Lovers' Vow

Aiden paced in the secluded forest glen, leaves and twigs crunching under his boots. Shafts of moonlight filtered down through the circling trees, illuminating the clearing in a silvery glow. He checked the position of the stars - she should be here by now. Where was she? Had something happened to keep his beloved from their secret rendezvous?

A twig snapped and he spun round. Relief crashed over him in a dizzying wave as Isolde stepped from the trees. In a few swift strides he had her wrapped tightly in his embrace.

"I was so worried," he murmured into her sweet-smelling hair.

She clung to him just as fiercely. "As was I. The palace guards have increased their night watches recently." She pulled back to gaze up at him, her eyes shining in the dimness. "But nothing could keep me from your side tonight."

Aiden caressed her face, his roughened fingers gently grazing the ugly bruise marring her delicate cheekbone. Anger and pain lanced through him.

"Has your mother done this?" he asked through gritted teeth.

Isolde glanced away. "It is nothing," she whispered.

Aiden tilted her chin up. "It looks like more than nothing. Why must she be so cruel?"

With a heavy sigh, Isolde moved out of the circle of his arms and sat on an ancient fallen tree trunk, its bark and branches long smoothed away by rain and wind and time.

"Mother acts from duty, as the High Tower Lady must," she said quietly. "She reminded me harshly today that I have responsibilities beyond my own wishes."

Aiden joined her on the weathered trunk, the old wood creaking under his weight. He took her slim hand in his broad calloused ones.

"I cannot bear to see you suffer so. Not when our love brings such joy." He pressed a fervent kiss to her delicate knuckles.

Isolde's eyes glistened. "Oh my dear one," she sighed, "joy also brings such pain. If my actions threaten the faction..."

She trailed off despairingly. Through the sheltering forest canopy, the unveiled stars glinted remote and untroubled by earthly concerns of warring houses and divided loyalties.

Aiden squeezed her hand tightly, his brow furrowed with sudden decision.

"Marry me."

Isolde's head jerked round, eyes wide. "What?" she gasped.

Gazing at her intently, Aiden slid off the mossy log and dropped to one knee before her. He lifted her trembling hand to his heart.

"Isolde,daughter of the noble High Tower, jewel among women, keeper of my soul. Cast off the cold demands of your house and faction! Ignore the naysayers and spies who whisper poison in your ear. Here, apart from them all, I pledge you my heart and my life for all my days to come. Say you will be my wife, my lover, my partner through all storms we must face."

Isolde sat stunned, her full lips parted softly. Aiden watched the cascade of emotions sweeping across her moon-bathed face - shock giving way to tentative joy and fierce love. But then her delicate features clouded once more.

"You speak sweet poetry, my love," she said sorrowfully. "But pretty words cannot surmount the boundaries dividing us or protect us from harsh consequences."

She caressed his upturned face softly before gently withdrawing her hand from his fervent grasp.

"Even if we were to exchange secret vows, how long could it last? A month, a year perhaps, stolen moments until we were discovered. And discovery would surely come."

Her voice dropped to a haunted whisper. "You would be cast out, exiled for daring to covet the heir to the High Tower. And I..." She shuddered. "Likely imprisoned for treason, then married off to some loathsome ally for political gain."

Anguish welled up in Aiden at the painful picture she painted. Was she speaking truth or her mother's poisonous lies? He searched Isolde's glistening eyes. Saw the longing and fear warring there. Fear was winning.

Jaw tightening, he surged to his feet. Isolde rose hesitantly before him. Taking both her hands between his, Aiden spoke fervently.

"Isolde, look at me. Look at me!" He waited until her glassy eyes lifted to his. "You paint a dark future, but is it inevitable? If we leave at once, tonight, we can start a new life elsewhere, far from poisonous influencers and war-minded houses drunk on power."

He tenderly framed her face in his palms. "Just believe, my love. Believe in possibility. Believe in me. Believe in us."

Her lips trembled but she did not pull away. Her hands crept up to cling tightly to his wrists. Drawing courage from her touch, Aiden pressed on ardently.

"Marry me, Isolde. Tonight. Here under the watching stars with only the ancient trees as our witnesses. Let them stand for the many years they've seen, silently guarding these forests. Their roots run deep. Let our love follow their example."

He slid his hands to her slim shoulders, his smoldering gaze holding hers.

"Whatever comes, we will face together. Life will not be easy, but I swear I will love and protect you to my last breath. If we must struggle, it will be side by side. That is my vow before all powers under heaven. Will you make that same vow to me, beloved?"

A long tense moment passed. He heard only the pounding of his own heart. Then slowly Isolde began to nod, her eyes clearing of doubt.

"I will," she whispered. Then stronger, "I will. I vow it, Aiden."

Joyful relief crashing over him, Aiden pulled her close once more. Their kiss seemed to melt the years ahead into a shining landscape rich with possibility. When at last their lips parted, both were flushed and breathless. Chuckling softly, Aiden fingered a lock of her hair which had come loose from her braid.

"Then before these wise old trees whose timeless roots have nurtured this land, I take you as my wife and bind my soul to yours forevermore."

Isolde smiled up at him through happy tears.

"And I take you as my husband," she said clearly. "Through all life may bring, my place will be at your side. Our roots will grow together from this day on."

Above their bowed heads, the ancient trees seemed to whisper and sigh as if bearing solemn witness. The lovers kissed again softly then drew apart. Hand in hand, they faded into the silvery forest to begin a new life bound fast by sacred vows. Whatever storms lay ahead, they would face together - not as divided houses or enemy factions, but simply as man and wife secure in their love rooted deeply as the forest itself.