Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

-Shakespeare, Sonnet 116

The two men shivered as they made their way down the streets of Romulus' capital city. They were both soldiers in the Romulan military. On that unseasonably cold night, one of them was on his way to a new assignment. Uhlan Stefan DeSeve listened carefully to his orders. "Ambassador Tævek requested you specifically," Subcommander N'Vek told him, "though I don't know why. You are to be the bodyguard for his new consort, Lady Ǽselin. I have agreed to it because it may be of some benefit to the cause."

The cause to which N'Vek was referring was that of Ambassador Spock's underground movement of dissidents. DeSeve had recently joined this group. He had grown weary of life in the Romulan Empire. Being a human, there were so few opportunities for him in the somewhat xenophobic society. In the twenty years he had served the Empire, he was never able to rise above the rank of uhlan, and it was not likely that he ever would. His conscience could no longer bear the deceptive and at times violent means the Romulan government used to obtain its ends.

"Unofficially," his superior continued, "you are to observe Tævek and determine whether or not he is a sympathizer. He is a friend of Vice-proconsul M'Ret, who is one of us, as you know. Once you have discovered his intentions, you are to report to me directly. You are under no circumstance to approach him. I repeat, you are there only to observe."

"Yes, sir," DeSeve acknowledged.

As they neared their destination, DeSeve perceived that Tævek was entertaining friends. He could hear music coming from inside the house. Was that a piano? The song being played was familiar to him, like a memory from a dream. They were received by the butler and led into a common room, where a human lady was playing—yes, it was a piano. Her melodious soprano voice filled the room, captivating all who were present.

She bid me take life easy, as the grass grows on the weirs

But I was young and foolish, and now am full of tears.

DeSeve stood in the doorway, entranced. The musician was arrayed in an elegant white party dress. Her appearance reminded him of a princess from a fairy tale. She sat gracefully erect in her seat as she played the enchanting melody. Long, ebony-colored tresses spiraled down her back. Either it had been a very long time since he had seen a human woman, or she was by far the most exquisite creature he had ever seen.

It was down by the Sally Gardens, my love and I did meet.

She crossed the Sally Gardens with little snow-white feet.

She bid me take love easy, as the leaves grow on the tree,

But I was young and foolish, and with her did not agree.

The Ambassador Tævek and his guests applauded after the final chord. "That was exceptional, my dear," Tævek said, taking the lady's hand. "Your talents never cease to dazzle me. And I am now quite certain that this instrument was a wise choice as your wedding gift."

"You are too good to me, Tævek," she responded gratefully. Her gazed shifted to the direction of the visitors. DeSeve's heart nearly stopped when her alluring dark eyes fell on him. The two men stood to attention.

"Ah," Tævek said as he recognized the strangers, "Subcommander N'Vek. Glad that you could come."

N'Vek saluted the ambassador, "May I present Uhlan Stefan DeSeve, as you requested."

The ambassador explained to his wife, "He is to be your protector."

"But you're human," she exclaimed, as her astute cinnamon eyes peered curiously at him.

"DeSeve has been with us for nearly twenty years," said Tævek. "He came highly recommended by Vice-proconsul M'Ret. I thought he would help make the transition to life here easier for you."

She smiled fondly at Tævek, "You truly have thought of everything, haven't you?"

"My Lady, it is my job as both your consort and the ambassador to your planet to make you feel as at home as possible," he replied with tender indulgence. And what planet is that? Surely not Earth…, DeSeve wondered.

Still smiling, she spoke to him again, "Parlez-vous français, Monsieur DeSeve?"

The uhlan had before been silent, as he knew not to speak until he was spoken to. The language sounded familiar to him, but much time had passed since he last heard it. "No, Lady…I never learned…French?"

She nodded in the affirmative. "I'm sure we will get along splendidly."

Forcing himself not to stutter, DeSeve bowed his head respectfully, "I will make certain of it, my Lady."

"Very well, Uhlan," said N'Vek, "you may make your vow."

DeSeve knelt, and with his fist to his chest, he recited his oath: "I pledge my life to Ǽselin. I swear from henceforth to serve and protect her until my death, or until I am released from this oath."