Wish Upon a Star
By Kimberley Comeaux

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Wood clashed against wood the two young challengers faced each other, each with steady concentration The younger of the two, because of a smaller build, knew mere strength would not win the battle, but cunning and strategy would.

An idea formed and the younger could not help but smile. The elder narrowed his eyes, sensing the other was up to something.

"Fire!" the younger cried peering over the elder's shoulder as he lowered his sword.

"Ha!  I'll not fall for such a silly trick. Now lift you sword and fight like a...well...just fight!" The eldest ordered, riding his challengers sword with his own.

"No, no, Alexander. I am serious! Look!" The younger's voice was filled with fear.

Alarm seized Alexander at the serious tone. He quickly whirled around searching about the bailey.  He then felt the rounded point of a smooth wood against his throat.

"Surrender, Alexander! I win!"

Eight year old Alexander Maxwell slapped away the wooden sword as one might shoo a fly and gave his little sister, who was only a year younger than himself, an irritated scowl.  "You win only with trickery, Dizzy Lizzy!" he snapped, putting a sarcastic edge to the nickname he knew that she hated.

She swished her light brown braids over her shoulders and pursed her lips, her blue eyes shooting arrows his way. "I won and you are sore with jealously!"

"Jealous over a wee girl like you?" He laughed scornfully. "'Tis more likely the moon will turn green!"

Oh he could make her mad! Angry feminine tears pricked her delicate eyelids. That's all she would need, for Alexander to see her cry. Without another word, she spun around and raced off towards the flower garden - the place where she always went to sort her feelings.

Alexander, noting her watery eyes, was instantly chagrined. He hadn't meant to hurt her feelings.  She was always trying so hard to be like him that sometimes, he forgot that she was a girl.

"Hey, Lizzy!  Wait!" he called after her and with a few long strides, he had caught up with her. He was already the splitting image of his father and taller than most boys his age.

She ignored him and kept walking towards her favorite spot - the bench surrounded by the rose bushes.

"Aw, I'm sorry, Lizzy. Do not be angry with me." He spread his arms wide on either side of him in a helpless gesture. She is going to make this difficult, he thought with a little exasperation.

Little Elisabeth Maxwell plopped down on the bench and crossed her arms over the soft fabric of her blue tunic. Since her brother had been so apologetic, her tears had dried up. But she was still mad.

Daniel sat down beside her and threw her a side glance. He blew air through his lips in a mock sigh and nudged her shoulder with his.

She nudged him back and looked up, catching his smile. She tried hard not to, but she found herself smiling back.

"Am I forgiven, Sister?"

"Am I the winner, Brother?" she countered.

He let out another breath. "Aye. I'll concede this time, but next time I will not be so easily tricked!"

She gave him a slow conspiring smile and told him, "We shall see."

He let out a loud laugh, much like his father's, and gave her a quick squeeze about the shoulders. It was quick because he did not want his father's knights to see him hugging his sister!

They were about to get up from the bench when they heard their mother's voice.

"Time to come inside, children. The hour is growing late." Kristy smiled when she saw their faces fall. they would stay out there all night if she'd let them.

"Mama, let us stay here, just a while longer, please? We were wanting to see the stars," Daniel pleaded, his sister nodding in agreement.

Stars. she had never said a word to them about her own star gazing moment, but they both seemed to have a fascination with them.

She thought about it a minute then called back, "Stay where you are. We'll enjoy the stars together."

She joined them on the long bench and together they watched as the full moon lit the darkness casting light shadows about them. The stars were bright, shining like little jewels on black velvet.

Alexander, who was always full of questions, asked his mother what stars were good for.

"Well, they are good for a lot of things I suppose. But I know of something they are really good for!" She whispered the last sentence as if it were a secret.

"What? š Please tell us!" they both chimed together.

"You can make a wish on a star."

"A wish?" Alexander rolled his eyes. "What good would that do?"

She laughed and ruffled his dark hair. "Lizzy, we have an unbeliever in our midst!"

"Will your wish come true?" Lizzy asked in wonderment.

Alexander gave a snort, which they both ignored. "Sometimes it will. If it is a good wish and it's something that you want with all your heart," his Kristy told him.

Lizzy looked up into the starry sky, thinking fancifully. "You think I can make a wish?"

"Aye, I do," Kristy told her, then reached over and pulled her onto her lap.

Lizzy closed her lids tight, then opened them. "I made one," she announced happily.

Alexander's curiosity had gotten the better of him. "Well, go on! Tell us what you wished."

"Can I?" Lizzy asked her mother, and when she saw her nod, Lizzy leaned toward her brother.

"I wish that our papa would come home, tonight."

Alexander gave another snort. "'Tis a wish that will not come true, Lizzy. Papa is to be gone at least another fortnight."

Tears gathered in her eyes as she looked back at Kristy. "Is it true, Mama? Will my wish not come true? It is something that I want with all my heart."

Kristy's heart broke at the sight of Lizzy's tears. Maybe she shouldn't have started this. š Placing a hand on her smooth, soft cheek, she began, "Oh Lizzy. Not every wish comes...."

"But some wishes do come true," a deep voice spoke behind them.

"Papa!" Lizzy crowed as she threw herself into his arms.

Kristy's breath was taken away as she looked at her handsome husband. They'd been married for nine years, yet he still had that effect on her.

Suddenly Darian looked up and their eyes met. His warm gray eyes lit up as he held out his hand to her. Automatically she went to him and let him enfold her into his one arm embrace, while the other wrapped around their children. This is what she'd dreamed of all those years ago when she'd wished upon a star. This was her dream come true.

"Lizzy got her wish, my love," he whispered in her ear. "Did you receive your own?"

She kissed him softly and lovingly and looked deep into his eyes. "Having you here with me is my constant wish." Their lips met once more. "I missed you, my love.  I'm glad that you came back early."

He smiled at her and hugged them all closer. "I could not stay away."

Just as they were about to go into the keep, Kristy could have sworn she saw someone standing off to the side of the wall. But when she looked again, there was nothing there. There was no time to think about that, however. She was anxious to be alone with her husband.

But then, Darian stopped, just inside the door. Curiously, Kristy studied her husbands thoughtful expression. He turned and looked up into the sky, smiled, then looked back to his wife.

"What was that all about?" she asked, wondering about the smug smile that was playing about his handsome face.

"I just made a wish," he said simply.

"What was it?"

He brought his hand up to her cheek and caressed it softly. "That this love, this passion we hold for one another will never cease. That even when our hair has turned gray and our faces creased with age, that the fire will burn just as bright between us."

"Oh, Darian, that is just so romantic," Kristy cried softly, as he pulled her into the keep, closing the door.

Jubal stepped out from his hiding place with his trademark serene smile curving his mouth. He sighed contently as he watched the happy family disappear from his view.

He nodded to himself thoughtfully, then spoke just one word.

"Granted."

The end

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