The Wind in the Willows

The snow and ice had long since melted and the ground was beginning to warm. The spirits that had made their homes along the banks of the Calic Lake had long grown restless. They had been watching the trees planted around the edges for the first signs of life. It was their favorite part of the transition from winter to spring.

Selina was the first to see the blue spark of life that resided in the willow to the east of the lake begin to burn brighter. She called to her three sisters who rushed to the base of the tree and sat to watch the flickering light run through the array of colors that came with new spring blooms. They had come to learn that each change in color was another part of the tree that was waking up after its long slumber.

Eileen left her sisters to run across the water, disturbing the surface and startling the wildlife that resided beneath, to check the other willows for signs they were waking up. As she neared the one on the opposite side she urged her sisters to check their own trees as hers also showed signs of waking.

The remaining two split from Selina and ran to the adjacent sides of the river to see for themselves. Sure enough, each tree showed signs of waking and each woman was transfixed on the changing colors.

As the colors changed the light surrounding all four women began to glow brighter as well. They were drawn into the change and new life being emitted, as they had every year since they were old enough to venture away from the safety of the home the willows provided each of them. When the light radiated an almost pastel pink Selina allowed herself to be fully absorbed into the tree.

Each of her sisters followed after her. Eileen when the color shone sea green. Ayden at the north most tree when red, orange glow of the sun reflected across her skin and in the center of the tree. The youngest, Lainey, was the last to enter her home when the light reflected her brilliant lilac color.

The branches rustled to life, swaying harder than they should have in the light breeze that made its way through the valley. The aching that had resided in the four women began to subside as they let themselves fall into a sleep that would allow the willows to pull on their stored energy and begin the new season fresh and unburdened by the need to pull more energy than they had all winter.

For months the women slept, allowing the energy they had absorbed and held onto in the winter sunlight to be dispersed throughout their homes.

The wilted branches became heavy with leaves that stretched and warmed in the sun. Small fuzzy buds began to form alongside the greenery and the ache had completely subsided from the lakeside.

Ayden was the first to wake this year. The branches trembled with her waking, and she basked in the rising sun that chased away the morning chill. Dew drops rained from her leaves and disturbed the surface of the water.

Over the next several days Selina, Eileen, and Lainey all woke with the rising sun. They remained dormant in their homes, enjoying the sun and light breezes that twisted their branches and sent their lose leaves flying. After a full cycle of the moon and the twenty-ninth sunrise since they all had awoken music floated up from beneath Selina’s branches.

She slipped out from her solitude and allowed the music to fill her senses. The creaking of the branches and shifting of the soft earth did not seem to bother the woman sitting in her shade. Selina could sense her sisters just beyond her branches, come to listen to the music.

People did not typically venture this far into the woods beyond their own dwellings, so not only was the woman with her soft tan skin and long black hair a rare site, but the music was even more of an oddity.

The woman held a small curved instrument in her hands and plucked the strings rhythmically, humming along with the tune she played.

The sisters took seats out of view and allowed the music to swirl in their branches and the wind to all the other creatures that inhabited the valley. Every plant and animal that was confined to the area gathered round to listen to the woman play and relish in the delight she took in her craft.

Slowly the music stopped and there was a small gasp that drew Selina’s attention. The woman was looking directly at her, all wide eyes and wonder. She set her instrument down in the thick grass and stood cautiously, tilting her head with curiosity.

“Hello.”

Selina scrambled backwards and the world went dark around her as she dove into the safety of her tree. Her home.

She looked down on the woman from her branches and felt her warm hand on the trunk as she searched for where Selina had gone.

“I’m not going to hurt you! I’m sorry I startled you! Please I just want to speak.” She was now looking all around the trunk and parting Selina’s wilting branches to search for the now missing woman.

Selina cursed herself for being seen. Humans, while wonderfully interesting were nothing but trouble for those they did not understand. Only one had ever had a relationship with the women and nature in this valley, but he had died many moons ago. The day he stopped coming the days became more dull until the memory of him began to fade.

This woman reminded the sisters of him in her peaceful nature and respect for the land around them when they interacted with it.

She returned the next day. This time she brought with her a wooden instrument with small holes that she blew into. The music floated again on the wind, but the sisters remained hidden from view.

For the next two full cycles of the moon she came every day with an instrument of some kind. Occasionally she would leave a cloth on the ground with trinkets or loaves of bread. Before she left each day she would speak into the wind after her music stopped.

She told stories that she said were passed down from her grandfather. He told of beautiful women who resided in the woods around a lake and in the trees. He spoke of their kindness and their love for music. She told the wind how she spent her life learning how to play and sing so one day she could come visit and meet those women who resided in the trees.

After some time she began to leave the long wooden instruments. She left one against each tree by the end of the third full cycle of the moon.

Ayden made up her mind that she would greet this woman. She told her sisters that the man she must be speaking about was their friend from years ago.

So when the woman arrived and settled under Selina's shade music began to float in the air around her before she could pluck a single string on her curved instrument. She looked around and the four sisters hesitantly stepped through Selina's branches, and Selina herself stepped out of the trunk.

They all sat at a safe distance from her and settled in the grass as she did every day.

Her face lit up and she refrained from speaking for fear it would drive the women away. So, instead she lifted her instrument and plucked the strings to join in their messy melody.

When the music died and silence sat between the group the woman finally spoke. “My name is Essie, my grandfather was Anders. He told me you existed and my parents insisted he was delusional. I knew he wasn't.” Tears pricked her eyes and her hands lifted to her mouth to stifle giddy laughter.

“I know you do not speak to humans, but I hope you'll accept my visits going forward. I just had to meet you. I had to know you were real.”

Ayden slowly crawled toward Essie and took her hands. She looked at her sisters and they all nodded, but wariness kept them at bay. Ayden motioned to the stringed instrument and her own instrument Essie had brought her.

They began to play together and lit the valley with music and Essies laughter.

The sisters watched through the years as Essie aged and an ache grew in their bodies and branches knowing that one day her visits would stop and they would again be alone.

They watched her belly swell and her trips become less frequent. There were multiple sunrises she did not show up and worry filled the women, but they could not venture far from the valley to check on their friend.

They continued to play music in her absence in hopes it would reach her and let her know they thought of her daily.

After fourteen sunrises the women were awoken by string music and loud unfamiliar laughter. Selina was the first to find Essie beneath her branches as the sun broke the horizon. In her lap lay a small human whose eyes filled with the same wonder Essie's had when she first saw the sisters.

Essie introduced the child as her son and told the women if they allowed she would raise her children knowing them in spirit and person. She would raise a generation that would continue to visit and commune long after she was gone.

The sisters sat in a circle around the two and welcomed the boy with open arms.

They watched generations of Essie's, of their old friend Anders’ grow and live their lives market by the cycles of the moon and the growth of the women as well.

Though each death dealt a blow, knowing their friends continued on in the spirits of their children brought peace in allowing their souls to rest.

Music was never absent from the valley and rode the wind to all that resided there.