Even if I die, it's you.

Their last day as princesses.

Aoibheann still remembered the day her mother passed like it was just yesterday. She remembered the tears, the final goodbye as her frail, tired mother gave in.  Many people in the kingdom blamed it on the birth of her youngest brother, Sean. Though Aoibheann understood  that he was blessing, and definitely not a curse. Many years had passed since then. Six to be exact, and when the story begins, Aoibheann was knitting in her bedroom. 

She let out a bored, sad sigh, as she finished the piece she had been knitting. It was a hat for her brother Sean, who was quite ill with a fever. The doctor had said he would be fine; but Saffron was just worried. He had lost a lot of weight over the past two weeks, and she couldn't help but feel like he would pass like her mother did. 

She stood from the rocking chair, fixing her skirt before making her way down the hallway of the palace to her brother's bedroom, where he was on bedrest. She hesitated, hearing him coughing before knocking on the door. She stepped inside, holding the hat in her left hand. Her mother smiled weakly once he saw her, sitting up. She rushed to his side "a deartháir (brother), you mustn't" she insisted, forcing him to lie back. He coughed a little more, covering his mouth with his hand "I'm sorry, sister". She shook her head, before handing him the hat "I made this for you just now". 

He laughed lightly, taking it from her. "I would give you a hug, but I don't want to pass this illness onto you. Thank you, eldest sister". She smiled warmly, fixing his pillows "it's nothing, my dearest younger brother". "How do you feel about moving away?" he asked her suddenly. She gazed at him in surprise, before she shook her head "I don't wish to. I simply cannot believe that father is giving up his status as King to marry a common woman in a foreign land". 

"At least we will still have riches and everything we desire. Though I agree; I do not wish to leave beautiful Ireland behind" her brother sighed, then smiled brightly "Caitlin had told me she wished to speak to you whenever you could. She's waiting for you outside the palace walls". Aoibheann shook her head, sighing dramatically "what ever am I to do with that young lady". Sean giggled, snuggling back down under the covers "I must rest. Thank you once more for the gift. I will be sure to wear it in the future". 

Aoibheann nodded, leaving the room immediately and scurrying down the halls. She passed her father's study sneakily, before passing some royal guards who bowed and muttered "your highness". Before long, she stood before the gates, nodding to the guard who was stationed outside. He bit his bottom lip, clearly reluctant, but opened the gate for her nonetheless. She thanked him, before glancing around to find her sister. She heard the huge, metal gate clank as it closed, then felt someone jumping onto her back. She gasped, falling flat on her front on the grass. 

Her sister laughed, standing up and brushing some dirt off her dress "there you are! finally, my sister". Aoibheann stood, whacking her younger sister across the head lightly "fool! My skirt is filthy, father will surely know we were messing about once dinner comes about". Caitlin rolled her eyes "what's he going to do? leave us behind?  Prepare to be even filthier, my sister. I want to have one last adventure with you before we leave in the morning". 

Aoibheann sighed, feeling like she was way too old for this behaviour "right, right. Let's go". Her sister tugged on her hand, pulling her through numerous back fields until they reached their hang out spot. Ever since their mother passed, the girls would sneak out of the palace  and into this forest. Aoibheann sat by a tree, while Caitlin began to build a birds nest just a few steps away from her. Aoibheann leaned her head back, sighing sadly. She would miss this. 

"I will miss it too" Caitlin said, as if reading her mind "life will never be the same". Aoibheann didn't respond for a second, looking up at the bright blue sky "summer time in Ireland has never been so beautiful to me" she said, reaching for a twig and snapping it "now father must ruin it". Caitlin stood, climbing a tree with the nest in her hand and placing it on a branch. She jumped down, rubbing her hands together to remove the dirt. She sat beside her sister "I know. What must we do but follow him?  If this is father's wish, we must go". 

Aoibheann nodded, looking up at the sky once more "I often wonder at night, since he told us, if the sky is the same in Silla. Do the birds sing beautiful tunes? Do they spend winters huddled over a fire telling stories? Do they have the same humour as we do?". Caitlin snapped a twig before responding "I doubt it. It's probably way too different from here, but we'll be fine. We might even..find love". 

Aoibheann laughed a little "I doubt that. What would they want with us when they have their own kind? We don't even speak the same language. We're lucky to be able to speak English. I wonder if they do, too". "Father said we'll be taught the language on the ship. He said a translator will be present. Let's hope it's easy to learn". "We're smart" Aoibheann told her "we can handle it". 

Before long, the sky began to grow dark, so the girls made their way back through the beautiful fields for the last time. Aoibheann took in every little thing. The daisies and other flowers, swaying gently in the summer breeze. The ladybirds and other tiny insects that littered the ground. She would not have noticed any other day. Though this was a different day..

..It was their last day as princesses.