"Oh, you returned for a lark. Took to wandering again, as an Earthborn
trader. For an hour and a day."
She laughed and her hands were suddenly busy at the flaps of my weather
jacket, peeling them back to bring the shining insignia into view.
"Supreme Councillor and Guide," she whispered. "I knew it from the
first."
"You knew--"
"Oh, my darling, yes. I guessed, I knew. In the hushed great halls the
footsteps of a man like you were solely needed. The Guiding Council had
vision and strength too--the courage to break through all taboos and
seek the one right man for a task no other man could do.
"Naturally you are human still. In my presence you felt at first a
certain shyness. I could see that you were searching inwardly for flaws
that might have made you seem unworthy in my eyes. It was a boyish,
foolish trait--and from that moment I loved you with all my heart. To
be great and doubt one's greatness is the surest path to a woman's
heart."
I reached out and took her into my arms. "No man is a safe guide when
he walks alone," I said. "It is time that the Councillor took a wife."
"Yes," she agreed. "It is time."
There was silence on the peak as we stared down together into the
shining valley far below.