The End

A while later, the sun was beating down on my face as I groggily opened my eyes. I felt fresh and new as if somehow napping in the grass had refreshed my soul. I gathered a bouquet of the flowers that lay around me and then weaved them through my golden hair. I then braided it to the side and heard footsteps coming my way. “Hello Keela. Would you mind getting married tonight?” Butterflies grew in my stomach and I nodded. A short, plump lady with auburn hair struggled down the hill behind him. I watched as she finally made it to us. “Hallo lassie. My name’s Muiread. You must be little Ailin’s wife Keela. Goodness he does talk about you a lot. Now dear let’s get you fixed up for your wedding.” Muiread turned around and started to climb back up the hill. I followed behind and after what seemed like forever, we were in the cottage. “Keela your hair looks perfect for the weddin’. Now let’s get you into that dress and make you a bouquet.” I slipped on the blue dress and Muiread was outside searching for suitable flowers. I joined her and after a while, we had an extravagant bouquet that matched the flowers in my hair. We wrapped it in a piece of paper that she’d brought. Then from her pocket, she took out a sea blue handkerchief with white stitching and tied it around my wrist. She stood back and admired her handiwork. “Beautiful.” She murmured quietly. She had finished with me right on time. Boats lined our little island and the sun was almost at setting position. Muiread and I walked over to the place where Ailin had proposed and everyone was sitting in the grass. They rose when they saw me. My heart pounded and I wanted nothing more than to see my sisters and mother in this smiling crowd. But, this was a silly fantasy so I walked as quickly as I could and took Ailin’s hand. One of his friends said some things that I wasn’t paying attention to and suddenly I suppose we were married. He gave me a short kiss and we all filed up to our cottage. Muiread walked right behind us looking very pleased and I laughed quietly at the woman. She cared so much about my presentation but she never once asked about me. I liked her. Everyone gathered in our sun room and a man which I had heard Ailin call Tam passed out a drink which he call mead. It was sweet like the taste of the tender fish I used to eat off the coast. Then, Tam started a toast. “Well now let’s all bless this beautiful couple with some good ol’ Irish luck.” He thought for a moment and then continued, “May God be with you and bless you. May you see your children’s children. May you be poor in misfortunes and rich in blessings. May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.” Everyone raised their glasses and took a drink. Muiread stood up and said her blessing. “May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with a joy that long endures. May all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!” She downed her mead. More people stood up, blessing us. “May your neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, the angels protect you, and heaven accept you.” And other things like that. But, then a strange man rose from the shadows. He stepped forward and gazed at me steadily. Then in a deep, sad voice he said “May the light of heaven shine on your grave, lass.” He stared at me and the wedding party fell into a stunned hush. He backed away slowly looking at me all the while and finally was gone. It was dead silent when finally Muiread trilled, “Oh that’s just old Neil, love. Just ignore this nonsense.” Our guests nodded looking uncomfortable and then piled out of the house. The only ones that were left were Muiread, Tam, and a petite girl with light brown hair. “She looked up at me and whispered, “I’m sorry your weddin’ night got ruined. My name’s Shauna.” I nodded numbly and quietly excused myself to bed. As soon as I left the room I heard Ailin and Muiread talking about me. “Tis bad luck Ailin.”
“I know Muiread. Neil wasn’t even invited.” Muiread clucked her tongue. Suddenly, I realized who Neil was. He was the man that had killed my mother. Chills ran down my spine and I looked around to make sure he wasn’t hiding in the shadows.
“I don’t know how this will affect your lives. What made you decide to steal her away from the sea anyway?” I leaned closer to the doorway to hear better. Ailin whispered hoarsely, “I do not know Muiread. It was like destiny though with me coming in late on the Eve of the Selkies. I love her so much, Muiread.” I peeked out from behind the door frame. Muiread was nodding sympathetically. “Well I wish the best of luck to ya’ both. Keela has such a dear heart. So pretty and quiet. T’would be a terrible thing if something happened to her. Would you mind me spendin’ the night here? It’s already dark.” Ailin nodded. Suddenly, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I whirled around and saw Shauna standing behind me. She took my hand and dragged my outside. She murmured, “Ailin is so handsome. I wish I were married like you. But I’m surely not pretty enough. Where did you come from Keela?” her strange outburst stunned me for a moment but then I quickly replied, “Near here. It’s a secret I suppose. How old are you, Shauna?” Her brow crinkled and she answered, “I’m only sixteen.” She was just a year younger than me. I smiled at her and she whispered, “Will you be my friend? I have never had a true friend before. All of ‘em go away when they find out that I live with Neil. They laugh at me in town.” This sweet girl lived with Neil? She would need a friend, living with him. “Of course I’ll be your friend, Shauna.” She smiled broadly and then she said, “I must be going now. Neil will be angry with me if I take much longer.” She turned around and in the dim light I could see a bruise on her neck.
