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Some time. I need some time. The trappings of the world too overbearing for the moment, it was certainly time. I left the palace, wandering back to our peaceful grove in the wilderness. My steps meandering, listless, full of wonder. I breathed the clean air beyond the kingdom walls, sweet smells of nature swirling about, the birds chirping above - those that are hearty enough to bear the snow, that is... To think there are some that never leave the city centers. Preposterous. What would we do without the trees, the plants, the flowers, and the critters that sustain this wild world? Some time. I need some time. The river's edge, chattering its familiar song. Oh yes, I remember this place. Leaves brown and decaying along the banks, where the frost has not fully taken hold, the water crystal clear as it slithers down and away from me. I crouch down at its edge, gazing into the glistening stream. The infinite. Nothing but possibilities. Where it wants to go, it goes. Where it is contained, it rests. Until the floods come, and it is again unrestrained. Mmm. It reminds me of something I had heard some time ago. "There is mystery in muddy water. Only when water stills does it draw clear." What of myself? How might I become still and clear? A journey I have undertaken ever since, and it has led me here. To this river. To clear running waters. Some time. I need some time. The dead of winter, the world is still. And yet, subtle flapping of wings plays in my peripheral vision - what is that? A...is that a butterfly? Perplexing. How is this possible? And yet, there he is, flap, flap, flapping before my eyes, until it settles upon my hand. Calm, collected, I raise my hand to gaze upon it, its wings slowly opening and closing, opening and closing. A soft blue - born of frost, perhaps! I recall from my studies, the butterfly... a symbol of transformation. As a caterpillar cocoons itself to emerge such a beautiful creature come the spring and summer...a metamorphosis. There is change coming. A journey that has already started, footsteps which have led me here, to this - my cocoon - my transformation. Who would have suspected it would begin here? A sudden fluttering, the butterfly takes flight again, moving swiftly away, towards a towering tree in the distance, on the other side of the river. I know this variety, I do. Its leaves now gone, fallen and decayed beneath the layers of snow, I still recognize its wry and gnarled branches. Hazel. An ancient hazel tree. Oh, this is certainly an omen...how long since I have seen a hazel tree? Some time... Some time. I need some time. "Divination. Intuition. Tran...transformation." The word catches in my throat. Yes. This is an omen. "A new beginning." The wide white wilds, blanketed in snow - hidden secrets, no doubt, but this one bold and blatant. Yes, it seems the journey continues, doesn't it? A new beginning. Long into the evening, as I fell asleep under a tree in the Grove, I could still feel the tickling feeling of phantom butterfly feet upon my hand. Some time. I need some time. Alys | |