Four Spirits

A Story by ekbay72

There was once a young maiden with hair the color of the sun and eyes as clear as a lake's waters. Every day she would weave a beautiful tapestry that she would hang in the sky for all to see and each day she would bring the tapestry to life with a soft touch of her breath. However, the maiden had a capricious spirit and it made her tapestries unpredictable. Some days she would glow with warmth and sunshine or exude the crisp, cool wind and sunset colors of the trees; other days she brought the cold and icy winds or the liveliness of fresh green grass. With these different temperaments, the breath bringing to life the tapestry was filled with varying qualities. So everyday her tapestries, although beautiful, were ever- changing.

One day a young man was passing through the forest where she lived and happened to see her weaving. She was beautiful with golden hair and her slender fingers working through the loom captured his attention. He saw her taking beams of sunlight and delicately crossing them with soft blades of wheat. When she had finished the last of her piece, she took the tapestry into her hands and blew a soft breath of air, bringing it to life. She hung the tapestry on the sky. Immediately the air became hot and sweet, bringing with it a clear, blue sky. The stream running through the forest seemed to babble louder, as if beckoning to them to dip their feet in its' water. The maiden's smile reflected the beautiful, warm day as she took one final look at the tapestry before returning to her cottage. Enchanted, the young man vowed to return the following day. The next day, the young man once again entered the forest to see the maiden weaving. However, he was surprised to see that her hair now sparkled with icicles, rather than gold, and her eyes were a cold frost.The tapestry she was weaving reflected white and ice. When she hung it in the sky and brought it to life, her breath was visible, as if the air around her cold. The forest around them became chill. A layer of frost lightly covered the leaves of the trees and the sky gently dropped snowflakes. The young man, astonished, watched as the maiden left the cold air and entered her cottage and again, he promised to return. On the third day, the young man arrived eager to see the maiden. This time he saw that her hair had the look of sunset, tones of red, orange, and yellow brightening her locks. The young man smiled to himself, watching the maiden gather fallen leaves and twigs before settling herself on the loom. She wove the leaves and twigs expertly and in no time at all, hung the finished piece with the breath of life. The forest glowed with soft orange and leaves dropped lightly to litter the earth. The young man gave a great sigh as he saw the maiden walk back into her cottage. Before he turned to leave, he made a third oath to return once more. The fourth day, the young man could think of nothing but the maiden and arrived at the forest to see what tapestry she would make. As he peeked around the tree, he saw the maiden was shining as if she had drunk the sunlight and her eyes bright with a lively blue the color of the sky. In her hands, she carried newly blossomed flowers of all shades, intertwining them with freshly sprung grass. At last she finished and brought the tapestry to life, her breath as soft as a warm breeze. The forest danced to life; birds could be heard chirping happily while petals of flowers bloomed. The young man, determined to meet the young maiden, stepped out from the tree. However, the sudden appearance of the young man did nothing but startle the maiden. She gave a small jump, tripped, and fell into the stream behind her. The young man rushed to her aid. He waded through the stream desperately, looking for the maiden. At last, he found her on the other side of the stream, unconscious. Fearing for the maiden's life, the young man carried her across the stream and into her cottage. For three days and three nights, the young man watched over her, but she did not stir. On the fourth day, she arose with the sun. She found the young man sitting beside her bed. Though surprised, she felt calm as he explained her fall into the stream. The young man looked at her with such care and love that the maiden could not but care and love him back. From that day forth, the maiden and the young man vowed to love and care for each other forever. Each day, the young man brought the maiden beautiful materials for her tapestries and each day, the young man knew no greater joy than to watch the maiden bring the tapestry to life.

However, unbeknownst to the young man and the maiden, the stream the maiden had fallen into was enchanted. Although the maiden had not perished, she had consumed some of the stream's water and was therefore bound by its spell. For every three months, she would fall into a deep slumber for three days and three nights. On the fourth, she awoke, with the spirit coming alive in her. The young man who loved her saw the changes the enchanted stream had evoked in her and named the four spirits within her. When the world became cold and pale with the darkest spirit, he called the young maiden Winter, for she too showed coldness in her eyes and pallor in her face. When the cold spirit receded, the maiden awoke as Spring, her spirit now lively and fresh. Her voice inspired flowers to bloom and the sun to shine brightly. When the three months passed, Spring went to sleep, and a fiery spirit arose. The young man named this spirit Summer for the heat she invoked in the air, as well as clear, blue skies that she brought. Last of all, when Summer finally slept, Autumn took her place. She brought glowing warmth to the trees, while a cool breeze teased their leaves. So the young man and maiden lived in the forest for all time, bringing beautiful tapestries to life--tapestries that came alive, reflected with the spirits within her. Soon, the pair became to be known as the Seasons and the world witnessed Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn each year, for all eternity.

© 2014 ekbay72

Author's Note

Hi, this is my first time writing a story like this. I thought I'd go for a myth type story. This has not really been edited, but I would still love to get some feedback or comments. Thank you!