Consummation and Covenant

 - 1 -

 

By light of torch, ere dawn’s first light

Queen Eva, in silence, prayed;

An idol atop a well of thought,
Amidst a wooden glade:

 

“Thou wouldst blush to know," whispered she,
"How men hast light for me
Their eyes ablaze with foolish hope,
of what will never be.

 

An ounce per pound is just enough,
To keep them at my side,
For what man can resist the hunt

To acquire a golden hind?

 

Their clever guise, and eager hands,
Are but tools for mine own gain.

Though some wouldst grasp, while others fall,
All worship just the same.

 

A leader must a beacon be,
Of hope, and grace, and peace,
Yet by my troth, I envy those
whose lives are feeding geese."

 

A-peering from her window high,
Afore begin’ affairs,

She heard below, her women laugh
With hearts so free of care.

 

“How light their burdens” mark’d she, then,
"Compared to sword and throne,
Their labours shared, while I must bear
The weight of all, alone."

 

She rose to stroll past rooms alight--
Distemper fin’lly reined--
To one where whispers spoke of death,

and plans of war were laid. 

 

There, maps were spread, and scrolls unfurled,
And letters lay unsigned.
Her hand did hover o’er the scripts,
But again thoughts pulled her mind.

 

"For God’s own will," she’d often said,
To those that tapped her door,
Yet knew she in her cunning mind --
It was her will, not more.

 

She sighed and left the work undone --
Her thoughts weary as her soul,
The past day’s toil still weighed her down;
Years’ burdens took their toll.

 

"Perhaps," she mused, "ye gods have plans,
Though I know not thy ways.
I only pray that one day soon,
Thou wouldst lead me from decay."

 

A knock came on the court-room door.
The queen’s soul sighed within,
To the din of courtly cock and hen,

“So, another day begins.”

 

Weary of words, she gave a nod,

to open up the door,
But as men gathered ‘round, a strange

hush fell across the floor.

Odd was he, exceptional --

With eyes that held a gleam

of mischief, wisdom, and something else…

unlike she’d ever seen.

 

Fortitude bade her meet his glance,
She adjusted in her seat --
His air was calm, but also seemed...

Intimidating, free.

 

She wondered what he knew of her;
What song throughout the land?
But these thoughts she found fleeting —

so enchanting was this man.

 

What’s more, when he gave first respects,
With sonorous voice and air,
So hypnotic was his resonance,
That it caught her unaware.

 

Amused, he paused, and asked of her,

“Have my travels led me sure?

Art thou the noble Eva

and this thy loyal court?

I am simply Lucian,”
He, in low bow, introduced,
“A messenger from Calonlee,
Where dove and dragons roost.

 

My Master seeks a queen to wed,
One Godly in his sight,

Loyal, fair, and shrewdest shrew;

and thought your comp’ny right.”

 

Her eyes she narrowed to discern

his mockery or praise,

and secretly she wondered how

his attentions to her were raised.

 

“Industrious and generous,
A heart that’s just and wise,
A queen whose high repute is known,
Who honours holy ties.”

 

When, at last, he stopped she questioned

more about his king —

He answered with a quiet smile,
Into which the queen fell in.

 

“My King is one who’d love His bride,
As He dost love himself,
He’d sacrifice and guard her soul --
Most dear of all His wealth.

 

He’d guide her through the trials of life,
And give her peace within...
A love so pure, so true, so right
as to never brush with sin.”

 

A feeling new into her crept
Of hope of love divine,
And mused on who this king must be,
If his servant could so shine.

 

Upon the morn, the journey called,
To distant lands they went,
To Calonlee, a kingdom bless’d,
Where blooms eternal Lent.

- 2 -

 

Through ancient woods of emeralds deep,
They tread a narrow way --
The air was fresh as heaven’s breath,
The trees in gentle sway.

 

The queen rode just a trot behind,
As Lucian led the way,
‘Til when he eased, and came beside,
To pass the time of day.

 

“Consider me a friend,” said he,

and this she returned, in kind.
The sun slipped by through their discourse,
And night was soon behind.

 

Spake they of mem’ries, works, and dreams —
Of battles, lands, and kin,
They found their hearts in concord bound,
And they laughed, and shared a grin.

 

But then the queen, herself reclaimed,
Did suggest a daring plan,
To raid a neighb’ring settlement,
“And gold shall fill our land!

 

For they art foes, and rich with spoil,
Far more than they can spend.
Why not here claim what could be ours,
To bring unto thy friend?”

 

On Lucian’s visage darkness grew,
and he urged her to beware,
“To covet what is not our own,
Is more than He would bear.

 

The king would never ask of thee,
To steal to meet His cause,
He seeks a heart that’s pure and true,
Not one that breaks the Laws.”

The queen then paused, her brow did crease,
And shame did touch her soul,
“What offering deemst thou worthy, then,

If not some gilded spoil?”

 

“Your heart, my queen,” said Lucian,
“Made ready for His claim --
For that is all the King desires:
A love that bears His name.”

