mate?”
Scotty grew angry, “Jing, there are two people that make that decision. I’ve only known her less than a week.”
Samuel said, “He’s chosen her.”
Jing replied, “Yep, he has.”
Scotty said, “Hey, you two! Things like this don’t happen this quickly. She doesn’t know me well enough to even consider me.”
“Let’s ask her.”
“No you don’t!!”
“Now there you go, challenging the wisdom of your chosen leaders. You should know better than that.”
Scotty shook his head and stormed off.
Samuel looked at Jing and said, “Should we ask her?”
“Absolutely.”
“Let’s go.”
The two dismissed the gathering and left for Kess’ home. The entire community had been listening to them and decided to follow to see what was going to happen. Jing walked up and knocked on Kess’ door.
Kess heard the knock while she was writing Juliette’s measurements down, “Answer that and tell them we’re busy.”
Juliette answered the door and saw Jing and Samuel along with most of the community behind them. Kess came to the door and said, “What are you two up to this time?”
Jing looked at Kess and said, “We want to know if Juliette is going to be Scotty’s mate?”
Kess yelled, “You meddling bunch of old timers! What kind of question is that? Get away from here!”
Juliette said, “Why do you want to know?”
Kess was shocked into silence. She looked at Juliette and saw she was calm under the scrutiny of the crowd.
Samuel looked at Jing and said, “Scotty is the son of every family in our communities. After his parents died we all adopted him.”
“Did you ask him this question?”
“As a matter of fact we did.”
“And his answer was?”
“He said you don’t know him well enough to consider him.”
Juliette looked out at the crowd slowly shaking her head. She smiled and said, “I had a young Zord, he fought for and saved, show me his bravery in defending him during the Night of the Torg. They love him. I listened to the parents of the young Zord and they also love him. I listen to Vring’s thoughts and he loves him more than I can describe to you. Jingo would die for him and their love for each other is clear.” She looked over the heads of the two leaders, “I look at all of you who are here because you also love him. You should know by now that anyone that spends more than ten minutes with Scotty will love him. His heart is that good. He has it wrong. It is I that hopes he will consider me. I also love him even though I’m undeserving.”
Scotty walked forward out of the back of the crowd and pushed his way through to Kess’ house. Juliette saw him coming. He walked up to her, pulled her close, and kissed her.
Jing looked at Samuel and said, “See? I told you he chose her.”
Scotty looked at Juliette and said, “I have been waiting for you.”
Juliette said, “I have seen you my whole life. Now I am home.”
The community began cheering and the old women had seen enough. This child was strong enough to match their son’s bravery. The young women were disappointed and knew they had to look elsewhere for a mate. Scotty went into Kess’ home with Juliette. Kess remained outside and joined some friends. “We can finish her Zecka later.”
Jesa looked at Jingo and smiled. Jingo was getting emotional. “What’s wrong, Jingo?”
“You should have seen how the young Zord adore her. She is so much like Madeline. I wish she were here to see her.”
Jesa saw the tears in the corner of Jingo’s eyes and said, “She is, Jingo. She made him wait for her. Now she can rest and not worry about him.”
Jingo stared at the door, then turned with Jesa and Maddy to go home and show them how much he loved them.
Scotty and Juliette were on Scotty’s favorite hill staring up at the stars. Juliette was lying next to him and enjoying the feeling. Finally, she decided, “Scotty?”
“Yes, my Love?”
“I’ve not told you about my dream.”
Scotty turned and looked at her.
“I’ve had the same dream since I was five years old.”
“Yes?”
“I am with you on a star ship and we are looking down on a planet; it’s not El Prado.”
“How do you know it’s not El Prado?”
“There are no wastelands anywhere, and there is no evidence of it ever having cities.”
“Is there anyone else there with us?”
“Yes, but they always remain just out of my vision.”
Then how do you know they’re there?”
“Because I hear them say, “The weapons are ready, your Highness”. They were talking to you.”
Scotty shook his head, “Juliette, that dream can’t be real.”
“That’s what I know, but I’ve had it so many times and it seems so real. When I saw your face for the first time on Vring, I knew I have known you my whole life.”
Scotty didn’t know what to say.
Juliette said, “I can always feel my emotions in that dream. I loved you so intensely it hurt. It’s what I’m feeling now, Scotty”
Scotty pulled her close and said, “Let the future be the future. We have each other and this moment is where we live. Each day is a miracle, and to worry about the future is wasted time. Live in the moment; it may be all we ever have.”
Juliette held him tight and said, “I’m amazed at your heart, Scotty. I’ll love you forever.”
They held each other tight as billions of stars overhead waited patiently for the conqueror lying on the hill with his mate.
Jingo saw Scotty and Julie in the forest. Scotty was teaching her to use a bowgun. “How’s the rookie doing?”
Scotty turned and said, “She’s making progress.”
Julie punched him in the ribs, “Hey, I’m doing pretty good.”
Jingo looked at the target a hundred yards away and saw three of the five arrows in the center circle. Did you shoot any of those?”
Julie said, “No, he did not.”
Jingo whistled, “She’s doing better than many of our archers.”
“Her aim is good, but she’s slow on reloading.”
Jingo said, “Show me.”
Julie raised the bowgun and fired it. She pulled an arrow from the quiver on her back and fired again. The first arrow hit the center circle. The second was just outside it. She had reloaded the second arrow within two seconds of the first hitting the target. “Scotty, there’s no way she could have learned this so quickly. We have archers that have practiced the bowgun their entire life that aren’t this good.”
Scotty smiled, “She appears to be a natural.”
Julie looked at her bowgun and said, “These are remarkable, Jingo. You just look at your target and the arrow goes where you look.”
“No, it doesn’t, Julie. I can count on half my fingers how many archers can shoot by feel. Two of them are present.”