Muiread was in my room and Ailin was asleep in a chair. A familiar sight from many nights at the old cottage. I blew out the candle in the kitchen and felt along the walls until I got to Ailin’s room. I fell into bed but it was a long time before I relaxed completely. I couldn’t stop thinking about what Neil had said to me and the bruise on Shauna’s neck. I wondered if Neil hit her or if it was just a regular old accident. Eventually, Muiread’s quiet snoring and Ailin’s deep rhythmic breathing calmed me. I fell into a sleep filled with eerie dreams.
Ailin had gone fishing again that morning. Muiread gave me a slice of bread and told me she would make me look like the ladies from the mainland. I didn’t what that meant but followed her, still chewing my bread, into my room. She pulled out a green dress with a slit up the middle revealing a white under gown and it had wide white sleeves. She turned away while I put it on. She clapped her hands and nodded with approval. Then, she put a white mother of pearl comb in my hair. I asked, “How did you get these clothes, Muiread?” She smiled and answered, “They used to be mine when I was about as old as you. They don’t fit anymore that that I’m a fat old hag!! The comb is my wedding gift to you.” In truth, Muiread was probably only in her early fourties. I opened my mouth to say thank you but she waved me off. “Alright lass, go and run around. Just don’t ruin you’re clothes!” I ran to my drawer and snatched my coasting dress right off the top. Then, I waved to Muiread and scrambled down the hill to my meadow. I quickly slipped out of Muiread’s finery and put on my dress. After that, I sprinted to the ledge that was a few feet higher than the sea. Well, I had thought it was only a few. I looked down about fifteen feet to the ocean below. I knew the water was deep enough to jump into but, if I didn’t jump at the right moment, the waves would smash me into the side of the ledge. I waited for the waves to die down and once the water was still, I dove in. The water hit my head with such a great force, that I was dizzy for a moment. The azure water soothed me and I let the water take control. I surfaced for air and floated up and down with the small waves. For the moment, I wasn’t bombarded with my thoughts. I was just being. But, my moment was interrupted by the sound of oars cutting through the water. I quickly ducked underwater. The only part of me that was showing was my eyes. Neil gazed up at the cottage and shook his head. He looked faintly sad. He mumbled, “He’ll kill her he will. Those Selkie Folk don’t last long here. She’ll be gone in a year or so. ‘Tis a shame. Suddenly Shauna’s head popped up in the boat. She must’ve been lying on the bottom. She whimpered, “May…. May I please go and find Keela?” He glared at her and smacked her upside the head. He roared, “Fine then go!! Don’t you ever come back home you little witch!” He scooped her up and tossed her into the water and she hit it with a sickening smack. With that, he quickly rowed away. Shauna hadn’t come up for air yet. I went under and could see a few bubbles. Shauna floated towards the bottom of the sea, limp and seemingly lifeless. I kicked towards her and held her slender hand. I swam back to the surface with Shauna in tow. I took a breath of air but, Shauna was sinking under. I struggled to keep us both afloat. Then, I realized we wouldn’t be able to get to the island by climbing up the ledge. I would have to swim to the front of the island which would probably take me an hour. My legs shook with the effort of kicking and we were not too far from where we had started. All of a sudden, I felt Shauna’s weight being lifted. I turned around and saw Dubheasa and Allana’s sleek seal heads. They had Shauna on their backs. I smiled gratefully and we swam as fast as I could without over exerting my human body. At last, we were at the beach. I dragged Shauna onto the sand and waved to my sisters. They ducked underwater and swam away. I screamed, “Muiread!!!! Muiread help!!” No answer came. It was about three o’ clock in the afternoon. My heart fell as I realized she had probably gone home by now. I was all by myself and I had no idea how to help Shauna. I sat down beside her and waited, watching to see if her chest would heave and she would cough up seawater. I wanted to see life course through her veins and color return to her pale cheeks. Hatred for Neil threatened to burst out of me. It was all his fault. If he hadn’t thrown her into the water so hard or at all for that matter, I wouldn’t be sitting on the sand, helpless. Tears dripped into the hollow of my neck and I sang a sad song that I didn’t even know I knew. “On wings of the wind o’er the dark rolling deep, angels are coming to watch o’er thy sleep, angels are coming to watch over