Return to the Magic Tree

a dream by [maryanne]

We were back, my brother and I. Back to this place that had once been such a sanctuary for us. Almost a playground. But nothing was the same anymore. The world was a darker place. Our adventures would no longer be the carefree sorts you found in kids' books; stories where the children faced danger, yes, but you always knew they would make it out okay. We didn't have that guarantee anymore. Not this time. The dangers were real and we had little time.

We arrived at the site we once knew so well, and failed to recognize it. The outer complexes had been obliterated, and only the tiny core of the Tree's whole house remained, protected, probably, by the Tree's magic, as the structure in turn, protected the Tree. The wondrous and terrible Magic Tree. If one knew the password to gain entry to the tiny house, they could find relative safety inside and under the Tree's protective boughs. They would have unlimited wishes at their disposal there. But the Tree itself was Death to touch. It made me uneasy to see just how little room there would be for us there, if there would be any room at all. But we had no choice.

We also had no password. But we found survivors in one of the outlying remains, and they told us the secret of how to get inside. But we were out of TIME! He was coming. He was here! We fumbled desperately with the keypad, trying to punch in the four digit passcode before he could get us. We managed to make it inside, but could not close the door. He was there. But with the Magic Tree close at hand, we were not hopeless. "I wish you would just leave!" I cried, and he did so. We gratefully closed the door behind him and I immediately regretted not telling him to leave us alone forever. He would be back.

The room we were left in was very small. There wasn't even room to stand in. Most of the space was taken up with two car seats with their backs against the trunk of the Tree. Our proximity to the deadly Tree was a bit alarming, but if we were careful, we would be safe. For now anyway. I wondered if I should ask the Tree to make the house indestructible, made of stone or something, or if that would make it too obvious we were still there. I had a deep terror I could not explain of asking too many wishes of the Tree, or too big of wishes. I was sure the results would be dire, and so I could not ask it to simply make our troubles disappear.

The man after us had been our pursuer last time. A sinister man who would do just about anything to get his hands on the Tree's magic. We had banished him from the Tree house years ago. But he was back. And so were we.

*****

Some days later, we were found, and there was a great battle on the Tree's front lawn. Some were on our side, and others were not. My brother and I were in the thick of the fray. It was a desperate battle and one we could not hope to win. I finally asked the Tree for super strength, but it did not help. My brother then decided we were fighting for no good reason, that no one there was truly evil, and he invited them all inside, despite my fearful protests. How could he do such a thing? We couldn't trust these people! We didn't know ANY of them! And most importantly, where was HE? He didn't just invite him in did he?

The Tree house at this point had grown into a many-lofted platformed complex, and the keypad replaced with a computer login and metaphorical door. Everyone could fit inside, and they were throwing a party. I was anxious, looking everywhere.

Then I saw him. Our sinister pursuer. He was stumbling around outside, getting ever nearer to the entrance. I couldn't tell if the metaphorical door that would keep him out had been closed or not, and I bounded down the wide wooden platforms to the computer. It was... complicated. I didn’t know how to operate the program, and couldn't even tell if the door was open. I needed help. But no help could come soon enough, and he was there beside me before I could get away.

There was something different about him. He seemed out of it, less evil almost. He was softer, quieter, his movements slower. He did not demand or even ask to get inside. He was creepy, a known threat, but he seemed almost remorseful, repentant, and despite myself I was finding him oddly attractive.

As I continued to struggle with the computer, I asked, terrified, "What do you want?" He said he wanted his gloves that he left in there last time. "What else?" He said he wanted love, and a place to belong. "What else?" I demanded, "What are your ambitions?"

Our view slid to the surrounding landscape. There were other cool things he could go take over. It didn't have to be this tree. Nearby were the ruins of a Classical temple. Down an icy cliff-face was a ring of Stonehenge-like rocks. Further down was an old shipwreck, guarded by a spectral sylph.

I looked at him uncertainly, scared and bewildered by his transformation. He seemed so lost, so contemplative. I was almost ready to trust him, and let him come inside.