The Man and the Beast

The Man and the Beast

The wicked snickering of the Imps seemed to come from all around him.  He slung his hatchet at the shifting shadows, and the cruel laughter increased with each missed attack.  The peasant could see their eyes in the corner of his own, and he felt their delight at his struggle.  He ran through the thick wood, and the laughing Imps followed easily.  He saw some kind of gate in the shadow of the night, and he rushed through it.  He heard the laughter stop abruptly, and silence reigned over the night.  His hand still gripped the fence, and looking down he discovered the cause of their quiet.  The fence was made of bone.

He pulled his hand away, and turned to see the great rotting candy house of the long dead witch.  He began to wonder if the Imps would over come their fear of the witch if he simply stood outside the house, so swallowing his own terror, he entered the house.  The Peasant was from a village outside the Dark Forest, and he and his mother, and father lived in a small house on the edge of the dreaded wood.  A great lord lived in a castle near the village, and one day the lord’s daughter came out.  He only got a glance at her, but he knew that this was the only woman he could ever love.

As soon as she had come, so did she leave with a trail of noble suitors behind her.  Her father, aware of how many desired his daughter’s hand, commanded a tournament to test the strength, of any man who would dare seek his daughter.  Any one who was victorious in the tournament would win the lady’s hand.

He walked through the witch’s house past the kitchen were the witch herself was merely a skeleton in her oven.  She had been burned to death within, many years ago.  Famine still rested upon the land, and the Peasant was not well fed.  There was no way he could win in a tournament against so many well fed, well armed, and strong nobles.  Desperate for the fair lady’s hand, the Peasant had only one choice.  He would go to the Fae and wish for strength.

The sun had begun to come up so the Peasant left the candy house, and journeyed further.  He came to a great golden gate, that opened before he could touch it.  Inside the Fae sat proud in their circle of chairs, and gazed at him through eyes as old as time, yet as vibrant as the spring.

The Fae were mischievous, blue-skinned immortals, who presided over the entire Dark Forest and their estranged cousins the Imps.  They knew little of mortal matters, but took great pleasure in toying with them.  The Fae would grant any wish for a price that they set, and that is usually not discovered till after their service is rendered.  Oberon, high king of the council, stood and walked over to the Peasant.

“Mortals do not usually survive the trek here, and those that do arte driven by madness, or this thing you mortals call ‘need.’  Are you mad, mortal, or in need?”

The peasant said, “I am in great need and I am willing to pay any price.”

“Do not be worried, child.  All deals with the Fae are fair, it is our nature.  Tell us your need, young one.”

The peasant thought on his wording then said, “I wish to be stronger than any of my kind.”

Oberon laughed and the place rang with this unearthly music.  He too had a love, and he wanted to impress her with a gift.  This mortal would provide it, “Food is a common request, as is shelter, but this is new. The price of such change is two fold, you must pay the price that change always brings, and the price I desire for causing it.  Are you truly willing?”

The Peasant nodded and Oberon cast his spell.  Instantly the man grew to an astounding height, and he was given claws and fur.  This new beast stood were the peasant once did.

“Bring me the most beautiful thing you have ever seen.”  Oberon said, and compelled by Fae magic the new beast trundled off towards the village.  Inside the true man screamed, for he knew exactly what the beast was to retrieve.  His love, the lady fair, would be Oberon’s gift, and the beast would most certainly bring her back lifeless and limp.