The Sun And The Moon

My attempt at writing a love story.

As most stories, this one took place a long time ago, perhaps longer than most you've read. Our story begins in a little village where only few people lived, but they lived happily nevertheless. In this little village there was a house in the outskirts of it. This house had a beautiful view of a big lake, and far away, you could glance at the breath-taking mountain range. In this little house lived a young woman by the name of Amae. She was a beautiful girl of delicate features, her hair was as dark as the midnight sky and her eyes of a piercing blue shade. Amae made a living out of baking bread every day. She would often get young men as regular customers who were wishful to start a conversation with her and, sometimes, they would even attempt to flirt with her and try to ask her out. But she would always turn down, as politely as she could, every offer, with a smile that could ease the affliction of even the toughest man of the place.

Amae would always close her bussiness at midday, by that time she would have usually sold almost all the bread she had baked on that day. In the afternoons she would often stroll by the lake side where she would be able to stretch her arms and feel the fresh breeze which ran all the way from the mountains, soothing her after a long day in front of the oven. Sometimes, she would even find a frog or two jumping about on the grass and she would follow them with her eyes, curious and playful, and would also go after them jokingly with jumpy little steps.

At the end of the day, she could end up visiting the village's tavern, where most of the people who lived there use to gather to chat and spend a pleasant time. She would sit at the same table where all the housewives usually sat, just to hear the latest gossips they had to share.

One day, as normal as every other, Amae was sitting in the same spot with her gossip friends in the tavern, when a handsome young man with gentle eyes stepped inside. Not even a minute had passed when all of the housewives' stares were upon the youngling, just as Amae's stare would follow theirs.

-And who might that handsome boy be?- one of them would ask.

-I've heard he just arrived to the village- another one would say.

-Oh, a traveller perhaps?- yet a third one said.

-He doesn't look like a traveller, he looks too delicate!- the fourth said jokingly.

One of them stops staring, trying to get the table back into gossip as she noticed the blank expression of Amae's face as she kept on staring at the young man.

-Well, look at that! It seems that Ami has been struck by cupid!- she said.

Amae quickly turned her face back to the table, trying to hide her face and her blushing, but it was already too late.

-What are you talking about? All of you stared even more fiercely than I the moment he came in- she answered.

Every one of them laughed and, after realizing that what Amae had said was true, they all blushed and laughed yet one more time. The young man, unaware of the impact his presence had caused, walked carelessly to an empty table where he would sit alone. The waitress, who was the tavern owner's wife, aproached him and asked if he would like something to eat and drink. he ordered a simple bowl of soup. The gossiping began once again at the table as if nothing had happened at all, but whenever no one was paying attention to her, Amae would glance quickly just to get a look on the handsome young man.

That day was a special one, as it was the mayor's daughter birthday. And, as in every special day, the village folk were more than willing to celebrate. So shortly after, music playing began and cheers and laughter filled over the place. Lots of people stood up from their chairs and began dancing. Some of the housewives stoop up as well, as the others remained in place, still gossiping as their husbands tried to drink up every last drop of beer the place had, all the while they were trying to prove their manhood with strength challenges.

-You should ask him out to dance, dear- said one of the housewives, interrupting one of Amae's not-so-well-confided glances to the young man's table.

-What? Me?- she answered, with her face red out of embarrasment.

-well, i was just saying, but if you don't want to, maybe some other girl might as well ask him first- said the housewife with a big smile, mocking her, awaiting to see what Amae would respond.

-Maybe that would be for the best- Amae responded, as if giving up.

-Are you sure? I think he's looking at you- she said, almost petrified, Amae turned her eyes to his table, just to notice that what she was told was true. The young man stands up and starts walking towards Amae.

-Is he seriously coming this way!? Oh, no! He IS coming!- whispered Amae. The housewife couldn't help but laugh at her reaction.

-Excuse me- said the young man -I know this may be sudden, but would you like to dance with me?-.

Amae blushed and remained speechless.

-I'm sorry, you don't have to if you don't want to- he said, a bit disappointed.

