Well, recently I've been very entranced with the poem The Lady of Shalott, so I decided to write a story on it. I know that this probably isn't really the place to put it, but as I read the poems certain things reminded me of some fairytales, so I'm going to incorporate them into my tale. But if anyone things it should be posted elsewhere, please tell me and I will move it.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Lady of Shalott or fairytales.
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The child stood on the river bank, cold tears slipping down her cheeks and to her chin, only to drop into the water, then rippling out in endless circles. Behind her, the crowd of people remaining from the funeral huddled together, trying to block themselves from the cold wind. After a time, they all left, back to their own warm homes and fires, none of them grieving as the little girl.
"Evadne, come, we must get inside. Mistress will be waiting for you," the governess addressed the child.
The girl sighed and slowly turned from the river. She loved the river, just as her father before her had. The thought only made it hurt more. She walked over to the new grave. "Goodbye, Papa," she whispered.
Her governess took her hand and they started to walk. Evadne looked at the cold, grey manor. It had never looked less friendly. She doubted her step-mother would be kind, even on such an occasion as this. In fact, she would probably be even less kind than usual, excusing it as grieving for her husband. Evadne could not imagine that the woman could feel anything even comparatively close to what she was feeling.
Her father was her best friend, her only friend, actually. She'd never gone far from the manor and never really met other children. She didn't mind, though. Her father was the best playmate she could ever have. Especially before he married Lady Addelin, and hired Sara as a governess. Not that Sara was particularly boring or cruel, but no one could never replace dear Papa.
They walked up the steps and through the big, stone doors of the manor. They then went to Lady Addelin's parlor, standing just outside the door, so as not to interrupt the small party of friends gathered inside. Lady Addelin saw them and immediately got up and came out into the hallway.
The lady was beautiful, but she was cold and far away-looking. She had long black hair and black eyes, but her skin was a snowy white. It gave her a very dramatic and contrasting appearance.
"So you have finally come inside, Evadne," the lady said. "Good. I don't see how why you chose to stay at that dull, cold funeral for so long."
"Because of Papa," Evadne said softly.
Lady Addelin's eyebrows rose. "I'm sure we all miss, but he is dead now," she said bluntly.
Evadne looked up, her blue eyes filling with tears. She could have put it more nicely. That he had passed away or was gone now, but she could not stand hearing it put in such simple terms, not yet.
"Don't start crying again!" Lady Addelin commanded.
Evadne choked back her tears. "Yes, Ma'am," she said, wiping at her wet face with the sleeve of her black, mourning dress.
"I don't want to see you crying and feeling sorry for yourself ever again. It's not as if you're the only one the least bit troubled by his death. I was his wife, after all!" she paused for effect.
Evadne said or did nothing to betray any feeling at the lady's sentiments.
After a moment, she went on. "Now I want you to go to your room and don't come down here and disturb me or any of my friends," she said, glancing back into the room of people. "Beth and Katie will be waiting to fit you for more black dresses, as we will be in mourning for a year."
Evadne nodded.
"Well, go along now!"
Evadne turned to Sara and they both started to walk away, to Evadne's room, while Lady Addelin returned to her parlor and guests.
When they reached Evadne's room, the two maids were there were their material and pins, ready to make several dresses. It was too much for the girl to see the portrait of her father on the wall and imagine being fitted for dress to mourn for him. She let out something between a sigh and a sob.
"Can't you all just leave me alone!" she said.
Sara and the maids exchanged glances.
"Beth, Katie," Sara said. "You heard her. We can do this later."
The girls nodded and silently left the room.
"Are you alright?" Sara asked tenderly, placing her hand on the child's shoulder.
"No, I'm not alright! Leave me be!" Evadne shouted.
The governess nodded and sadly paced out of the room.
Once alone, Evadne sighed deeply. She went out onto her balcony, which overlooked the entire estate. She breathed in the crisp, cool air, concentrating just on that one thing. Breathing. In and out again. She closed her eyes.
It started to rain, softly at first, then becoming harder, pouring out of the clouds, rhythmically beating on the ground. Evadne watched it, entranced. It was more than just listening and watching, she could feel it. Deep within in, resounding to the very depths of her being. The drops seemed to fall in beat with her heart.
She smiled softly. She'd had this experience before, but only on a few occasions. Her father and her, when they listened to the rain, used to be able to touch and have this same feeling that she had now. It helped her feel better, comforted. Like her father was still with her, although he was gone. And he could never be taken from her.