.......................................
She woke with the dawn, not knowing that it was a year to
the day since her departure. Her back hurt. "Just part of being in your
last month of pregnancy," the village woman had told her. Rising with
difficulty, her husband muttered something in his half drunken state. He had
come home only hours before and they had argued--again. Oh, well, after the
baby is born maybe things will get better.
There was still a house to clean and chores to do. Picking
up a worn, straw broom, she walked outside to sweep the front porch. Their
house was small. It sat at the edge of town, not far from the bridge where he
had waited for her that first night. Her eyes followed the path up to her
Father's Castle. The King had still found little ways to show her that he had
not forgotten her; that she was still loved. But what he had said was now true.
Nothing was the same.
Her eyes wandered to the East to spend a few minutes
watching the sun rise, a simple pleasure that she shared alone each morning.
It's rays almost blinded her, distorting the trees and the hills beyond.
Squinting against it's brightness, she returned to the job at hand, first
glancing absently up the High Road.
Her heart seemed to stop, gripped as if by a strong hand.
The broom quivered in her grasp. Far down the road came a white horse, it's
rider sitting straight and tall. He seemed to be coming straight out of the
sun. The horse quickened it's pace as it neared the castle, sensing the
excitement of it's master. Her heart began to beat again, now loud and in rhythm
to the pounding hoofs. He reighed his mount to a stop outside the castle's
front gate. She could not make out his features, but his stance spoke of honor
and character. He knocked on the front door, her front door not that long ago.
The King stepped out to greet him, and she watched as they conversed; watched
as the King spoke with his hands, and then pointed toward the village. Involuntarily, she took a step back into the shadow of the porch.
The noble Prince listened carefully, his strong shoulders sagging
in disappointment and sadness. Shaking the King's hand and receiving from him a
consoling hug, he mounted his horse. He looked toward her village home, his
eyes finding her in the shadow. For a moment they both stared. Then, pointing
his mount back toward the sun, he rode away into it's brightness.
She felt the hot tears on her arms and hands long before it
occurred to her that she was crying. Nothing, she thought, will ever be the
same.
♦ THE END ♦
Written by Pastor Jerry Ross
Stay in the Castle is a story written by Pastor Jerry Ross
about a young lady who finds herself at a crossroads. One road is marked,
"My will,” the other, "God's will.” It is a love story–a story of
misplaced love, lost love and genuine love realized. Best of all, Stay in the
Castle is a true story.
I hope this story was helpful to you. I know that it
encouraged me to "Stay in the Castle" and wait on God's will for me
no matter how long it takes! Going God's way is always best! :)
Have you enjoyed this story? Has it encouraged you to "Stay in the Castle"? Please feel free to comment with your thoughts! =)
