I thought that Valentine's day would be the prefect time to share this short story. Enjoy!
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The time had come for Endoro to give Celisa a lesson in combat. The place stunk, and dirt and grime covered the walls. As they wandered deeper into the catacombs and approached the giant rats, it was quite obvious to him that he was looking forward to this much more then she. He gave her a nod, as if to tell her it was time. As Celisa drew her newly polished sword from her sheath, the light from his torch reflected off it like a strong burning flame, blinding him momentarily.
In that second, somehow everything became blurry, yet very clear at the same time. Her brown hair seemed to have a new found glow to it, in fact everything about her seemed to have a bright aura. Her face, her smile, her very being. Perhaps, he thought, that he simply hadn't noticed her radiance before. She stood boldly before him, sword in hand, in the fighting stance of someone with much more training then she ever had. Her muscles looked firm and tone, as if she had been training for quite some time. Confidence oozed from her as she stood by his side preparing for battle. This couldn't be the young healer who he had meet just weeks before. Yet there she stood before him.
The light swirled around them for an instant, or at least it seemed to. Endoro didn't understand, but he continued watching her, wondering. Her beauty was abounding, yet she seemed more mature somehow. As he gazed upon her he was perplexed. "Did I get hit in the head!", he thought to himself as he noticed she was no longer wearing her normal hunting garb which he had come to know. Rather, she was adorn in a beautiful long flowing white gown. A short train gracefully followed her every move. A veil, though quite sheer and transparent, now covered her head. Suddenly the aroma of fresh flowers filled the air and as Celisa turned towards him, he saw the bouquet in her hands. Rose petals colored the grass under her feet. She was beaming at him. He had never seen her so happy.
In the next instant her gown was replaced with a blue skirt and intricate bodice. Her blue wool greatcloak bursting at the seems with potions and trinkets. An etched runestaff leaned against the wall in a far corner. Still as beautiful as ever, she beckoned him to come near. She reached out her hands and took him into a loving embrace. As they held one another, he noticed the sparkle of a wedding ring on her finger, and to his amazement, a matching ring on his own.
As the light swirled, she seemed happy, content. The morning air was warm and clean with a hint of homemade soap. He noticed her bare feet first. Upon glancing up he saw her smiling at him from across the room, wearing only a fluffy white cotton towel. He could feel his skin turning bright red as he quickly turned away and blushed. Watching her out of the corner of his eye as she dried her hair in the sun by the window of the cabin.
She was sitting now, in a soft rocking chair. The fire brought a warmth to the cold winters night. Endoro was amazed as he looked around in wonder, and at her in awe. There was no contest, she was still the most beautiful woman Endoro had ever laid eyes upon. As Celisa brushed the little girls long blonde hair, she turned around and said "I love you, Mommy". Celisa responded with an "I love you too, sweetheart".
In that same moment a voice from above rang out to him. Though still not clear if it was the voice of Kaika or perhaps Seliah, the message from above was quite clear to him. "Yes, Endoro, she is the one."
Suddenly he was once again standing before the young woman. He noticed her stareing into the reflection in her sword as if distracted by it when a rat scampered up to her and bit at her foot. As she let out a scream and kicked it away he simply smiled inside, knowing that everything would be ok and the future would no doubt be bright.