Note: I have had a few reviews stating that I should change how I have chosen to write the Southerner's dialogue, and I have only one response to these comments... No... In my opinion, if I were to take away the accent, I would a.) betray myself and my writing, b.) betray the characters that I am trying to create, and c.) betray the readers of this piece of fiction. Thank you for understanding.
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Sleep had not come quickly for Serena throughout the entire night. Every few minutes she would get up from her bed, walk to the window to look at the mass of sky that was simply shimmering with bright twinkling stars then lay back down and warm herself under her snow white covers. She did this ritual many times until she couldn't handle it anymore. So, with a sigh of deep exasperation she took her wool shawl and wrapped it around her small shoulders. She simply could not stay in the freezing ice room knowing that that damned Yankee was a few rooms away from her's.
The southern belle opened her large door then continued down the long halls. She had always felt safe inside the Plantation house of Willow's Creek. She had never felt threatened by anything inside it's walls until now. When the attack at Fort Sumter had been announced and the war started she had still felt safe. Nothing could ever happen to her or her family as long as they stayed in the house. But now. . . now the house seemed so much weaker then it had been. It's walls were like paper that could be blown down by the slightest breath. It's entire structure was made of glass that could brake from the slightest bit of pressure. Who could have ever thought that one Yankee that was wounded and helpless could bring such chaos into her world of pretty dresses and great balls, of gentlemen and hopes of marriage.
She finally made it to the blue room where her step mother had lodges their 'guest.' The door was ajar letting out a bright beam of golden light streak across the oak hallway. Serena paused, putting her hand to the door and to feel its warmth. She pushed ever so slightly making it swing open and stepped into the cozy room. A fire had been lit to keep the wounded warm and to her side she heard the lovely sound of Luna's humming.
Serena took a step forward to catch a glimpse at the demon who had disturbed her peace and found him to look more the angel than the monster. Now that the dirt and blood had been washed from his face she could see the true contours of his features and they were lovely. His chin was set handsomely with strong cheek bones. His hair, although a bit tousled, was the darkest black she had ever seen on any man, his stubble the same color.
The dark angel moved slightly making her almost jump from her ivory skin. "Has he awaken?" She asked Luna, who sat in the corner knitting. "H-has he spoken?"
Luna looked up from her needlework and smiled kindly. "No, Serena, he hasn't. He's moved a few times but othah then that... there's been no sign of life within him." She went back to knitting. "His wounds were bad, but he'll survive them. He's just lucky he didn't get Gangrene or a cold while he was out there. Damn miracle, if ya ask me."
Serena looked at her personal maid and servant with a glare. "Don't sweah! It's not lady like." She set her gaze back onto the Yankee. "Ah wondah what his name is. I wondah what kind of family he comes from. Ah sure do hope it's a family of mannahs and respect. Cause if he ain't there's not tellin' what he might try to pull." She took a few steps towards him. "Suppose he's the sort that takes liberties with ladies..."
"Oh, Serena," Luna stopped and threw her work onto the table with anger. "Ya mustn't think such things. They aren't lady like." She waved the needlework off as if sick of the thing then stood up and walked calmly to her mistress's side. "Ain't he handsome, though? Ah's nevah seen any man as handsome as this here Yankee and Ah don't think he's one to take liberties, Miss Serena. Ah can tell by his face..."
Serena turned to her maid servant and raised her eyebrow and sighed, "How could you evah call a Yankee handsome, Luna. Have you gone daft. He's the enemy that all of our men are given their lives to defeat." She turned and started out of the room. "Ah shouldn't be in here, but if he wakes make sure Ah'm the first to know." When she received a nod she turned to leave but stopped. "Luna..."
Luna turned to her mistress. "Yes, Ma'am?"
"Nothing..." Serena turned to go back to bed.
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The morning did not come quickly, but as soon as the sun rose Willow's Creek burst with life. "Miss Serena! Miss Serena! Wake up deah!" Luna gave Miss Hamilton a few gentle nudges as she tried to arise the sleeping young woman. "Oh! Miss Serena, ya have to get up now!" She pinched the southern belle making the girl leap out of bed.
"Oh, Luna! Ah'm up! What in the world is it?!" She rubbed her eyes and stepped out of her bed then prepared to take her white linens off. She got no answer but a brief silence. "Tell me!" She hollered. "You wake me up this early to be in silence?!"
Luna looked up to her mistress and frowned. "Ah tried to get to ya as soon as possible, but... ya see... Your mama, she came in as soon as the sun made it's bright appearance over the horizon. And she wouldn't leave. Then the Yankee opened his eyes. He seemed a little out of his mind at first but he's talkin' now."
"Luna! Ah thought Ah told you to tell me when he woke!" She threw the dress she was fingering at the maid servant and ran out the door, Luna screaming after her. Something about getting dressed... But her mind wasn't worried about that at the moment. She needed to get to the Yankee's room before anything really interesting went on. She nearly skidded across the floor when she stopped and calmly opened the door.
"Young man, lay back! You're going to rip open your stitched." Her stepmother sounded as she gently pushed him back into place. Serena heard the Yankee groan as he was forced back to a laying position.
"I assure ya ma'am, I'm fine." He laughed at her antics. "Just a couple of scrapes and bruises... I should be healed within a few days." The Yankee looked up at the woman that had pushed him back with thanking eyes when his gaze suddenly fell on the form behind her. "And who might this be? And in such fine clothing?" His eyes didn't waiver.
Serenity glanced at her clothing as her stepmother turned to face her. Her ivory white skin turned bright pink with embarrassment. "Serena!" Her stepmother yelled and that was all it took. Serena bolted back out the door and to her room.
"Ah suppose the Yankee noticed your unique sense of modesty," Luna asked with a smile on her face. She had already set out a lovely yellow cotton dress with powder blue ribbon and lace. It was a simple eight hoop skirt, not quite matching the beauty of the gown she had worn the night before, but lovely none the less. "Now will ya listen to me, Miss Serena or am I goin' to have to call ya step mama in to get ya to calm down?" Her eyes twinkled as she teased.
Serena took her brush from her washing bowl table with a vicious swoop and ripped at her hair angrily. "Ah made a complete fool of myself!" She yanked the brush through her golden tresses then winced when she found a large clump of hair had been ripped form her head and onto the brush.
"Now don't be goin' and doin' that Serena. Pullin' those fine locks of yours isn't going to make the situation any bettah, is it?" She walked over to her sister with a cream colored corset in her hand. Luna took the brush from Serena's hands and set it back on the table. She then took the corset and instructed the girl to let out all the breath within her lungs.
Before long Serena was fully dressed and her beautiful locks were twisted into a perfect bun. Not one strand was out of place when she stole a glance into the full length looking glass in the far corner of her bedroom to pinched her cheeks giving them a bit of a rose color. "Thank you, Luna." She smiled and gave the young girl a hug.
Luna firmly responded to her sister's embrace then pushed her away. "Ya go on and git!"
@)~~~~}~~~~~
As Serena had exited her room leaving Luna behind to clean up she walked rather quickly to the other side of the plantation house. Her corset didn't leave much room for taking deep breaths which made the journey even more difficult then it had been the night before. She continued until a door on her right opened. "Oh Serena, goodmornin'!" Mina closed the door behind her and greeted her sister warmly. "Are you on your way to the breakfast room?"
Serena smiled at her sister for although she loved her dearly she was not in wanting the young girls' company. Their stepmother had instructed her late the night before to keep their visitor a secret from the youngest of the girls and Serena was much in agreement with the request. If Mina knew that a Yankee soldier was in the house the whole county would know by the time the sun set. "Good mornin', Sistah." She hesitated for a moment before finding a suitable reason why she would not be joining the young girl to the breakfast room. "Darling, it seems that one of the house servants has gotten herself sick during the night. She's made a mess all over the west halls. Would you mind helping me clean it up? I feah that all of the othah servants have been previously engaged in their morning routines to help."
Mina first reaction to the thought of a sick darkie was to squeal and hold her nose in a childish manner. "Oh sistah, Ah would love to help... But you see... Ah uh..."
Serena gave her sister a loving smile. "Ah completely understand, deah. Make your way to the breakfast room. Ah'll take care of this on my own." Her plan had actually worked! Any girl Mina's age would be so repulsed by the thought of vomit that their first reaction would to get as far away from the situation as possible.
