Chapter Two- "Why does the ocean dance?"
Ten years later.........
Torin and Elda were finally able to enter the room, their mother was in. She looked so sickly. Her face was white and she was shivering cold, but there was also sweat pouring down her forehead. She couldn't even sit up, she only motioned for her two children to come closer. Elda rushed to her mother and knelt by the bedside, holding her hand. "Mama, please. you're stronger than this." Aileen looked across the room to where fifteen year old Torin, was standing in the doorway. She gave a comforting smile, and then her head dropped back on her pillow and she lay permanently still. Elda's eyes welled up with tears. The doctor who was caring for Aileen, left to find a priest. "We must do the funeral, wee ones." He said picking up his bag. "The sickness could spread."
Immediately Torin dashed out the room and the front door swung open. His face was red and hot. He picked up a stone that was sitting on the sand, and threw it at the ocean, asfar as he could. But a high wave rose up, and the rock drifted back to where Torin was standing. He threw it again, higher. But the rock still came back. Torin groaned in frustration.
Elda walked out the door and came up to Torin. "Torin-" Was all she could say. But Torin pushed her away and glared at the sea, always moving. Never still. Elda again, put her hand on Torin's shoulder. "First we lose Athair. Then we lose Mother." Torin said looking at the ground. Elda sighed and they both looked at each other. Then Torin said, "I thought us losing Athair, was the most grievous thing that could ever happen to me. But now this-this is much worse. We'reorphans now. Meaningless, futureless orphans with no hope. The last of our line! "Torin! Torin! Calm yourself there! Don't be so dramatic."" After a few moments with no speaking, Torin looked at Elda and then back at the ocean. "Elda," he began. "Why does the ocean dance?" "What do ya mean, dearth`air (brother)?" "I mean, why does the ocean never sit still? It's always moving, always, always-" Torin stopped, and then tears trickled down his face. "The ocean killed Athair. And now it won't even be still, for just a wee moment! I can't believe that Mother is gone." "Torin." Elda had now had a serious look on her face. "In all the years that I've stood on this very ground here," She said looking him straight in the eye. "That was the most insane question, that could possibly come out of your pipe hole!" "What do you mean by that?" Torin was furious. "Ar'ya daft, dearth`air? I meant exactly what I said. You losing Mama and Athair is making you lose your mind. They always told us stories, about the ocean, and Athair would play his pipe and Mama would dance to the music," Torin looked away, trying to hide his tears and his ashamed face.. "Don't ya remember?"
The day slowly passed and the next morning Elda and Torin arrived at home after going to the market. They talked for a while, but they both ran out of words to say.
There was a moment of silence, and then a few men went inside the cottage taking out furniture and beds and tables. Everything the Braygans owned. "What da'ya think you're doing mister?" Elda said pushing her way into the house. "What exactly do you mean, lassie?" Elda put her hands on her hips. "Exactly what I said. These are our things, what are ya doing taking them out?" The man rolled his eyes. "You can't keep the house, missy. You ain't got enough money, now scadaddle!"
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