"I believe the time is drawing near," Navalee murmured. Her heartbeat jumped pace and she couldn't help but grin. Chills ran up her bare brown arms.

Continuing her progress through the meadow of waist-high feather grass, she crept on silent feet, watching as the fading sun's copper glimmer shone across the khaki-headed blooms. Navalee sighed, delighting in running her hands through them. Her movements were soft whispers; the dancing wind made more noise.

Navalee was seeking that elusive creature, the Unicorn. She drew in a breath at the thought. She carried the essentials for her task: cumin for luck, paprika for sprinkling over her trail and herself to confuse the prey, and basil as a friendship offering.

For the last few miles everything around her seemed brighter, more vivid, fresh. Navalee inhaled again. The sweet breath filling her lungs felt like it had been filtered through a honey comb.

Touching the copper medallion hanging from a cord around her neck, Navalee felt it warm within her hand. She was close. She shrugged her pack higher on her shoulder and entered into the murky darkness of another woody glen.

As the darkening canopy closed over her head, the Unicorn Hunter's eyes and ears adjusted to the change. The forest seemed alive with calling birds and scampering creatures, though none feared her presence. She was one of them, a creature of nature, a giver.

At a running brook she stopped to refill her water bag and to rest, lying on a soft mass of leaves and crisp moss.

Navalee awoke from a disturbing dream about fire. Her family home was ablaze! She sat upright, with sweat pouring off her small body. Her long, brown hair had come undone and was damp and sticky. The Unicorn Hunter shook her head to dispel the images she'd seen - her family home had been gone for ages, and she was the only member left. Easing to the edge of the brook, she washed her flaming face with cool water. She was consumed with heat and breathing was difficult; she lowered her face to her knees and concentrated on measured breaths.

It was a few minutes before Navalee recognized the stillness.

The girl raised her head from her knees, glancing into the blackness around her. There was no movement in the forest. No sound rustled the underbrush or sang from the treetops.

Navalee rose; unconcerned by the rocks and twigs beneath her bare feet. She reached upward to grasp the medallion at her throat...to find it was red hot! She jerked it from her neck and threw it to the ground. She jumped as the medallion leapt into fire, watching as the copper melted, twinkling and sparkling in its passion: blues, reds, greens; then it was gone. Two pieces of twisted cord lay on the blackened forest floor.

The Hunter turned in a slow circle. The silence of the forest screamed at her.

There! A faint light came through the darkness and Navalee eased toward it on steps learned by watching butterflies land on the most delicate blossoms. When she rounded the bend, she paused behind a bent elm tree, peering out at the scene before her.

Here were the forest creatures, gathered together as in a painting by an Old Master; stretched out in abandon and luxurious comfort within a hidden copse of trees. All manner of animals stood and lay about: fox and rabbit, squirrel and deer.

In the middle of them all was the majestic Unicorn.

Navalee stepped back into the forest with a hand over her mouth to catch escaping exclamations.

The Hunter returned to the brook for her abandoned backpack. Quietly, with shaking hands, she extracted items. First, from the valuable pouch of paprika, Navalee sprinkled herself head to toe. Next, she removed a cheesecloth bundle. As she unwrapped it, a pouch of basil, decorated with dried fruits and flowers emerged.

She stood; the time had come. Taking two calming breaths, she began to retrace her steps to the elm tree. She quickened her pace. The light that had guided her was gone.

When Navalee peered around the elm, the animals had disappeared. There was no artistic scene; no peaceful panoply. Most disheartening of all, there was no Unicorn. Navalee slid down the bark of the tree, collapsing to the dank earth, sobbing.

"Why do you cry, Little Human?" came a gentle voice from above.

Even with her head down, Navalee felt surrounded by warmth and light. The fear and desperation left her body. She didn't remember crying, though tracks of tears dried on her face. She raised her head, knowing who she would find. "Hello, Beatrice." Navalee said with joy unspeakable. "You look beautiful."

"You are kind. As always." The Unicorn nodded, pitching her alicom. She pointed toward the deep green forest. "Let's walk." Navalee rose on legs of iron. She had the strength of a man.

"I wonder why you persist in using paprika to hide your scent, Navalee. I have told you it is naught but an old wive's tale."

Navalee blushed. "Yes, Beatrice. I will truly remember next time." She did not see the Unicorn's blue eyes twinkle with secret knowledge. "I brought you a gift!" Navalee said, holding forth the fruit- and flower-wrapped basil offering.

"THIS, however, is a great treat," said the Unicorn. "You are a good human." Navalee beamed. Peace and contentment filled her. Light surrounded the two.

They walked, talking as friends and joining hearts, as the woodland creatures watched; some followed from a stately distance.

After a while, the Unicorn turned to Navalee and said gently, "My dear one, we have shared much on this day, but it is time to part." Navalee nodded. There was no disappointment in her heart, only a sense of openness and love.

"But I leave you with this blessing: Strength, hope, kindness, and perseverance shall be thy nature. Danger shall not come near thee. Creatures shall love thee and help guide thy way. Sun, wind and rain shall but tease thee. And true love shall find a place in thy lonely heart." The Unicorn bowed her head for the ultimate intimacy.

Navalee found her eyes welling with tears. She reached out a trembling hand and brushed the ivory hair on the Unicorn's nose. Emotion overwhelmed her and she suddenly wrapped her arms around the Unicorn's neck. The animals in the forest twittered and scattered, but the Unicorn only bowed lower to accept the embrace.

As Navalee turned to go, the Unicorn whistled a clear, high note. "One moment, Human. You are not the only one who offers gifts. I have something for you as well." Beatrice gracefully pawed the ground; near her leg lay a stunning, flat stone of persian-green jade, about the size of a human girl's palm.

"Oh! Thank you, Beatrice."

Navalee walked away on feet that seemed to float. She looked back once and saw Beatrice had turned the bend into the copse of trees, taking the light of the forest with her; but now Navalee carried the light within her also.

When she reached her pack and makeshift bed, she sat down to relive the experience. Seeing Beatrice made her fears and worries about her future disappear; her nightmares about the past recede. Navalee wrapped her arms around her legs and stared into the rushing brook. She would remember this day forever!


***

The Unicorn Hunter awoke hours later.

Navalee realized she must have pulled her small blanket from her pack sometime during the night without realizing it, for she was now covered. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept so well or so long. She felt refreshed and strong; revitalized. When she sat up and looked around she was pleased to see the animals going about their daily business, unmindful of her presence.

She stood; it was time to return to her mission and the search for the ever elusive Unicorn. She was renewed in spirit and purpose; sure that eventually she would be rewarded for her labors and finally see the mystical creature face-to-face.

Her bare foot struck something on the forest floor and when she looked, she was surprised to see her medallion on its corded string. Navalee didn't remember taking it off. Beside it lay a piece of green jade. The necklace she re-tied with a bit of wonder; the green jade, she delightedly added to a growing collection in the bottom of her pack. She had twenty or thirty pieces at last count.

With a deep, cleansing breath and a salute to the morning, the Unicorn Hunter set off again on her journey.


***