Ruth: Reimagined

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Safe
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Ruth's heart had gone quiet. After the  turmoil of chaos, after the storm, after the overwhelming waves of grief, it all settled into a calm. Almost unbelievably quiet. Mahlon urged her forward, informing her that it would be about a day's journey, on foot, so it was better they closed some of the distance earlier on in the night.

Ruth had no idea where they were going. Mahlon told her home, and he used the words, our home. That in itself birthed a giddiness, a sort of freedom she could not describe. She followed after Mahlon, his eyes strong and certain. He led the way, mindful of her in every sense.

Her body was weakened, her pace a lot slower, but Mahlon kept in line with her, having no complaints. Underneath the stars, underneath the glory of the moon, they walked on.

Barely a word was shared between the two. Withdrawing to that peaceful state of mind, in their hearts, they simply were. Ruth would catch Mahlon staring at times, a peculiar expression on his face, a twinkle in his eyes, and every time, she'd flush, turning away. They weren't holding hands, not feeling the need to, but in this companionable silence, Ruth had never felt closer to anyone.

As the journey drew on, and it seemed like they had made no difference at all, Ruth's muscles strained, her head spinning, the world blurred for a second. Mahlon caught her before she fell to the ground.

"Ruth," he lightly patted her cheeks, holding her. "Are you okay?"

Groaning, Ruth nodded weakly, seeing Mahlon's face, pinched with concern.

"I'm fine, Mahlon. I just haven't eaten anything in two days except for...a glass of water."

Strengthening herself, she withdrew from Mahlon's hold. "Come on," she beckoned him. "Let's keep walking."

Mahlon sighed, running his fingers through his hair. Taking steps towards Ruth, before her next breath, he lifted her up and carried her in his arms.

Shrieking, she asked to be put down.

"It's fine. We'll get there faster this way."

Flushing from both his tenderness and how weak she'd become, Ruth held on to Mahlon as he carried her. Her head fell to the crook of his neck, where she breathed in his scent.

After seeing a vast space of land for hours, Mahlon almost cried out in relief, at the sight of camels, a carriage, and what looked to be a tent set up. There was light, too.

"Ruth... my love, wake up."

Stirring awake in his arms, Mahlon gestured to the sight ahead of him. Her fac lit up, her smile mirroring his.

"Maybe we can ask for help." Ruth suggested.

"Exactly what I was thinking."

As they got closer, the sound of drums rhythmically playing was not missed, as well as a woman's voice, harmonizing with a man's voice in a traditional song.

The two camels that lay settled on the grass glanced at  Mahlon and Ruth, then turned  away, unbothered. The carriage looked bigger up close, able to hold up to six people. Ruth slid off Mahlon's arms when they were about three feet away, the drum's rhythm, louder, the singing, vivid, in the lyrics being sung.

"Hello?" Mahlon called out, and through the carriage and the camels, they came to an opening, where they witnessed what could only be described  as matrimonial joy.

A small fire was lit, its flames flickering high into the sky, yet tamed with the logs that circled around it. A middle-aged woman, adorned in a royal blue sheath dress and jewelry, danced around it, her body moving in sync with the rhythm. Her eyes were transfixed on the bare chested man who played the drums, passionately. Laughter tore out of their lips for no reason in particular. As they sang, harmonizing together, her body twirling and dipping, keeping him transfixed, their eyes lit with a fire of their own, the air was thick with the essence of their love.