One last walk through the village; The Wise Tree

After leaving the only home she knew, she instantly felt sick to her stomach. She couldn’t leave just yet, not when she hadn’t said goodbye to the people in the village. She made a mental note of all the people she would say goodbye to before walking down the path into the village, where Joy would most likely be waiting for her.

Her walk through the forest that surrounded her cottage was nothing out of the ordinary for Willow, but to anyone else, the word majestic would be an understatement. The tree’s were vibrant in their color and blew with the gentle breeze. Vibrant flowers outlined the path to her cottage home, slowly blossoming as Willow walked past them. Deer, squirrels, and song birds flocked around Willow, tilting their heads as they watched her leave without looking back. It saddened her to see the animals she grew up with go, but it had to be done.

Now at the edge of her village where the path to her cottage ended, a Tree next to this path began to move. It turned around slowly, its roots traveling across the ground by displacing dirt and stone. As Willow approached this strange tree, a face appeared in the bark, a face of an old man.

“Why hello there Willow! Did your mother send you out on a shopping trip again?” Said the tree in a voice so low Willow could feel the ground beneath her shake as he talked.

“No, not at all,” Willow replied.

“Oh, then why are you visiting to early in the morning?” Said the tree.

“I’m leaving. I’m going away with a friend of mine. I probably won’t be back for a long time, Mr. Sapple,” Willow replied hesitantly.

“Ahhh, it’s sad to see you go, but I hope you well on whatever chapter you set for yourself next, dear Willow,” Sapple replied. Willow could hear his voice shake a bit as he talked, making her wonder what he truly felt.

“I wish I could’ve told you sooner, but it must’ve slipped my mind!” Willow said, walking up to the old tree to grab a branch.

“Don’t apologize child,” He replied softly. “You’re an adult, an adult that strives for independence! Life needs to move forward for it to flourish into anew.”

“I’m going to miss you…” Willow replied somberly as she hugged the tree, trying her best to wrap her arms around his massive trunk.

“I shall as well, but maybe in time you will return with a partner of your own! Ahh, I remember still when your mother returned to the village after years of being away, only for her to come back with a man to her family’s cottage,” Sapple said with a large grin on his face. “Oh, you said you were leaving with a friend?” Sapple asked.

“Yeah, Joy!” Willow answered.

“Ahh, the Elf woman. I’m sure you’ll be okay with her by your side on your journey!” Said Sapple. Willow blushed in response, unsure of what to make of his comment.

“Speaking of which, gotta go! She’s probably waiting for me down in the village!”

“Alright then! Hey, you know what, you’re lucky!” Said Sapple.

“Lucky how?” Willow replied confusedly.

“I’m stuck here by my roots! I wish I could, Leaf, myself!” Sapple said before laughing to himself. The joke was so stupid that even Willow began to laugh too.

“Stay safe my dear! Oh and, as a parting gift…” Sapple said. A branch from above began to descend down to Willow, holding what looked to be a wooden compass. Sapple then dropped the compass into Willow’s hands. She inspected the compass closely, taking in the carved details and seemingly all wooden design. She wasn’t too sure how an all wooden compass would work.

“May what you desire the most be guided to you! Goodbye Willow!” Sapple said.

“Goodbye Sapple! I’ll miss you so much!!” Replied Willow.

Willow then put the compass into her bag, still confused by what it did, but nevertheless cherishing the gift her old tree friend gave her. She also wondered if Sapple would still be there if and when she’d ever come back. His stories made it seem he was older than most cities in Glorgalia, but would he still be around to see her again with a lover, or Gloria forgive a family?

She wanted nothing but to stay with Sapple, maybe hear one last story from him before she left, but at this point Joy must’ve been waiting hours for Willow to meet. The last thing she wanted to do was make her mad, so she walked off and into the village, hoping she’ll get to see more of her friends again before she left.