Dear reader, I was finally able to visit the manor house again. While I did want to look at the books, I was really hoping to speak with Mr. Leland again. After finding out that his ancestors were the inspiration for The Green Children of Woolden, oh, I could hardly think of anything else. I have been so distracted from my chores and Impressional magic that I have barely gotten anything done. Luckily today was the day, and we were able to finish our conversation.
Mrs. Algar took me up stairs; she was harried as usual, but she seemed a bit softer in her words at least. When she opened the door, I found that Mr. Leland and Alexander were already there, and they stood as I came inside. I asked if they were busy and if I should go; I did not want to interrupt Alexander’s studies like I did before. But no, Mr. Leland said they were finished with lessons for the day. At first Alexander wanted to stay and hear us talk, but his tutor told him he had already heard this story; now it was my turn. Also, he said, “the day is fine, perhaps you would like to do some riding”. The boy jumped at this thought and gave me a rushed goodbye which I did not have time to answer before he disappeared out the door.
Mr. Leland chuckled to himself then pulled out a chair, inviting me to sit with him at the table. Oh goodness, I had so many questions to ask him, but I was not really sure where to begin. After fumbling my words for a few moments, I decided to begin with The Green Children of Woolden and asked him how much of the story he knew to be true. He laughed and answered “very little”. Alexander had shared the tale with him and it was really just “a myth with a skeleton of truth”.
His family had told him a very different story of the brother and sister and how they had come to be green. Her name had been Marguerite; her brother was Isak. They had been ordinary children who had somehow lost their way in the woods. They had wandered alone for days eating whatever berries and things they could find, and then one morning, they awoke to find they had been changed in the night. They had green skin and leafy marks, just as I do now. They guessed that perhaps they’d been placed under some enchantment, for they’d grown up hearing stories of spirits in the woods.
Eventually they were found by the baron of Woolden, and he and his wife raised them as their own. That part was the same as in the story. And it was not that they did not speak, it was that they didn’t speak the same language. After a few years they learned enough to tell their adopted parents what had happened to them, but the rumor that they were really faeries kept on amongst the villagers.
I asked about the famine and the magic tears. Mr. Leland laughed again, and asked me if my tears were magical. No, of course not. From what his investigations had be able to reveal, his great-uncle Isak had dedicated his life to the study of plants, possibly in the hopes of learning what had turned him and his sister green. When the farmers in Woolden started having trouble with the land, he apparently turned his efforts towards helping them. Historic records showed that he developed a new method for rotating crops that allowed the soil to be replenished. The news of his technique spread and one of the king’s sons was actually sent down to Woolden to see what it was all about. He took Isak’s process and shared it with the other barons who put it to practice throughout the kingdom. I know nothing of crops, and farming, and such, but the way Mr. Leland explained it to me, it seems that this is one of the main reasons Olkaria was able to become such a prosperous kingdom.
He went on to say that the king’s son did marry Marguerite. Goodness, so she really did marry a prince. And that would mean that Mr. Leland was…royalty!? I was so surprised I jumped out of my chair. Mr. Leland settled me back down and with a kind smile explained that while he was distantly related to the current king, there were more than twenty generations removing him from the crown. It seems his family does have influence, but they are not considered royalty. I felt embarrassed, but I am not sure whether it was from my response or from not realizing how important the man actually is. He dresses in fine clothes, but not as fine as the baron’s. I guess I just thought he was a wealthy merchant or something of that nature, goodness.
Mr. Leland stood after he had finished his tale and said he had a request to make of me. My head was still spinning but I asked him how I might help. Since I was so fond of wandering in the woods and Alexander had told of how I held no fear of its strange magic, he asked if I would be his guide. “Please, Miss Sonya,” he implored me, “I’ve waited years to explore this forest”. He said he had thought it seemed only right that he should ask me, someone who was like Marguerite and Isak, someone who knew the forest well.
I considered the possibility. I knew the forest had a way of calling to people, and while I could see he was holding himself back, I recognized the look in Mr. Leland’s eyes. It was the need for answers, to unravel the mystery… to learn the story of the past. I knew it well because I hold the same desire in my heart. So I agreed to show him the forest.
He thanked me freely and we made arrangements to visit the forest together soon. There is much more I could have told Mr. Leland about my time amongst the trees of Greenwood. Perhaps I shall next time, but I also feel that the wood will reveal itself to him, as it did to me. It shares with those who are willing to enter its realm, and I am curious to see how it will introduce itself to this man. I am not sure what I make of Mr. Leland just yet, but I do think we can be of help to each other. He has the story of his families past, along with his good education of history and such. And I have been touched by this forest; I am learning its ways and have seen its wonders. It is a part of who I am, and I think I shall make him a good guide.
Can you believe dear reader, it has been almost a year since I came to Greenwood and since I began sharing with you through this magic mirror. So much has happened in that time, but it seems the adventure continues on. I look forward to this coming fall and to whatever secrets we may uncover next.