Chapter Text
The boy and the girl took care of each other. They never would fit in anyplace. Whispers followed were they went. Not that they went to many places.
The boy was happy. A normal life, that is all he ever asked for. He missed the sense he had. But, no matter he had the girl.
The girl told herself she was happy. She told herself that she would be happy with the boy.
She would be seen laying on the grass in direct sunlight. She seemed to absorb it. But would quickly go inside when the boy got home from the market.
They took care of the orphans in Keramzin. With a child.
It was said that he was their child. But he was far too old and they were far to young.
"She is dying" was whispered.
Her hollow cheeks and her white hair made it seem so.
"In no time he will leave her"
The boy was handsome. It was wondered why they were together. The girl wondered that too.
In the winter, the girl wore a kefta. Yet she was not a grisha.
White carriages with the flag of the new king arrived everyso often. Four people would step out and hug the boy and girl. They would stay in the orphanage's extra rooms.
They would leave and the girl's heart broke everytime she saw the carriage disappearing into the distance.
"They probably are her family" the cooks would whisper.
And yes they were, but she yearned to go were they went also.
On a night in the spring, the weather was mild. The stars shined against the dark silk of the sky. The pond in the forest outside of Keramzin wass bursting with noise. Insects buzzing. Toads hopping. Wind softly moving the grass. The girl moved slowly into the opening.
She sat on the edge of the water. Dipping her feet in. She rested her back on the grey rock behind her. When she looked up at the sky she choked out a sob.
The dark sky and the bright moon and stars shined. In perfection they balanced each other. No overpowering of the darkness nor the light. The stars twinkled and she stretched out her hand to the sky. As if calling to the light. Nothing happened.
She closed her eyes. The girl sat there in the silence. Holding in her tears in.
The girl was almost stayed silent. But she whispered a name. A name that caused her to pull her knees to her chest. A name the made her release tears. A name that only she knew.
The boy woke up the next day alone in bed. He called out a false name out to the girl.
When he found her she was laying on the ground on the banks of the pond. Her face was tear stricken and eyes puffy.
He pulled her up and took her home.
"She is not happy with him" The teacher would whisper
"But he is perfect" the cook would reply.
"But he is not her balance"