Dinner

It was an Oil Lamp. At least it has good use, other than lighting up the room.

I slowly cleaned up the mess, and took the broken peaces in the little bucket I have in the left corner of my room.

My room was medium sized. Did not really need bigger room. But it was sweet.

I will miss this room. It had really good memories.

Granny used to braid my hair, granpa told me stories about his days at the sea.

Even when I was older they would visit weekly. Always happy. Always in love.

Then granny died.

It left all of us devastated, especially grandpa.

He loved her with all his might. He protected her but gave her anything to be happy. Its safe to say that she wore the pants in the house.

My grandpa is a tuff person, he's been through lot. But he's also a family person.

"Family comes first.

No mather what."

He said that multiply times.

And now he's alone. I mean not really alone. But alone still.

We asked him to move in with us, but he denied saying "I love that house, there's no way in Bloody Hell I'll leave it" but he still comes weekly.

He's a little more gruff but soft.. or at least with me.

I remember the day Granny died like it was yesterday. She's been ill for a whille now but she refused to see the doctor no matter what

3 years ago

Granny was laying in bed, with one more fever. It felt slightly odd. Like it was different but I just sat there silent listening to granpa and holding grannys hand.

"Dear just let us call the doctor, please"

"Oh, Walter...I'm going ....to be ...fine" she was pausing every few words. To take her breath.

At the time, my parents weren't in the room. They we're getting my granny a medication for the foolish fever.

"Addie..listen dear.. take this ring of my hand...its yours now.."

"Why granny?"- my 15-yeat-old self asked.

"Just take....it...Never...never...take it off...Okay?"

"Yeah"

"Pro....mise?"

I just nodded my head.

I didn't ask why. Didn't want her to lose her breath.

Mother and father got back quickly.

The fever did not cease.

So we stayed with her all day and night. Until she let her last breath. Softly but loud enough for you to hear.

Cecily Evans. A wife, a mother, a grandmother. A human after all.

I cried myself days to sleep, even if I did feel her next to me sometimes.

From those days I promised myself two things.

To always wear that ring and to try my hardest not to cry. But even the strong ones do.

"You are not weak, if you cry, it just means you've been trough lot."

That's what my granny would say.

I miss her, I miss her so much.

I left the bucket where I originally find it, and went to change in my gown for that dinner.

Dressing these things up is difficult.

I took this lovely gown, which had these lovely golden imprints on the outside.

I finished putting it on and I let my wavy dark brown hair down my back.

My mother says that every proper lady has her hair up and ready to be seen by many. That the hair molds you face. That the fact it is up means you are well mannered, mature and not a rascal like the pirate womans.

Such as Grace O'Malley.

I'm may not from the sea, but rest assure I am all too well informed.

But purelly, everybody knows who Grace O'Malley was.

She wasn't born at sea, but in Ireland in the Ó Mállie dynasty in the year of 1530. Her husband was Dónal an Chogaidh Ó Flaithbheartaigh and with him she had lovely 3 children. Eoghain, Murchad and Margaret or Maeve Ní. Rumors says that she had her third child on her ship- White Seahorse, in the Mediterranean while on a trading expedicion, and hours later after birth she picked up the gun and joind the battle where her and her crew won, obviously. She had one more spouse. He was Risdeárd an larainn Bourke. She had a son with him, Theobald.

She was called many, many names. Such as "Pirate Queen" or "The Dark Lady of Doona", and more.

After her husbands death, she tooked the shipwrecked son of Wexfort sailor as her lover. Sadly their relationship has not lasted long and ended after Hugh de Lacy was killed by the MacMahoons of Ballyvoy.

And as they say Grace was no forgiver, so seeking vengance, she attacked MacMahoon castle of Doona in Blacksod Bay and ruthlessly killed Hugh's murderer on Cahir island.

With the attack on the Doona castle she got the name 'Dark Lady of Doona'.

Miss O' Malley was NOT one to be refused, she was her own woman, and with a sharp tongue like a pirate sword.

In the year of 1593. She meet Queen Elizabeth I.

And not only did she refused to bow down at the Queen, she had a dagger on her self, confiscated by Elizabeth's guards.

She was very educated and she spoke to the Queen on Latin, since Grace spoke no English and Elizabeth no Irish.

But hence she did travel and trade so much she knew a few languages, such as Spanish, Scottish, Gaelic, French and some English.

She died 1603. because of natural causes at Rockfleet Castle and was 72 or 73 at the time of her passing.

She was young and stuborn and a living legacy, as people told.

And they did have a point, even if I can not voice my opinion, Gráinne Ní Mháillie was a woman to devine.

I really could not find a will to put my hair into that bun, so I decided to just let it be. I will get scold from my mother, but she'll get over it.

I looked at the ring on my index finger, on the left hand. I am not a big fan of jewerly generally. You will not find me with those big and heavy necklaces nor earrings. But as I promised I am wearing my grannys ring. It is beautiful to this day, as it was on my grandmothers hand.

'Okay thats enough of that, time to get down there and get this over with'

As I opened the door I heard voices.

'The guest is probably here'

Actually make that guests. I also heard my granpas voice.

I entered the dining hall and immediately they all went quiet. And by they I mean my father, the unknown man and granpa.

My granpa opened his arms calling me in for a hug.

"Ah sin tusa mo ghariníon beag"(A/N "There you are my little granddaughter")

My grandfather is Irish, while my grandmother was British. So grandpa speaks Irish very fluently, but he knows English as well. Of couse from his influence and the influence of my parents I, myself learned Irish. And a few of others languages, that my mother insisted.

"Grandpa, ní raibh a fhios agam go raibh tú ag teacht "(A/N "Grandpa, I did not knew you were coming")

"I had to discuss some things with your father mo ghaoil" (A/N "my dearest")

"Oh, well I am glad you could make it" I huges him once again, and moved to introduce myself to this mystery man.

"Pleasure to meet you, my name is Adelaide" I said as I reached to the man and did a little bow down.

"Oh, pleasure is all mine, Milady. Símon Okes" (A/N its not saymon its si:mone hope you get itttt) "Generals right hand"

He imitated my bow.

"What brings you into our humble home Sir Okes?"

"Just Símon, Milady. Your husband wanted me to accompany you as he cannot make it."

"With all due respect he is not yet my husband. He didn't have to send anybody, I am fine by muself. But I suppose I have to saying in this. Don't I?"

"No, Milady. You don't"

"Thought so. Come let us join the dinner then."

He just nodded and followed me. I sat at my usual spot next to grandpa, while he sat on the opposite side.

My mother entered the kitchen in her gown. It was magnificent as always. Simple yet beautiful. Light violet with darker details.

She sat next to father and said "Adelaide, child. Did you forgot to tie you hair properly" with a sweet voice. Fake sweetness in front off others. Well two can play that game, mother dearest.

"No mother, I did not forgot such thing" forcing a smile on my face, just as she did.

"Let her be dear. Lets begin, shall we" said my father. It sounded more like a statement than a question.

We just nodded at that.

At the table were all kinda things. From meat to salads, salty and sweet...

I wasn't very hungry so I took a small portion of soup.

"Milady, Your husband wanted for me to remind you that....." he was interrupted with my grandpa

"Husband?" He looked even in more shock that I was when I heard the news.

"Sea grandpa, tá iallach orm pósadh. But don't worry. I will be fine. Is mise do ghariníon" (A/N "yes grandpa, I'm being forced into a marriage....I am your granddaugter")

Somehow I am not sure if I was convincing him, or myself.