Moral sat across from Marrisa at the small table, pouring them both a cup of tea.
“The sun is on its way down, which means it will be dark in a couple of hours,” Marrisa said, taking a sip of her tea. “I have to leave soon…” She took a bite of the flat, sweet biscuit. It tasted like warm cinnamon and sugar. “I feel like my heart is slowly breaking as the sun goes down… I don’t want to leave...”
Marrisa put her elbows on the table, resting her chin on her hands. It was quiet and warm in the little house; and it smelled of dried flowers and sweet things. The small house always smelled that way, and Marrisa knew that she would miss it. She would miss everything about it.
“Oh, princess,” Moral said as she fixed up her tea, “I look at you as if you were my very own child… And if I may be bold enough to say this to you—I think it’s time you begin acting like royalty. You are the daughter of kings—not a maiden that should be around peasants like myself.” Her voice was kind and sweet. “You will be a queen tomorrow—The Lady of Ishkar. You don’t need to be socializing here with us common folk.”
Marrisa was quiet for a moment as she looked down at her tea, then back up to Morals kind face.
“No, Moral, you don’t understand...” Marrisa put down her biscuit, looking into Moral’s grayish-blue eyes. “This place, here in the forest amongst you and Tairren’s presence, is more enchanting to me than any kingdom, or prince in the entire world. I would love to live the life you have. To be free to make my own choices, to love whomever I choose. You don’t know it, but you live a very affluent life, Moral. You may not have power, or wealth to purchase material things for pleasure, but you do have freedom and happiness. That’s the most important thing anyone could posses. That is what fascinates me so, why I love to be in your presence.” Marrisa’s face was glowing with zeal. She never looked so beautifully ardent before; and she never came across as inducing as she did during that moment. “I would choose your life and this atmosphere over any prince or king, land or riches.”
Moral was quiet as she sipped her tea. She never realized how Marrisa truly felt about her own life.
“Oh, you are sweet, Marrisa.” Moral reached across the small table and caressed Marrisa’s cheek. “You are like your mother, child, strong hearted and caring. If I didn’t know it I would have thought that I was sitting here with your mother, having tea with her majesty.”
Marrisa smiled as her eyes became glossy with tears. Hearing things like that touched her heart, giving her a warm feeling in her chest.
“Really?” Marrisa said as a small tear rolled down her cheek.
“Oh yes, child.” Moral smiled her warm smile as she wiped the glistening tear from her cheek. “There is something about you that attracts people. You have a heart of gold and a beautiful presence that can light up a darkened room—like your mother. Your mother was the most loving queen that has ever walked these lands. She loved the Holy Father with all of her heart, spreading his joy and love to everyone in the kingdom. When she passed it was such a sad day. There seemed to be no joy, no love in all of Minslethrate.”
“Tell me Moral, what happened in the palace when I was a child? You have to know… You are the same age as my mother would have been. This is a small kingdom, and everybody knows everything about everyone. I just feel in my heart that something must have happened to my mother, something more than illness. All I know is that she died from being Ill… But she was the only one around that time who died from an illness. Usually if one becomes ill, many do. My father told me…he said that it was such a mystery. Not even the royal physician could figure out my mother’s illness.“
Marrisa’s eyes went from happy to anxious in a matter of minutes.
“Princess, it was such a long time ago, almost fifteen years at least.” Moral spoke quietly, sipping her tea every now and then. Her face was calm and endearing as she looked down at the warm biscuit on her plate, crumbs sprinkled here and there. “I remember there was so much gossip and talk about strange things that went on in that castle. You know how everyone is in that marketplace and town square, everyone gets together and talks, talks, talks… Gossip is a lover to the people of Minslethrate.
