"That I have, my love." I stepped nearer. "Now that I see you, I know I am home at last."
As many times as I saw this glad reunion in my mind, I did not see it this way. She nodded. I saw her swallow then, and guessed something of what this confrontation-for such it was-cost her. But she did not back down. She held me with her uncompromising gaze. "I have to know, Will," she said, "if you've come back to stay. I cannot wait for you any longer. I have to know."
"Noin, my love, with God as my witness, I will nevermore part from you."
"Don't!" she cried. "Don't you say that. You don't know."
"What do you want me to say?" I asked. "If it is a pledge you seek, tell me what pledge you will accept and I will give it gladly." As she considered this, I added, "I love you, Noin. I loved you every blessed day I lay in that dark hole, and if I could have come to you even a heartbeat sooner, I would have been back at your side long ere you knew I'd gone."
She bent her head then, and her long hair fell down around her face. I could see her lips trembling.
"Noin," I said, moving closer. "If you no longer want me, you have only to say the word and I will leave you be. Is that what you want?"
She shook her head, but did not look at me.
I raised my arms and held them out to her. "Then come to me, my love. Let us return to the happiness we once knew. Or, if that be not possible anymore, let us begin a new and better joy."
When she raised her head this time, I saw the tears streaking her fair cheeks. "Oh, Will…," she sobbed. "I've missed you so much… so much… I did not dare to hope…"
She came into my arms, and I crushed her to my chest with all the strength I did possess. I held her and felt the hardness in her melt away as she clung to me, her tears soaking into my shirt.
"Will dear, sweet Will, I'm so sorry," she said. "I had to be sure. I couldn't live thinking… forgive me."
"There is nothing to forgive. I am here now, and I love you more than ever I did the day I left."
"And will you yet wed me?" she asked, looking tearfully into my face.
The sight of those tears glistening on her cheeks melted any shreds of dignity I might have had left. I sank to my knees before her and clasped her around the waist. "Marry me, Noin. I want you so bad it hurts my heart."
The words were still fresh on my lips when I felt her arms encircle my neck; she raised me to my feet, and her warm lips bathed my scruffy face in kisses. "Noin…," I gasped when I could breathe again. "Oh, Noin, I will never leave you. I swear…"
"Shh," she hushed. "Don't speak, Will. Just hold me."
I was happy to do that, no mistake. We stood there in the heart of the greenwood clutching one another so tight we could hardly draw a breath between us. And we were clinging still when the others reached the riven oak where we stood. They dismounted, and Bran let out a wild, withering screech. Instantly, the Grellon began pouring up out of the bowl of Cel Craidd to greet the return of their king and kinsmen.
The next thing I knew, I was half pulled, half pushed through the oak and tumbled down the hillside into the bowl of our hidden settlement. At first glance, everything appeared just as I remembered it-only it was early summer now, and I had left in the dead of winter. Still, all was as it should be, I reckoned, until I began to tell the little differences. The forest folk were right glad to see us, but there was a hollow sound to their laughter, and their smiles, though genuine and heartfelt, held more pain than pleasure. The faces gathered 'round us were greyer than I remembered, the bodies thinner. Winter had been hard for them, yes, and spring no better, I reckoned. Many were gaunt, with skin pinched around their deep-set eyes; their clothes were that much more tattered and frayed; the dirt on their hands and faces was there for good and always.
My heart went out to them. I had endured captivity in the sheriff 's odious hellhole, but they were no less captive here. The wildwood of Coed Cadw had become as much a prison as any that the vile de Glanville held key to. It was clear to me then, if never before: this sorry state could not be endured much longer. God willing, our bold King William would soon give us redress, and Bran and all us forest folk could move out into the light once more.
In amongst the young 'uns I saw little Nia's face poking out. I turned and scooped her up. She did not cry out, but twisted in my arms to see who held her. "Weo!" she squealed, grabbing my beard with both hands. "Wee-o!"
Bless her, she was trying to say my name. "It's me, dear heart. Ol' Will is here."
From among the flock gathering to greet our return, I glimpsed Angharad, hobbling forward on her long staff, her wrinkled face alight with pleasure. "I bid thee glad homecoming, William Scatlocke," she crowed, her old voice quavering slightly. "The Lord of Hosts is smiling on this day."
"Greetings,Wise Banfaith," I said, offering her a bow and touching the back of my hand to my forehead. "It is that good to see you again."
"And you,Will." She drew close and stood for a moment, smiling up at me. Then, closing her eyes, she raised her hand and touched two fingers lightly to my forehead. "All Wise and Loving Father, we thank you for redeeming the life of our friend, delivering him from his enemies, and bringing him back to us in answer to our prayers. Bless him and prosper him for your name's sake, and bless all who think well of him this day and all days henceforth."
As she prayed, I felt Noin's hand squeeze my arm. I thanked our bard and then turned to the others who were crowding in to make good my welcome. "Here now! Here now!" came a shout, and I was enwrapped and lifted off my feet in a rib-cracking embrace.
"Tuck!" I said. "Are you here, too?"
"Where else should I be, but among my own dear flock on the day of your miraculous return? We've been waiting for this day with a greedy impatience, my friend," he said, his round face beaming. God bless him, there were tears in his eyes.
"Brother," I said, pulling Noin close, "if you are not too busy, this lady and I are that keen to be married. If you have no objection, I want you to perform the ceremony today."
"Today!" replied Tuck. "Today, says he! Well!" To Noin, he said, "Is this also your desire?"
"It is my deepest desire," she replied, her arm around my waist.
"Well, then," concluded Tuck, "I do not see any reason to delay." He glanced around. "What have you done with Bran and the others?"
Casting a glance behind me, I saw my travelling companions standing on the top of the low natural rampart that surrounded Cel Craidd. I called to them. "Why were you standing there?" I asked when they had joined us.
"We wanted you to have a proper greeting all to yourself," Iwan explained.
"And would you leave me standing here alone on my wedding day?" I said.
"Oh,Will! Noin!" cried Merian. She pressed Noin's hands in hers, then kissed me lightly on the cheek. "This is such good news."
We then endured the good wishes of Bran, Iwan, and the others in turn, and I was pummelled good-naturedly by one and all. When the festive drubbing was finished, I turned to Tuck and said, "Friar, I'd be much obliged if you could perform the rites without delay." I glanced at Noin and saw the desire in her dark eyes. "As soon as may be."
Tuck nodded and adopted a solemn air. "Is it your wish to be married to this man?" he asked.
"It is, Friar," she replied. "I would have done it long since, and there is no better day that I know than this, and I would mark it always in my heart as the day my man was given back to me."
"Then so be it!"
Turning to the Grellon crowding around, the little friar called, "Hear now! Will and Noin have declared their desire to be married. Let us give them a wedding they will never forget!"