A Lifetime to Remember
A Lifetime to Remember
Written By: Mistress Ravenfyre
The sky is dark even tough it is mid day. The sea and winds are angry and filled with torment for they know that ill tidings are being brought to this land that once grew love. All the sea and wind can do is rage against the events about to unfold.
She stands on her stone balcony that overlooks the sea. Watching the waves pound upon the jagged rocks below and feeling the wind hitting her harshly, she knows the time has come. The sky is dark with clouds that soon will bring another storm. Not like the storms they are used to. One with such torrent and strength that it will wash away the land and the hope of a vision not coming true.
Thunder is heard breaking the silence. Such a loud, crashing noise. As if the Gods their selves just walked upon our earth, unhappily walking. It is not so, she thinks. Having the Gods walk here would be a blessing for one and all. They and they alone carry the only solution in stopping what will happen. Lady Fenella knows they will not intrude, for destiny is ours to live out.
What does it matter, sighing to herself. “all will be lost soon". She moves closer to the edge of the balcony, trying to see something that is not there. Hoping to see something is more the thought.
Her cheeks begin to sting with a mixture of hot tears and the mist that is now coming down. Have the Gods begun to cry also? she thinks. A sound of an opening door can be heard behind her. She does not move from this cold, windy spot, staring out at the sea. She dares not look for she knows that once she turns, the vision will begin and she can not stop it. Quickly thinking to herself that maybe, just maybe if she does not turn to see her husband, Lord Ansgar, the vision will not come about. “My Lady, I must talk with you. Now, if you please for the time is growing near for me to depart". The tone is stern yet filled with a warmth that only she alone can feel. Taking a deep breath, muttering a prayer, she thinks to herself “May the heavens preserve us". With this thought she enters their bedroom, turning to close the door behind her to shut out the cold wind that is violently blowing.
“Lord Ansgar, I did not expect you so soon” “We have much to discuss before I leave, this I am sure you knew” Lord Ansgar replied. Looking at her he chuckles softly thinking that she always knew what he would do before he himself knew. His arrival could come of no surprise. Lord Ansgar looking into her eyes and her face, hoping to see something that would tell him of what would be said, but there was nothing to see. “How I adore this woman” he thought . “I have been a blessed man all these years.” Instead of saying this to her he said: “You should not go out in the cold with only your light wrap. It is freezing with cold and you will chill.” Touching her , ” See you are already cold my lady” Holding her hands in his as he has done for many years now trying to warm them, she replies” Ansgar, you needn’t worry so. I am fine. The sea and wind had something to tell me” a small smile nearly childlike appeared. “You are right, we do have much to say and plan. Time is short “. Lady Fenella walked over to the bed that they have shared for ten years now. The bed of dreams they have always called it. Which soon, as she looked at it will only share one dreamer not two.
“Fenella, your visions have always astounded me and our counsel, but maybe this time it is wrong. Maybe what you saw was indeed a dream, not a vision of our fate to come. Maybe this time you did not see the future of things to come. Could this be the truth?” his tone was nearly a cry of despair. “No, my dearest Ansgar, it was not a dream as you want to badly to call it. It is as those in the past have been. A vision of the coming.” Her voice was muffled as she said this to him for it broke her heart in telling him this truth.
“I ask you, no I implore you, do not go. You have no reason to join in this battle. It has nothing to do with us. This you know is true. It would be just for you to not leave.” “Fenella, it is not a matter of just, it is honor. I gave my word to the brothers to help them fight for their land that is being attacked by the Cradlodish. I can not go back on my word. They have fought side by side for us in the past, now I must return the favor to them. It is our way". He knew that she was not listening to his explanation of why he had to leave. Fenella grasping her shawl tightly by the breast said: “Yet you leave your own land, your homeland, your people” she paused taking a big breath “leaving me". “You shall not return and I will forever be one of the walking dead. Destined to be an empty vessel without you". More tears. Tears that could wash away miles of land she has cried over this separation.
Looking at her in this manner touched his heart . If only he could stay here, forget the word that he gave his brothers. Knowing full well that he could not do that he heard Fenella continue: “Come with me, look out the window at the sea. It is filled with rage, the wind is blowing with anger. Both are raging against your quest for battle for you will leave and not return. The wind and sea know this is and are trying to tell you.” Ansgar and Fenella looked out upon the angry sea. The birds that were caught in the wind were blown here and there, having a hard time getting free of the winds hold. Breaking the silence, Fenella said “Do you not feel the warning by the sea? Do you wish to leave behind your life only to give it to another in battle?” Pain filled his head making it hard for him to rationalize his motives for joining the battle. Knowing that what he would say next would change their destiny and nothing would ever be the same again.
