Not sure when the cabin he lived in was built, he improved it. He added solar power, and a generator for emergencies. Alex learned to always expect the unexpected and could survive for months up here in the mountains. His cousins named him a modern day mountain man. Alex chuckled. It fit. He felt at home high in the mountains, surrounded by trees, his constant companions.
He always felt uncomfortable in the privileged background he grew up in. Perhaps the gulf between his parent’s worlds kept him on edge. Their separation more than likely his grandmother’s doing, than theirs. His grandmother was nothing if not socially conscious. Alex didn’t think his father would like it either, though he sported an unconsciously regal demeanor.
At his cabin, he’d check to see if Levi stopped in or not.
Approaching his cabin, Alex didn’t see any storm damage, as he expected. The cabin standing sturdy for well over a hundred years in the same spot. Entering, Alex checked for evidence of Levi. Nothing. The broken message worried him, but Alex knew Levi could survive up here as well as he could. Levi was always traipsing off into the mountains and jungles of different countries. Alex sighed knowing he faced a good day’s hike. He needed to let the station know he would be responding to a distress call.
Gathering together additional food, spare clothing and plenty of first aid supplies, Levi packed away what he thought he’d need. With the weather unpredictable, he made sure he carried his all-weather tent. If Levi was injured they might need shelter. If a late snowfall hit, it would be invaluable.
“Alex to base.”
“What’s up Alex?”
“I received a distress call and am heading out to check on it. I will unavailable for a couple of days as the location is a good day’s hike away.”
“Roger that.” Static flowed across the radio waves. “What coordinates are you heading to?” Alex gave them an approximate location. “Got it. We’ll contact you if we need you for anything. Let us know if we need to send out a rescue team.”
“Will do. There is an open meadow if helicopter assistance is needed. Alex out.”
“Good. Keep me informed. Base out.”
Alex zipped up his backpack adding the tent to the bottom. Swinging it around and on, he headed out. Stretching his shoulders and back at the added weight, he shifted until it settled comfortable. Hopefully Levi’s call was not an emergency. Alex didn’t want strangers landing in the glen if he could help it. The thought of a helicopter in the untouched beauty of the glen just didn’t sit right with him.
He kept a steady pace. The way to the glen was not on any trail, not even evidence of a trail. Alex made sure to always come a different way, wanting no one to find it. He instinctively needed to protect it. A need that cried out from the depth of his soul, an integral reason he became a ranger, to help protect the earth.
The sun shone overhead, a marked contrast to the storm of a couple of days ago. The air was warming up, the ground beginning to dry. Alex could hear the birds tweeting back and forth, sharing news. Striding deeper into the family’s land, heading down towards the unexpected jewel hidden in the hills, he could feel himself relax.
The rhythm of his stride never faltered. Alex felt part of this land. He didn’t understand his grandmother’s stance on this place. The thought of it being sold and developed tore at his soul. Alex knew he would fight her. He was hoping Levi would be able to convince the family this was worth protecting. Alex discovered a way to save the land, but hoped he wouldn’t have to put it in motion. The plan would save it, but also open the land up to the public, even if only in a limited way. His skin crawled, thinking of it. Afraid the land would lose the essence of what made it special.
Alex knew mention of an endangered species would halt any type of development. Whether or not it would stop sale of the property he didn’t know. It would bring the government and environmentalists in, a situation he preferred to avoid. In their eagerness to save one species, they often disregarded others to their detriment. Alex wanted it all preserved, just the way it was. To him, every leaf, tree, and animal was worth saving, his soul demanded it.
Alex could see the effects of the storm as he got closer to the river running down the mountain. The older, weaker trees sported downed limbs, cracked where the wind ripped them away. The breeze making its way through the branches above seemed to whisper an apology at their cries.
Alex slowed, looking around. His breath caught in his throat. The damage horrific. Trees ripped up and torn out. Many others damaged, missing limbs, leaves and scorched in places. Mother Nature released a hell of a tantrum. The river muddy, rushing away debris swirling in it from higher up the mountain. It looked like a tornado had ripped through this area. His breath rushed out. He’d never seen this much damage from a storm before. His heart ached with each beat, matching the rhythm of weeping wrapping around him.
