Fiona watched with sadness as Rionnag stepped up to the altar. As she and Kieran joined hands, she wished more than anything that she could be in her good friend's spot. Putting a hand up to her back and feeling the tiny wings there, she sighed as the officiant recited the spell that would marry them. As Rionnag and Kieran rose up into the air and spun slowly around, a barely audible sigh escaped her lips and tears welled in her eyes. But Kieran loved Rionnag, that was certain, and Rionnag loved him. Well, she loved Paddy, Fiona thought with more than a small amount of bitterness.
Was it even fair? Why did Rionnag have the important part to play, the perfect love story? Why couldn't it be she, Fiona, who was standing there on that altar?
Finally, the wedding was over. As Fiona made her way silently, alone, out of the Scottish Faerie Court, she allowed a tear to make its slow course down her face. She saw Kieran, out of the corner of her eye. He sat next to her on the dewy grass.
"What're ye doing, me beauty?" he asked gently. "What's grievin' ye?"
Fiona silently shook her head, fearing that if she tried to speak, she would cry instead. It wasn't fair.
"Och, Fiona," said Kieran. "Why won't ye tell me what's wrong?"
Fiona gulped. "Go back in to Ri. I don't want to ruin the best night of your life."
"Fi," said Kieran. Fiona looked up, surprised that he had called her by her family's pet name for her. "I dinna want ye to be upset. Come and tell me the matter."
Fiona now let her tears out. She buried her head in her hands as she sobbed quietly. Kieran, a bit taken aback, put his arm around her shoulders.
"Fiona! Why're ye crying, Fi?"
Lifting her head and wiping her tears, Fiona looked at Kieran for a moment. His look of concern was touching and sweet. She looked away. "You and Ri- I-" She put her head in her hands again.
"Oh, Fi," said Kieran. He gently pulled her hands away from her face. "I didna ken."
"Of course you didn't. It's not your fault, Kieran. I'm ruining your night. It's supposed to be happy. Please, go back in and enjoy yourself."
Kieran wondered why he hadn't noticed. He was kidding himself. He had.
"All right, me beauty. But if ye need to talk..." He left the sentence hanging, turned, and headed back inside.
Fiona remained outside a bit longer, letting the tears run their course. When she finally managed to compose herself and go inside, Kieran and Ri were already asleep.
She would always think about him, always wonder about what could have, but wouldn't have, been.