 

And she was moved, her pride brought low,
And Humble was her name,
And in that moment, the queen resolved,
To give her heart, not shame.

 

He smiled to see the queen repent,

And two hearts then were touched --

But kept he distant from that truth;

Delaying love its clutch.

- 3 -

 

They rode along the wooded path,
And the second day did close.
The evening cast its shadows long --
A portentous day, in throes.

 

At length, again the queen did speak,
Her thoughts turned dark and deep,
“Many enemies I must face,
And this war I do beweep.

 

Perhaps thy king wouldst aid me now,
To purge them from these lands…
To slay them all, so none remain,
and end their evil plans.”

 

But Lucian’s face grew stern and hard,
He shook his head, “Good dame,
To murder those who stand opposed,
Would bring thee naught but shame.

 

The King would never ask of thee,
To take a life for gain,
For in His eyes, each soul is dear,
And blood leaves darkest stain.”

 

The queen then pondered ere she spoke,
“What if none ever knew?
If done in shadow, secret, stealth --
Would he still disapprove?”

 

“The lie would taint thy hand,” said he,

“The true way is but One.

The King would see, though none else know,

‘Twould suffice that it was done.”

 

She sighed and asked, “What will he do,
To help me in this strife?
If I cannot destroy my foes,
How shall I guard my life?”

 

“The King will teach thee how to love
Thine enemies new and old,
And guide thy heart to higher ways,
Reforging, new, thy soul.”

 

Again, the queen, she felt ashamed --
Though struggling with her fear,
her honour deigned she must prepare,
To regard her foes as dear.

 

“But how,” asked she, with trembling voice,
“Can I this love embrace?
What if they strike at me again,
And lay my realm to waste?”

 

“Fear not,” said he, “Just know this truth --
The king will guard thy days.
He’ll stand beside thee, strong and swift,
And keep thee in His gaze.

 

No harm shall fall upon thy land,
No danger shalt thou meet,
And in His care, His realm, His peace --
Thou shalt find thy joys replete.”

 

- 4 -

 

The queen's heart swelled with newfound light --
At hope she’d never known;
She longed to share with all her realm,
The seeds that had been sown.

 

"I find, within thy company,"
She started, then withdrew,
"In thee... I mean, in Him," she sighed,
"My heart feels born anew."

 

She stiffened from her unplanned words,
Her cheeks turned rosy hue.

He wished to smile, but reined himself--

Though feelings only grew.

 

"I am but for my king, of course…
Though he's not present here…
In absence, I'll prepare my soul,
To be his bride, sincere."

 

Then Lucian's guard began to wane --
He praised her every grace.
They shared their thoughts, and playful jests --
With longing interlaced.

 

That night beside the campfire's glow
When all had gone to rest,
The air was thick with unsaid words,
And feelings unconfessed.

 

Her thoughts had danced all day and night--

Her dreams were all of him,

But moments spent by Lucian’s side

Made her excitement brim.

 

She pondered if their king “would choose,
A heart so touched by sin?”
For knowingly, what was unspoken
Sprouted deep therein.

He answered with a tender tone,
"Grace covers every flaw,
Forgiveness is giv’n to all of us --
Is love's enduring law.

 

But on the mark, do keep thine eyes,

and think not on the rest

Legions there are, of ways to miss

and pierce the blameless’ breast.”

 

But dark embraced, she lay awake,
and cautions took their flight --
A tapestry of love, she wove

On the eager loom of night.

 

"Oh, how I long to hold thee close --
Our hearts so tightly pressed,
And as I yearn, dost thou dream of me,
As ye lay down to rest?

 

The more I see, the more I wish
Our spirits intertwined,
Verily, God hath made us matched

In spirit, heart, and mind.”

 

She drifted off to peaceful sleep --
They’d still some days or so,
‘til they’d arrive at Calonlee,
with separate ways to go.

 

- 5 -

 

Too soon, they reached the castle gates,
And tall, hewn, stone walls grand;
The queen and all her company,
In awe, did gazing stand.

 

The walls were high, the towers bright,
though inside shadows grew
in her heart that longing wrenched

For love was now pursued.

 

Her gaze did fall on Lucian,
as thoughts to him did bind--
And darkness settled in her breast
Knowing he must stay behind.

 

She tried to hide the sorrow’s sting,
Her spirit sorely weigh’d --

As twixt them now a tender tie,

She found herself afraid.

 

But oh! He took her by the hand,
And to the woods, aside --
His eyes spoke all the words he felt,
No need for them to hide.

 

“Forgive my impropriety

May madness take me yet --

Your joy is mine, your pain as well,
on thee, my soul hast set.”

 

Though truth he spoke, he issued test --
For one last fateful time,
“We could love in secret, dear,
And none wouldst know our crime.

 

I’d live for thee, and keep our bond,
In shadows safe and warm,
If thou might bless me with thy love,
Through every trial and storm.”

The queen’s heart trembled at his words,
She longed to pledge the same,
But duty’s weight did pull her soul,
And honour held her reins.