“I remember the odd gossip about a strange woman who resided in the royal palace, as your mother’s servant. She was an odd one.” Moral’s eyes became wide as she spoke. “I don’t remember her name, but shortly after the death of your mother, she mysteriously disappeared. Your mother was as healthy as an ox, and a week before that woman disappeared—God bless her soul… I don’t know what happened, but I do know your mother was deathly Ill that week—delusional and hallucinating. Some say that a cold wind from the Forbidden Lands of the South blew an evil curse upon her, others say that it was just a bad case of some kind of sickness caught by eating something rancid. But most say…” Moral became quiet, stopping herself, looking sad all of the sudden. “Just know child, that your mother was a beautiful woman and a gift from God.”
She sipped her tea, not saying anything else.
“What?” Marrisa asked with those anxious eyes again. “What was it that most people said?”
“Just know that this was just gossip in the marketplace.” Moral took another sip, taking her time. “They say—that she was—poisoned…” Moral grew quiet after that.
Marrisa sat back in her chair, not saying anything. She had a look of disbelief on her face, shaking her head slowly.
“My mother—was poisoned? …Possibly, murdered?!” Marrisa brought her hands to her mouth as tears built back up in her eyes again.
“Oh, honey, I really didn’t want to say it, but you have the right to know what was said about your mother’s death. But that was only gossip, mind you.” Moral stood up, walking over to give her a hug.
“There would’ve been a great possibility that my mother would still be alive today, with me, helping me get through this appalling time in my life. I hate everything about my life right now, everything.” Marrisa held onto Moral, crying on her shoulder.
That was the first time that she showed her emotions in front of anyone other than Natalia and Tairren. She couldn’t keep it in any longer. Her tears flowed like an unending vessel as the weight of great stress slowly lifted from her.
“I want my mother so badly,” Marrisa cried out, holding onto Moral.
Moral just hugged her, doing her best to comfort her.
†††
The sun was going down, making the field of Minslethrate glow a soft orange color. Dark-blue clouds, miles away to the south could be seen, looking very strange and ominous.The air became a little cooler as the breezes picked up, rolling over the grass and flowers in the field.
“It looks as if strange weather is coming our way,” Natalia said, moving her long brown hair that blew in front of her face. “Thank you so much for walking me.” She smiled at him, but noticed a look of pensive sadness on his face.
“Oh—you’re welcome.” He looked up towards the sky taking note of the weather, then back down towards the grassy field.
They both strolled through the field, not saying anything. The kingdom slowly got closer, getting larger as they approached its splendor. The castle peered over the large gray brick walls of the kingdom, revealing large red flags with the golden Minslethratian symbol on them. The flags rippled around fiercely as the winds began to pick up in the sky.
“Tairren—how does it feel?” Natalia looked at him again, her green eyes reflecting the vibrant orange sunlight that contrasted against the edge of the dark clouds.
He looked back at her, revealing a look of confusion on his face. His blue eyes gazed into hers for a second.
“What do you mean?” He moved his long black bangs from his face.
She was quiet for a moment, looking off into the distance. “How does it feel—to be in love?” She was quiet for a moment longer, looking back into his eyes, and waiting for an answer. “I see the way you look at her, how you smile at her, how you become so nervous around her sometim
es.” Natalia smiled, looking away from his surprised face. “Tairren, she is my best friend, and so are you. I know what is going on, I can see it in your eyes. You fancy Marrisa,” she said with a smirk. “You can’t hide these things from me, it shows on the outside.” She noticed that a smile crept upon his face as he blushed. “You need to talk about how you feel—and a boy as handsome and loving as you can always talk to me.”
Tairren smiled as he glanced back down at the ground. He could feel himself becoming nervous as Natalia smiled her soft smile at him.
“I do have feelings for Marrisa, and always have…,” he finally said. “I—I fell in love with her the first time that I saw her. I just haven’t told her, I’ve never had the courage to tell her before—until today. Unfortunately it seems like time with her is almost over. However, I feel like she should know how I’ve been feeling.” His voice sounded a little nervous as he spoke.
