Ta Da!

We can still comment on the other post and continue the story about Jane, but I just thought I'd start a new post for other ideas. I started writing a story yesterday that I actually kind of like and have ideas for so here's what I have so far:

Far away upon a hill

There is a Lady Fair.

And many a knight has tried and failed

To find exactly where.

Her name is lost to memory

Gone from the minds of all.

And whether she be young or old,

Nobody can recall.

She dances with the willows

And sings among the birds

And tells spellbinding stories

Though no one hears the words....

"Mommy, what are they singing?" A small girl with dark curls and bright blue eyes pointed a chubby finger at the group of singers. Her mother smiled down at her.

"They are singing the Tale of the Lady Fair, a very old song. Do you like it Lilly-lil?" Lilian nodded, entranced by the singers' beautiful harmonies. Her mother picked her up and put her on her shoulders. "Then I shall teach it to you." She turned away from the square and headed towards the fields, Lilian giggling above her. "Would you like that?" she squeezed one of Lilian's chubby legs. Lilian giggled harder.

"Yes mommy," she gasped out between laughs.

"Okay, it goes like this..." she thought back to when her own mother had taught her the song and began the haunting tune, "Far away, upon a hill..."

"Lilian! Wake up!" Lilian opened her eyes sleepily and saw a little face above her.

"Good morning Ollie," she murmured as she sat up. Olive jumped off the bed and began hopping excitedly from foot to foot.

"Today is Fair Day! Fair Day, Lilian!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining.

"Really? Are you sure it's today?" Lilian teased as she pulled on her dress. Olive had been counting down the days for months.

"Yes, I'm sure. Hurry up! Your hair looks fine, let's go!" She tugged on Lilian's arm.

"Just a second!" Lilian laughed, putting a final pin in her dark curly hair. "Okay, I'm ready. Did you tell your mom?"

"Yes, she told me to get something pretty for her." They went out the door and out into the street. Suddenly Olive's face grew solemn. "Lil, how come mommy can't come with us?" Lilian looked down into Olive's green eyes and felt a twinge of sadness.

"Well, she's been feeling tired lately, you know, and she wants to save up her strength for another special day." Lilian smiled and took Olive's small hand in her own. "It's your birthday soon, right?"

Olive gasped in delight and Lilian sighed in relief. It was getting harder and harder to explain to Olive why her mother couldn't get out of bed. Lilian thought sadly about Ellie and wished there was some way she could help her dear cousin. Ellie was a few years older than her and after the birth of Olive had grown sicker and sicker. Lilian had moved in a few years ago to help care for Olive and had watched helpless as Ellie became weaker. Ellie's husband Peter was away and had been for the past year, trying to preserve peace on the border. War had almost broken out between Vistol and their neighbors Algarkia to the south, and thousands of men had been sent to the border to prevent further outbreaks. There had been talk recently of the men returning and Lilian urged it to be true. She thought perhaps Ellie would recover a little just by having Peter back.

"Lilian look!" Olive gasped as they reached the square. All the shops were decked out in colorful ribbons and banners hung above. Besides the regular shops, artists and crafts booths had been set up, and the square was filled with people from neighboring towns. Delicious smells of cakes and cookies and candy filled the air. Lilian looked at Olive's shining eyes and imagined hers were shining just as brightly.

"Where to first?" she asked and they ventured into the crowds. They spent a great deal of time splurging on delightful cream cakes, and then went on to the jewelry booths to find something for Ellie.

"Let's get this one!" Olive said pointing to a silver necklace with shiny green pendant.

"It's very pretty," Lilian replied. It would go nicely with Ellie's golden hair. She asked how much and as she dug through her purse for the change, the vendor turned to Olive.

"You're very lucky your mommy is buying that for you," she said, smiling. Olive giggled.

"But Lilian's not my mommy. She's only...thirteen years older than me!" Olive replied, proud that she knew the age difference. "I'm almost six," she added with a grin.

"Oh, I see," the vendor replied, and smiled at Lilian. "Then you are very lucky that Lilian is buying it for you."

"But she's not. We're getting it for my mommy," Olive replied instantly.

"Oh..." the vendor replied coloring a little.

"Just stop talking," Lilian laughed, handing over the money. "That's what I do." The vendor laughed and they went on their way.

"Lilian, are you going to get anything?" Olive asked, "you should get a pretty necklace 'cause you're so pretty." Lilian laughed.

"Well, if I should, you should too 'cause you're much prettier." Olive swelled with the compliment. They decided on matching bracelets and were putting them on when Olive gasped.

"What's that music?" she asked.

I have more written but the lab is closing so that's all for now.