The Winds of Time

She moved towards the little building
And she hoped the chimes still hung
From the beam where she had placed them
To sing where once she'd sung...

So many years had come and gone
Since last she saw him there...
She wondered if now, when he saw her again,
He'd still think her as comely and fair...

She knew she would find him as ever he was,
Handsome and tall, full of grace...
But if changes there were, then happy she'd be
Just to gaze on his dear loving face...

For her love was unchanged through the years that had passed
Since the terrible night, long ago,
When he fought for her honor, and unwittingly killed
His own brother, who he challenged as foe...

When the helm was removed, and he saw what he'd done,
His heart near exploded in grief...
As he died in her arms, she took his short sword
And in death, found her own heart's release...

But instead of being together in death
Fate decreed them to separate places...
Ne'er to meet, save for once every two hundred years
Might they gaze upon each other's faces...

They chose this bleak spot, at the edge of the brook
Where first their lips met in a kiss...
At that time, it was verdant, a bower in bloom,
Not neglected nor lonely like this...

She had hung up the chimes the last time they were there
So the breezes could make them ring sweet
To accompany the love that they felt in their hearts
Each time that they managed to meet...

She drew closer, and yes, the old chimes were still there,
And their sound filled the whispering breeze...
Closer still, and she saw a loved shadowy form
And heard his prayer, down on his knees...

"Please show us mercy, we've paid for our sins,
And I humbly beg you today
To give us release from this terrible curse..
Let our souls be together I pray..."

As his words died away, she reached out her hand,
And gently took hold of his coat...
He stood at her touch, and turning around
Saw her face, and words died in his throat...

For she was unchanged, her beauty untouched
As was his, when she looked in his eyes...
Their lips met... And the prayer he had whispered so soft
With chime-song carried up to the skies...

It was answered with "Yes, little ones, you may come,
Together to stay up above..."
As their forms faded out, the chimes sounded once more,
To sing of their unending love...