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| Maybe there are perfect moments in your life, Moments you want to just pause and live in forever. I smile sentimentally and shift in my beau’s arms. Yes, the dirt floor is cold, the trees make an eerie sound as the wind rushes through them and the bushes are hiding only God knows how many creatures, but I’m oblivious to it. As I settle, Ben tightens his arms around me and murmurs sleepily into the curve of my neck. I mimic his sleepy protest and I am rewarded with a drowsy chuckle. “Go to sleep.” He tenderly orders me. I wish I could, but I can only describe my manner as ‘Giddy’. Thinking of that word, I get the image of me flitting wildly around singing, ‘Giddy, Giddy, Giddy’. The thought makes me laugh and I snort into Ben’s shirt. I think I’ve woken him now, He rolls onto his back and gives what I’m sure he hopes is a annoyed look, but I can see right through this man. “Do you know why I love you?” I literally purr at him. He pauses, giving his answer exaggerated thought. “I really do not.” I rest my head on his chest and say “Because.” “You’re a woman of many layers, Cleo.” He runs a hand through my hair, making sure to give it a tug before he releases. “Ow.” I bring a hand up to massage my head. “Why did you do that?” He pauses, then his face lights up with a mischievous grin. I cringe and quickly speak. “Don’t say it.” He does anyway. “Because.” I smile up at him, letting him know he’s won, without actually admitting it. Then I stick my tongue out and, as I had planned, he follows it, as it retreats, to give me a sweet kiss. “Do you know *why* I love you?” He murmurs between a kiss. I pause. I can probably come up with a clever response, But the way he’s gazing solemnly into my eyes, He’d ignore it. It seems he wants a sober answer anyway. “Tell me.” I whisper to him. He starts; “Because...” I almost pinch him, until I realize he’s continuing. He rolls over slightly, until he’s leaning over me and begins to gently trace random symbols on my arm. “Because you see me and see through me. Because you know me.” He pauses and his voice lowers barely. “Sometimes, when I’m quiet, When I’m still, I can feel you in my mind. I feel you with me when you’re not. When I am with you, my whole world stands still for you. You’re unlike any other woman I have ever met, You know what I want before I even know I want it.” He pauses and searches my face. I have the curious feeling in my heart that feels like it is about to break and his face is swimming in vision. I blink and a tear rolls down the side of my face. He watches my tear travel it’s path and then he traces over it with a gentle finger. “I love you...because...you can tell me everything I need to know... with a single tear.” His lips meet mine in perchance the most delicate kiss I have ever and will ever receive. “Imagine what I’m telling you now.” I laugh at myself, wiping at the tears that are almost constant. He laughs with me and I stare up at him. “You just like making me cry.” I pout. “How else would I get you to be quiet?” Ben smiles. I stare at him and shake my head. At his puzzled expression, I laugh again. “I just can’t fathom how brown you are.” My eyes trace his exquisite skin, his chocolate eyes and his dark hair. “Well,” He answers good-naturedly, “I simply can’t fathom how pink you are. Like...” He pauses. “Like...a pig.” I swat him. “I am in earnest! You are a pig. Your gorgeous pink skin covered with delicate white hair, almost too fine to be seen...And your mane of brown...” He runs a hand through it for emphasis. “Your gorgeous locks are the mud you roll in.” He smiles proudly. “And you, Sir, are the trough I eat from.” I contribute, then bite him softly on the shoulder for my own emphasis. It doesn’t hurt him, and he shows it. I smile up at him, amazed, and he simply smiles back. I speak after his silence. “Thou art the only one whom could possibly turn being a pig into such a sweet honor.” Ben rolls onto his back and I follow, lying my head once more on his chest. I cannot imagine anything more exquisite then being wrapped in each other’s arms on this fine morning. I can hear the birds waking up after the crickets have completed their last aria of the night. The sun is going to invade my world now. On some nights, When he is free of his duties, Ben and I have each other, we make our own world and shut out the rest. We meet in the woods and explore and talk and, at times, sleep peacefully in each other's arms. I am briefly considering falling back to sleep when I hear a horse snort and the sound of metal chinking. Ben and I tense quickly and I look up to see an arrow. It whizzes past me and lands with a sickening sound into a fallen tree’s log. I push myself to my feet quickly