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| Music : Unchained Melody |
| And how is it Padraic and Kathleen seemed to know each other so well ? Because they did, and would again. |
| He was aware of her, nae more than aware. He was beguiled by her. For her part, she was nae even aware one could beguile another. |
| The First Time ... They were part of a gathering of people in a village of sorts in the Highlands. She was young, untouched by man or climate. He too was young, but being a male, was well aware of the world, it's charms, it's snares. |
| They had other names in other places, other times, but they were always Celts. Sometimes more so, sometimes less, but always they were Celt to the marrow. |
| He noticed her as she went off ta pick apples or berries fer her Ma . Her Ma was nae robust, much of the work fell on her. |
| She became aware that he would appear often as she went about her gatherin in the orchards or vinyards. More, she noticed an odd feeling when she saw him. Twas nae fear, twas a different feeling. Soon she realized, when he didnae appear, what she felt was disappointment. |
| For sure there were times when he couldnae come, He lived alone, his Ma and Da had died early, early even f or those times. He needed to provide fer himself, ta earn some coins to fill in fer the game he couldnae catch or trap. He was a clever lad, good with his hands. He earned his coins by crafting bows, arrows, and selling or trading to any who had use fer them. He became known as Bowman |
| So enchanted was he, that he became bolder, he'd cast his smile, and at times would even sing aloud, softly ... but aloud |
| One day he came close enough to snatch an apple from her basket with a laugh as musical as the pipes. Instead of being affronted, or angry, or even slightly vexed, she laughed along with him. Two instruments playing the same tune. |
| Bowman noticed he was distracted at odd times, very unusual for him. He was purposeful, kept his mind on the task at hand, and yet .. He found himself smiling at the thought of her. Oh yes, bewitched, and would have it no other way. |
| Later, she would confess to the same 'affliction'. She would tell him how she thought she was losing her sense, for she seemed to wander to him in her mind, when there was no reason to do so. She might be cooking, or tidying up, or any number of things, and Bowman appeared in her mind's eye. She noticed her joy, and she savored it. |
| She soon found herself taking ' extra ' trips to the meadow or orchard, though the larder was near overflowing. He began leaving his ' work ' to 'wander about. It was as if a secret message was being passed. One that let each know what the other was doing. |
| Others soon noticed too. A smile, nod and gossip over how long until they pledged themselves. |
| Or |
| Maire, ( that was her name ) the weaver's daughter, began to spend more of her time on her grooming. Bowman, for his part continued his practice of staying clean, no matter the job he was doin. Some would make jest of him, thinking his fastidiousness was vanity, unseemly in a male. Long ago Bowman had reasoned, if you kept clean, ye'd nae be sickly so often. His instincts told him that a piece of soap was as necessary as a piece of bread. |