Happiness to Sorrow

        Happiness to Sorrow

Suzanne Marsh

Harper Wells continuously checked her watch, it seemed as if she had been flying the plane bound for Scotland for days instead of a few hours. Returning home to the Isle of Skye after all these years in the United States. She focused her thoughts on how wonderful it would be to see her old school chum Maggie MacDonald. Time, Harper assumed had taken its toll on Maggie, just as it had on her. She recalled running through the heather with Maggie, laughing. Finally, she could see the wee Broadford Aerodrome, she still could not believe, she had flown the small Cessna from London. She had obtained permission to land at Broadford by the flying club that now owned it. She treasured the thought that she was finally almost home, Ashaig. Having left Ashaig when her parents decided to move to the United States. She and Maggie had, had a good cry before she left. They had kept in touch over the years, but something had changed when Maggie called Harper:

“Harper, will ye come to visit, me mam just passed away.”

“I’ll get the next flight out Maggie; I will be there as soon as it is humanly possible.”

When Harper arrived at the airport, Maggie stood waiting for her, a dejected look on her normally happy face. Harper gave her a hug, as Maggie took Harper’s roll on bag. Maggie’s car was parked a short distance from the one landing strip. Fifteen minutes later they arrived at Maggie’s home. She had lived with her mam since her husband Tom MacDaniel had passed on. Harper noted the cemetery as Maggie drove by. Harpers crossed herself as they drove by.

The following morning both women sat down with a cup of coffee and reminisced about the great times they shared, when they were younger. Harper asked Maggie what had happened to Angus MacDaniel, Tom’s brother. Maggie’s answer startled Harper:

“I thought I had told ye about Angus. He joined the Black Watch some years back, went

to the Fauklands, he never returned. Funny you should mention him, he left a letter for

you just before he left. I somehow just could never bring myself to send it to you in

America. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“Maggie, he was no doubt telling me goodbye. I was what? Sixteen when we dated/”

“That is no the point Harper, the point is I did not send it to you.”

“Och, Maggie don’t be worrin about that.”

Maggie handed the blue envelope to Harper; she held it closely to her breast. She was terrified to open it, but she did, the letter began:

“Dearest Harper,

I know this may be too late but would you consider marrying me, if I return from this

mission? We are out maneuvered, by out manned. You, my lovely girl, are with

me as I fly into battle.”

Love,

Angus

Harper, blanched at the thought that she could have married the man she had loved for so long, only to have him ripped away from her by death. Tears filler her eyes as Maggie sat in stunned silence after Harper had handed her the letter. Maggie, knew she had the power and strength to return Angus, to Harper; the question was, was it the right thing to do? If she failed, that would hurt Harper even more. Maggie pondered that question as Harper fought for her composure. Ultimately, Maggie reached over and took Harper’s hand:

“Harper, do ye remember when we used to visit the Storr? It is a magical place, perhaps

if ye go with me, we can bring Angus home to you.”

Harper, gasped, frightened by what Maggie had just said:

“We could go but Maggie, there is nothing that will bring Angus back.”

“Aye, Harper there is, we can call the faeries to restore him.”

“Okay, I guess it is worth a try.”

They drove toward the Storr, then walked the rest of the way up the craig. Maggie, knew exactly how to summon the faeries, she also knew she had the power to do so. Maggie raised her arms:

“Oberon, King of the faeries hear me now, I request that you return Angus from whence he

has gone.”

The ground shook under their feet as a spiral of white smoke began to appear. The smoke began to take on the face of Angus, MacDaniel, the body followed. Angus, jumped down the rocks toward Harper:

“Harper, lassie, I am glad to be seein ya.” Harper, was take aback, was this some sort of hallucination or was this flesh and blood Angus? Harper could feel the warmth of Angus’ arms around her waist. Maggie, backed away, she hoped Angus would remain but she could not be sure. Angus and Harper held each other tightly, as if they would never let go again. Then the two began their descent from the Storr, hands clasped together.

Maggie drove while Harper and Angus held each other; she hoped she had on made a mistake, Oberon, was not as powerful as he had once been. They arrived at Maggie’s home, Angus, and Harper walked hand in hand, happy to have the opportunity. Angus, once inside, got down on one knee:

“Harper, lass, will ye marry me today? We don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”

“Oh, yes, Angus, yes.”

Maggie glowed with happiness for them both, she called the rector of St, Albans, who said yes he would marry them if they could a license today. They begged and pleaded with the clerk, who finally gave in and gave them the license to marry. Maggie in the mean time had gotten her mam’s wedding dress ready for Harper to wear. Shortly after four o’clock in the afternoon, Mr. and Mrs.. Angus MacDaniel became man and wife.

The next morning, Angus, began to fade, Harper, ran down the stairs and banged on Maggie’s bedroom door:

Magg’s wake up, something is terribly wrong, Angus is beginning to fade, his feet no longer

touch the ground. What am I going to do?”

Maggie shook herself awake, what she feared was happening. She darted up the stairs behind Harper, to find that only Angus’ face was left. She could not call out to Oberon, suddenly, Harper, kissed Angus’ lips. A tall dark haired, muscular man, with wild black eyes, his body the color of oak wood. His cloak was of green leaves stitched onto brown leather. Maggie stared openly at the wild eyed man:

“Who are you?” She asked.

“I, am Oberon, I gave the woman a chance to have her man back for a short time only.”

Harper began to weep:

“A short time? A short time! No, you can’t have him back.”

“Fine, if I can’t have him back, I will become he. I need a wife, a mate, you will make a

good one.

The happiness that Harper felt was turning to a sorrow so strong, she wept uncontrollably. Maggie, placed her hand on Harper’s shoulder:

“Come, Harper, now. I don’t wish to become your enemy but you must pay for having

asked for Oberon to help you, now you must pay the cost.”

Harper turned her tear stained face to Maggie:

“I hate what you have done Maggie, you made give myself to Oberon thinking he was

Angus. I hope you are happy. I am leaving today, don’t ever, ever speak to me again.!”