Upon a Winter's Night by Hairann
Upon a Winter's Night
Title: Upon a Winter's Night
Author: hairann
Rating: T
...
He stood silently outside her doorway
one late and snowy night.
Not expecting any company then
he gave her quite a fright.
“Who are you, good sir, calling upon me
and may I be so bold?
What brings you do my doorstep on a night
utterly dark and cold?”
...
Her questions went unanswered by her 'guest'
while the wind began to howl.
She invited him in out of the snow
offering a dry towel.
“Feel free to warm yourself beside my hearth
where the fire burns so bright.”
She offered, closing the door to find him
bathed in dancing fire light.
...
Silvery as the crescent moon above-
silent in the night sky-
His long braided hair fell passed the middle
of his silk covered thigh.
Eyes that spoke of knowledge held within shown bright
gold like the morning sun.
A beauty like his she had never seen
on a man like this one.
...
His garments were rich in silk, mostly white
worn by those in power.
Making her now more curious to learn
his purpose at this hour.
But as the minutes ticked on by she found
that the silence rained down.
With a shrug, she took her place beside him;
her face marred by a frown.
...
“I am now being hunted for a crime
that I did not commit.
I will not ask much, but I beg of you
grant me leave for a bit.
Once the sun has risen in the morning
I shall be on my way.
Shelter for this night is all that I ask
I pray you let me stay.”
...
As the weather outside was getting worse
and no one else near by,
she could not, in good conscious, send him out
as he would surely die.
“I shall open up my home to you, sir
but something you should know:
I have very little to share with you;
nothing more than the snow.
...
“I have neither a bed for you to sleep
nor food for you to eat.
Winter has been a harsh mistress for me;
barely a fire to heat.
All I can offer is a leaky roof
and a somewhat warm fire.
But as I have just added my last log
soon that too will expire.”
...
The man, he gave her the slightest of nods
before looking away.
After a moment, he began to speak,
“Thanks for letting me stay.
Though I have nothing now to give to you
I will repay in kind.
The day will come when you have need of me
when you are in a bind.”
...
Though she did not understand what he meant
she still nodded her head.
After biding him a goodnight, she rose
making them each a bed.
Though all she had was a thin blanket each
he did not seem to care.
Her house was silent once again that night
though neither felt despair.
...
The night passed by quick and when she awoke
she found a short letter.
“I thank you for your hospitality;
I have found none better.
I shall never forget the kindness shown
during my short stay here.
One day I shall return as I promised
perhaps this or next year.”
...
As she set down the note there came a knock
upon her wooden door.
“Open you door by order of our lord;
it is him we speak for.”
After a quick glance around she was sure
no evidence remain.
She invited the guards inside her home;
even through her disdain.
...
“What brings you here so early in the morn
that could not be pushed back?”
“We are searching for a criminal, miss
wanted for an attack.
Our lord's life he tried to take, but he failed
when the guards, they stopped him.
Now he must pay for betraying our lord
and those that would aid him.”
...
“The man you seek, I have never met him
and doubt I ever will.
I would never associate with men
who are able to kill.
I suggest you seek him elsewhere from here;
best be on your way.
I wish you the best of luck in your quest;
now I bid you a good day.”
...
Though they weren't happy, they did as she said
and left without delay.
He obviously was not there right now;
so no reason to stay.
Waiting 'til they had left, she sighed aloud,
as it would have been a shame;
For him to have been caught right now and killed
before she learned his name.
...
Closing the door against the Winter's chill,
she never saw him there.
The transparent spirit shedding a tear
as he lay his heart bare.
“For one hundred years I have sought the one
who would not betray me.
Who would offer shelter and keep me safe
from a fate meant to be.
...
“Though you had nothing to spare, still you gave
to a stranger like me.
Showing me no difference in treatment
than you would family.
One hundred years-one hundred times to date
and no one else but you.
Has ever treated me with such kindness;
a man you never knew.
...
“You can be sure that I will keep my word
when I am needed most.
I have never once broken a promise
not even as a ghost.”
As the sky opened and a storm began
blocking out the sunlight,
She knew she would not forget who she met
upon the Winter's night.