Sorry for the late update but I bought a new laptop and it took a long time to transfer everything. So here it is, chapter 8. Hope you like it. Warning, it is sad and there is character death in it, so get out your tissues.
The road to my grandmother's village was bumpy and hard to follow but fortunately, just as the sun set and the night had started to fall, we arrived safely to the house. It was frosty outside and even with my cloak on, I felt the chill of the night. The house was dark from outside, just one light came from the widow on the second floor. We entered the old house, took off our clothes and I went up to greet my granny while Abigail was making tea.
The bedroom was poorly lit and quite dusty, the smell of looming death strong in the air. My grandmother was lying on the bed, sweat on her face and she was coughing quite nastily.
"Arina, is that you darling? Oh, my lovely granddaughter, come closer, let me take a look at you."
"Oh, grandmother! I missed you so much and I am so sorry that you are so sick. I should have come earlier." I said hugging my grandmother to my chest, feeling how much weight she lost because of her sickness.
"You look wonderful my love, you are glowing with love, tell me now, who is he, the one that captured your heart?"
"He is a very powerful man, that some may find evil or even disgusting, but oh, grandmother, I really know him, deep in his heart, he is such a kind and gentle man. I love him with all my heart but I think that you won't like who he is or his reputation." I said holding her hands into mine.
"What is with all this mystery, love…tell me already. I promise I won't judge your decision." She said with a smile that was interrupted by a fit of coughing, tiny drops of blood falling on the handkerchief.
"His name is Rumpelstiltskin, also known as the Dark One. Grandmother, are you alright, there is blood on the handkerchief."
"I am quite fine, darling. So you are in love with the deal maker. Let me tell you something, if you love him, if you think it is true love, go for it! No matter what other people say, what you feel for this man is more important then everything." She said kissing my cheek than falling back on the bed, exhausted by the little movement she made.
"Thank you for the advice, granny! I will cherish it all my life. Now, I will let you rest, you seem exhausted." I said and then went down the stairs, to the kitchen.
"Oh, Abigail, she looks worse than ever. I really do not think she will be able to survive this. She is the closest thing I have to a mother and now I have to part with her, forever. It seems unreal." I said sitting down at the rustic wooden table and sipping from my cup of tea.
"I know how you feel, darling, but remember that she is old and suffering, prolonging her life would not only be selfish but cruel as well." My sister said picking up her cup and holding it between her hands, warming herself up.
"I guess you are right, Abigail but she will miss so much. I want her to meet Rumpel and to have her present at my wedding, when my first child will be born. It's unfair not to have a mother figure present in these important moments of a person's life."
"Maybe you will not have a mother figure but I will be there, always by your side when you need me." Abigail said squeezing my hand reassuringly.
After a fitful sleep on the worn sofa in the small living room, I finally woke up. It was beautiful outside even though it was a bit chilly so I decided to do some laundry today to take my mind of my problems. I gathered every single piece of clothing that even resembled being worn, took them in the garden, soaking them in a bucket of hot water and soda and started scrubbing them by one everything was cleaned, rinsed and hung to dry. When Abigail finally woke up, my work was done and I was ready to cook our breakfast.
"It's kind of late to wake up isn't it, darling? Had a rough night?" I asked looking at her from head to toe and seeing how tired she looked.
"Yes, you could say that. I couldn't sleep at all and our grandmother was asking for water every hour. It's exhausting to take care of her." She said rubbing her eyes and yawning loudly.
"Tonight I'll take the night shift, okay? I know it's hard and I will help you as much as I can on my stay here." I said drying my hands on my white apron.
"Thank you, darling. Now, what do we have for breakfast?" Abigail asked, changing the subject.
Just as night came and Abigail fell asleep, the nightmare started. Screams of pain coming from upstairs, shaking me to the bone. I ran upstairs and my grandmother was moaning in pain, her body failing her as she couldn't eat for days. Her stomach burning and the acid making her ask for water, again and again. I stood by her side, giving her water and reading to her, trying to calm her down and then, when the sun rose, she gave her last breath, her suffering finally over.
"Abigail, Abigail, wake up! She's gone, Abigail, wake up, please! I don't know what to do…" I said, my voice cracking as I shook my sister awake.
"She's gone already, Arina? Oh, I am so sorry you had to witness that, darling! Come on, I will make you some tea and then call the undertaker to help me with the burial." She said, rubbing my back and leading me to the kitchen.
When she came back and started making plans for the burial, I knew I had to get out of there, to just run, to get home as fast as I could. After I found out the date and hour of the burial, I got on my horse and left, without saying goodbye. I had to get to him, I had to see him before I broke down completely. So I rode as fast as I could, not caring that the tree branches were whipping my face.
Hope you liked it and that it didn't make you too sad or anything. I know I promised to update everyday but this week will be a bit crazy for me so I don't know if I'll be able to keep my promise but I will try my best. Until next time, I bid you farewell. :D