Disclaimer: I own nothing but Meave….and she's nothing to be proud of.
Warnings: Gore, making fun of Irishmen, cursing, sex talks, war….the usual
Title: Stupid Irishman! (name subject to change…maybe)
Meave giggled as everyone danced this way and that, moving in time with the beat. She loved dancing, and dancing at a wedding seemed even better to her! Here the people seemed to forget what her and her family were and just enjoyed the evening.
Not that it really mattered.
Her family had proved time and time again that they were trust worthy, and not like other "witches". They weren't green, or old, or full of hate and bitterness. They didn't worship the devil or any other type of pagan gods that asked for sacrifices. They weren't going to suddenly cackle and turn normal human beings into frogs or any other type of unseemly creature.
However, that didn't mean they couldn't turn a human into something else…they just chose not to...
In fact, her family was more into healing, salves, potions and controlling the natural powers they were given. It seemed daily that people of the village would come and visit her family's cottage, seeking something. Last week it was a potion for conception; the week before it was a salve to ease the passing of an ill old man; and the week before that it was the healing of a farming injury.
But that seemed to come to a sudden stop, as the English had started moving into their small town…and Englishmen weren't as taken to the mystic arts as the Scottish or the Irish. In fact, where most Scott's just dealt with it or didn't mind or just didn't pay much attention to such things, the English were known to burn women at the stake and other means of torture.
"Meave!" A young maiden, sister to the bride, twirled up to Meave, another woman named Murron right behind her.
"Hello, young ones." Meave giggled at the two.
"Have you seen the stranger yet?"
"What stranger?" Meave wondered, casting a look around, and spotting him.
He was tall, as was most people compared to Meave, and had a light brown hair that was frizzy and framed his face. He looked strong in his kilt as he kept glancing at their gathered group…and more specificallyone young Murron.
Smiling secretly, seeing a match in the making; Meave leaned closer to the other woman, "He's noticing you…I sense another marriage."
The girls giggled happily, Murron even going as far as to lightly slap Meave's arm. Together the girls giggled, gossiped and just happily enjoyed the festivities…that was until Meave's mother stepped up to them.
Meave's mother, Ina, was known all throughout the surrounding clans as a Seer. Ina was deep into her art. No one could surpass her gifts, or even reach to her level. Just walking by her it caused people to pause and stare in admiration. Ina's demeanor demanded respect wherever she went.
And it was no wonder, with her tall stature (something Meave had failed to inherit) and black hair, it was hard not to notice Ina. Then, when she looked at you straight in the eye with her unnatural orange eyes, some say they were struck dumb with fear.
But, no matter how much respect, fear, or admiration Inareceived from others…she was just "Mum" to Meave and her siblings.
"Meave, I need you." Ina said in all seriousness, holding out a hand, palm up, for her daughter.
Slightly worried, Meave reached forward and took her mother's hand, and was lead away from the festivities.
"I need you to go home and get the anti-conception potion from the potion hut, quickly." Ina hurriedly ordered her daughter, slightly pushing her in the direction of home.
Nodding once, Meave turned and lifted her skirts, running off as quickly as she could. She wasn't like her brother, Blane, who could run at super speeds, so it would take some time for her, though she was fitand could keep up with the most of them.
It didn't take her long to reach the storage hut where all the potions and salves were kept for safe keeping, but it did take her a bit to find the right potion.Her mother was not one to keep an organized hut so everything was in orderly disarray for Ina, and a total mess to everyone else.
Luckily Meave at least somewhatunderstoodher mother's system of "organization" so with little difficulty she found the right potion and quickly made her way back to the party…and fortunately right on time for one of her mother's predictions to take place.
"I have come to claim the right of prima noctes! As Lord of these lands, I will bless this marriage by taking the bride into my bed on the first night of her union." Lord Bottoms, the reigning lord of their lands shouted, as some of his English soldiers laughed beside him.
Of course this set off the whole town, even making Morrison swing at a soldier, which caused him to immediately be held back.
Quickly, Meave walked behind the bride and slipped the potion in her hand, "Here, take this…it will ensure that no one but your husband will be the sire to your children."
"You there. Stay away from the bride!" One soldier shouted at Meave.
"Just honest advice for the bride…" Meave gave a scary fake smile, slipping into the crowd and towards her mother, who was standing far back from the English and wearing a self satisfied smirk on her pale face.
"Well done, daughter." Ina gave a nod, watching as the bride was taken away. "She was to become with child her very first time, luckily we were there to make sure it was her husband that was the sire of that child."
Meave nodded, standing beside her mother as everyone sobered and started to return to their homes. A few people cast them strange looks as they passed.
Not that Meave could blame them; she and her mother were quite a sight. They were the only two of their family left, Meave's father passed away long ago from a hunting accident. And all of Meave's siblings moved, either with new husbands, or to study abroad like most of their kind.
It used to be that every village had at least one family of witches.
Thus why Meave's family was so spread out. It was Meave's duty to carry on as this village's witch when her mother passed.
Meave had inherited much from her mother, though she did not hold her height and had hazel eyes, she did have the same black hair, white complexion and an ability to draw attention when necessary. They wore dresses of the black, creating a stark contrast with their pale skin. Together, their appearance, history and demeanor were a sight which made everyone stare.
"Come," Ina sighed, turning around and heading towards home, "We have much to do to get you ready."
This made Meave slightly worried, "Ready? Ready for what, Mother? Mother?"
