After almost a year, I finally recovered from whatever made me sick. Mom said that I probably ended up getting a human illness. She used to catch them all of the time. Once I recovered I rode Ema and cried out in pure joy to her, "Oh Ema! I really missed doing this with you when I was sick! I never want to go so long without being with you again!"
I felt her massive sides shake with laughter as she replied, "No one would ever imagine that you were sick for a whole year. But unfortunately you have to go back and visit your father again this year. That is always the worst part of the year for Lucky and I."
I grudgingly agreed with her, already wishing that I could just skip fall and go straight to winter after summer. But time flew by, and my year sped forward until the painful time until I had to return to Father's house.
I walked into my room and found a note resting on my dresser. I opened it up and found a very sappy love note from Murtaugh. After reading the first line (Thine eyes make the sky seem pale) I ripped that note to shreds and burned it in my fireplace. I changed into a gown, and cleaned myself up the best that I could in a hurry. Just as I finished, Father swept in, "Come along Aiedail. I wish for you to have a private dinner with an acquaintance of mine."
There was no use arguing with him, so I grudgingly followed him into a private room. There I saw Murtaugh tapping his foot against the ground. When he saw us, he stood up and pulled out the chair across from him. I tried to slip out, but Father caught me. So I walked over and sat down in the chair like a true lady. But I refused to talk to him at all, or even make eye contact. After an uncomfortable meal, I stood up and walked out. He tried to follow me, but I slammed the door in his face.
After that incident, Father stopped trying to set the two of us up. He figured out that I would not fall in love with Murtaugh. It wasn't easy being so aloof, but I did it to stop Father from having any more control over me. Vi was relieved that he didn't try anything with her because she wouldn't be able to keep up the defenses the way I did. I was extremely grateful when fall was over, and we could go home. I wished that I didn't have to go back.