Dim Lights

The girl who heard of another not so fortunate, side story

When I awoke I awoke to the sound of a spinning wheel. As I leaned up on my elbows I saw an elder lady with her fingers moving at a moderate pace, working the thread on her spindle. She slowed her work down a bit until she came to a stop to look at me. Did I wake you with her sound? Her? This thing has a gender? The elder lady that smelt of tree leaves after a summers rain and of flowers that only bloom at night simply smiled, this seemed to be the beginning of a conversation she was waiting for. Deary, this spindle not only has a personality this old thing also has a story it's been begging to tell. Would you like me to tell you? I nodded in response, this seemed to be her unspoken cue to begin her tale as she smiled. There was a girl who was tall and beautiful, she smiled a lot. She kept to herself, she said as she spun her spindle slowly steadily continuing her tale. She never really spoke to anyone other than morning hellos and idle chit chat, alas the girl knew her smile was but a mask but the others she spoke to did not. One day her pain was so great she begged a man who worked diligently at his spindle, like this one in fact. She said, please sir I know you deal with feelings that are unkind and Ill tempered most of all, can you not make a deal with me? The somewhat short man with ashen odd skin chuckled as the spindle kept going. My dear, he said as the spindle stopped so he could make direct eye contact with the child. Deary why do you deal help from the darkest in the land when you have a pure heart and a mind of your own? I'll tell you your name, wise one if that is what you wish or I can offer a trade, that is, if I could just stick around for a while longer by you. She said as she looked down to the mans shoes waiting an answer. He leaned closer to her, patting her head and then lifting her chin to look back to his eyes. You and I both know nothing good will come of my help, and nothing will not be gained without an unfair price. I'll offer something no one else has, I shall be your company and talk to you for hours or none at all if that what you wish, I will always be a friend for you to talk to. He looked puzzled, why on earth would I want you pestering me from dusk till morning child please do explain. She smiled up at him as she sat near him now explaining. Well seeing that you always tell people to offer one of your most valuables to you I thought offering my time would be of most value, seeing that that takes the most dedication and I cannot simply replace it. He seemed stumped by this, he chuckled, he even began to laugh for a while. Oh child your simply splendid, what is your name?......
The old woman paused, clearer her throat and explained I only can tell you a little bit more today, my age is catching up to me and my throat cannot handle the length of the story anymore. Alright, I suppose cutting it short won't hurt. ....
The man then proceeded to ask what the girl wanted and again was interested in his boredom at the girls approach to answering it. How about this, seeing that not many see you anymore I'll earn my favor from you by starting my promise now, that way it will be well earned and I know I have earned it, because I did my best. The man stood gesturing for the girl to do the same as he pulled out a long contract and feather as he signed it he then gave the quill to the girl. If that is what you wish deary to be elusive in your transaction I will set a time, how about off and on for a year you a company me on my journeys like you said to keep me company and then I shall gladly grant thy wish! He said with a bow *coughcough*-
The story stopped there as the old lady soon had to depart - I wanted to know what happened to this girl, what was her wish? If this wish were so important to her why would she choose to pay then get it especially from him of all?
CLAMORING NOISES COULD BE HEARD........