thee, so list to the wind coming over the sea. Hear the wind blow love, hear the wind blow, lean your head over and hear the wind blow.” The rest of the words drifted from my mind and I could remember no more of the song. Shauna sputtered and I rolled her onto her side as she coughed up seawater. She shook and I spotted a large piece of driftwood. I pushed it under her and also found a frayed piece of rope and tied it to the wood. I pulled the rope and the makeshift sled moved. I pulled her up the hill and laid her in front of the fire. I covered her with the dress Muiread had given me and fed Shauna spoonfuls of the broth Muiread must’ve started before she left. She shivered violently and then rasped, “You saved me Keela. I will never forget this for as long as I live.” She then fell asleep. I collapsed onto a chair, relieved that I had saved my friend’s life. Ailin burst through the door at that moment. He kissed my forehead and saw Shauna lying on the floor. “What happened love?” He asked. I just shook my head. He dropped the subject and tasted the broth. He came and sat down across from me and held me hand over the table. I leaned back and began to feel my hour’s swim to the beach. My legs burned and it hurt to move them. I leaned back in my chair, exhausted. But, Ailin needed to hear my story. So I said, “I went swimming today after breakfast. Neil came ‘round with is boat so I hid in the water. He was talking about me. At first, it seemed he was talking to himself but Shauna sat up and asked if she could go and find me. He smacked her and then threw her into the water. She hit it so hard, Ailin. He moved off and I swam down to Shauna and tried to swim with her to the beach but it was too difficult. But, my sisters came and helped me. I dragged her onto the beach and she looked to be dead. But, I started singing and she woke up.” Ailin shook his head in wonder. Shauna cried out in her sleep and we both sighed. The poor girl had been through so much that hardly anyone knew about.
Shauna woke up a while later, feeling just fine. As she stared into the fire I knelt beside her and asked, “Why did Neil do this to you?” She turned to look at me and answered, “It all started when my mam and pa died when I was two. I was living with the preacher. Neil had brought a new lady into town and she was very unhappy. She ranted about her children all the time so he thought having a child about would brighten her spirits. The preacher gave me to Neil. The lady didn’t get any happier. Neil took his anger out on me. He was outraged that I wasn’t helping his wife. When she died, he was even madder but now with a touch of sadness. He hurt me a lot. He called me a witch for he thought I had made her even worse. I’m glad he’s let me alone.” Ailin’s face darkened with rage at Neil. “Why didn’t you tell anyone Shauna?” I questioned. She shrugged and turned back to the fire. I studied the fading bruise on her neck and wondered how anyone could ever be so angry with anyone like Shauna. It wasn’t her fault that my mother had died. I got up and returned to the table and Ailin sat motionless trying to control his emotions. By now, the sky had turned dark but none of us were hungry. I vowed that the next morning I would confront Neil.
Fog drifted over the water and the choppy water made it hard to row. It was the wee hours of the morning and I was making my way to our old cottage to ask about Neil. I desperately wished to be cutting through the dark water, tail swishing smoothly, headed no where in particular. Thinking about it made my chest ache with longing. But, I kept rowing. I knew I should’ve told Ailin but I planned to be back when he woke up. My boat scraped the sand and I leapt out and dragged it onto a safe place. I ran up the hill and didn’t stop to check on the old cottage. I ran as far and fast as I could until I found a tiny house nestled between tow hills. Something told me that this was where I would find Neil. I knocked on the door and heard grumbling inside. The door swung open to reveal Neil’s scowling face. He opened the door wider and stormed in. “What’re you doin’ here at this hour lass??” I glared at him and spat, “You killed my mother.” His face grew ashen. “Listen to me girl, I didn’t think that she would die at first. I never wished her to die. Oh no, not at all. I loved her much. I did try to make her happy you have to believe me on that.” I shook my head. “Neil, did you really think that beating a small child would have made her happy? Don’t deny this either. I have seen terrible things happen to dear Shauna. What made you think that she was the one killing my mother?” Tears welled in his eyes. “I knew it wasn’t her. It was me!! All my fault!!” He sobbed loudly. My heart went out to him for a moment but I wasn’t done with him yet.
