Arianna.” “Perhaps some refreshments are in order!” Igus suggested, now bouncing Brittany on his knee. Michael felt left out and ran to Igus, “Gus? My turn!” Everyone laughed, Michael always left the ‘I’, out of Igus.
As the afternoon passed, Arianna watched Igus play with the children and wondered how things had gotten so out of hand all those years ago. Had she been too unbending? Should she have given Igus more time? Loanna could see Arianna was deep in thought and asked her to take a walk into the forest.
“Arianna, why did you leave? I was terribly upset for the longest time.” Loanna asked. “At the time little one, I was making Igus miserable.” “Why do you say that?” “You were too young to understand Loanna. I love Igus, and told him so. It seems ironic that the one thing that amuses him most, is the one thing that keeps us apart.” Arianna mused. “What are you saying Arianna?” “His appearance! Loanna, he denies my love because of his appearance!” “He can be so stubborn! But surely it was not necessary to stay away so long.” “You must know Loanna, the passage of time for Igus and I is different than for humans.” “I realize that, though I have never understood. But still, I have missed you. I love Igus as a father, but it would have been nice to have a woman’s touch around here. Would it help if I talked to Igus?” Loanna now asked. “No, I do not think so. He was never one to be pushed into anything.” Arianna said. “How long will you stay?” “I am not sure Loanna. I have sensed something in the air, but cannot put a finger on it.” “If I know you Arianna, you will figure it out.” Loanna said, with a smile, then added, “Come, it grows late. I need to get Brittany home.”
“What did you think of Arianna, Devon?” Loanna asked, as she tucked Brittany into bed. “She seemed very nice, although a little mysterious. Is she like Igus?” “Yes, she comes from the Blue Isle, beyond Our Lady’s Lake.” “That is a long way to travel. Did she say why she was here?” “Apparently to see Igus again. But she also said something was in the air. What can that mean?” As Loanna thought back, Devon could see sadness in her eyes. “What is it, my love?” He asked. Loanna then told him of the first time she had met Arianna.
Loanna was at the base of the Great Rock talking to Igus. “And who might this be Igus?” Arianna asked, as she came into the clearing. “Arianna, I would like you to meet Loanna.” “Loanna, a pretty name for a pretty girl.” “Thank you.” Loanna replied, as she stood up. “How did you come to live in the forest.” Arianna asked. Loanna looked up at Igus. “Her parents died when she was but two. They were close friends of mine and I promised to care for her.” Igus said, floating down to them. “Very generous of you.” Arianna allowed. “No, I considered it an honor.” “Where are you from Arianna?” Loanna now asked. Arianna told Loanna of the Blue Isle, and showed her crystals she had brought with her.
They became very close as the months passed, and would spend hours talking and giggling. About two years after Arianna arrived, Igus seemed to grow sick. The trees and plants in the forest and surrounding countryside began drying up and dying.
“Igus, I sense something is poisoning your very life force!” Arianna said, hoping Igus would know of a remedy. “The forest seems to be turning on me. I am no longer able to concentrate.” Igus said, weakly. As Arianna watched him deteriorate in front of her eyes Loanna ran into the clearing, “Igus! The forest seems to be dying!” Igus could no longer answer, he was fighting for his life, for the life of the forest. Loanna now went to Arianna.
“What can we do Arianna!?” Loanna shouted. “There is a blockage within him, little one. He cannot connect to the life force that keeps the forest lush and green.” “What can be done?” Loanna asked, crying softly. “The only thing that may help, could also kill him.” Arianna floated to the top of the rock. She then took a blue crystal from her pouch and closed her eyes. The crystal began to glow and pulsate. Loanna was no stranger to the mystical ways of nature, but was afraid of what Arianna was doing.
“Arianna what is it you do!?” Loanna sobbed. “I need to find a path, a connection to Igus’ life force. But the poison is too great!” “Poison!? What are you saying Arianna?” “There is no time little one! Go to the Cave of Lights. You will be safe there! I must take Igus to the Blue Isle.” “Take me with you! I am afraid!” Arianna opened her eyes and looked down at Loanna, “You must trust me little one. I care about him too. If he has a chance to survive, I must take him with me.” “I will go to the cave and wait. Please help him!” Arianna retrieved a pink crystal and closed her eyes again. A pink light now surrounded Igus. Loanna watched them float along the tree tops, toward the lake. In a moment they were out of sight.
