Courage to Fight for Love

Stillness permeated the world around her and she stood at the edge of her destiny or her damnation. Not a sound came to her, not even the water lapping on the shore around her could enter the fierce focus she had on that wooden walkway. All she needed to do was take the first step and then another and then another. If she kept going she would make it to the end, to the place where the dawn kissed the twilight with adoration.

Her breath caught in her throat when she watched the clouds part before her, the sun began to peek through, illuminating the world ahead of her. All came alive around her in an instant and her breath left her in a whoosh. Birdsong floated on the light breeze, the sound of the lake lapping on the shore, the sound of the waterfall in the distance and the very faint sound of music. She knew instinctively this was the sound of her own soul waiting for her at the end of the pathway but still, fear kept her captive on the rocky shore.

A glance down to her right showed a bright golden fish slide through the green waters and she saw in its scales the sunlight of salvation winking at her. Take a chance they said. The birds sang melodies of courage. The water lapped gently with reassurance.

Alone she stood, watching that world ahead of her rise within the sunlight and she knew her soul bonded was there, he waited for her but she needed to take the step to believe. She needed to believe it was not far to the Promised Land, to where she could glide into his arms and feel safe once again. Her punishment had been harsh at the hands of her captors, her scars ached to the bone on her back but she ignored the pain as she knew once she reached the land ahead she would be healed. Her body, mind, heart and soul would be whole once again. She needed to see his dark eyes on her once again; she needed his lips pressed to her temple and to hear his soft whispered, I love you. But the hags in Fravenshaw did their job well and the dark tales of pain, devils and lost souls at the end of the wooden walkway had her hesitating. Never in her life would she have hesitated on any quest. Her heart was strong, her courage was the stuff of legends but she had her world stripped from her when she was taken. She lost her sword and her love.

“Damn you all.” She growled at the air around her, pulling her courage up from the ruined heap of her soul and she stepped onto the wooden walkway. It shifted under her weight and she paused, fear lancing through her at remembered tales of flesh eating mermen in the waters of the Palin. A soft sound whispered past her ears and she cocked her head, heart pounding, knowing the voice, knowing the nuances.
“Come my love….do not be afraid…I am here, you just need to find me..please save me…”
Her beloved’s voice sounded strained,  lost and this was what she needed. Courage filled her once withered heart and with a warrior’s yell she sprinted down the walkway into the dawn.