“You owe Shauna an apology.” He nodded and waved me away. I opened the door and walked out into the cold morning. I strolled back to the beach and pushed the boat into the water. After about half an hour of rowing, I was home. I opened the door with a satisfying bang and jumped into Ailin’s tired arms. He twirled me around the kitchen and pecked me on the cheek. Shauna awoke and embraced me, seeming to know what I had done for her. Ailin set to pouring the faerie milk and Shauna sliced some bread. I turned my gaze to the window and saw that the day had brightened and I saw two seals lounging on a rock by the beach. I smiled to myself and hummed a little song, blissful to be who I was.
***
They stayed around Aurnia’s little island. They heard merry laughter and singing and dancing from inside the cottage every night. Dubheasa hoped that Aurnia had forgiven her and Allana. Sometimes, they could see her gazing out the window at them sadly. But, they could tell that she was happy. After a while, the cries of a small babe could be heard and Aurnia would sing pretty songs that would echo through the hills and over the sea.
***
My pretty baby whimpered softly and I sang, “Coo roo koo, cooruku, coo ru ku,coo ku. Oh hush thee my dove, oh hush thee my sweet love, oh hush thee my lap wing, my dear little bird. Oh fold your wings and seek your nest now, the berries shine on the old rowan tree, the bird is home from the hills and valleys. Coo roo koo, cooruku, coo ru ku, coo ku.” By the time the song was over my babe was fast asleep. Ailin walked over and stroked her head. He smoothed her wispy strawberry blond hair back. “I’ve thought of a name for her, love.” I whispered. He looked up at me. “She should be named Meara as her eyes change with the sea and hold as much depth as it.” Meara’s name meant sea, Ailin smiled and nodded. My daughter Meara had my eyes (that I had as a human) and a mix of Ailin’s reddish hair and my golden. I smiled at Ailin and I thought about all the lullabies that Shauna had taught me when I found out I was with child. I missed having Shauna around but I was happy that she had finally gotten married like she had dreamed about. A lot had happened in this past year and I wondered about how my sisters were doing without me. I got glimpses of them around the island sometimes. Ailin touched my shoulder and I got up and set Meara and her crib. It was a beautiful thing that floated on the water like a boat and Ailin had carved pretty pictures all over it. I crawled into our bed and fell asleep, one hand hanging off the bed touching my baby.
Meara woke up and smiled up at me. I suddenly felt an overwhelming bond to this little life and I nuzzled my nose to hers. Ailin was out fishing but later, Shauna would come over and see Meara for the first time. She had left about six months ago, right before Meara had been born. I cut a slice of bread for myself and filled the thimble with milk and put it on the window sill. For Meara, I helped her drink a cup of milk and I made tiny bread balls for her to eat. When we were done I scooped her up and as the day was fair, took her down to my meadow. I let her sit in the grass and I gathered some flowers looking out at the sea all the while. I missed it terribly but didn’t have the heart to look for my pelt. If I found it, I would have to leave my baby and Ailin. I saw my sisters basking on the rocks and pointed them out to Meara. She giggled at them and I laughed with her. Suddenly I heard a distant voice yelling, “Keela!! Keela I’m here!!” I dropped my flowers and grabbed Meara. I ran up the hill and saw Shauna waving at me from the cottage. I burst in and she gasped at the sight of the baby. “My goodness you have a pretty baby!!” She said, awestruck. Meara reached for her and Shauna immediately grabbed her out of my arms and oohed and ahhed over her. I giggled at Shauna’s love for Meara. I could tell that she would spoil her to pieces. I heard singing in the distance and stopped watching Shauna and Meara to listen. The song had no words just a lilting tune. I knew it was about a lost Selkie and how the sea mourned for her. It was about me. Meara stopped gurgling and I could tell she was listening with every fiber of her tiny body. The voices died out and Shauna laughed and said, “I don’t know how you can stand livin’ so close to the sea. Those seals are quite noisy. I’ll bet they bark all the time.” I didn’t answer her.
***
Dubheasa had started the song that day. She was trying to tell Aurnia to come back. She could tell that Aurnia had heard it since the house became quiet when Dubheasa had begun. After that, the days went by the same way for her and Allana. In the mornings, they would take turns following Ailin out to where he fished to make sure he was safe. Once they were sure he would be fine, they would sun bathe on some tall rocks where they could keep on eye on Aurnia and their new niece. She was a pretty baby, with eyes of the sea. Dubheasa had loved the baby ever since she had first seen it outside. The little one grew into a sweet, pretty little girl who loved to run around the island with Aurnia in tow. One day, Aurnia and her daughter didn’t come outside. A hefty woman had come ashore and had left that evening with a smile that could light the world. Dubheasa heard a baby crying again that night. She rejoiced and she and Allana sang the birthing song for Aurnia’s children.
