Flower petals showered down from the tree Zelena sat in. What did it matter if it was un-ladylike, it was beautiful outside, and from here, she had the best view of the sunset as she twined together a flower crown. Off in the distance, she could hear the church bells toll deeply and she sighed. It was almost time for supper, she had just enough time to get back and wash up. And... Maybe sew up the tear in her dress.
She placed the flowers on her head and hummed as she made her way back down. A familiar song, one she'd been taught as a child. One she sang every time she came here to escape.
"My day in the hills has come to an end, I know. One star has come out to tell me it's time to go..." She looked around and sighed softly. "But deep in their dark green shadows, are voices that urge me to stay... So I pause, and I wait, and I listen, for one more sound. For one more sound more lovely thing, that the hills might say." She spun around, forgetting all about the time. She could hear the birds, the whistle of the wind, and the babble of the brook. And she gave a bright smile. That was the song she loved the most.
"The hills are alive... With the sound of music, with songs they have sung for a thousand years! The hills fill my heart with the sound of music. My heart wants to sing every song it hears!" The young woman laughed as she jumped from one stone to the next, splashing a little in the stream, weaving in and out of the trees. She remained this way until the last bit of sun had disappeared. She watched it hide behind the mountains in the distance. She closed her eyes as the wind rushed past her, blowing her long red hair and skirt with it.I
"I go to the hills when my heart is lonely, I know I will hear what I heard before. My heart will be blessed with the sound of music... And I'll sing once more!" She smiled as her song ended, the reminder of her adoptive mother coming up into her heart, how they'd sit on nights like this and practice... And the bells clashed again, breaking her from her thoughts.
"Oh no..." She grabbed her book and cloak from nearby and dashed off back towards the monastery. She would be in so much trouble when she got back!
The Mother Abbess stood, thinking to herself before dinner. One of the nuns hurried up to her. "Sister Mary Margaret, whatever seems to be the problem?"
"It's Zelena." She replied simply.
"What about her?" She replied and sister Ashley hurried over.
"She's missing... Again."
"That girl can not stay out of trouble!" Sister Lacey rolled her eyes. It seemed obvious to her that it was not worth keeping the girl around. "She climbs a tree and scrapes her knee, her dress has got a tear."
Sister Ashley nodded. "She waltzes of her way to mass and whistles on the stairs."
"And underneath her wimple, she has curlers in her hair!" Sister Lacey butted in again.
Sister Mary frowned in agreement. "I even heard her singing in the abbey. But I'd like to say a word in her behalf." Mother Abbess motioned for her to go ahead. "Zelena makes me laugh!" She chuckled, then straightened up seeing the looks on the others' faces.
"How do you solve a problem like Zelena? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? How do you find a word that means Zelena?" The Mother Abbess joined in.
"A flibbertigibbet!" Sister Ashley suggested.
"A will o the wisp," Disagreed sister Mary Margaret. Sister Lacey rolled her eyes.
"A clown."
"Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her, many a thing she ought to understand." Mother Abbess kept neutral in their argument.
"But how do you make her stay and listen to all you say!" Sister Lacey huffed.
"How do you keep the waves upon the sand?" Sister Ashley reminded her gently.
"Oh, how do you solve a problem like Zelena?" They all sighed, then looked over to see the redhead rush in to wash her face and hands in an effort not to be late for supper. She then ran past them, froze for a moment, and slumped as she left, throwing her hands up in defeat. She'd been caught.
"How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?" They shook their heads, rather amused, and head on.