Alaisdair was soaring along, musing about how things had gone just in two days. He looked at the Forest and saw sour faces on the trees. He was moving much faster than he realized. His stomach started rumbling.
Hmm, it's time to stop for his snack and a little music. He fingered the Ocarina, pulling it from his neckline and the cord over his head rather than leaving it in place, but gave himself a stern reminder to put it back before restarting his trip.
He pulled his snack from the left pocket. He thought the dried Mango would be a quick uplift followed by some spring water, one of the best drinks. He felt it too bad not able to lean against a tree, but they all were scowling at him as he replaced the rations in his pocket.
Alaisdair lifted the Ocarina to his lips and started to play notes that were sounds of nature, the birds, and other creatures; it was so hauntingly nature's vibrations in tune with the inhabitants that the notes went into the spirits of the trees and rocks, were moved to weeping.
Alaisdair's playing in the Forest released the magic within his tunes.
The large and small animals were peeking out to see who was making the beauty of the woods shine again. They crept closer and closer. When Alaisdair opened his eyes, he saw animals surrounding him, and the trees were lifting their branches to the sky. The trees had grins on their faces. The rocks also had a luminescence.
Alaisdair sat in awe at the beauty of the woods and its creatures. Flowers and ferns and bushes adorned with colorful flowers appeared in abundance.
Alaisdair heard the movement of the water as it flowed and splashed water life. One of the rabbits moved closer to Alaisdair. When she saw Alaisdair was not afraid, she stretched out her forearm and rested her paw on Alisdair's knee, asking him if he was the Master Monster Hunter foretold many years past.
Alaisdair stared at the Silver colored rabbit in shock. He felt he must be dreaming. Indeed the rabbit did not speak to him. Did it?
The rabbit moved back closer to the other woodland creatures waiting for the shock to wear off the man's face.
The rabbit was surprised that Alaisdair did not seem to understand. Legend had it that the young hunter was swift of feet and a master flutist. And his name was Alaisdair. Indeed, this was he. Maybe she needed to use his name.
So she again advances, stopping just short of reach. This time she sat on her hunches and reached out her paw. "Hello, young Master, my name is Hilda, and I am the spokesperson for all the creatures hereabouts. May I ask if your name is Alaisdair Peyton?"
"Huh?" Alaisdair grunts. Staring in awe at the rabbit. "What did you say your name is? Hilda?"
"Yes, that is my name, said Hilda. "Are you Alaisdair Peyton?"
"Yes, I am. Tell me Hilda, am I dreaming? But unfortunately, rabbits cannot speak to humans."
"All of us animals can speak to humans. They don't listen and understand," Hilda said.
"So I'm not dreaming?" Alaisdair again asked Hilda.
Hilda smiled and said, "No, you're wide awake. You understand because you love animals and nature, and they trust you not to harm them."
"The Trees and Rocks look happy and shiny. Even the grass and flowers - wow, where did they come from? I don't remember seeing them when I first got here," exclaimed Alaisdair
"You opened a portal of happiness that lifted the pall over the Forest. Weight from centuries-old grudge was raised when you fluted that beautiful aria," Chirped the red-breasted bird. "My name is Robbie, and this is my Pappa. His name is Robert, and Mama is Susie. And my twin sister, Roberta."
The bird family approached Alaisdair, and Poppa Robert asked, "Alaisdair, may I call you that young Master?" and continued when Alaisdair nodded, "Your tune is beautiful, and it awakens all the gladness and chases away all the sadness. Would you play it again before you leave us to continue on your hunt?"
"Wow," Alaisdair said, still in awe of understanding the speech of the animals, lifted his Ocarina to his lips and positioned his fingers to cover and uncover the air holes and again got lost in the melody that so enchanted the gloomy Forest and its residents.
Then, Alaisdair slowly came back to awareness and saw all the animals except one had left to bask in the sunshine and the peace that pervaded the Forest.
A raccoon was leaning against his leg, gazing intently into his eyes. Then, finally, he said, "Yep, it's you, I knew it was, but I needed to see your eyes. Do you remember me, Alaisdair?"
"No, I am sorry, but I don't think so. Please refresh my memory," Alaisdair softly said.
"I was your hat on a trip to Washington, D.C., in America. My name is Cornelius."
"What? Where?" sputtered Alaisdair.
Cornelius got up and started walking to the trees; then, looking back at Alaisdair, said, "Don't worry about it. You will remember eventually."
Alaisdair shook his head in confusion. Was I dreaming, or did I talk to some animals?
He gazed at the area where Cornelius disappeared and saw two squirrels peeking out from behind the tree- one of them waved at Alaisdair, and the tree chuckled at the look of confusion on Alaisdair's face.
Alaisdair looked at the sunshine and judged the time to be two hours beyond noon, so he had not been seated very long, but he felt utterly refreshed and ready to continue and return to the fortress before dark.
Alaisdair replaced his flute around his neck. Then as he was dusting off his trousers, thankful there was only dirt on them, the most massive of the surrounding trees said, "Alaisdair, Master Monster Hunter, you have proven your worth today, even before bagging your first monster. You are fleet of foot and fly like the wind. But there is an easier passage than the one you travel."