-Oh, she wants to, sweetheart, she just told me how badly she wants to dance, but as it turns out, she's quite shy you see- said the smiling housewife -you youngsters go on and have some fun-.

Amae glanced furiously and at the same time gratefully at her as the young man gave his hand to her.

Amae and the young man join the others who were already dancing, she was nervous and felt that her stepping would make her trip. But the young man looked at her with those gentle eyes and patiently guided her throughout the dance. On the other side of the tavern, sitting on a different table, were the other boys who weren't dancing. Every one of them looking at Amae and the young man with jealousy as they danced. All of them wanted to dance with her, however none of them had the courage to ask her out on a dance before it was too late.

-May I ask what is your name?- asked the young man with the most gentle voice she has ever heard.

-I'm Amae- she answered, trying not to look at him to the eye.

-Amae? That's a pretty name, does it mean something?-.

-I was told it meant "Moon" in the past- the young man started laughing a little -Is my name funny to you?- she said, angrily.

-Not at all- he quickly answered -My name is Saraliel, which means "Sun", you see- he explained - seems like destiny to me, don't you think? In the midst of celebration, the sun and the moon sharing a dance-.

They laughed merrily after that until the music suddenly stopped. The mayor walked towards the small stage and with open arms said loudly.

-Thank you all for coming! I hope everyone is having a great time! As you know, today my beloved daughter has seen fifteen cycles and has become a lady!- he said as he looked to his daughter, who was standing along her brother among the people who were dancing, with tears starting to form in his eyes.

After some more anounces and speeches the dancing started over again, Amae and Saraliel, as well as the other people from the village, except perhaps the jealous boys on the other side, had a wonderful time that night in the tavern. Once the celebration was over, Saraliel walked his new friend to her house, where he would politely retire after a short bow.

-Perhaps I'll see you tomorrow- she said, letting a smile out, but he didn't smile back.

-I'm afraid tomorrow I'll be on my way to the neighboring city, as I was only passing through this village- he said.

-Then, that means...- she could not say more.

-It's really important for me to arrive to the city, I was accepted at the university and I'm headed that way to further my studies-.

-I understand- she said, a bit saddened.

-But I want you to know that I'm glad i met you, and in fact, I want to get to know you better- she was paying attention, but couldn't find words to respond -I'll write you, and whenever I get the opportunity I'll be sure to come back- Amae's face brightened up a little after hearing him speak, and he continued -Besides, the university does not last forever, once I'm done there, I could come and live here, this place surely seems like the right place for someone like me-.

-Do you promise to come back?-.

-Of course!-.

-And do you promise you'll write?-.

-I'll do so every day for sure!-.

They sat at the porch and glanced together at the starry night. Amae, now more at ease, started yawning. Saraliel insisted her that she must rest, and promised her he would come by her house before leaving the village for the city.

The next morning, Amae woke up before the sun began to rise, for the first time in quite a while, she made an effort to look pretty and stood waiting in front of her house. A little after the sun already began to rise, she was able to see someone riding a horse getting nearer, "Saraliel!", she thought excited. He reached her house and climbed down his horse.

-Good morning, Amae- he said with his gentle voice.

-Good morning, Saraliel-.

-I have to say, you look very pretty- she blushed.

-Oh, really? This is how I usually look like, but thank you- she said jokingly and smiling.

-I would truly like to stay more, but I'm afraid I have already waited long enough- he said, with a sad expression.

-I know... I know- she sighed -But you have already promised to come back... and to write every day until that happens, remember?-.

-Of course I remember, and I always fulfill my promises-.

They both shared one last smile and he kissed her in the forehead goodbye. He climbed up his horse again and started slowly his way to the city, looking back to see one last time his beloved friend. Shortly after, his image disappeared in the distance.

