A Prophecy Fulfilled

Chapter Nine

Now that the time had come for their meeting, the hamlet just along the western boundaries was silent. No real movement except in the leaves in the oak and maple trees as the breeze blew. Andromeda, the hood of her robe drawn over her head; waited for Vincent just outside the boundary line. The token she was to exchange in a small velvet handbag around her wrist. Though she hadn't been waiting for very long, she felt as if she had been waiting for an eternity.

Strange as it seemed, the Oracle's dwelling lay only a few miles from the Black family lands. It only made sense to her then that a member of the Luminar coven could not, and would not; cross through these lands without a reason to see the Oracle. Now that she thought of it, Andromeda thought that it was rather weird that this was the first time she had occasion to see the Oracle, and that she and Vincent would be going to see him together. The reason why they were going made her smile, but there was a touch of fear and wonder in the back of her mind as well.

Andromeda was broken from her musing when she heard soft footsteps approaching. She looked up to see Vincent walking toward her. Perhaps it was the knowledge of what was to come, but Andromeda was more frightened and tense than she had been just minutes ago. She still smiled. Vincent was tense as well. He stood next to her for a moment. They stood quietly, the gravity of what they were about to do sinking in.

"Are you ready?" Vincent asked, holding out his hand to her. She took his hand and took a faltering step through the boundary line. Vincent pulled the hood up, and they walked through the hamlet, onto a beaten track which led to the Oracle's home only two miles away.

The Oracle woke to a soft knocking on the door. Who could possibly come his way in the middle of the night?

"Just a moment!" He called, rather perturbed at being woken at such an hour. He quickly lit a few candles around the living area and opened the door. He smiled at who he saw. He knew this would come.

"Come in, my children." The Oracle greeted, moving aside to let Vincent and Andromeda inside.

"What is it you need?" The Oracle questioned.

"We wish to be married." Vincent answered solemnly.

"I take it your families do not know of your desired union?"

"No, sir." Andromeda answered meekly.

"At any other time, I would insist that your parents approved of your union. But..." He paused a moment, knowing that he must do his part to fulfill the prophecy.

"Do you have your chosen items for the ceremony?"

The couple nodded.

"Then come to the window."

Vincent and Andromeda took their places beside the window. The night sky was clear and full of stars. They grinned at each other, some of the fear vanished now that they were here.

"Marriage is an important step in a person's life," The Oracle began. "It is the closing of one door and the opening of another. In some way, each person opens their heart to another. Their hearts should always be open to each other, without question or anger, remain true to one another."

The Oracle turned to Andromeda saying,

"Andromeda, what is the item you bring to confirm your love and faithfulness to Vincent?"

Andromeda drew a deep breath. She took the handkerchief from her handbag, knowing what she would say.

"Vincent, I present this as a token of my love. Though it is small, it has always been a part of my life, for I have always kept it. I give this to you, knowing that you will always be a part of me."