For the Love of Light- Part 2

The doors of the abbey opened, allowing the worshipers to stream out into the afternoon sunlight. Father Robert Delion followed them, smiling at the small group of people and exchanging a murmured farewell here or there as they left. It had been a good sermon, and he always loved seeing the faith and love on the faces of those who came to the abbey to worship.

As the last of the congregation left the building, Father Delion walked out after them, pausing to inhale a breath of fresh summer air. Although he loved the scents of candles, incense, and parchment that filled the abbey, it was also good to take in a bit of nature now and then to soothe the mind. He stretched his arms, gray robes rustling around him before he lowered them back by his sides and looked around. He did a double-take as he spotted a familiar figure nearby.

She was sitting on a small stone wall that surrounded the abbey's cemetery, her gaze riveted on the headstones in front of her as if studying their inscriptions. Wearing a white dress with flowery patterns on it and simple sandals, she looked like any of the congregation that had just departed the abbey. As he had seen previously, she had thick sunglasses on that obscured his view of her eyes entirely, although her long blonde hair had been allowed to flow freely down her back without the confines of a scarf. He paused, admiring the way the sunlight played with the golden strands from a distance before smiling and walking towards her.

She didn't look up as he approached, merely continuing her intense scrutiny of the carvings, “Miss Becky! What a pleasant surprise to see you again. I wasn't sure if you would take me up on the offer and come to visit here.”

She nodded once, and it was difficult to tell if she was glancing at him from beneath the glasses. Her head had moved slightly in his direction at least. As with their previous encounter, her voice was low and it was difficult to hear her at all, “I was intrigued. So few are willing to discuss matters of faith these days, although given your position I suppose it makes sense that you would be. Still, it was...nice of you to offer your aid to me...Robert.”

He nodded at her, shifting in place to follow the angle of her gaze, looking over the headstones that had attracted her interest, “Do you know any of the deceased here?”

She shook her head, smiling slightly, “No. I make it a habit to study inscriptions such as these however. No words are more powerful or beautiful than the final ones given from a loved one to one who has passed. There is a strength to the depth of love and loss that these simple carvings convey.”

Father Delion found himself surprised by the answer, pausing to study the woman again. Up close it seemed as if her clothing was not as fine, the fabrics somewhat worn with age and her hair, although golden, seemingly frayed here and there. He immediately got the impression that this Beckyann was not very well off, and a touch of pity rose in his heart, “That is a beautiful thought, but one mustn't spend all of their time amongst the dead, Becky. Perhaps next time you could come into the abbey and join us in our devotions. It might put you more at ease and soothe that which troubles you.”

She offered him a half smile, shaking her head, “I fear that the Light would not tolerate that, Robert. It is enough to rest here amongst those that were loved. To contemplate what they had, and what they took with them into the hereafter.”

Father Delion shook his head, moving to sit beside the woman, as he settled down on the stones beside her, a warm summer breeze passed over them. He smelled a faint whiff of some scent coming from her, not a perfume perhaps but something that reminded him of the first biting cold inhalation one would have in winter. It was almost refreshing in the summer heat. He smiled at her, his tone gentle, “Becky, while your thoughts are intriguing on this subject, don't you think it would behoove you to perhaps surround yourself with something a bit less...well, morbid? You feel cast out, and you allow those feelings to take possession of you because you isolate yourself. If you would allow yourself the chance to come out of the place where you hide, I think that you will find the Light waiting for you there, waiting to embrace you once more.”

She turned her head sharply towards him, and he could tell she was studying him from beneath her dark glasses. It was almost as if she were judging whether or not he was insulting her. After a moment she sighed, seemingly satisfied with the benign expression on his face. Her voice was less certain when she responded, “W-well...I mean, I like other things too. I don't just sit in graveyards all day reading inscriptions...”

