Over the next few weeks she teaches Him how to survive in the forest. Showing Him where the dangerous places are and where the most game is, which roots were edible to give Him some variety in foods. She helped Him build a solid shelter and taught Him how to craft a bow and arrows to match His weight and size. He in turn taught her about patience and laughter. Not only for a joke but being able to laugh at one’s self.
One evening as they were cooking a squirrel and baking some roots their conversation turned to differences of the two races. Imagine both of their surprises when they realized that there weren’t actually that many differences outside of the way they were built but the things they had in common were many. They also discovered that over the many weeks they had became friends without even realizing it.
As they ate she asked Him about His deformity. “If it bothers You to speak of it don’t bother my friend.” “No, He replied, “it ceased bothering me a long time ago little elf” I was born this way, part of my spine didn’t form correctly and my Mother was advised to leave me on the church steps but she loved me as I am.” “She taught me how to walk and not to be ashamed of who and how I am.” “She had a very hard time of it, my Father was killed in the war between the races when I was still in her womb, so She raised me alone.” “She didn’t have family to help her?” I asked. “She had family, but not if she kept me. So you see, I owe her everything.” As He sat looking into the fire, I thought about the woman who had shown such great bravery. Would I be that brave? I would like to think so but that is one of those that can’t be answered until the time of testing. “I would like to meet Your mother some day my friend. She sounds like a wonderful person and one that I think I could like very much.” Smiling softly, and a little sadly, He replied “She would have liked you also little elf but she has gone to a better place with no pain and no sorrow.” Seeing the pain in His eyes I said no more but moved closer to Him so that our shoulders touched and that He may know I was with Him. No more words were spoken between us that night but a new bond had begun to grow that could only deepen with time and togetherness.
Summer deepens and the weather is starting to cool but we don’t notice much as the passion between us is beginning to burn brightly. Tender looks and loving little touches, the racing of our hearts as we meet unexpectedly at times. The beautiful autumn colors turned even brighter by the knowledge that our feelings were turning to love. The sky was bluer, the reds redder, greens greener—giggling at myself I realized I had better watch where I was going before I hurt myself. I walked up to His shelter smiling warmly as I see Him waiting for me. Fate reaches out to touch us as I walk to Him—I stumble, He catches me but my weight unbalances Him and we both fall to the ground.
We lay there laughing at ourselves once we are sure neither is hurt. Slowly the laugher fades as we gaze into each other’s eyes. Our lips slowly meet at first hesitantly then softly and tenderly. As our kisses deepen with passion our pulses race and our bodies flush with heat. We stayed inside that day making love over and over until we knew each other’s bodies by heart. Falling asleep with arms around our loved one, waking up and beginning anew. We would feed each other, and laugh about nothing, but loving every minute of it because we were together at last.
Finally, we sit watching the sunset. Secure in the knowledge that our love is strong and would continue to grow as the days, weeks, and years rolled onward. It is the type of love that transcends all--race, age, disabilities, and prejudices. It is a pure love, a love that lasts a lifetime--and beyond.
The End
