Tears Unnumbered [EDITING]

Friendship

Each day after that, Nolan and Aoife visit her in the forest. Some days, she goes to their place. It is inconsequential since none could see her- only hear her if they were Aoife's kin. The forest has revealed itself to be wrapped up in wonders, and with not one, but two people to look out for her, Aoife spends a lot of time exploring the woods. Sometimes she frolics in the water, and other times, she runs across, sometimes hiding behind this tree and sometimes behind that until one of her two companions found her. She was having the time of her life, being the carefree child she was meant to be.

The first day had led to an awkward silence between Nolan and the girl as Aoife left them to chase after a colourful insect. They had both let the silence swell around them until Nolan decided that if they were both going to look after his sister, he ought to at least talk to her.

"You said the woods are a dangerous place, and yet you seem completely at ease with letting her run around!"

Perhaps it wasn't the best way to start a conversation, but one thing was obvious to him and it was that they both cared for Aoife. Bronagh, or Aislinn, as he liked to think of her, didn't come across as a girl who would mince her words, and so he figured that he would most likely get an answer if he asked such a question.

"It is, when you are alone. I think between the two of us, we can definitely keep her safe."

"Do you not have a home to call your own?"

"I did. A long time ago. Now there are none who would welcome me to their dwelling, and I would not have it any other way. It is much easier like this."

"Would you like to talk about it?"

"No."

"Well I have a brother, Aodhán and my cousin Aoife. We live with our parents back in town. Aoife's mother was my mother's sister, but you knew that didn't you?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"The other day when Aoife brought me here. It was you, wasn't it?"

"It was, but fear not, for I left soon after."

"It wouldn't have been of much consequence. Knowing Aoife, she would have told it all to you soon enough!"

"How does your family take it? Last I heard, your brother wasn't too keen about it. What is he like?"

"Who, Aodhán? I suppose you can say he is the typical elder brother- always there to put me in place. Quick to give me a piece of his mind, but also fiercely protective of his own. One would say that it is the younger child who usually tries to prove himself, but I suppose our family is an exception. He is hardly the person who would smile at you when he has no problem letting you know exactly what he thinks."

She never expected him to tell her so much. Especially when she had refused to open up to a person she hardly knew, apart from the fact that he was her friend's brother. He speaks to her like he would to any other human girl, and somehow, she feels she can trust him. He knows not what she looks like, yet from behind the trees, he still treats her like he genuinely wants to know her. She doesn't know what she has done to deserve his kindness, only that it warms her heart beyond comprehension.

With each passing day, she finds joy little by little in the company of the two people who have become dearer to her than the family she once knew. Sometimes, she speaks of little nothings with Nolan. Other times, she finds herself far above the ground amongst branches as old as her as Nolan taunts his sister even as she looks to him with adoration. Even now, that is what she sees. Nolan pretends to be a monster and chases after a giggling Aoife, and a pang of guilt hits her as she truly comprehends the fact that the girl wouldn't grow up to become a wonderful woman.

Aoife means much to her- both like a daughter and a friend. She still feels the strange pull that she had the first day she had set her eyes on Aoife, and she only hopes Nolan will be there to help her get through it. That thought quickly gives over to a darker turn when she realizes that not only will he hurt as much, if not more, but the chances of him accepting her identity are minuscule to non-existent. She wonders what his life has been like, that he so easily accepts the people around him. She knows Aoife's story. She knows most of her own, and it takes her by surprise to know that she wishes to know his story too. Maybe that is what friendship is like, she muses.

"Aislinn!" he calls out to her. "It's time to go and we're leaving. Are you joining us today?"

"Go ahead. I'll be there."

It isn't late yet. The sun is still at its peak. Aoife tells her that Nolan had stopped them this morning and made it very clear that they were to return early. She watches as they walk away from her even as she follows them quietly. She doesn't want to risk being seen, for only those fated to die can see her. She will leave that task for the night. She doesn't enter Aoife's house where they are all gathered. For a while, she watched as Alma, or so she guesses, fussed over the girl. No one knows yet what changed her, but one thing is for sure that Aoife will know the love of a woman once more for the rest of her life, no matter how short it is fated to be.

"Aislinn, are you there?"

"Here, up the willow."

He chuckles lightly.

"I should have guessed. Even in those forests you always preferred the lonely willow to the oaks, beech, and ash!"

He walks over and sits at the base of the tree, as he usually does when they talk to each other. There's a small smile on his face, reflecting the one on her own.

"Is there a reason you are up there, Aislinn? You didn't seem too happy today."

"I don't think you'll understand Nolan. This person, this is not who I really am. My guilt weighs upon me and the fact that I can do nothing just hurts. Don't let it get to you, for I am alone in this."

In the distance, Nolan hears Aidan calling to him to get back for supper, and he turns to go, but not before he speaks to her.

"You will never be alone. I don't know of any others, but you have Aoife, and you have me. Just tell me anything, and I mean anything, and I'll be there for you. After all, it's what friends do for each other. See you later... Cara."

Cara. Above all else, he had called her his friend.