I remember my mother's words to me that night as we lay on a blanket on a grassy field watching the night sky full of stars. "Always remember I am watching you from above."
She smelled of lavender and pinecone as I remember resting my head on her chest and hearing her heart beat. My mother was a wonderful woman, everything she did, she always did it out of love. As the crickets sang that night hidden between the blades of grass, we would watch the fireflies come out and do their night dance, glowing like floating yellow gems, illuminating the darkness around them.
But what was the point in drudging up beautiful memories, perhaps its because I desperately wanted them to be forever engraved within me so I could never forget. My mother hummed her favourite melody and stroked my hair.
"Even if there are times you feel unloved, Enya look up and remember my love will be with you wherever you are. You are never alone and never far from me."
"Yes, mother." I whispered content to hear my mother sing and hug me tight as we continued to watch the fireflies dance that night.
On nights like these it was bliss and wonder rolled into one, as mother and daughter would exchange stories, laughter and tears of joy at being able to enjoy the simple things life had to offer like each other's sweet company. But this was all before my father took me away and married me off to a man that was much older than I. My life changed from that day on and I never saw my beloved mother ever again.
The day came when my husband Sir Ivar would come to collect his prize and my father a handsome sum of money.
"How could you give her away like that?" My mother had asked screaming at my father.
I stood listening at the door to their bedroom.
"She is only seventeen!" My mother said horrified.
"High time she be of some use to this family don't you think?" My father had said rather spitefully.
"You only sold her off, because you want to stay at the gaming tables, not because we cannot earn a living elsewhere!"
"Look woman a bargain has been made and he will come to collect her tomorrow in the afternoon. I suggest you best prepare her instead of wasting your breath being angry with me."
"You're right its not like either of us ever meant anything to you anyways," she finished tearfully as she hurried out of the room.
I jumped as the door knob turned and ran into my own bedroom which was far down the hallway.
I crashed into bed and wept.
How could my father have done this to me? I asked myself repeatedly.
I was his own and I was the female version of him.
I had inherited my blonde hair and blue eyes from him. Which made me cry all the more harder as I had wished more often that I resembled my mother with her curly brown hair and green eyes instead.
"Enya, are you up," came my mother's sorrowful whisper.
"Yes mother I am awake," I said between sobs.
"You do not have to say anything I know, I heard everything."
"I know sweetheart but I want to speak to you still, might be the last time I get the chance to."
She came into my room and sat down beside me as I cried into my pillow.
"Mama you're all I have and even then we must be separated."
"I will always be with you, now listen Enya. You must remember to do as I say."
"When you're new husband comes for you, I know it will be hard getting to know a stranger but you must always be polite and kind if you can do it dear."
"You're father may be many things but I am sure he gave you into the hands of a good man."
"How would you know Mother? You have never met him."
"I just sense so dear, you're father is a good judge of character, despite being unwise with his money."
"You need not be afraid or sad, Enya for I will always come and visit you as often as I can, no matter how far he takes you from me."
"Thanks Mama." I whispered and hugged her tight.
We fell asleep like that completely forgetting the fact that we had not had any dinner that night.