and am returned just as swift to the ground. The arrow has pierced my right shoulder and I am paralyzed to my very core. I cannot draw a breath into the lungs that are screaming painfully for it. Ben has gathered his sword and shield and I can now make out the three men attacking us. “CLEO!” Ben calls and I am snapped out of my stupor. “The horse!” I cannot do anything but comply. I reach for the horse’s mane and try to pull myself up. With my shoulder burning, I am almost there when a bolt slams into the horse’s chest. The blue-tipped arrow rears the horse immediately and I fall on my back. Struggling to my knees, One of the murderers slides his sword cruelly across my chest before I can react. I feel the stinging slash and cry out in pain. Ben is at my side immediately, I watch in shock as he plunges his sword into the killer’s chest. I am not ashamed at the gratification I feel as I watch the man’s expression, but one of the other killers is advancing fast at Ben from behind. I scream a warning and Ben turns, I see the sword hit his side, but not much else. Ben is telling me to run, and when the third murderer turns for me, I do not hesitate. I am running. My shoulder and the gash across my chest, I cannot feel them. I can hear the running steps of the third killer, so I keep running, barefoot, through these woods, brambles cutting at my feet, running to home. I can hear my blood roaring in my ears. I keep running, I know he is still behind me. I can hear his footsteps, They get louder each step I take. It is not until I collapse from exhaustion that I realize he has not chased me for the longest time. I have mistaken my heartbeat for his footsteps. My legs are soft, I know I couldn’t stand on them if I tried. I am gasping for air so sharply that my lungs and throat burn. My head is swimming under the blood racing through my brain, I cannot focus. I will assuredly stay here and die. My head is dropping, I cannot believe how heavy it has become. The pressure promises to lead me to a a sweet dream from which I should never awaken. I will surely drift asleep and away, but I am suddenly reminded of my injuries with the sharpest pain I have ever felt. I somehow bring myself to my feet and continue on. In the dawn, I can see my house as I reach the top of the hill, the smoke leisurely winding from the chimney telling me my family is awake and beginning the day. My steps are heavy and my breath is drawn. I am frightened by the blood that is soaking my dress. I am frightened as I realize I will not make it to the house. I am about to drop to my knees when my world is turned around. I do not know who it is, but someone has gathered me in their arms and is carrying me. The trip to the cottage has suddenly become shorter then it would have been on my own. I barely have time to register that I am inside before I am surrounded by faces, which should be familair, for I should know them as my family, but I do not see them as anything more than strange faces. I am too exhausted and weak to even think. I am deposited somewhat gracelessly, but carefully onto what I surmise must be the kitchen table. My mouth is dry and my throat parched. I try to speak out to let them know I need drink, Someone understands and quickly gets me a cup of water. Through a haze, I hear a male voice explaining something to me, I don’t understand. I hear the end of the arrow snap off and I realize what is about to happen. I tense up and let out a loud cry as the arrow as pushed through the other side of my shoulder and is removed. I can feel the blood trail down my back. I feel the worst sensation I have ever felt, A scorching heat through my shoulder as they disenfect the wound. I let out another scream, louder. The horrible pain diminishes and I have no choice but to lean onto my good shoulder and vomit off the side of the table. The pain has sent my mind and stomach reeling. They’re dressing the wound now, soothing me with calm words, then tending to the wound dripping blood, slashed across my chest. Compared to the pain from the arrow, this is nothing more then a mere scratch. The excruitating pain from the disinfecting is now a distant memory, gone almost as quick as it came. I am so drained, my spirit feels weak. I try to resist, try to keep my eyes from sliding closed but they do. I feel the soft hands smoothing the hair back from my forehead and know them as my mother's. "You're going to be alright. You're going to be fine." She softly coos to me, relaxing me as if I am a baby. My health is the furthest thing thing from my mind. I try to speak, to tell them what happened, but I am slipping into unconsciousness. I have one thought left in my head before all thoughts are gone with me into sleep. What has become of my beloved? |