The Goddess's Gift

“This is where I met them.” I told Lear, motioning at the clearing where the whistlebell plants grew in abundance.

“Right.” Lear nodded, flicking open his second set of eyes, and looking around the area. “Ah, good. That was easy.” he muttered, then raised his voice and said, “We’re not here to cause problems, but I have some questions that you might be able to answer!”

It was quiet for a few moments, and then a head popped out from behind a tree.

“Winna?” little Mira asked.

“Mira!” I smiled, glad it was a familiar face. “Do you play here a lot?” I really had hoped to talk with her or her mother again. They lived fairly close, and I wanted to know them better, since we were neighbors, of a kind.

“Yes. It’s close to our home.”

“I see.”

“He’s the one who we smelled on you last time, wasn't he?!” the little faun scampered fully out from behind the tree, coming to stand beside me.

“Yes, he was! He was pretending to be a kitty!” I giggled, kneeling to be face to face with her. “How are you and your family?”

“We're doing well!" she chirped.

“Good. I’m glad to hear it!” I smiled, then told her, "Mira, this is Lear.”

“Hello.” the little faun said shyly, barely peeping up at Lear.

My tall fey friend, er…boyfriend? Fiance? I should ask him what exactly I should call him. Anyways, Lear crouched beside me, smiling in a friendly manner and saying, “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too, sir!”

“You can just call me Lear.”

“Okay!” Mira smiled cutely.

“Are your parents around? Winna and I have a question or two they might be able to help us with.”

“They’re at home. I can get them, if you want!”

“If they’re not busy, and are willing to talk to us.”

“Okay! I’ll go tell them!” Mira smiled, then skipped off.

“She’s very cute.”

“She’s older than you.” Lear snorted.

“I didn’t think about that. But yeah, I guess she would be.”

“I’d say fifty or so, pretty young.”

“Goodness!” I frowned, “It…doesn’t bother you that I’m so young, doesn't it?”

“The different fey species all grow and mature at different paces. That said, we honor the traditions regarding coming of age for other races, including humans. That said, I wouldn't want to date an eighteen or twenty year old. That’s incredibly young. Not that thirty is old, for a human, but…it’d be like you dating an eighteen or twenty year old, you just wouldn't have much in common.”

“Yes, I wouldn't date someone that young either.”

After a few moments, Mira skipped back, “Mama and papa said they're coming!”

True to her word, her mother soon appeared, with another faun following just behind. I assumed it was her father. He was taller and broader in the shoulder than his wife, nor not quite as cute or pretty in the face, of course, and had a short, neat brown beard.

“I’m so sorry to bother you again!” I stood, grimacing apologetically. “We, uh…well…Something happened recently and-”

“Did it have to do with the enormous burst of magic that happened a day ago?” Pima asked, putting me out of my misery. Her tone was concerned, and her brow was creased.

“Yes.” I sighed, rubbing my forehead.

“Who is your friend?” Pima asked, looking a little cautiously at Lear.

“This is Lear. He’s the fey you smelled last time.” Lear stood as I motioned at him.

“We guessed as much.” Pima smiled, seeming to relax a little. “This is my husband, Tip.”

“It’s good to meet you.” I bowed a little, and Lear followed suit. “I’m Winna. I live not far away, in the cottage on the edge of the woods.”

“Pleased to meet you! My girls were right, you are courteous!” he chuckled in a deep voice, stroking his short beard. “How can we help you?”

“Well…my familiar, Diana, she had to release her magic to protect us all a day ago, and…I…” I faltered, feeling tears come to my eyes.

“Ah, that’s what it was, then.” Pima murmured, expression full of understanding. “What kind of familiar is Diana?”

“A-a cat. Sh-she’s…been with my family for a long, long time.” I murmured.

“I see. That is very sad, then, she’d be very much like a pet, I assume.”

“Yes.” I nodded, taking a deep breath and managing to banish the tears before they slid down my face.

“Winna has brothers, but beyond them, Diana is the final, most true connection she has to her parents.” Lear said quietly, reaching out to put a hand on my shoulder and squeezing it gently.

“Oh lass.” Tip sighed. “It’s awfully cold out, I think, why don’t you both come to the burrow? We can put some tea on and have a nice talk without Winna freezing!"

“We don't want to impose.” I shook my head.

“They wouldn't ask us to come if they didn’t mean it.” Lear told me, smiling a little.

“He’s right.” Pima grinned, coming forward and linking her arm through mine. “Come along, dear.”

The family of fawns led us a short way through the woods, to a large hill with a door in the side.

Tip ducked inside, saying, “Please come in.”

“Thank you.” Lear murmured, and I echoed him as we ducked inside behind the little family.

