The Forest's Songs

[Willowsong]

"Thank you, my friend."

A strange heat up inside of her chest, and Willowsong beamed with true happiness. She moved over to the now 'blank' Talwyn, ignoring the fact that he was trying to keep his mind in balance. She hugged him, then stroked his chin.

"Let's get to it, then, shall we?" she said strangely, picking up another book of hers. She couldn't help but tempt the human further, as she ran her hand over his cheek again.
She resisted the urge to kiss him, focusing on the matter at hand.

"Focus on my voice, Tal, and follow your desires. Remember your wish. The wish of knowledge."

She ran her hand over his tunic, looking him over through her black strands of hair, as her other hand approached Talwyn's eyes.
"All physical pain is meaningless. My voice and my will is all that matters to you now."
This was a precaution against the pain Talwyn would be in later, but maybe even more.

[Talwyn]

Her touching him seemed to empower the magic as his mind suddenly had to fight off a nearly overpowering wave. He held on desperately and managed to keep his mind clear. Yes, he was under her control now, but he retained enough control of his mind to make sure the magic would not start to fill him up with lust and desire towards her again.

"Focus on my voice, Tal, and follow your desires." She told him and he obeyed. "Remember your wish. The wish of knowledge." Yes... knowledge. He wanted knowledge. Absentmindedly, he took the book from her and looked at the first page, the weird symbols impossible to read.

Touching him once more, Tal's mind nearly lost another bout. He tried telling her to stop touching him, but the part of his mind he still controlled was weaker then the part under her spell. "All physical pain is meaningless. My voice and my will is all that matters to you now." She told him.

Once more he wanted to ask her not to touch him, it made fighting the magic harder. "Yes my mistress..." Was all he could say however. The magic was wresting for control of his emotions, but he held on to those tightly, like a cast-away would to a piece of wood in the middle of the ocean.

[Willowsong]

"Yes my mistress..."

"That's a good boy...", Willowsong said with an overly seductive voice, again running her hand over his cheek. Maybe she was going over the top now, but she was too afraid of failing her only friend, so she did what she thought she had to.

The witch opened the book, skipping to a chapter about curses.
"Tal, can you read from this book again? I love it when you read from it..."

She pressed herself against his body yet again, waiting for his eyes to change and for Talwyn to finally sate his hunger for knowledge. Maybe he'd finally find what he was looking for.
If he didn't fall victim to her 'charms' again.

[Talwyn]

The sudden, overly seductive voice, coupled with her running her hand over his cheek caused his mind to stagger. The magic quickly jumping at the opening, Tal had to fight for his dear life to remain in control of his emotions.

As she continued talking to him in that seductive voice, he felt himself slipping. Trying to read the book, he felt the familiar burning pain starting, but he got interrupted by her pressing her body against his. Already slipping, this was like giving that final push to someone that was already doing his best to not fall of the edge of a cliff.

His mind held on desperately to the edge. Slowly but surely however, the magic was pulling on his "fingers". Crying out in pain at the transformation, he felt like he was holding on with only his pinky, while the magic was beating down it.

[Willowsong]

Willowsong watched with curiousity as Tal's eyes changed back into that unsettling amber, lizard-like one. She noticed nothing of his internal struggle, merely smiling and massaging his neck.
"I am here, Tal. Don't mind the pain, it will stop if you focus on my voice and the book. I promise."

She rubbed his neck again, leaning her head to rest on his shoulder as she looked into the book herself.
"I promise...", she whispered again, trying to ease Talwyn's pain but not noticing she was beginning to push Talwyn over the edge. It wasn't that she was overestimating his will, it was just that she forgot to pay too much attention to it. And she was too afraid of losing her power onto him, so the change would cease and it would all be in vain.

[Talwyn]

The pain easing, Tal found that he could once again read the strange symbols. Focusing on that task with all of his remaining will, he managed to push back the magic a bit. Reading out loud for her, he suddenly became aware of her tempting scent.

Closing his eyes, he rubbed the bridged of his nose. No! He could not give in. Focus on the book! Opening them again, he continued reading. Managing to finish the chapter, his mind was tired. The magic was wearing him down it seemed.

So long as he did not allow it a foothold he could, somewhat, easily repel it. But once it had managed to get said foothold, it became a different matter. He looked at Willowsong. He had done as she had told, and he patiently awaited his mistress's next command.

[Willowsong]

Willowsong only noticed after a while that Talwyn had finished. She had almost fallen asleep on his shoulder. Well, he seemed quiet so far. No flirting, no compliments. He was just following orders. Was this just him repelling the magic or was it worse this time? She assumed the former, and skipped through some of the pages before arriving at a chapter about rituals. Maybe one of those would be what Talwyn was looking for. If this did not help, then they'd have to start to read all the books from the beginning to the end.

"Read on, my love." she whispered and placed her head on his shoulder again. After another moment, she had the urge to sing again. She restricted herself from doing so at first, but then started humming. It wasn't the magic this time, or so she assumed. Or the curse was just being more subtle this time...in any case, she felt good being next to Talwyn. Maybe his body warmth or human instinct drew her to him. But she knew it was the friendship that now bonded them. At least for her.
He probably was just in for the books and because her spell was affecting him again.

