Two pearls

Last week there was a request for a sequel to the story "The girl in the reeds" this is it. 

Gor’s face showed his sorrow

picked up by a mother’ concern

as she surveyed his eyes

She knew at once he was in love

and wanted to wrap him in her arms

so pleased that he spoke to her

“Do I know her”, she asked

“Is she one from the village?”

He bowed and shook his head then spoke

“I should not have looked on her

nor she on me, but we did.

Bel comes from the hills to the north”

The mother laid her hand on his face

“You needs meet her again son

to show her you are strong and brave

Dare to visit her people Gor,

and take an offering for her parents

to show them of your respect”

Gor shook his head again in doubt

“They’ll refuse me and the gift I offer

and then they will surely punish me.”

Gor’s mother denied this and laughed

“I have something they will not refuse”

Showing him a pair of pearls from the sea

“Go soon and I will tell your father

lest he dissuade you with men’s tales

for I see nor harm in this, only good

Better to cross that river with a gift and a smile

than to take an empty angry fist and be stuck

in the foul mud of anger and deceit”

It took some time for Gor to climb

high into the forested mountains

where even bird calls could be that of men

Was that a pigeon, is that crow?

Gor alert, thought that meant he’d been seen,

but still no-one barred his passage

Smoke scent signaled habitation

his heart now fluttered with fear

each sound, each squeak was a puzzle

Then the ripple of children's laughter

relaxed his mind as the camp fires’ scent

showed him he was almost there

The children ran off to report his coming

soon a querulous crowd surrounded him

“May I speak to Bel’s father?”

Thus he came and looked Gor up and down

then indicated that he should follow him

where he was seated on a mat

Before he could speak, a finger

went to the father’s lips then in the air

indicating they wait for another

Then Bel and her mother entered

surprise showed on the girls bowed face

as well as a touch of fear

“You were expected” her mother said

“Bel told me that you would be sure to come

but we did not think that would be so.”

“You speak our language well” Gor said.

“As well I might, as I too am from the shore

And now you want to return a part of me there.”

“I do, I want Bel to be my wife”

The mother then spoke to the father

who looked at Gor and shook his head in doubt

Gor then took the pearls from their bag

He placed one in each hand

And opened them for the father

“I come in friendship with a gift"

He looked at Bel "should she be willing”

Both father and daughter nodded and agreed