The Wedding Gift

 

Mak's hand, if you will allow it.

 

            Leely, newly wedded, and clinging to Twigg’s hand, had seen some astounding things in her young life. But this shimmering glowing small object outshone them all. It was, to say the least, mesmerizing. She gazed upon it long enough that her silence was almost rude. But, then, everyone’s eye was on the Oro globe too.
            Mak smiled encouragingly.   
            Ralph, and Ramona holding Enid’s hand, stood close by.
            “What kind of an invitation?” said Leely at last.
            “We, some of the Confederation of the Stars, as you might say in human English, have noted your progress. The Maker of all smiles upon you, and we have seen this. Therefore, I have come to offer you a time in my kingdom, a time living in my home, a visit to my planet,” said Mak. He still held the Oro in his own hand. “A trip among the stars,” he said, smiling.
            “Mak,” said Ralph, “A visit we understand. But, what is this beautiful thing?”
            “I know the Oro must be a key somehow,” said Twigg.
            “Yes, and much more than that,” said Mak. “Exactly the right way to see it. Here, Twigg, take it in your hands. It will explain itself to you.”
            Twigg held out his right hand, since Leely held his left, and Mak settled the Oro in it. It looked very small in Twigg’s hand. As it shimmered, there was movement inside it.
            “Try holding it with both hands,” said Mak.
            So, Twigg let go of Leely and held the Oro in both of his hands.
            “Oh!” he said! “I see!”
            “In this case, it’s a map or a like a guidance device,” said Mak. “The house you see is my home. The planet you saw before that is my home planet. And you saw the way, which is only a twinkle of the eyes.”
            “It is truly beautiful. Here, Leely, hold it,” said Twigg and he handed the Oro to her.
            It took her breath away. “How can such a place exist? It’s beyond dreaming!” said Leely.
            “Your Oro was created for you two, it is also a means of communication. It works on wavelengths. I’m not a maker, I don’t entirely understand it, but they tell me that it will work through all time/space and will reach any communication device on Earth and also directly through the mind!” said Mak. “An interface.”
            “It’s too wonderful,” said Twigg, and he was smiling broadly.
            “Will you both come with me to my home?” asked Mak rather formally. “I hear it’s called a honeymoon here on Earth.”
            “What do you think, Leely?” said Twigg.
            “I think that your father and mother, whom I trust absolutely, trust Mak, and have long known him. I think that we must go. Not many people are handed a miracle such as this, a miracle to hold between their two hands. Of course, we must go!” Leely said carefully. “I sense the Maker’s hand in this. To turn it down would be foolish and very rash.”
            “I agree, dear one, said Twigg,” and he kissed his bride again.
            Enid wept. But she knew that her daughter was fearless, and so this was a farewell of sorts. Ramona had teary eyes too.
            “Yes, Mak, we accept your wedding gift. Thank you!” Twigg said simply.
            Then the cheering started up again. There were many tears, hugs and kisses. Even Ooog and Uncle Bob crowded in to embrace Twigg and Leely.
            “I will bring them home when summer comes,” said Mak. “Shall we go, then?”
            “Yes! Let’s do it!” said Twigg.

            The young ones didn't forget to bid their parents and friends goodbye, saying that they would surely return with Mak in the upcoming summer.
            The impossibly small hatch on the side of his silver ship rolled open again. Twigg picked Leely up in his arms, where she looked as small as a child, Carhartts and all. She had Twigg’s basket in her arms. Ramona had remembered to give it back to her at the last moment.
            Once again, it didn’t seem possible for someone of Twigg’s size to enter Mak’s ship, but when he put his foot into the opening, as Mak had instructed, somehow it worked and in they went together.
            Mak spoke privately with Enid and Ramona. Only they knew the words that passed between them.
            Ralph laid his hand in silent blessing on the resting hull of the ship. Mak entered the hatch. Then it slid closed.
            The ship drifted silently out of the Home Clearing, through the area of the path to the river where there was an unobstructed opening to the sky.
            Maeve followed along and watched it enter the upper air. Nodding to herself, she said, “Evermore!” and flew back to join the party.
            Ramona served coffee to Enid and Ralph. Aunt Suzy accepted a cup too, but most people were still quite full of the wedding feast to accept anything else, which would be discussed many times in the future and remembered well. No one wanted her oatcakes yet, but they would later.
            The small lights continued their song, suspended in the atmosphere of the Home Clearing. The sun was straight up in the blue sky. The wind came by to see how things were going and to toss a little snow down off of the branches of the ancient firs.
            Maeve returned from the river, and took her place by Ralph’s ear. She whispered a few words for him alone.
            Ralph said, “Well, Ooog,  how about it? Would you like to help me make the Basket House Twigg wants out in the meadow where the alder saplings grow?”
            “Yes, we should do that. When they come home a house should be waiting for them,” said Ooog firmly. “I’m seeing designs come together right now, as we speak, Ralph!”
            “I want to help too, Ralphie,” said Uncle Bob suddenly, even though he hadn't been known to build anything.  
            “You may help, of course, Bob,” said Ralph. “As soon as the snow melts we will begin work!”
            Ooog and Thaga walked home to light their lanterns, and stoke up the fire. They had gotten a little chilled during the wedding.
            Uncle Bob and Suzy decided to go home then, walking north to the meadow, holding hands like kids.

            Enid, the last of the guests, walked back out of the forest and through the snowy meadow and up to her door, to join Arthur. She had rather a lot to tell him, and wondered how he would take it.
            Ramona and Ralph sat by their fire. She leaned on his shoulder.
            Cherry sat next to Ramona and Blue the white wolf, laid her head on Ramona’s feet and slept there.
            The two great tawny cats stationed themselves to either side of Ralph’s feet, and gazed into the fire with shining yellow eyes.

🤍