Alex stopped, appalled at the sight, saddened at the cruel hand of Gaia. Head bowed, aching along with the trees, Alex swore he heard his name cried. Looking up, a grand old oak cantered over on its side, half of its roots ripped from the ground, held up by a cracked and damaged willow tree.
Again, he heard his name and the eerie weeping lodged inside of him, tugging at his heart. Alex took a step forward, not knowing why, but needing to answer the call. He moved toward the tree and a man stepped toward him materializing from the trunk. Injured and dazed he reached toward Alex. Alex looked at him and gasped. Stepping forward, he gently pulled him in his arms, careful not to injure the man further.
“Father.”
“Alexander.” His name came out on a sigh from his father’s lips. “I need your help.”
“Here. Rest here and let me set up my tent.” Alex helped his father sit, letting him rest against the oak. He could see him change as he touched the tree, his skin changing to match the trunk. Alex pulled off his backpack and quickly set up his tent and sleeping bag.
“Alexander, you have to help Willow.” His father’s voice weak, thready.
“Father, let me help you first, then I will help the willow.” His father bowed his head, pain in his features and nodded. Alex could still hear the weeping echo through the trees, a sound of unutterable sadness. “Come, please. Lay down.”
“Alexander, I need to stay with my tree. If I have any hope of surviving, I have to stay with my tree.” A whisper from the man whose voice always boomed out whenever he spoke.
“I don’t understand.” Dazed, Alex sat next to him. How could this be real? “What are you? Why…how did you do that?”
“Alexander.” He smiled, pain apparent in the tightness of his lips. “I am a dryfaun. I didn’t mean for you to find out this way. It’s why your mother always came here. I am the spirit of the oak tree.” He took a deep breath. “I need to get back in my tree. Help it heal. I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back.” He bowed his head. “Tell your mother.” His labored breathing loud in the clearing, only overpowered by the weeping echoing through the forest.
Alex stared at his father. Disbelief warred with bewilderment. “Father.” Alex shook his head. “What happened?” His mind whirled. Totally unbelievable, yet the evidence lay in front of him.
“This land is threatened by your family.” Peter’s chest rose shallowly. “Gaia blames me, in part at least. When I seduced Sarah, your mother, she told your grandmother. She brought your grandmother here when she didn’t believe her.” He sighed. “Sarah refused to take the husband your grandmother found who was willing to marry her.” He coughed. “In what she called Sarah’s disgraced position. Once you were born Sarah refused to give you up. Your grandfather backed her up. It was not unusual in your family to have the occasional offshoot of a nymph or dryfaun.” He smiled. “She came as often as she was able to despite your grandmother’s wishes. When she became pregnant again your grandmother threatened to sell. But it’s not her choice. It’s not her land.” Alex could see his father fading more into the oak. “Your family promised to always guard us. Tell Sarah what happened,
tell her I love her. First, help Willow, Alex. She needs you.”
“Father, don’t go.” Alex watched as Peter faded into the oak tree, a sad smile on his face.
“Help Willow, Alex.” The words whispered through the branches of the oak, a mournful sound mixing with the continued weeping. Alex clenched his jaw, his face tight. Swallowing, he leaned and rested his forehead and hand against the oak.
“Goodbye Father.” His throat tight as he swallowed. “I hope to see you again.”
Alex knew the trees were alive, but he never imagined it in such a way. Living beings inside the trees. Alex never thought the tales were true. But he couldn’t doubt his own eyes. Now he knew why his father could never live with them. He could only hope he would see him again. It answered so many questions. Why he could understand the whispers of the land around him.
Alex raised his head. Ignoring the pain in his heart, he would honor his father’s request. He wanted him to help the willow. Looking at the oak, still living but damaged, he followed its path. Alex noted the oak was only upright because of a willow tree holding it up. A young tree, Alex watched the willow grow over the years, not realizing the oak nearby housed his father. The willow wasn’t native, swept downstream it lodged against the bank. As it grew, it thrived. Alex spent time beneath its leaves, relaxing and fishing. He enjoyed the cool shade as the sapling grew and spread.
