Chapter 4: Changing times.

“Finally! We’re here!” Mairin could barely suppress her excitement though she tried. A serious child, as she fully believed herself to be, could not be seen giving into such immature emotions, of course. Alas, it betrayed her in the squealing giggle that escaped up from her belly and through her tightly clenched teeth.

Her enthusiasm was appreciated solely by Brodie who was also attempting to contain the glee bubbling inside of him. Market day was a weekly occurance, but the World Market only happened once a year. It was a chance for adults to come together and compare lifestyles and hardships. Meanwhile, the children discovered their cultural similarities and differences via challenging games and epic, exaggerated stories.

“I wonder what the foreign traders have brought to sell,” he whispered eagerly, unable to keep the wistfulness from his voice. “I bet they even have better candy than us!” He finished, his true desire finally seeping through.

Mairin took a moment to smile at her friend, only because he was facing away from her and wouldn’t witness her moment of weakness, naturally. Fiona caught it out of the corner of her eye, however, watchful as always, though Niamh was speaking on the other side of her. Still, she allowed herself to be distracted from her friend’s excited chatter about new dresses long enough to see her daughter stroll out into the village center as if she were a foreign dignitary herself coming to survey and judge the grandness of the affair.

She heard Brodie giggling behind his hand as he watched Mairin’s gallant stroll. Those two were always so easily entertained with each other, despite Mairin’s constant goading and Brodie’s uneasiness with the many adventures Mairin drug him kicking and screaming into. The thought of seeing them growing up together flitted across her mind, and she briefly pondered the future marriage potential of the two.

No, she decided to herself quickly. She would not partake in any matchmaking, unless her daughter desired it. Not after her own experience.

Brodie’s giggling heightened for a moment as Mairin took a grand leap out into the open square of the village, as if she hoped to surprise passing villagers and vendors.

Fiona turned back to Niamh’s rambling before she saw the look of despair cross Mairin’s previously victorious face. She did not mistake it in her voice however, as she heard her daughter let out a disappointed “What…” The mothering instinct in her spun her around instantly, readying her to defend, vanquish, and relieve any hardship in her baby’s path. All she saw was vendors standing idly by, while a few locals perused the goods. Mairin’s face looked around despondently however, not needing to hide her excitement any longer, as it had seeped out of her.

“What’s the matter lovey?” She called out, now trying to hide her own worry behind a shield of confidence. It was important to never let your children witness your insecurities or fears. Better to keep them assured that the world was well, even your own personal world.

Brodie’s face had fallen as well and she felt Niamh’s mood and focus shift to one similar to her own, though she wasn’t even facing her. One of Fiona and Niamh’s greatest similarities was the love they had for their children.

Fiona waited anxiously for her daughter to respond, though she was used to Mairin’s disgruntled bouts of silence. She was usually too busy scowling at the offensive person or thing to point it out. Brodie explained instead, his voice low and solemn for a child. He was like his father in his expressive, emotional way. So much feeling for such a small body, Fiona thought to herself.

“There’s no one here…again,” he explained, always the words while Mairin was the action. He was right, Fiona decided as she looked around the square. Year after year the numbers of visitors and locals at the market dwindled. The elves had been tightening their control over the last few years, making more and more arrests for any action that seemed suspicious. Many locals had joined the elves in their monitoring and “security” efforts. Their protectors had said that they could trust these new law enforcers because they were one of their own. What it really meant was that it wasn’t safe to talk to anyone. Thus, foreigners were afraid to come anymore. They faced the same restrictions in their own homes after all, so they had no desire to travel and face it somewhere else.

Also, Ednam Village was getting a reputation for being especially restrictive. The elves always held a firm grip in the towns but the elf lord presiding over Ednam was known for his ruthlessness. The World Market was once Ednam Village’s biggest attraction, a time when people could forget their hardships and come together to share their unique cultures and lives. Now it was as dull and constrictive as their daily lives.

“There’s never anyone here! And why would they want to come? Stupid town!” Mairin always lost her articulation when situations became difficult. Fiona knew it was because of the unreasonableness of it all. She knew because it was how she used to react to things, until she realized that the world was unfair and often didn’t make sense. Instead of forcing sensibility into others with her anger, she had decided to let them work it out for themselves. Stuck in her own unfair situation she had lost the energy to fight back.

Now she just pretended. Put on a strong face for her children, and worked towards making their lives better than hers. She loved her daughter’s passion, and sense of right and wrong. But she knew the danger of such outspokenness, and such raw emotion. Such black and white views could be warped into extremes.

“Whatever,” Mairin spat, frustrated with the inability to vent her anger fully. “Better than sitting at home. There has to something interesting here.” Despite her declaration of indifference, Fiona knew her daughter would be in a disgruntled mood for the rest of the day.

Mairin moved, or rather stomped, into the square drawing looks from passing shoppers. Fiona followed sighing to herself. She hoped the foreign cloth traders had come at least. She heard they were supposed to come, and she was eager to get her hands on some quality silk. Niamh’s birthday was coming next month and Fiona was planning a beautiful dress for her. The thought of creating something beautiful that her friend would love helped lift her spirits.

She heard Niamh behind her, attempting to lift Brodie’s spirits. Fiona’s heart swelled towards her friend. Niamh could be very vain and seemingly self absorbed, but when it came to her son, she was completely selfless.

“Hey my little munchkin, I’m sorry the market had a poor turnout this year.” Niamh’s voice had softened from its normal cheerful state to a more sincere tone. The effect matured her greatly, and as always Brodie’s eyes lit up and his down turned mouth curved into a small smile.

“But you know, I’m sure I saw a man standing in front of giant stand of candy. I hear the candy from the south is loaded with ten times more sugar than ours! I’ll eat some with you and we can both stay up all night on a sugar rush with aching bellies.” She smiled softly at her son and lifted her eyebrows questioningly. Brodie giggled his agreement and rushed headfirst into his mother, wrapping his arms around her legs and burying his face into her soft skirts.

Fiona turned from the heartwarming scene to the sound of Mairin exclaiming “Papa!” Gabhran was standing by two foreign vendors and their children next to what looked like gorgeous, exotic cloth. Mairin had bolted to him, her mood lifted for a second as she hopped up and down waiting for her father to crush her in one of his bear hugs. He looked up at Fiona, a grin spreading across his face. Fiona felt her face automatically jerk up into a smile of her own, and she hoped it was believable.