“That was the time you had told me about before, is it not?” Devon asked as Loanna finished. “Yes, when Igus ‘tested’ you and scared me.” Loanna answered. “You said he recovered after a few days, but you never mentioned Arianna.” Devon said. “I was worried and looking for Igus, remember.” “Yes of course. I noticed how she was watching him. Do you think she still loves Igus?” “Yes, I guess it was pretty obvious. But Igus, with all his wisdom, will not accept that love.” “What do you mean Loanna?” “Igus, it seems, cannot see past his own appearance.” “That is just like him. Do as I say, not as I do. I think I will pay him a visit tomorrow.” Devon said, taking Loanna in his arms, “Maybe I should tell him what he is missing.”
As Devon walked into the forest, he could not help but notice a dank odor. He had never smelled anything like it. As he walked through the underbrush, he also noticed how brown everything seemed to be. When he came into the clearing, he could see Arianna sitting at the base of the Great Rock.
“Good day Arianna. How are you this fine day?” “Devon, it is nice to see you again. I am fine, thank you.” “Where is Igus?” “After you and the others left, he said he was going to the Cave of Lights.” “I wonder what part of Kingsland he is off to now.” “I do not know, but while you are here, let us sit and talk awhile.” “That would be nice, we did not have much chance yesterday.” “When did you first meet Loanna?” Arianna asked, pouring Devon a cup of tea.
Devon told her of the evening by the Serenity River and the adventures that followed. Arianna could see the love in Devon’s eyes as he spoke of Loanna. “I cannot imagine life without her.” Devon finished. “Yes, she was always special.” Arianna added. “What was she like as a little girl?” Devon asked. “She had to know everything! It seemed that as soon as I answered a question, she would ask another.” Arianna said, laughing.
“I bet you two are talking about Loanna!” Igus said, coming into the clearing. “How did you guess!” Arianna said, still laughing. “Hello Devon! Two days in a row, I did not think apron strings would stretch this far!” Igus said, now laughing also. Devon smiled. Since marrying Loanna, he did not visit as much.
“Igus, I am going to return home for a couple of days.” Arianna cut in. Igus’ eyes immediately saddened, “Tell me you will come back soon.” Igus said, almost pleading. “Yes, three days at the most. Promise,” As she walked toward the lake, Devon could see Igus watching her every step.
“Do you love her very much, Igus?” Devon asked. Igus was taken aback, “I do not have time for love.” Igus answered, sternly. “I seem to remember a conversation we once had. You told me I was fighting my heart. I may not be a wise old sage, but it appears you are fighting your heart.” Devon chided. Igus looked at his friend and smiled, “You turn my own words back on me.” “My reason for not admitting that I loved Loanna needed to be addressed. I thanked you for that. Will you now address your feelings for Arianna?” Igus looked at his friend, knowing he was right, “Yes Devon, I do love Arianna, with all my being. But it changes nothing. “Yes Igus! It changes everything!” Devon and Igus both turned in the direction the voice was coming from.
“Arianna! I cannot believe you would stoop to eavesdropping!” Igus exclaimed, his eyes wide open with surprise. Devon laughed to himself, he remembered how Loanna had done the same thing to him. “The hard part is over Igus. Finally, your mouth
has said what your heart has always known.” Arianna said. Devon watched as Arianna walked to Igus. “Did it hurt that much?” She asked, as she put her arms around Igus. “Arianna, Devon is still here.” Igus protested. Arianna did not see anyone but Igus. She looked into Igus’ eyes. “I love you.” She said, gently kissing him.
A soft light began to envelop Igus and Arianna. Devon watched in amazement. The light began to pulsate, as Igus and Arianna started to fade. In a moment, they were completely gone! Devon left the clearing totally dumbfounded.
Devon walked through the forest smiling. As he got into the underbrush, he again noticed the odd aroma and decided to kick up some of the dead leaves. The ground seemed bone dry. He picked up a small branch and dug into the hard earth. He had dug up about a foot of dirt and realized the odor was getting stronger. A rotting carcass of some kind, he thought. Suddenly a voice came out of nowhere. It started like a low growl. “Leave it be Priest!” Devon jumped back. “Who is there!?” He demanded. Silence. Nothing more was said. Devon walked out of the forest and back to the Parish.
“It was so strange.” Devon