Chapter 2: Aisling
1343 Words
I find my way out of the castle with my mind racing, thinking of how I will manage to tell Siobhan and her family that I am being sent away and how my brothers will react when they find out that our Father is sending me on assignment without one of them. As my mind races and turns over all that has happened today, I find myself at the small cabin near the sea that I have come to call my home. As I push open the wooden door that leads into my living room I notice that it is now nightfall and I will have very little time to gather my things and prepare for my assignment. As I step into my home I notice there is a small fire burning in my fireplace. I look around frantically and see Finn and Ronan, his twin, sitting nervously, staring at the fire.
“Ronan, Finn? What are you doing here? I don’t have much time to talk, Father is-”
“We know, Ais.” Ronan cut me off quickly. “We want you to decline his offer, we know a woman from the Solae Clan that will take you in and hide you until one of us inherits the throne.”
“It’s not far from here,” Finn adds in solemnly “just a day’s ride in a ship.”
“Brothers, I am not giving up in the face of our father. I have worked too hard to get to where I am. The trials I fought through, the secrets I have kept, and the sacrifices I have made will not be for nothing.” I say, defensively as I begin taking the things I will need for weather and battle and shoving them in my malataistil.
“Aisling, He is going to send you to the shores of Bernthal, where the Oieha Clan fights. The fighting there has grown more violent and our troops there have begun to turn on one another.” Finn says as he quickly stands and grabs me by the shoulders so I am forced to look at him.
Ronan stands beside him and places a calm hand on my shoulder as well. “He wants you to fail Sister. He knows the troops there will not take well to a female commander and there will be uproar within the ranks. He is looking for a way to strip you of your title and banish you from our lands.” He says as he looks to the ground. When he looks back up at me, there’s a glistening tear forming in his eye.
“Ronan, do not cry for me. I am strong. I will not let this challenge be the thing that defeats me.” I say, moving to grab my brothers’ hands. I look them in the eyes and say “Our father is a cruel man, but he will not be the reason I give up on myself. I will not stand in front of him and back down to prove to him that I am inferior to him as he believes.”
My brothers look at me with tear-streaked faces as they realize that they will not be able to convince me to take their offer. “At least wait to leave until Liam and Ciann have a chance to tell you goodbye.” Finn says, as he pulls me into a hug and doesn’t let go no matter how much I protest.
“I promise to wait at the ship for them,” I say, pulling away, “I will not board until I have seen them.”
“They won’t be happy to hear that you have chosen to go through with Father’s mission, Ais.” Ronan mumbles, wiping tears from my face that I didn’t know were there.
“I know,” I sigh, “but there is no other choice.”
“We understand.” Ronan says, looking at me like I may never return.
“I have to finish gathering my things so that I have time to tell Siobhan and her family that I am leaving for assignment.” I say suddenly, remembering what time it is.
My brothers help me quickly pack what little I had left. As they left, they made me promise to wait at the ship again. After watching them make their way back to the road that leads to their castle, I put out the fire they’d built for me and stepped out into the icy night air carrying all I need for my journey the next day. I made my way through the muddy snow to the Conors’ cabin that I called home for so many years while my father made every effort to keep me a secret from the clan. I walked up to the front door, knocked, and waited for Padraig to open it with his warm laugh and welcoming arms. I heard his footsteps approaching and the door creaked open.
“Aisling! What are you doing here my sweet girl?” Padraig questioned, opening his arms for a hug.
“The king is sending me on assignment starting tomorrow Padraig. I came to say goodbye to you, Siaobhan, and Orla.” I say, fighting back tears.
“Oh, Aisling dear,” I hear Orla’s sweet voice laced with concern coming from behind Padraig, “they can’t send you away so soon. You’ll have no time to prepare yourself my girl.”
Siobhan comes running from the hall tears leaving wet streaks down her face. “Ais, they can’t send you away.” She says as she wraps me in her arms and doesn’t let go.
“It’s the only way he will let me keep my title..” I say quietly with sadness in my already breaking voice.
“Oh, my girl,” Padraig whispers, “where will they send you?”
“Bernthal, to lead the troops fighting against the Oieha Clan.” I explain as calmly as I can, my hands trembling and my heart breaking with every word.
Orla wipes the tears streaming from her face and tells us all to sit while she walks to her bedroom to get something she says she must give me. When she returns she is holding a beautiful opal and aquamarine pendant necklace that she says belonged to my mother before her passing. I feel a pull to it similar to the one I feel from the sea. Orla puts the necklace around my neck and sits next to me in front of the warm fire in their main room. As we all sit watching the fire and reminiscing on our time together, Padraig gets up to head to the kitchen.
“Anyone want a cup of tea.. or maybe something stronger, given the circumstances?” He says with a sad laugh.
“Tea will be fine, thank you father” Siobhan laughs as she finishes the braid she has been working on in my hair.
Padraig brings us all warm mugs of lavender tea and Orla takes the calm opportunity to sing us a lullaby she used to sing to Siobhan and I as littles.
“Oíche mhaith, mo ghrá,
Mo ghrá, mo ghrá,
Oíche mhaith, mo ghrá,
Mo ghrá, mo ghrá.
Sula gcodlíonn tú,
Mo ghrá, mo ghrá,
Bíodh gach rud go maith,
Mo ghrá, mo ghrá.
Is mise ag grá thú,
Mo ghrá, mo ghrá,
Go dtí an lá anuas,
Mo ghrá, mo ghrá.”
(Good night, my love,
My love, my love,
Good night, my love,
My love, my love.
Before you sleep,
My love, my love,
May everything be good,
My love, my love.
I love you,
My love, my love,
Until the day after,
My love, my love.)
Goodnight, my Love has always been one of my favorites and Orla’s soothing voice almost made me forget about what was waiting for me the next day as I drifted to sleep with Siobhan beside me like we were small once again.
- Writer