“My Lady, you knew when we wed that we would depart, only to meet again and again. Until such day I shall never leave your side. Yet, that time is not now. This saddens me to leave you for you fill my heart and soul with such love and joy that no man justly deserves from one such as you. Each breath I have taken over the years I have taken with love for you. Yet, I must protect our family honor as my word and name are part of our very being and will be long after we leave this world.We leave behind honor for our family name. This is the way of ours".
Lady Fenella trembled with sobs. Each sob was like a knife in her heart for the pain was not bearable. There was nothing more to do or to say. They each knew that anything else that could or would be said would be empty banter. He was leaving her behind. The wheel was turning. Turning to quickly for both of them.
“I trust the ways of your family, but my heart will lay dormant until we meet. You, my Lord, are the reason for my very life.” Taking his hand in hers and bringing it to her lips she gently kissed it. “Until we meet again, I shall truly love no other. I shall die until we are together again. Only when we meet again will I love once more". Looking into her eyes he knew this to be true. He knew she carried the love for him deep inside and no other man would ever find this love in her."Fenella, Until we meet again, I shall truly love no other. I shall die until we are together again. Only when we meet again will I love once more” Fenella sobbing softly “For I shall find you again no matter where you are or how long it takes . Even if we pass over the Gods will guide us together. We are one soul, you and I. Forever joined.” “Forever joined” he repeated after her.
Ansgar took her into his arms and held her tightly for he knew this was to be the last time for many years ahead. He drank in her sweet scent, touched her silky hair feeling the waves upon his palm. How many times had he done this before finding comfort in touching her? Feeling the power of love fill him. Now this will be the last time to know such pleasure. Ansgar said “Let me gaze upon you. I want to embed your beauty at this moment so it will remain in my memory forever. I shall take this memory to my very grave .” “Promise me this” he said to Fenella “promise that with each sunrise and sunset we will call out the others name upon the wind to carry the sound of love to each other. By saying the others name we will know that our love is alive.” All Fenella could do was shake her head yes. “Use the wind as you do now to carry your voice to me.” Standing holding one another in a tight embrace, she crying and he turning pale with sorrow. Breaking the silence Ansgar says: “I must ready myself.’, glancing at his battle suit laid out before him. Breaking is grasp, Fenella’s arms dropped limply at her sides.
As he was dressing, Fenella in a feeble attempt said: “Please I beg of you, do not go to battle leaving me alone. You will not return to me on our lands. A blade will cut into and tear away at your flesh. Your blood will spill upon this land that is not yours. This blood will mark the spot of your travel to the otherworld. I have made you a promise, now you must promise me this. Meet me on the bridge of Yorkney. Come each month for three years on the third day of each week until we meet."If neither are there at the end of this time, I will know that you have gone. I will send the winds to find you throughout the centuries until we meet.” “I promise you this", he replied not able to keep her stare. Gazing at each neither wanting to break the spell of the moment. Saying nothing with their eyes yet knowing what the other was saying.
A sudden knock at the door broke the spell they were in. Realizing that they now had to face hard reality. The time was nearing. A voice on the outside of the door loomed out that the horses and men were ready to leave. “I will be there in a moment", Ansgar said loudly, a little to loudly. He looked at his beloved, she returning his look.
“Ansgar, my love is yours and yours only on this day and days in another life. Go foolish man go. May Gods hand cover you with protection, for I am unable to protect you this time.” “Fenella, you are my life. My love is yours to hold and keep with you. No other woman , now or in another lifetime have that love.” “May God protect you as I will not be there to do so.” Ansgar said gently in her ear. They embraced with saying such as they knew that this would be the last touch for much time ahead. He kissed her forehead, turned towards the door. WIthout turning to look her way he asked: “If I leave this world and we enter another, how will we know each other?” Looking at his back seeing his shoulders slump, Fenella told him: “We will know by a closeness that will happen with the first meeting. A fleeting look will pass between our eyes of knowing that there is love between us. We will have the feeling that we are home again once we are in each others arms. This my love is how we will know each other. Love such as ours never dies, it lingers looking until love again is found". Fenella continued: “For as the hills of ours are ever green, our love will remain true. We carry with us from this day on pieces of each other. This is how we will know.” With that Ansgar left the room. Softly closing the large door behind him leaving all that he loved.
Lady Fenella sitting once more upon the bed of dreams, crying. Stopping briefly looking towards the sea and knew what it was telling her. The vision had begun. What would happen next would not be a dream only a living nightmare. Fenella readied herself for the next blow to come.
