Forest & Kingdom Balance (3 page)

“That is the gate, and no, the pillars are not from
the castle but they do share a common ancestry. As for the mist,
perhaps my Lady would care to gaze into it and find her own
answers.”

“Once, just once, I’d like a
simple answer from that damn frog.”
She thought to
herself.

“All right, I’m gazing into it. Now what?” She
stopped. To her surprise the dull, grey mist began to change and
take on detail. First the mist became water droplets then the
droplets took on color and form. Suddenly before her was the glade
at Angel Falls, somehow more real than reality itself. The pool,
the lawn, the trees, no matter where she looked nothing was hidden.
She realized that it was more than just seeing. She felt the quiet
strength of living wood and the soft yielding texture of grass as
it stretched toward the sun.

As her gaze fell upon the water, she felt a
boundless freedom engulf her and for a moment her identity faded.
Freed from the restraints of a solid universe, she became the water
and felt the sensual movement of flowing from pool to stream.

“My Lady.” Froggy’s voice woke her from the
exquisite pleasure, and once again she stood before the mist.

“What are you doing? I was enjoying that.” She
chided. “Remind me to interrupt you the next time you’re really
enjoying yourself.”

Froggy bowed his head in mock penance. “My apologies
for interrupting your quest to answer the age old question, ‘If I
were a tree, what tree would I be?’”

“I’ll have you know that I was not a tree, I was the
water.” Dionara replied, arms crossed and head turned in
defiance.

“I should have known,” Froggy teased, “anyone as
oversexed as you would go straight for the water.” Dionara
pretended not to hear his jibe and enjoyed the fleeting remnants of
sensual pleasure.

“May I remind my Lady that she is not the only one
who’s hungry and I cannot eat until you get cleaned up. Speaking of
which, I believe Catherine awaits you at the archway, now run along
and pamper yourself while I change into something more
appropriate.”

She gave him a glance as she left to follow
Catherine, “But Froggy, you’re not wearing anything.”

“Exactly, and since we tend to dress for meals
around here, I’d better get hopping.”

“Strange, very strange.”
Dionara thought.
“Get a grip. If you can run a
kingdom, you can handle this. Ah well, that’s what I get for
following a talking frog.”
She felt herself smile as her
mind drifted back to the morning’s events, she recalled the deep
sense of comfort that seeing Angel Falls had given her and the pure
joy of a leisurely swim without a care in the world.
“I’ve missed that these last few years. Why hadn’t I come
back sooner?”
The question faded as her mind returned to the
fluid, sensual freedom of the water.

She entered the living archway to an incredible
sight, a secluded area bounded by a tall hedge that led to a small
hill covered in brilliant flowers who’s subtle fragrance put the
rarest perfumes to shame. To one side stood an outcropping of stone
from which a stream cascaded to a pool carved into the rock. Her
eyes were drawn to the flower blossoms that slowly drifted across
the pool and down the hewn steps. Next to the pool stood a vanity
created from white birch trees, their branches interwoven as they
grew to create a living work of art. The mirror was set between two
intertwined limbs that split into smaller branches as they crossed
to provide shade for the vanity.

Catherine rose, “I’m sorry my Lady, I was just
giving my hair a quick fix. Your bath is ready.” She led Dionara to
the steps and tossed her own dress beside the pool. “It’s such an
honor to attend you today of all days. Don’t worry, I’ll have you
fixed up and outshining the sun in no time.”

As they stepped into the pool Dionara was surprised
by the warmth of the water, “I just need to rinse off, I’m more
hungry than dirty.”

“Yes my Lady,” Catherine answered as she began
brushing the knots from Dionara’s hair.

Dionara’s mind filled with questions. “Catherine,
what do you mean, ‘Today of all days?’” Once the first question was
out, the rest came in a torrent. Before Catherine could answer, one
question followed another at a rapid pace. “What is this place? How
did I get here? How do you even know who I am?” She would have
continued unabated were it not for the captivating sound of
Catherine’s laughter, it seemed to resonate with joy and
happiness.

