Flash Fiction Friday: Week #29

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take.

And here is picture prompt #29:

A Moment in Time
By Michelle Greathouse

She leaned back her chair, the worn wood creaking as she set the rocker in motion.  The wind howled and the fire in the hearth flickered, casting great shadows upon the walls.

A person could get lost in those shadows, she thought to herself and pulled the worn shawl closer about her now frail shoulders.

Born more than sixty years ago, Freja had lived a long life.  She had seen good times and bad.  Suffered devastating loss and experienced abundant joy.  

She did not think she would live through this winter and she was reconciled with the fact.  The only regret she had was not seeing her sister one last time.

Signe was her twin.  Born with red hair and a matching birthmark on the right collar bone - the girls were considered changelings and left on the hill for fairies to take.

A band of travelers found the girls and Signe was sold to a childless couple who owned an inn in one of the larger towns.  Freja was raised by the couple who found the girls and once old enough, was taught the art of entertainment.  She could play any number of instruments, sing and tumble.

On her fourteenth birthday Freja and her family made their way into the village where Signe lived.  Freja had no idea she had a sister and was so surprised when she saw herself standing in the gathered crowd.

After the evening show, Freja told her mother about the girl she saw standing in the crowd.  Freja’s mother told her everything and took her to the inn where her sister had been left all those years ago.

Freja and Signe meet for the first and only time - and it was one of the happiest and saddest days of Freja’s life.

Freja remembered two girls walking hand in hand, talking and laughing - and smiled at the memory.  She remembered two girls standing under the bare branches of a tree crying - and wiped a tear from her cheek.

The wind howled and the fire sparked in the grate as Freja rocked in her chair.  The shadows danced upon the walls and she relived a moment in time.

The End
Word Count: 373  

I really wasn’t feeling this one.  I thought about it all week and finally came up with this story.  I hope you like it. :)