Selfish In Desire
One cold winter night a young hunter who was deep in a dark part of the woods was hunting for his meal for the night. All day he wandered carrying his bow, his clothes soiled by the heavy dew in the air and making his way threw the dense trees. There was a full moon out that night and the hunter, who normally didn't hunt so late dared to venture into parts of the unknown woods. Times were tough and he hungered for meat and warm new furs for the winter.
As he made his way clouds began to blanket the sky devouring the moon whole. All at once the spirits and beasts of the forest awoke, moaning, howling, and striking fear into the young man. He desperately tried to escape the unholy sounds that seemed to surround him all around. As he stumbled to find his way out, the air became colder. He began to look for shelter while snow flakes landed on his pale skin. Suddenly, he saw a log cabin in the distance and smoke rose from its stone chimney. 'A fire, I'm saved!' He shouted running to the door, but when he knocked, no one answered. 'Could they be sleeping?' He wandered knocking again. Still no one answered. Snow was starting to blanket the ground and a shiver struck him. He could see that it was well lit inside threw a blurred dirty window and decided to enter the home instead of freeze to death outside from the blizzard.
He walked into the cabin and saw it was indeed empty. Lit candles were placed all around the home. There was fine furniture, warm furs, fresh food in the cupboards, and last but not least a large roaring fire! Indeed whoever lives here is blessed with great fortune. After looking around he took some fresh fruit and a loaf of bread from a table to relieve his hunger, but before he finished eating he began to hear singing near the fireplace, a tune a mother would sing to her child. When he turned to the fire an image of a young woman made of flames appeared before him.
She was breathtaking. Her eyes were as red as rubies, her fiery red hair flowed with hot ambers, her curves were rounded and perfect. 'Welcome young stranger. We don't often have visitors here. Please don't be frightened, I'm a fire spirit, a keeper of flame. Come; sit beside me you look cold and weak. With my embrace I will sooth your soul and bring you peace' The hunter was mesmerized by her beauty and sat in a large chair next to the fire. He poured a glass of brandy from a bottle on a near by table as she reached out to hold him, his body warmed instantly. She sang a cheerful song to calm him and he was at peace.
Time had gone by and like most things this must come to an end. He was grateful for the love and compassion the fire spirit had gave him, but he was selfish in nature and wanted her to himself. 'Please young hunter I have enjoyed your company, but you must go for the master of the house will return in the morning and must not find you here.' She pleaded, but the man was reluctant. 'You were so kind to me, please stay with me. The man who lives here is rich with wealth. Surly he could afford to let you go.' The man said as he stood to hold her, but she stopped him. 'I am not yours to have and I love my master. I could not break his heart. Now let me go and be on your way traveler.' The hunter filled with sorrow and fell to his knees. The warm loving feeling he once had was now gone and a cold lonely feeling engulfed him. 'Why will you not stay with me? Can you not see I have fallen under your spell?' He cried. 'I have shared my love with you, but I can never be yours for I belong to another.' She said firmly.
The tears running down his face turned to ice and shattered as they hit the floor. He couldn't control himself and became mad with grief and sadness 'I can't move on now. I need you so much, I must have you!' Out of desperation he leaped out to hold her, but missed and fell into the fire. He screamed in terror as he was burned alive, his body turning to charred ash and mixed among the ambers.
When the master of the house came home in the later morning the fire spirit welcomed him with open arms. 'How I missed you my love! Come here so that I may hold you again! While all the while the ashes of the hunter lay in the flames quickly long forgotten''.
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