Willowsong had to admit that she admired this man's obsession. It was a tremendous risk he was taking, they were both taking even, but he dared to take it nonetheless.

Her hum turned into soft words in a language nobody would be able to understand, but it just sounded beautiful.

[Talwyn]

Reading on, Tal focused every ounce of his willpower on reading the book. It was a fine line between allowing enough of the magic to possess him without being overrun by it. But, so far anyway, he was managing.

At times, her being this close started to make him feel like he was burning where she was touching him. A quick struggle of his will against her magic put a stop to that however. In any case, he knew he had made the right decision. Even if all the information in this book so far was worthless, it was very interesting none the less.

As he reached the end of the chapter however, Willowsong started humming. The magic started hammering him once more. Fighting a ferocious battle of wills, his mind was slowly winning as the magic subsided. That, or he just became used to it.

Or so he thought... He felt like he was the general of a great army. A great army on the verge of victory, as it chased down the remnants of the defeated army. When his army crossed the hill top however, and looked down into the valley, all they saw was a swarm of opponents, secretly brought in during the night, which now started charging the army that only moments before believed it had won.

That is how it felt for Talwyn when she suddenly started singing. His mind got swept away by the raging maelstrom. Struggling to stay afloat, he was rapidly being drowned by this tsunami. Overrun by the much larger army. He struggled valiantly, but lost. His mind carried away by the swirling ocean of magic, he held on desperately to a piece of driftwood to prevent himself from drowning.

Finishing the chapter, Tal put the book down as tears ran down his cheeks. Remaining silent, he looked at Willowsong, his eyes no longer blank, but filled with emotion. Touching her carefully, as if afraid to scare her off, he whispered softly. "How can anyone be so beautiful? How can anyone ever have a voice that puts even the loveliest of birds to shame?"

[Willowsong]

Talwyn fought a fight inside, but of course Willowsong couldn't see that. The cursed and charmed human finished the chapter, and the witch figured it would have to be enough for today. Her hands touched Talwyn's briefly as she pulled the book out of his grasp.
"You did well." she said, ceasing to sing.

"How can anyone be so beautiful? How can anyone ever have a voice that puts even the loveliest of birds to shame?"

Willowsong froze and dropped the book. She had gone too far. She brought a hand up to her mouth, hiding an expression of fear and surprise. But she quickly regained her composure, smiling at Talwyn.
Instead of replying, though, she suddenly kissed him. It was a short, yet passionate kiss, but Willowsong then quickly pulled her lips away, trembling in concentration.
The magic, unable to transform Talwyn's body, fired back again, but this time Willowsong was more prepared for it. It took all her concentration not to transform herself this time, and the charm continued to have its strong hold upon Talwyn.
She stroked both of Talwyn's cheek before deciding it was time to let go.

"Look into my eyes, my love. Forget my voice. I am ugly, and you are cursed. You have a purpose. Fight the voice in your head. Remember the books contents. You are trying to find a way back to your natural form. Did you find anything?"

Her tone was loving, but this time she kept her distance. The goal was to get Talwyn to wake up before he fell over her in his enslaved state of mind.

Granted, if she allowed herself to be transformed by her own magic, it would cause Talwyn to wake up immediately. But it was an abrupt rip out of his mind. Willowsong feared for his mental health-being if they did this too often.

"Wake up, Talwyn..." she whispered, and then closed her eyes so Talwyn was no longer able to look into them.

[Talwyn]

Still enthralled by her spell, his eyes went wide when she suddenly kissed him and his heart fluttered. The moment lasted all too short for him and he grabbed her shoulders as she pulled back. Stroking his cheeks, he already moved in again, but stopped as started talking.

As she told him to forget her voice, that she was ugly. About how he had a purpose and had to fight the voice in his head, he slumped. Her own words pitted against the very magic that held his mind empowered him. His mind managed to slowly, but surely, climb back on top of the edge.

Falling down on his butt, he closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. Thanks to her, he was fighting back the magic. His eyes turning back to normal, he started panting. Finally remembering she asked if he found anything, he shook his head, unaware she had her eyes closed.

Looking at her, he quickly corrected his mistake, "No, I didn't I'm afraid." Recalling all that had just happened, he remembered the passionate kiss they had just shared. Looking away, his face turned slightly red. "Also..." He started nervously. "Even if you said to help me get back,... well... I don't think you're ugly at all..."

[Willowsong]

"No, I didn't I'm afraid."

Willowsong left Talwyn where he was, returning to her dark corner with the book, appearantly reading something again. In reality, she didn't she just didn't want Talwyn to see her face.

"Even if you said to help me get back,... well... I don't think you're ugly at all..."

Suddenly Willowsong started crying.
"Stop treating me like a little girl! I am useless! This is all in vain! I cannot help you... I am more of a risk to your life and condition!"

She paused only to sniff, but her body was still turned away from Talwyn.

