A Moment of Peace by amyfortuna

[elwinfortuna]

B2MeM Prompt, Card and Number: early skyline almost mask from the Four Words card, N42
Format: Drabble
Genre: Character Study
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Characters: Aerin
Pairings: Aerin/Brodda (in the context of a forced marriage)
Summary: Even in the midst of her hard life, Aerin has brief moments of peace.

Aerin arose early, heading out to feed the chickens. The skyline was bright with dawn, the air cool and fresh. No one was about. The chickens chirped eagerly as she spread the seeds, several little chicks cheeping madly as they fought for them. She closed her eyes, breathing in, swathed in quiet joy.

Then there was a call from the house: Brodda was awakening. She needed to go and oversee breakfast. Her genuine smile disappeared, to be replaced with a fixed mask: set lips in neither frown nor grin, carefully cultivated. The day was over almost before it had begun.

Comments

[narya_flame]

Gorgeous - the tonal shift between the first and second paragraph is startling, but works beautifully. I love your evocation of early morning, and the peaceful, contemplative moment with the chicks.

[hhimring]

It's still very good to think that she at least had early morning moments like this, before Brodda woke up!
Even if she had to spend so much time wearing a mask.

[zdenka]

Poor Aerin! I like the contrast between that brief moment of genuine happiness and the mask she has to wear the rest of the time.

[senalishia]

Ooh, that contrast between the smiles is so evocative.

[mybluerose]

very evocative, especially for a drabble!

[kayleearafinwiel]

Poor Aerin! I'm so glad she was able to have a few moments of peace, at least. *shivers* I loathe Brodda, I really do. He's horrible.

[erulissedances]

Wonderful distinction between the two paragraphs and the two phases of her morning.

- Erulisse (one L)

[elleth]

Aw, Aerin! The difference between the two paragraphs is striking, but I'm glad Aerin got a little bit of peace before the unhappy part of her life made itself known.