Lord of the Land

There is a place, I think, where honour lies; where it can grow and flourish or fester and die. And in that place, I think, is where a choice is born. I can see it in my mind as no land of milk and honey, but as some stretch of rolling hills where the trees grow slightly crooked and the flowers bend in the wind. Shadows cling here and there, as they assert themselves in silence.

And here I see two men -- two great and noble men -- who hold out their hands to each other. They bear the telltale faces of those who have known the pain of the Otherworld claiming many dear, and those who have seen the joys of a miracle or two. Yet, there was a day, not so long ago, when these two were at odds. Over a piece of land so rich and fine, 'twere befitting of a god.

Now, as it was, they both had claimed to have seen the land afore the other. And they bickered and fought for a year and a day, unto that determined end. In that time, no crops were planted, no wood was cut, and no cattle grazed across the fertile soil.

Until a night, 'twas dark and dull, as the fog came in from the sea, that one of the men lay in bed asleep, and the form of a woman came. In her voice he heard the echoes of the wailing of the winds, the sighing of the trees, and the crying of the land.

"See you what you do, Sir? Know you what you do to the soul and your fellow man? Feel you the pain in the land as no work is done, Sir?" She pleaded with no true emotion, and her words floated through him. And with her brief questions said, she slowly faded from sight.

When he awoke, the man knew not whether he had seen her in a dream, or if she had truly been at his bedside that night. Dismissing it, he went about his business, changing nothing, and thinking no more on the mysterious woman... until the next night fell.

"Look you on the land, and look upon your souls. Two men, two lives..." She paused, and looked down upon him, the same unfeeling face that held all emotions somehow, and held all the beauty of the fog. "...one land."

This scene would repeat for a fortnight. A dream of a woman whom he came to love, and so he wanted less to forfeit his claim, lest the dreaming end. And each new day, he would pass his time, and wait to see her again. Mind you, this was no fool, and this was no man of disbelief. But, this was a bountiful land, that he would surely perish without. Each day, both men would gaze down upon that land, and wish with all their hearts that they could, there, lay true claim.

And as that fortnight ended, the woman came to him no more. The man, he saw no beauty, heard no music, felt no more love. It was then that it came upon him that no man need ever want, as long as his soul bore him some joy. The next day, he faced his enemy, and gave up his claim to the land. Indeed, the offer was greeted with much gladness and celebration by the other.

"Dear friend, I thank you, with all that I am and have. You are truly good and generous, and for that I am thankful. You have settled a grievance through strength of mind, not through strength of arm. For that, I respect you, commend you, and offer you my greatest treasure. Come to my home this evening, we shall feast, and I shall give to you my gift."

Parting ways, the man felt such sadness to equal the happiness the woman of his dream had brought, for he had lost his land and he had lost his dream. And yet, a man of honour, he broke bread with the other that night.

"Dear friend, I am a poor man, and this gift of land is great. Too long we fought, but your honour shines as bright as the sun tonight. And as I am a poor man, I give you all I can. Please be gracious as you have shown yourself, and accept the hand of my child. And I shall vow to you, this night, that the land you gave up will be yours when I am gone. No sons have I, and greatly have you proved yourself worthy to become my heir."

Now, as it were, no daughter did he see, so he doubted in the reward. But his heart was full as he saw the other man's joy. And so he fell asleep by the hearth, wrapped in skins, and smiling the smile of the gods.

As he slept, the dream woman returned, and she knelt beside him again. He smelled her fragrance as she came close, and his joy increased ten fold. Truly no man had ever known his happiness, or the like, for he could see her once more.

"Dear maid, do not flee, stay with me for a while. I know I dream and whence I awake, I shall ne'er see you again. I do not know you, and yet I know, that I do feel love inside. And so, stay with me, for a bit, and show me happiness so pure."

A laugh so sweet that sugar would envy rang true against the wind. For in return for stepping down, this was no dream, and this woman would be his wife.  

Always remember generosity and courtesy, for you never know what could be the reward. Yet, even without material reward, you can share in the joy of another person, and that is truly the greatest reward of all.    

Last updated: July 28, 2000
Comments, questions, and general email to Janet O'Neil.

Thanks to: