Conquered, Part VII
...With that he went to a small chest, retrieved a bound-up scroll,
and her eyes went quite wide with shock when the thing was unrolled,
’twas her emancipation, and he’d signed it with his name,
“It’s all that I can do,” he said, “To save you future pain.
And you can take the children, I’ll make no move to stop you,
take them and find your people, it’s the least I can do.”
For a moment she just stood stunned, thinking he was insane,
but looking back upon his eyes, she saw nothing but pain.
“Please, go…”he said, almost begging, “Before weakness returns.
There’s a bag of gold over their, which you have more than earned.
Tale it so you’ll not be hungry, and neither shall the kids,
please take it, and let me alone.” And that’s just what she did.
She waked out and the door swung close, bound by a sliding latch,
and as her mind raced to catch up, she couldn’t help but look back.
For two weeks Geren stayed in there, bound by regret and guilt,
servants left him plates by the door, they’d find them still half-filled,
some worried he might take his life, some thought that he was mad,
all agreed they had never seen a noble look this bad.
They made excuses to people who came to see their lord,
his duties quite abandoned, no one knew what was in store,
until finally he emerged, shaggy and looking thin,
and to his shock, her saw her there, standing in from of him.
He stammered, “You should not be here, how is it that you stay?!”
She said, “We have three children, and another on the way.
You said to find my people, but my people are all gone,
so where else in the world would I and our children belong?”
He looked like he would resist her, so she said, “Let me speak,
you had the time to say your peace, that is what I now seek.
I’ve long known that you love me, it was quite obvious,
and though I’ve come to care for you, it’s not yet love because
up until just two weeks ago, I still remained your slave,
but I am a free woman now, so I will have my say.
The way that you have treated me has built some sort of trust,
and I admit you pleasure me, satisfy all my lusts,
and it’s become quite obvious you’re not the man you were,
if not for all that happened then, my love you would have earned.
You think forgiveness cannot be, but I say that’s untrue,
I’ll remain at you side, Geren, if one thing you will do.
If we’re to be a family, then it must be done right,
which is why, from this day forwards, you’ll claim me as your wife.”
CONTINUES IN PART VIII
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