Part 64 (1/2)

”For love of gallant youth,

”More than a tear she gave,

”She would not live with constant ruth -

”Slept by him in his grave.”

”There will be no poem for him!”

As she spoke a break occurred in her voice, and a sadness.

Perhaps she had not loved Pluto, but surely she had pitied him.

”He was ugly, hated, feared. I, who knew him best, held him in awe. And yet, for all his faults, he was gentle. Though master of that dark domain, he wept for those within. Though he had power, he had not the power to set them free.

”He loved me. A strange love, perhaps. When I returned for that brief moment to my mother, he wept. And when I returned to him once more, his face was radiant.

”Did I love him?”

She was silent. Yet, tears flowed from her eyes.

”Love? What is Love?”

She walked restlessly by the tarn, breathed deeply.

”Mother, I would rest. Take me home.” She sobbed.

Demo listened silently, head bowed. Though a tragedy had now ended, still there was tragedy. How strange indeed this life, where evil destroyed did not bring happiness. Where maiden rescued did not bring joy. Where task performed did not bring triumph.

He picked up the broken sword, gazed at it musingly. With a half smile he shook his head, tossed it aside.

Finally he turned to comfort her, but she was gone. Where she had stood a rose bush grew. Its single blossom, one deep red rose, hung low in sorrow. A vagrant wave gently kissed its soft petals.