Seeker and Beautiful talked and laughed for hours by the stream. The shadows began to lengthen. Time was slipping away. If only this day would never end. He knew he would never forget it.
Beautiful leaned against him. She told him about the King’s summons, how her journey had begun, and how she had slipped and fallen into the Slough of Despond. “I can’t forget how disgusting the mud felt,” she said.
Seeker nodded, lost in her eyes.
“I came from the Dark Land,” she added, her voice softening. She spoke about her childhood and how hard times had been. Sadness crept into her eyes.
For the first time, he truly saw her. Beneath all that unapproachable beauty was a sadness she kept hidden. She’s just like me.
As she kept speaking, tears began to slip down her cheeks. He took the handkerchief from her hand and gently wiped them away.
It didn’t seem possible. How could someone so beautiful carry such sorrow? A single tear escaped his eye.
Without warning, lightning flashed in her eyes. “Don’t cry!” she snapped. “Only babies cry.” Then, just as quickly, the fire vanished. She blinked surprised by her own outburst. Her expression softened, and a playful gleam returned. “I’m going to call you baby from now on.”
“Hurry up, baby, the sun is setting.” Beautiful sprang to her feet and dashed toward the stairs.
Seeker sat there, stunned. I don’t think that means what she thinks it does.
