Forest God

~ 3 ~

Trigger Warning: Child loss and food pressures

Sister Fern hums, content, as she takes a step away from me. She reaches a hand out to move a piece of hair from my face and places it behind my ear. Going over to the table, she picks up a few flowers and comes over to place them in my hair. I remain still as she moves around me, still humming to herself. It was the only sound in the house.

"These dandelions really help to bring out your warm tones," she murmurs, too focused to speak any louder, "They're perfect for framing your face."

"Is that why Mother insisted on dying the fabric for my dress?" I ask her, matching her low tone.

"Yes, I told her it would make you stand out. It's hard to get the perfect shade of yellow. She managed to get it after a few tries."

"Why didn't you tell me? I could've gone to trade with Mother and help her get more fabric."

"Nonsense. She had my help. Plus, she turned the ruined fabric into earmuffs for the Chief's grandchildren in exchange for a fertility treatment his wife made."

"She must have had a lot of messed up fabric then because those treatments his wife makes aren't cheap," I say, not really processing what she said. "Wait a minute. Who did she get that for?"

She lets out a sigh. "I would hope it is for you as a wedding gift, but it is probably for me."

"You don't sound too happy about that."

She sits down on the chair next to me and puts her face in her hands. "Truthfully, I'm not. I don't want it to be a gift for me."

"Is it because you don't want to see your family?"

"That's part of the reason." She lets out a sniffle and wipes her eyes. "Every time I've been with child, I've lost it."

"What do you mean? I've never seen you or Mother clean up the mess losing a child leaves behind."

"I've cleaned it up by myself or with Callan," she whispers.

"How many times." She looks at me with teary eyes.

"Three. I'm just worried it'll happen again."

"I wish you would've told me. I would have helped you through it and not have said anything if you asked," I say, pulling her into my arms. "We are family now, and I'll always help you out."

"Sorry," she chokes out, hurriedly wiping away her tears. "I'm used to dealing with things on my own. I want to have a child, a son for Callan, but I don't like dealing with this heartache. Worry fills me when I think about having to see my family again."

"You know we'll be here for you if it happens again."

"I know." She takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Today's supposed to be a happy day, and here I am crying."

"Tell anyone who asks that you were emotional remembering your own wedding day."

"Yes, Mother Sparrow would definitely ask." She wipes her eyes and rolls her shoulders back. "Alright we don't have any more time to waste. Let's get you finished up." She stands up and holds her hand out for me. I grab on, and she pulls me up and brings me back towards the counter.

She reaches up in one of the dug out shelves and pulls out a small box. I peer over her shoulder and see a few vials in it. They contained different colors made from powders of some sort. "What is this?"

"I made this for my wedding, and now we're going to use it for yours." She opens the red one and tips some out on her finger. "It'll help bring some color to your face. This one is for your cheeks." She moves her finger gently across my face, smearing the color. The next vile she grabs is yellow. "This one is for your eyes to match your dress. Close them for me." I close my eyes, and her fingers dance across my eyelids. I open my eyes when she's done and see her mixing a pink powder with some oil.