Mariella's Mistake

another writing exercise from my writing group. tell about a heart's desire that didn't come true. (first draft)

Mariella slipped through the night.  She knew her Mother would be worried but by the time her absence was discovered it would be too late.  She had tried to talk to her mother.  She really had.  But all she had gotten was  her Mother's superstitious crap.  She of all people should have understood.  Was it not her who had fallen in love with a human?  Was Mariella herself not the result?  And what had her Mother done?  Embraced her human lover?  Defied her parents and run away with the love of her life?  No.  Not Mariella's Mother.  She had slunk home her tail between her legs and begged her parents for forgiveness.   They had taken her back, helped her birth her baby and had treated her like a servant for the rest of her days.  A child among the Fey was rare and Mariella's birth should have been considered a great blessing.  But Mariella had been treated like a dirty little secret.  Put to work in the kitchens, hidden away from the other fey.  Denied her Grandparents' love through shame and her Mother's through fear.

"Well, no more," Mariella shouted out loud.  She covered her mouth and froze, listening carefully to the night sounds around her, making sure no one had heard her foolish out burst.  She shook herself, and not hearing any sounds, continued through the night.

She remembered the night her Mother, drunk on honeyed mead again, had confessed to her that she had truly thought her human lover would come after her.  How she had pretended she was a princess waiting for her knight in shining armor to come and rescue her.  But he had not come.  Mariella had almost been able to hear her Mother's heart breaking all over again.  

"I am not my Mother," Mariella whispered to herself.  "I will not make my Mother's mistakes.  Where she was weak, I will be strong.  I will not waste away waiting for something to happen to me.  I shall make it happen!"

Mariella slowed down as she neared her destination.  She stood behind the huge oak tree and peered out into the clearing.  This was where she had met him.  A year ago to the day on the eve of Litha.  She had come here for some privacy to honor the goddess away from her Grandparents disapproving eyes.  He had been out riding his horse enjoying the warm weather.  He had come upon her suddenly and his horse had spooked throwing him to the ground.  She had gone to his "rescue" though more his pride was hurt than anything else.  They had looked into each other's eyes and had been instantly in love.  They had continued to meet, secretly, here at their clearing.  Mariella had never been so happy.  Here was finally her heart's desire.  What she had prayed to the goddess for since she was little.  Someone who loved her for herself.  They would talk for hours about everything and nothing.  He had given her books to read and they had had wonderful discussions about life and love.  

Then came the night they had made love.  Mariella had been frightened but he had been so gentle and so kind.  He had declared his love for her that night.  Right out loud.  Mariella knew the news of the baby growing inside her would make him so happy.  He would sweep her off her feet and take her away.  And they would be what Mariella had always desired in that secret place in her heart.  They would be a family.

She glanced up at the moon.  It was a full moon on this magical night of Litha.  It was a good omen. She couldn't decide if she should go out to the clearing for him to see or wait for him to enter and surprise him.  Fate took her decision away as he stepped into the clearing from the other side.  

"Mariella?" he called softly.  "Mariella are you here?"

"Here I am Damien," she called back stepping into the moon light.

He smiled and held out his arms.  She ran to him and was enveloped in his embrace.  

"Ah Mariella, how I have missed you," he bent down and kissed her softly on her forehead.

Mariella smiled and hugged him tightly, "I have missed you too.  But I have the most wondeful news Damien."

Damien pulled away from her and looked down at her expectantly, "Well, tell me what it is."

Mariella took his hand and placed it on her stomach, "We are having a baby Damien."

Damien's face fell, "A baby?" he stammered snatching his hand back and stepping away.  "Is this a joke?"

Mariella felt the first stirrings of panic, "Yes, a baby Damien.  He will be a son Damien.  A strong and beautiful son.  The goddess has told me so." She knew she was babbling now but could not seem to stop herself.  If she just said the right words his smile would come back.  He would hold her in his arms and say it was a mistake.  He would love her and the baby.  "We can go before the Fey court tomorrow if you like.  Once we tell them I am with child they will grant the marriage and we can live happily ever after.  Damien.  What's wrong?"

Damien had taken another step away.  He held up his hands as if to ward her off.  His face had a look of revulsion on it, "FEY court?  Marriage?  Mariella what are you talking about?  Why would we go to the Fey?  You cannot trust the Fey.  Everyone knows that.  What have they to do with us?  Or your baby?  Mariella you are not talking sense."  Damien continued to back up putting distance between himself and Mariella.

"Damien," she whispered holding her hand out to him trying to bridge the gap he had created, "do you not know what I am?"

Damien looked at her outstretched hand as if it might bite, "What you are?  What do you mean?"

"Could you have been meeting with me for a whole year and not know?  We have made love right here on this ground, been naked in each other's arms and you do not know?"  Mariella tried to find her anger.  Tried to retain some dignity but her heart was shattering.  "Damien, my love, Father of my child, I am Fey.  I am the Granddaughter of the Lady Alon, High Priestess of the Woodland Sidhe.  And I am carrying your son."

Damien kept walking backwards closer and closer to his horse, "Then this is all a trick. You are a liar and a cheat.  No one can trust a Fey.  You have bewitched me,"  he bumped into his horse and climbed into the saddle.  "  Be gone!  You filthy denizen of the woods and keep your half-breed brat away from me."

And with that he turned and rode out of the clearing.

Mariella stood for a moment in shock.  Then fell to the ground screaming from her soul, "I AM NOT MY MOTHER!"