Luna

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds came out to dance across the blushing, dimly lit sky. With their evening arrival, the owl always came, too. Together, the two filled the endlessness that floated in on the breeze and rippled through the tall trees, echoing and whispering their secrets to the night. This evening was the eve the summer solstice, but it was no different; the owl had arrived and was perched on the same branch, beckoning Luna from the solitude of her bed just as he always did with an eerie cry.

The barn owl was magnificent, nearly all white except for the streaks of golden brown that marked his feathers. His loud screech reverberated through the night as Luna searched his eyes of amber hue, as if therein lay some powerful wisdom that would bring fulfilment to long held desires. As she leaned against the windowsill, the sheer curtain floated in the light breeze around her slender frame, accompanied by the moonlight to create a whimsical figure.

Intrigued as always by the owl’s arrival, Luna whispered the word ‘hello’. The owl responded by cocking his head completely sideways as if attempting to return her greeting. In response, Luna’s smile grew. The massive bird straightened and plumped his feathers, apparently pleased by her warm welcome. With a shriek of seeming joy, he spread his wings wide, boldly lifted from the branch, and flew off into the night. Luna followed his ascent against the backdrop of the moon until she lost sight of him. There was no denying that the owl was exceptional, both in appearance and intellect. Without fail, his nightly arrival always made Luna feel special, as if he was eager to visit her.

Luna retraced her steps on the hardwood flooring to her bed and then lay down upon its softness, quickly pulling the covers to her chin in an attempt to ward off the night's chill. It had been a strange day for she had not felt much like herself nor had she been able to complete her chores. It was unusual for her to leave dirty dishes on the table from a scarce eaten dinner, but she had done so, telling herself that she would clear them early the day. Beside the dishes lay handpicked flowers from the garden that she had not managed to place in the vase on the table’s center. Her strength had waned too quickly this day, and despite the desire to do much, Luna had instead sought the comfort of her bed much earlier than usual.

Luna tossed, struggling to find sleep while thoughts of her owl circled through her mind. The owl did not seem like just a nocturnal predator of the night. Instead, he gave ab impression much like a great mythical creature that Morpheus sent to her window each night to feed her hunger for companionship. Sighing, Luna hugged the pillow closer. Instinctively, she knew the owl had returned and watched from the branch outside the window, as if to guard while she slept. A soft smile upon her lips, contentment filled her as sleep finally invaded, and Luna dreamt a dream that arose from her heart’s innermost desires.

****

Luna was barefoot and walking through the forest while the brilliance of a full moon filled the sky and lit her path. It was as though her name had foretold of such a time. With each step, she could feel the coolness of the earth beneath, her toes sinking into the slender blades of grass. A vast array of colorful flowers spread as far as the eye could see, deep into the woods. As she walked, her fingers lightly trailed the tops of the foxgloves and ferns that grew. It was an amazing sight, a beautiful, magical world of enchantment, and Luna's heart swelled with a peace she’d long forgotten. She did not know where she was - perhaps in a dream of her own making – but still, she was well pleased to remain in the cradle of the dream’s welcoming hand. She had never felt more at home in the twenty-eight years she had lived.

She came upon a clearing in the quiet of the forest, the moon shimmering to reveal a multitude of freshly bloomed bleeding hearts and woodruff blossoms. She inhaled deeply of their fragrance and spun about in elation, her flimsy nightdress swirling about her in a celestial dance of pure visual delight. Eventually, growing a bit light-headed, she paused to catch her breath and became suddenly alert as instinct told her she was no longer alone. Looking about, she could see no one, but nonetheless, she knew someone watched her.

In silence, Luna stood for long minutes, the sound of her rapid heartbeat and heavy breathing the only things that filled her ears. Abruptly, an eerie sound, much like a cry, broke the silence of the moonlit night; a screeching echo, a foreshadowing of promises not yet fulfilled. Luna’s heart beat faster, as if in anticipation, at the sound.

The leaves behind her suddenly rustled, and Luna spun swiftly around to watch as a perfectly formed creature, a man, leapt from high in the trees to land only a mere few feet away from her. The man was tall and lean, although he gave an appearance of being massive at first glance. His coloring was fair, his hair was the shade of fine-spun gold with streaks of amber. His face was chiseled, composed of fine aquiline features and appealing to any observer. His eyes, a deeper amber gold in the night, watched her with an unabashed intensity and keen awareness. She shivered beneath his intense regard despite the warmth of the summer evening.