“I’m sorry my lady, I should have been ready. We
knew that you would be inquisitive. Unfortunately I cannot give you
the answers you seek, but I have been asked to give you a message.
I even had to promise that I would repeat it word for word.”

Catherine composed herself and took on an air of
polite formality reminiscent of a certain little green friend of
Dionara’s. “My Lady,” she began and attempted to get a baritone
from her beautiful soprano voice, “all your questions will be
answered, but not by Catherine. So be patient and don’t get your
undergarments in a twist.” Catherine hesitated as she waited to see
what reaction her breach of etiquette, not to mention good manners,
would bring.

Dionara glanced down at her nude form and commented
with a smile, “Well, that’s not much of a worry, now is it?”

Catherine raised one eyebrow in her best Froggy
persona and responded “Hmmmm, apparently not.”

Both amused and surprised, Dionara turned to
Catherine and wondered what other surprises this woman had in
store. “You do that well.” She commented.

Catherine’s natural effervescence returned with her
voice as she resumed her duties, “Thank you. He does have a style
that’s all his own, doesn’t he. Well, if nothing else, there’s
never a dull moment when he’s around.” She admitted with a wide
smile.

Dionara returned to the glade in elegant style. Her
hair, softer than she had ever felt it, was tied back and
interlaced with the same pastel flowers as Catherine’s. Her dress
also matched what appeared to be the style of the day. Long and low
wasted, it rested at an angle across her hips and was accented by a
delicate jeweled chain that circled her waist. The top was
sleeveless and loosely draped, which gave her the feel of
effortless movement. The iridescent white fabric had the lightest
touch as it moved across her skin, reminiscent of a summer breeze.
Faint pastels rippled across the fabric’s intricate embroidery as
her feet glided in soft, silk slippers.

“I have never seen you this radiant my Princess.” A
deep, resonant voice came from behind her. It was Froggy’s voice,
but different.

“Yes, Catherine did a wonderful job.” She said as
she turned, and for perhaps the first time in her life she was
completely speechless. She looked down expecting to see her Froggy
dressed in a tiny little jacket and hat, instead she found herself
staring at a pair of silk slippers.

Froggy spoke once more, “Up here my Lady.”

She stepped back and raised her head to get a better
look, before her stood a man simply dressed in the color of rich
forest green. He was tall with wide shoulders and seemed to embody
the essence of gentle strength. His angled features were softened
by a closely cropped, salt and pepper beard and an expression of
pure serenity. His hair lightened to silver at the temples that
blended to its truer, deeper color behind. He was neither young nor
old but seemed to combine the wisdom of years with the power of
youth.

“Good day my Lady.” He said as he bowed from the
waist.

Dionara acknowledge his greeting with the customary
tilt of her head as she took a deep breath. “Froggy! You dirty
rotten, low down, son of a goat! And that’s insulting the
goat!“

Froggy could not hide his smile as he replied in a
casual tone, “I believe my Lady meant to say, ‘You dirty rotten,
low down, son of a frog,’ did she not?”

“No!” Dionara’s voice had not lost a decibel. Her
mind was spinning as she began to realize that this too was her
Froggy. “To think of all the times.” She paused. “I was right, you
are a rogue and a scoundrel. Wait a moment, I let you swim in my
bath, lots of times, while I was in it!” Her voice took on a
whisper, “I told you secrets. Oh no, I told you about my
lovers!”

“My Lady,” Froggy took advantage of the brief lull
in the verbal storm, “perhaps you would be more comfortable
discussing my many short comings over lunch. Shall we? Oh and
before I forget,” he turned to Catherine, who had been politely
watching the grass grow during her highness’ tirade, “Catherine, be
a dear and see to our other guest would you?”

“Of course Caretaker.” In a single graceful
movement, Catherine started to run toward Foil while slipping off
her dress, her sleek, well toned body moved with a feline grace.
Suddenly, in a burst of brilliant white light, she disappeared and
was replaced by a magnificent white mare whose mane was interwoven
with pastel flowers.

“Catherine?” The Princess inquired, in a flat,
stunned voice.

“Catherine.” Froggy replied.

“Nice mare.” The Princess commented, her expression
wide eyed and frozen.

