Lucien had watched her for a long time as she turned from a curious girl into a lovely young woman. Today was different, she was not out gathering apples or some other chore. She was running blindly deeper into the forest. He had long ago marked her, which granted her his protection in these woods. He followed silently shadowing her until she stopped. There was something dire that seemed to linger about her, it concerned him.
She finally stopped running, but the tears continued to come. Mal could barely believe what she had heard and at the same time it was all too plausible. "Mother whatever shall I do?"
He looked around expecting to see the older female, then realizing no one was there, he relaxed. He listened to her speak and the pieces fell into place and the sadness was finally explained. Until now he had not discerned that her mother had died many years ago, that the woman he had thought of was her father's second wife. Of this he was glad as that woman was mean with a soul bereft of kindness. He discovered that three of the young men who had retrieved her in the past were her older brothers, all of whom had left home. The other two were the welps of her step mother. Those two seemed to do nothing with their lives. Her face was blotchy from crying, the tears leaving streaks on her dirty face, and her rust colored hair was a perpetual tangle. His soul ached out to touch her, to calm her troubled spirit.
"I'm not pretty, and we no longer have any money." She wiped the tears back, "They plan on marrying me off to the worst sort of man." Mal quieted for a moment and looked up, she swore she heard something. "My brothers have their own families and worries. I have no where to go." She cleaned her face off and looked around again. What she saw was beautiful, a gleaming white stallion, with a long golden horn. She blinked and he was gone, and she wondered if she had really seen anything at all.
Then she heard the crashing bumbling footsteps of her stepbrother Trenton, who had made a habit of trying to catch her undressed. It was why she rarely bathed at home anymore. He was by far nicer than her other stepbrother Ian, who was not so secretive about his leers.
Lucien hid from them and patiently waited for the young maid's return. It was not too many days later and by then he had found a way to speak to her. It would be painful, but considering the reward, he felt it would be well worth it.
She looked more haggard, as if she had not slept since their last meeting. He stepped out ready to meet her. Then she laid down, and within a few moments she was asleep. He moved towards her in his natural form and laid down with her, basking in her pure lovely innocence. Despite the pain and darkness that surrounded her, she remained untouched by it, even as it clouded her very being.
She dreamed of the noble unicorn and her hand stroked the luscious mane. It somehow gave her peace and within her dream she relaxed. Lucien shuddered in delight as the feel of her fingers roaming through his mane. He knew she still rested and wished he could keep her with him forever. He knew of a way, and it was even more dangerous than the transformation, but he knew it was worth it. So when she stirred he did not flee, he awaited her reaction with trepidation.
She awoke feeling a weight in her lap, and her eyes took in the glorious creature that lay before her. She was stunned and could do little more than to continue stroking the unicorn. Her hand moved to the horn, marveling as the smooth feel of the golden curves. He moved and she wondered if she had displeased him, but instead he seemed to say come with me as he stood. She was not afraid as she reached up and mounted him.
Lucien knew of the risks and accepted them as he carried her deep within the forest, to a place no one would ever find them. Amidst the ruins of a stone cottage, there was a large clear pool, and several fruit bearing trees. He had much to do as he left her there, knowing she would be safe.
Mal was scared once he left, and she felt dirty. She glanced around the quiet glen and decided to take advantage of the pool of water. She carefully removed her garments, revealing milky pale skin, full soft breasts, and a body that spoke of creating children. She slowly slipped into the water, luxuriating in the feel as it enfolded her in the surprisingly warm water. She dunked her head under the water, feeling refreshed as the water covered her. She took a deep gulp of air as her head broke the surface of the water and was unaware of the eyes that watched her.
Lucien had collected what items he needed for his transformation. He watched her from above, seeing the beauty of her unclad form, his body instinctively responding to the sight of her ripe soft curves. He knew it would all be worth it, as his form shivered and he became a human male. Lucien took a few moments to adjust to his new body and hoped she would find him appealing. He carefully walked down, noticing how sensitive his feet were now. As a stone shifted from under his feet and it was noisy, he once again hoped for the best.
