Encounter in the reeds

                                                   Bel looking back

Her skin was like alabaster and her eyes pale as the early morning and she was one of the people from across the river. He knew he shouldn't look at her for she came from the high mountains where the altitude made breathing difficult. They spoke a different language and the children were warned not to speak to them for that would be disaster as “They are not like us” his parents had warned, “Talk to them and there will be chaos.”

He looked through the reeds and saw her with her family gathering clay, probably to make pots for there was none in the hills. Although he kept still, the fair people were still alert and watched out for an attack. Like wild animals one of them was always scanning the area, so he moved not one muscle. He scarcely breathed as the girl came closer to him as in admiration she plucked the flowers that grew there. Then she turned and stumbled into his hiding place. He could see her expression change from being alert to one of fear.

He put his finger to his lips to signal silence as his face graphically reflected his own fear. He glanced first at her face then down to her feet that squished in the moist mud where they stood. Finally she uttered her word for “Mine” as she clutched the flowers close to her breast. He nodded in agreement and smiled at her pretty face. As he did this she visible relaxed and stooped down to where he hid. He pulled a chunk of bread from his satchel and offered it to her. Doubtful at first she finally took it from him and nibbled at it looking all the while at him in case he posed a threat.

Finally he spoke; “Gor” he said, pointing to himself. She thought for a moment and then said “Bel” to tell him her name. Gor held his hands out to her with his palms uppermost indicating there was no guile him. Instead of doing the same Bel placed both her hands in his and nodded. Then almost in an instant she changed; she had heard her people calling her name. She replied that she was there in the rushes, “I am coming, I am coming”.

Sadly Gor nodded and reluctantly let go of her hands. He then reached up and touched her pale face as she was so beautiful and he uttered a one word question “Why?” She lowered her eyes, then rose up, turning to rejoin her family.

Gor watched her go and as she pushed through the reeds his thoughts urged her to look back at him. The force of his love was so great that just as he gave up hope of her responding, she did so, turned and smiled at him.
  
                                           Where did I find love?
                                       I found it in the marshlands
                                          When she smiled at me  
                 

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