After two days Amae received Saraliel's first letter, in it he told her about all the fascinating things he found in the big city, he wrote about the university and about his teachers. He also spoke of something called library, which was an enormous place that held within an unthinkable amount of books. He wrote a little about the things he will be learning and told her about all the new kinds of food he's willing to try now. Amae was very happy to receive news from Saraliel and was excited about all the things he wrote about, this was the first time she heard anything regarding the big city. She wrote back a letter as well, telling him how happy she was for him. She wrote about the latest gossips going around the village and all about the baking bussiness nowadays. She also wrote about the fun and interesting things that had happened to her when she went to the tavern and also drew a little froggy frog she saw near the lakeside.

Saraliel always wrote and his letters arrived every two days, they exchanged ideas and stories among themselves and also wrote about how badly they wanted to see each other again. Even though they couldn't be close to each other, Amae felt very happy to have him in her life. She wrote every time she received a letter as well and sometimes even asked for new recipes so that she could try baking new kinds of bread. He always tried to answer any questions she may have and even sent a couple of recipes for her to try.

However, after one of those two days, Saraliel's letter did not arrive. Amae thought the letter may have been delayed and waited patiently. Two more days passed and no letter arrived. She decided to write a letter thinking that maybe his got lost somewhere on the way. yet another two days passed, but no letter arrived. Amae began to worry and wrote another letter, asking if everything was fine. But two days passed, and no letter arrived.

Days became weeks, weeks became months, and no letter arrived. The day before winter's solstice, the village was getting ready for their festival as it was their tradition, and Amae simply took off.

It is said in the village that Amae never found Saraliel again, that she got to the big city and searched everywhere, but he was nowhere to be found. It is said that she even went looking for him to different villages and cities, in search of her dearest friend, in search of the one she loved. It is said that despite everything, they never found each other again.

With time, their story became a legend, generations passed, but their story, and the love in it survived throughout people's telling. Among the young ones it is said that Amae reunited with Saraliel in the end and that their love for each other lasted forever, so much that even nowadays, if you glanced at the sky above, you could still see "the sun" and "the moon" dance.

Reviews

[Nene]

Wow... it's a beautiful story... I hope they meet somewhere in life.. it flows beautifully. I love the names you mentioned... Its a unique price... Thanx for sharing......

[Su' Nacnetaf]

naja, thank you ^^

[Christa]

Absolutely stunning. Your words painted the scenery and I was able to see the story as it unfolded. I enjoyed your story immensely. Beautiful, sad, and sweet. Thank you for sharing :)

[Deviant Works]

This is beautiful, Su'. The characters compelling, gossiping women and a tavern of dancers, able to see the village as you had explained it with hints of my own imagination added. See Amae chasing after frogs, baking bread, the blush upon her cheek, the innocence of the first meeting with Saraliel and their instant friendship. Needless to say, I had high hopes for the two as I found them both as star-crossed spirits sent to the other. Coming close to the end I was utterly devastated... Being such a hopeful romantic myself.:) And at the last paragraph I cried... Like a baby.:) Wept as I am one who adores a happy ending for all lovers. You have such a talent, so inspirational, Su'. I feel blessed to have met you.:) Thank you for sharing, my friend!

[Su' Nacnetaf]

Thank you, I feared my story-telling wouldn't be that good as I seldomly venture myself in this kind of genres. Glad you liked it, I will try to get better at it as I know I can still improve much.

[Deviant Works]

You're welcome.:) Loved it!

[Chris]

...and so a legend is borne.... and dreams begun. There are a few flaws - but that is human. You could correct them.

I liked the heart between the lines.

[Su' Nacnetaf]

I did notice those mistakes, corrected some, I guess it was bound to happen as I translated from the original while being distracted constantly by my neighbor, I will correct the rest of it nevertheless soon

[Chris]

chuckling here...distractions ARE a way of living for most.

[Su' Nacnetaf]

oh, I do enjoy distractions, however sometimes they are more welcomed, sometimes they're not.

[Chris]

Truisms... and what of the unicorns?

[Su' Nacnetaf]

What can be said about such shy creatures, really?

[Chris]

They often question if WE are real - or an alternate universe of ghostlets...

[Su' Nacnetaf]

Such questions are bound to happen in a vacuum where everything is both existing and non-existent.