Twenty Years is Not so Long

John Everett Millais

Time in the world had evaporated, yet for Jon-Jon there was no recollection of the twenty years that had passed - not one day or night - since entering into that very private, secret of places; to find his stepmother waiting for him … and now, for all of that time to dissipate, it never occurred to him, that this community she and he dwelt in together was a magical one.

And although he had not slept through this episode, Jon had forged something of a life that was parallel to what he had known in worldly hardship prior - and with this, his memory of its suffering had lapsed completely, and his former self gave way to the Elvin dream-life in the thick woods of the Sherwood community.

Neither he, nor Isabelle, had seemed to age in this track of two decades. Quite possibly he could have stayed for many years more, were it not for a dream that visited him where Zithia pressed her face close to his, and in a brief and waking moment he instantly recalled his former self, and regret fast swept upon him.

“What if you cannot find her?” Isabelle called after him.

This thought pained Jon.

“I shall return either way,” he replied, hoisting his seat across Chester.

“Then I shall not dissuade you dear man - however you shall take this that you may find your way back - for without a key it may not be so easy to find me a second time.” And saying this she drew from the folds of her dress a fine Whistle carved from the bough of a tree from Faerie.

“It was the great monk Robin that made this himself” she said thoughtfully placing it into his hand.

Jon turned it over and recalled several legends. Even though he had resided in the host’s community, very few had taken tea with him. The Hode was a private soul. He was also rarely there, though none knew of this.

“As well my dear heart, know also that you cannot take Chester this time - for he will not survive.”

“And yet he looks long in the tooth, I believe he will be as strong as the day we came here.” Jon protested.

“By appearances yes, but appearances only. I shall arrange for you another mount if leaving is still your obstinacy.”

“It is not my obstinacy, but rather my will,” he corrected her - “for my purpose had not died, it only slept.”

Isabelle was displeased with his firmness and was sorely apprehensive about losing Jon into the world once more.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Finding Self - Second Guesses- Azlander Series