Beloved Pilgrim (with ending)

Rachel's gaze fell upon the aging harbor, an interruption as she called it, along the rocky stretch of coastline, boasting a few modest estates and good fishing. Richard remained hidden, standing in the shadow of a weathered trawler, the rising sun threatening to reveal his dark disguise. He felt the cruelty of a sudden gale as the rippling waves slapped the old ships that remained. He despised Rachel's New World as if some jealous lover.

Rachel's ship disappeared, the horizon now an unfinished painting
to Richard. She had sailed away without him. He turned to go,
a prisoner of the valiant vessel, held captive by one very beautiful and beloved Pilgrim.


Rachel's ship finally landed at Cape Cod, Massachusetts amid a devastatingly cold winter. Darkness lifted as they neared its shores, the long journey across the Atlantic ending. Cold and wet, both the crew and passengers were eager to start a new life, unaware of the struggles and hardaches awaiting them.

Boundless children eager to leave the ship; explored the shoreline with wide eyes. Their sense of adventure couldn't be diminished. Unlike their parents, they seemed fearless in the face of this uncharted land. The boys pretended to be pirates, searching for gold. The girls found each breath covered in winter's silvery white, catching snowflakes on their tongues.

Rachel had a tinge of envy, her own imagination having been marred. She remembered when Richard made believe she was his beautiful princess and he a knight come to her rescue. She wondered if she would ever be truly free without him, though she knew she must not torture herself with what was never to be. Their love appeared to have died the moment her ship left London's port, its ashes spreading over each lonely night, haunting her dreams.

She thought back to the summer when she answered her parent's desperate plea to come with them to America in hopes to be free. With a strength born of her own convictions, she refused to stay with Richard when England's oppression threatened to stifle their freedoms. Yet when she boarded the Mayflower, she was not whole, for her heart was left behind.

Summer 1621

As Richard left under the cover of night, both excitement and sadness coursed through him. So that his leaving wouldn't look like a betrayal or foolish whim, he left his parents a letter. He told them about Rachel and her sailing to the new world the year before from London's port with his heart. He planned to find her and take it back.

His mind was clear for the first time in years, unlike the city surrounded in heavy fog, disguising his tall lanky figure. Like a school boy in love, he made his way on the weaving, winding roads, smiling as he remembered an awkward young girl, pining over him. He never paid her any attention until a few years later, when other suitors lined up at her door. They also made her feel like she was a princess, and they her shining knights.

He forced his cramped legs to keep on running, fearing he would miss his rendezvous with the old ship and possibly the last chance to leave his England. The faces of Rachel and his parents were peeking over the harbor's misty brim. He was missing his beloved more than life itself, but the thought of never seeing his family and friends again, erupting in a fierce tug of war in which there were no winners. With one final look back, he jumped on board the waiting ship, tears in his eyes breathing a silent prayer, to a faithful God.

Harvest Time, 1621

Rachel's hair looked like there were strands of gold mixed in, falling past her slender shoulders, taking his breath away. Marcus's thoughts drifted back to when he first saw her on the ship sailing to America. He was much too afraid to speak to her, intimidated mostly by the looks her father gave him. Even after a year, she still had that far away look in her eyes. He planned to sit with her at the Harvest meal they would share with the Indians today, though the red strangers making him uncomfortable. She spoked with them too freely, so he made up his mind to find a way to convince her not to be so naive.

Rachel looked up then quickly down, catching Marcus staring at her again, making her feel very uncomfortable. He was very handsome she thought..... but he was not Richard. She chided herself, knowing she would never see Richard again and would need to move on. But there was no time to think of school girl fantasies with the big feast today.

Richard's heart was full. Seeing the rugged coastline ahead he felt as if he would jump overboard and swim the rest of way. He had no idea what was to be when or if he found her. The thought of her already married haunted him each night on the ship coming over. He would soon find out and thus prepared himself the best he knew how. His mind now fixed itself on the beauty of the land before him, which struck him deeply. The coastline still not under winter's full wrath was breathtaking as he was already falling in love with Rachel's world.

Marcus made his way towards the Feast on the road the Pilgrams painstakenly cleared the first month after landing. He was in his own world since having so much on his mind, including speaking to Rachel sometime today, hoping she would consider a future with him. He would make her a very happy bride, bringing pleasure to him but until that moment failed to consider she might refuse his proposal.

Rachel followed behind Marcus, careful not to be noticed. She too needed space to think, knowing full well it was only a matter time of before Marcus would ask her to marry him. She liked him but the pain of losing Richard was still so raw and wasn't ready to make a commitment. On the other hand she was a year older and most girls her age were already married. Maybe she would have to share her life with someone she was not in love with but would hope to be one day.

Richard knew God's hand was in all this. Someone knew who Rachel was from his description of her and one as beautiful as he described could only be Rachel. He found out he was only a few miles away from her, and he thanked God over and over for His faithfulness.

Marcus sat next to Rachel not believing what he was hearing. In a gentle way she was saying no to marrying him. He felt angry and hurt but kept his face like flint as she smiled and put her hand on his, sending a forbidden warmth coursing through his body. He barely heard as she explained feelings for a phantom love across the ocean. He had to get away from her and everyone else but as he started to get up, he heard the commotion.

"What's going on?" asked Rachel, pulling him back next to her. But then turning around she just stared in

disbelief!

"Richard, Richard!", she screamed, so loud Marcus instinctevely put his arm around her. Then his heart completely broke when a tall, lanky young man came running to her, picked her up off the bench they were both sitting at, swinging her around. She laughed and cried and when Richard put her down they both just stared into each others eyes. Marcus was the first to notice that she and this man were now alone in the crowd. Hand in hand Richard and Rachel ran off where they could be truly alone.

Once away from everyone, Richard looked into Rachel's green eyes and put his lips first lightly to hers then lingered until he knew he couldn't trust himself with the passion locked up for so long.

They spent the rest of the day at the Harvest Feast

with the Pilgrims and Indians alike, friendships that lasted a lifetime. There was one exception, picking up the broken pieces of his heart, leaving hours before. Richard on the other hand had his heart back, and could be found all day sending up his thanks to his Lord and Savior! He decided he would call it Thanksgiving Day!