A Time For Us

Written for the Write Tribe Festival of Words #3 Day 3 -  Free Write

This is a 2 part story - read part 1 first before you read this. 

My day 1 story "Racing Towards Destiny" brought a lot of reaction for poor Belle so I thought I would continue the story. This is a free write so don't know where my thoughts will take me but here goes anyway ...

Armand needed some fresh air. Seeing Belle had disturbed him. He excused himself and walked onto the balcony. The air was crisp and fresh and the view of Paris was stunning. But the ache in his heart was intense and tears formed in his eyes. His thoughts went back to that tragic day when he and Belle rode together for the very last time.

The war had broken and the soldier was gone. Those were hard days. Armand sat on his bed each night and whispered the words over and over again. "Wait for me my sweet Belle, for someday you and I will walk hand in hand again and ride into the sunset". It was only that thought that kept him going and gave him the will to live. 

The months seemed endless and then at last the war was ending and the soldiers were preparing to return. They went through villages helping people rebuild their lives. 

It was a cold wet day when Armand broke down the door of the house. He found the old man gasping for air clutching onto his young daughter. Armand knelt down by the man and gently cradled his head. He had seen death before and knew it was just a matter of time. The old man saw the soldier and the kindness in his eyes. "Please" he whispered. "My daughter, please take care of her, please don't leave her, promise me you'll take care of her".

Marie's tears flowed as they laid her father to rest. She sobbed uncontrollably as she clutched Armand's hand. Her eyes were wide with fear. The soldier's heart was full of compassion. He held her close and smiled kindly. But his thoughts were with Belle. "Forgive me my sweet Belle, but I have made a promise I must keep" he thought sadly. And then he wept.

Armand lay in his bed knowing he would soon breathe his last. He thought about his life and where destiny had led him. He had wealth and fame, Marie had been a good wife and she had loved him too, and their sons had grown up to be fine young men. Life with them all had been wonderful and life had been good. And then his thoughts once again took him to Belle. "My Belle" he thought, "my Belle".

Belle sat by the window and looked across at the garden. She was old and tired and very frail. She thought about her life and of the soldier who once took her into his arms and loved her with a passion. She smiled for he was the love of her life and she was fortunate to have shared a time with a kind and beautiful man. She hoped with all her heart that he was at peace. Then she leant back against the chair and closed her eyes forever.

~x~

Armand stood in front of her, his pristine white shirt billowing in the wind, his sword dangling by his side. He held out his hands to Belle and as she took them, he took her into his arms and smiled. "My Belle" he whispered with joy, "My Belle".

Then the dashing young soldier and his beautiful Belle rode off into the sunset, together, side by side, their souls beating in time with the rhythmic thunder of the hooves, their hair flying wildly in the wind, the mare and the stallion carrying them away forever into the land of love.

~x~

True love never dies. Sometimes it is not in our destiny to find it here for whatever reason - fate, karma, choice, circumstance. But love is eternal and meetings in that land of love are certain. And sometimes we also have the good fortune to come back again and share that love and make peace with life.


A time for us someday there'll be
when chains are torn by courage born of a love that's free
A time when dreams so long denied
can flourish as we unveil the love we now must hide
A time for us at last to see
A life worthwhile for you and me
And with our love through tears and thorns
We will endure as we pass surely through every storm
A time for us someday there'll be
A new world, a world of shining hope for you and me.
                                                                ~from Romeo and Juliet

Enjoy the song. I thought it captured the essence of my story well.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FHpmn-KYec


My posts so far: Day 1  Day 2

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Warm Regards