The One Who Walked Alone | Lyrion – Episode 1

Before the Story Begins...

As a new school year approaches, many children are carrying questions they never say out loud.

Will anyone like me?

Will I fit in?

Will I have someone to sit with at lunch... or walk beside in the hallway?

For children who have been teased, left out, or made to feel different, those questions can feel even heavier. While adults are gathering school supplies and preparing schedules, some children are quietly wondering if this year will be any different from the last.

Sometimes, all it takes to change the course of a child's story is one person who chooses kindness over judgment... one person who notices what others overlook.

Today, a new adventure begins in Glimmerwood. As you meet Lyrion, you'll discover that the greatest journeys often begin with a simple hope—the hope that someone will see beyond appearances and choose to become a friend.

 

Stories of creatures roaming the forest had spread throughout the village, but the little fairies and elves played in Glimmerwood Forest freely with little concern for danger. They were enjoying the last days of late Summer before school began.

They picked berries near the wild, thorny branches. And they hid among the trees, chasing each other in the clearings. They left berry trails through the forest everywhere they went so they wouldn’t get lost. They weren’t worried about the stories, but they hadn’t forgotten them either.

There were strange sounds the deeper they adventured into the overgrowth. They played with the animals, but something was unnerving. They knew to stay close to Glimmerwood Stream as the sun lowered and began casting long shadows. The shimmering reflection of the moon was always a comforting guide, showing them the way home.

“Lyrion! Where are you?”

“Watching the beetles in this tree trunk.”

“It’s getting dark. Come inside before your dinner gets cold.”

“Coming...”

Lyrion was fascinated with bark beetles. He didn’t like them damaging the trees, but he was amazed how they worked together. Something inside him longed for friends he could be close with like them.

There was a slight draft in the one-room cottage as the night air seeped through the cracks of the aging walls. Lyrion’s mother covered them with blankets. She said it was to make the room feel cozier, but Lyrion knew the truth. She was using what she had to keep out the chill. He didn’t mind. He knew she was doing her best to make things as comfortable for them as she could. It had been difficult for them since his father left. He didn’t ask why, but he could hear her crying at night when she thought he was asleep. During the day, she would smile as she worked to make their new home happy and cheerful. But Lyrion saw the bags beneath her eyes that weren’t there before.

They had just moved to this village for a fresh start and Lyrion was excited to see the huge forest next to their cottage. He loved being outdoors. Forest animals were his best friends because he didn’t make friends with others very easily. He always felt different because he looked different, and everyone always teased him. It was easier to make friends with the animals because they didn’t care what he looked like.

Lyrion sat at the dinner table staring at the bowl in front of him. His mind wandered somewhere far away.

“Lyrion, are you ok?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“What are you thinking about?” asked his mom as she sipped from her cup.

“School.”

“School?” She lifted her eyes and focused on him. “Why are you thinking about school?”

“I wonder what they will think of me here. I didn’t have any friends before, and I would like to have at least one friend here.”

His mom’s heart ached to hear the pain her son was feeling. She knew the struggle he had trying to fit in, and she had tried everything to help. Nothing worked.

“Sweetheart, I know it has been difficult making friends. But I have a good feeling about this place. I’m sure you’ll find a friend. Just stay positive and be yourself.” She stood up to place her cup in the sink and adjusted the blanket on the wall behind her. “A true friend will like you for who you are… inside and out.”

“Like the animals…,” said Lyrion slurping from the bowl.

His mother smiled, “Yes, like the animals.”

That night Lyrion curled on his bed listening to the sound of toads croaking and crickets chirping in the moonlight. He knew his mother meant well, but he had heard that speech before. He couldn’t help worrying what his first day at his new school would be like as he watched an eagle fly across the night sky.

“If I were an eagle, everyone would like me because I would be the strongest bird in the air.”

Lyrion listened as a fox howled in the distance. The sound faded into the forest.

“If I were a fox, they would like me too because I would be very smart and cunning.”

“Hoot! Hoot!”

An owl sat in a tree outside his window. Lyrion sat up and watched him ruffle his feathers.

“I would be very wise if I were an owl, and I know everyone would like me.”

Lyrion curled back on his bed thinking of the different animals. He watched the blanket gently move against the wall across the room above his mother as she slept. He didn’t want to worry her, so he decided he would keep his feelings to himself and not mention school anymore. As he drifted off to sleep, a heavy growl echoed deep within the forest. Lyrion rubbed his ears and rolled over.

The next morning the sun rose above the horizon and covered the valley with a golden glow. Lyrion rushed out the door towards Glimmerwood Stream. He sat on a log and listened to the sparrows whistling in the breeze among the leaves.  Each time he threw a stone, he counted the number of times it skipped across the water before sinking.

“Hello!”

The soft voice startled him. He turned swiftly and almost fell into the water.

“Hi,” he replied bashfully.

“My name is Zilphia. What’s yours?”

“L-Lyrion. My name is Lyrion.” He was surprised the little fairy was speaking to him.

“I’m glad you didn’t fall into the water.”

“Yeah, that would’ve been embarrassing.” Lyrion’s bronze cheeks turned rosy red.

“You’re new… I haven’t seen you before.”

“My mom and I just moved here.”

“Great! I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

Zilphia noticed a change in him. He began rubbing his antlers nervously.

“What’s wrong, Lyrion?”

“Nothing.”

“Yes, there is. Why are you nervous?”

“I’m not nervous,” he insisted as he picked at his knuckles. “I just remembered I need to go home and help my mom.”

“Really?” asked Zilphia. She wasn’t convinced.

“Yes.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Lyrion’s heart began pounding in his chest. He thought of their cottage and the work it needed. What would Zilphia think if she saw it? He was glad she didn’t make fun of him, but she might make fun of him if she knew where he lived.

“Thank you… but no. I’m sure you have other things you need to do.”

Zilphia knelt beside the stream. She reached in playing with the water then turned to him and smirked.

“Lyrion, did you know Glimmerwood Stream has magical powers? It reveals the truth to anything that touches it.” She stood up, her bright green eyes piercing through him. “You’re not being truthful… you’re afraid.”

“Afraid?” mumbled Lyrion. “Afraid of what?”

“You’ve been afraid since I said hello. You were afraid of what I thought of you.” Her eyes gently glanced across his antlers. “Be honest, you were afraid to meet my friends. And now you’re afraid of what I may think of your home.”

Lyrion stood silently. He knew she was right.

“Lyrion… I don’t care about where you live or what you look like.” Zilphia walked closer and placed the palm of her hand in the center of his chest. “Who you are inside is what’s most important. That’s what makes you… you! Just be yourself.”

Lyrion walked to the water’s edge and looked at his reflection. Could this be true? He remembered his mother said it, but somehow it was different hearing it from this beautiful little fairy. He wiped the corner of his eye and walked back. Her gentle smile reassured him… It must be true!

The midday sun sparkled like jewels off the water’s surface. Something sparkled inside of Lyrion too as they walked slowly out of Glimmerwood Forest… Lyrion and his new friend.

 

Thank you for visiting the Glimmerwood Kingdom, one of the many magical places within the Starlight Realm, where every adventure helps courage, kindness, and imagination grow.

Join us next week as Lyrion's journey continues in Episode 2.

 — Written with care by W. L. Shaw, creator of Fanciful Tales