Disclaimer: Amon and Robin are, of course, not mine. Nor is the song.
They stood in the cold, shivering, stamping their feet. Hands were jammed in pockets unless they held red leather folders. The paper in the folders fluttered in the chill wind, and someone coughed. And then all movement stopped. As if on some unspoken cue, mouths opened.
Said the night wind to the little lamb
"Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb
Do you see what I see?"
Voices strong, pure, and so damned full of joy that he almost couldn't take it. It was her hand on his arm that stopped him from closing the door. Her fingers, gripping him, surely leaving marks under his sleeve. The expression of innocent joy on her face...the way her lips moved, tasting the words. Hesitant.
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
"Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear?"
It startled him, hearing the extra voice join in. It was little breathy, a sweet soprano, softly accompanying the others, almost echoing them...and coming from right beside him. Her eyes were closed, but he could still read joy in her face. Her hand tightened on his arm, then slowly, shyly, slid downward. First the forearm, then the wrist...Slender fingers wrapped around his, pressure he was surprised to feel through their gloves. A squeeze, and a sweet voice in the air beside him.
"A Child, a Child shivers in the cold ---
let us bring him silver and gold
let us bring him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere..."
And now he was the one with his eyes closed, tasting the words, unsure of this. He had never done such a thing before, never indulged in the celebration of a holiday he didn't quite understand. But Robin's joy was infectious and the tune was one well-known. He joined in.
"The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
She will bring us goodness and light
She will bring us goodness and light..."
The song finished, and the carolers began to shuffle for the next. Robin squeezed his hand again, in silent reassurance, and he surprised himself by squeezing back. A Child, indeed...
END