Patting the oak a last time, Alex headed to the willow tree. He sighed, the weeping willow tree. Slowing, he examined it. One of the branches from the oak landed on it, splitting the trunk of the young tree. Alex doubted it would survive. Alex approached, shocked to see a young woman raise her head, tears running down her cheeks.
“Alexander.” The weeping stopped momentarily.
“Willow?” Alex swallowed. It couldn’t be. But the image of his father stepping from a tree burned in his heart. How could he doubt she did the same?
Willow threw herself in his arms once again weeping. He tightened his arms around her, pulling her in to comfort her. Beautiful, her blonde and auburn locks flowing down her back. Much like the flowers flowing down her branches in spring. Her skin was smooth and slick as her branches, eyes the color of her leaves, but red rimmed and filled with tears. Alex did not doubt she was the spirit of the dying tree. This was the Willow his father wanted him to help, not the tree.
“What am I going to do?”
His shoulder was damp from her tears.
“Willow.” Alex scooped her up, cradling her in his arms. “Let’s see what the damage is.”
“It’s bad.” Willow gazed at him, face wet from her tears. Her voice was husky, raspy from her crying. “I’m going to die.” She put her arms around his neck looking for comfort. Tears still ran down her face. “I don’t want to die.”
Alex awkwardly hugged her and walked around the tree, examining it. Her slight weight easily carried in his arms. “Maybe we can save it.”
Willow brightened. “Do you think so?”
“Well, part of it. I can try.” Willow squeezed his neck hugging him to her.
“Please, Alexander. Try to save my tree.” Willow’s eyes took on a cautious gleam of hope, her tears stopping. “Please.” She begged him.
The sound of Willow’s voice filled Alex with determination. Thinking of his father’s plea to help Willow, cemented it. He would find a way to save Willow’s tree. His father thought he could help her. Alex was determined to do so. When he set his mind to it he always succeeded.
“Let me put you down so I can check out your tree.” Alex felt her arms tighten around his neck before they loosened.
“Okay.” Willow looked at him, determination in her eyes. “I want to help.”
“That’s fine, Willow. But I need to see what needs to be done and I can’t do it with you in my arms.” Alex carried Willow back to where he set his tent up. “I’m going to put you down here. Sit and let me check out your tree.” Alex released her legs and set Willow on the ground, holding her to his chest to make sure she was steady. “Stay here.” Before Willow could reply Alex’s phone rang. He glanced down. It was Levi.
“Hello. Levi, is everything okay?” He nodded, listening. “I was on a search and rescue mission. My phone died.” He smiled. “No I believe you.” Alex nodded. “Why don’t you go to my cabin? I’m on another rescue mission. I got side tracked on the way to find you.” Alex laughed. “Fine, leave a sock on the door.” Alex shook his head. “I’ll see you then. ‘Kay. Goodbye.”
Alex put away the phone and looked at Willow. He ran a hand over her hair, cupping her cheek. “It appears my cousin has met a nymph named Daphnaie. Her tree was damaged and he’s helping her repair it.”
Willow laughed.
Alex was stunned. Willow’s smile changed her from pretty to stunning.
Willow looked up at Alex. “You do know how you heal a laurel tree, don’t you?”
Alex nodded and rolled his eyes. “Levi informed me.” Willow’s giggle sent his heart beating faster. “Do I need to heal your tree the same way?”
Willow blushed furiously, shaking her head. “No.” Her eyes were wide. “I don’t think so.” Alex watched her whole face drop. “I don’t think anything can save my tree.” Willow’s eyes began to tear up. Alex pulled her close again. The need to protect and comfort her taking him by surprise.
“Willow. Let me see what I can do. I’ve quite the green thumb.” Alex laughed as Willow glanced down at his hand. “What I mean is, I’ve always been good at growing things. Let me check before you give up hope.”
“Okay.” Willow’s eyelashes stuck together spikey with tears and highlighting her eyes, peridot like the lightest leaves on her tree. “Do you think there’s hope?”
