Tap. Tap. Tap.

The soft sounds of her sandaled footsteps magnified as they bounced around the marbled space.

She had come seeking the King. There was a matter she wanted to discuss, several really, and felt it must be done in person.

The journey had been long and arduous. Several others set out with her at the beginning, but their resolve broke. It was too hard, and they decided their need to see the King was really not so urgent after all. Or maybe just not worth the required effort.

Still, she persisted.

She couldn’t remember how long it had been since she left. It seemed like days ago when she had first glimpsed the temple, but it was so far off.

Yet, here she was, having finally made it.

The refreshing cool of the temple structure was a relief from the scorching sun that had been her constant companion on the journey.

She felt herself breathe a sigh of relief.

Miraculously, no other soul was to be found.

The realization brought her back to the reality of why she came. Steeling herself, she prepared to speak with the King, taking stock of the points she had meticulously put together to help the King see reason. 

His reputation was known to be tough. Many said he was about justice. Intimidating.

Without consciously being aware, her feet, as if they’d been there before and had a mind of their own, brought her to the entrance of what could only be the throne room.

The massive, ornate doors were intricately carved. 

Taking a deep breath, she pushed one open, cringing at the resounding creak that echoed down the long corridor.

The room was spectacular in its simplicity. What captivated her attention was the throne. With eyes fixed forward, she slowly and quietly approached it, as if compelled by some unseen force.

It took a moment for her to register how both the room, and more importantly the throne, were unoccupied. 

“How could that be?” she wondered. “The King always sits on his throne. What happened? Why would he abandon his post when I need him?”

“Are you looking for something?”

Startled, she spun around to see the speaker. Upon seeing he was no threat, her feelings of alarm transformed into confusion over his question. She was in the throne room. Why else would she be there but to see the King?

“I’m looking for the King.”

“Is there something I can help you with?” the stranger gently prompted.

She considered the man for a moment. His age was hard to identify, and he was dressed in a plain tunic. Truth be told, he was quite physically unremarkable.

Except for his eyes.

There was a kindness there she hungered for.

Suddenly, she found she’d forgotten why she’d come to see the King in the first place. The hurts and injustices she’d felt so deeply, to the point of driving her to make this journey, melted away. 

All she was left with now was a deep ache. Almost as soon as she felt it, it occurred to her that the ache, not the hurts and frustrations, was what propelled her to take action. Those other things had served as her shields. She desperately wanted to talk to her King, little, humble woman that she was.

As if understanding her perusal and knowing what had transpired in her mind, he said,

“Tell me, child, what’s troubling you?”

In a rush of tears and words, she poured out her heart, those kind eyes providing all the invitation she needed to share her worries and confess her shortcomings.

Finally replete, she wiped away her tears with a sniff, embarrassment washing over her, she mumbled,

“I really just wanted to talk to the King. I know he’s a busy man, and I am nobody, but that’s what I wanted.”

She sounded like a child even to her own ears.

“I am he who you seek.”

Confused, she looked into the stranger’s eyes again, saw the truth there, and her own eyes widened in wonder.

“I’ve never abandoned you. I came to you like this because I knew you didn’t need a majestic king. I made preparations while you journeyed here. You may stay and talk as long as you like. Follow me this way…”

He turned to a door she hadn’t noticed leading out of the throne room.

“I have food and water to satisfy your needs. More than you need, in fact, but mostly, I want you to know something.”

He paused.

“I love you, and I am honored to be your King.”

At those words, she was undone. All the years of pain, the many, many steps mentally, emotionally, and physically to get there, the fears...it all faded away, to be replaced by a blissful peace.

And with that, she followed him.