A simple somebody

Chapter 2 Welcome

Sorry if it's cheesy to put a pic of Jessa D.'s engagement ring but I like it :D ox~ hannah

The first day of our journey was long and hard we traveled as far as we .... well I had the strengthen for When we came to a stop I lay down by a rock and Nat walked down the path a ways and sat next to another rock. For the first time since we started our journey I considered opening the bundles mamma had handed me. The first bundle was dehydrated food. The second was more precious than I could have imagined . When I unrolled it a small packet fell out there was writing on it : It simply said "Give to Nat"  . I smiled and tucked it in my pocket , I'd give it to him in the morning. The next thing stole my breathe , laying on top of some other garment was my Grandmamma's lace wedding coat! I couldn't believe it. I carefully ( with shaking hands) folded it and laid in the basket beside my , next I pulled a satin garment up, it was my mamma's  wedding dress! I fold it up and wrapped my mamma and Grandmamma's wedding things up and put it in the  basket. I laid down on soft grass and closed my eyes and fell asleep. 

              The next morning I awoke to being shook awake... I opened my eyes and looked in to Nat's bright blue eyes. Time to get moving Becka. He hissed . I sat up and looked around , it was still dark .   I looked at my watch but it was to dark to see the hands . It's almost dawn he said pressing a button on his watch . I yawned and began to stand up. Boy was I sore! I have our things all ready to go.  I look around remembering the package for Nat. Where's my basket? I ask. Over there he points towards a lump . Oh laugh . What's so funny he says . His tone doesn't sound amused . I roll my eyes and walk over to the pile of our belongings. I look in partial dismay at the messy pile of things . I didn't realize Nat was so dis-organized!  I un-bury my basket and start gently remove the articles of supplies and my future wedding garments.  Nat walks over and crouches down next to me  and looks at the gently folded lace and satin. What's this? He asks reaching for the articles. I Shrieked and swatted at his  hand . He stares at me  surprised . I feel all the guilt of the world .  I'm sorry I mumble . What is it he asks in a gentle tone .  Something you can't see yet . My voice was unfortunately sassy. He stands up and starts shuffling through the other things  .Hurry up we have to move along. I pull the packet out of the basket and lay everything back in the basket and shove everything else on top . I can tell Nat is frustrated . I feel guilty my parents didn't raise me this way and I had vowed at a very young age I wouldn't treat the guy I would marry this way. I hand him our breakfast he says a quick but heart felt prayer, and slips his food into his pocket  and starts walking . Coming ? I start walking but lag behind .

I nibble on my breakfast and look behind me . The sun is starting to rise . The landscape is beautiful. We are heading west. I make a mental note . We go on for a few hours before we speak again .

When we stop for lunch I remember the packet I hand it to Nat . He unfolds it  and out tumble my grandparents engagement and wedding rings. I turn around trying not to notice. He grabs my hand and slips on a ring .

I look down at the ring on my hand. It's a single diamond but it's beautiful. I squeezed his hand . It was now official , when we arrived at the forest in time we would marry . We ate our lunch quietly each wondering what our lives had in store. It was nearly dark when the edge of the forest came into view . A wave of relief washed over me . Nat suggested we travel through the night and camp outside the forest till morning . I agreed and we kept walking . It was midnight when we reached the forest. Relief and exhaustion flooded my body . Then it dawned on me freedom was on the other side of the trees! I had never known true freedom. I lay down contemplating freedom but weariness took control and I fell into a blissful rest. The next morning out of eagerness and lack of provisions we skipped breakfast and entered the forest. We followed the path to a fork in the road. At each fork there was a sign . The first sign read : Arleton, the next read : The Barron Plateau : another read : To the other towns of Ardon Forest and the last read: Glendale Village "Welcome"   . Nat mumbled something about a village and then said Glendale is our destination. We walked down the path, it was beautiful! The flowers along it seemed to say Welcome stranger! Welcome to Freedom! I felt like a young child . I wanted to run and laugh and be free . This is were we belonged. It was noon when we finally walked up to the gate that guarded the village ( which was more of a small town). There was a booth on either side of the gate one said Inspection , Welcome , The Honorable Judge Morris . The other said reception service. A bell hung from the Inspection booth . Nat pulled the cord and the bell rang out .  A few moments later the window of the booth opened up. Judge Morris how may I assist? I tall  man around forty or fifty  stuck his head out the window. Nat cleared his throat , we are refugees sir. Well then Names? Nathanael Wesson, and Rebecka Lorraine. He raised an eyebrow, Married? No sir engaged. Ages? 19 ( nearly 20 ) and 17 . May I inspect your belongings? Nat handed our things to the judge who took them in and in a few minutes returned our things. You have passed inspection . He opened the gate and shook our hands . Welcome to Glendale ! Welcome! 

 ox~ hannah