Take Me Away

Chapter 2

"Where the bloody hell have you been, Melisande?" Terrin shouted at me as soon as I set foot in the doorway. sweat was dripping down my forehead and dampened the roots of my hair as I panted, trying to catch my breath in order to give her my excuse.

"I... ran here," I gasped, trying to swallow any liquid down my achingly dry throat. "From the fields," I slipped off my slippers and continued too be to bedroom. "I'm sorry, Terrin. I lost track of time."

"You always lose track of time," Terrin muttered underneath her breath. "just like your mother."

I was silent as I stripped off my tunic and raggedy pants, while Terrin opened her chest and pulled out the gown I would have to wear while I danced.

The dress was a flimsy red material, which was thin enough that you could see through it. It didn't have sleeves, and it dipped down into a low v-shaped neckline. There was a high slit down the very center of the dress, allowing us movement for our dance, which happened to require a lot of acrobatic work. We were only allowed to wear our underwear and a thick, single band around our chest so it wouldn't be a distraction while we were dancing. The bands and underwear had to be white, though, so it wouldn't affect the color of the dress.

The gown was the prettiest thing I'd ever seen. Along each of the exposed edges was a gold trim, and there were little tiny golden beads decorating the hemline. The thing that made it the most special though, was the fact the my mother had worn it and I was going to follow in her footsteps.

A small smile brightened my face as I grabbed it from Terrin slip it on. "Be careful," she snapped, slapping my hands away from the delicate material. "You'll ruin it."

"I wouldn't do that, Terrin. And how do you expect me to get it on if I can't touch it?" I tried to hold my tongue, but my biting tone accented my words and Terrin glared at me.

"Fine. Do it yourself, then." Terrin quickly turned around and stomped out of my room, slamming the door behind her.

Ignoring her, I slipped on my undergarments and the gown, the material feeling like gossamer and silk beneath my fingers. I cinched up the ties in the back, which made the thin fabric cling to my figure as I stared at the book and comb that sat patiently on my bed. Gazing at it, I paused, thinking better of it, and unfastened the ties at the back and slipped the book underneath, tying it so it was secured behind my back. I wanted to have it with me, no matter what happened today. 

Glancing at my reflection in the only window of my room, I stared. For the first time, I could see that I was the spitting image of my mother, with her hair and short stature. Pride swelled in my chest and I took a deep breath, preparing myself. 

I raised my hands and gathered my honey blonde hair into a bun, leaving a few wavy curls loose to frma my face, alongside my long bangs. For the final touch, I grabbed the polished blue comb and slid it neatly into my hair, finishing the preparations for the dance. 

I offered myself a smile in my reflection, before turning and walking out of the room. Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

***

Slipping on my slippers, I waited patiently at the entrance to the cottage. Soon enough, Terrin came rushing down the steps, dressed in elaborate, celebratory robes that dragged behind her as she walked. They were red as well, made of silk spun from silkworms kept by the weavers of the village.

She patted her graying hair, trying to make sure it was perfect, before she laid her eyes on me. I smiled a small smile at her, because I was happy I was able to do something in my mother's memory, wearing her clothing. But instead, Terrin frowned.