He smiled at her, nodding, “Well then, what else do you like to do? Perhaps there is where we shall start. We will find something to bring you from the darkness, and then help you to embrace the Light through that focus.” He shifted in place so he could almost face her as they sat on the wall; he was starting to enjoy the conversation, the challenge of helping the poor woman. He felt sorry for her, and knew that something deep within her must be badly broken to feel as outcast as she did.

“Well...I suppose I like archaeology. But...well that wouldn't count really. I spend most of my time with those studies examining tombs and the like,” she said idly. She brought one fingertip to her chin, tapping her flesh with a black lacquered nail as she thought aloud. “I'm not sure. I have many duties to attend to but those aren't really things of interest. Most of what I do revolves around my work, not my personal enjoyment. Oh I know! I enjoy playing the violin.”

Father Delion clapped his hands together, excitement in his voice, “That's it! That is the perfect starting point! Music is often soothing to the soul, and perhaps it will allow you to release some of the darkness that clings to you. Certainly it would allow you to enjoy the company of others, and them to enjoy the sound of your instrument. If you will wait here but a moment, I think an idea has come to me that would be perfect.”

She nodded and he rose quickly, hurrying back into the abbey. Once inside, he went to one of the library rooms, quickly sorting through the scrolls, books, and parchments stored there until he located the section he was looking for. He rummaged through the library's selection of musical pieces, finding some sheet music in an old binder and pulling it from the shelf before leaving to return to the cemetery outside.

With a smile on his face, Father Delion approached Beckyann, holding the binder out before him, “Here. Take this as a small token of our chat and the aid I wish to offer you.”

She tilted her head in curiosity, reaching out to take the binder and setting it in her lap. She opened it, a small sound of surprise escaping her as she saw the sheet music within. Slender fingers ran over the old pages of the book, as if tracing the notes recorded there. She spoke in a quiet tone, and Father Delion found himself leaning over her to hear the words. He didn't mistake the gratitude in her voice as she spoke. “No one has given me music to play in years. The last time I held sheet music in my hands was...it was a happier time, let's just put it that way. This is...Just...thank you.”

When she looked at him, her smile was so genuine that his heart skipped a beat with the joy of having been able to bring cheer to such a downtrodden person's life. He replied happily, “Becky, hopefully this will be a new beginning for you. Hopefully with this you can at least begin to express yourself more, and together we will find the path for you that leads back to the Light. Some of the songs in this book are the underpinnings of our own hymns used by the choir here in the abbey. I believe that just playing the melodies will soothe you, and certainly your playing would be welcome here, when you are ready to take that step.”

Beckyann closed the binder in her lap, her hands running over the battered old cover. She looked down at it, still speaking softly, “If they are not prayers, then I believe I can play them. Perhaps...yes perhaps I will learn them then. But I'm not sure if I could play in front of a group. I've never...I mean, it's been so long. As a thanks to you though, I would play them for you if you'd like.”

She looked up at him again, her eyes hidden behind those shades but the smile reflecting her happiness at having received the gift. It was infectious, and Father Delion found himself grinning foolishly and nodding, “I would be delighted to hear your playing then, Becky. You can find me here most days, so when you are ready please return and I will be happy to sit and listen to you play.”

She nodded, rising swiftly and somewhat energetically from her place on the wall, clutching the binder to her chest, “I will! I'll return soon then! As soon as I've had a chance to practice. As my duty permits, it should take a few days to learn a piece or two. Thank you so much!”

He grinned, nodding to her as she turned to leave, “Anytime Becky! Please come to visit whenever you'd like. Farewell for now, and Light bless you!”

She waved at him and then walked away, heading towards the wall that separated the abbey from Elwynn. He watched her as she walked, smiling at the happiness and confidence in her stride, admiring the way the sunlight kissed her golden head.

It was not until she was out of sight that he realized he had never asked her what type of work she did or what duties she had to attend to. He shrugged it off, deciding that it didn't matter as long as she was smiling and happy.