Adeline and the Wind

“Adeline!”, my mother called “Come back, it’s almost time for lunch.” The wind was also calling, “Adeline the primrose is blooming, and Mrs. Rabbit has had her babies!” I took one look back at my mother and smiled widely. She put her hands on her hips and smiled back. She didn’t like to admit it, but she could hear the wind too. “Go!” she whispered, “Congratulate Mrs. Rabbit for me.”, but she demanded loudly. “Be home before the sun sets Adeline, not one minute late!”

So, I turned and ran with my favorite blue dress flowing in the wind. The wind danced and laughed around me all the way to the stream, bubbling full of spring melting. With delight, I saw that the primrose was indeed in full bloom. Everywhere the sun kissed the path, primrose erupted. When I swept my gaze upon them, they waved and sang a friendly greeting. “Adeline, Adeline we’re back! It’s so nice to see you! Tell us what you were up to all winter?” The wind swirled around us gently stirring the lively butter-colored flowers and raising their voices making the forest ring with tiny sparkling sounds. I couldn’t help myself from laughing with joy to hear and see them! I stopped and dropped down to sit in the middle of them. They were like old friends and eager to catch up, so I launched into my winter adventures. “I’ve been practicing my flute and learned to knit a hat. All winter, I’ve been helping mother cook, clean, and look after Thomas. He’s grown so big we can barely carry him now. He would love you and you him. His smile is sunshine and his laugh a warm summer breeze.” The Primrose sway with delight. “It sounds like a lovely winter Adeline, but we sense a sadness in you.”

I look away from them, I had not realized my sadness was visible. I have only just begun to explore it myself. I say to them “Mother still won’t tell me how we came to South Willow Forest and when father will return. I know mother hears the wind but won’t listen. There is a cold grey fog that comes to the house. It whispers our names to lure us out of the house. It gets angry when mother refuses to listen. I know its name is Cadel. I ask mother about it, but she just changes the subject each time.” I fall quiet as I remember that I’ve seen her set up protection all over the house and yard, but I know Cadel hunts for a way in. I know I can help mother protect us, but she refuses to let me. I feel the strength within me. Strength passed down to me by father, I am sure of it. Mother taught me the winter constellations. My favorite one is Orion. I imagine he’s protecting us like father would if he were here. I wish I could find father and bring him back to us. As if the Primrose can read my thoughts they ripple with a shiver and begin to sing a song. It’s deep and sad, nothing like their usual sparkling voices. I just begin to hear the words, something about a King & Queen, when the wind swirls up all around me and loudly chimes in “Let’s follow the stream to Mrs. Rabbit and see her new babies!” The primrose quiet and I bound off happily with the wind. I don’t see the silvery-white figure gliding down to land where I sat. It speaks softly to the primrose. “I will talk with Adeline.”, it says. The primrose sings in unison “It is time!”.

The sky is bright blue, the sun is shining and once again I am free and running with the wind. The wind joyously twirls around me whisking away any remaining sadness. I feel like I am flying and don’t realize when my feet leave the ground, and a silvery-white shimmer surrounds me. I gently land without effort as we arrive at the small green borough of Mrs. Rabbit. We can hear her crooning to the new babies. I knock softly and she tenderly calls “Come in Adeline, come see my new little ones!” I gently open the door and squeeze in on my belly so just my head, shoulders, and arms are in. My eyes fall to the babies, each one, a tiny grey and brown ball of silky fur with tiny, pointed ears. My heart bursts with love! I turn to Mrs. Rabbit. “My mother sends her congratulations! I brought you a gift.” I pull out of my pocket a small package of fresh earthy vegetables; turnips, carrots, cabbage, and gently lay it in front of her. She comes and gives me a loving hug. “Thank you, my dear!” With a sad look in her eyes, I’ve never seen before she says “It’s getting late sweet Adeline. You must start back to make it before the sun sets.” The wind echoes her words, which annoys me. I’m strong and free. I do not wish to return yet. I give Mrs. Rabbit a hug and gently stroke the new little kits.

With a twinkle of defiance in my eyes, I give a wave to Mrs. Rabbit and dash deeper into the forest ignoring the worried voice of the wind and the dark that descends upon the forest path. The wind cries “Adeline we must go! Run with me!” But it’s too late, I feel Cadel before I see the grey fog forming. I hear his voice whispery and clear, “Adeline, I am your father returned to you, come to me. Join me!” I scream in defiance “You are not my father; you are nothing but a deceiver. I will never yield to you.” Cadel chimes in laughing “You are my child with that fiery strength. It was I that killed King Connor and took your mother. She never told you that it was I. Her power and mine flow through your veins.” The fog envelops me, and I scream in pain, it burns where it touches me. “Join me!” Cadel thunders. “Never!” I growl.

I hear the voice of the wind, the song of the Primrose, the crooning voice of Mrs. Rabbit, and the beat of the wings of the silver snow owl filling me with power and strength. My mother lands next to me. She is the silvery-white snow owl. With her comes an army of earthly warriors. I feel my power, strength grow and expand joining with all those that have come to fight against Cadel. Knowledge floods me. My mother is Queen of the South Willow Forest. Cadel killed King Connor, my father. I am Princess Adeline of the Silvery Snow Owls, protector of the forest and earth. It is the power of the Silvery Snow Owls and the earth that runs through my veins. Cadel screams with rage as he sees my awakening. He attacks my mother, but she is swift, strong, and cunning. She easily evades his blow as her wings carry her in swirling spinning maneuvers. I and the other warriors join and protect her. I bring all my power up from the earth it swells like the sun in my hands. My mother brings her powers full force with a silver flare from her wings. We raise our power and send it hurtling directly to Cadel. All the earthly warriors attack together as one. Cadel screams in pain turning black as night where the power has scorched him. He wields the last of his power sending a dagger towards me. It hits my shoulder going deep sending searing pain through me. I draw power from the earth to pull the blade free, but the blade’s poison is in me. I feel it seeping into my blood.

My mother shrieks in anger and charges Cadel who is weak with pain. He knows he’s defeated today but is satisfied he has damaged me and the queen enough. He laughs defiantly and uses his remaining power to disappear. My mother knows he’s weak, injured, and drained. She is torn between following him and tending me. She feels it will be a long time before Cadel is strong enough to come back, but she knows he will be back.

For today it is enough, she turns to me with tears in her eyes mourning my lost innocence and childhood. She will have enough time to train me now. She comes to me. I see her beautiful feathers and tender teary eyes. She gently transforms into her human self. She picks me up and the wind brings us both back home. I hear the weeping Primrose and the wail of the wind. I cannot stay awake and succumb to the deep darkness that is in me. The queen calls her earthly healers and prays to Mother Earth to let me live.

I lay still trying to feel where I am. I thought I would hurt more after the battle with Cadel, but my body feels strong and relaxed. My eyelids are heavy, I can’t seem to open them. I hear my mother humming softly and Thomas’ sunny laughter. I breathe deeply and joyously. I did it! We did it! We drove Cadel away. Mother and Thomas are alive and well. I am alive and mostly well. Mother senses I am awake and gently sits next to me. She places a tender hand on my brow. “Adeline”, she says softly. I slowly force my eyelids open. “What happened, mother? Is Cadel gone?” She smiles and says “Quiet my love, you’ve been sick and feverish. Your brother and I have been by your side for many days.” I close my eyes. The song of the primrose and the laughter of the wind make their way to my ears. Yes, Cadel is gone. All is well, for now.