Chapter Four.
We walked into the palace with the air of conquering heroes. Sitting between the king and queen was my Rosalyne. I nearly died from happiness. Everybody rose in quiet respect for our accomplishments. As soon as the king and queen caught sight of Rosalka, they rose and curtsied. Then Rosalka caught sight of the Goddess Eros, dropped to her knees and cried, “Dear Lady your humble servant.”
The next instance, Eros was in front of our mermaid. “Rise, my dear friend. Thank you for gracing our palace. Are you staying for tea?”
“Yes, we are.” shouted her companions.
With that the king announced, “Mellonie, bring the afternoon repast.”
The conversation was lively and entertaining as Rosalka regaled us with tales of her life in the deep. She also told of her life with Neptune. Everybody listened with bated breath. When it was time to leave, the King rose and spoke, “Dear Rosalka, today’s visit has truly been a blessing. Will we be gifted with a repeat performance?”
“Yes, yes, please say yes, Rosalka!” encouraged her companions.
“Boys, behave yourselves! Yes, dear king, it will be an honour.”
With that, our guests left the palace for the waiting carriage down to the harbour.
The two clerics Lavina and Roylus took centre stage. “Would our three heroes come forward.”
The three of us stepped forward. We looked like three angelic beings born of great tribulation – truly, the ways of the goddess Eros are beyond understanding. As we knelt on the floor, they placed a laurel wreath on each of our heads and said, “Truly, you have earned this prize. But did you remember to give thanks to your guardian angel, without whose help you would not be here?”
There, levitating in the air, holding her sceptre of authority, was the embodiment of perfection. We prostrated ourselves on the ground, the depth of our indebtedness beyond description. As we stood back on our feet, she swooped down and touched each one of us in turn and disappeared.
Then Levina cried, “Orfeo and Euridice, you have shown a tenacity far beyond the call of duty, and the gods are much impressed! It is the unanimous decision of this court to join you in happy matrimony.”
Silence permeated the court. The next instant, the Goddess Eros confronted the young couple. She rested a hand on each head. “I bless your union, and may the fruit of your love add many little souls to our community. Let the festivities begin.”
