A bright light shone through the clouds. The rain falling mercilessly on as the light shone onto the lush forest. Not far off from the forest a girl sat on a rock, playing a wooden flute. The rain drenched her light green cloak, making it cling to her body, her hood dripping water onto her hands. Her light brown skirt was completely covered by her knee length pull- over cloak. Her legs and feet were bare exept for a silver bracelet on her left ankle. Her legs and daft hands holding the flute seemed to glow in the pale luminescence of the full moon hanging above.

The girl brought the flute away from her lips as she tilted her head back to look at the bizarre light. She stood on the rock for a better look but the trees were too high. She tucked the flute into an inside fold of her cloak, the quickly and gracefully made her way to the forest.

The forest was restless. The trees rustling and the birds twittering animatedly. The girl stepped into a clearing, lit by the moonlight and walked up to a large oak tree. The tree twisted and turned every way until it broke the canopy of the forest, sending beautiful rays of pure moonlight onto it and illuminating it's bark like magic. It's trunk was as wide as twenty trees and taller than all others. She went closer and stood on one of it's great roots. She rested her forehead against the bark and placed each of her palms next to either side of her head.

"Grand old tree, Great mother of the wood , and green man. Please tell me what has disturbed the quiet peace of the wood?" The girl's voice was soft and pure. She kept still as the noise around her silenced and a soft breeze picked up causing the leaves to rustle around her.

"Turn, child of the wood." Said a wizened old voice from behind her. She new it came from behind but she could feel it's voice from all around. The voice had no gender and sounded young and old at the same time, though very wise. She turned and lowered her wet hood, her soft, long black curls falling down to her back. She bowed her head then turned her face up. Opening her pure green eyes to look at the shape before her.

Before her stood a massive buck. His antlers were almost as long as the girl her self and she bowed her head slightly again.

"Look up child of the leaves and tell me what you wish." The buck stared right at her and the voice seemed to come forth from it, wrapping itself around her, yet it's voice did not move. She looked up at it and gave a brief nod.

"Something has upset the forest, I saw the light and came forth. I wish to know what has happened.

There was a slight pause then the deer rose it's head.

" Something has come, something that has never been here before. It gives off great energy…Come, ride on my back and I will take you." The buck lowered his head and gestured her to come forth. She walked soundlessly toward it and looked at the large animal.

"I cannot climb on your back. It is too high." She said.

" Step on my antler. Be careful not to hurt yourself." The buck lowered it's antler to the ground and she stepped onto it with perfect balance. The deer raised her up and brought it's antler level with it's back. She stepped off onto it's back then lowered her body down against it and held onto it with her knees and gripped it's neck with her small hands. The buck took off.

They rode swiftly through the trees. The animal's hooves sounding like a melodious beat against the soft earth and fallen leaves. They rode for what seemed like forever until the deer finally stopped.

"I can go no farther, he is in the clearing ahead. Be careful."

She did a flip off of it's back and landed gracefully on a fallen log and the deer bowed to her before turning and galloping off.

The girl stepped hesitantly into the clearing.

They rode through the forest, Deirdre struggling to keep the boy on the back of the running stag. She wrapped her arms around his waist tight and gripped onto the stag with her knees. She closed her eyes, trying to concentrate until suddenly the stag stopped. She opened her eyes and realized they were at the edge. She jumped off and pulled the boy down with her then walked to the stag. She kissed in-between it's eyes and it turned and ran back into the woods.

Deirdre pulled him out into the rain and he weakly opened his eyes again. She rested him against a tree and smiled. She pulled out her flute and blew a short melody on it. She turned toward the boy and sat down next to him.

" Some of the village people will be here shortly to get us." She said softly as he looked at her.

"Thank you…my name is Adiel."