We all need a little fairy tale in our lives now and again... Made this one up for a dear friend one night, and thought I'd share it with everyone.

~Land of Perfection~

Once upon a time, there was a mystical land, a place where nothing bad ever happened....

The forests were thick with tall majestic pines, and the water that ran through them was bluer than...well, bluer than the bluest sapphires. The sky was always clear, the sun was always warm, and the meadows were filled with every kind of wild flower you can imagine.

In the middle of this place stood a tall castle, with very regal looking pillars, and flags that waved in the afternoon breeze. Within the castle lived a beautiful maiden....with strands of long brown hair, and milky white skin. She was mystifying to those that beheld her, and captured the hearts of many. But alas...this beautiful creature was sad. Amidst all this beauty, our poor maiden was alone. Oh, many had come calling and sought out her hand, but none captured her fancy and she soon grew tired of them.

One day, simply by chance, the maiden was out walking down the long road that led to her castle. She was picking wildflowers and listening to the birds sing. Suddenly she was startled by a noise behind her, and looked up to see another woman on a white horse. She was awe struck for a moment...the horse was beautiful...and the woman mounted in the saddle sat looking down at her with such intensity. And yet her eyes were gentle, her smile quite loving.

The rider did not speak for several minutes, and our maiden found herself captivated by this woman's gaze. She was not a beauty, quite simple in fact. Her garb was neat, but plain...and there was nothing overly distinquishing about her looks. But there was something so...comfortable about her.

Finally, after several awkward moments, the rider dismounted and approached the maiden. "Hello" she said in a soft voice... almost a whisper. The maiden faltered for a moment, then responded, "Hello. I didn't here you ride up. Are you lost? I do not recognize you." The rider just smiled. "No, I am not lost. I have been looking for you."

The maiden gasped. How could this be? She did not know this woman before her. And yet, she felt so...familiar. A chill ran through her and she said..."For me? And why would that be?" The rider slowly stepped closer, and gazed deep into the maiden's eyes. "I had heard that there was a beautiful maiden living in this land of perfection, and yet she was not happy. I did not think this possible, so I had to see you for myself."

The maiden, now quite shy, let out a small sigh and said, "It is true. I do live in a perfect place. But I am not happy, for up until now I have been alone. Oh, many have come, but none have made me truly happy, and eventually they have left." "And what is it you are looking for?" said the rider, smiling more broadly now. "Well...", said the maiden in a somewhat shaky voice, "many have brought me gifts, and treasures. They have wined and dined me. They have offered me marriage, but...", and her voice trailed off.

The rider, with steady hand, reached out and took the maiden's hand, causing her to *gasp* again. "But what, my fair lady? What is it that you seek and have not found?"

The maiden, now finding herself trembling at this stranger's touch, looked up with a shy smile and said, "I long to be loved... To be treasured, not burried in them... To be savored, not plyed with savory feasts. I long to feel the star burst within...not just see it overhead." And with that her head went down again.

Then this stranger, this plain and simple woman, did something most unusual. She took the soft milky white hand she held within her own grasp, raised it gently to her lips, kissed it softly, and smiled. Our maiden shuddered, and then a small tear ran down her cheek. This stranger, had just shown her such a simple act of kindness, and suddenly she was overcome. She felt a strange feeling welling up inside her... a longing she had not known before. It frightened her, and yet excited her at the same time. The rider, sensing something in the air other than the heat of the afternoon, took yet another step closer. She placed a hand under the maiden's chin, and gently raised her face. Smiling softly into those teary eyes, she took her hand, and with the back of her finger, wiped the tear from the maiden's cheek.

For the first time perhaps, their eyes met full force, exchanging a gaze that could have melted the very ground they stood on. The maiden trembled, the rider stood her ground...each afraid to move, neither admitting it with their eyes.

Suddenly, the maiden began to feel as tho she were going to faint. Her legs grew weak, and she began to stumble forward just a bit. The rider took hold of her arms gently but firmly, and helped her regain her footing. Then, without pause, the rider stepped even closer. She was but a few inches from the maiden, and the maiden could feel her warm breath on her face, smell the afternoon heat rising between them. The rider leaned forward, eyes still fixed on the maiden, and gently brushed the maiden's lips with her own. The maiden let out a small swoon, and fell forward into the arms of the rider...never having felt such a passion in her life, and all from a single kiss.

With that the rider pulled the maiden to her, and kissed her again...more passionately this time, and the maiden responded with the same. After a long moment, the maiden leaned back just a bit and looked lovingly into the eyes of this stranger, realizing what a handsome woman she was in her simplicity. "I have just come to a realization it would seem my handsome stranger" the maiden said. "Oh?" replied the stranger with a curious smile on her face. "And what would that be my most beautiful creature?" The maiden blushed, and then shyly responded, "I believe, you were not lost at all. But I think perhaps I was." The stranger smiled and said, "I see. And why do you think that?" Without hesitation, the maiden replied, "For within your embrace, and amidst your kiss.... I feel found". With a gentle hug, the stranger said, "Indeed. Then my journey was truly worthwhile...as I feel I am home."

copyright Š1998 Bonnie S. Pease

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