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Chapter 13: Love Blossoms
Two years of friendship and comfort went by as Glycin grew even closer to the family, especially Hopeful.
They continued making frequent retreats to her special place, where they liked to sit and talk and sometimes simply stay silent as they enjoyed the beautiful nature around them.
On a particularly nice sunny day with no clouds in the extraordinarily blue sky, they sat together on a rock in companionable silence, soaking up the warmth of the spring sun as it shone down upon them. As Glycin gazed at Hopeful, he realized for the first time how beautiful she was physically, having recognized her inner beauty from the moment she bound his leg onward. The sunlight caused her brown hair to shimmer, reminding him of his favorite site of the horses in Rohan, freely running together across soft green meadows. Erumeldir's words as they worked on their cabins haunted him as he soaked in her beauty.
"Glycin, you are a good and honorable man," he had said as they discussed the young woman. "If anyone is worthy of my sister, it would be you. Dírhael and I have worried that she might never be able to marry someone. We feared her deafness would keep a man from realizing her true worth. But I knew from the moment we met you were different. Thank you for taking her under your wing. She has come so far since she befriended you."
"Erumeldir, I would have rescued anyone in that position. Her deafness does not change my thoughts towards her in the slightest. I love her, but as my friend."
"Well, if you ever change your mind, you have my blessing on your marriage."
Glycin laughed that comment off. "Erumeldir, you take things too far. Friendship is what I want and nothing more. Now we should get back to our work!"
For the first time, he seriously thought about marrying Hopeful. Did she even want to marry? Would she allow him to court her?
"Hopeful, do you mind if we go back to your house? I have a matter I wish to discuss with your father."
Taking her hand, he led her back to the small home. She signaled she would be in the barn with their new kittens, and he smiled before turning to the house and stepping inside.
Galad and Cadoresa sat in the kitchen chatting while she tended to the daily kitchen tasks.
Rather nervous, Glycin cleared his throat before speaking as the two paused to look at him. "Galad, sir, might I ask you a question?"
"Yes, Glycin?" Galad asked.
Cadoresa smiled and took her leave, knowing the men needed some privacy.
"I…I am sure you can tell I have loved your sweet daughter ever since I met her. She has been like a sister to me. But I realized I want something more than just friendship with her. May I have your permission to make her my wife, if she will have me?"
"I have waited for this day since we found out she was deaf," Galad spoke. "Often I have wished a young man would see Hopeful for who she is and not her disabilities. You have my approval and blessings."
"Thank you!" Glycin jumped up and whooped, which sent Cadoresa rushing into the room.
"Whatever is wrong?"
"Nothing! Everything is so right! I want to ask Hopeful to marry me!"
"Really?" she squealed. "I have long awaited this day! If anyone is worthy of my daughter, it would be you."
"Erumeldir said those same words to me," he mused. "You think she will have me?"
"You must ask her that yourself."
"I will!" He excitedly made his way to the loft, where he expected her to be with the cats. After reaching the top of the ladder, he walked to her through the soft sweet-smelling hay, once again noticing her petite beauty as she sat with their animal friends. "Hopeful, can we talk a minute?" he asked. His gaze traveled over her beautiful face as he awaited her reply. She nodded in affirmation and he took the liberty to tenderly brush a stray tendril of hair from her eyes. "Hopeful, my sweetheart, I love you! Would you do me the honor of marrying me?"
Hopeful felt the color rising. Glycin, marry her! She grabbed the ever present quill, ink, and paper. "Oh Glycin, but I cannot hear." The quill trembled over the paper.
"Hopeful, look at me." He tenderly tipped her chin up so she looked at him once more. He gazed deeply into her eyes as he spoke, slowly and clearly so she would understand. "I love you. Your inability to hear does not change who you are. You are the beautiful woman that I love and that I wish to marry. I shall have no other. But the choice is up to you. I will respect your wishes if you do not want to marry me." He took her hands and squeezed them, a hopeful expression on his face.
"Yes." The word was clear and strong.
Suddenly a bit shy, Glycin's collar felt tight and he tugged at it to loosen the lump in his throat. "May I..." he started, then cleared his throat and tugged his collar a bit more. "May I kiss you, dearest?"
She blushed, yet offered her cheek shyly.
Well, that wasn't quite the type of kiss he had in mind! He slowly drew her into his arms anyway and allowed his lips to gently brush her cheek, then her forehead. "I love you, Hopeful," he told her again. "Tell me, when can we get married?"
She shrugged her shoulders; she didn't know much on those matters.
Smiling, he squeezed her hand before taking the writing tools. "I am sure you will want a special dress made. I would say that will take a month at the most. You really should speak with your mother on the matter. However, I would prefer sooner rather than later!" He stopped writing a moment, then his eyes widened as a thought struck him and he furiously scratched at the paper. "Hopeful, I only asked your father's permission! Do you think Dírhael will be upset? I know he still grieves and I hate the thought of making things worse for him. Should I ask his permission too?"
"You can ask him but I do not think he will mind," she scribbled.
"I will! Erumeldir gave me his blessing before I knew I loved you. He must have instinctively known we belong together. I am proud you have accepted me to be your husband; I could not ask for a better wife! Your brother would have been so happy for us." Tears sprang in his eyes as he once again recalled that day long ago. He missed Erumeldir and Astiwen; life had not been the same since their deaths and never would be. He drew her into a quick hug as they both sat, remembering the sweet young couple and their murder.
Pulling away, he smiled again. "Now go talk with your mother...she is extremely excited!" He handed the paper back to her and couldn't resist giving her a quick peck on the cheek before descending the ladder and practically running to the fields where he expected Dírhael to be.
Hopeful ran back to the house, her eyes beaming joy.
Spotting a figure in the distance, Glycin strode forward and stood at the edge of the field, calling, "Halloo! Dírhael, I must speak with you!"
Dírhael glanced up then stopped the horses. "Hello!" he called, wiping his brow.
Once again slightly nervous, Glycin approached the sweaty man. "Dírhael, I want to get straight to the point. I have asked your father for permission to marry Hopeful, and now I am asking your blessing. Do you mind?" He looked at his friend, a worried expression on his face.
Dírhael looked up sharply, then one of his rare smiles transformed his face. "Of course not!" he grinned.
Glycin's entire face lit up. "Good! Because I just proposed to her and she said yes! I cannot tell you how happy I am."
"Congratulations!" Dírhael exclaimed.
"Thank you. Will you stand up for me?"
"I would be honored."
"Wonderful!" Glycin couldn't contain his smile, which grew wider by the minute as the shock and excitement slowly sank in. "I shall let you get back to work now. And I should see if my bride needs anything!"
"Goodbye!" Dírhael called before turning back to the plow.
Hopeful wrote furiously, the quill flying across the paper. She handed it to her mother, waiting anxiously for her reply.
Cadoresa couldn't help but laugh at her daughter's excitement. "Be patient!" She finally was able to write, "We will go into town tomorrow and pick out some fabric and sew your dress right away. You need to think about any refreshments you might want and make some things to use in your house. My daughter is getting married! Glycin has finally realized what a treasure you truly are."
Hopeful scanned the words, then hugged her mother.
Cadoresa drew her arms around her and kissed the top of her head. Then she looked up and smiled at Galad, all three family members the happiest they had been in two long years.