The Green Light of Life

Mairead Jade Diane was standing in the field of daisies, watching the sunset through the mist and fog, behind her a rainbow shone in the dark clouds from the earlier rain, that had her drenched. She took her flute into her hand from her pocket, and began to play a favorite tune as she strolled toward the woods. Mairead always wore lavender dresses, and tied daisies into her strawberry golden curls, that brushed her hips, and searching for the perfect flowers was why she had wandered so far on the path to find the meadow on this summer night. She had a long walk home, but enjoyed getting lost in her thoughts.

Suddenly, ahead of Mairead was a strange faint green light beckoning through the fog and mist. She placed her flute back into her pocket and stopped on the path for a moment, just watching the light flicker, grow dimmer, and then brighter again and again. Mairead had never seen such a light, and she wondered if it was a good idea to travel on toward it. She thought perhaps it was another traveller with a green glass lantern, but she could not hear any footsteps ahead. It was also possible that the light was a reflection of some sort, though she could not fathom of what sort that could possibly be.

Determining that whatever was ahead meant her no harm she took a few steps forward. She hesitated again to see if the green light was moving away from her, coming toward her, or still stationary on the path ahead and that she was getting closer to it. It appeared that the latter was the case, she was coming onto the green light itself, and it was there still waiting for her. Mairead felt drawn toward this curious green light, and she chose to walk a few steps closer, as she approached the light the color became more vivid and bright, and the fog became thicker and heavy. She could feel the dampness of the mist, and the cold wet as she breathed.

Feeling a bit tired from the heavy air, Mairead felt it best she continue hoping to reach the end of the thicker fog. Her mind wandered to the thought of trying to reach the end of a rainbow as she started to continue on her path. The light seemed to be emanating turning the mist and fog around her the same green color. She stopped a moment to appreciate the green aura surrounding her, the air was easier to breathe here, still cool and wet, but despite not being able to see the path ahead for the thick fog, she could breathe a bit easier. This place reminded her of a time when she felt alone and lost, isolated from the world, and troubled by many varied hardships that burdened her spirit. At that time in her life, she did not know where to turn, but she kept believing that what was good would see her through, and that through grace she would overcome and once again feel light and joyous. Which, miraculously is what had come to be for her one moonlit night when the love of her life, a lost traveller had knocked on her door to ask directions, and ended up helping her with little things about her home, until he decided to stay with her for all the good times they were having in each other's company. Time had passed since then, and he was away for his work as a minstrel. Mairead suddenly realised she had been standing there for quite some time, and really needed to continue toward home.

As she went to step forward, the light grew so bright that she was forced to cover her eyes with her hands. She still tried to step forward blindly, but she felt something solid preventing her way forward, and then something was holding her wrists and attempting to pull her hands from her eyes. Mairead froze, frightened by what she did not know. She cried out, "Please let me go, I am scared." When, a soft familiar voice said unto her, "But, I am nothing but love for you. Did my light frighten you that much, I hoped to guide your way through the fog, so that you did not get lost." She knew the voice, it was that of her beloved, but he was not supposed to be back until the moon was full, which was a couple weeks away. "I am worried about you. You should not wander so far off when it is soon to be dark. I would never want any harm to come to you, only good," the soft voice said. She allowed her hands to leave her eyes, and there before her was her beloved, but he was translucent and made of the strange green light she had been seeing. Her eyes welled with tears, was he a spirit and just and phantom memory, had something occurred that would take him from her, again she felt great fear and sorrow as she remembered from her past. "Are those happy tears?," asked the gentle voice.

There was a silent pause between them as they stood gazing into each other's eyes. "I know," said the soft voice, "it is this form that worries you. I am quite all right. I am a Will O' Wisp, and until the moon light is full, I am not as material a form as your physical self, but am as your spirit. I heard you playing your flute, and was near you as you gathered your flowers. I am never far away, but was told by the Faery King never to fully reveal my true self to you, or you would have to come away to the forest with me."

Another long silent pause fell between them, as she felt his arms surround her. "Are you going to lead me into the land of spirit?," Mairead asked, frightened. "No, I have chosen to remain in this misty form, that I may be with you, and still be of the forest," said her beloved. "You are my own companion ghost then?," said Mairead. "Yes, you could say that, but I am not really a ghost, I am alive and as tangible as you are," said her beloved. "You will lead me forward on the path to home, then?," asked Mairead, who was doubtful of how far she could trust the green light spirit. "Look, we are home," said her beloved, as he pointed to her house just ahead. Mairead hadn't realised that he had been carrying her home the entire time. "I am safe then?," exclaimed Mairead. "You will always be safe, as long as I am here by your side, my love will protect and provide for us, as long as you believe in me in your heart, and hold our love there within it," said her beloved. "I trust you, and love you always," said Mairead.

When they entered her home she felt this strange peace surround her and she looked about, but her beloved was no where to be found. She pondered what had occurred on that walk home, and how was it, that it was such a dream. Mairead reasoned that maybe the fog had tricked her mind and imagination. And with those thoughts, she had some tea, and laid to rest in her bed.

Several weeks passed and the moon was full, and Mairead heard a knock upon her door. "Did you miss me?," said a soft gentle voice as she opened the door. Mairead wrapped her arms around her beloved, so very happy to see him, at last. "Where are you, Mairead?," asked her beloved as he entered the room. Mairead could suddenly see the green light all about again, and her breathing seemed as if she was in that heavy fog. She attempted to call out, but her voice seemed silent. She watched as the green light surrounded her beloved growing brighter and brighter, just as it had when she had walked on the path several nights ago. "There you are," said her beloved suddenly as he reached for her, taking her hand into his. The room filled with the green light. Mairead could hear that soft voice call out, "Now you will live eternal here together in peace, immortal and healed from all worries and pain. The light of the Will O' Wisp will protect you always." Mairead felt a bit uneasy and reached her hand toward the door, while holding the hand of her beloved in the other. "We should leave," said Mairead. "But, we can not, I made a deal with a Will O' Wisp for my life, we must stay, or only you may go," said her beloved.

~~The End...