Aonani: The White Stag

Instructions

Short Bio so I can get onto the story: Name: Aonani (a Greek name meaning light) Gender: male Species: white tailed stag (spirit) Personality: calm, quiet, sorrowful, mourning, sensitive, vengeful, patient. STORY TIME MY BOIS: THIS IS GOING TO BE CONFUSING AT FIRST AND IM SORRY- YOU’LL GET IT THE MORE YOU READ. Throughout mythology and religions around the world there are tales of a beast not of the living- nor of the spirit world. It was said to bring good hunting, to end harsh winters, or that it’s presence meant that the spirit world was near. Although those descriptions of luck and fortune don’t sound half bad; I’m afraid that the true story is quite a bit different. This is a tale about a white stag, and his name was Aonani. “Be patient Aonani; I’m sure they’re just running a bit late.” Aonani shuffled his feet and sighed, pushing his Snow White hair out of his startlingly blue eyes. His long pale fingers brushed the golden medallion on his iron breastplate as he contemplated the arrival of his guests. He scoffed and turned away from the frosted window panes. He rubbed his hands together and looked to the old grey man on his right, “Ariel, send a servant to alert me of when they arrive. I’m going hunting.” Aonani was known by many names in his kingdom; The Snow Prince, The Frost Giant, the Frozen King, but his favorite name was The Stag King. Aonanis’ love for hunting was known throughout the kingdom, and tales of his catches became rather popular among the children of the surrounding villages. As he prepared his elegant snow-white stallion for departure Aonani took a deep breath of the frigid air, inhaling the sweet scent of pine trees and frost. He mounted his horse and with a flick of the reigns raced off into the snow. As he slowed to a stop and dismounted from the back of his stallion, Aonanis sharp eyes scanned the area for patches of brown fur. He pulled an arrow from his quiver and readied himself for the sight of his prey. What Aonani was not aware of was the beautiful forest spirit that watched his path through the trees. She narrowed her eyes at the human before her, he was handsome for a mortal, his pale skin and white hair gave him the appearance of a snow fae or even an elf. But she was not swayed by his frigid eyes as he stalked through the forest. She could see the greed and hatred that lurked beneath the surface of his elegant features. What had happened to make such a beautiful mortal so vengeful? She pondered. Then as she spied the gold medallion around his neck the truth of his life came into a twisted hideous view. Her face twisted in disgust for such a creature. He had no true reason for his anger, for he had known nothing of the world past warm castle walls and soft pillows. He was nothing but a greedy royal who wanted nothing more than to destroy his enemy kingdoms. She took a deep breath to calm herself and a dark smile played at her pale blue lips, she would test him to see if he was worth sparing. The spirit shifted into a beautiful white mother doe and cast a spell to create two smaller fawns. The man should have no reason to shoot her or her fawns, for he had a full belly and no need for more food. Besides, the fawns would clearly die without their mother. The spirit walked through the trees, accompanied by her fawns. As Aonani spotted the beautiful doe and her fawns he lowered his arrow slightly watching them. But he felt no remorse nor did he think about what he did next. As the arrow sailed into the heart of the Spirits body the fawns dissolved into dust and a blood red light was cast about the clearing as she rose from the body of the doe. Realizing what he had done Aonani crumpled to his knees and begged for the forgiveness of the spirit, but with each pleading word she grew angrier. Her voice cracked through the trees like bolts of thunder as she spoke, “you, Aonani, are filled with hate and greed. You have no right to be a ruler, nor to live. But I see now that death will grant me no satisfaction for your actions.” She raised her finger accusingly at him and curled her lip, “I curse you to become the very animal that you hunt so greedily. You will never die no matter how many times you are caught, your soul will never find peace. With each arrow that breaks your skin I will take a memory from you in exchange.” With that the spirit disappeared and Aonani was left writhing in pain as his body contorted into that of a stag. As he got to his feet he sobbed with agony and pain, and with each tear that fell from his ice-blue eyes his form became more translucent until he was nothing more than an outline. And that my children, is how the white stag came to be.