Waves in the Wind by Wade McMahan

young lovers whose passion was destined to remain unrequited due to the actions of a cruel king. Again I watched Aine, and once more she was captivated, her full attention on him as he sang the haunting melody.
    Later as we lay on pallets in my old bedroom, Laoidheach whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me you had a sister like Aine?”
    There would be trouble. “Shut up and go to sleep.”

Chapter 8
    Spirits of Twilight

    Laoidheach still slept when my father and I left the following morning. The new faint light returned and we walked to his fields where men anticipated the coming of sunlight and worked to prepare his ground for planting.
    Afterwards we returned home to find Laoidheach slumped outside on a bench, elbows on his knees, chin in his hands.
    I strolled over to stand beside him. “Why so glum?”
    He straightened with a baleful expression on his face. “She won’t speak to me.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Aine refused to speak to me.”
    My father snorted and strode into the house.
    I knew my friend only too well and lowered my voice. “So, what suggestive thing did you say to her?”
    “Suggestive? I only said ‘good morning’ and that’s the truth of it.” He shook his head in bewilderment. “I said good morning to her, but she turned up her nose at me,” he flipped his hand outwardly, “and walked out the door without saying a word.”
    Two village women strolled past, stopped and bowed to me. I bowed in return, offering blessings. “May Brigid smile upon you and your homes. May she keep you and yours safe during these dark times.”
    They curtsied. “Thank you sir,” one replied, while the other said, “And may the gods bless you as well,” and they went on their way.
    My thoughts returned to Laoidheach. Aine’s behavior was baffling. She had been immediately attracted to him and only the night before clapped gaily during his entertainment. I stroked my chin as I thought it over. “You are certain there wasn’t more to it?”
    “That’s all there was, and…” His eyes glinted as he pointed an accusing finger toward me. “Just a moment. What did you tell her about me?”
    I grinned. “I told her I would give you a good thumping if you attempted to trifle with her.”
    “Trifle with her? Ossian, you know full well I would never…” He cleared his throat and squirmed on the bench. “Well yes, I suppose I have trifled with a few women now and again, but I would never consider such a thing with my future wife.”
    His words swirled through the air, entered my ears and my mouth fell open. “Your wife?! Are you daft? You only met Aine yesterday.”
    He rose from the bench, nose lifted, an indignant expression covering his face. “That makes no difference. If Aine will have me, she shall become my wife. Provided your father approves, of course.”
    I had seen Laoidheach animated over women many times but never had I seen him like this. He wished to marry Aine? Now I needed to sit on the bench so I elbowed him aside and plopped down.
    “I realize she is sixteen years,” he continued, “but many girls marry much younger. Besides, being four years her elder I will bring maturity and stability to our marriage, don’t you see? So now, with your father’s permission, there remains but one problem.”
    “That being?”
    “She loathes me. Move aside.”
    I scooted to the end of the bench and he sat beside me. He then resumed his previous unhappy position, chin in hands.
    My eyes reached out through the morning gloom. Nearby cottages appeared little more than vague shadows. Perhaps it was the grayness of the morning but my first thoughts of my friend and Aine marrying saddened me. It was an altogether selfish sentiment, for I realized that my relationship with them would forever change. Yet there was rightness about the feel of it I could not deny. A small smile crossed my lips; both were like a butterfly that alights upon your fingertip, an ethereal, innocent visitor that instills joy