devotion.
Then she left, hurrying away.
Lakeside Lover stared after her in utter delight.
He’d done it!
His mother had told him all about the legendary she had met, of the blessing, of how majestic she had been and he’d been hoping desperately to earn one too. All day he had spent, pouring his heart out and he had been rewarded.
Up on his hooves, Lakeside Lover tossed his head triumphantly to the skies.
“Light my love, I have done it! Our children shall pursue their dreams and follow their heart without flinching. No love shall be lost to them!” He couldn’t even imagine a greater blessing to bestow, oh how wise and gracious the wasp had been.