 

“Thou art my sun, my air, my all,”
She yearned to say, but said --
“My heart is only for our King”

And scarcely breathed, instead.

 

Her own words rent her tender heart,
Yet to Lucian brought glee,
For she had passed his final test,
and advance to Calonlee.

 

Still, as he turned to ride away

Her face she could not show,
But raised her gaze and hid her tears --
Her sorrow none to know.

 

She gave the order, “March ahead,
To Calonlee we ride,”
But in her care, she feared the place,
Would endless woe but hide.

 

- 6 -

 

Through gates, and doors, and up the stairs,
and to her chamber bright,
The fire’s warmth and textiles fine,
Gave Eva no delight.

 

And though maids brought her bread and drink,

She fought the cold of dread,
For soon the King would meet her there,
As whispers softly said.

 

The steep drop out the window called,

Though her people came to mind,
Their faces bright and hopeful,

That she might live, in kind.

 

Her voice arose in broken song,
A whisper to the dark,
“Dost thou feel it, darling love,

Behind mask of duty’s art—

 

Mine own weakness brings this end,
Yet I shall not be free
Of this love unshared and hardly known,
for my heart belongs to thee.”

 

The queen, with trembling hand, did write,
This letter, never sent --
Her lifeblood poured in secret lines,
That she might leave the world, content.

 

“Each breath I've drawn, from him it came,
Since first he taught me life,
I cannot bear to say farewell,
Or to be another’s wife.

 

Though God has set a diff’rent path,
That I must walk alone,
I pray that I may see his face,
Where love has always shone.

 

I count what beats and breaths remain
‘Til quill slips from my hand,
Like such a love I’ve touched and found

More dear than life or land.”

 

Just then, the King; a sight so grand,

Regal, tall, and bright --
His presence filled the halls with cheer,
And put the world to right.

 

The people cheered, their hearts aflame,
But Eva lay in bed,
Delirious, in her thoughts, adrift --
Murmurs by fever fed.

 

He mounted stairs with steady pace,
To where his queen did lie,
She whispered to her phantoms there
her thoughts, with weakened sighs.

 

He reached to take her heavy hand,
But ne’er a glance gave she,

“Take my kingdom,” she muttered, soft,
“Protect it, Lord, from me.

 

I am unworthy of thy love,
Unfit to be thy queen,”
She wished that he might leave her there,

Or back where she had been.

 

- 7 -

 

He brushed hair from her fevered brow,
His voice was soft and low,
“Little love -- sweet, tender deer,
Hear now what thou shouldst know:

 

A single mind on silver beams,
Hast blinded thee to stars,
What sun I’ve promised, and all of it,
May still be ever ours.

 

Thou spurnst my gifts, and thus my grace,
Yet know not what ye do,
Thou turnst away without a thought,
And push my love from view.”

 

She did not speak, her eyes down-cast,
Her flame a weakly spark,
He asked her what he might then do,
To see her through the dark.

 

“My Lord, to you I shed these tears,
That thou mayst set me free
From sins I’ve borne, and will yet bear,
To answer our kingdoms’ plea.

 

For though thy love hast led my soul,
My heart now breaks in two,
I cannot face what lay ahead,
Yet know what I must do.”

 

The king stayed silent for a time,
With smile she could not see,
‘Til again he spoke with mild voice,
So sweet, so tenderly:

 

“I understand Thy pain, my love,
For thou had but my Word,
No vision of the One who cared,
No sight of what ye heard.

 

But if thou wilt: bequeath thy trust

To know me as we are,
Forgiveness comes with open arms,
For my love is never far.”

 

She hesitated, still unsure,
With dread of duty’s gaol,

But by his voice a mem’ry stirred,

that on her did prevail.

 

She would not turn her countenance,

But nodded with resolve,
“This openness I give,” said she,

“Though I cannot promise love.”

 

“This is enough,” he deigned, and said,
“To start, it will suffice.”
And after this, she wiped her face,
Then saw with widened eyes --

 

A face she knew, the eyes of love --
Her one wish, sitting near!
Her breath was caught, her heart would burst
Of a Joy that conquered fear.

 

On her he beamed, as sun to bloom,
And spoke with gentle pace.

Eva reached with shaking hand

to touch her lover’s face.

 

“I seek a loyal queen,” said he,

“To, by me, take her place.”
“Here I am, a wif,” said she,

with naught but need for grace.”

 

Then they smiled as dawn did glow --
The herald of days anew,
And moments passed, a’swell with hope,
As their hearts together grew.

Faces drew close, and stomachs tight,
As butterflies did dance,
though neither moved, both under spell --
Entranced by pure romance.

 

Their lips then met, through shivered breaths,
As at last their souls entwined,
but then Eva did pull away,

Yet one last word to find.

 

“Thou needst not speak,” she whispered soft,
“But know… I love thee so.”
He nuzzled close, and kissed her eyes,
where tears had ceased their flow.

 

“Peace, my love,” he softly said,
“The time for words has passed,”
And in embrace of sea and shore,

Two were made one, at last.

 

* * *