An Ephemeral Guide

"Help! Help, I'm lost!"

The desperate cries of a young lambaby perforated Virva's consciousness as they peered into the mortal plane from the Faerie Otherworld. Concern pierced the solemn lambicorn's heart. She could hear the tears in the little one's voice; feel the panic radiating off of them like a beacon. With a soft, decisive sigh, Virva phased through the realms. The scent of fear on the wind drew her ever closer to the sobbing child until she was within sight. Quietly, so not to startle her, they crept like a warm summer's breeze.

"Do not despair, little one. I am here to guide your way."

The child's whimpers ebbed as they looked up to see the glowing faerie, suspended by gorgeous gossamer wings.

"What is your name, small one?"

"R-Rue." The little lambaby swiped at her eyes with a paw, drying some of the tears that had spilled from their gentle magenta depths.

"Rue," they tried out the name on the tip of their tongue. "A beautiful flower; an herb of many uses. Merry meet, young Rue. How did you get yourself so turned around?"

"I w-was playing with my f-friends n-near the edge of the woods," Rue tremulously explained. "We were p-playing hide-and-seek, a-and I hid too deep in. I-I think they st-stopped looking for me." "Wh-who are you?"

"I go by many names, but you may call me Virva."

The child was silent for the moment, save a few residual sniffles.

"The rue flower is strong and hearty; preferring the rockiest and driest of soils that most plants would struggle to survive in. It is a warrior plant; much like you, young Rue. You are far braver than you know." The words of encouragement worked their magic; soothing the child's mind. Virva could already feel the fear start to dissipate from her aura. "Come. Walk with me."

Rue shakily got to her feet, but hesitated as Virva floated a few steps ahead. "B-but it's dark and scary!"

Rue was not incorrect. The silhouettes of trees formed towering monsters with sharpened claws. Eyes glinted almost maliciously in the undergrowth. "Fear not, little one. I will light the way." Virva concentrated on their body, allowing their faint glow to intensify. "See? Things are not so frightening when a light is cast upon them." The towering monsters transformed into tranquil trees; the animals revealing themselves to be nothing more than a family of chipmunks.

"I... I guess."

"Stay within my light. I will guide you back home."

- - -

As they neared the edge of the forest, both lambicorns could hear others shouting. The two drew nearer and nearer to the sound, and it became abundantly clearer. "Rue! RUE!" They were yelling after her. They had never stopped looking, no matter what the little lambaby thought.

"See? They did not forget you."

"They're still looking!" Rue's face lit up with joy at the fact that she had not been forgotten. Following the sounds of the voices, the little lambaby ran up ahead of Virva and emerged into the dim light of dusk. Virva watched silently from the undergrowth as the searching lambicorns rejoiced upon their friend's return. The reunion was always a heartwarming one, no matter the length of time a wanderer had been missing.

As the hugging and cries of joy ebbed, Rue turned back to thank her mysterious guide. But Virva was already gone. All that remained was a faint glow amidst the trees.