***
Meara loved her baby brother. As I held him she gazed at him, spellbound. He had deep green eyes and strawberry blond hair like Meara’s. I helped her hold him and she stroked his hand lovingly. My heart swelled at the sight. I let her hold him for a few more minutes and then put my little tike to bed. Just then, Ailin burst through the door. He stared unbelieving at the tiny bundle that I held. His voice hoarse he said, “I had a feeling this would happen on the one day I go fishing.” He laughed a little and I deposited my son into his arms. He held him carefully and the baby reached up and touched his cheek. Right then, I knew he would be named Kevan meaning, “gentle child”. I murmured his name and Ailin nodded. Kevan fell asleep and we put him in his cradle.
***
Dubheasa also loved the little baby boy. His eyes didn’t change with the sea like his sister’s but stayed the same inquisitive green. Years passed and when he started toddling around, little Meara would parade him proudly around the island. Meara and Kevan especially liked to come and observe Dubheasa and her sister. When they did this, Dubheasa noticed they had little webs between their fingers. She also noticed that at night, Aurnia would walk down to the beach, looking sadder and sadder every time.
***
I kissed Meara and Kevan good night and then made my way to the beach. I had begun to miss the sea terribly. The water was glassy and clear and it reflected the silver moon very well. I heard the sand churning and looked over to see Ailin coming towards me with concern in his eyes. He took my hand and we looked at the sea together. Both of us lost in our own thoughts. Then he whispered gently, “What’s wrong lass? You’ve got to tell me and I’ll help you.” I shook my head. I didn’t want to tell him that I missed my old life. I didn’t want to leave him. I couldn’t leave him to take care of our children by himself. I sighed heavily and we wandered back to our little home together. He collapsed into bed and his breathing slowed quickly. I felt restless and kept hearing singing from the beach. However, the only thing on the beach was our rowboat and perhaps a seagull or two. The singing grew more persistent and drowned out all other sounds. Rain gently began to fall and as if in a dream, I walked out the door and down the hill, oblivious to the crying of my children and Ailin’s shouts of despair in his sleep. The only thing that was on my mind was to get down to the beach. Images of silver fish, seals, tall rocks sticking out of the sea, the bottom of a boat, all danced in my head. I reached our rowboat and sat in it. The boat creaked quietly and suddenly, the singing grew even louder. It hurt my ears and made my eyes water. Subconsciously, I reached under the seat but stopped for a moment hearing Meara and Kevan wailing. I contemplated moving my hand further but almost of its own accord, it reached down and touched something soft and smooth. The singing grew deafeningly loud and then stopped abruptly. I pulled the thing out from under the boat seat and my breath caught in my throat. It was my pelt! I was filled with euphoria for a moment but realized I would have to leave my family. I held my seal skin tightly and quickly clambered up the hill.I burst in and saw Ailin sitting at the table with both Meara and Kevan on his lap. He gazed at my pelt with sadly. The children, although they were tired, could sense that something was about to happen that would probably change their lives. They slipped off his lap and tip toed into their bed room. My eyes filled with tears at Ailin’s eyes. He was struggling to fight his tears and his were filled with pure heartbreak. He stood up and gave me a long kiss as if to say that he would love me forever. Then, he stepped aside so I could get to Meara and Kevan’s room. The children were alert and fully awake by the time I stepped into their cozy firelight room. Meara ran over to hug me, her six year old body shaking with sobs. Kevan looked confused for a moment and then came over to us. I leaned down and he covered my cheeks with three year old kisses. I whispered, “Good bye dear hearts. I will love you always. Please don’t ever forget me.” They both nodded somberly and I tucked them in. I sang them their favorite lullaby and left. Ailin stood by the door. “I love you.” I whispered. “I love you too Keela.” He replied, his voice thick with sadness. I wiped a tear from his cheek and then sprinted down the hill. I laughed gleefully and ran into the water. My coasting dress slipped off and the wind blew it into the rowboat. I ran into the chilly water and stepped into my skin.
The water held me gently, an old friend. I swam with grace and speed. I felt my sisters brush against my sides and we surfaced for air. Ailin and the children stood on the beach watching me. I sang to them with all the love in my heart and knew they could understand me.
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I am now wondering what to title this.... Also I am starting another story. More to come on that. Thank you for reading and helping me with this!!