Candles

Chapter 1

Seven years later...

I sat along the edges of the crackling fire, watching the glowing figures manifest and disappear. I could hear Eddie Byrne fiddling away on his ancient fiddle while his brother, Grigori, puffed into his pipe. The collective clap of tambourines and the blur of the gypsy dancers made me euphoric. The scent of roasted pig drifted from the feast-laden table nearby. I felt a soft hand close around my shoulder and looked up to see the glowing face of Esmeralda. "Are you alright?" she said. She sat down next to me and began to stroke my head. I nodded and replied, "Of course, Esmeralda. Why would I not be?" She smirked playfully and took out her haircomb. "Well, you aren't dancing. Or singing, for that matter!" She gently ran her comb through my raven locks. "There isn't a suitable song to dance to." I said, matter-of-factly, "Nor is there a suitable partner for me to dance or sing with." Esmeralda gave a hearty laugh. "Oh!" she exclaimed, putting down her comb and pulling out a hair ribbon. "My sister and her sharp tongue!" She swiftly braided my hair and tied it up, marveling at her work. "There!" she exclaimed, "You look like the Queen of Sheba!" I turned and grasped her hands in mine. "I may be the Queen of Sheba," I started, "but, you are the Queen of the Heavens!" She smiled and laughed. "Oh, my dear Fia! How you remind me of mama!" I felt my smile melt along with my spirits. I turned away from her as her eyes searched my face with concern. "Fia?" she said, "Fia, I am sorry if I have brought about memories we have tried to forget. I-" I quickly forced myself to smile once again. "There is no need to apologize, dear sister!" My tone must have sounded solemn, for she gave me a look of concern and worry. "She would've wanted us to be happy." Esmeralda said, smiling. I nodded and grinned as she hugged me close."...Am I interupting anything?" A man's cheerful voice perked up behind us. The drunken red face of a jolly Frederick Nottingham appeared behind us. Esmeralda smiled and took her future husband by the arm. "My love, you must find an eager young man for my dear sister to dance with! You are the subject of this festive party after all!" Frederick smiled gaily. "Yes, yes, my dear. But, you are also the star of the festivities and I propose that I instead will lead you into a merry waltz and try not to trample on your feet!" I smirked. "Well, you really are drunk, aren't you, Frederick?" He cast me an annoyed glare. "Well, no wonder no one would favor a dance from you! You're as sour as a grape!" "LIke the grapes they put in your wine?" Esmeralda laughed and placed a hand on her soon-to-be husband's shoulder. "My dear, you know you cannot win against my sharp-witted sister! Come, and dance with me!" Frederick turned and stuck out his tongue in defiance as he was lead away by a glowing Esmeralda. I soon was alone again. I folded down my golden-coloured skirt and searched around for the familiar face of my father. Father had never been the same since... since that horrible day... He seemed to have lost some spirit he always seemed to have and the warmth he once showed me seemed to fade over time. Nonetheless, I found him dancing, happy and quite possibly drunk, with Mrs. Bryne, while the other gypsy widows looked on with obvious envy. I approached with caution and soon Father saw me, politely kissed Mrs. Byrne on the hand, and waved goodbye. He smiled a sad smile and took my hand in his. "My dear child," he began, "Why are you not dancing? Or singing?" I sighed. "Apparently, according to every single person I've come into contact with, that's my sole purpose in life..." He smiled and parted my hair to reveal my face. I saw tears brimming in his eyes as he turned away. "You have your mother's smile..." I looked away and tried to focus on the glittering fire a few feet from me. "Has Eddie Byrne asked you to dance yet, my dear?" I glanced at him in surprise. He had never particularly liked Eddie, seeing that he was as clumsy and naive as I was, but he was kind enough. "I don't believe so..." Father brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. "My dear, if you do not feel that you cannot... make a choice... right away, then do not respond too hastily-" I quickly let go of his hand and took a step back. "Father, what ever are you talking about? Make what choice? Has the wine gotten to your head?" Father smiled and motioned behind me. "Perhaps Eddie will provide you with the answers you seek..." I felt a short tap on my shoulder and I spun around with such force as to break my spine. Sure enough, I was within a pin's distance from Eddie Brynes rosy-cheeked face. His caramel-coloured curls shone like the sun in the fire's light. "Fia!" he bowed awkwardly and wrung his hands ecessively. "I didn't mean to frighten you..." I quickly caught my breath and grinned. "No, no. You merely surprised me, that's all." I sat down on a nearby log and watched as he crouched and sat down next to me. "I was just wondering..." He looked quite bashful and sounded anxious. "...I was wondering if you would like to come hunting with Grigori and I, to-morrow morning." I felt a heavy sense of relief. That was all that he needed to ask me? I nodded slowly. "Why yes, of course, Eddie! You sounded so nervous I thought it was something far more serious!" He laughed a jittery chuckle. "Yes! Yes, what have I to be worried about indeed!" He looked back as Grigori burst through the crowds and yelled for his brother to come along. "They're starting the next song! Hurry up!" As Grigori faded into the crowd, Eddie suddenly grabbed my hand and kissed it gently. "I suppose we shall wait till the dawn to see each other again!" And with that, he barrelled off. Not even with a 'good evening'... I thought. Then, I remembered. He lost his father in the fire... I remember back then when he was cocky and brave. He always had his father to guide him, while Grigori often shut him out. Then... the fire... I shook the thoughts of guilt away from my head. I wouldn't let my sadness get in the way of Esmeraldas joy. She's getting married! I thought, Come along! Be happy now! It's what mother would've wanted... I saw her and Frederick gleefully embracing each other, when, all of a sudden, he picked her up and began to spin around, with Esmeralda giggling like the charming Aphrodite in the arms of Ares. I smiled. I had often dreamed of a love like that, yet I knew none would find me. The other gypsy tribes had shut us out due to my cursed reputation and my "bad luck." Not until the Nottinghams took us in, disregarding superstitions surrounding my family and I. I was thankful. Thankful and sad. Was I thankful for the sadness? The isolation? I felt my head slipping into darkness. Tiredness starting creeping up to my eyes as burned with the dryness of the fire smoke. I laid my head down on the wooden log which, despite the hardness, provided warmth. The last thing I remember is Eddie slowly lifting me up and gently laying me upon my soft cot in the caravan.