"You must leave... I am just interested in my own well-being. I already tried to seduce you yet again. If we continue this, I won't be able to...to resist anymore... Then you will never wake up from your nightmare again!"

[Talwyn]

"Treating you like a little girl?" A hint of anger had crept in his voice. "I have entrusted you with my well being twice now! How is that treating you like a little girl?" Getting up, he stomped over to her.

Turning her around, he forced her to look at him. "And this is not in vain. If I were to leave now, I would forever wonder if the answer might have been within my grasp! Plus, I don't care that you tried to seduce me. You pulled through for me on both accounts! That's what matters!"

Raising his hands, he let go of her as he started to once more gesture wildly. "And I also don't see why I should fear being under that spell for the rest of my life! I told you didn't I? I don't see a difference between dying due to some trap I overlooked and this! Being trapped by you is preferable even! As I would still be alive and might one day even free myself again!"

His shoulders sagged and a single tear ran down his cheek as he turned around. "But very well... if you still insist I shall take my leave." He took a single step towards the exit before stopping. Turning his face slightly, he looked at her from the edge of his vision.

"You... were wrong about one thing though..." He hesitated slightly. "You're not useless. For the first time in many years... I have been treated without being judged by the way I look. Without being labeled a monster... For that, I will be forever grateful. Thank you Willowsong."

[Willowsong]

Willowsong listened to Talwyn's objection to her previous monologue. Her crying stopped, replaced by a quiet sobbing.
He was leaving. Now. Was that what she wanted?

"You're not useless. For the first time in many years... I have been treated without being judged by the way I look. Without being labeled a monster... For that, I will be forever grateful. Thank you Willowsong."

"Th-thank you, Talwyn..." Willowsong replied.
"Please, friend. Take a walk, get your head cleared of all of this. If you come to a decision without me being near you to influence your mind..."
The witch stood and turned to look at Talwyn.

"Return to me... If you still insist on your quest for knowledge. I will try to find a safer way..."
She bit on her lower lip. What was she saying?

"Farewell, Talwyn, friend."

[Talwyn]

Nodding at her words, he turned to face forward and left her cave. Leaving the grove, he felt the last remnants of her magic releasing their hold on his mind. Still, he kept walking. It wasn't until he noticed the sounds of quails that he stopped.

Using his own magic, he created a bow of ice and started hunting. Stalking prey like this helped him clear his mind. Uncertain of what to do, his mind kept racing. She needed him, he realized. She craved for the friendship he could provide. Maybe even more...

As for him... he needed her as well. She had knowledge in the form of books. Knowledge that might help him. And even if it couldn't, well, one could never have too much knowledge. And there was the fact that she treated him like she would any other person.

That simple fact touched him deeply. Was it right for him to ask her to take such risks for his sake? To take advantage of that single wish of hers? But then again... was it really a risk for her? In the worst case scenario, he'd be her slave, obeying her every whim and command.

Wasn't that a solution to her desperate need of friendship? No. He shook his head. It wasn't. That would not be friendship. Still, it would solve the loneliness part. As for him.. Well, he was willing to take any risk to gain more knowledge. As he had told her multiple times already, becoming her slave was preferable to dieing to some overlooked trap in an ancient ruin.

At least he'd be of use to someone that way. Plus he could still always free himself of her magic someday. Yes, it certainly was better then dying. And, looking the way he did, he never got the chance to make a lot of friends and he had to admit he liked her. In a friendly way of course.

The fact he thought that way without being near her made him sure of it. He didn't just like her thanks to the magics subtle influence. He honestly enjoyed the thought of calling her a friend. Maybe he needed her more then he realized.

Finally finding the quail, he took aim and released the magic arrow. Walking over to the nest, he was happy to find several eggs within it as well. Taking the dead bird and eggs with him, he slowly made his way back to Willowsongs grove.

Once there, the sun was setting, he had been gone for a while now. Quickly building a fire, he skinned the bird and started roasting it. Filling a metal cup with water, he dumped as much of the eggs as he could fit in it, and hung the cup over the fire to let the eggs boil.

[Willowsong]

Willowsong's sobbing continued for a while, even as Talwyn left. Why were human emotions so difficult? When she was in animal form, she hardly ever had the urge to cry! Never, actually.

The witch decided to distract herself. She was getting thirsty, so she stood up and went out to the little stream outside, where she ladled water to her lips and mouth. The water was cool as ever, just right for Willowsong's heated skin. Probably from the flurry of emotions she was going through.
She sat by the stream for a while, looking over at the graves. For a moment, Willowsong had the urge to destroy all the graves, as they constantly reminded her of her own loneliness. But now that Talwyn was gone, probably forever, they were all she had. Actually, they didn't remind her of her loneliness. They reminded her of what her curse was capable of. And that her victims would never leave her.

When Talwyn returned, Willowsong was lying in the cave, wrapped up in her furs while sleeping soundly. She didn't wake from the noises Talwyn was making, after all they were quieter than what the forest usually had to offer at night.
But she would be in for a surprise once she did wake up.