Alex was struck by the trust in her eyes. His chest swelled, wanting to see Willow smile, but he couldn’t lie. He thought the most he could do was to be able to save part of it. “Willow.” Alex’s voice went soft. “I don’t know.”
* * * *
Willow saw the hesitancy in Alex’s eyes. She knew he would do everything within his power to save her tree. Willow wondered what would happen to her if her tree died. She wanted, no, needed Alex’s strength. Willow knew she would weather this. Willows could bend further than anyone thought. She just needed to remind herself.
Willow buried her head in Alex’s chest. His arms surrounded her, making her feel safe. Though he was half human, he unconsciously carried the steadiness of an oak within him. The grounding of his soul centered her. Taking a deep breath and pulling back, Willow gazed up at Alex.
“I think I will wait here.” Willow felt a sense of loss as Alex dropped his arms from around her. “I’m not sure I’m ready to see my tree again so soon.” Willow drew in a ragged breath. “I can still feel the pain from my tree tearing in two.” Willow dropped to the ground, hugging her knees to her chest.
“Ah, Willow.” Alex hunkered down in front of her, running his hands along her shoulders. “But you’re not trapped in your tree. It must be for a reason.”
Willow hugged her knees tighter. “I don’t know.” Willow rested her head on her knees. “What reason could there be?”
“We’ll find out.” He sounded so sure.
Willow could only hope Alex was right, that there was a reason. Willow watched Alex go to her tree. Obscured by the branches of the old oak and the willow fronds that were lying on the ground, bent from the trauma of the oak trees landing, Alex was lost to her sight.
Willow shuddered. Her tree crushed, split by the oak’s mighty crash on top of her, she had forcefully been catapulted out. Willow had never ventured out of her tree before. She wasn’t sure exactly what to do about it. It was a whole new world to her. Scary. So she did what came naturally. She cried.
Compared to the trees surrounding her, Willow was just a baby. Alex’s father was ancient. The oak was well over two hundred years. Willow hoped Peter would be okay. Peter used to come over and try to coax her out, especially when his family was supposed to be visiting. Willow
yearned for the type of connection Peter enjoyed with his family. She observed how sad he became when they left him behind. Her head would peek out and Peter would keep her company, but that was as far as she was comfortable going.
Growing older, she was just too shy. People frightened her. Except one. Willow’s tummy fluttered every time Alex came near. He fascinated her. Willow often wished for the nerve to step out of her tree when he came. He seemed to gravitate there. Alex must have somehow sensed his father’s presence. Alex often came to fish and would use Willow’s tree to sit against. He would drift off to sleep, and Willow shifted closer to him, cushioning him from the hard bark of her trunk yet never quite taking the final step forward out of her tree.
Willow sniffled. Now her tree was dead. Her sanctuary gone. No matter what Alex thought Willow was sure she wasn’t going to be able to go back inside. It felt pretty permanent when she flew out of her tree. Willow laid her head on her knees, tears dripping down her face. She swallowed and glanced up, her eyes widening. She quickly scrubbed her eyes dry, jumping to her feet.
“Quit that sniveling.” Gaia stood in front of Willow, looking at her in disgust. “You’re not going back in a tree so get used to it.”
“I’m not?” Her lip quivered. What was she going to do? She held in her cry of despair. Gaia may be Mother Nature, but she was a harsh mother. Willow didn’t want to get on her bad side.
“No. Your fate was decided a long time ago, Little Willow Tree. I knew you were meant to be here.” Gaia nodded. “Old Peter there knew as soon as he felt you. You were the one for his boy.”
“Alex?” Willow’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?” Her tears dried up, her tummy quivering, thinking about Alex.
“Yes.” Gaia was sounding impatient. “Quit interrupting. Yes, Alex. Alex’s family has always protected this area. His ancestors promised and I intend to make sure they honor it. Some of his family is trying to sell it. I cannot allow it.” Her voice was flat, determined. “You, Willow, will also help.” Gaia sternly looked at Willow. “Do not let me down, Little Willow Tree.” Gaia turned, and headed deeper into the woods. Willow leaped after her.
Willow's Cry Page 2