The burrow was lit with warm lanterns. It had a hard-packed, earthen floor, but was neat, and full of well-crafted furniture of a rich brown wood. There was a kitchen and dining room and living room area, with a hallway in the back that I imagined led to the bedrooms. A lovely fire crackled on the hearth, and it was altogether very cozy.

“Please have a seat.” Pima told us, and we did so.

“Your home reminds me of mine!” I smiled, looking around the little place.

“Why thank you, dear.” Pima beamed at me as she bustled around, putting a kettle on the hook over the fire. “I work very hard to keep it clean, but as you might imagine, these dirt floors make that a little difficult! And sometimes little critters do get in, too!”

“You need a cat.” I smiled.

“Yes, yes we do.” Pima looked pointedly at her husband.

“Oh fine!” he threw his hands up. “We’ll find a cat. And I’m working on a wooden floor, but plugging all the holes in the walls took a lot of time, dear.”

“I do appreciate your efforts, dear. I know it’s been a lot of work.” Pima smiled fondly at her husband.

“If you need help, I’m crafty enough. I’d be willing to trade my assistance for any help you can give us.”

“Well, I’ll take that trade, you’re very strong, I can see, but only if we’re actually able to help you at all.”

“Sure.” Lear nodded. “I appreciate that.”

“We’re honorable folk.” Tip said firmly.

My fey...well, I’d just call him my companion still, for now...My fey companion smiled, “I know. Winna is lucky to have such peaceful, honorable, kind neighbors.”

“Oh, stop it you! What a flirt, Winna!” Pima laughed, but I could tell she was joking.

“You’re not wrong.” I snorted, rolling my eyes. I knew his flirting, and that hadn’t been it. His flirting was outrageous and obvious. “But he’s right, I know this is only the second time we’ve met, but I’m pleased you’re my neighbors here.”

“You’re a good neighbor too, hon, never any trouble, and very respectful of the forest and us, now that you know we’re here.” Pima told me warmly. She turned to her daughter, who’d been sitting quietly at the table, listening to us. “Go play in your room, baby. You can come and say goodbye before they go, alright?”

“Yes mama.” Mira pouted, but obediently left the table, and scampered down the back hallway.

We chatted pleasantly for a little while until we had lovely, hot cups of tea sitting before us.

“Now, how can we help you?” Pima asked, taking a seat.

“It’s mostly information we’re after.” Lear told them. “Winna’s family was blessed by a goddess with their healing abilities a long time ago, but we don't know which goddess that was. That same goddess gave them Diana as a familiar.”

“I would like to try to figure out which goddess it was.” I murmured. “My own magic is fairly weak, and I’m only to do as much as I have been able to for everyone because Diana herself is so strong, but when she had to step in to save us, she used up most of her magic, and is now just surviving, really. She’s okay, but we can’t help people like we once did, and the village sort of counts on us.” I paused. “I haven’t really treated any fey folk other than Lear, but it means I won’t be able to help any fey folk much in the future, either. I’d like to be able to ask the goddess to heal Diana so I can continue to help people."

“Hm.” Tip frowned, “Well, I can’t say I know all that much about your family, but I’ve been aware of them since I moved here as a lad. They’ve long been healers, though, I know that much.”

“I came to these parts later, so I know even less.” Pima murmured.

“How long ago was it that you came here?” Lear asked Tip.

“Oh, about…three hundred years.” Tip said thoughtfully. "Your family still inhabited the big house back then, they didn't move to the groundskeepers' cottage until at least twenty years later, I think."

“Big house?” I blinked.

“Oh yes, I came right after they moved to the cottage, if I remember correctly.” Pima chimed in, sounding thoughtful.

“We lived in a big house? Like…a manor? Or just a bigger house?”

“A manor, yes.” Tip nodded, stroking his beard.

“Oh my…I never knew that.” I blinked. What in the world?!

Lear’s hand found mine, and he squeezed it gently. “Where was the manor?”

“It wasn’t too far from the cottage. It burned down though. That’s why the family moved to the cottage to begin with. They never did rebuild the big house, of course. I expect they’d come to the end of their money, and couldn't afford it.”

“That tracks.” Lear nodded.

“I believe they sold off land over the years whenever they were strapped for cash.” Pima told us. “And I heard eventually they started selling healing potions and salves in the village.”

“I still sell salves. Or…I hope to still do so, if we can ask the goddess to return or replace the bulk of Diana’s magic.”

“Of course.” Pima nodded.

“So, how do you know all of this?” I asked them, bemused but not displeased.

“We fey folk are terrible gossips!” Pima giggled, then sighed, “It helps us to know what the local humans are up to, in case it somehow spills over and affects us.”

“Oh, that’s fair.” I couldn't fault them for that. “We’re pretty finicky and temperamental, so that really doesn't surprise me.”

“You said the family was once wealthy. Did they have the power to go with it?” Lear wanted to know.

Tip nodded, “Yes, but it had begun to wane by the time I got here, from what I understand. There was also a large bout of illness that killed many humans in the area, including Winna’s ancestors. It was a nasty one that I believe was difficult to heal even with magic.”

“Those are very frightening.” I shivered, glad I’d not ever seen or experienced such an illness.

“Yes, they are.” Pima murmured.

“That epidemic really hurt the area as a whole, and it took a long time for it to begin to heal properly.” Tip sighed, shaking his head. “We felt sorry for the humans then.”

“I see.” Lear said, seeming thoughtful.

It was quiet for a few moments as we sipped our tea.

“That’s really all I know.” Tip told us.

“Me as well.” Pima smiled sadly, shrugging a little.

“What you were able to tell us is helpful. We knew nothing of any of that up until now.” Lear assured them. “If we can find some fey folk who know more details, like maybe someone who’s lived in the area longer, that’d be very helpful.”

“Hmm…” Tip frowned. “I think there’s a pretty old willow tree growing next to a stream that’s not far from where the old manor used to be, before it burned.”

“Oh yes! She’s very sweet! We don’t get out to see her very often, but she’d help you.” Pima told us excitedly.

“A hamadryad?” Lear asked.

“Yes.” Tip nodded.

“Can you show me where? I’m not super familiar with the area yet.”

“I have a map somewhere.” Tip nodded, going over to a writing desk and rifling through papers. He returned momentarily, and we moved our now mostly empty teacups so he could spread it out on the table. “This is the stream.” Tip pointed at a wiggling line. “And she’d be about there.” he tapped a spot.

“Oh, I know that area. Dad took me fishing there some as a kid. I think I even know the tree. A willow, right?”

“Yes.” Tip nodded.

“There was a willow we’d play under. I bet that’s the one you’re talking about.” I told them thoughtfully.

“She’s the only willow I know of on that stream, so I imagine that’s her.” Pima smiled.

“Well, thank you. You’ve more than earned my help with the floor.” Lear told them, grinning. “Let me know when you want to put it in, and I’ll set aside my day for it.”

“It’s much appreciated!” Tip nodded approvingly, “We’ll probably wait until it’s warmer.”

“Of course. Just send word and I’ll come.” Lear stood, “We should get going, I’d like to see if we can talk to the willow before it gets too late.”

“Right.” I nodded, standing as well.

“Mira, come say goodbye!” Pima called down the hallway.

Mira scampered out and over to me. “Can I hug you?”

“Of course!” I smiled, kneeling and holding my arms out for her.

The little faun giggled and threw her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. “Can we be friends?”

“Of course!” I couldn't keep from smiling. “Someday you all should come for tea at the house. That’d be fun! We’ll have a tea party!”

“Oh yes!” Mira giggled, pulling away.

“That would be lovely! Just let us know.” Pima told me warmly.

“Yes ma’am!” I nodded, standing. “Maybe while Lear and Tip are doing the floor, we’ll have a tea party! And leave some for them when they’re done, of course!”

“Sounds like a plan!” Pima laughed.

Lear reached out and took my hand. “We’ll get out of your hair now.”

“It was really nice having you. I don't think we’ve ever had a human here before.” Pima said as she walked with us to the door, Tip followed.

“I doubt many of us even knew you all lived here. Up until recently, I didn’t realize that any fey even really lived in the area.”

“We do like to keep to ourselves, when we can. Or those of us that prefer a quiet life do, anyways.” Tip told us. “But you two are welcome here anytime, and let us know if you need any more help. We’ll do what we can.”

“Thank you all very much!” I smiled, waving as we shrugged into our coats, and took our leave.

We stepped out into the cold once more, and I shivered slightly. Lear took the cloak he’d just put back on off, and draped it around me. “There. Better?”

“Yeah…promise you’re not cold?”

“I promise.” he nodded

“Tell me if that changes and you can have it back.”

“I’ll just pull you close. You know, body warmth and all that.” Lear grinned, taking my hand again.

“Oh hush.” I rolled my eyes at him as we started walking. “Um… ”

“Yes?’

“I was wondering…what should I call you? I mean, like, boyfriend, or…what?”

“You can call me whatever you want. Boyfriend is fine. Fiance is better, but I get it if you don’t want to yet. Maybe someday.”

“Are you sure?” I asked softly.

“I promise I’m sure. Boyfriend always seemed infantilizing to me, anyway. I know it was fast, and that alarmed you a little, but there’s nothing stopping us from having as long of an engagement as we want before any wedding.”

“Okay.” I smiled. Despite the sad, somewhat scary situation that I was in, my livelihood tenuous, unable to help people, and my oldest friend left considerably weakened after saving our lives, I still had these quiet moments of happiness that made life good.

Truly, the goddess had blessed me. My life wasn’t perfect, but it was good.