Part 10
The day dawned bright, though no bright sun Came peeking down out of the clouds That gathered gray, And still emitted Snow in gentle flakes. Marin had, with beaming smile, Left the house early that morn. Saera flitted to and fro, A little breeze about her always Playing warm and gentle air Throughout the empty space. Terry eyed the windows, and his ears were peeled and sharp. Isaac noted all of this, His eyebrows low and thick. “Ardo,” he said, Around noontime, “What’s going on right now?” “Oh, nothing,” Ardo said, His fingers Playing to and fro, Occasionally firing up Some flashing tongues of flame. “Hey, cut that out, okay?” said Isaac, Taking the teenage boy’s wrist, Causing Ardo to snuff out The glinting burst of flame. “You’re going to burn the house down,” Isaac said “I know what I’m doing, man,” he said. “Well, I would like it if you stopped.” “Sure, fine,” Said Ardo, and his fingers Stilled, and no flame came to him. “Now, tell me, please,” said Isaac next, “Do you four have any thing planned?” “Well, maybe,” Ardo said, And grinned, And flashed his crimson eyes. “Fine,” Isaac said, his own eyes rolled, And he turned off, away. “Go keep your secrets. But I’ve got to do My daily work.” So he spoke, and then he went Into his workshop, where he spent The hours that fell, and then unfolded On and on and on. The wax was dripped, the wicks were soaked, The candles gently dipped and made, And so that day went passing on, And Isaac only stopped for lunch. At last the sunset pulled the sky Into a deeper shade of gray, And snow began to fall a little harder out of doors. “Isaac,” came a soft, low voice, And Isaac turned and there he saw “Oh, Terry,” He said, Seeing the tall boy stand at the door. “I was just finishing my work. I guess it’s time for dinner soon. What were you all going to want?” “Isaac,” Terry said, and stepped, And Isaac thought that he could feel A gentle trembling of the room As Terry stalked into the space. “Isaac,” Terry slowly said, Speaking in that careful way That thoughtful way That Isaac had so often heard from him, When he was serious. “What is it?” “Do you love her?” Terry asked, “I mean Cordelia, do you really?” Eyes colored copper, rich, warm brown, Were peering at him in the gloom That settled on the workshop there As day gave way to night. “I...” Isaac paused, his heart caught up, He stammered then, afraid, unsure. But in an instant Fear dissolved And left him firm, steadfast, assured. “I do!” he proudly said, And smiled. “I love her more than anything, Than anyone, Than even you, Than all you four. I love her true! I love her to the ends of time, I love her to the depths of earth. If I could make her mine, I would, And I would hold her close.” “Good,” Terry said. “Then come with me.” And then he turned, And made his way Out of the workshop through the door, With Isaac, puzzled, Following Into the swiftly falling night. They walked outside, where snow continued Falling slowly overhead. Isaac followed Terry down the street, Across the way, Across the plaza filling with fresh snow With its deep, well-frozen cold And down an alley that was lit by lanterns in the dark. “Where are we going?” Isaac asked, But suddenly it dawned on him That Terry was no longer there; The boy had vanished some way, some how, Leaving Isaac standing by himself amid the alley where The lanterns gleamed their flaming light, Orange and warm and kind. “Hello?”, he asked, and wandered then Into the snowy, lanterned dark Along the alleyway, where he could Hear the drifting wind. At once he could observe a light That grew much brighter as he walked Until at last he came out of the alley Into view. He was amid a central courtyard, And the buildings all around Seemed now to be abandoned, All of them, Cracked gray stone grown cold and dark. But in the courtyard there was light: Such light, such brightness to be seen! Enormous fires burned along At all four corners of the space, And lit the open area with brightness warm and deep. Isaac realized then that he was Warm, as warm as if indoors. The snow had stopped, The air was still, No cold north wind now blew. “Isaac?” Came the voice then, there; With halted, hitching breath he looked Across the courtyard, to the other end, where he Beheld, in all his awe and fear Cordelia there, in simple dress: a rich wool dress and fine soft cloak Were all that she wore now. Her auburn hair was soft, and gleamed. Her deep green eyes were keen and bright. She saw him, and a wonderment Now passed across her face. “Cordelia?” Isaac said aloud. “What are you doing here?” “I was told you wished to see me.” “Told? By whom?” “By Marin, yes-- By Marin, who has stayed with you.” “By--” Isaac shook his head, and sighed. “Look, Cordelia, I understand If Marin has been telling you All sorts of things, But really, truly, I can--” “I love you,” she said, And now her eyes were shining bright, And now she stepped into the courtyard, Walking towards the central steps, Walking to where there had once been A pavilion of great stone, But it had worn away, and left Only a platform, gray and bare. There she stood, An offering Alone and open to the sky. “I love you, Isaac, yes I do. I love you now with all my heart. I’ve always loved you, can’t you see?” “I love you,” Isaac said, And walked Until he met her on the stone. “I’ve loved you all the years we’ve known Each other, from our early years. You fill me with an endless joy. I glory that you’re in the world. But I love you too much to trouble you With my own meager state. Your family and your friends would never--” “I don’t care about them, no! I’d throw away all that I have, All of my gowns and jewels and rings All of my coaches, servants, robots, Every bit of finery That I possess: I’ll toss it all Into the fire, and instead I’ll stay with you, no matter what. That is my promise, here and now!” “I...” Isaac whispered, stammered, “I...” She looked at him with those deep eyes As deep as cisterns, Strong and silent, Beckoning and pleading bright. And now in Isaac there awoke That great desire, long suppressed And long denied, so long denied, The fire, and the fervent need That crawled into his heart, and burst With brilliant pressure, wondrous strength, And made all that he’d ever said And done Look foolish to him now. What had he done? What did he do? Why had it taken him so long? What fool he’d been! Oh, what an ass! He gripped her shoulders, firm but soft, She looked at him, her green eyes shone. He bent his head, She craned her neck, Their lips met in a hungry kiss That was as good as both could hope. “Be mine,” said Isaac, When they parted, Gazing at each other fierce. “Be mine, my own-- Please be my wife. I have no ring, but: marry me! Come live with me, some way, somehow-- I don’t care how, not any more! I cannot bear another day Without you in my home and hearth.” “I will!” she cried, aloud, so loud, The rooftops echoed with her voice. “I will be yours! I’ll be your wife! And you will be mine, evermore!” They kissed again, now short and sweet. “Yes!” came a cry out of the dark. The lovers turned, and with one gaze They sought the source of that loud cry. “Who?” asked Cordelia, worriedly. But Isaac smiled. “I think I know. Come out, you four! Don’t be afraid!” Thus from a shadowed alleyway Came Marin, Ardo, Saera, Terry, Bundled in their wintry clothes With scarves about them, and soft gloves. Upon their backs they now had slung Their packs, which bulged with many things. “You did it!” Marin cried aloud. “No, you all did,” said Isaac then, And smiled, his whole face full of joy. “I wondered what your plot might be, Why all you four were slinking round. But I cannot thank you enough! You gave me courage, gave a chance To do what I have longed to do. You gave me a chance to declare My love to whom I’ve always loved. So thank you, thank you, all of you!” “Yes, thank you!” cried Cordelia then. “You four have worked like little gods Arranging all our universe And bringing us at last to come To where we both have always longed.” “Well, gee, thanks guys,” said Ardo, shrugging, Red hair flaked with flecks of snow. “It is the least that we could do,” Said Terry, “After all that you Have done for us, to keep us safe, To give us shelter, food, and bed. We wanted you both to be happy: Have each other, at long last.” He smiled, genuine and true. “This is a good thing that we’ve done.”
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