The Dreamer Pt. Ten

That night Adialon prayed again in gratitude. He prayed, thankful for the life granted him. He prayed in gratitude for the people in his village, who cared so much for him. He prayed in thanks for others who had the same ability he had, to dream, whether or not they were angels. He prayed in gratitude for the help they had been to him, in saving him from the darkness. He thanked his Maker for the marvelous, powerful gift of song which had held the darkness at bay while he moved toward the light. He thanked Him for his sister, Melorelah and her wonderful, calming influence. He spent a long time there, kneeling before his Maker, pouring his soul out. There seemed to be no end to the list of things to be grateful for. He knelt for so long that his legs lost the feeling in them, and his arms and hands became numb…
Adialon received his wish that night. He dreamed he was atop a hill overlooking a grassy plain. As he awoke into his dream, he sat up, and then arose to his feet. He looked down the hill to his village, where his kinsfolk slept. A surge of emotion welled up in him. He did not long to be with them, but he felt as though he had left a great part of himself in their midst.
As indeed I have, he thought, remembering his Heart. Perhaps this is what I shall ever feel, away from each of them. Until we meet again, dear ones.
He raised his hand in token of a silent farewell.
‘There’s no need to say goodbye just yet,’ said a voice behind him.
Adialon turned in surprise.
There the Boy stood with a small smile on his face.
‘You’ll see them again.’
‘I know I shall,’ Adialon replied. ‘Whether in this life or in the next, be it according to the will of God.’
‘I’m curious,’ said the Boy. ‘Why do you feel such sadness at being parted with them? You don’t want to be among them anymore.’
‘I suppose because I am wary of leaving such a vital part of myself with them, unprotected and unbeknown to them. It seems I am taking a frightful risk.’
The Boy shook his head. ‘You’ve given your Heart the best protection it could have- no one but your sister knows about it. You know she’ll never tell anyone.’
‘How is it you are able to discern my every thought, Boy?’
The Boy smiled. ‘That’s part of my ability.’
‘What else can you do?’
‘I can do anything I want to do.’
‘Anything? Anything you desire?’
‘Yes.’
By an unspoken agreement, they both sat down upon the ground, facing one another.
‘We come to the question I asked your friend, the one who was adamant in her claim that she was no angel,’ said Adialon. ‘Why do you tether yourself here on earth, when you so readily could depart for heaven? What holds you back?’
‘The same thing that holds you back- the fact that people need me here, and need us here.’
‘But why? Is not God watching over all of us? Can He not watch over those we leave behind?’
‘Yes. But that’s not the only thing to think about. There are things that we might need to do still, part of our reason for coming here in the first place. Things that only we can do.’
‘And if we have done what we were sent here to do? What then?’
‘Then we just have to wait.’
© 2010 by Adam Scott Campbell. All rights reserved.