With only the fire to lighten they’re cold bodies they listened intently to the tale.

“The selfish Sky thought of no other but himself. He shared his warmth with the world but not

out of generosity but for his own egotistical needs. You see he wanted the glory and the Sun

was his crowning glory of his daylight kingdom. Reverence came from power and his power came

from control. But as his need for control grew, so did his greed. The Sky looked to the night,

as he already possessed all in the day, and found a glorious treasure. The Moon was the jewel

of the night and if he had the Moon he would have it all. And so it was that a devious plan was

born.

At dawn the Moon drifted into soulful sleep with the Night and the Sky awoke. His plan would

reach fruition; he would steal the Moon from her slumber and sneak her into the day. When the

Sky hastened the Moon to wake into the daylight, the Moon protested. But the Sky and the Sun

had imprisoned her in their day world and were unwilling to listen to her objections.

The Moon was soft at heart but solid with duty. She could not stay in this daylight world, as

it would envelop her. The Moon’s gentle touch on the world would be lost and she would be

diminished. She could not stay here..

“I will show you what I can do to you,” the Moon announced.

The Moon passed slowly over the sun until only a ring of light blinked over the moon’s circle.

The people on earth cowered from the sight of the Moon overpowering the Sun. The darkness of

this union was imposing and disturbing as the gloom spanned the earth and left uncertainty in

its wake. The Sky was repelled by the Moon’s dire actions and knew that his people would never

worship the day as they once did. The Sky did not understand the Moon’s desire to return to

the Night but could not keep her while she overturned his beautiful daylight kingdom so he sent

her back to the Night.

What the Sky did not know was that the Moon’s kingdom was beautiful too on the other side of

time. She was meant to seek a mysterious orbit and awe all who viewed her. The Night made the

Moon strong and neither could survive without the other. The Moon shone brighter in the nights

to come and this confidence of self and unending devotion to the Night became known as Moonglow.”

All were clapping and speaking words of gratitude as Luna took a bow after such a tale. Skyler

watched Luna silently from a distance. His lips curved to a half smile. He heard his breath

escape him in short, deep bursts. The wrinkles in her dress curved her figure. Her delicate

freckles bridged her nose. Luna’s eyes were like crashing sea waves as unpredictable as herself.

Her hair was like leaves in autumn - the deepest red; it twisted and spiraled down her back

rippling with every turn or move she made.

In the crowd Solaris stood, her sneering eyes loathed Skyler’s stare at her sister. She didn’t

want the man she adored fixated on a slip of woman who knew only to do as her father wished.

Somehow she knew Luna was to blame.

* * *

The grand, stone house looked uninviting to his nervous will. The structure was immense and

he felt humbled by its walls.

“I am a respectful man,” Skyler said to himself. “He will surely accept me.”

The vast doorway stood open to meet him. Eamon sat in his usual chair with smoke clouds for

company.

“Good morning, sir,” Skyler said as he sat opposite to the man. “I have come to ask your

daughter Luna for marriage, with your permission.”

Eamon had been expecting this question for some time as Skyler’s fondness of his older daughter

became more and more evident. Eamon licked his lips and grumbled, “What do you have to offer

my daughter? Can you promise a happy life? I know your wealth will make for a fine home and

lots of children but will you make her happy?”

“I offer her everything I have if she would have a happy life,” Skyler reassured him.

Eamon looked unsatisfied. “Luna is headstrong, persistent, and random. You are calm, sincere,

selfless and predictable. I do not see this match. I hope this plea isn’t a whim.”

Eamon conducted himself harshly in order to get to the bottom of people’s true feelings. He

would not have his daughter wisked away by the first man to lay eyes on her beauty.

This isn’t going well Skyler thought. “Please sir, I love her. What else I am I to do but

marry her?”

Eamon almost laughed. This man really did love his daughter and was desperate to show it. He

could not torture him any longer. “Skyler I will allow this marriage because I know you are a

man of honor and your family have been gracious friends and colleagues to my family for a

generation. I know you will give Luna the life she is accustomed to and keep her safe.”

* * *

The beach air rejuvenated her to her old self before the troubles of the marriage she did not

desire came flooding back into her thoughts. If only the wind took her troubles away from her,

and float them through the air never to be seen again.

Not far from the shore an elegant ship came sailing in on the winds of her troubles. No ship

was to come in today. Puzzled, her feet lead the way to the harbor, leaving tiny imprints in

her wake.

