It was supposed to be a happy day. A feast was being prepared. The Harvest Feast was a lovely time. The food, the friendship, the singing and dancing! The harvest itself was enjoyable enough, and helping in the kitchens was always fun.
It was supposed to be a happy day.
But fickle Dame Fortune had other plans.
Minsa the mousemaid sat in the orchard, her tearstained face and, shaking shoulders showing her mood. A sigh escaped her lips, and she began to sing.
"Though life does keep on moving,
Loved ones muddle through,
Sadness comes with a passing,
But there should be hope too.
A life was ended on this day,
Durran, a friend so true,
Killed by a fox so evil,
Taken from me and you.
He walks through peaceful hills and fields,
And hear me as I say,
'I will one day be with you,
In paradise, my final day."
Minsa leaned back against an apple tree, truly feeling the deep, penetrating sorrow that was her life at the moment. They had been in the kitchen, baking a large cake with the squirrelmaid Nikala and Perko the otter. She and Durran. Her beloved brother and best friend. Then, he had been killed. He met death on the edge of a silver scimitar.
Minsa ground her teeth together furiously. That scumbag fox! He had sneaked into the Abbey and wandered into the kitchen. Durran had been first to notice.
Right before her eyes, the fox cut down her brother, laughing insanely. Laughing! Nikala had been first to act. She had seized an oven paddle and landed the fox a good thwack. He had left the Abbey immediately.
Minsa sighed and gave her emotions full rein. Tears ran unchecked down her furry face, and her body shook with sobs. Nikala walked up unnoticed.
"Now, Minsa," said Nikala comfortingly. "There, there. Stop those tears."
Minsa answered shakily, "I d-didn't even g-get to s-say g-g-goodbye!" Nikala took out a handkerchief and gave it to her depressed friend.
"Minsa, shush now. Your brother is in a far better place now. One day, when your time comes, you will join him by the silent rivers and soft hills."
Minsa looked up and asked sadly, "You think I will?" Nikala helped her friend up and they started towards the Abbey. Her smile said it all.
"I know you will, Minsa. I know you will."