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The King of the Woods walks from His realm to my backyard weekly. I give Him cookies, and He listens to me talk about my week.
Once, I forgot to make cookies because the week was stressful, and He forgave me instantly. I hadn't noticed that He'd stopped asking for the cookies as payment.
Once, He didn't show up in over three weeks. He had never missed a week before. So I left Him some cookies (mushroom shaped) in a basket on a tree stump. He came back the next week. The Court was busy, as He put it. Yelling over each other about what was right and wrong, what bills to pass, and who to allow in The Court, and so much more that I finally saw how tired He was. I let Him rest upon my shoulder that night, and we woke in my backyard as the sun rose.
Once, a neighbor almost saw Him. I was not expecting visitors, and yet the newsboy decided that was the day to drop off my paper. That I did not order, and never have. I hid Him within my bedroom upstairs while I dismissed the boy. When I walked back inside my home and had gone to check on Him, He was fast asleep in my bed. And under the covers no less!
Once, I met a young man with hair that resembled a light grass in the sunlight. He came to keep me company in place of his King, The King of the Woods. A rather loyal (and loud) young man, who seemed confused as to why the King sent him. I fed him some stew, and sent him on his way by nightfall.
Once, I had to go into His Woods for herbs at the request of a lady from the village. Upon walking in too deep, I stumbled into a clearing, one that contained the most beautiful human I'd ever seen, lying asleep at the base of a tree. And while I saw him and knew of his beauty immediately, I did not feel any urge to go near. The flowers and animals around him gave me a sense of unease, as though I was perceiving something not meant to be seen. I never talked with him, I just left the area and gave those herbs to the lady who'd asked for them.
Once, I was walking to the market to buy some bread. I saw a lad running about in the morning crowd, and he ran into me. He apologized, and I knew at once this was no mortal boy. His appearance was young, but his voice he apologized to me with was that of a man. I forgave him, as I saw no intended error within his actions. I somehow ended up buying him an entire chocolate cake from the bakery before he left me at the entrance to my house.
Once, I thought it was odd that The King of the Woods would arrive to my front door. Not only that, but it was a day when many would be in town. And He was not alone. There were three with Him. All were people I had met before: the young man (a guard, according to him), the beautiful human (who was somehow asleep while standing upright), and the immortal one (who was grinning in a manner akin to the shopkeep when he managed to scare the delivery boy last week). I let them enter, and we were to share a meal I prepared. One hour later, the leader's son arrived at my door. The King of the Woods was not well loved by any townsfolk beyond me, and they had come to expel Him and His kin from my home. They left graciously, but said that they were owed something for leaving so generously this time.
Once, I awoke to wails coming from my kitchen. After I'd rushed down the stairs, I saw the newsboy and delivery boy attempting to swing brooms at three translucent figures. I told them to stop, and explain why they were here. According to them, the leader's son was concerned for my safety, and had sent the two to purify my home. The figures spoke then, saying that they once lived in my home before me, and this was the one day of the year they could cross the veil to visit the living. They wanted to visit the place they once lived, and to meet the new homeowner. Luckily, I managed to get them to calm down. The living two leave eventually, saying they'll try to sort this out with the mayor.
Once night fell and the harvest moon rose in the sky, I was visited by the King for the last time. I saw the torches before they were lit, to be honest. One does not commune with the King of the Woods without risk of fire. He offered something to me, a human who did not recognize Him at first and who has never shown Him respect. "You have done me a great service, You who listen to my words regardless of their importance. Please, come with me to my realm, where You may live alongside me and I may protect You from the evils of your kind." Even if there were not the torches being carried towards my home by the leader and her villagers, I would take his hand any day.
Once, I lived within a town of humans and found true companionship with the King of the Woods.
Now, I live in the Realm of the King of the Woods, alongside my companion and his kin, and an odd looking cat that stole my fish while claiming me as his henchhuman. And I could not be happier.
