Rhionan (A Gurruffallo Accessory)

  nine

  I awoke in a strange place. This isna me home. What's this strange structure, above the ground? I felt better than ever, as though a good weeks sleep solved all me problems. Every part of me body that were tired before, were now rested.

  Completely restored.

  Running me hands over me body – This isna me ceremonial gown! – someone changed me clothes! Raising the blanket that covered me, I wore a full-length, white dress. Intricate lace patterns covered much of it, and the material felt thicker, like the dress Catriona wore to me wedding.

  Oh no.

  Taking a sharp breath, Catriona.

  Thor.

  Shawn...

  Me wedding.

  Looking around the inside of the structure I laid in, where am I?

  Who changed me?

  Where's that person?

  Me mind raced too fast to keep up with as I took in me surroundings and wished I could remember something. Heat radiated from a small fire, in the corner. Awkward in someone else's home, I sat up quick. At least, I think 'tis someone else's home. No to mention, somebody saw me as they changed me garments. Heat rose to me cheeks as a blush covered me face, I were exposed.

  The above ground house is different from what I know of. I would probably feel better in the safety of our dugout back home.

  “I see you're awake,” a strange but friendly voice came to me from across the room.

  As friendly as he sounded, I jumped at his deep baritone, afraid of what happened to me, and what were yet to come. Grabbing the blanket that covered me, I pulled it to me chin hiding the rest of me body beneath it.

  “I will not hurt you, dear. I'm a friend. I'm here to help.” His rough dialect came out hard to understand, much like Thor's. I struggled to make sense of his words. He isna Irish, but he seems nice.

  “Who – Who're ye?” I stuttered. Raising up on me elbows to see what the man behind the voice looked like. His jawline and nose are strong with high cheekbones. His scruffy, yellow hair reminded me of the summer fields in the clearing. But his eyes... they be the darkest brown I ever saw. I decided he were roughly Shawn's age... But somehow, worldlier...

  He looks as though he has seen many things.

  “A friend,” he smiled, warm and caring, sharing the same familiarity Thor did. “I'm one of your followers. We share a special connection. It has been a long year,” a crooked grin spread across his face making his brown eyes sparkle. Even with his boyish expression, he carries a strong, safe presence.

  His words werena registering, “F-Follower?” I repeated him awkwardly.

  “Aye, dear. I cannot die, as you cannot... and your injuries have proven. Those guards were rough on you. I'm sorry I could not help you. I wasn't there when it happened and we are not allowed to interfere.”

  Me head spun with the information he were sharing, causing me face to go blank as me head tilted to one side, kinda like Shawny's da's dog when he were doing his best to understand or at least follow along. What does he mean I canna die? I panicked making me breathing shaky as deep breaths turned into quick hyperventilations. Doing the best I could to gain control of me body and understand him, “They k-killed me?” I stuttered, recognizing the conviction in his dark eyes. “How? T'isn't the afterlife..? I'm still living'..?” Rambling, I fell back on his bed, placing one hand on me forehead, “'Tis too much...” I sighed.

  “No.” He came across rigid, but he added a softer explanation, “You must not look back on life as you died. Instead, think of it as being given a second chance to make the most of.” Crossing the room, he sat on the bed next to me. “I'm sorry for what happened. Had I been there, I could not have done anything because we cannot disrupt the course of life as my good friend proved in my absence. And he knows the rules better than I. Of course, he's also four-hundred-years older than I.”

  “Thor,” I whispered to meself, putting the pieces together. Why do so many unnatural things about this man remind me of Thor? “Were Thor yer good friend?” I choked over his name as the memory of his violent death forced itself to the front of me mind. Immediately me thoughts shifted to Catriona and her luv for him. Letting out a sharp cry, magnified by anger and frustration and followed by the sadness that gripped me heart. Catriona will be devastated by his death.

  Again, her pain is caused by me. Tears began streaming down me cheeks.

  “Aye, dear.” I hate how he calls me that. Rubbing his finger along me cheek, he wiped a tear away. “Do not fret over Thor. He is well. Now you have become like me. Like Thor. We will live forever watching and waiting–”

  There were no comfort in his words, and wouldna be until I saw Thor with me own eyes. After all, I saw him die. “Waitin' for what?” I interrupted him. How's he able to talk about something else? Shouldn't Thor get some sort of remembrance?

  “For life. We watch those around us. We pay attention to what is happening and why. It's not always revealed to us why we have a connection, which is why we wait. Our connections lead us to different people and we follow those connections until we find them. Sometimes they become like you and me. Sometimes they escape death and live long happy lives.”

  “What did they do to me?” me voice held more strength than I felt. Even though the truth were frightening, 'tis something I must know, “The guards, I mean.”

  “I think we should wait to discuss your death until later. I cannot stand to think about what they did to you before that one-armed brute slit your throat.” He said it fast and jumbled together.

  Me hand went to me throat. I felt no mark to verify his words but in the pit of me stomach, I knew he spoke the truth. It took a moment for his words to sink in. Seeing the pain on his face, at the mention of me death, I knew better than to ask him again. I couldna stop meself from me next question, “Did they leave me like Catriona?” He nodded, no sharing details. Me body curled over as me arms tightly wrapped around me stomach. I tasted the bile, that rose in the back of me mouth, before swallowing it back down. I thought I could handle hearing about me death, but finding out the guards left me the same as Cat...

  He stared at me for a long time before speaking again. “I know this is hard, but you still have a chance. The chance I never had.”

  “What'd ye mean?” Me voice tight, as I leaned forward.

  I saw the sadness in his eyes. “I took your body so none would find it. They do not know of your death. You can return to them. To him, and live happy until you are ready to accept what you have become.”

  “Shawn.” His name barely escaped me lips. His gray eyes danced in front of me. There were nothing I wanted more than Shawn. He needs to see me well.

  “Yes. You must go fast before something happens.”

  “What'll happen?”

  “All will be explained in time. I will be here when you chose to accept who you are, but you must go now if that is the life you desire.”

  I left him in a blur after thanking him continuously for everything. He took care of me instead of leaving me to be found, in a bloody mess, by Shawn. I'mna able to repay him for telling me what happened or telling me what I have become.

  One day, I vowed, I will repay him for his kindness, and find out more. I will get better answers.

  Right now, I have to return to me family. I have to make sure they're safe. They need to know I'm safe too. Show them there isna reason to worry about me.