Fleur of the Forest
A stone’s throw away from the quaint French village of Marigot, hidden away from the bustling civilization, exists a vast forest - Forest Marianne. Named after the goddess of liberty, this forest is home to the ethereal Fleur. More than just a maiden, Fleur isn't a mere mortal but the spiritual guardian of the forest. Blessed by the Celtic goddess Epona at her birth, Fleur possesses the ability to communicate with the woodland creatures and heal injured flora and fauna with her touch.
Countless stories have been passed down for generations among the villagers about the forest whisperer, painted as a mystical, enchanting figure with hair of gold and eyes echoing the forest's green soul.
Every morning at dawn, Fleur would wander around the forest, tending to the wounded and twirling with joy, her laughter harmonizing with the symphony of the forest. One morning, her joyful prance was interrupted by the arrival of unfamiliar sounds—marred by despair and pain. Following the agonising echoes, Fleur came across a majestic stag—once radiant, now weakened and wounded.
Fleur knelt beside him, placing her hand gently on his wounded flank. As her power flowed through him, his wounds disappeared one by one. A deep bond was formed between the maiden and the majestic, wise stag, with mutual respect and friendship that radiated like the rays of the early morning sun, earning him the name Soleil—the sun.
One day, Soleil sensed a different kind of disturbance in the forest—an intrusion, not from within, but driven by the greed of men. A new lord had taken over Marigot and had set his eyes on the rich forest. Unbeknownst to him, this was no ordinary forest, and certainly not devoid of protection. He ordered his men to cut down the trees and capture the forest creatures, disrupting the balance of this intricate ecosystem.
With the integral harmony disrupted, the Forest Marianne started losing its vitality. Fleur felt the earth's agony and knew that she had to save her haven, but how could she stand against an army of men? Soleil was the answer. Their profound bond was the forest's last hope. Together, they decided to confront the lord, for the sake of their friends and their home, understanding the potent risk involved.
Fleur, riding on the back of Soleil, reached the castle gates. They were stopped by the guards, but with the most sincere plea and appealing request, they were granted an audience with the lord. Here stood the beautiful Fleur and majestic Soleil, representing the will of the forest against the unwavering lord.
The lord, though greedy, was not completely heartless. When he saw Fleur's genuine devotion, her account of the living forest, the creatures and their dialect, he was taken aback. He realised his folly in pursuing his gold lust without considering the damage and the lives he was affecting. He finally declared, 'As long as I am the lord, the forest shall be untouched by human greed.'
And thus, Fleur and Soleil saved their haven.
It has been many years since that day. The forest of Marianne remains untouched, blooming in its ethereal beauty. The story of Fleur, the forest whisperer, and Soleil, the majestic stag, resonates in the quiet hamlet, reminding them of the symbiotic bond between humans and nature. Every time a child does a good deed for a creature or plants a tree, the old folks would say 'Fleur and Soleil smile upon us today.', making the tale timeless.