Valentine's Day Short Story #3

*All stories are fiction for friends. Any resemblance to people, places, or events are purely coincidental!

Hunting and Fishing Friends Forever

1 Corinthians 13:6

It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

 Faith slung her quiver of arrows over her shoulder. She grabbed her bow, her sack of lunch, and disappeared into the forest, silent as a mouse. He long blond hair flew in the breeze as she slipped through the forest. She pranced over streams, and skipped around logs, as she headed to Luke's house. Luke and Faith had been friends for years. Luke had promised to go hunting with her that day. They often went on hunting trips together. Luke was able to hit an apple, 100 paces away, but Faith often was able to split his arrow. They often were competitive, trying to outdo each other with many contests they held between themselves. Most of them were trivial things like how many squirrels could they catch in an hour. 

When Faith reached Luke's house, she knocked on the door. And knocked again. She called his name several times, but he didn't answer. She knocked again. Finally she opened the door to his house. No one was inside, so she sorrowfully headed off by herself into the deep thicket. She was quite successful that day, she bagged a pheasant and 2 rabbits. With her arrows on her back, and her delicious meat, she headed home to make some stew. 

"Faith!" cried a voice behind her, "I'm sorry, I completely forgot it was our hunting day!" Faith turned around to see Luke, standing on a log, a few yards behind her. "Hello Luke." said Faith, then she turned on her heel and headed on. "Wait!" he cried as he ran to catch up with her, "Is that all you're going to say?" "Aye!" she said, and she continued on. He finally caught up to her and stopped right in front of her. "Is something wrong?" he asked as he put his hand on her shoulder. "I'm just disappointed in the fact we weren't able to go hunting today." "I'm truly sorry." said Luke. "I had some business to attend to in the village." Faith stared at him, "It doesn't matter. I was able to catch 2 rabbits and a pheasant." and then she disappeared into the trees.

Faith slipped through the trees and headed into her cozy home. She quickly started her fire so she would be able to roast some rabbit for her stew. While her rabbit roasted, Faith went to her garden to pull some weeds, and pick some veggies. Meanwhile, Luke was at his house, upset with the fact he had broken his promise to Faith. He felt as if she was rejoicing the fact he had forgotten, boasting at what she had caught. He sorrowfully sighed, and grabbed a fishing pole. Luke headed down to the creek, where he sat and thought.

Early the next day, as the fog was rising, and the woods still wet with dew, Luke headed off to Faith's house. He knew she would be up early, busy with her garden or taking care of her hunting equipment. He took his bow and arrows, his fishing poled, and a box of worms. His grandfather had carved the box, Luke still remembered the day his Grandfather finished it. His Grandfather gave it to him, just before he died. His Grandfather was a man who loved to hunt, fish, and garden. He taught many things to Faith and Luke. Faith & Luke respected and treasured the things he had taught them. 

Faith was in her garden, weeding her rows of snap peas and green beans before the heat of the day, when she heard Luke coming towards her. She was surprised to see him so early in the morning. "Faith?" said his soft voice, highlighted by the rising sun. "Luke!" she said softly, her surprise in her voice. She started to stand, but he motioned her not to. He got on his knees next to her, and honestly told her about his thoughts from the previous day. She looked sad as she realized how she had acted. "I guess I was a bit standoffish." she said sadly, "I'm sorry." Luke gently raised her face with his finger. His smile grew as the warm sun started to dry up the wet dew.

"Would you give me the honor of going fishing with me?" he asked with a silly courtly voice. "I would love to." she replied majestically, she gave a quick curtsy, then giggled at the silliness. She ran into the house and grabbed her fishing pole. She braided her long blond hair into a thick braid to keep it out of the way so it wouldn't get snagged with a hook. Luke and Faith headed down to the creek. They sat down with their poles, putting the hooks on them. Luke pulled out the box his Grandfather made, and handed it to Faith.

Faith opened the box, to get the worms out, but was surprised at what she saw instead. An intricate brass ring with a tiny arrow on it greeted her. She turned with stutter to face, Luke and found him on his knee. "Will you marry me?" he said. She looked at him, "Is this why you went to town yesterday?" she asked curiously. "Yes." "I feel so stupid now, I was mad that you forgot we were going to go hunting, and instead you were buying me a ring to ask to marry me. Wait a second, did you just ask to marry me?" Luke nodded. "Hear me prattling on so, and I haven't even answered you!" she said with a laugh, "Yes! I would love to marry you!" 

"When?" he asked happily. "Valentine's day." she said. "But that's six months away!" he exclaimed. "Yes, but that's the perfect day." Faith said happily. "If you think it's the perfect day, than I think it's the perfect day." Luke replied. He pulled her close into a hug, counting the days until Valentine's day when they'd be joined together as man and wife, hunting and fishing friends forever.