Blind or True? Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR


The man had geared up set back out to meet with Mother Nature again but before long, the wind picked up fiercely and blew him backwards a few steps.

"Back! Back you damn human." The Wind's voice cried out.

"Please," he said shielding himself from the powerful gusts, "I need to see her."

"Never! You will not hurt her again."

The man gave up talking with her and battled the gusts trudging forward with all his might. Minutes later, the wind stopped but the sun began to beat down on him relentlessly.

"That's far enough." The Sun yelled at him.

"Please," he said pulling up his hood to block the intense heat. "I need to see her."

"Never! You will not hurt her again."

The man gave up talking and slugged forward slowly but steadily.

And once again, a pattern was established. They all came forth to stop him, the Stars, Moon, Summer, Winter and the rest and each time he would give up speaking to them and push forward through the obstacles they placed before him.

And then he reached her. The woman was sitting on a large ancient throne covered in greenery in the middle of a clearing in a forest. Her current colors were yellow eyes, dark red robes and hair, and dark ebony skin. She spoke not a word as he neared her but glared viciously at him.

Fear gripped him for a moment as he came to terms with what he was about to do.

Before she could speak he held up his hand and said solemnly, "Please, I only came to apologize." He dropped to one knee and bowed his head, "I am so sorry for what I did. For what I said. For what I couldn't see. I am sorry for all the pain and sorrow I caused you. I- I understand now. And there is nothing I can offer to mend the wound I've left in your heart."

He took a deep breath as a tear fell to the grass under him and lowered his other knee bowing further down.

"So, the only thing I can offer," He continued, "is my life. It is not worth much. It never was- but if it would ease your suffering, my head is yours to take. If not, I shall leave this place and never return for as long as I live. I will accept either decision without fear. I am ready for your judgment."

But the man WAS scared. He was without doubt that she would kill him. He deserved it of course but he was still scared. However, that was not why he shed the few tears that he had. His sadness was that of regret and remorse for his actions against Mother Nature.

Her footsteps, though large, padded softly across the grass as she approached. He braced, prepared to enter the afterlife. She stood before him and said quietly and calmly, "Tell me again, what is it that you like about me?"

Without hesitation, the man replied, "Your compassion. Your daughters could have killed me at anytime but I can only imagine that it was you who kept them from doing so."

He paused a moment in thought. "Your love. You care for and love all around you, even if they hurt you as I have."

Another pause. "Your kindness. You granted me the honor to speak before you decide my fate. I can not thank you enough for that. Especially with how much you must despise and hate me. Those are the things that I love about you. Thank you again, for letting me speak my final words.

He was ready for death but instead, he felt her fingers gently lift his chin and she looked deeply into his eyes, "My dear, I was never angry, only sad that you could not see the truth of what was really important. Stand."

As she pulled him to his feet, she shrank down to his size, holding his hands in hers. Her eyes were now a soft blue, her hair was like golden sunlight, her skin was fair, and her clothes were shades of bright and mellow greens

"Instead of death or banishment, what if you were to stay here and live with me... as my husband?"

His eyes welled up with tears and his voice cracked as he answered, "But, after everything, I've done, how could you just forgive- There must be someone else who deserves your love more than I."

She hugged him gently and whispered into his ear "You were always the one. I was just waiting for you to grow and mature."

The man shook with emotion as he hugged back, "I love you so much."

They pulled away and the man looked her up and down before saying, "Actually, this is not the woman I fell in love with."

Mother Nature narrowed her gaze, trying to figure him out.

"I fell in love with the woman", he continued, "that traveled with me across the lands. Could you...?"

"As you wish." She replied bowing her head. In an instant she became the plain woman he had first meet at the cottage in the forest.

He stepped back, took a breath, and spoke as if he was just meeting for the first time.


6. "Hello. I am searching for my one true love and I think you are her." He took her hand and dropped again to one knee.

"Is that so?" she answered, "That's wonderful but I must warn you, if you pursue me in the name of true love, you may not be happy, for as you can see, I am plain and dull."

"No, no." He said holding his hands up defensively. "I only need three things to be happy:

Your compassion.

Your kindness.

And your love.

Those are the things that make you so incredibly beautiful."










AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!!!!!!!!

THE END