The Lady, only sixteen, walks through the woods.
Walking and hoping; Hopeful while walking.
What does she hope for?
What does she search for?

Love…

The Lady stops in the moonlit trees,
Spying a caught bird in a net.
“Poor thing,” the Lady cried as she bent
To the creature to untangle the trap.

Freedom…

The Lady gasped to find the bird a Faerie!
“A Faerie in my own wood,” she whispered as she bowed.
“What do you wish? You have helped me indeed,” the Faerie offered.
“Anything you hope for.  Anything for which you dream.”

A wish…

“I do not wish to impose,” the Lady blushed.
“Anyone would have done the same.  My father
Owns this forest, and I come here as I will.
“Interesting,” the Faerie said with a curious glint in her eye.

Dream…

“You are alone,” the Faerie declared,
And the Lady this did not deny.
“You are of marriable age.”
The Lady did not reply, for it was obvious by her youth.

Hope…

“Then this is my gift to you, dear child; but you must wait.
Four years and seven days you must return here in the moonlight again,
And your gift will be waiting.  I can guess at your heart’s desire,
And I shall repay the kindness shown.”  Faerie left, and the Lady went home.

Waiting…

Four years and seven days the lady waited,
Becoming lovelier with each passing year.  Her father
Dead, and she running the land.  The Lady walks in the
Moonlit trees; walking and hoping; Hopeful while walking.

Love.

“Here!” a small familiar voice cried.  The Lady turned
To see the same Faerie from years before leading a
Man to her.  “This Man has saved me, Lady, and he seeks
Shelter from enemies that have wrongfully accused him!”

Freedom.

“If it is not too much trouble,” the Man said.
His bright brown eyes gazed on the Lady with awe.
“This Faerie insisted that I use my wish to come here,
Saying she could use my help to fulfill someone else’s wish.”

A wish.

“You guessed well,” the Lady said as she gazed upon the Man’s
Pleasing form.  The Faerie grinned and fluttered to a branch above to watch the fun.
“You are quite welcome to my house and my protection, good sir.
Forgive my slowness, but it feels like I am not awake!

Dream.

“I feel the same,” the Man said as he stepped closer and took her hand.
“You walked out of my imagination and into reality.  I did not think I would ever
Find a Lady such as you.  Your beauty and grace has entranced me.”
The Man raised his hand to stroke her hair, and a kiss he gently laid there.

Hope.

Faerie smiled at the blossoming love, and foresaw the years to come.
The marriage, the children; the laughter and the tears.
So she flew down from the branches and began to rest
For the next young maiden of worth to pass her test.

Wait.