so, still no reviews, sadly. I pray that anyone who reads this, just leave a small note telling me what you think! Please! I hope you enjoy this chapter, and feel the love I tried to portray. Thanks! And R&R!
"Please, Henry. Please don't leave me."
Henry had told his family two nights after the day he found the notice that he planned to join the army. His family had remained silent, staring at him warily until Natslia had exclaimed,
"You don't have to do this." Henry looked at her exasperatedly, then turned to his mother,
"Mother, I plan to wed Natslia upon my return, and if I should succeed, the wealth I should return with will be enough to feed my children till they are grown and working." At this sudden proclamation, Mrs. Nully had gasped, placing an old wrinkled hand over her mouth. Caity had failed to suppress a grin and jumped up from her chair.
"Will I get to be a flower girl?" She squealed, hopping up and down. Mr. Nully sat his daughter back down, and looked questioningly at his son.
"Are you sure you will leave, my son. I'm sure we could collect enough money..." Henry nodded.
"I leave at dawn, and set out for the base on the coast. I will return before a year has passed-"
"Do you promise?" Natslia cut through. Henry looked into her robin egg blue eyes.
"I promise."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At the first weak rays of morning, which shone gray and misty in swirls and columns, breaking through the dense clouds, Henry brought his bag down the stairs. He had woken to the familiar trumpet echoing from the distance, carrying far in the deep caverns of the valley. At the bottom of the stairs stood his mother, tear stains on her cheeks. She held out a basket, filled with bread and cheese beneath a home spun blanket. He took it wordlessly, then let it fall to the floor. He collapsed forward into his mothers arms and held her as she shook with tears. He kissed her gently on the cheek and picked up his bags once more.
Waiting by the door was his father and sister. Mr. Nully gave his three gold coins, the only three they owned. When Henry tried to return them, Mr. Nully shook his head. Henry hugged his father tightly, then kissed Caity on the forehead. She held out to him a tiny bouquet of edelweiss. He smelled them and smiled down at his little sister.
Out the door he walked, into the dim, still air of first light. Natslia stood, like a faerie, in a long, white nightgown, the sun beaming like a halo around her golden head, her bright eyes gleaming with tears. When she saw him, a faint smile played on her lips. In awe, Henry dropped his belongings and approached her celestial light. When he stood before her, he was lost in her eyes. He reached up a hand and brushed a nonexistent strand of hair from her brow. His fingers trailed down her cheek to her chin, where he tucked a finger and brought her pale lips up to meet his.
The world seemed to stop spinning as they kissed, embracing each other. They broke apart and he hugged her, so tight, as if he thought her light might slip away and be lost. She murmured over and over in his ears,
"I love you. Thank you. I love you, I love you." He stepped away from her and held her hands. He pressed the gold coins into her palm and whispered,
"A dowry for the angel I shall return to." With a final stare into his loves eyes, Henry turned away and took his bag and basket and strode, full of purpose and energy down the road into the yellow mist. Natslia watched him disappear, then fell into a heap, and wailed.