When she arrived, Sam and his men were hauling up the day’s catch. Sweat rained off them from

the hard labor.

“There’s a ship coming into the harbor” Luna said loudly.

Sam had always been a childhood friend of Luna’s. His shady auburn hair and bottomless brown

eyes were always to the liking of young girls. He was the owner of his own boat and crew just

like his father. Sam ran the harbor and knew what ships were coming in and which were leaving.

He made his way through life on his instinct and right now his instinct was telling him

something was amiss. Sam was the first to look towards the sea and saw a ship carelessly

swaying in the waves.

“We aren’t receiving a ship today, are we?” his first mate asked.

“No we ain’t.” Sam said, “Them pirates.”

When they approached the shore, Sam’s men were there to escort them off their ship. A man limp

man with a long string beard stepped out onto the dock. He said he was the captain of the

unknown vessel.

“We have just come to repair our ship,” the captain spoke loudly. “Unless this port doesn’t

like money.” One the pirates came forward holding a handful of gold doubloons.

“I will allow you to stay,” Sam said sternly “But only until your ship is repaired. No later.”

“Much appreciated,” the captain growled with his raspy voice.

Sam was concerned with their rough appearance and added “But you’ve been warned, I will keep a

close watch on you and your men.”

Luna stood on the side watching the scene unfold. Crew members from the uninvited ship were

now swarming the docks as they bustled about securing lines and assessing the damage to the ship.

She continued to stare whimsically when a tap on her shoulder brought her back to reality.

Luna turned to see a lofty man with sun lightened hair, dotted with dirt and grim from a long

and harsh journey. The seaweed green eyes met hers in a soft gaze. His features were pleasant

to look upon and he didn’t seem dangerous. He did not look the way pirates were foretold, as

wicked men who would steal anything and everything you hold dear. This man looked more

cultivated and wistful, perhaps an explorer of sorts.

“Exciting isn’t it?” his voice whispered in her ear.

She pulled away from him not sure of his intentions.

“Afraid of me, huh?” the man implied with a smile.

“I am afraid of no one, least of all you,” Luna replied a bit embarrassed. With that, Luna

turned about. She was unsure of what she was feeling – a rush of excitement and an attraction

for this rogue? She was a proper woman and not akin to these sorts of thoughts. Luna had to

get away as she quickly marched away to the sanctuary of her parent’s home.

* * *

Envy took an uninvited seat at the family table. Scowling harshly at her sister, Solaris

couldn’t help but loath all of which her sister was. The evening passed without a word spoken

between Luna and Solaris. Neither wanted to know what they other had to say. The only words

that echoed in the grand dining hall were those from Eamon’s lips who talked of the new threat

of the first pirates to ever set one foot on their island.

“Those scoundrels should not be allowed to walk among gentle folk,” he proclaimed after much

grumbling.

Nessa sat quietly. When you were the wife of someone like Eamon you learned to listen and

recognize his ego talking. Nessa was always a wise woman who offered advice to her daughters

whenever needed. She seemed to always know the best action to take in any situation.

Luna much admired her mother and confided in her.

After a restless day of misgivings, Luna did not want to retire in a house where her sister

would surely be. Luna took a stroll down her favorite path that lead out of the little village.

At dusk the road could scarcely be seen but Luna knew the way as she had traveled it so many

times before. The stones rocked and crinkled as she strode over them and reminisced about how

her father had told her never to go further then the large rock as a child. The standing

timbers swayed in the spring breeze as they greeted travelers on their way down the stony path.

Up ahead a figure could be made out on the rocks bathing in the rays of the moon. As she got

closer, the shadow became a man, with sunlight hair and brilliant green eyes. It was the

pirate from the bay.

“What are you doing here,” Luna snapped at him, “this is my favorite spot.”

He turned abruptly to see who had spoken, “Yes, a beautiful scene it is.” He turned away from

her, to watch down the road.

“I would not think a pirate would know what beauty is.”

He turned and grinned at her, "You would have to be daft not to see beauty standing in front of

you."

Though he was rugged, she could not help but see gentleness in his brutish words.

"The boldness in your tongue is not fitting for a gentleman."

"A gentlemen?" he questioned, "Well a gentleman would introduce himself. I am Faris and you my

lady?" Bowing low as if she was the wealthiest queen in the entire world.

Luna gave a laugh at his childish behavior. “I will indulge you this courtesy good sir, my

name is Luna.." Bending her knees in a curtsy, showing she had played along with his ruse.

