Chapter 3

Her eyes gently fluttered open as a chill ran through her. She found herself laying on the cool forest floor. Slowly sitting up she looked around before the evenings events played over in her mind. She quickly rose to Yelp as her knees spiked in pain. The small bruises have worsened and her pants where not big enough to support the swelling. They suffocated them, pressing on a few spots spiking the pain. She wanted to cry but knew she couldn’t.

Her eyes fell on the dying embers, her heart dropped as she looked over at the man. His chest rose and fell which gave her some relief. Pushing through the pain she rose and walked over to the fire where, which little difficulty, got the flames going once more. The beautiful orange, yellow and read flames light lit the small area well as the sun was slowly coming up and over the horizon.

The forest animals scurried around looking for shelter for the night. Alaska was chasing a rabbit in her sleep and the bird began the morning chirp. The gentle dew from the cooler morning gave it a fresh smell though the pine trees where still strong. She smiled, happy to wake up here this morning. She took one last look at the stranger before she slowly left the clearing.

The pain in her knees made it difficult. She really didn’t know what to do other then head to the river and allow the cool water to bring down the swelling. She also had to find something she could use as a bowl and some special herbs that she knew grew in the forest. They would aid in the healing of his wounds. She just didn’t know how she would find them in her condition.

“Focus on the one task first.” She spoke to herself forcing the rest of her thoughts away. She had to bring the swelling in her knees down. She sighed as she helped her knee up and over a fallen log. She did with the next one before continuing down the path to the water.

The gently freeze brought the waters spray up, causing the river area to feel cooler. Gently shivering she wrapped her arms around herself. She had to be quick, she had to get back before the dew disappeared. This reminded her she needed to find a rock. With a sigh she knew she had to find that first. Her bare feet stepped over the smooth rocks once more as she found what she was looking for. It wasn’t perfect but it would do.

The grey smooth rock had a bit of an indent that she slid her fingers over. Though it wasn’t big it would gather some dew to pour on the bandages. She wanted to soften the wound and the dew was fresh water. It was clean and perfect for the job. Though it wouldn’t hold much she knew she would have to fill it many times. Looking at her knees she let out a breath. She had to be strong, no matter how much pain she was in she knew it was nothing compared to the man.

Her feet began to step back to him with the rock safely in her grasp. This man that had held her dreams all night. Even though they had just met, it was like they had met before. She felt so comfortable being beside him, though she also knew he couldn’t do anything to her in his condition. His long black hair, she remembered short, but how could she know someone like him when she is sure they never met.

She let a sigh escape her as she stopped. She did know anyone like that, she was falling for him and she couldn’t. She just couldn’t take the pain again. Her ex broke her, scared her if ever wanting to fall that hard again. A man that new everything she could remember about herself, she knew everything about him and felt safe. He was her home, her protector, and her love. He shattered all of that, he shattered it like it meant nothing. She was just a toy he spent time with. Tears began to fall down her cheeks once again as she crumbled to the ground. She had nothing, she was nothing, and now she was here helping a stranger and letting it all happen over again.

Alaska came rushing out of the bush and ran into her mommy. The women’s grasp on the rock fell as she quickly scooped up her puppy. The only thing in life that needed her and in truth the only thing she needed right now. This puppy, the reason she was still alive and she would make sure. The women heard about suicide and all it entails. She also knew the devastating effects it had on family but with no family it didn’t apply to her. However her ex didn’t want the puppy and in short was left with her, she knew she couldn’t leave it helpless. It looked to her as mom, and like a mother she could leave her. Alaska would always do her part and made sure when her mommy was crying her fluff was always resting on her moms chest.

“I love you Alaska. Don’t ever leave me.” The women cried into the fluff of her baby. Alaska barked happily as she got her nose under her moms face and began to lick. The women couldn’t suppress the giggles that came out causing Alaska to wiggle happily.

Her giggles drifted through the forest peacefully. The animals and plants all stopping to listen. To them it reminded them of there lost princess. Her giggles use to brighten up there day, even on the gloomiest of days. Her beauty and peace kept them all going, kept them enjoying there days. He even relished in the sound of her giggle. It gave him a glimmer of hope though he still felt like he shouldn’t. He shouldn’t have all this joy when the one he promised to protect perished. There was nothing he did, though there was nothing he could do. He searched for her.

His beautiful girl, her long wavy blond hair, olive green eyes, and the most perfect of ruby red lips. She was his and he made sure it the first day he spotted her. He remembers how he was so mesmerized by her beauty, like she had casted a spell on him. He had to have her, and though hard, he won her heart. He had her at his side everywhere he went. He would always have an arm around her or his fingers locked with her. He feared if he let her go she would disappear on him.

His heart broke as the memory led him back to the hospital. The nurses words piercing it with a knife. He moaned in pain at the memory. One he knew he should never forget. It was his fault. He took not only his eyes off her but also his hand. This was all his fault, the war between mermaids and fairies, the broken heart he has and most of all the reason she would never live out her dream to be a mom. He took all of that from her, and he couldn’t even share the blame.

He slowly started to move. He didn’t care his wounds would open up. He wanted them to, he wanted the pain. It was his salvation. The more pain he could be in the more he felt he could forgive himself. The pain she must have went through was nothing compared to what he has felt. He had to get back to the lab. They had to keep running there test, torcher him to use his gifts and whatever else they could do.

“Stop moving.” Her voice so gentle as her fingers gently fell on his shoulder. The pain disappeared, his inner turmoil going quiet as she touched him. He couldn’t not listen to her. He didn’t know why a women could have such effect on him. He thought maybe it was a spell, but if it was she would have healed his wounds instead of wrapping them. “I know it hurts but please don’t move. I’ll try and help.”