“Yes, and friendly too.” Froggy added with a
chuckle. “She’s always inviting me to ride her.”

Dionara grasped for anything she could understand,
“Wait, did she call you Caretaker.”

“Yes I know, it’s more of a title than a name, isn’t
it, but that’s how I’m known here. However, I am honored by the
name you have chosen for me and I hope that you will continue to
call me Froggy regardless of my form.” He offered his arm to the
somewhat bewildered Princess. “All your questions will be answered
my Lady. Shall we dine?”

Unable to decide on which of her many recent
revelations to comment, Dionara allowed herself to be guided toward
a large oak in the meadow. As they walked, a high-pitched whinny
came from behind them. They turned to see Catherine gently nuzzling
Foil’s neck as he stood stone still with his head lowered. The
Caretaker stopped for a moment and gazed into the distance.
Suddenly, Catherine darted off toward the open fields with Foil in
close chase, head raised and legs flashing.

“What was that about?” Dionara asked, though a bit
distracted by the wonderful sense of calm serenity that colored her
very being. The Caretaker took her arm and once more set a
leisurely pace in the direction of the ancient oak.

“Foil was still afraid you were going to keep your
promise my Lady.” Froggy’s playful amusement was evident, “I
assured him that I would never let that happen. Then Catherine told
him of a field where the grass was moist and green, and dared him
to catch her.”

“Promise? What promise?” She said, her voice having
lost every trace of anger.

“Princess, if you’re not going to remember the
promises you make, you are going to have a hard time ruling a
kingdom.”

“Okay,”
she thought,
“you may look different, but you’re still the
same old Froggy.”

She felt the strong, hard muscles of his arm beneath
the delicate fabric. As they neared the tree she could see the
circular table that awaited them in the shade. It was laden with
bowls, plates and platters, all overflowing with bounty. Dionara
surveyed the feast. There were peaches, pears, apples and plums all
huge, ripe and perfect. She eyed the strawberries in cream, but was
distracted by the fragrance of freshly baked bread. Suddenly she
was ravenous.

“Wine, my Lady?” Froggy’s voice spurred her to
action and she began to sample the delicacies.

“Why yes, thank you.” She said, slightly embarrassed
as peach juice dripped down her chin.

The flavors were like nothing she had ever tasted,
familiar but somehow richer, more complex. The greatest fair of her
court paled by comparison, as a sketch would pale next to the
living form of the model. She looked to her host as he poured wine
from an etched crystal decanter and was mesmerized. The carved
figures appeared to be moving. They were riders on horseback that
galloped in sparkles of brilliant color as they spiraled up the
decanter.

He noted her interest. “Isn’t it beautiful my Lady,
it’s the work of one of our finest artists. Any movement will
refract the light and send the riders on their way.”

She took her wine glass and turned it slowly as she
examined the etching of children at play that encircled the glass.
“Beautiful,” was all she could say.

“Now my lady,” he spoke as she took her first
tentative sip, “I will answer any question you have and many you do
not know to ask.” Froggy watched as her face took on an expression
of ultimate pleasure, more from the wine than his statement it
seemed, since she finished the contents with impressive speed.
“Which won’t matter of course, because if you keep drinking like
that you won’t remember a thing.”

“Sorry.” Dionara’s mischievous eyes and coy smile
belied her apology. “Answers? No evasions, parables or questions
answered with questions?” Her tone was a bit doubtful.

He looked straight into her eyes, “I will tell you
that the reason we are here today is not only to give you what you
want; but also, to give you what you will very soon need.”

A refilled glass in one hand and a strawberry dipped
with cream in the other, Dionara leaned back to consider his
proposal. Much like a cat considers a mouse. Froggy, with a
mischievous smile of his own, waited patiently for her response. As
she drew breath to launch her first barrage of questions against
his, up until then, impenetrable wall of misdirection, she saw a
hawk gliding to land beyond a nearby rise in the field. Froggy’s
eyes unfocused and his expression changed from playful to deadly
serious. A white light flashed from the direction of the rise.

“Excuse me my Lady.” Froggy apologized as he stood
and hastily departed.