Luna went to sit on the big rock overlooking the sea. Confidently, Faris sat beside this woman

that had intrigued him and she did not protest. As the night went forward and their talking

continued, Luna couldn’t help but see that this improper, unrefined man could be insightful,

thoughtful, and caring. Faris was like no other man she had ever met. He was not afraid to

speak his thoughts or do something unexpected. He did not think of how the world saw him but

only how he saw himself. Faris was free to do as he pleased and was not being tied down by an

unwelcome marriage. He had the luxury of living day-to-day and taking obstacles as they arose.

He had everything Luna desired.

As daybreak crept up over the trees, Luna realized how long she had been out of bed. “I must be

heading back,” she said as turned to leave.

“Wait!” Faris said as he grabbed her arm gently. She turned toward him curiously.

“Meet me here tomorrow. I shall wait all day.”

With a nod, she raced all the way home. No one was aware that her sleepless night was spent on

a large rock with an irregular pirate on the finest night of her life.

* * *

The day seemed to pass too slowly for her liking. She waited and watched for the perfect moment

to leave and meet her forbidden pirate with his head full of dreams and desires. She longed to

hear his voice speak of worlds he had seen, and adventures he had lived.

As Luna left for her favored place on top of the grand boulder, Solaris watched from her bedroom

window. Luna’s joyfulness throughout the day seemed absurd as her dislike for her upcoming

marriage to Skyler was known. Maybe her heart took a liking to dear Skyler after all. No matter

, she would pursue her sister and find out the nature of her happiness.

Could the sun shine so bright, as this day she would see Faris again. Turning the corner, she

saw her beloved on the stone rock waiting for her. She sat closely beside him. They met each

other’s eyes and smiled.

“Any adventurous tales for me today?” Luna questioned lovingly.

“Well, life on the sea is full of chance. You never know when the sea’s icy hand will come and

take you to the grave. Or if gold will land in your lap.” Faris replied as he looked out at the

trees. “Sea life is a lonely one,” Faris continued, “No rolling hills, or leafy trees. No

homestead, or family. No wife to warm my bed at night.”

Luna felt sorrow for Faris and the life he had lived. She had always pictured freedom as

adventures, no boundaries, and self-governing. Luna offered some comfort by resting her hand

on his.

“There is a woman for you.” Luna assured him.

“The woman for me is in front of me.” Faris answered with a surety of heart.

Luna’s heart was beating like humming bird’s wings. It was plain to see that Faris had never

spoken thus before. He seemed to be blushing.

Faris leaned in close. Their lips met in such a tender and loving expression that Luna's heart

quickened. It was a treasured moment locked in soft embrace. As they moved away, the fair

thoughts of Faris seemed to melt away into the bitter thoughts of marriage to Skyler.

Her thoughts brought no comfort, "My indiscretion with Faris leaves me with shame, but why do I

feel badly for kissing a man I love. Is there not shame in agreeing to a marriage that I do

not wish just because others will it."

“I am betrothed to another,” Luna confessed. “But it is an unwanted engagement.”

Faris’s eyes filled with distress and bewilderment, “Do you love him?” he hastily asked.

“Hah! Could I hate him more?” Luna replied.

“Then he is not the one you’ve chosen?”

“It was arranged for the benefit of my father.”

“So you would give up your heart for your father.”

Faris’s words echoed on the sea and back into Luna’s heart. Luna had never disobeyed her father.

But she knew if she wed Skyler, it would be a tragedy.

Hiding in the bushes of Luna’s haven, Solaris’s deceitful eyes spotted the love passed between

Luna and a man who was not her fiancé. Skyler would be in her father’s library. Solaris must

tell him of Luna’s betrayal.

* * *

In breathless tones, Solaris told Skyler of his bride’s disloyal actions. Skyler’s features

turned sourer as the story wore on.

“You see, she is not the woman for you.” Solaris concluded.

Solaris moved closer to comfort Skyler after the awful news. Skyler stepped aside to avoid her

and painfully raged, “How could she disgrace me! Is there no end to her defiance. I will

approach her on this catastrophe and hear her explanation.”

Luna opened the door to her home after her rendezvous with Faris. Eamon, Nessa and Skyler

stood stern faced in front of her at the family table.

“We know about the pirate!” Eamonn shouted. “Explain yourself.”

