Authors: Melissa Lynn Strasburg
“Brilliant,”
was the only dumb word I could think of. I found a lonely horse feeding on some
new grass and we climbed atop him. I searched the battleground for any faces I
knew, but decided the scene was too much. I rode away.
Since
the snow had melted, we made good time back to the cottage. As we were nearing
the bend to the clearing, I thought of another question for my lady.
“When
you went inside the castle, what did you see?” I scratched the back of my neck,
realizing how nice it felt to be warmer.
Vivian
was quiet for a moment. She cleared her throat. “Well, when I went inside,
there were a lot of colors and a large pool in the center of the grand hall.
Pink, yellow, and purple flowers lay under the water and it seemed light came
from it. The odd thing was there were no people inside, just bubbles. Bubbles,
all colors of the rainbow, just bounced on top of the water. The pond seemed to
be frozen or solid; as they would not go in, just bounced. People only appeared
when I turned into Lugina and started roaring. Then suddenly it was a crazy
mess of people…or ghosts I should say.
“The
feeling in the room was so quiet and serene that I was sad to disturb it. I
wanted to go into the pond too, Tristen.” Vivian laid her head on my shoulder.
I
stopped the horse and helped Vivian off of it. I wrapped my tired arms around
the woman I loved and kissed her soft lips. She gently returned my gesture as I
remembered something I wanted to do. Standing on the warm sunny path of the
forest, I reached inside my coin purse and found my mum’s ring.
Vivian’s
eyes twinkled, as I dropped to one knee, and gazed into them. “My darling, who
I love more than anything, will thou grant me the favor of being my wife?”
A
smile grew on her face, lighting her eyes in a special way that I had never
seen. She didn’t say a word, just took the ring from me and slid it on her
finger. She helped me to my feet, tenderly kissing me again.
We
turned to walk to the little house. I assumed her reaction meant yes; however,
I needed to hear the words. I followed her in stupid silence. Billowing smoke
flowed from the fireplace. It comforted me knowing that the fire still burned
inside.
I
opened the door for Vivian. Waiting inside was two lovely ladies and an
innocent little boy. They all sat on the floor, playing with a yarn ball. I
half-way expected kitten Lugina to appear and play with it too.
The
ladies stood up, throwing their arms around each of us. Elena seemed less
hostile toward her sister. Elizabeth asked, “What of Patrious?”
I
was surprised he had not already arrived, but we told her he was on his way.
She smiled, relieved, and had a brief explanation of what happened; including
the bravery and heroics of young Jadorion.
The
women saddened at the news, but brightened when I told them that he wanted to
be with Elex.
“May
they both rest easy,” Elizabeth grasped Elena’s hand.
Vivian
walked to Gabe and held him in her arms. She hugged him as the ladies watched.
Elena spoke up, “He’s a good boy, Vivian.”
Vivian
nodded and squeezed him. I suddenly realized the ladies thought Gabe was
Vivian’s child.
“This
child is not Vivian’s. We knoweth naught of him.” I touched his little cheek.
He
smiled at me. “I’m Gabe.”
I
smiled back. Vivian raised an eyebrow at me. “We knoweth he’s a human being.
That is all
I
need to knoweth to care for him.”
Nodding
at my lady, I bowed, and stepped back.
Elizabeth
offered us some puffy biscuits she had made. We sat at the kitchen table and
inhaled them while we waited for Patrious. I knew it wouldn’t be long.
“Thou
may return to thy beautiful kingdom!” I told the ladies. They smiled.
Elizabeth
placed her hand on mine, “What will thou do?” Her caring eyes gazed upon me
like I was her own kin.
I
looked at Vivian and before I could answer, she said, “We’re going to stay here
a while.”
“We
are?” I blurted in surprise.
The
lady nodded, cooing at Gabe, who had purple jelly on his face.
Dark
was nearing, when Patrious flung open the door. He hurried to the arms of his
wife, who appeared healthier than she did when I first met her. It brought me
great joy to see a happy reunion.
Patrious
hugged Elena then bellowed, “We need to leave right now! I have men waiting on
us to get us safely back home. Our kingdom is being guarded by Kristoff and his
men, but I don’t want to waste another moment being away from our rightful
home.”
Elizabeth
smiled at him. Elena stared at me. “Take care of my sister.”
I
would always adore Elena, and I gave her a polite hug.
Patrious
pulled me from Elena, giving me an awkward hug. “I’m going to miss thee, sir!
Ye saved my home and my family. I am forever indebted to thee.” I looked at
Vivian, knowing fully that she was the one who had the weapon to save us. I
winked at her, assuring our secret was safe.
Everyone
said their goodbyes, and we promised to visit. Then the Winnow’s fled from my
life, as quickly as they had entered. Vivian serenely smiled at Gabe, who was
beating spoons on the table.
“Put
Gabe to bed, will thee? I have to write in my journal.” Vivian stated, grabbing
her book and settling next to the fire.
I
did what I was told and gathered Gabe to rest on the big bed. The kiddle seemed
to like me. He curled in my arms, falling asleep rather quickly. I moved
carefully from the bed to avoid waking him. Vivian sprawled across a large rug
on the wooden floor. I walked toward her and sat close.
“Thou
never did answer my question.” I whispered.
Vivian
smiled shyly at me. With her hand on her journal; she slid it toward me. I
looked at it, then her. She closed her eyes and curled into a ball, placing her
head on her hands.
I
did the only thing a gentleman would: I picked up the leather-bound book and
began reading.