Natalia giggled, thinking that the situation was sweet. She grabbed his arm as they walked together.
“Tairren, you are lovely,” she said as she rested her cheek on his shoulder. “I think you need to tell her how you feel, and unfortunately this evening is your last chance.” Her tone was low and faded away.
“I know—and I will. I’m just—nervous.” He felt asinine talking about it. He could feel his face turn red as warm blood rushed upon it.
“I wish I could be in love with someone, I feel so—green with envy,” Natalia said as her voice drifted away.
She truly was envious of Marrisa. She always wanted to be loved and desirable. Sometimes she wished that even Tairren was attracted to her the way he was to Marrisa.
Natalia just looked up at Tairren and gave him a sweet smile.
Tairren smiled and returned the affection with a tender hug as they walked.
“And why haven’t you said anything about this over these last four years?!” Natalia fussed. “Four years is a long time to be keeping something like that a secret.”
“I..” he paused. “I didn’t think that she could ever love a commoner. And she is so beautiful—I just didn’t want to ruin what we have, which is our friendship.”
“Oh Tairren, you are sweet. But you do know that Marrisa is a different kind of princess,” she said with a chuckle. “You should know that having royal blood and being a commoner has nothing to do with loving someone. You know how our princess is. And you are a really handsome fellow with a loving personality.” She smiled at him. “I think if she was able to stay here in Minslethrate—I think something could have happened between you both...”
“I wish that was something that could possibly come true,” Tairren said. His smile faded away as he thought some more. “But it would not be acceptable.”
“Tairren… There are many maidens out there whom crave that love in which you give…,” Natalia said in a low tone, seeming to say it to herself. “Marrisa is lucky to be loved by you…”
They approached the gate, walking past swaying trees that released their blossoms into the crisp air. They walked across a bridge that went over the moat below them. The water was clear and flowed from the rivulets that branched off of the Great Mislethratian River.
“Thank you Natalia.” He gave her a hug. “I hope tonight will be an astonishing night that you all will never forget.” He smiled at her as she began to walk through the gateway.
“Fairwell Tairren!” She waved as she proceeded inside the marketplace.
†††
The sky was a bright orange with yellow and pink clouds; it seemed as if it were painted onto the heavens. The dark-blue, billowy clouds in the southern part of Minslethrate slowly made its journey towards the castle. The forest got darker, evolving from an enchanted forest into a gloomy woodland. The animals of the forest wandered about, looking for grainy food before the night’s sky wrapped its arms around Minslethrate.
Moral lit some candles here and there before it got so dark that they wouldn’t be able to see anything. She lit a lantern that hung above the small table, spreading its dim light everywhere in the small home.
Marrisa laid on Moral’s small bed, looking out of the low, small window that was right next to the bed. She could see that the sun would be down soon. The forest grew dimmer and the leaves in the trees moved about as the breezes picked up. She felt as if the sun was counting down to her fate. Her eyes were red and they burned from her crying.
After having her talk with Moral about everything, including her mother, she didn’t feel like talking anymore. But she did feel a little bit better, kind of happy that she and Moral were able to talk. Moral recommended that she lie down before she left, to calm herself down. She wanted to wait for Tairren to get back anyway, to say goodbye to him before she left. She knew it would be the hardest part of that evening for her. She couldn’t stand to leave such a beautiful and loyal friend.
She noticed a small yellow bird that landed in a patch of flowers. She watched as the bird picked up something in its beak then flew off into the thick shrubbery of the forest. She wished she could be that bird, free to fly around, away from everything…
The door squeaked as Tairren walked in.
“Hello son,” Moral said as she stirred a pot of something hot and delicious smelling.
“Hello ladies,” Tairren said, closing the door behind him. “It smells wonderful as usual in here.”
Marrisa turned her head, looking towards Tairren as he walked to her. She sat up, placing her feet onto the wooden floor. He sat next to her on the bed and looked into her crystal blue eyes.
