The Gisborne Chronicles

CHR6/CH6-Homeward Bound, and The Initial Reunion

The parting from those who had cared for her was difficult for Auriel. Whilst in their presence, and the comfort of their dwelling, hope for the future was high, but doubts filled her mind as the day of her departure grew ever closer. She wondered if she would retain such hope when she was removed from their benign influence.

On those last days, she was not alone in these doubts, as could be seen from the sad faces around her. The table was mostly silent as they sat for their final supper, save for the odd kindly remark from those who were still caring for them.

As she readied herself for her nights rest, it came to her suddenly that with each day that passed henceforth, the closer she would be to those she had left so many days before, and she was so startled by the thought, that she sat down hard upon the bed, waking Persephone from a deep slumber.

"What ails you woman?" she demanded, " can a poor tired wretch not be left to slumber in peace without some great lump falling upon her bed?"

"Tomorrow, " said Auriel, smiling broadly, " I think on tomorrow."

" What of it? " asked her bedmate.

"Our journey will alter from outward to homeward," she replied, " I confess it had quite fallen from my thoughts. From now on, every mile travelled brings me closer to home. Home, and my family. Dear God, to see their dear faces again, ''twill be like heaven."

"You wake me with knowledge I already possess!" grumbled Persephone, " next it will be the damned passionate reunion you tell me of. Woman, your selfishness knows no bounds! At least keep a decent tongue in your head and have the good grace to speak of your children also!"

Auriel smiled as she stood, a faraway look in her eye. "My children are ever in my heart," she said, " but oh, how I miss the loving, these days we have been apart have seemed endless, I long for the sight of him, the feel of him, and the scent of him!"

"You made no mention of the smile," said Persephone mockingly, " or the eyes the colour of bluebells, not forgetting those firmly muscled thighs and his damned long legs! Then she suddenly smiled, as if in remembrance.

'"Dear God, the black leather britches!" she added, " so tight around his backside, a glorious sight indeed!"

"Do you mock me?" asked Auriel, " you, who call yourself my friend and ally?"

" Not mock, " said her companion, " envy, such envy as I have never known, for the joy you share in each other, and the blessing that is your children."

"I had not thought you maternal" said Auriel, " this has surely come upon you but lately?"

" 'Tis the boy," she replied, " he has wakened something in me that I believed long gone, I find myself thinking on wedlock and motherhood, I pray God that it is a fleeting desire."

He face altered as she spoke the final word, and her look spoke volumes as she gazed at her as yet undressed bedmate.

"It is your intention to bide there all night?" she asked, "here, take your nightgown, though I would prefer you unadorned by such things."

"If your thoughts stray to shared passion, I would remind you of the promise you once made to my Aunt," said Auriel. " you vowed not to come between husband and wife, as I recall."

"If you are willing, the vow does not stand, " said Persephone.

"I am not willing," said Auriel, " and never shall be. The only hands to touch this body will be those of the man to whom I am so joyfully wed, the one I love more than my life, and the man for whom my heart beats each day. I ask you this, would you throw aside the fond friendship we share for a moment's pleasure?"