The quiet lingered betwixt them for endless moments as moonlight hovered all about, swirling and whispering echoes of greeting. Eventually, Luna managed a faint nod and the hint of a smile. “Hello,” she whispered, her voice sounding sweetly lyrical, even to her own ears, as it floated across the dew-filled evening air.

The man straightened to an even more impressive height with her greeting, pleased by both what he saw and the warmth in her welcome. He stepped closer still, the intensity of his gaze never faltering as he turned his head to the side as if to study her all the better. Oh, but he was a handsome man, a creature seemingly derived from golden beauty by the Gods of old.

He stood mere inches away, continuing his perusal of her much as one would a book. His lips curving into a handsome smile, he returned her greeting. “Hello, Luna.” His voice was as silky as finely woven fabric. “I have been awaiting your arrival.” He swept a long arm from his broad chest as if to welcome her to his forest.

Luna smiled and gave a small laugh. “You’ve been awaiting my arrival? How is that possible when even I did not know I would be coming to visit?”

The tall man smiled again, an ever glorious smile that only served to enlighten his already appealing visage. “My dear, time foretells all such things, and your arrival has long since been foretold. We have all been awaiting your arrival.”

Not giving her an opportunity to understand the words he spoke, he turned and began to move past her, lightly touching her hand to encourage her to follow. “Come, Luna, my child of the moon. It’s past time for you to meet Aurelia and all the many others. They, too, have been anxious for this event.”

Luna was mesmerized by this man’s appearance, his words, and even his lithe movements. As if hypnotized and without hesitation, she quickly followed, but struggled to keep up with the man’s steady gait as he moved stealthily and swiftly through the woods. It was nearly as though his feet did not touch ground, so precipitous were his movements. Unlike him, Luna felt slow and clumsy, her gait weakened by her effort to keep pace with the man’s long legs.

Despite the steady pace, questions surfaced and lingered. Where on earth was she and where was this man taking her? Here she was, blindly following someone she did not know to a place about which she knew absolutely nothing. Had she lost her mind? No, she seriously doubted she had. Instead, she felt drawn to this beautiful, godlike nymph of a man beyond reason and understanding, and she was willing to go wherever he might lead. The man had mentioned someone else though. What was the name? Aurelia? Who in heavens was Aurelia?

“Sir,” she called after him. The man paused only slightly, but cocked his head to peer back at her in question as he continued on his path.

“Yes, Luna?”

“Whom might Aurelia be?”

The man turned back and smiled back at her. “Aurelia is one with the forest and all of us. It will not be long now before you will meet her.” He gave a reassuring wink, as if promising there were more secrets yet to be divulged. “But Luna, come, we must hurry. They are all waiting.”

Of a sudden, she realized that he had called her Luna more than once. How on earth did this man know her name?

“Sir, might I impose upon you to ask another question?” Luna’s breath was labored in her efforts to keep up with his quick pace.

The man stopped, so abruptly that Luna nearly collided with his broad chest as he turned around to face her. He smiled broadly and cocked his head to the side again as he reached a hand to stead her, the deep pools of amber in his eyes keenly alert. “Yes?” he asked.

Luna rocked back on her heals, attempting to steady herself. My, but his smile was a handsome one. It was enough to make any lass unsteady on her feet. “Good sir, you know my name, but I fear I am at a disadvantage and do not know yours,” she managed, ever aware of his overwhelming regard.

“Indeed,” he said with a bit of humor lacing his deep voice. “I apologize. We have not been formally introduced. I am Strix, a creature that inhabits the darkness of the night.” His eyes pierced hers as he posed his next question. “But my dear, Luna, are you quite certain you do not know me?”

Surprised, and a bit confused by his words, Luna studied him closely, overcome by the intense amber gaze. Of a sudden, awareness filled her and she gasped. Oh, indeed! She did recognize this stunning creature of a man! Here and now, in the flesh of a man’s handsome body, stood her nocturnal visitor, the beautiful barn owl. “You?” she managed in a whisper, her voice laced with surprise at the realization of who he truly was.

