On the Isle of Eriu-Innis, a young woman set her baby daughter in her cradle, humming softly a moment as the light of her candle bounced off the uneven stone walls of her home. Her husband was away in a town, maybe buying things like he had said he was planning to do or maybe sleeping with some unwed Claith, like many lonely men do. The woman, her ginger hair pulled back in a knot at her head, sat down at her desk and lifted the necklace she wore over her head, holding it by the small charm on it; a clay bumblebee, beautifully crafted like many things from Crown Isle. She studied the charm a minute more before carefully setting it down besides her as she set an inkwell, quill, and cheap piece of parchment on the desk she sat at. Slowly, she dipped the quill into the well and began to write..
Dearest sister,
How long it has been since we last saw each other - nearly a year and a half now, since you took off in the night. Least, that is what Papa says, claiming you scurried off, as if you were nothing more than a frightened rat. Do you know I didn't believe their claims in the beginning? I thought you as simply curled up by the river like you sometimes did after our brothers caused mischief and blamed you. I thought you'd maybe simply fallen asleep by the creek, if I'd go there you'd be waiting patiently for me to come and gather you up like blankets, wanting to return home. I went to the river, dearest, I really did and you were nowhere to be seen - I can never tell you the fear that had struck in me at the moment. I returned to Papa's home and searched your room, looking for that clay bumblebee he brought home from Regalia, knowing you never left home with your pockets empty as it made you feel alone. But I found the bumblebee, it's in good hands now as I took a needle and stuck it with a small hole to thread it into a necklace I wear often in honor of you, little sister. What did you take that night you ran away? Do you know that.. When I discovered you'd vanished, I sat down a reconsidered my life before you. The twelve years I was alive before you were. Sometimes I think back to our short seventeen years together, the Brous boy - as I still call him when he's not around despite our union - will leave me be the whole day during those times, when I miss you. Today is your birthday, little sister, nineteen years ago you were born and I lost my voice when I first saw you, unable to comprehend such a beautiful little thing you are - you were. I remember the day you were born, like yesterday it had happened.
Papa and Jaie had gathered me and Oshe outside while Ma yelled and shouted while the Brous boy's mother urged her to go on - it was terrifying but looking at Jaie and Oshe, our mother's sons, I knew she could handle whatever you were to be. The relief that I felt realizing mother had had another daughter, you. So small and humble the minute your life began, eyes closed as if to shield yourself from the hoots of excitement our brothers let out like mad owls. You were my best friend, little sister.
I protected you, dearest, remember? Do you remember our promise we made that rare sunshine filled day, when father was away in Regalia and Oshe was with the Brous boy and Jaie was hunting was toads?
We promised to always be together, and I promised to tell you about my entire life when you turned eighteen. And I was going to tell you but you vanished, and I miss you, little sister. You would be nineteen now, how is it where you are? Papa told me you died, or was taken for a wife which would leave you dead anyways considering Mama always said you would be too weak and fragile to bear a child.
Little sister, before you were born I was lonely, but after it was like a candle was lit within me and my days were bright despite your weaknesses and illnesses that unraveled you. After I married Koe, the Brous boy, we had a baby together. Remember I was with child? You were so excited and told me to name her Lila, saying it was the most beautiful name. She was born with eyes that reminded me of you, which means they must look like mine but Koe never says. Sister, I named her Marin, after you, Marina. I know you probably think it's silly but it made me feel like I hadn't lost you. Like you lived on, little sister.
Sometimes I wish that you didn't die, that you made it to Regalia or another town far away from here so you were not dead, as you must be. I know you shall never get this letter and I will burn it in the morning, but it makes me feel like you're still here.
I love you, Merina Taliesin, be safe wherever you may be.
With love,
Your sister, Gina Taliesin
She stared at the letter, thinking of her little sister before rising from the desk, taking the candle and walking out of the stone house. She lifted the letter to the candle and let it burn.
Far away, sitting at a table under the city of Regalia, surrounded by drunkards' laughter, the smell of blood and water, and the chatter of Dexter - her best friend - Merina drew her nail across the table she sat at, saying quietly, "My sister loved me, when I was with her."
@Owiver
Dearest sister,
How long it has been since we last saw each other - nearly a year and a half now, since you took off in the night. Least, that is what Papa says, claiming you scurried off, as if you were nothing more than a frightened rat. Do you know I didn't believe their claims in the beginning? I thought you as simply curled up by the river like you sometimes did after our brothers caused mischief and blamed you. I thought you'd maybe simply fallen asleep by the creek, if I'd go there you'd be waiting patiently for me to come and gather you up like blankets, wanting to return home. I went to the river, dearest, I really did and you were nowhere to be seen - I can never tell you the fear that had struck in me at the moment. I returned to Papa's home and searched your room, looking for that clay bumblebee he brought home from Regalia, knowing you never left home with your pockets empty as it made you feel alone. But I found the bumblebee, it's in good hands now as I took a needle and stuck it with a small hole to thread it into a necklace I wear often in honor of you, little sister. What did you take that night you ran away? Do you know that.. When I discovered you'd vanished, I sat down a reconsidered my life before you. The twelve years I was alive before you were. Sometimes I think back to our short seventeen years together, the Brous boy - as I still call him when he's not around despite our union - will leave me be the whole day during those times, when I miss you. Today is your birthday, little sister, nineteen years ago you were born and I lost my voice when I first saw you, unable to comprehend such a beautiful little thing you are - you were. I remember the day you were born, like yesterday it had happened.
Papa and Jaie had gathered me and Oshe outside while Ma yelled and shouted while the Brous boy's mother urged her to go on - it was terrifying but looking at Jaie and Oshe, our mother's sons, I knew she could handle whatever you were to be. The relief that I felt realizing mother had had another daughter, you. So small and humble the minute your life began, eyes closed as if to shield yourself from the hoots of excitement our brothers let out like mad owls. You were my best friend, little sister.
I protected you, dearest, remember? Do you remember our promise we made that rare sunshine filled day, when father was away in Regalia and Oshe was with the Brous boy and Jaie was hunting was toads?
We promised to always be together, and I promised to tell you about my entire life when you turned eighteen. And I was going to tell you but you vanished, and I miss you, little sister. You would be nineteen now, how is it where you are? Papa told me you died, or was taken for a wife which would leave you dead anyways considering Mama always said you would be too weak and fragile to bear a child.
Little sister, before you were born I was lonely, but after it was like a candle was lit within me and my days were bright despite your weaknesses and illnesses that unraveled you. After I married Koe, the Brous boy, we had a baby together. Remember I was with child? You were so excited and told me to name her Lila, saying it was the most beautiful name. She was born with eyes that reminded me of you, which means they must look like mine but Koe never says. Sister, I named her Marin, after you, Marina. I know you probably think it's silly but it made me feel like I hadn't lost you. Like you lived on, little sister.
Sometimes I wish that you didn't die, that you made it to Regalia or another town far away from here so you were not dead, as you must be. I know you shall never get this letter and I will burn it in the morning, but it makes me feel like you're still here.
I love you, Merina Taliesin, be safe wherever you may be.
With love,
Your sister, Gina Taliesin
She stared at the letter, thinking of her little sister before rising from the desk, taking the candle and walking out of the stone house. She lifted the letter to the candle and let it burn.
Far away, sitting at a table under the city of Regalia, surrounded by drunkards' laughter, the smell of blood and water, and the chatter of Dexter - her best friend - Merina drew her nail across the table she sat at, saying quietly, "My sister loved me, when I was with her."
@Owiver
