The Midnite Orchid
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: The Midnite Orchid
Author: Herr Hauptmann
As dusk fell across the forest, Falaris pause at the edge of her glade Grinning, he admonished himself, 'Of course she'll be happy to see me.' Crossing the glade, he was careful to keep to the paths that meandered through the space, bringing the visitor close to the plants she loved.
Though not too close, where an errant hand could pluck a blossom.
The path also kept visitors far from the plants she nurtured, still in the budding stage, and so fragile that a wayward step could end months of hard work.
Along the way, he too note of what was out of place in the carefully planned pattern of green beauty, and what could be done to correct it. The broken branches and dead leaves could be gathered up on the morrow and placed in the compost heap, while the smallest rose bush appeared to be suffering a blight. He'd have to find a way to separate it from the others, while full removal would have to wait until "Beloved," he said, as he sat down beside her.
Indeed, that was all that needed to be said, as for a while, Falaris was able to relax in her presence, content to listen to the trees breathe, and watch the rocks grow.
After a time, a breathless hush fell over the Garden of Her Heart with a pang, Falaris realized he had forgotten that tonight would be the calumniation of her efforts, if all the attempts had been anything more than a waste of time. Tonight, the midnight orchids would blossom as never before. The odds of a midnight orchid blossoming in the wild, or even in an outdoor garden were almost nonexistent. Even in a hothouse, the chances were hardly better. And tonight, not only would they blossom, they would glow.
The late spring night was warm, heavy with the promise of an excellent winter to come.
Even with his eyes roving the clearing, alert for signs, of what he did not know, she was still aware of the first delicate orchids opening before him. Soon after, he was aware of his mistake, an focused his gaze where the orchids were not growing, and gasped aloud in wonder and delight. The orchids, even as they opened their pale violet petals, began to glow with a soft purple light.
Across the glade, he could see a pinprick of light, that slowly grew out, as first one flower opened, then those adjacent to it opened soon after. Within ten minutes time, the entire glade was lit up in a soft purple glow as all the midnight orchids unfurled their lavender banners.
The wonder of it filled his being, and his heart beat in his chest as he reached out to clasp the hand of the woman he loved...
And encountered the cold marble of her tomb.
When his fingers brushed the stone, he came back to reality as all around him, the lights of the midnight orchids faded into darkness. The magic had ended, so beautiful and pure, and s very brief. The tragedy of it would have broken stone heart, wrenched tears from the sternest of men. But how can you break what has already shattered? Wee long after tears have run dry?
With a sob, he covered the well of tears and armored his heart once more.
"Beloved," he said once more. "On the morrow I must leave for a time. need to go to the Shrine of Justice, the Justicars there will direct me to Rogan. I mean to bring him in, and finally do justice for his wrongs." he paused for a moment, as if listening to a reply "I must leave on the morrow to have a hope of reaching them in time for the Solstice in three days. Only then will I have the greatest chance of success. I hope I can return by the autumn equinox."
Again he paused, listening, "No, I wish to stay here for the night." Reaching out, he grasped his mandolin from where it lay on the ground. A ever, it was in tune. Settling himself again a rock facing the marble, he began to play, her favorite song first as always. A stately court dance from her youth, the strings lighting up hi hand as he played 'The Dance of the Seldarine'.
He was, he knew, one of the few men who'd ever learned to play even a portion of the song; and perhaps the only one who was able to play 'The Dance' without another ten accompanying musicians.
Falaris played long into the night, finishing with new song, 'The Glowing Orchid', in which he described the beauty of this past night. When he woke in the morning, he was lying down next to her tomb, which was strangely warm in the predawn chill. Removing his boots, Falaris puttered about the glade, taking care of that which he had noted before.
Stopping to collect his boots and mandolin, Falaris knelt beside her tomb, "I'll return soon Mihalnya." he promised, running his hand along the stone.
Leaving the glade, he noticed that the path outward had changed dramatically, weaving back and forth, as if to delay his departure, while he, with many a backward glance and a heavy heart, continued onward.
Stopping at the edge of the glade, just outside the shadows of the trees, he turned for one last look and farewell, and saw, sitting in the shadows, an orchid. Picking it up, he saw with amazement, that the blossom had been neither cut nor picked, for the stem ended smoothly.
Furthermore, it was one of the midnight orchids, glowing faintly in the shade. Impossibly so, he marveled, for the orchids he knew bloomed for only a few minutes a few minutes a year, if that, and even then, only at night.
With a lighter heart, Herr Hauptmann set the incredible orchid in the clasp of his cloak, and headed south, where the Shrine of Justice, and his vengeance, awaited.