The smile on Strix’s face grew, and with it, his chest broadened to its full breath and scope. He was obviously quite pleased by Luna’s recognition.

“Come, Luna, we have tarried too long. We must go,” he said, this time taking her small hand in his strong one and beginning to move again. It was obvious this forest was his home, and he knew exactly to where he was going even if she did not.

Luna could not wipe the smile that filled her face as she followed Strix, her magnificent barn owl. Amazed delight filled her until she thought she might burst. Her owl was here in the moonlight and embodied in the guise of a man. And such a beautiful specimen he was, too! It was nigh unbelievable. She had always known there was something quite different about the owl but little had she realized he was a mythological creature who lived in an enchanted forest. Nor had she ever dreamt a day would come when she would be introduced to his humanlike form or be able to converse with him in such a place.

The two reached a large clearing and Strix stopped, pulling Luna close beside him. The moonlight was bright, easily filling the clearing’s perimeter. “Do not be frightened,” he reassured Luna. She felt the strength in his embrace and thought it much like an oxymoron: strong and firm while also silky soft, both aspects providing overwhelming reassurance and comfort.

Strix made a sound much like the calls she’d heard each night as he’d perched on the branch outside her bedroom window. However, this time his cry was much softer. Within seconds, the leaves rustled and branches of shrubbery moved to reveal more than a dozen woodland creatures emerging from their cover. Leading them was the most illuminating, beautiful woman Luna had ever seen. She wore a gown that gleamed bright white in the moonlight. Her hair, also white in color, fell to her knees, creating the effect of a brilliant aura. Flowers filled the streaming strands of hair and atop her head, lay a wreath of colorful blooms. She moved with a delicacy born of woodland nymphs and fairies that flutter about the flower strewn English gardens. Transfixed, Luna could look at none other save this beautiful goddess of the woods. This must be Aurelia. Yes, she most certainly was one with the forest and creatures for she was utterly, thoroughly enchanting.

Aurelia smiled her welcome and walked toward Luna, stopping before her to press a kiss upon her cheek. A complete, undeniable sensation of joy moved through Luna with the act and warmed her as much as any sun-drenched afternoon in the garden.

“Hello, sweet child of the moon.” As she spoke, Aurelia placed a wreath of colorful flowers upon Luna’s head. “Welcome to our world,” she said and stepped back to survey the fruits of her handiwork. Luna’s face was glowing in the moonlight, her obvious joy in the moment radiating from within.

Luna felt like she was sleep walking in a lovely dream. “Thank you,” she said, managing to find her voice but feeling a bit awkward as she spoke. She had never met the queen of the forest before, after all. Here was such an unimaginable and exotic world that she needed to pinch herself to ensure it was all real. She had thought herself beyond surprise after finding out who Strix really was, but she could not have been more mistaken.

Aurelia smiled. “You are not dreaming, Luna, for we are all quite real. This is our home and now it is your home, too. Please, come and meet the rest of our family.”

Luna realized her thoughts were no longer merely her own thoughts and that here, in this enchanted fo9rest, everything was transparent. It did not frighten her, however, but instead seemed to provide a measure of comfort. She eagerly accepted the hand that Aurelia extended, and together they moved to meet the woodland friends that had gathered to fill the clearing.

Aurelia took her to a vibrantly colored creature who had the appearance of being light as a feather. “Meet Flutter, Luna. She is one of your garden’s butterflies. She speaks so fondly of your gentleness.” Aurelia continued, pointing at yet another petite creature comprised of muted colors. “This is Quodora. She is the little hummingbird that flits about your garden, drinking of all your flowers’ nectar.”

Wide eyed, Luna stared in wonder as Aurelia moved with ease about the clearing, introducing all those she had seen in other forms in her other world. There was Lepus, the little brown rabbit she had watched hop through the fields, famous for partaking of all the carrots in her garden. Nearby stood Equis, the black horse who loved to roam the meadows. He bowed his head in a bid for an affectionate pat from Luna. On the edge of the clearing was Luce, the grey wolf whom she'd often glimpsed and closely watched from a distance. He was as imposing in this form, but there was no such thing as fear in this wondrous place. Here was a world ripe with newly discovered pleasures, and there appeared to be nothing but love and accord amongst all things.

