A crisp morning breeze drifted through the peaceful overgrown meadow. The multitudes of long green stalks bent forward, as if stretching in the sunlight. Margot's messy top knot peeked just above the tall grasses, and the young girl's giggles were faintly audible from a distance. A smile played across Aubrianna Winter's lips, as she stood silently with her grandfather at the edge of the thick clearing. Her face was noticeably more gaunt than usual, and her brown eyes were sunken into dark, puffy circles. The winter had been unforgiving to her clan. Crops were scarce, disease was ravaging, and her husband's reparations were few and far between. Her grandfather's leathered hand rested gently on her shoulder, as they watched Margot play.
"She needs her mother, Aubrianna."
The coarse voice of the Native American elder pierced through the silence. Aubri's eyes widened in shock, and she turned her troubled face towards the old man. Confusion, worry, and guilt clouded her appearance, and she struggled to form a response. Her lips parted many times, but no words or even sounds were uttered. Aubri blinked hard, a solitary tear ran down her cheek, and looked back towards her young daughter.
Margot, crouched on all fours, stalked silently through the meadow's grassy protection. A devilish smile lit her youthful face, and the morning dew caught in the strands of her hair. Her bright blue eyes seemed to focus on some unseen prey as her slender body crept forward. A lark cooed in the forest beyond, and as if on cue, Margot jumped high into the air and wrapped her fists around something small and noisy. She stood up proudly, dirt and grass smeared across her naked knees, and began jogging towards her mother and great grandfather.
"I need my husband."
Aubrianna's words were drenched in longing and sadness, as she stared vacantly into the meadow. Thoughts of Matthias and the war lingered in the back of her mind. She loved her daughter dearly, but five years without seeing her husband had been an enormous struggle. The words of his most recent letter haunted her day and night.
My love,
Please forgive, but accept, these rations for yourself and Margot. There are so many refugees at the camp, and more come every day. I don't know how we're going to advance in the war at this rate. These people aren't soldiers, Aubri, these people are just citizens who have lost hope. We're all searching for strength and a reason to fight, but it eludes us. You and Margot keep me alive. I love you both so much, and think of you often.
Yours always,
Matthias
"Mommy, PaPou, look what I've caught!"
Margot's outstretched fists opened cautiously, and a tiny brown head popped through. The mouse's beady eyes scanned in all directions, and its paws scrambled frantically inside Margot's hands. She laughed at the tickling sensation. Aubri looked down at Margot and narrowed her eyes. The little girl shrugged her shoulders innocently, but caught the command in her mother's eyes and placed the creature back to the earth. It darted away into the grass. Margot reached for her mother's hand, but Aubri evaded it and instead placed her palm on her daughter's messy bun. She ruffled it for a moment, although Margot audibly protested, and then spoke softly.
"Just like your father."
The older man sighed deeply, but nodded his head in approval. His white braid cascaded down his chest. Margot ran up to him and placed her tiny finger into his belly accusingly.
"You promised, PaPou. We hunt today while mommy goes to the market."
The Indian man cast a worried glance at Aubri before responding to his great-granddaughter.
"Yes, child. Today you will learn many things."
His words were laced with a deeper meaning that Margot did not detect, but Aubri's muscles tensed as she forced a warning smile. The sun was gaining height in the sky, and the three basked in its glorious morning rays.