The memory of the promise I made Isabella brings a smile to my face. However, as I remember the promise the smile soon fades away and a surge of guilt enters my stomach. It would be that promise as we grew older that I would eventually break, thus in the process would break my sister's heart. The feeling of guilt is something I do not wish to feel at the moment, there will be time to dwell on that guilt later on. But, for now there is one memory I wish to tell you about. A memory where I understood the importance of family and love.
Christmas had come to Locksley, the outside was covered in white snowflakes and the icy breeze cut through. Inside the Manor, servants were hustling and bustling about preparing for the Christmas festivities. While the servants were trying to arrange everything before our guests arrived, Isabella and I were attempting to make the living room look pretty.
"Isabella, I'll race you to see who can decorate their side of the room the fastest." I told her.
"Okay, but I'm definitely going to win." she replied.
"We'll see about that. On your marks get, set, go!" And before Isabella had time to collect the tinsel from the floor I had already started with my side.
"Guy! That's not fair!" she cried as she tried to carry her tinsel in her tiny arms.
"I didn't say it was fair. All I said was who can decorate their side of the room the fastest."
Finally, the room was decorated and as we looked upon our work with pride, I turned to Isabella and said,
"Well, now that's done, how about I get you back for what you did to me yesterday."
Before Isabella could protest, I caught her by the waist and threw her up on the air. She squealed with excitement. Hearing all the commotion, our parents came in and saw the scene in front of them. Seeing them standing their with smiles on their faces, Isabella and I stopped what we were doing and ran over to them.
"Merry Christmas, mama" Isabella said.
"Merry Christmas, Father." I announced.
"Merry Christmas, children." Our mother replied. "Your father and I are expecting a few guests soon so we want you to promise us that you will both be on your best behaviour."
"Yes, mama" we both chorused.
The festivities soon commenced with music being played and the room filled with the sound of chatter. It was getting late and because Isabella was still young she had to go to bed earlier than I did. She did, however not like that so when our mother told her it was time to say goodnight to our guests and go upstairs, she started to have a small tantrum.
"But, mama!" Isabella moaned. "I don't want to go to bed! And anyway, it's not fair that Guy gets to stay up when I cannot."
"Isabella, dear do not make a fuss. It is getting late." our mother tried to persuade her.
" I don't care! I want to stay."
Our mother sighed. She didn't want to have an argument with her so not wanting to make a scene she turned to me.
"Guy, would you please take your sister up to bed."
"Yes, mama." I replied. I was about to take Isabella by the hand when she pulled it away from my grasp. She really didn't want to go. So to the stubborn child that she was she sat down on the floor with her arms crossed. I knew there was no way Isabella would go upstairs willingly.
"Isabella of Gisborne! You will go up those stairs immediately, get ready for bed or else there will be no presents for you, young lady." My mother ordered firmly. Feeling upset and angry, Isabella stood up and stomped all the way upstairs. I was about to follow my sister when my mother stopped me with a hand to the shoulder.
"Leave her be, Guy. She will soon calm down." With that response she then went back to join the guests and my father.
I knew my mother was right in saying that Isabella would calm down eventually, but I knew that if I was in her position she would have followed me to check if I was okay. Looking back at my parents I could see they were occupied with entertain the guests so silently I left the Great Hall, climbed the stairs and went to see if Isabella was alright.
As I reached our chambers I noticed the door was shut. This was a sign that told me Isabella was really upset and didn't want to speak to anyone. Hesitantly, I knocked on the door. Receiving no answer I gently pushed the door ajar.
"Isabella?"
"Leave me alone!"
"Please, Isabella let me come in."
"I said leave me alone!"
Not letting her get what she wanted, I entered the room, not afraid that she would scream at me. I approached her carefully and knelt down beside her. She was lying face down on the bed , shoulders shaking as tears fell from her eyes. I gently placed my hand on her arm but, she pulled it away.
"Go away."
I shook my head. " No, Isabella I won't."
She slowly sat up and allowed me to sit on the bed with her.
"Mama was right to be angry with you. You did not follow her orders." I explained to her.
"But, it's not fair. I always have to go to bed whenever there is something fun going on and I miss it."
"Look, Isabella, when you get older you'll be able to stay up late with me and get to have fun too."
"I want to have fun now!"
"You're still little. You need to sleep otherwise you'll be grumpy in the morning."
I was about to leave when Isabella grabbed my arm.
"Don't go. Stay."
"Okay."
As Isabella got into bed, I sat down on the end. Isabella looked at me from where she was lying.
"Sing to me, Guy."
"What do you want me to sing?"
"That song mama sings."
I nod. Whenever Isabella was scared our mother used to sing to her and so to comfort my sister I started to sing the song.
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay
Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby
Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay
And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow
Bless you with love for the road that you go
May you sail far to the far fields of fortune
With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet
And may you need never to banish misfortune
May you find kindness in all that you meet
May there always be angels to watch over you
To guide you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
May you bring love and may you bring happiness
Be loved in return to the end of your days
Now fall off to sleep, I'm not meaning to keep you
I'll just sit for a while and sing loo-li, lai-lay
May there always be angels to watch over you
To guide you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay, loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay
Loo-li, lai-lay
As soon as I stopped singing I was about to stand up when I felt something heavy on my lap. I looked down to find Isabella had fallen asleep. Silently as to not to wake her up, I carefully picked her up and laid her back under the duvet. I stroked her hair back from her face.
"Good night, Isabella" I whispered as I bent down to kiss her. I then left her sleeping while I headed back downstairs to join my parents.