How could they recognize the new spirit that flowed through her. That all her contentment in

life would be with Faris and no other.

“I care for him.” Luna pleaded.

“Do you think that man cares for you? You are but one of many women he courts on his travels,”

barked Skyler, “Do you believe he will stay here in your arms for evermore. He will be gone on

the first ship that docks, you will be left behind with your sorrow and grief. . I will be here

always.”

“You are wrong.” Luna yelled, “You could never know true love. Greed and power are your only

cares. Did you even see beyond my beauty or how far our marriage would take you in power. You

disgust me.”

“Has that pirate filled your head with such thoughts?” Eamonn demanded.

Luna felt the tension would rip her apart. She wished her fury would surge from her and

silence their infuriating voices. She opened her mouth to speak, but Skyler was quicker.

“I will find this pirate and slay him for all the wrongs he has done on the island,” Skyler

announced. “Keep Luna here, do not let her leave.”

Skyler and Eamon left to seek out Faris at the pirate ship. “Today will be his final day of

life.” Skyler thought.

* * *

Skyler’s fists tightened at the sight of the vile creature that had turned his sweet Luna into

a wench. As Faris bent down to bolt a plank, Skyler ran up to him and kneed him in the abdomen.

Faris fell to the ground in pain.

“What is this about?” Faris choked out through his agony.

Skyler grabbed Faris by the coat and threw him on his back. Skyler kneeled over him with

revenge on his mind. “I have the brute,” he thought. Skyler stuck Faris with his fist below

the cheekbone three times.

“Do you not recognize me? I have been disgraced by the woman who you have made your whore.”

Faris thrust Skyler off of him, and stood upright.

“I do not wish to fight you, but if you continue this matter, I will.” Faris shouted. His cheek

had gone numb and the pain in this stomach was increasing. He would not bow down to this man

who made Luna so unhappy and who did not fight with honor.

Skylar was not shaken by Faris’s words and rushed at him fiercely.

* * *

Solaris wept at the door of Luna’s confined bedroom. “I carry the weight of regret upon me,”

Solaris whispered through the door cracks to her sister. “Forgive me. I am weak and starving

for mercy.”

Luna paused for a moment and realized her chance, “If you sincerely wish forgiveness, let me out.

”

Solaris slipped the skeleton key out of her pocket and turned the knob to her sister’s freedom.

“Come,” Solaris whispered. She led Luna to the stairs, where her mother was ascending. Luna

and Solaris halted.

“This is it,” Luna thought, “My hopes are dwindling.”

Nessa’s stern face turned into a grin as she looked up and held up a skeleton key of her own.

Luna approached the intense scene. Her fear had become real and she could not allow this to go

on. She rushed to stop this madness. Luna got between the two brawling men yelling "Stop,

stop!" just as Skyler went to punch Faris. Luna felt Skyler's blow and fell to the ground with

a wail. Nessa gasped at the shock of her daughter being hit and ran to her. Eaman looked on

with disbelief and approached the scene. Without a word, Luna shrugged off her mother and stood

upright. Her hair was untidy, her nose bleeding and she had a long gash on her cheek.

With a calm voice Luna said, "I will not allow this to go further."

"Neither will I," Eamon said, "my daughter cannot be a part of this any longer. A choice must

be made.” He turned toward Luna and convincingly tried to dissuade her from her feelings, “You

barely know this man. I cannot let you be a part of our lives when you make frivolous decisions

on a whim. You would risk your family for him? Choose between this man or your family."

Luna couldn't believe such a thing came from her father. The one who was always understanding,

or ever said an angry word to his kin. How could she choose between her only love and her only

family? No one would replace either but her father would not allow her to have both joys.

She looked to each of her family and what happy times they had shared. Luna looked upon

Faris - the one who had showed her that life is worth living for yourself and not only for

others. She would decide.

"You may never accept Faris, father, but I hope in time your mind will change. I have decided I

am leaving with Faris."

As she got on the boat with the little possessions she had, Nessa hugged her deeply and

whispered for only Luna's ears, "Your father will understand one day." Luna wanted to believe

her mother who had been right so many times. Luna gave a weak smile for she was almost in tears.

Faris and Luna left on the pirate ship with only their desires and confidence to guide them

through their lives together. Luna would leave her tears at the shore and fulfill all that

she wanted to be at sea with Faris at her side. It was a difficult choice but it was right.

With the help of the Night Luna had become the Moon.

~Sarah

Copyright 2004