After parting with Mina Serena continued to walk as fast as her clothing would allow until she finally made it to her destination. Right as she was about to nock on the tall door is suddenly opened. Mrs. Hamilton, who was exiting, jumps in surprise. "Oh, Serena... It's only you." She held her bosom to find her breath again. "I thought you were your sister. Thank goodness it's you for we must speak alone on our way to the breakfast room."
Serena nodded in agreement as Mrs. Hamilton closed the door behind her quietly then took her stepdaughter's arm into her own. "Dr. Richards made a special trip this morning to come see the boy. He says he'll live and that our guest will take, at the least, a few weeks to heal his arm, but he'll be out of bed and out and about in a day or two."
Miss. Hamilton was suddenly taken aback by even the thought of allowing the man out of his room. "We can't have that man wandahing around this house. What if some one were to come and call? What is Mrs. Meribell, called? You know she's worse than a belle after a ball and twice as much the prune. She is bent on getting her daughter married before me and will do anything to completely destroy my reputation."
"Yes, yes, dear, I understand this. That is why we will just have to come up with a plan. One will come in due time and until then Darien will be in bed resting." After descending the stairs and finally making it to the breakfast room Mrs. Hamilton took Serena's hand into her own. "Don't worry, my dear." She started into the room before being stopped once more by her step daughter.
"You said his name was Darien?" Her drawl showing the complete different between her stepmother and herself.
"Yes, darling, Darien Shield."
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Most of the morning meal went quite smoothly with little excitement. With no men folk around to talk of slaves, cotton, and war the conversation mainly geared toward the barbeque and ball the night before; as well as the local gossip; and the fox hunt that was to start later that morning.
Breakfast was half over when suddenly Mina asked a rather simple but forward question. "Is there a man stayin' with us that Ah don't know about? All the darkies are talkin' about him. Why, Ah heard, just this morning from Darla that that that noisy field hand that came around last night had a wounded soldier with him. Is this true Mama? Sistah? Have you been keepin' secrets from me?"
"Well, my dear, you see... a man did arrive last night. You were so sleepy you don't remember. He's in the blue guest room right now, but you can't go see him. He's wounded and very tired. I fear... that if you were to go in there he might get even worse." Mrs. Hamilton patted her lips gently with her napkin as she struggled to come up with words to say.
Mina quickly turned from her stepmother, unsatisfied, to her sister who would give a much better description of the man. "Oh... Serena! Have you seen him? What's his name? Where's from? Is he wealthy? Oh..." She looked to the ceiling and placed her hands in a praying position, a dreamy smile upon her face. "Is he handsome?"
"Well, uh..." Mrs. Hamilton tried to answer for her eldest step daughter in hoped of saving her, but was saved herself by the very girl.
"Well, sistah, If you must ask..." She looked to her mother who was weary of how these questions would be answered. "Ah have seen and spoken to him. His name is Darien Shields and he tells me he hails from Louisiana... Ah think he said somewhere around New Orleans... Yes that was it, New Orleans! He just inherited an entire plantation of Cotton, Sugar, and Indigo before he joined the Confederate Army. As far as Ah can tell he is rather wealthy." She smiled at this lei for her tone had sounded true and her young sister did not carry a questioning look upon her face at all.
"He was part of the Army?" Mina asked with a disgusted look on her face. "Why any man joins the Army is beyond me. It's going to be ovah within the next few weeks anyway and those damned Yankees will be sorry they ever fiddled with us Confederates." She nodded her head in satisfaction... or at least until she was scolded my her stepmother for the use of such language.
After the conversation had ended breakfast was quickly finished and the girls tied on bonnets to protect their ivory skin from the harsh rays of the sun. Mrs. Hamilton kissed both of their cheeks and wished them a happy day at the fox before they both took hold of the reins of their horse and trotted away to the exciting day ahead of them.
*** Hey sorry for making you wait this long... I sort of had a major case of writer's block for the longest time. My friend, Eladriewen, was the greatest help I could have ever asked for. Even though she doesn't think she did that much at all... So I just wanted to say thanks... THANKS!!!
I'm going to try and get the third chapter up as soon as I get the pieces of it figured out. Again Sorry about the wait... I hope you enjoyed this chapter! And hey don't forget to review what you have to say helps me out in the writing process so much especially if you tell me what you like and what you don't like... Yeah...
~May the voices in your head turn up the volume!!!~
The Lunar Witch
Merry Meet, Merry Part, Merry Meet Again!
