THE KNIGHT: 

On the morning dew that glistened off of the landscape you could just see the castle through the morning haze. His armor clanked with a familiar sound of old bones to his weary ears. His silver Horse neighed at the unfamiliar smell surrounding them.
 Throughout the years he mused riding towards the forbidding gray structure, he thought of the quest he was on.
 It started as a young man when he could wield a sword with mighty strokes. He set out from his emerald green isle in search of the one soul who would make his complete. He had searched many a strange and exotic land still, not finding that soul. Although he had thought he was in love many times, he realized with a deep sigh of regret, that he had been wrong.
 As he approached the front gate to the large structure a watchman observed him. His visage was strange for this land or any other the watchman had seen.
 The stranger sat tall in the saddle, but had a weary expression about his unvisored eyes, his armor was not new and slightly dull, but showed marks of many battles. The watchman looked into those eyes and saw that not only did the armor show scars, but alas the eyes held the same story, many a fierce battle.
 The knight approached the gate and hailed the watchman to allow entry.
 The watchman asked what manner of business the knight had within the castle walls.
 Removing his helmet, showing a strong rugged face, crowned by a head of brown and gray hair, the knight spoke
 "I seek rest and safety from the world for a night, can you provide this."
 The watchman answered "I can provide a place to rest, but safety from the world is guaranteed no man"
 The watchman raised the gate and allowed the knight to enter.
 The watchman observed the knight as he brought his horse through the gate. He saw the care the knight took to ensure his horse was taken care of, and of the blue eyes that showed so much warmth and sorrow. The watchman could tell by the eyes this was an honest soul who had seen much laughter and misery.
 Upon entering the town square the knight's senses were beset by the aromas, and views. His eyes wandered the square searching not only for danger, but for that which he had always been seeking.
 Suddenly his eyes were drawn to a potters wheel, where he observed a maiden of his equal in years, making the most beautiful pottery he had ever observed.
 As he observed the delicate way in which she handled the potters wheel he became enraptured in her eyes. The were the green of his emerald isle, with flecks of gold like the morning sun. As he gazed into her face and watched her long auburn hair ripple while she worked, he also observed the two young waifs playing by the potters stall. The smile that was brought to her lips, when she saw these two seemed to brighten the morning.
 Without conscious effort he approached her. His mind raced with thoughts and feelings he could not comprehend. He had fought in numerous battles and wore the scars beneath his tarnished armor, but here he stood unable to speak, but knowing it was necessary to find out about his vision before him.
 She unconsciously, smiled at him causing a stirring throughout his whole being. Her voice was as soft as a gentle rain, but commanding as one who was used to being in charge.
 He was taken by her charms and after brief conversation the content of which is not important, the bond became obvious to both.
 “I have searched high and low these many years for a soulmate. Although I have known you but a moment, I have also known you a lifetime. Find it in your heart to not answer nay to my request, but to consider leaving your wares and bringing your children for but a short time to visit my home and see of what life may be.”
 Her answering smile and the crinkles at the corners of her eyes gave volumes to him in but a short sweet time.

THE MAIDEN: 

Warmed by the sun and the laughter of her two children, she set to work at her wheel, every so often glancing about the milling crowd.  The clay taking on a life of its own between between her fingers. She softly hummed a tune that brought to mind the spirit within her, a gaelic tune.. light and playful, she was content.. a soft smile caresses her face... and yet... she glances up and sees him. His armor well worn seeing many a battle, the face of a man who had weathered many storms with the eyes of a weary soldier but with a glint of a mischievious child.. and she felt him... she knew this man... a familiarity that seemed so right and yet she had never seen him before.. she could not take her eyes off him.. she smiled welcoming his presence.  They speak of small things, and yet they speak volumes, and at ease, as though they have shared confidences many times hence.
"Aye, she replies, tis not a request being asked, but a gift being offered, and my children and I welcome it with open hearts and open minds." She reaches out to caress his face, smiling at the comfort she knew she was bestowing... "Aye, and tis time we see what life may be. Come, lest us not waste a precious moment more."  And together, the pottery maiden with her two young ones, and the renewed Knight set forth out of the market place along the path towards the sun. Walking hand in hand, the Maiden and the Knight and the two young ones traveled towards the sun.

"Mayhap we rest at my dwelling?.. tis not far from where we stand before we continue our journey?" the maiden asks. "Tis my pleasure to see your dwelling, the knight replied. And so they came upon a sunny spot among other dwellings. It was apparent to the knight on first glance, that this indeed was the Maiden's dwelling, for it had her imprint upon it. He did not hesitate and walked inside. He felt at home here. A home so far from hence he came, but it felt right. The young ones bounced with eagerness to show their prize possessions. The knight sat down and watched in delight.. his laughter filling the dwelling and wrapping it securely around the Maiden and her young ones. The Maiden busied herself with making of the meal, watching as she worked as the knight and her young ones sat together talking and sharing stories.

Many neighboring friends stopped by during the night, wanting to see up close, this mighty Knight. He greeted one and all with warmth. The Knight stayed close beside the Maiden throughout the visits, touching her hand lightly, making his presence known.. his attention never straying far from her side.

The Knight had wandered many lands, had known many people, and yet had never felt the peace he felt among the Maiden and her young ones. He welcomed it, but was afraid… The Maiden reached out her hand, knowing the look in his eyes and feeling his restraint… "All is well, my Knight… we are with you now.. do not fear…if it is good and true, you will come to know it… It has come upon us suddenly, and yet I do not fear it, nor do my young ones." She smiled within her heart and he could see it in her eyes and he was comforted. He looked about him, taking it all in, this sunny dwelling, the love within its walls, and reached for the Maiden's hand. "I have been blessed this day... there is so much I wish to share.. Come let us rest.. for on the morrow, we shall go to my lands.. I wish to show you and the young one's my dwelling.

They were awakened during the night by a knock on the door. The Maiden opened it to find a weary young knight, with bright shining eyes standing before her. He requested a visit with the elder Knight, who was suddenly standing beside her. Stepping aside, she welcomed him in, and the two Knights walked near the fire heads bent speaking in low tones. She busied herself with making a meal for the young Knight. As she set the plate before the him, she felt the elder Knight's eyes upon her.. "Come, we must talk of things."

He gently took her hand in his and walked her out into the courtyard.. "I must return at once to my lands.. there is some trouble that I must see to.. I do not want to put you or the young ones in harms way, so I ask that you remain here until I return." "We have only been with each other such a short time," the Maiden said, caressing his face, "but I know that you have to do what is necessary.. we will wait for you, and will keep you close in our hearts, do not worry for us.. please go and do what you must." The elder Knight could see the fear in her eyes, and held her close to set her mind at ease.. "Do not worry, I keep you and the young ones close in my heart.. I will return, and take you to see my lands and our journey will continue." Holding her close, and sighing deeply, the Knight looked over her head in the distance.. he had found peace here.. he had found something he had been seeking for such a long time.. He would make haste and return to them soon. The Maiden awoke the young ones so they could bid him a fond farewell.. The elder Knight, reached down from his horse, and caressed the Maiden's face one last time. The maiden reached into the folds of her gown, drawing forth a piece of green material. "Take this, and keep it close.. Tis the color of my eyes, so you may remember me." The Knight reached out for the cloth, squeezing the Maidens hand. "I will keep it next to my heart and will return along with it as soon as may be possible." With one last look at the Maiden and her young ones, he followed the younger knight out of the village.

The Maiden stood outside her dwelling far past the last sight of him, remembering all that had transpired, and with a full heart, she went back inside.

© 1997 tessfl@hotmail.com

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