The Magic Animal

Viviane, a young woman who can understand the speech of animals, rides her horse along a woodland path.  Her mount, Daisy, senses a sinister presence in the woods and refuses to pass among the trees.  Viviane reassures Daisy that she has no intention of entering the woods.  The horse bolts before stopping abruptly, throwing Viviane to the ground along the banks of a creek.

Checking herself over, Viviane confirms that none of her bones are broken.  She consults her wristwatch for the time.  

A rattlesnake approaches Viviane and encourages her to enter the forest.  Viviane accuses the snake of frightening Daisy, and the serpent defends itself.  The snake offers to accompany Viviane into the woods, but she refuses its companionship. Slithering away, the snake withholds its blessing from Viviane.

Disoriented, Viviane stands and drinks from the nearby stream.  A small woman with translucent wings calls out to Viviane and begs for her help.  Viviane supposes the woman a faery and jokes about Tinker Bell.  The sprite accepts the name Nimue, explaining that she shares the appellation with Viviane.

A coyote visits Viviane and warns that the faery intends to send her on a dangerous mission.  Viviane rejects the coyote’s offer of assistance, and he lopes away, taking with him the blessing of his pack.

Nimue delights in Viviane’s name and asks to take it as her own.  Viviane suggests that she be called Vivien. Reminded of Alice in Wonderland, Viviane puzzles over her strange circumstances. 

Vivien asks that Viviane help the faeries retrieve a human child.  She promises that they will return the boy to Viviane and his mother once he has served his purpose. 

A raven alights beside Viviane and urges her to assist Vivien.  Viviane names the bird Nevermore and offers him a quarter in exchange for his help.  Nevermore accepts the shiny token and carries it to his hoard.