Meadow

once upon a time she was certain of who she was. the daughter of honoráře, of royalty, with a future of ruling ahead of her. a strong bojovník ready to defend her family and her people. she had been groomed for leadership, for her future betrothal, and for eventual motherhood. she had been strong. powerful. and now, now she was so unsure.

surprisingly she had held onto her pride and her heritage so well since finding herself washed up on the shore of the islands. she was not ashamed of being so different. she had tried to live by the decree of her matka, to be brave, to make the best of her life and circumstances no matter what. she went on that way for some time. she wasn’t happy to lose her old life, but at least grateful she no longer had to cater to the politics of royalty. she was devastated at the loss of her rodina but strong enough to overcome anything. until lately. lately, the loneliness of the world had withered something in her soul, even her body perhaps. she was lost. she was not so bold.

she is still as a stone, barely breathing as he approaches. she sees the way his eyes take her in, just as hers do the same, wondering if he misses them as much as she does, and seeing the depth of pain in his eyes knowing that he does. they are two ships set adrift from their homeland, never to return, both desperate for the sight of that familiar landscape and both knowing they will never come upon its shore again.

she shivers at the warmth of his touch on her nose and through her dark lashes she sees his eyes shut and open again, glimmering with the same tears that spill down her cheeks. she shakes her head softly, pulling away despite the comfort of their proximity. she wants to lean into him and rest her head against his until she feels she could bear the weight of the world again, but she knows the danger in this attachment. they are strangers to each other but already she feels she could not bear to lose him. her voice is quiet and hesitant as she replies. i did not know you were waiting for me but my mind has not let me forget this place. every time i pass i cannot help but wonder and this time i couldn’t not stop myself from coming here. his second question is not so easy to answer. she finds herself shaking her head again, more tears threatening to roll down her cheeks. i am not who i once was. i am lost here. that is all i know. and you? why did you come back?