Palindrome
The Tree of Good and Evil

The woman, dressed in a silk gown with one bare shoulder, stood just at the beginning of the forest – the green dress blending in with the trees. Her eyes sparkled with a silvery shine, and she had a mysterious smile around her mouth. I`d never seen her before in real life, but my heart knew her instantly. Without thinking, I ran towards her and wrapped my arms around her like a long-lost sister.

“Lilith!”

She smiled and grabbed my hands with her warm ones.

“Hannah, finally I get to meet you! Thank you so much for this piece of Avalon.”

I frowned, Avalon… The magic kingdom of the long-forgotten priestesses and druids. Had I recreated that without knowing? Lil nodded to my unspoken question, “It lies hidden within all of us. Not many are able to recreate it. Out of the Palindromes there have been few who have managed, although you all had the ability.”

Lilith looked around her, happiness in her eyes.

“Eve and I created the first Eden, but as soon as we let other people in, it wasn’t the same. Then a man called Sonos managed to make Atlantis, and we all know how that went.” She shuddered. “And Viv created Avalon, the last safe place for us. Also that one vanished into the mist, never to be found again. But this…” She swung her arms around, “This is as close you can get. Well done!”

I blushed; a bit embarrassed since I hadn`t really done it on purpose.

I looked to the ground, a bit starstruck, but she took my arm and linked it with her own, like we were old friends. She was, in fact, my grandmother way way back. She patted my hand, “I know this isn’t a social visit, but it IS nice to meet one of my daughters. You look so much like her.” Sadness fell upon her face for a second, seeing memories millenniums old. Lil cleared her throat. “So, I imagine you have questions for me?”

I smiled, but only for a brief second. There were friends waiting for me. For us, I`d almost forgotten about William. He stood still where I left him, uncertain what to do. I motioned his way, “Why us? Was it meant to be? Was it always meant to be us?”

Lil looked at William and inclined her head to him but didn’t speak to him. She looked apprehensive, and turned the other way, dragging me with her.

“Yes, and no.”

We wandered into the forest, and I felt Williams eyes in the back of my neck, I turned and smiled to him, signalling that it was OK. He relaxed but didn’t look happy. Lilith giggled, “Ah, we don’t want them to be controlling, but we love it when they are. To a certain degree, of course.”

We stopped at a small clearing; Lilith sat down on a fallen three, making room for me as well.

“Now, I know you`re eager to save your family, but you need the whole story before you decide what to do.”

I swallowed, why had I thought it would be easy?

“You know the Beasts isn’t Adam`s children?”

I nodded and told her what I knew.

“Eve changed; she had averted from the Goddess` path. Ophidian, the first Beast, had eaten from the Three of immortality, the Three of Life, thus adding to his lifespan with aeons. Immortal, if they did it right. But we were never meant for eternal life. There`s a cycle to it all, winter must follow fall for spring to come. The Prophecy called for someone made of Magic to touch the Beast, and I didn’t mean touch in a literal way, I meant touch its heart. And it had to go both ways. Love, between two never meant to fall in love. Adam`s hate for us followed his line, growing with each addition. Until the last one.”

I wasn’t sure if I was following her, she talked in riddles it seemed.

“What am I supposed to do? Give them the fruit and make the potion, or not? What will stop the undead?”

Lil bit her red lips and gripped my hand hard.

“It`s your choice but let me finish first. If you want to give the Beasts their potion, you have to make it with the fruit from the Three of Life. The potion can be given to anyone they consider worthy. If you were to drink of it, you will have an infinity with William, and I can promise you… It will be good. He is the kind of man who loves unconditionally and passionately, and only one woman. It also means your brother will get his eternal love.”

My gaze drifted in the direction I knew William was waiting. Eternity with him…

“I sense a but coming.” I focused on Lil, who smiled slightly at my words.

“There`s always a but. The Undead will rest only if you cure the Beasts. That means no eternal life, no more flying to meet the dawn. It also means they will die, since they all are well beyond their time. They will absolve to dust the minute the Undead falls.”

My heart sank, I had the choice, but it wasn’t really a choice, was it? My job was to protect my village, my people. But William… Losing William? Killing him? Belinda and Benjamin flashed before my eyes, they too would disappear.

“Maybe you should ask him before you rush to a conclusion?” Lil`s voice was soft in the diminishing light. Hadn`t the sun just risen? I shook my head, trying to get rid of the thousand thoughts in there.

“So, I have the choice between staying happy forever with William, but living with fighting the undead all the time, or losing William and saving the world from the undead walking around?”

I sighed, “It isn’t really a choice, I have to save them.”

“Even if it means William…?”

The thought of losing him tore my heart to pieces and I wouldn`t let her finish her question.

“Even then. I have to.” Lil kissed my cheek and pointed to her right. Two magnificent trees in full bloom appeared before us.

“Behold, the Tree of Immortality and the Tree of Good and Evil. Choose.”

I stood in front of them, the branches continuing into the sky, but I could easily reach the lowest.

“How much do I need?” My voice trembled ever so slightly.

“Not much, a handful will suffice.”

I reached for the grapes and took a cluster into my hands. I whispered a small thank you to the tree for giving me of its plenty and the leaves bristled in the non-existing wind.

“How can I tell William about my choice?” I was speaking to myself, but any advice would be good. I didn’t want to go back to him, he could read me like an open book. Lil just shrugged; pain evident on her face on my behalf.

We`d had so little time together, it wasn’t enough. A love meant to be, but never to happen.

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