Much later in the evening, Luna helped herself to a cup of mulled wine and then wandered in search of Strix. She eventually found him lounging nonchalantly against a massive oak tree at the clearing’s edge, studying her much as he had done since first encountering her. Indeed, she wondered if he ever paused in his regard so intense and warm was his gaze.

An unfamiliar shyness encompassed and overcame Luna, but she smiled as she moved to stand beside her wonderful owl. In response, Strix cocked his head in that all too familiar way and returned her smile. Luna’s heart skipped a beat- it was nearly bursting, it was so full. She had so much she longed to say.

“Oh, Strix, I wish you had brought me here much sooner,” she eventually spoke, her nerves aflutter with something akin to exultation.

“My dearest, Luna, you were not yet ready,” Strix reached out and lightly lifted her chin with a long, lean finger, looking deeply into her eyes before he replied.

“You are most likely right, Strix, but I do believe I am ready now,” Luna said, looking up at him with an astute awareness and the sweetest smile he’d ever beheld upon her face.

Luna knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that the world she had left behind no longer held any sort of appeal. She could not leave this woodland fantasy and all those who inhabited it – not now. It would devastate her to return to her the world she had once inhabited. A fear suddenly filled her that this night would end and tomorrow she would find herself alone, back at the edge of brutal reality. No, she would not allow it. She would not leave this wonderful place for it was the personification of that for which she had always longed. A newfound peace and determination rose inside, sufficing her face with a luminous light.

Strix caressed her cheek with affection, noting the glow that emanated from the depths of her being. His golden eyes filled with undying love. “Yes, my sweet child of moonlight, I believe you are at long last ready,” he said, pulling her into the crook of his arm and shielding her with the span of his widespread pinions.

****

It was late the following day when Luna’s sister, Moira, headed to the cottage. Luna was a loner, especially since her husband’s passing two years past, but nonetheless, it concerned Moira when she didn’t hear from her sister for extended periods of time. Seeking reassurance, Moira hurried along to the cottage, hopeful Luna was well and simply enjoying her solitary life like usual.

Entering the stone cottage, Moira immediately saw an assortment of dishes and food spread across the table. This was very unlike Luna for it was evident she had not finished her meal nor had she tidied up. Moira also noted the dying flowers atop the table. Lightly Moira touched the flowers, aware they had been plucked from the garden only a day or so before. What was going on? The cottage looked forsaken. Worriedly, Moira climbed the narrow staircase, calling her sister’s name.

Upstairs, she found the bedroom door ajar and it groaned as she pushed it wide. She was surprised to find Luna still in bed. Was she ill? Fearing the worst, she hurried to the bed only to gasp, scarcely believing her eyes. Luna lay against the white linen sheets in the early evening twilight, a lingering smile upon her lifeless face.

Moira did not know how long she’d stood by the Luna’s bed before, from the open window, a loud shriek sounded and startled her. Tears streaming down her cheeks, Moira strode to the window to close it. Surprised, she found a large barn owl perched on the tall tree’s branch. He cocked his head sideways and peered inside with a look of inquisitive curiosity before straightening and suddenly releasing an eerie cry again, as if echoing the sorrow reflected on Moira’s face. Abruptly, the owl took flight, and Moira watched him, transfixed by the majestic beauty despite the sad situation. The owl flew high in the sky, creating a magnificent image against the fullness of the rising moon.

The moon, the beautiful full moon. Moira was sadly reminded that her mother had named her child for the moon. Luna. Moira hoped her sister had found peace and was now one with the moon’s everlasting illumination.

Moira leaned out the window and wiped her tears as she whispered a small prayer. “Fly away my beautiful, Luna. Fly far away with your owl, across the meadows and trees to a new place where I hope you will find eternal happiness.”

Moira lost sight of the owl. She sighed and gave a final glance at the moon before closing the window. Instinct told her the owl would not return now that Luna was gone. Moira wiped at her tears. It would not do to linger or to wish for things beyond her ken. She had to trust that Luna was now in a place that would bring her much deserved peace. Thus, with a surety of purpose, she began to do what must be done.

Author's Name: Cynthia D Calder