Silently, she asked “Will I ever be ready?”
A Lifetime to Remember
The sky is dark even tough it is mid day. The sea and winds are angry and filled with torment for they know that ill tidings are being brought to this land that once grew love. All the sea and wind can do is rage against the events about to unfold.
She stands on her stone balcony that overlooks the sea. Watching the waves pound upon the jagged rocks below and feeling the wind hitting her harshly, she knows the time has come. The sky is dark with clouds that soon will bring another storm. Not like the storms they are used to. One with such torrent and strength that it will wash away the land and the hope of a vision not coming true.
Thunder is heard breaking the silence. Such a loud, crashing noise. As if the Gods their selves just walked upon our earth, unhappily walking. It is not so, she thinks. Having the Gods walk here would be a blessing for one and all. They and they alone carry the only solution in stopping what will happen. Lady Fenella knows they will not intrude, for destiny is ours to live out.
What does it matter, sighing to herself. “all will be lost soon". She moves closer to the edge of the balcony, trying to see something that is not there. Hoping to see something is more the thought.
Her cheeks begin to sting with a mixture of hot tears and the mist that is now coming down. Have the Gods begun to cry also? she thinks. A sound of an opening door can be heard behind her. She does not move from this cold, windy spot, staring out at the sea. She dares not look for she knows that once she turns, the vision will begin and she can not stop it. Quickly thinking to herself that maybe, just maybe if she does not turn to see her husband, Lord Ansgar, the vision will not come about. “My Lady, I must talk with you. Now, if you please for the time is growing near for me to depart". The tone is stern yet filled with a warmth that only she alone can feel. Taking a deep breath, muttering a prayer, she thinks to herself “May the heavens preserve us". With this thought she enters their bedroom, turning to close the door behind her to shut out the cold wind that is violently blowing.
“Lord Ansgar, I did not expect you so soon” “We have much to discuss before I leave, this I am sure you knew” Lord Ansgar replied. Looking at her he chuckles softly thinking that she always knew what he would do before he himself knew. His arrival could come of no surprise. Lord Ansgar looking into her eyes and her face, hoping to see something that would tell him of what would be said, but there was nothing to see. “How I adore this woman” he thought . “I have been a blessed man all these years.” Instead of saying this to her he said: “You should not go out in the cold with only your light wrap. It is freezing with cold and you will chill.” Touching her , ” See you are already cold my lady” Holding her hands in his as he has done for many years now trying to warm them, she replies” Ansgar, you needn’t worry so. I am fine. The sea and wind had something to tell me” a small smile nearly childlike appeared. “You are right, we do have much to say and plan. Time is short “. Lady Fenella walked over to the bed that they have shared for ten years now. The bed of dreams they have always called it. Which soon, as she looked at it will only share one dreamer not two.
“Fenella, your visions have always astounded me and our counsel, but maybe this time it is wrong. Maybe what you saw was indeed a dream, not a vision of our fate to come. Maybe this time you did not see the future of things to come. Could this be the truth?” his tone was nearly a cry of despair. “No, my dearest Ansgar, it was not a dream as you want to badly to call it. It is as those in the past have been. A vision of the coming.” Her voice was muffled as she said this to him for it broke her heart in telling him this truth.
“I ask you, no I implore you, do not go. You have no reason to join in this battle. It has nothing to do with us. This you know is true. It would be just for you to not leave.” “Fenella, it is not a matter of just, it is honor. I gave my word to the brothers to help them fight for their land that is being attacked by the Cradlodish. I can not go back on my word. They have fought side by side for us in the past, now I must return the favor to them. It is our way". He knew that she was not listening to his explanation of why he had to leave. Fenella grasping her shawl tightly by the breast said: “Yet you leave your own land, your homeland, your people” she paused taking a big breath “leaving me". “You shall not return and I will forever be one of the walking dead. Destined to be an empty vessel without you". More tears. Tears that could wash away miles of land she has cried over this separation.
Looking at her in this manner touched his heart . If only he could stay here, forget the word that he gave his brothers. Knowing full well that he could not do that he heard Fenella continue: “Come with me, look out the window at the sea. It is filled with rage, the wind is blowing with anger. Both are raging against your quest for battle for you will leave and not return. The wind and sea know this is and are trying to tell you.” Ansgar and Fenella looked out upon the angry sea. The birds that were caught in the wind were blown here and there, having a hard time getting free of the winds hold. Breaking the silence, Fenella said “Do you not feel the warning by the sea? Do you wish to leave behind your life only to give it to another in battle?” Pain filled his head making it hard for him to rationalize his motives for joining the battle. Knowing that what he would say next would change their destiny and nothing would ever be the same again.
