Author's Note: Yes, I know I know. I've been shelling it out so fast. It seems I've caught writer's craze. I can't seem to stay away from the computer! Aaaaaahhh! Write! Write! Write some more! I've been having a writer's block with The Princess and the Elfian, perhaps that's why.
Chapter 4: A New Home
Seagulls wheeled overhead as a mournful tune played on one of the villager's pipes. Aura knew the tune, it was a wordless mourning song called Sea's Lament. This time her tears were silent. It seemed that the whole village stood on the cliff, by the old cemetery. Each and every one of them had known and loved her father, they had come to pay their last respects. His body had never been found. It was either swept off to sea or beached up miles away. It didn't matter, Aura thought, he was gone either way. Will had his arms around both of his sisters while their mother was being comforted by Mrs. Brydenbar. Fionna had been devestated, but it seemed she had been expecting news of the sort. She had spent two whole days in the bedroom she had shared with Tiren, too grieved to speak or eat. When she had finally emerged she made preparations for the funeral. That had been two days ago. The four days since Aura had known about her father's death seemed more like four years.
The notes of the pipe died away, riding on the wind, and the village priest recited a final prayer. A small tombstone had been erected for Tiren, although the earth beneath it lay undisturbed. People lingered after the prayer, to share their condolences with the grieving family and pay their last respects to Tiren. One by one they drifted away until only Aura's family and the Brydenbars were left. Grace accompanied Fionna and Iliyone up to the cottage while Mr. Brydenbar stayed behind to talk with Will and Aura. So what do you two reckon will happen now?
Mother has made arrangements for us to move to the country, Will said glumly. and live with her sister. He added as an afterthought.
She's already started selling furniture and valuables, for money to pay off the rent and to purchase a horse. Aura remarked, her face as glum as Will's.
What does she need a horse for? Mr. Brydenbar inquired as he started to walk in the direction of the cottage.
Aura didn't want to think about it. To pull the moving cart. Her voice was blunt as she trailed behind Mr. Brydenbar and her brother. We've already started packing. Mother's sent a letter to her sister saying we'll be there in a couple of weeks.
Mr. Brydenbar was silent for several seconds. I'll miss you two. His voice sounded miserable. What will the world be like without Will and Aura to cheer me up as they dash down the docks, late for work. He gave a mirthless chuckle and then a lengthy sigh. I hope you'll have a happy life in the country.
Aura could feel the tears coming back. She didn't want to leave! She couldn't! She loved the sea too much, and the people who lived by it! It was all stupid Mr. Konen's fault! Kicking a rock on the ground in front of her Aura could feel her face turning purple. She could've killed the man there and then! Fuming Aura pushed ahead of the two males in front of her and made her way to the cottage. She hated change!!
Is that the last of everything? Fionna's voice sounded weary as she watched Will place several tin dishes in the back of the old cart they had bought. We need to get moving.
Aye, the house had been stripped bare. Will said bitterly. Mr. Konen has seen to that.
His mother just nodded silently and climbed onto the driver's seat of the cart. We best be off then. There's no use lingering. T'will just cause more pain.
Aura knew her mother was right, but she wanted to stay just a little longer. Casting a mournful glance back at the seaside and the cottage she had grown to love so much, she helped Iliyone into the seat beside her mother. Will and herself were to walk, the carthorse couldn't pull so much weight. Iliyone had a bonnet placed ontop of her cascading black hair to protect her from the sun, from which she had been sheltered all of her sickly life. A shawl was draped over her shoulders despite the swelltering heat. Aura looked at Iliyone's dress and then down towards her own overalls with a sense of irony. She had never worn a dress in her life, not even to church. Everyone in the village knew what a fit she would have if Fionna attempted to put her in one, so they had made no remarks when Aura showed up dressed in well pressed overalls and a decent blouse.
Thinking of those sort of things made Aura homesick she decided as she trudged behind the moving cart. When they were almost out of sight of the cottage she turned around and gave a silent wave. Oh, how she would miss it!
Their progress was slow. For ten long boring days in a row Will and Aura tread in the cart's path. Hills appeared, which made going worse for the cart. Occasionally they would pass through a town, once they even passed through a small city. Once or twice they stopped for supplies, but most of those ten days were spent plodding behind the cart. Aura's feet grew extremely sore and stiff to walk on. Will saw the pain she was in and offered to carry her, but she declined, saying that it didn't hurt that badly.
On the eleventh day the arrived into a moderately small village, called Greenbrook. It was (as Aura found out later) named after a clear brook that flowed through the village, colored green by the moss the grew on the bottom. Fionna's eyes grew bright with recognition as they passed, the memories of her childhood coming back to life. Greenbrook was where she had been born. They traveled on through the village and about two miles out of it Fionna turned the cart on a dirt road. At the end of the road's length, nestled among the trees stood a large cottage, about twice the size of the one they had left behind. Ivy and jasmine climbed up its cozy walls and smoke drifted from the small chimney.
A little boy caught sight of them and ran inside. Very soon after a plump woman emerged from the door, her arms stretched wide. Fionna? Is that you?! The woman cried as she embraced her long lost sister.
Aye Lillie. It's me. Fionna smiled at her older sister. I hope you recieved my letter.
Her sister sobered instantly. Oh, yes of course I did my dear... I'm so sorry! Tiren was such a nice man. There was a pregnant pause. But let us not talk of such things now. Pointing to the little boy clutching her skirt she said. This is one of my young uns. Jeremiah.
Ah yes. You wrote me about him. Fionna bent down towards the boy. Hello Jeremiah. My name is Aunt Fionna.
Auntie Fonna? The little boy said curiously before popping his thumb into his mouth.
Lillie made a motion towards the house. Well come in! I can't have you standing here all day. Oh- and don't worry about your belongings, I'll send the twins down to unload it. She said to Aura, who had begun digging around in the wagon for her beloved book.
Clutching the book of fairy tales to her chest Aura followed her aunt inside. It was a lovely house. There were dozens of windows, all letting in generous amounts of light and natural beauty. The walls were mostly wooden paneling. Rugs made of animal skins covered the floor and furniture made of oak wood was every where. Candles of beeswax were placed in the numerous lanterns across the house, which were to provide light when darkness came. Sprigs of ivy were placed in clear vases in various places around the cottage. The whole place smelled like the jasemine that grew across the house's face.
Charitie? Will you put the kettle on? Your cousins have arrived! Lillie hollered for her oldest and only daughter.
A young woman with shocking amounts of blond hair nodded and quickly walked outside to fill the kettle with water from the pump. Her blue eyes strayed curiously to Aura as she walked passed. Charitie had to be at least as old as Iliyone, if not older, Aura mused as she sat down at a small table in the center of the kitchen.
The twins turned out to be two young men a little younger than Aura herself. Their names were Carson and Cedric. They looked so much alike Aura could not tell one from the other. Each had brownish blond hair and blue eyes and a face full of freckles.
As Fionna and Lillie talked over a cup of tea, Charitie showed Aura and Iliyone their room, which they would be sharing with her. It was very spacious, more than enough for three people. A smile bloomed on Aura face as she surveyed the room. It was the first time she had smiled in two weeks. Perhaps this place could become her home after all.
