The olde knight feeling battered and drawn, paused only for a moment at the sound and the mysterious vision, wondering if it were real or just his exhaustion pressing him to rest before he decided it was the latter. Keeping his guard up, he stood for a moment longer gazing happily upon the gentle glade; his skin feeling the warmth of the sun, and his soul remembering the warmth of her smile.
He walked in sunlight, his legs brushing the grass now overgrown. He was delighted by the memories of this place, the memories of her. He found the rock where he had once sat, hidden, when he first saw her. It seemed many years and many battles had taken their toll on him since those days of youth. Still… his heart warmed with an empty ache at the memories.
He sat quietly in the sunlight, dappled by the leaves of the trees overhead. He listened quietly to the sounds of the woods. “Why do I torture myself so”, he muttered to himself. He looked down at his surcoat, seeing that it was covered in dust from the road he had been travelling. His boots with dried mud looked old and worn. He shook his head at what his appearance must be.
He had grown old since those days, his head beneath his mail was now bald on top with his hair greying at the temples. His close cropped beard, nearly white with age. His mid section strained his chainmail, but nonetheless, he still fought the battles. Not nearly a quick as he once was, nore as keen, but just as determined.
He looked at his sword, it needed a new edge. It had been his trusty ally in many hard fought contests but he had not had time… no he had not taken the time, to give it proper care. He was tired. Not just muscle tired, but tired in his soul. His spirit had hardened against time.
Time… how could time deliver him here, now, to this glade, this sun filled place where such memories arose?
He smiled at the memories.
Again he muttered to himself, “I saw her once in the pool on the rock. She had her back toward me and I saw her perfect shape. One whose form could only have been wrought by the heavens.” He chuckled, “I wonder if the pool still exists?”
He gathered his thoughts and rose. He decided to find his lodging for the night as the sun was starting to find its way to the West. He walked slowly out of the glade and sighed.
