The Owls' Wish
The owls gathered council in the woods beyond the little house. They realized time was running short for the old woman. In truth they had known her a long time, having watched her become aged and ailing, as she too had befriended them. They fondly recalled the many kindnesses she’d shown them over the years, so it was decided that they should do something for her in return.
Many were sent to the North to find the great Stone Eagles, who unlike their more widespread kin, were descended from the mighty Rocs themselves. The owls convinced them to fly Wilhelmina to the land of Hyperborea, where the harsh hand of old age could not reach her. Soon both the owls and the eagles clouded the skies of that little house in the glen.
Having heard the sound of wings, the old woman knew her friends had returned. As she withdrew from the house, one of the owls flew down and alighted on her cane.
“Where did you go, my dear one?” the woman asked, sweetly.
“To find a place for you where the sun always shines and the snow never falls,” answered the bird.
“Is there such a place?” she asked.
“There is, dear Wilhelmina. It is the land of Hyperborea, and once your feet touch the ground, the aches from your body will cease. When you drink from the stream and eat of the land, your appearance will change and you will be as you were once before, for your youth will be restored,” happily said the owl.
“Oh, my friends, what would I do without you?” replied Wilhelmina, smiling.
“Take care, and remember us- for alas we cannot take you. Our bodies cannot carry you, nor do we know the way. Instead, the Stone Eagles will fly you there upon their backs, following the wind through that hidden path. Goodbye then,” called the owl as it flew off to rejoin the others.
Wilhelmina donned her warmest cloak and bade the owls farewell then, mounting the smallest of the eagles, held on tightly to its golden harness as they swept up through the air. The icy wind cut through her, making her shiver as the sun sank far below. The clouds departed soon after, leaving the sky clear and dark and deep. That night, high above the hills and far past the rivers that divided them, the light in the sky seemed different. Wilhelmina had never seen the stars so bright, and their beauty filled her dreams.
By the time Wilhelmina awoke, the great eagles had covered the distance of a week in the course of a single night. This was due to their great speed and size and magical inheritance. Now the sun had risen and was boldly welcoming the day. Wilhelmina saw nothing but sky when suddenly, having burst from the other side of a large fan of clouds, a yawn of green suddenly appeared below. Feathers shifted as the wind carried them down.
A warm breeze sang across the plain as she slowly descended in Hyperborea. On gentle wings the great eagle flew, carrying her forward. The sun shone bright, wildflowers caught in the light, like a halo of soft dreams surrounded in color. Peril had no home here, only wonder.
Wilhelmina dismounted, and when she touched the ground it was just as the owl had said. Her joints no longer ached, and her pain disappeared. She quickly ran to a stream and cupped her hands with water and took several draughts to quench her thirst. Before she had gotten back on her feet, her hands and face had lost their wrinkles and her body felt like new.
However, something else had changed too; she now knew she could never return. After having tasted of this land of eternal Spring she realized she could never go back to her house in the glen. Had the birds known? Tears sprang to her eyes, feeling grateful for her owl friends. She would make her new home here as they wished, and live easily, and happily remember.
-Written by & photograph by Arienne F.
