| Before Time Page 16 |
| Music : I've Had The Time Of My Life |
| Fionna's eyes grew misty. So strong yet so tender was she. She spoke softly as if to herself. ' I understand full well Bow... for once I was a young bride, off on my weddin trip with me chosen. And aye, was a new experience, but I wouldnae have missed for all the gold beyond the rainbow.' 'I'll be grand whilst yer gone. I will. I've a strength and vigor back I donnae even recognise. ' ' And Bow, you are a grand man, Maire couldnae have done better. Ye'll be gentle to her, I know ye will. And I .... I'll have a chat with her Bow, She'll know what to expect. She loves you very much Lad, it comes out as an aura ' |
| As busy as he was, Bow made time ta draw Fionna away fer a bit. |
| He spoke to her softly, as tenderly as he spoke to his Maire, 'Mum, If I was ta take Maire on a wedding trip, would ye be too lonesome ? ' |
| It took Fionna a minute or two ta answer, for this young man niver ceased to surprize her with his thoughtfulness. Yet when she answered, it was as she always did. Her sharpness of wit was as much ta ease him as it was ta make him laugh. ' Lonesome ... did ye say lonesome ? ! Praise the Fay, I'll finally have meself ta meself ' |
| Bow just shook his head and smiled. His face then took a more sober look and he spoke to her earnestly. ' Mothair, Me affection fer ye is deep, fer without you, I'd have no Maire. But more, ye are a woman, no matter yer circumstances who is quality. More quality than most Gentry. ' |
| I'll spend the rest of me days, providin ye and Maire with all ye deserve. You will live with us as long as ye wish, and if ye tire of the closeness, Ye'll have yer own place, a place of warmth and ease. It is your choice Mum, for I have made mine.' He cleared his throat before going on .' Now. We willnae be gone long Mum. I'm going ta take her ta the Fair. I'll arrange fer someone ta stop each day ta see to the fire and the other things that may need doin. Will that suit ye ?' |
| Fionna's eyes flew open. The excitement was there fer all ta see. ''To the Fair is it then ? Ahhh Bow, I've niver been ta the fair. ' She clasped her hands over her breast. ' Now me Maire, me heart will nae go ta Tir 'N Og without seein the fair ! I was ta go once, with Maire's Da but ... ' and her voice drifted off to another place and time. Bow felt the hot tears scald behind his eyelids. He wondered why, why the good seemed to get so little, ask so little, whilst the nae so good seemed to gain all. |
| He instictively held her in his arms and didnae feel over bold ta do so. When he could trust his voice, modulate it, He spoke softly to her. ' Well, ye may nae go this time tis outta the question ! ' And then that rascally laugh of his. '' But in the Harvest season, we will all go tagether. And we'll laugh and jest and nae doubt overspend. I've rented an old Tinker wagon for our trip Mum. Mayhaps I should purchase it in time fer the Harvest Fair. And if ye do up some fabrics on yer loom we'll tote 'em with us and ye maight earn a few coins ' |
| Do ye mean it Bow ? Ye are nae teasin me ? Ye'll really tote me ta the Harvest faire ? Aye, sure I mean it mum. Everyone should see the faire ! How could I leave me Maire's mother behind then ? This time is different though. This time we'll go only by ourselves. Maire needs her special wedding trip. Will be strange fer her Mum, but the closeness will be closer. |
| He rubbed her back gently and felt all her cares and concerns leave her. He finally, reluctantly, stepped back some, cleared his throat and spoke in a more jovial manner than he felt at the time. ' Now Madame, I must be about gettin ta the Tailorman, I cannae shame me new family dressed as a pauper. And as fer you and MeOwn, will ye be needin ta go and have yer own wardrobe refreshed ? I know ye enjoy the weaving and sewin ... but I thought mayhaps ye'd fancy someone else ta do the work fer once. Then he laughed his roguish laugh. Besides Mothair, that way I'll know I'm gettin me money's worth, fer sure ye'll nae let another do shabby work ' |
| Fionna gave him a swat, but a most affectionate one. ' I'll nae havin ye spend yer hard earned coins on the likes o' me back Bow. But Aye, Mayhaps Maire would enjoy the fussin, though Isure she'll deny so. " ' Mothair ' said he softly. Tis on yer back ye carried me Maire and kept her safe fer me. What good're coins ta me if I cannae share 'em with those I love ?' 'Go, ta the Tailorman Bow, yer lookin a bit shabby ' . By this time he knew her well, he knew she more wanted to think than insult. |
| 'Right then, off I be. I need see Carter about the wagon. It must be perfection fer Me Maire's one and only wedding trip. ' He turned to leave, then took her hand and kissed it. 'Ye'll speak ta Maire about some new travel clothes, yes ? Fionna used the same ' fake ' exasperation Maire had mastered to an art. ' Aye ! go now. The weddin will be 6 days gone and ye'll still be astir about me head shawl !' |
| As for Fionna, she had long ago stopped dreaming, making plans. The excitement inside her was an old memory of what maight be. She began to PLAN ! She would use the time they were gone to use the loom again. Aye, and when they returned too. She would use her artistry on her loom to make things ta sell at the Harvest Faire. She WOULD have coins ! Coins she earned. And she would use them ta buy gifties for her children ! |