Chapter 5
There was a knock at the door.
When it opened, Pitkins saw a maid standing in front of him.
“May I help you, Sir Pitkins?” she said, a mischievous smile on her face. “I have a feeling you’re not here to see Binstel, Patsrona, or Fritzer.” Her smile had only gotten bigger.
“May I please see Donive?” Pitkins asked, smiling a little nervously.
“Donive! I knew there had to be someone here you wanted to see,” she said, laughing now.
Pitkins was surprised to feel himself blush but smiled nonetheless.
“Thank you, Rena,” Pitkins heard a voice say. It was Donive. Rena curtsied and then excused herself.
Donive smiled at him. “I believe you better speak to my father first.”
He wasn’t far behind. “Please excuse us, Donive,” he said.
There was a sense of calm about him. It surprised Pitkins but calmed his nerves a bit.
“I know you’re here to see Donive, and I want you to know that if you treat her with the love and respect she deserves, you have my blessing. You’ve already proven she’s safer with you than with any other man in this kingdom, and in my heart that makes you the most worthy. Not only are you a knight, there’s not a noble in Sodorf who would dare publicly question your worthiness of that honor. If you wish to marry Donive, it’s her you’ll have to convince.” Fritzer chuckled and then said, “Best of luck!” and then clapped Pitkins on the shoulder.
Pitkins was at a loss as to what to say, since apparently Fritzer already knew the situation from top to bottom. “You have my word I will treat her with the highest dignity and tenderness.”
Fritzer smiled and then shook Pitkins’ hand.
The afternoon that Pitkins spent with Donive seemed suspended in time. Every moment was magical. Every gaze they shared seemed a journey through paradise. They walked along the edge of the large estate surrounding Fritzer’s large mansion. As they did so, they neared the impossibly tall tree shaped like a scarecrow.
“Want to hear something silly?” she asked, her eyes playful.
“Sure,” he said, smiling.
Donive looked back towards her house to see if anyone was watching, then grabbed Pitkins by the hand and gently pulled him forward. She squatted low to the ground and moved forward into the tree. Mesmerized, Pitkins followed her inside. A shaft of sunlight pierced through a small opening in the tree above them, illuminating the interior.
“When I was a little girl, I discovered this entrance. The shape of the tree near the opening makes it look like just another furrow in the tree, rather than an opening, so it’s not easy to see it’s hollow inside. I used to come and spend hours in here, just to think. Sometimes I still do,” she smiled but blushed slightly.
“I love it,” Pitkins said sincerely. “It’s private, peaceful, and gives excellent shade while still allowing light to come through.”
Donive looked down.
“What is it?” Pitkins asked, grabbing her hand gently.
“When I was eight years old, I had a vivid dream—a nightmare. I dreamed an evil people invaded Sodorf and began killing everyone, and I climbed inside the tree so they wouldn’t see me. I saw and heard terrible things.”
Pitkins paused for a moment, not sure whether to ask for more details, but couldn’t help himself. “What happened?”
“I stayed there for a long time. Days, maybe even weeks.”
Donive then looked at him with an intensity he had never seen from her before.
“That dream has stayed with me for all of my life. It seemed so real.”
This time, Pitkins kept his mouth shut. He could feel a chill move down his spine, then back up, leaving his ears and scalp tingling.
“Someone rescued me in the dream. But I could never picture his face.”
Pitkins was now feeling shivers. Donive’s gaze, although innocent, was unnerving him with its intensity.
“I dreamed it again last night, Pitkins. This time I saw the man’s face. It was yours.”
Pitkins felt goosebumps. He had had dreams that later came true and wasn’t one to underestimate a dream’s power. Donive’s eyes told him she was serious.
They embraced, and Pitkins held her tight.
“Donive, there’s something I must tell you. Actually . . . a lot. I only ask you tell no one.”
“I won’t,” she said, eyes sincere.
When Pitkins finished, he had a couple tears running down his cheeks, although he had fought back an army.
Donive’s eyes were moist. “I’m so sorry,” she said.
“Donive, there’s something I must ask you.”
She sat erect.
Pitkins reached into his pocket and produced a stunningly beautiful diamond ring. “I felt something special for you the first time I laid eyes on you. You have been my inspiration for longer than you can imagine. What I feel when I’m with you I know is something special and something I’ll never feel with anyone else. I love you, and I want to be with you forever.”
He paused for a moment and looked down. He then looked up and directly into her eyes, “Will you marry me?”
Donive looked at him calmly, then smiled, and a tear slowly rolled down her left cheek. “Yes, I will marry you.”