He couldn’t do anything as she fussed over him. It was like her touch froze him to spot. It was like his girl came back in his dreams. He relaxed knowing he was probably dead and instead of heaven he landed in purgatory. God had to of granted him a wish and that was to let his beautiful fairy come and tend to him. He would relish her touch for as long as god would grant him. He wanted to open his eyes, to look upon the beauty she was. He knew she would be so beautiful, she already was.

Panic sent in as he felt her fingers leave his shoulder. She had to find a plant in the forest, one that had pain soothing property. Her knees giving her much pain as she slowly rose. He began to try and reach for her but just couldn’t get his limbs to work. Alaska wiggled herself gently under his hand and happily barked.

“Oh gentle forest, you have helped me in my time of need. I am in need once more.” She gently spoke causing him to quiet as he listened to her speak. Her beautiful tones filled with pain and sorrow. She had such lively voice before. “I am in need of flower called Achillea Millefolium.”

The forest came to life at the women’s plead. Every creature was out searching for this plant she had asked. None of them wanted her tears to hit the ground. A bird found a beautiful forgotten bowl to which him and his mate flew back as a rabbit found the flower. A doe and her fawn found some more. She happily smiled as they brought it. The squirrels, chipmunks and chickadees helped her collect the dew and carefully place it into the bowl where with a rock, managed to make a paste. With the help of the creatures she managed to remove his bandages without to much worry. Those that where still open she quickly smeared the paste into, the ones that where infected she pulled out cream she had before she bound him up with the last of her medical supplies. She didn’t want to but would have to go into town to buy more.

The way the forest heard her call, the animals quickly running around. This woman had to be his girl, there was no one else that could control the animals like this. She had such a presence that was giving. She gave the forest so much and in return they gave back to her. Didn’t mater what forest or field or even ocean. She worked hard to help them all and they loved her like a queen. She was a queen, even to him. He would drop everything to do as she asked. She wanted something and he would have it to her.

“Now rest,” Her voice so gentle as she placed her hand on his cheek. A smile etched her lips as she saw how peaceful he looked. The paste helping. She made sure to store the rest carefully away, she didn’t know if she would need more but she didn’t want to waste it if she did. She sat down carefully with her back up against a tree. Carefully she pulled down her pants to struggle pulling them off. Alaska and a beaver jumped in to help. They grabbed the cuffs and pulled gently releasing her knees of there restrictions. Alaska raced a towel over to which she lay over her upper legs and tucked it under her bum. The guy was out but that didn’t mean she was the only one here.

Her knees where so swollen and painful. She didn’t know what to do other then just sit there. Not that she had much choice. She sat down, her adrenaline and energy she had pushed her pain away when she was helping the man, now she had nothing. Alaska barked at her as she jumped in her lap and snuggled. The women gently laughed as she placed a hand on her puppy. Closing her eyes she pushed the pain away as best she could as she basked in the morning sun Ray’s.

As she slept the forest came alive. The trees reached there branches out to her wagon and pulled out a few face cloths. The birds, two at a time, grabbed them and raced them over to the river. Two beavers waited for them. Collecting them carefully in there mouth the swam them down to the coldest part of the river and waited. As the cloths cooled to that temperature they would swim them back up and pass them over to the birds. The birds would fly them over to her knees where a raccoon took over carefully laying them down. For hours they monitored the coolness of the cloths and kept returning them when they got to warm. The swelling was coming down to there happiness. Her knees almost looked normal when she woke up mid day.

She smiled happily when she was able to move them with little pain. She kissed all there heads happily, even the beavers came around for her kiss. To the animals this was a blessing and in truth it was. When a fairy bestows a kiss you will be blessed with true love, and an ever growing family.

She slowly stood and began to look around trying to figure out what to do. She had to get food for them somehow. Her fire pit was left alone as the heat of the spring day was nice and warm. A small pile of kindle and wood reminding her of the help the animals gave her last night. She smiled happily knowing there would be enough wood for the evening. Finding some shorts she ventured out in search of some food. There had to plants growing all around she could make something for herself and him.

Alaska stayed rooted to the man her mommy was helping. He couldn’t understand what it was but he welcomed the comfort. He slowly managed to open his eyes to see nothing but fur. Alaska felt him chuckle as she jumped up and looked at him. Soon she kissed him happily before laying back down. He slowly moved his head around the camp but couldn’t see her. Allowing his head to rest back into position he closed his eyes. Just that little endeavor exhausted him. He wasn’t sure why.

Frustration hit her as she pulled out yet another rotten wild potato plant. This whole forest needed some help and no one was helping. She didn’t understand why, the beauty here is amassing, it wouldn’t need much. With a heavy sigh she stood up carefully and began to walk back to camp defeated. The sun was starting to set so she knew she would have to go with out food.

The grunting of a bear caused her to freeze. She dare not move though something told her it wouldn’t hurt her. The animals around here have been so kind to her. With a gentle sigh she looked behind her to indeed see a bear. He was weaving at her as he sat on his rump. She giggled at the sight but relaxed her stance and turned to him. Waving again she decided to walk closer. There at his feet where two baskets. She was amazed as she looked up at him. He motioned to take them. She smiled happily as she leaned down and opened them inside was multiple sandwiches and a barbecue chicken dinner, fruited and vegetable trays as well as a few apples. She smiled happily as she pulled out an apple and offered it to him. He seemed taken back but carefully took it and ran off. A smaller bare following close behind. She had to laugh. It was the real life Yogi Bear and Bobo. She collected the baskets happily and walked back to the camp, a little sparrow helping her.