Arana

Author's Note:

This is my first story here. It is made up, I don't think there is really an Arana or Miah in Aboriginal mythology. Okay. I'm done. I'll shut up.

~Joanna

Once, a child was born. No one bothered naming her because of her ill health. Every night her parents along with her brothers prayed to their patron goddess, Miah, who was also the moon spirit so that she may be saved. And every night that passed with the infant alive her parents thanked Miah. They were so thankful the child was named Arana in her honour.

But even as Arana lived, she grew weaker. On the eve of her fifth birthday, Arana reached the peak of her illness resulting of her parents giving up. They assumed Miah was going to claim her being that very night.

Instead, as everyone slept, a silver ray of moonlight danced over their village. In the morning as everyone woke, they were greeted with a surprise.

Arana's sad, deep brown eyes were replaced with dazed blue eyes that matched the moon. That and instead of lying down crying about how much she hurt, she was up, trying to put her hair into braids.

They were awed by the change and were angry they doubted Miah's power. That night onward Arana prayed with her family, the thought of her life's source filling her with renewed faith.

After many years, Arana grew stronger. So strong she often rivalled the boys of her village. She made a habit of fighting with them, no matter how often her brother's begged her not to.

As her fifteenth birthday approached, the thought of marriage dawned. To her, the thought of marriage was as horrifying as the thought of her poor health returning. She begged her parents not to marry her off but they wouldn't hear of it. So she turned to the one who saved her before, because who was to tell her Miah wouldn't save her again?

"Please Miah, do not allow them to marry me off, let me stay young and free, just as you are."

Many moons passed and her hope wore down. It was a lot to ask for. She was about to speak to her mother on the subject as battle sprung.

People no one was familiar with came and threatened them. Chief Miakoda had attempted to reason with them but to no avail, war sprung.

While Arana was tending to one of her brothers, she was struck in the fight she was forbidden to join and was wounded terribly, worrying many.

Then, an idea hit her as she lay hurt. If she prayed hard enough, maybe Miah would answer her prayers because it wasn't her life she wanted to save.

"Stop this fight, Miah." She said one night, "your people are being hurt!"

In response, Arana had a dream, In the dream there was a ribbon slim woman with silver hair and eyes just like her own. The woman looked ageless. She instantly knew that the woman was her life force, Miah.

"Arana, child," she addressed warmly, "I saved you as a child and I wish to save you once more. Come with me to my domain, become an immortal. You will stay young and free, just as you wish. Besides, your life is fading. It's death or immortality. Choose wisely," she said.

Arana was shocked. She hadn't contemplated the fact of death. The answer was obvious.

"If that is what it takes to save my village, I will."

Miah smiled and Arana's appearance changed yet again. She looked like a smaller version of Miah. The only difference being the white triangles on her face. After that she wasted no time with Arana and they were gone from the village.

Shortly after the battle ended and the intruders had dispersed. It was a priority to find Arana. For days on they searched but could not find her. Arana wished she could tell them she was fine.

Arana expressed this concern with Miah. Miah had allowed her to use the light that saved her as a child.

That night the searching stopped because every time the moon sparkled, the villagers knew it was her way of telling them she was safe.