The day for the journey to a new home and way of life dawned clear and unclouded, but a storm rolling in had set the departure back yet another day. The young woman stood facing outward from her chamber window, solemn hazel eyes seeing nothing beyond the horizon. Now, at dusk, the sun glowed crimson through the remaining storm clouds. Unpredictable weather was only one of the many things to which she was accustomed. Young only in her body, having seen the passing of twenty six seasons, she felt ever so much older. She sighed softly as the light faded slowly into the purple and scarlet of twilight, the lavender sky fading to the deep dark purple of night. Soon the twin moons would rise and night would begin in earnest. She turned from the windows, leaving them open to let in the cool night air.
Released.
The very word seemed alien. It was nothing she had ever thought would come to pass. Only those who were displeasing or utterly rebellious were ever released. She was not these things. If anything, she had long enjoyed being the most favored, even though her heart had long secretly yearned for more … wondered what lay beyond the front gates of the Shire of the East. There was no reason behind the feeling. She had anything her heart desired, all she need do was approach and ask. Every need was met and more. Her chamber was spacious, she had servants to tend to her, and she was clothed better than many noble women had ever been. Yes, she had everything she could want….and yet …
Released.
Now she was free to pursue her own dreams … her own desires … passions … the elusive ‘more’ she longed for in her heart. If you had asked her what the more entailed, she would not have had an answer. She couldn’t name it or describe it. She only knew it was there. Not that she hadn’t loved submission to Him.. He was as gentle and good as she now knew men could be cruel and evil. To be sure, there was a brutality about their scenes she had come to love … but not cruel, not ever … not like that night …