“My Lady, you knew when we wed that we would depart, only to meet again and again. Until such day I shall never leave your side. Yet, that time is not now. This saddens me to leave you for you fill my heart and soul with such love and joy that no man justly deserves from one such as you. Each breath I have taken over the years I have taken with love for you. Yet, I must protect our family honor as my word and name are part of our very being and will be long after we leave this world.We leave behind honor for our family name. This is the way of ours".
Lady Fenella trembled with sobs. Each sob was like a knife in her heart for the pain was not bearable. There was nothing more to do or to say. They each knew that anything else that could or would be said would be empty banter. He was leaving her behind. The wheel was turning. Turning to quickly for both of them.
“I trust the ways of your family, but my heart will lay dormant until we meet. You, my Lord, are the reason for my very life.” Taking his hand in hers and bringing it to her lips she gently kissed it. “Until we meet again, I shall truly love no other. I shall die until we are together again. Only when we meet again will I love once more". Looking into her eyes he knew this to be true. He knew she carried the love for him deep inside and no other man would ever find this love in her."Fenella, Until we meet again, I shall truly love no other. I shall die until we are together again. Only when we meet again will I love once more” Fenella sobbing softly “For I shall find you again no matter where you are or how long it takes . Even if we pass over the Gods will guide us together. We are one soul, you and I. Forever joined.” “Forever joined” he repeated after her.
Ansgar took her into his arms and held her tightly for he knew this was to be the last time for many years ahead. He drank in her sweet scent, touched her silky hair feeling the waves upon his palm. How many times had he done this before finding comfort in touching her? Feeling the power of love fill him. Now this will be the last time to know such pleasure. Ansgar said “Let me gaze upon you. I want to embed your beauty at this moment so it will remain in my memory forever. I shall take this memory to my very grave .” “Promise me this” he said to Fenella “promise that with each sunrise and sunset we will call out the others name upon the wind to carry the sound of love to each other. By saying the others name we will know that our love is alive.” All Fenella could do was shake her head yes. “Use the wind as you do now to carry your voice to me.” Standing holding one another in a tight embrace, she crying and he turning pale with sorrow. Breaking the silence Ansgar says: “I must ready myself.’, glancing at his battle suit laid out before him. Breaking is grasp, Fenella’s arms dropped limply at her sides.
As he was dressing, Fenella in a feeble attempt said: “Please I beg of you, do not go to battle leaving me alone. You will not return to me on our lands. A blade will cut into and tear away at your flesh. Your blood will spill upon this land that is not yours. This blood will mark the spot of your travel to the otherworld. I have made you a promise, now you must promise me this. Meet me on the bridge of Yorkney. Come each month for three years on the third day of each week until we meet."If neither are there at the end of this time, I will know that you have gone. I will send the winds to find you throughout the centuries until we meet.” “I promise you this", he replied not able to keep her stare. Gazing at each neither wanting to break the spell of the moment. Saying nothing with their eyes yet knowing what the other was saying.
A sudden knock at the door broke the spell they were in. Realizing that they now had to face hard reality. The time was nearing. A voice on the outside of the door loomed out that the horses and men were ready to leave. “I will be there in a moment", Ansgar said loudly, a little to loudly. He looked at his beloved, she returning his look.
“Ansgar, my love is yours and yours only on this day and days in another life. Go foolish man go. May Gods hand cover you with protection, for I am unable to protect you this time.” “Fenella, you are my life. My love is yours to hold and keep with you. No other woman , now or in another lifetime have that love.” “May God protect you as I will not be there to do so.” Ansgar said gently in her ear. They embraced with saying such as they knew that this would be the last touch for much time ahead. He kissed her forehead, turned towards the door. WIthout turning to look her way he asked: “If I leave this world and we enter another, how will we know each other?” Looking at his back seeing his shoulders slump, Fenella told him: “We will know by a closeness that will happen with the first meeting. A fleeting look will pass between our eyes of knowing that there is love between us. We will have the feeling that we are home again once we are in each others arms. This my love is how we will know each other. Love such as ours never dies, it lingers looking until love again is found". Fenella continued: “For as the hills of ours are ever green, our love will remain true. We carry with us from this day on pieces of each other. This is how we will know.” With that Ansgar left the room. Softly closing the large door behind him leaving all that he loved.
Lady Fenella sitting once more upon the bed of dreams, crying. Stopping briefly looking towards the sea and knew what it was telling her. The vision had begun. What would happen next would not be a dream only a living nightmare. Fenella readied herself for the next blow to come.
Silently, she asked “Will I ever be ready?”