a caged bird

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.

[cagedsibyl]

reluctanthuntress:

“Now, Mari,” she says dotingly, “I think you’re looking rather lovelier than usual today.”

And that was bold, outright disagreeing with him. Especially in his own house. But soon, she’d be the lording lady here. Marion would be treated better, then. Phoebe lets go of her hand only to reach for the hairbrush on her vanity. “Sit, my dove,” she murmurs, urging Marion down onto the plush stool. Looking back up at John, she gives him a forced smile. “Thank you, Mr. Stearne, for throwing us this lovely engagement celebration.”

Phoebe undoes Marion’s braid, and begins to brush her beautiful dark hair. She was envious of it, but Bram had taught her to love her blonde mane. Like his lioness. “It is most gracious of you, my lord.” Her own home was only as big as the dining room in this sprawling mansion. Being a sub-family of the Hopkins didn’t provide her much wealth. 

John wanted to turn her around and snap her neck night there, he wanted to grab the brush handle and shove it down her throat. Maybe gut her just to see how she looked bleeding all of the floor, would she be beautiful to him then? No, but it wasn’t because of how she looked. Phoebe was, he considered, very beautiful. Ethereal even, but her ticks and attitude needed to be adjusted. Before he makes a swift exit, he smiles through the mirror at her with his mask all the way on, “Think nothing of it, I’ll see you two at the party.”

“Thank you...” Marion is finally able to breathe when he leaves the room and she can’t help but tear up. She didn’t like showing her tears in front of her father though in case of repercussions. Phoebe was so brave to stand up to him, one day Marion wants to be like that too. “He frightens me... sometimes I freeze when he’s talking to me and he gets really mad. I don’t know why I do it. I wish I could be brave.”

[reluctanthuntress]

It takes everything in Phoebe not to go scurrying out of the room right then and there. If anyone frightened her the most, it was Bram’s father. She knew how much he disliked her. She knew the things he did to her sweet fiance.

In an effort to comfort her, she takes her future sister-in-law’s hand and squeezes it softly. Raising her eyes to John’s in a show of courage, “Elated,” she says. She’s sure he’s the opposite of that.

[cagedsibyl]

John pursed his lips, “Good, good. Everyone is in great spirits.” He would tolerate her to her face; open hostility was out of the question due to how long she would most likely be around. How he could end up with such a disappointment of a son was beyond him, he should have arranged a marriage when his son was young. By the time John decided Violet should be Abraham’s wife, Adam was adamant about Phoebe and Bram.

Taking a few more steps into the room, he stopped in front of Marion and pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear. “Jo, darling. Your hair is a mess, fix it before our guests arrive.”

Marion squeezed Phoebe’s hand harder, and nodded her head in reply. She felt like such a disappointment to him and bowed her head, “Yes, father. Thank you.” She sensed today wasn’t going to be a good day, but she was lucky Phoebe was here because her father was going easy on her. She looked up at Phoebe and smiled, more than happy to have an anchor.

[cagedsibyl]

reluctanthuntress

Jittering with excitement, Phoebe giggles possibly longer than necessary but she knew Marina wouldn’t mind. They were a lot alike. A little too sweet, a little too happy. “You can have any dress you like, and we will celebrate all night!”

She joins Marina in her dancing, stopping only when there’s a knock on the door. Quickly she presses her hands down the front of her dress, trying to look like she hadn’t been just twirling around the room like a little girl.

The noise was absolutely irritating, two girls squealing like a bunch of damn roosters crowing in the morning. He opened the door and stared at the two, completely satisfied when the color drained from his broken daughter’s face. “Hello, Ms. Hopkins how are you today?” he didn’t smile at all when he asked, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly at his daughter’s unease.

“Father...” she greeted, now rubbing her hands together nervously. Though she loved her father dearly, sometimes he scared her when he was acting so calm. Those tended to be the times he would seek out and hurt anyone he’d felt like hurting that day. She dared not speak again until Phoebe answered his question. Do not speak again until you are spoken to.

[cagedsibyl]

reluctanthuntress

Phoebe was vibrating with excited energy, she couldn’t believe this was actually happening. She was going to marry the only man she would ever love. The only man who saw her for who she was, and wasn’t disgusted or annoyed or baffled. With him came this sweet angel of a girl, and she couldn’t be happier.

“You’re going to be one of my bridesmaids of course, yes?” she asks, a bit shyly but trying to appear otherwise.

“Yes!” she said a little too quickly, “oh my gosh please it would be so fun, I want to wear a beautiful dress like yours!” She furrowed her brows and added breathlessly, “Of course, I mean not like yours exactly, but one that is really nice and regal – but not.”

Marina laughed cheerfully and started dancing around Phoebe. Finally she would have a sister too. Though she loved her brother dearly, there was nothing she wanted more than his happiness and a wonderful sister. Phoebe was perfect!

[reluctanthuntress]

Phoebe smiles her thousand watt smile at Marina’s agreement. She really, truly loved Marina the way that she loved her own little sister. Maybe she liked her a little bit more though. Giving her one more hug, she pulls away and backs up toward the door. “Now, you may have your large room in our estate, but you must also have a library.”

[cagedsibyl]

Marina nodded in agreement with each statement because everything that Phoebe said was important. Even if other people didn’t see it that way, Bram did and that’s why Marina did too. “Yes of course! We’ve got to keep up with our research!” She was just too excited to be allowed a room in their house, let alone a large one.

[arionagrande]

Emilia Clarke for Glamour (April 2014)

[reluctanthuntress]

Phoebe watches the girl spin and twirl, a giddyness in her heart. Maybe Marina would be happy now, with a wedding to go to. “Maybe you could be on of my bridesmaids,” Phoebe says excitedly, grabbing Marina’s hands so they can spin about together. “Oh! Even if we move away, we’ll have a special room for you and only you!”

[cagedsibyl]

Marina’s eyes grow wider and she stops spinning, forcing Phoebe to stop with her. It was way too much for her to process and she couldn’t figure out what to do with herself anymore. In stunned silence, she squeezes Phoebe’s hands tighter and nods profusely without uttering a word. ‘She would love to be a bridesmaid. Yes the room would be amazing.’

[reluctanthuntress]

A smile grew upon Phoebe’s face, she liked making people happy. Bram’s sweet little sister was no exception, and she bounced along with her to share in the excitement.

     ”That’s right, I am! Isn’t it a wonder?”

[cagedsibyl]

      Mary wanted to hug Phoebe, but she was too excited to even stand still long enough to embrace her. She just spun around with her arms held out, and in a sing-song voice she continued ranting, “Will you guys get your own house? I don’t think Bram wants to stay in our castle anymore, but I would love to visit your new home! This is so amazing, I’m so happy he doesn’t listen to our father.”

[cagedsibyl]

      “You’re gonna be my sister!” she bounced up and down excitedly.

[emclarkedaily]

Emilia Clarke photographed by Patrick Fraser for the Observer

[cherrylannd]