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// A Golden Willow....And a song.... 
// Story: A Song for a Lover.. . 
// by Crystonian 
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The pegasus walks up the cold stone steps of the ancient castle ruins. Nature has reclaimed the castle as thick foliage engrowth every area of the ruins. 
Trotting past the ruined walls and columns. Past decaing walls and rooms the pegasus trotted as he walked the cold overgrown tiles of the ancient castle until he came to a room.
In the center stood a tall tree, an ancient willow tree. Its golden leaves showed in the light while its glistening pale bark glowed underneath. 
Small shrines decorated underneath leading up to grave stone. Where an epitaph read.

'A final resting place for a lover, and next to it a symbol of our neverending love'

The pegasus walked slowly past the various shrines and up to the grave stone. Which sat at the foot of the ancient tree. He sits down in front of the stone with his head down.

He then holds out a hoof and large turquoise crystals start to form. They glow in an otherworldly light.
Slowly, with the wave of his hoof, they spread throughout the room. 
Then they start to play a song.

Listening to a few bars of the song. The pegasus starts to sing.

"A young man walked through the forest
With his quiver and hunting bow
He heard a young girl singing
And followed the sound below
There he found the maiden
Who lives in the willow
He called to her as she listened
From a ring of toadstools red
"Come with me, my maiden
Come from thy willow bed"
She looked at him serenely
And only shook her head

See me now, a ray of light in the moondance
See me now, I cannot leave this place
Hear me now, a strain of song in the forest
Don't ask me, to follow where you lead"

The crystals in the room start to sway along and small glowing particles form around the room.

"A young man walked through the forest
With a flower and coat of green
His love had hair like fire
Her eyes an emerald sheen
She wrapped herself in beauty
So young and so serene
He stood there under the willow
And he gave her the yellow bloom
"Girl, my heart you've captured
Oh, I would be your groom"
She said she'd wed him never
Not near, nor far, nor soon

See me now, a ray of light in the moondance
See me now, I cannot leave this place
Hear me now, a strain of song in the forest
Don't ask me, to follow where you lead
Follow where you lead"

A small smile forms on the pegasus' muzzle. Looking up, he spots a larger ball of light hovering above the grave stone.

"A young man walked through the forest
With an axe sharp as a knife
"I'll take the green-eyed fairy
And she shall be my wife
With her I'll raise my children
With her I'll live my life"
The maiden wept when she heard him
When he said he'd set her free
He took his axe and used it
To bring down her ancient tree
"Now your willow's fallen
Now you belong to me"

A small tear rolls down the pegasus' face.

"See me now, a ray of light in the moondance
See me now, I cannot leave this place
Hear me now, a strain of song in the forest
Don't ask me, to follow where you lead"

The pegasus slowly hums along with the music, swaying slightly. 

"She followed him out the forest
And collapsed upon the earth
Her feet had walked but a distance
From the green land of her birth
She faded into a flower
That would bloom for one bright eve
He could not take from the forest
What was never meant to leave..."

The pegasus listens to the last bits of the song and watches as the crystals dissipate into light.

He then sets down a crystal rose and turns and trots away from the graves. Leaving once again from his love.


A faint but audible whisper flows from the wisp. 
"Our love will always be true my love...."

The pegasus turns his head quickly. Looking shocked for a moment, he slowly smiles and nods. And with a small wave trots away.