Bawdy Ballads

Willow Tree

I ran fast breaking through the underbrush to my right as yells of confusion broke out around me. I kept my head low and moved fast. My birth mother named me Brisa claiming I could run as fast as a breeze.

The sounds of the pursuit got further from me but I didn't relent. It felt good to run again sprinting over twisting roots and vines. I didn't want that doomed life my father set. Solitude in a cottage or bartered to bandits. No! I will find a better life.

The sunset and darkness brought a cold chill to the northern woods. I slowed my pace listening to the sounds of nature. I heard no sounds of the bandits so I slowed to a walk.

"What am I going to do?" I muttered miserably. I hadn't bothered to eat this morning because I was so upset but now I felt almost starved.

I broke through the woods and was surprised to see a clearing with a crystal clear pond. Next to its edge was a weeping willow. Willows always felt so sad to me but this one felt almost distraught. I approached slowly moving beneath the wispy branches. I placed my hand on its bark about chest high to me. The heart of a tree was meant to be spoken to with respect, my mom told me.

"I'm sorry to disturb your solitude," I began on a whisper. Tears burned my eyes and I started to cry. "My father was taking me to a cottage for me to live my life alone when our carriage was overrun by bandits. I ran to escape and now realize I have no home, no food and no means to survive," I confessed achingly. "May I stay by your side for a bit?"

The wind shifted bringing the wispy branches in on me almost in what felt like a hug. I smiled sadly. "Thank you Willow tree," I sighed, ducking my head to his trunk. I felt something thud beneath my palm similar to a heartbeat. "I believe I'll call you Will, ok?" The thud beat again and I smiled. I exhaled knowing I needed to at least get cleaned and find something edible. I moved from the branches looking at the clear pond.

A glance around confirmed I was truly alone. I kicked off my slippers and tugged the simple gown up and off before folding it. I pulled down my linen knickers adding them to the pile standing nude in the moonlight. The wind picked up caressing my body in a cool breeze. I felt the wispy branches slid along my backside before one snapped slightly against my ass cheek. I glanced back at the tree curiously. It felt more playful than distraught. "Keep your branches to yourself Will," I chastised with a smirk.

I walked into the cool water shivering slightly. Gooseflesh teased down my body and my n*****s hardened from the chill. I dove deep swimming beneath the surface before breaching the water just floating. The smell of fire and meat searing caught my nose.

I sank down to my shoulders looking around wildly when I saw it. There on the beach was a fire with a chunk of meat skewered over it to sear. I watched the woods for any movement of the person who could have made the fire but saw nothing. After several long minutes passed treading water I relented to the succulent smells and swam in. I moved cautiously just in case but there was only me and Will on the shoreline.

I dressed quickly and went to work turning the meat while watching it cook. I glanced over my shoulder to the Willow. It's energy shifted to a content feeling. "Thank you Will," I murmured with a soft smile.

The thought that the tree somehow set the bonfire and found meat to cook was preposterous of course but oddly also felt right. I removed the meat, letting it cool before digging in hungrily. After I had my fill I laid down in the sand beside the warm fire trusting Will would watch over me while I slept.

✨

The sounds of birds chirping woke me up. I stretched in the cool sand. I rolled to my back looking up to the gray cast sky. "Looks like storms are coming Will. I'm going to need to find some shelter," I admitted as I sat up with a yawn.

A bird tweeted, catching my attention as it flew close. It dropped something heavy in my lap. I looked down in confusion at the sight of a wrought iron key. I lifted it looking back to the bird who circled overhead urgingly.

"What do you think Will? Should I follow the bird?" The breeze kicked up and the wispy branches caressed my cheek like fingertips across my skin. I smiled, giving the tree a nod before getting to my feet.

The bird flew south of Will through the woods and I ran eagerly after it. After nearly two hours passed we finally broke the tree line and I was stunned to see a beautiful lodge overlooking a large lake. The lawn was manicured but a little overgrown and I was certain it was lived in recently.

The bird whistled flying to the door perching on the handle. "Want me to go in?" I asked nervously. The little bird just stared. With a sigh I approached and it flew away with a chirp. I put the key in and was surprised when it unlocked easily.

I pushed open the door looking around the beautifully decorated home. There was plush wooden furniture and a massive stone fireplace in the living room. The dining room had a large round oak table with seats for four. I walked slowly deeper into the home feeling like I was intruding. Just past the dining room was a stunning large kitchen with appliances I'd only ever seen in the homes I used to clean of the very rich in Kingstown.

I went to the fridge and freezer, surprised to see it was stocked with food that still looked fresh. My lips tugged down this was surely someone's home, maybe a hunting lodge of a rich person?

I did have the key though, did that mean the key was lost in the woods . . . was the owner overrun by the bandits and killed? My heart clenched at the thought. If someone did arrive I suppose I could apologize later. The sounds of the encroaching storm made my mind up. I shut the door just as the rain pelted down. Since I'd be staying in their home the least I could do is clean up.