Nymph
01.31.13
There was no doubt about it – the oak tree was angry. It creaked and groaned and waved its branches though there was not even a whisper of wind. Taimi swore under his breath. It had to happen on his watch of course. And it had to be the oak tree, didn’t it – just for once, it would be nice if it was the willow tree that demanded his attention. He sighed. Still, there was no escaping it; he had to do his duty.
“O Venerable Oak Tree, what troubles you?” he asked, bowing low, and waited for the nymph to appear. Nymph indeed! Now there was a joke – hag was more like it. The nymph started to materialise from the bellybutton first, as was her wont. Taimi kept his eyes to the ground as her emaciated torso came into view, waiting until her face was visible before he would look at her. Not that the face was any more pleasant, of course, but a nymph of the Dark Forest had to be looked in the eye, out of respect.
“I want blood,” she rasped, her dark, gleaming eyes set in a glare he was almost becoming used to. Almost. At least the eyes themselves held some beauty as well as terror, unlike her haggard face.
“Certainly my lady, I shall find and catch a rabbit for you to have its blood.”
“I’ve had enough of rabbit blood. Give me yours.”
“But my lady…”
“I’m not asking you to sacrifice yourself, you fool. A few drops will be enough.”
“But my lady…to give a nymph human blood is forbidden by the gods. So say the priests.”
“The priests! Those imbeciles know nothing. As if the gods care about anything other than the sacrifices they receive. Now use that great big sword of yours to cut your thumb open before I show you the true meaning of rage.”
Taimi complied – the priests could go and jump off a cliff; they weren’t the ones about to be ripped apart by an oak nymph. He held his thumb over the roots of the tree as the nymph looked on, and waited until no more blood was dripping from it.
“Wonderful,” said the nymph, in such a mellow tone that he turned to look at her in surprise. What he saw made him nearly fall over. He took a deep breath. Gone was the skinny, shrivelled hag. In her place was a nymph of more beauty than could ever be described. Her figure was full and lithe, and waves of shining black hair danced all the way down to her waist. The only unchanged thing about her was her eyes; they had held onto their dangerous gleam. She let him admire her for a while, then blew him a kiss and vanished into the tree. Taimi stood transfixed until dawn started to break. It was the end of his watch, and he set off for home running, eager to tell his friends what he had seen. The willow nymph was said to be beautiful, but she could not possibly be as beautiful as this.
Inside the oak tree, the nymph smiled to herself. Now all the young men would come flocking to the oak tree in hopes of a glimpse of her, and their lust would fuel her youth. The willow nymph would be neglected and her looks would go. Serves her right for being condescending to me, she thought, the little upstart.
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Tags: dryad, Fantasy, Flash Fiction, fridayflash, nymph, oak, willow, Writing
I hope I’d be more polite to a nymph, though I suspect I’d get on her bad side one way or another.
I don’t know why, but I adored that she materialized from the belly button on outward. That’s so weird and funny.
Those Oak tree nymphs are the worst! That Willow Nymph had better come up with something better! Fun story.
sigh, the male of the species led by his lojns, the female of other species still one upping their female rivals, different worlds, same foibles. This was a hoot maria, really enjoyed it!
Ohhhhh so even trees have competitions over beauty? A horrible part of me wants the oak nymph to win!
Rivalry among the trees. A nice glimpse into mythology, and I loved the twist.
I thought this was setting up for something far more dangerous than rivalry over beauty- what a fun turn!
There just happens to be an old oak outside my window, (which I can see in my peripheral vision), and I couldn’t help but picture this happening there, in “my” tree. The description here is outstanding Maria, and the story itself is priceless.
I love the twist at the end — the shallow, vengeful nymph who actually means no harm to the men. And no physical harm to the willow, either. Entirely for her own vanity. I can see her eyes gleaming! A lovely little fairy tale!
BIIIIIIIIITCH!
Hilarious. I love how all the nice fantasy world touches drain away to the wholly recognisable. Even in Fairyland…
And I always thought that wood nymphs were such lovely, well-meaning creatures too, I think I may be a touch naive. 🙂
Oh this was great…really taut writing, and lovely twist. Loved it.
That oak tree nymph is quite the trickster! I liked the tone of this one, sort of playful with a touch of the sinister to it.
I love the twist, the play of ritual cultures, even the petty games of the immortals… Thanks for sharing.
Nicely told, though I expected much worse from her. I suspect she has a more grand plan stewing. Your style, as always, is such a pleasure to read.
~jon
Ah, what a man won’t do for lust, and what a woman won’t do for jealousy. I loved this.
Oh, I like the nymph, and her manipulation of the hapless mortal and his faith. How easily she got what she wanted. How well she lay the trap. Delicious read.