III: Affection
Master Godwin dismissed the youngsters for the day and rose to go inside the chapel. He was surprised to find that Miranda was not waiting nearby to escort him, as she had done ever day since becoming his apprentice. He was no too concerned, though; he had a fairly good idea where she was. Smiling to himself, the old master walked to the back of the chapel.
Miranda and Felix were sitting together in the grass. Miranda was gently wrapping a bandage around Felix's hand while the boy watched her quietly. Godwin stood out of sight for the moment to observe the two. Felix flexed his fingers experimentally while Miranda packed away unused bandages and herbs.
"How does it feel?" Miranda asked him.
"A lot better, thank you," the boy replied, smiling over at her. She smiled back and moved to sit by him once again. Immediately his fair complexion flushed pink but the girl didn't seem to notice.
"Your hands were not made for manual labor, Felix," Miranda said. "I wish you would tell me why you put yourself through all of this hard work. You keep saying it was something you 'have' to do, but Master Godwin told me no one forced you into it." Godwin shifted to get a better look at the two youngster's faces. Miranda was glancing at Felix in concern while he stared down at his bandaged hands.
"The truth is…" Felix took a breath and raised his head to meet Miranda's gaze. "I did choose to do all that hard work. I did it so I could spend time with you."
"Me?" Now it was Miranda's turn to flush pink. "You gave up your studies to work here, just to see me?"
"Yes." Felix moved to gently take Miranda's hand in his own. Her fingers twitched, but she did not pull away. "I really like you, Miranda, but I didn't get to talk to you very often while you were busy with your training. I came here to see if there was a way I could spend more time with you, and Master Godwin told me that the only way was to work here."
"But why would he do that?" Miranda wondered. "I must speak to him about this," she said, rising to her feet. "It is so unlike him to make people do chores unless it is part of their training."
"He wasn't making me," Felix assured her, also rising to his feet. "He kept stopping by all day telling me I could quit if I wanted, but I wanted to see you and be around you, so I stayed."
"Felix…" Miranda watched the boy shyly. This sort of affection was very new to her. Certainly she had many friends in the order, but she couldn't imagine any of them doing so much just to be around her. Not knowing what to say, she reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently.
It looked like a good time for Godwin to reveal himself. He stepped out of his hiding place and cleared his throat so the two would be aware of his presence. They turned at the noise, Miranda slipping her hand away from Felix's grasp. Godwin couldn't help smiling despite the embarrassment of the two young ones.
"There you are, Miranda. I was worried when I didn't see you waiting for me."
"Forgive me for worrying you," she said, bowing in apology. "Felix's hands were blistered badly and he had splinters from his work, so I wanted to stay and tend to his wounds."
"Ah, I see," said Godwin, unable to suppress the twinkle in his eyes. "You are very good at healing; the young man is lucky to have your help." He didn't miss the smiles that came to both the youngster's faces, or the fond glance Felix bestowed on Miranda.
"So... you are not angry with me?" Miranda wondered.
"Why would I be? It is a creed that the order helps those in need. Your training is not all there is, you know."
"Yes, sir, Master Godwin. I'll be sure to remember that." There was a pause as she glanced over at Felix. Godwin was fairly certain he knew what she was to say next. "Master Godwin, Felix told me that all of the hard labor he was doing today was because you told him it had to be done. Why did you do such a thing?"
"All I told him was that he would have to abide by the rules of the order if he wished to spend time with you here, and you should well know that we believe in hard work," the old man responded. In truth he was testing Felix with this hard labor, but he couldn't say so just yet.
"But... it feels so wrong to me," Miranda protested. "Felix..." She turned to address the Vareth boy directly. "I have enjoyed seeing you today and spending time with you, but I would be much happier if tomorrow I see you as I pass by the Vareth Institute. Please do not give up your studies to do hard labor, just to see me!" Felix opened his mouth to say something, but Miranda talked over him. "You asked me earlier what kind of person you would be if you sat back and watched as I worked hard; I pose the same question to you. I care about you too much to just stand back and watch!" There was a noticeable silence after this speech. Godwin felt stunned to hear such talk from his student, and Felix looked equally off-footed.
"You... care about me?" the boy asked in a small voice.
"Yes, of course I do!" she answered earnestly. Felix smiled, flushing in pleasure.
"I'm glad... and of course I wouldn't want to do anything that upsets you. If it makes you happy then I'll go back to my studies at the institute, but... to be honest, I would much rather stay here with you, even if it does mean my hands will bleed from blisters."
"I will visit you at the institute," Miranda told him. "You sacrificed to see me, and I will be happy to do the same so I can see you."
"Ah... are you sure?" Felix asked, his voice cracking as his fair cheeks turned bright red. "I know how important your training is to you, and I--"
"Your studies were important to you," Miranda interrupted him, "and you gave them up. I would very much like to spend time with you, even if it does mean I will be a little behind in my training." Godwin watched this exchange, seemingly forgotten by the youngsters. He couldn't help the big smile that was on his face. He knew Miranda for many years, but this was the first time she was willing to give up her training.
"You've grown up, Miranda," he said, once again alerting the other two to his presence.
"Master Godwin!" The girl hurriedly bowed. "I meant no disrespect, sir!"
"It's all right, Miranda," he assured her. "You must do as your heart tells you. As I already told you, your training is not all there is." The girl smiled, going down on her knees to wrap her arms around the little man's body.
"Thank you for understanding," she whispered, then pulled away. His eyes twinkled all the more.
"I'll be going on inside. Don't stay out too long." He turned and headed back to the chapel. He took one last look over his shoulder. Felix and Miranda were clasping hands again, and the way they looked at each other assured Godwin that things were going to work out for them.
------
The day was fair, the sun shining brightly on the people as they went about their business. Right on schedule the girl from the Olacion Order came speeding down the street. Those that saw her smiled a little to themselves before continuing on their way. Miranda stopped in front of the Vareth Institute, shielding her eyes from the bright sunlight as she searched for her master. Once she was certain her master was not around, Miranda deviated from her schedule to enter the institute.
She knew where to go and only offered the receptionist a cheerful smile before turning toward the library. She found Felix deeply immersed in a thick volume just as he had been the first time she visited him at the institute. Not wishing to disturb him, Miranda took a seat nearby and waited for him to notice her presence. He idly glanced up from the pages and shot to his feet on seeing her.
"Miranda! Ah… how long have you been there?"
"Not very long," she answered pleasantly. "Are your hands feeling any better?"
"Yes, thank you. Master Godwin was right: you do have a gift for healing." Miranda smiled, feeling her cheeks glow warm in a modest blush. Felix reached over to touch her hand. She felt a flutter of happiness in her heart that only occurred when she was close to the Vareth boy.
"I did promise I would come see you," she said after a comfortable silence. "If there is any work to be done here, I will be glad to do that as well. It is the least I can do after all you did to be near me."
"There is no need for you to do that," Felix told her. "Here at the institute, we exercise our minds. The hardest work I've ever done was carrying heavy books to my desk. We can just sit and talk together if you want."
"Oh, but I wouldn't want to distract you from your studies. I am more than happy to stay nearby while you work."
"Miranda…" Eyes shining, Felix gently lifted Miranda's hand to his lips and kissed it. "You really do live up to your name, and I think… I can live up to mine, too." Miranda blushed, lifting her other hand to clasp Felix's so both their hands were joined.
"As long as I can stay by your side while you do."
end