𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞;
𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞
𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞.
𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟑𝟐:𝟕
≪ °❈° ≫≪ °❈° ≫
June 17th, 1170
The sandy shores of the Jordan sparkled in the morning light, and the crystalline waters reflected the faces of three children as they leaned over the bank.
"I don't see any fish." Said Aliénor.
"I saw a Barbel yesterday," protested Robert, "I did! It slipped right through my hands; but today it shall not. Baudouin, where's the net?"
"Here." The prince held up a net they had borrowed from one of the servants, "but a Barbel is too strong for you to handle. I should be the fisherman today."
"Too strong for me?" Exclaimed Robert, "I could toss you into the river easily. Give the net here and I'll show you how to fish properly!"
"Be careful, children." The archbishop called from behind them. He and the governess were sitting in the grass a few feet back, basking in the sunlight and watching the youths closely.
Aliénor rolled her eyes, "we're always careful."
"Absolument." Said the two boys in unison. "Always."
With the net in hand, Robert stood up to full height on the bank, and threw it as far as he could into the river. Holding on to the other end of the net, he began to pull it in slowly, grunting and muttering curses under his breath.
"Is it too heavy for you?" The prince whispered tauntingly, "I thought you were strong."
"It's just all the debris!" Robert snapped, "all these sticks, and roots and river plants getting caught. It's like trying to uproot a tree."
Indeed, he seemed to be telling the truth. When the net was brought back to the shore, sticks and leaves made up the contents, and the children had to pick it all out before Robert could throw it again.
After several hours of this, and much complaining from Baudouin that it was his turn to cast the net (and after much refusal from Robert to give up his passion) – the net finally ensnared something other than sticks.
"A fish! It's a bream! And it's giant!"
Aliénor and Baudouin were sitting lazily a few feet away from Robert, and his excited cries caused them to leap up in surprise.
"A fish?" At once they were both next to him as he untangled the mess of net and revealed a rounded and fat fish the length of his arm.
"My first catch!" Shrieked Robert in delight.
"It's slimy." Said the prince.
Aliénor knelt down next to it, poking the fish gently. The scales shimmered like coins in the sun, and she was enamoured, "look at its eyes! Isn't it pretty?"
