I'll Search The Heavens

Convinced she has shared many past lives with her soul mate, Estelle wonders if it's Anthony, the young Englishman she waltzed with nine years earlier at her Debutante Ball? Her rival, Marianne, beautiful, conniving, grasping, has set her cap for Anthony. But there is Joseph who Marianne taunted in high school with - grimy nails, straws in his hair and clothes, and horse manure under his boots. "Well, if it isn't the stable boy, all grown up, and prettied up in a chauffeur's uniform." His reply, cool and unperturbed, "A uniform doesn't make a man. Just like diamonds and prestige don't make a woman." EXCERPTS: Somewhere in Egypt, first. In a temple, filled with a wealthy crowd, black wigged and draped in white and gold-filigreed linen sashes. She stood opposite her fantasy man, on a dais at the top of steps that gleamed white. Her bridegroom was a warrior of high rank and clad accordingly, a short white wrap-around skirt bordered in gold and a wide leather sash fitted diagonally across his bare chest. A copper knife at his waist and a sheathed wood javelin, with a copper spearhead was fastened with leather thongs to his muscled arm and shoulder.She was a princess, her wedding robes woven from fibers so fine, it was nearly transparent.She was overjoyed and aesthetic to be joined to her warrior, more in love with him than any human being in her life. It was easy to love him, for his love for her was as strong and perhaps stronger.The Pharaoh sat on his throne, overseeing and blessing their union. A High Priest stood in front of her and her bridegroom. The High Priest held a corded flaxen rope woven with filigreed gold. As she and her warrior exchanged vows, he wrapped the cord around their joined hands and their wrists. The memory of the words he spoke was not as clear as those her bridegroom added. His voice was steady, strong and very clear. "I am yours to protect you, to love you, to guide you, in this life and all lives to come, for all eternity. This I swear before all the Gods we worship, including the Greatest of them all."Without reservation, she replied, "And I am yours to share my love, my loyalty and all my being, in this life and all others to come, for all eternity. This I swear before all the Gods we worship, including the Greatest of them all."She heard the High Priest's startled intake of breath. Her bridegroom also heard it. They glanced at the High Priest, and read a wary expression in his eyes. But he said nothing, only turned to gaze up at the Pharaoh, and observed his smile and a nod. A father's approving smile and nod, content to see his favorite daughter and his most loyal warrior, son of royalty as well, joined in marriage. The High Priest turned back to the couple. His words issued with an unyielding prophetic finality. "So have you both sworn. So is it ordained."A sudden shiver rose up her spine, not of fear, but of momentousness. She gazed into her bridegroom's eyes, and found the reassurance she sought, in the love and utter surrender she read in their expression, and breathed a sigh of relief. A salving mist rose about them as the dream faded.