spooof
I made love to her for the first time the night before her wedding. Every touch was electric, pasionate. I miss the feeling of her lips on mine. I always have. Its been years since we’ve spoken. Her mother found us tangled in the morning rays, laying golden peacefully wrapped in each others arms. I should have left when I first woke, but I craved her touch just for a few more moments. Much yelling and crying transpired that morning as I climbed out the window, barely dressed. I ran through the woods with tears streaming down my face. When I finally stopped, I wrapped my scawl around my shoulders and began my trek to my aunt’s cottage. I could never return to the manor now. I had not been officially fired from my position, but I had no doubt that my employment was over. I found a singular yellow blossom among the red forest, and I thought of nothing but her golden hair. Gently, I plucked the bloom from the prison of the ground, something I never dreamed I would be able to do for my love. Once I reached my aunt’s cottage, I hung the flower up to dry out and then ever so carefully placed the miniture flower into an equally small glass jar, which I have worn around my neck since. It has been years since then. We were so young, so pure. Not quite grown, but not quite children. All these years, I have waited for her. I grew my hair out long, and began braiding it in the same way I had for my dear for all the years of our youth. During our time apart, I had learned my aunt’s trade of the midwife and many times I had returned to the manor hoping to find her visiting her parents. A few months ago, it seemed that she and her husband had taken to living with her parents. This puzzled me as he was a lord and owned many coal mines in near and distant lands. I kept out of sight. I wouldn’t risk anyone, even my own love seeing me. I feared the consequences. She had even began venturing to my aunt’s cottage, but I kept away even then. My love was preganant with my rival’s child. Their first born. My aunt died a few weeks ago and in my grief I wondered to the manor to look upon my love who was big in the belly, nearly due for birth. I was caught. Not by my love or even her family, but instead by strangers. They asked who I was to the family, but I remained silent. My silence only gained me bruises. The group of strangers explained that they were planning to put an end to my love’s husband. It seemed that he was deep in debt to their employers. I smiled wide. I told them of the secret entrances and gifted them my last relic of the manor, a set of keys. My mother and I had worked as maids for the manor since I was a young child. I knew far too well the labyrinth of the inside and I willingly gave them this information. I made but one request, “Kill the entire family. Every member. But allow <lfkjadfj> to escape. She is with child”. They explained that they could fulfill my request. They must kill the baby and to do so kill the mother. I explained that I was the midwife for my love and that she would surely come to me. They weary agreed.
Now, I see the plooms of smoke billowing into the night sky from the far off manor and hear the galloping of a horse along with the pains of a mother in agony. I smile widely. She is coming to me, finally. I help her into the cottage, but she does not recognize me. The pain was overtaking all her senses. She labored hard into the night until finally her new born son arrived. My love was weak from the delivery and I cursed the dead man who had caused this damned ailment upon her. She faded in and out of awareness for days. I cared for her and the baby in this time. I could not hurt him. Although he was the son of my rival, he was also born from my love. Immediately I had loved him as my own. When she finally awoke, she called for <DFLDSJFL>. The devil was not even among the living anymore and he still plagued my every moment with my love. I arrived at her side, patting her face with a cool cloth, “Hello my beautiful”. She shot up in the bed scared and shocked. “<DFLDK>? How? Where am I?” I explained that we were at my aunt’s cottage, but that I was the midwife now, since my aunt’s recent death. “I never knew. I never knew you…” <FDLKFJ> struggled. “Because I never wanted you to know”, I responded. I leaned down to kiss her only to be pushed away. Anger shot through my body. All these years. All this time and she does not love me anymore? “What happened? Where is my family? Where is my husband?” <JDLFKJD> asked. I sighed and told the lie that I had planned during her slumber, “From what I have heard at the market, there was a fire at the manor, only you escaped. Everyone says it was caused by an unattended lantern.” Panic shot through her as she bellowed, “LIES! They lie! These-- these assassins- they-they---”. She was cut off by her own sobbing. I wiped her tears and avoided her sorrow soaked eyes, “<DFKDL>, the kingsmen have investigated. They say it was an accident. The town believes all of you died. No one knows you are still alive.” She cried at me, “Why? Why didn’t you tell them I was here?” I responded calmly even as my mind screamed, “I thought it would be best if you told them yourself. You have been so weak since you arrived. I wasnt sure if you would live.” I reached to kiss her head gingerly only to be pushed away again. “How long have i been here?”, she questioned. “A few weeks, you have been sleeping mostly. You have been barely awake enough to eat and--” Her words sliced through mine with more panic, “My baby! Where is my baby?” I stood, walking away from her, “Dead”. I prayed the baby upstairs would remain quiet for a bit longer. She began crying hysterically again, and I brewed a concoction that would make her rest again, just long enough to hide the baby. I dug a small plot in the garden and placed flowers over the false grave. For a few days I kept giving her sleeping brews until she was strong enough to leave on her own. On the final day, I cooked a large meal for her. As we ate, she asked again about the baby, “Was it a boy or a girl?” “A girl,” I cooly replied as I stared down at my plate. “What did you do with him?” “I dug a small grave in my garden. I hope that is acceptable.” She grabbed my hand and thanked me for everything. She grabbed the few things she had managed to bring with her during the escape from the attack. “<fjaljf>, have you seen my cloak and crest? I can not find it.” For the first time in our lives, I lied to <DJFLDS> as I stared deep into her dark eyes, “You didn’t have it with you.” She cursed under her breath. I did not want to lie about her baby or her status symbols, but I had to protect her. I did not trust the assassins. They may come try to finish the job. She placed a hand upon my cheek and I flinched at the action. She tried to draw away and apologize, but I stopped her bringing her hand back and leaning my cheek down to it. <djdlafj> brought my face to hers and kissed me gently. This is what I had waited years for, what I had craved during the golden days and the lonely nights. But it wasn’t right, because it was goodbye, and I knew it. I held back the tears in my eyes as I pulled her tightly to me deepening our kiss. Of course, <dlafjl> pulled away first. She grazed her fingers across my trembling lips. My voice trembled as much as my lips, “<DFJD>, I-I.. I--” She didn’t allow me to finish, “I know.” We stood in silence for what felt like centuries until she spoke again, “Can you show me where my son is buried?” I nodded and led her to the plot. I knew something was wrong as we approached the grave. My love’s face was turning red. She fell to her knees and ripped the flowers from the grave dirting her dress. “You idiot!”, she screamed. Turning to me, she showed me none of the tenderness from minutes before. She stood and shoved me backwards, “My people do not place flowers or other dying things upon the grave! You only wish more death upon the departed!” With those last words, she mounted her horse and rode away. In that moment, I wished to never see her again. I still loved her, but something dangerous lurked within that love now. Something, I don’t understand, yet I embrace.
