Chapter 7
Lullaby
Wizardmon held the sleeping figure of Gatomon close as the sun went down. She looked so peaceful when she was asleep. Her mouth, usually only slightly smiling, would give way to a perfect smile. Her hair fell into her face gently, and her eyelids flickered.
Only an hour before, they had huddled in Wizardmon's cloak for warmth.
"You know we have to go back tomorrow." Gatomon said. "Lord Myotismon will be angry with us for not bringing recruits."
"I know." Wizardmon swallowed, dreading the next day. He did not know what the punishment would be, but he already decided what he was going to do.
"Wizardmon?"
"Yes?" He said gently.
"Do you know any lullabies?"
"Do you?"
"No…" She sighed. "Lord Myotismon never allowed us to sing. It prohibits him from thinking. I got beaten once for it…" her voice seemed to crack as she said that.
"I'm sorry." Wizardmon said gently.
"It's okay. I grew up here. I'm used to it."
"Were you allowed to tell stories?"
"Stories?" Gatomon asked in confusion. "Like what?"
"You know- tales."
Gatomon looked even more confused.
"Didn't you ever tell each other about things that happened?"
"Uh…"
"Fairy Tales? Myths? Legends?"
"Not really…"
"The Centarumon's Golden Hoof?"
"The what?"
Wizardmon stared at her blankly.
"I've never heard it."
"Well, there was a Centarumon long ago who was very greedy. And one day Seraphimon came down and pretended to be an injured Gekomon. The Centarumon took pity on him and healed him, and then Seraphimon revealed himself and offered to grant him any wish. He wished that anything he touched would turn to gold, and Seraphimon had no choice but to grant this."
"Wow. So anything at all?"
"Yes."
"Even food?"
"Unfortunately yes. Centarumon became weak, lacking energy to do anything, and finally he fell asleep one day, almost dead. All the healers had told him he was about to die."
"And did he?"
"Nope." Wizardmon grinned, seeing Gatomon was very interested in this story. "In his dream an Angewomon appeared and told him that he could live if he bathed in the nearby river. So he immediately got up and dragged himself to the water and bathed. As soon as he got out, the Angewomon appeared and told him he must touch everything he turned to gold, and only then would he live to see the morning. So he galloped around, touching everything he had turned into gold, until finally the sun rose and he was freed."
"Wow. That's cool."
Silence.
"Wizardmon?"
"Yes?"
"You didn't answer my question."
"Which one was that?"
"Do you know any lullabies?" She asked again.
"I don't know any by heart, but I can make one up for you…"
"Really?" Gatomon turned her head to look at him "You would do that?"
"It's not too hard." He smiled. "I'm quite good at it."
"Thank you." Gatomon curled up in Wizardmon's lap, as he started to sing:
"Softly now, I sing you to sleep.
You who cry, and you who weep
Do not be afraid- No harm will come-
Sleep well, my friend. Sleep little one."
Gatomon sighed and curled up in Wizardmon's lap. Her eyes closed and she smiled. He smiled back and continued:
"Dream not, my friend, of your dark past-
These things, you know, aren't here to last.
Sleep well, and on this cold, dark night
Dream of warmth and dream of light."
The slow, soft breathing of Gatomon told him she had drifted into sleep, so he continued the song, letting everything out.
"Sleep well, my love- dream of light
On this dark and lonely night.
You, my love, shall find some rest
Here in my loving caress.
"Dream of days forgotten and
Dream of a much greener land.
Dream of the one you were meant to seek,
Dream, my angel, as you sleep.
He stroked her skin, somewhat glad she could not hear this part. She would only laugh.
"I love you forever, my dear,
And though I know you can't hear,
Dream of my love, dream of my face,
As you sleep in my embrace.
"I know what lies in wait for us
Do not worry, do not fuss.
We have failed, but, you see:
The one who'll be punished will be me.
"I'm by your side, forever my love,
You- with innocence of a dove.
Do not worry, for if I die-
I will be there when 'er you cry."
Tears came to Wizardmon's eyes, and he kissed Gatomon gently on her fore head. "I love you, Gatomon…" He whispered.