Spring has come, and oh, how lovely it is! My heart is filled with the light and sparkling beauty that is only found on fresh spring days, in the twinkling of the sunshine, in the flitting and twirling of things with wings. Spreenin was such a day as this, dear reader, and even more for I was able to spend it with Lorenz!
I awoke the morning of the faire and found a little basket of pink roses at my door. It was just like a twin to the one I found last year, except that there was the addition of blue and yellow forget-me-nots, and that this spring I knew who had given them to me. I took the basket with me into the village when I went to see Elise, and I asked if she might be able to put some of the flowers in my hair alongside the ribbons, which are traditional to the celebration. She had already done her own hair beautifully, and when she was through plaiting mine, I could hardly believe it. “There now, Mr. Leland won’t be able to take his eyes off you!” she teased. Goodness, I was so embarrassed, but she only laughed merrily. I gave her a hug and thanked her for her help.
We left the Inn arm-in-arm and walked to the village green. Everything was adorned with bright ribbons and flowers, there were tables filled with sweet smelling treats, and already people were beginning to sing, and dance, and play. Goodness, for a moment I was overwhelmed by all the colorful excitement, but then I heard a familiar voice say my name. There stood Lorenz, and dear reader, my heart gave a little leap when I saw he was wearing a pink rose and forget-me-nots on his coat too. Elise giggled as Davy came over and joined our group.
“Happy Spreenin!” he said as he put his arm around his wife’s waist. “What do you think, friends? Should we all join the dance this year?” Davy gestured towards a tall wooden pole that had been put up in the center of the green. It had long ribbons dangling from the top, and folks were gathering around to take one in hand. I had seen Spreenin Poles before but had never actually helped with the ribbons. Lorenz turned to me. “Shall we? I haven’t done one since I was a lad.” I grew anxious. What if I did something wrong and ruined the design? But everyone said it would be fine. Lorenz gently took my hand. I nodded with a nervous smile.
And dear reader, I’m so glad I did! While my heart was racing as I was given a ribbon and we all stood waiting, once the musicians began I realized what we were doing. It was a braid! In two big circles we wove the ribbons together, left then right, up then down, over then under. It was easy! And as we moved, the color of the ribbons seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. I even found myself skipping along, following after Elise, passing beside Davy, and then Lorenz… The two of us were face to face when the dance ended, and he grinned at me mischievously as I smiled back, my nerves all forgotten. I laughed at myself with a happy sigh, but in truth I was also a little dizzy. Lorenz suggested we take a stroll, and I gladly took his arm.
We walked for some time, away from the bustle of the busy faire, and eventually found ourselves down by the river. It was a bit quieter there; I could hear the wind playing in the trees, the cool water trickling near the bank… and my heart grew calm. As the two of us looked out over the glittering water, we saw something. A pair of white swans were floating on the water. At first their heads nearly touched, and they formed a heart with their arched necks. Then one dipped its head down, and an instant later the other one followed. Up again it went and so did its companion. Whatever the first one did, the other would match. Turning to look left then right, up then down, over then under. It was mesmerizing to see, each mirroring the other in a graceful, elegant dance.
I told Lorenz, “I’ve never seen swans do that before.” I was utterly in awe. They shared such a focus and intimacy. “They’re courting,” he explained, as we watched them float out of sight. “It’s part of their ritual.” Suddenly my face grew very hot and I didn’t know what to say. My mind darted about for something, but Lorenz, dear reader, he was so sweet. He must have noticed my uneasiness, and turned the conversation towards a subject I am always at home with: faery tales. He recalled that there were many legends and folktales that featured swans. I could think of one I knew well, and I told him about the group of brothers cursed to be swans; to free them, their sister had to vow to not speak a word until she finished weaving them shirts made of stinging nettles. “Somehow it makes me think of my sister Lettie. Not because I think she could remain silent for that long —for she loves to chatter— but perhaps because she puts so much time and care into the garments she makes too.” “I’ve never met your sister,” Lorenz noted, and I realized with a happy thought that the two of them would finally get the chance to meet in a few short weeks. “I can’t wait until they’re in Greenwood,” I said, “but I still can’t think of what I should make for her or the new baby.” Lorenz thought for a moment. “What about a remedy? You’re so skilled with Impressional magic.” I blushed at his kind words. He went on. “If I could, I would take an Impression of this day, of the ribbons and flowers in your hair. I would save the sound of your laughter as you danced around the Spreenin Pole… and how your eyes shone watching the pair of swans…” He turned to face me. “In the faery tale I know, the swan is actually a princess in disguise, who transforms with a magical cloak of white feathers. The man who falls in love with her must accomplish three impossible tasks before he can win her hand.” I looked up at him and asked, “Are they really impossible tasks?” “In some tellings,” he chuckled, “but the version I prefer has a happy ending.” We were quite close. The golden light glittered in Lorenz’s eyes, reflecting off the water of the river. I thought of the swans, their faces almost touching… I was breathless…
The golden light, it was nearly sunset.
Dear reader, suddenly Lorenz looked away towards the reddish sun and shook his head. “I promised I’d be back to the manor house by sunset!” He was smiling, but I could sense his frustration. I took his hand in mine and told him he should try to keep his promise; we would see each other again soon. He sighed, but gently kissed my leafy green hand before going. I stayed by the river for a few minutes longer, and with the last light of the sun, drew out all the beautiful Impressions of the day. They glittered like the dance of the sunshine on the water.