A Short Story: Anjou & Penelope’s Great Adventure

Anjou and Penelope sailed the course of the river for two moons; only stopping occasionally alongside the riverbank to gather berries and nuts to eat. As they floated down the river Anjou entertained Penelope with grand woodland fairy folklore. When Anjou was not recounting tales told to him as a young woodland fairy, Penelope would share about the history and organelle evolution of floras to which Anjou found most fascinating. Conversation and laughter filled their days and nights. One day when the waters were particularly calm, Anjou guided Penelope in steering the boat and found her closeness most satisfying; never had Anjou enjoyed someone’s presence and nearness as much as he did Penelope’s.

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“Penelope, Penelope wake-up, Penelope” Anjou called out and then Penelope began to stir and awaken from her slumber. Anjou gazed at Penelope as she stretched and yawned, and then let out a tiny sigh as she rubbed her eyes and sat up in the boat. As Anjou looked at Penelope, he noticed that more blooms adorned her. “Are we close?” Penelope asked with dreamy eyes. “Yes, the stream has quickened, we’re approaching the torrents, hold on tight to me, you could topple out of the boat” Anjou said sternly. “How many times have you ridden the torrents?” Penelope asked as she wrapped her arms around Anjou’s waist and leaned her face against his thigh. “Only once before” Anjou confessed and then Penelope’s eyes grew wide and just as she opened her mouth to protest a gush of water entered the boat and filled her mouth. The water crashed alongside every inch of the boat, hurling them to-and-fro. Anjou shifted his weight to keep them balanced and popped the boat over the waves and current as they jutted over the wet and rocky terrain. Penelope closed her eyes and clung tightly to Anjou as he navigated the waters and rode the slope down.

“The worst is over, open your eyes” Anjou said with a grin as they jutted to a stop. Slowly, Penelope opened her eyes and unhinged herself from Anjou. Penelope pulled back her soaked flowers from her face and beheld the most magnificent sight she had ever seen. “Welcome to Larkspur Falls” Anjou said as he jumped out of the boat and then held Penelope’s hand as she stepped out of the boat. “Such magnificent colors” Penelope said as she stood in awe. “Surely you didn’t venture all this way to stay on the outskirts, come” Anjou said pressing Penelope onward.

Penelope and Anjou enjoyed the beauty of the waterfall and swam within its depths for hours. When they tired of swimming, they took their rest under one of the nearby trees. When Penelope awakened from her nap Anjou was not by her side. Assuming he had gone foraging Penelope went back out into the waters to await Anjou’s return. Penelope floated on her back as she peered up at the moon and listened to the rhythmic tune of the waterfall.

When Anjou reappeared coming out from the woods, he had Venus bugs in his knapsack and fresh berries and nuts in his satchel. Anjou came to the edge of the waters and stared at Penelope for a few trices, taking in how the moon illuminated her petals. Sensing Anjou’s closeness, Penelope sat up, and when she saw Anjou looking at her, she smiled. “Where did you go?” Penelope asked as she splashed water in his direction. “I was getting a surprise for you, come now and see” Anjou said and then stretched out his hand and helped Penelope out of the water. Penelope instantly heard the buzzing of the Venus bugs in Anjou’s knapsack. “What do you have in there?” Penelope asked curiously as she went to reach for Anjou’s knapsack, but Anjou moved the knapsack out of the reach of her curious hands.

“You’ve seen Larkspur Falls, and now I want to show you Lobelia Cavern” Anjou said as they approached the entrance of the cave Larkspur Falls fed into. Slowly, Anjou undid his knapsack, and the Venus bugs flew out into the cavern illuminating the pathway. “Shall we go in?” Anjou asked as he grabbed Penelope’s hand and then led her inside. Penelope was pleasantly bewildered as they moved through Lobelia Cavern. The complexity and range in color of the rock layers fascinated Penelope tremendously.

Anjou enjoyed the sight of Penelope’s childlike wonder; it reminded him of his first time venturing into Lobelia Cavern. Anjou showed Penelope ancient carvings in the cavern and the spot on the cavern wall where if you pressed your ear against it, you could hear the waters of Larkspur Falls running through; the sound of the water through the cavern wall sounded like music to Penelope’s ear. They ventured a little further into the cavern and when they reached the halfway mark Anjou found a spot for them to rest till morning.

“Anjou” Penelope called out to see if he was still awake. “Yes, Penelope” Anjou said as he drew nearer to her. “This has been the most amazing adventure” Penelope said and then yawned. “Has been? … the adventures not over yet, we are only a few miles from the cavern outlet. Tomorrow, we make our way towards Zinnia and when we arrive you will truly know the meaning of amazing.” “Is it really as beautiful as you say, and the woodland folklore tellers describe?” “even more so” Anjou said and then Penelope cuddled against him and fell asleep.

~ To Be Continued