UNICORNS behind the scenes
He did not often take human form, but today he had because he was visiting. He knocked at the door, and heard it echo loudly through the house, and it was answered by a large, black man, Jola’s father. Who had to look up to see his eyes, and was surprised by his visitor's strength as he shook hands, but even more surprised by the gentleness of that handshake.
Jola’s mother came to the door to meet him too, and she also shook hands with him, but instead of his strength she saw hundreds of scars on him, she had once as a little girl seen an animal mauled by wolves, and these scars reminded her of that so strongly that she began to cry.
He put his other hand gently on top of hers and smiled, and in his so very, very quiet voice, he told her not to worry, the scars were old and no longer hurt.
When he asked about Jola, they insisted that he come inside and wait, and as they led him through to the kitchen, he could smell her everywhere, the scent of her love for him was strong. He told them that his name was Uni, and that he was in love with Jola, but they had heard Jola speak of him so many times that both had recognised him almost immediately. She had never told them that they were both unicorns, so they only saw him for what he appeared to be, but in their hearts they were proud she had chosen this soft spoken, gentle man to be hers.
When he had to leave at last, they both asked to walk him home, but it was obvious that no harm would come to this gentle giant, men stopped to shake his hand, and women stared and waved. Jola’s mother told them all that he was her daughter’s boy friend with so much pride in her voice, that he smiled softly, he liked both of them immensely.
When finally they came to the house that he and Jola had brought previously, so they could spend the days together alone, he invited them both inside, but they refused politely, saying they should be home when Jola arrived. He watched with a pang of regret as they walked away, and remembered that these were the people who had raised her with so much love, that the spirits of the long dead unicorn herd has chosen her to be one of their own
Jola arrived home before her parents and instantly knew Uni had been there, only he had a scent like that, and she pushed her new boy friend outside again, with only instructions to see her tomorrow, but once inside, she started to whinny, she threw hr head to the side, making her mane swirl around her face, and began to prance. Uni loved to see her prance, and she loved showing off for him, but suddenly she remembered her promise to herself. He was a creature of pure fantasy, while she was a half-breed, rooted in reality. To take him away from his fantasy would kill him, and she loved him, so she had found a new boy friend and was going to tell him when she met him next.
When her parents arrived home she could smell his scent on them, and smell their pride in her, she wanted to rear, to claim his love, to whinny, but she didn’t, instead she told them she was leaving him and watched the hope fade from their eyes, then she went to her room and cried.
It as weeks before she started to pick up the scent, the smell of forthcoming death, and she knew in her heart hat it was Uni’s death she foresaw. She begged her parents to go to him, saying she had a feeling he needed help, and that she could not go to him now, and without another word they left to walk to his house, because they had been worried too.
When they arrived they were shocked, the door was half open, and the kitchen table was half filed with rotting food, given by worried neighbours. They found him in the bedroom, lying on top of his bed, he had lost so much weight that they could see his bones under his skin, his horn was plainly showing, and his quiet voice could barely be heard without putting their ears close to his lips.
Jola’s mother sent her father home to get her, and he ran all the way, he could see that time was short, very short. When he arrived, panting, he told her what he had found, and asked what Uni was, “A unicorn” She said without hesitation, we both are, and she changed in front of his shocked eyes into the black unicorn Uni so loved. There was no doubt in her mind now, she was going to save the stallion she loved, he was hers, she felt that plainly in her heart, and realised her mistake, she was his anchor to this world, without her love he was fading away, reality was too strong without her support.
With that she charged out into the street, causing cars to screech to a halt, making pedestrians leap for safety, but she didn’t stop, she was heading to where she knew he would be, their home, until finally, her flanks covered with sweat, she arrived and changed once more at the doorway. She ran through the house, once more in bare feet, wearing her panties and bra, until she found her mother just coming out of the bedroom. She wanted to scream, to shout, but in the end she could only whisper, “How is he?” and then “He is…..”
Her mother finished for her, “a unicorn. I know sweetheart, as a girl I saw one killed by wolves. That sight has never left my mind. I knew what he was the first day I met him.” She continued, “When I was pregnant with you, the herd came to me and asked if one day you would become one with them, I told them that it would always be your choice, but I hoped you would.”
Jola lay down by his side and gently rubbed her horn against his, his eyes flickered and she heard the faint voice in her head, “I have missed you pretty one,” his voice barely registering on her mind, and his fingers traced the muscles of her flank.
“Momma” she cried, help me to believe, I can’t do it on my own.”
Her mother held her by her shoulders and said quietly. “Yes, you can, just give him the love you have been withholding.” and she walked out of the room.
Jola was alone with her dying man, and she wanted to panic, but she held her mind firm and began to share all of her love for him with him, and at last he began to respond, his lips sought hers, his horn stopped looking dull and tarnished, and his heart beat stronger in his chest. She held him as tightly as she could safely do, and just lay beside him, whinnying softly.
She stayed with him for weeks, her parents bringing food and grass, and with her at his side once more, he regained the weight he had lost, and his skin became firm and healthy.
Her love had almost destroyed him, but it had brought him back from the edge too.
