He first saw her, laughing, with her companions. He never ventured out much, and lurked in his world, living alone, watching. Until today. She was bright. Her eyes. Her hair. Even her voice was clear and light, laughing so it sounded musical. The wind played with her skirts, enveloping her slim body until it was wrapped in diaphanous clouds. She was holding flowers in her hands, leaning in to smell the fragrance, her lips parted in a soft sigh. He started a little, catching his breath, and she saw him. What did he look like to her? A dark figure, wrapped in darkness? A young man, thrown out by his heartless family, reduced to this? She looked into his eyes, and he read them, They were full of fear, a little awe, and slight pity. He had retreated back into his forest. He did not want to be pitied. But he was lonely. Apparently the brighter woods were her favorite retreat, and she often frequented the place, along with her companions, who brought blankets and baskets. They wil...