“Hello,” he said with a half smile. “Are you okay?” He noticed how red her eyes looked. Her cheek bones and the area around her eyes were red as well. He could see a blue light in her eyes, a sadness that he had never before seen in them.
“To tell you the truth, no—I’m not,” she said, trying to smile a little. “I wanted to see you before I left, of course. But I have to leave now, the sun will be down soon... Will you walk me through the forest?”
“You know I will,” he stood up, offering his hand out to help her up. She placed her small hand into his. He noticed how soft and fragile her hand still was as he pulled her up.
Marrisa said her goodbyes to Moral, hugging her for what felt like hours. She couldn’t stand to leave the only mother figure she had in her life.
“I love you, child. Be strong,” she said as she wiped away a small tear that rolled down Marrisa’s cheek.
“I shall try—and I love you too.” She held Moral’s hand as she began to walk away. Tairren opened the door for her as she let go of Moral’s warm hand, turning quickly to leave.
The cool air swept across their bodies as they walked through the forest. Marrisa walked silently with her arms wrapped around herself. She glanced everywhere, taking in everything for the last time. She wanted to remember Minslethrate as beautiful and enchanting.
Tairren looked over at her, becoming nervous, feeling as if butterflies were fluttering around in his stomach. His insides were flustered and quivering, making him become slightly nauseous. He decided that he didn’t have butterflies fluttering around in his stomach at all, but large buzzards—that were pecking at their supper in his intestines.
He reached beneath the loosely laced up collar of his tunic, grasping the blue heart pendant that he had saved for her.
“Marrisa—I have something for you,” he said as he took off the necklace from around his neck. “It’s your birthday present from me… Happy birthday.” He placed the rough blue pendant into the palm of her hand.
“Oh Tairren,” she said as she lifted up the necklace to take a better look at it. “It’s beautiful!” she exclaimed as she hugged him.
She put the necklace around her neck, holding the pendant to look at it closer as they walked.
“Do you like it?” Tairren’s heart fluttered with excitement as she smiled her beautiful smile, indicating that she was happy.
The buzzards in his stomach flew off as his nervousness deceased.
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“I love it! Did you make it yourself?” she asked as she rubbed her fingers on the smoother side of the heart shaped crystal.
“Yes—especially for you. Do you remember when I showed you a blue crystal and told you about how I found it with my father as a child?”
She shook her head yes as she looked into his eyes.
“That was it. I wanted to give you something that was so special to me.” He stopped walking and held her hands. “I want you to know that when you are sad, and feel alone, that you can hold this in your hand and know that I will always be thinking of you. That way you will never feel alone.” His heartbeat pounded in his chest as he looked into her beautiful eyes; he thought that she could see it straight through his chest.
He touched her cheek and hair, not able to resist himself. He could see her eyes becoming glossy again, hoping that she wouldn’t cry. She was quiet as she looked up into his passionate eyes.
“Marrisa, I want to tell you something that I have been longing to tell you since I first met you—ever since the first time I laid my young eyes on your beautiful face. You’re dearest to me than life itself. I can’t stand that you will be married to another man, I can’t stand that you have to move to another country. You can’t fall in love with anyone else...” He breathed heavily as his emotions began to stir. “Every time I look into your eyes, my heart skips a beat. Every time I know your looking into mine, my mind goes blank… And—I want you to know that I—I love you, with all of my heart, with all that is in me. I love you more than a friend should love a friend. I love you like the earth loves the rain, and like the honey bees love the flowers that grow from the earth. I love everything about you. Marrisa, my life has been enchanted with you in it—and I know we were meant for each other, I feel it, I know it…”
Marrisa was quiet as tears began to flow down her flushed cheeks. She brought her hand to her mouth and slowly shook her head.
Tairren touched her face, wiping the tears from them. He could feel her tremble as his nervous hands touched her smooth skin.
The Last Legend: Awakened Page 10