This story is based on the song "Step It Out Mary."

The village of Kilgory was quiet in the early morning light, which bathed the roofs with a pale yellow light.

A young woman left one of the houses, carrying a large bucket by her side. Her long golden hair caught the first rays of the sun and glowed with its light. She went to the well in the center of the town and drew enough water to fill the bucket.

As she was preparing to leave, another girl came up with a bucket of her own. "Morning, Maire," she said with a smile, turning the crank on the well.

Maire set her bucket down and smiled at the other girl. "Morning, Niamh."

Niamh grunted as she pulled the water ever closer to the opening of the well. "How's that soldier boy of yours?"

"Colm?" Maire put a hand to her cheek and smiled. "He's well."

"Not going off to fight any time soon?" Niamh had gotten her bucket full. She picked it up and started walking down the street, Maire following.

"Oh, I hope not," Maire said hurriedly. "He would have told me."

Niamh sighed enviously. "Sure, you picked the best-looking man in the town."

Maire laughed. "He picked me, remember?"

"Oh, that's right, and you did nothing to lure him to you." Niamh giggled. "You just walked along with that golden hair of yours."

Maire smiled thoughtfully and played with a lock of her hair. "I suppose it is rather pretty."

Niamh scoffed. "Rather pretty? You know every boy wanted to wed you! Even some of the older men!"

Maire tossed her hair over one shoulder. "Sure, it's good Colm got me first, isn't it?"

Niamh stopped laughing suddenly. "Have you told your father yet?"

Maire shook her head. "Not yet. I don't want to...he doesn't like soldiers."

Niamh elbowed Maire. "You should tell him today. As soon as you get home."

Maire shoved Niamh back. "All right, all right, I will." They parted ways at Niamh's home, waving at each other as Niamh went into her house.

Maire stood for a moment, the bucket resting against her leg. I should tell him. I will tell him just as soon as I get home. Having made that silent resolution to herself, she went on her way.

She opened the door to her home and stepped into the dim building, humming to herself to keep her courage up.

"Maire?" Her father was sitting at the table with another man.

Maire started. She had been so caught up in her thoughts that she did not see that horse outside the door. "Father?"

Her father rose, and so did the man sitting across from him. "Maire, this is Lord Berach Naomhan."

Maire glanced at the man before looking back at her father. Lord Naomhan was tall with dark hair and a dark red coat. Maire curtseyed. "My lord."

Lord Naomhan stepped forward and took Maire's hand. "I have heard of your beauty, Maire. I know I am not the only one." Maire ducked her head and felt her cheeks flush.

"And I can not - will not...let such beauty go to waste," Lord Naomhan continued. "Cathal...it is Cathal, isn't it?"

Her father nodded. "T'is."

"Cathal, I want to court your daughter. She shall want for nothing, you know that. I have both silver and gold at my disposal. If she becomes my wife, she will have silks and satins to wear." Lord Naomhan waved a hand in the air as though painting a picture of the splendor he promised. "She will be a great lady with many servants at her beck and call."

Cathal stepped closer to Lord Naomhan. "Of course you may court her," he said slowly. "But she does not have a dowry."

Lord Naomhan waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "For such a beau-"

Maire lifted her head and marched up to her father. "I do not love Lord Naomhan, Father."

Cathal sent her a warning look. "Love is not always the cause for marriages. Sometimes it's the product. Lord Naomhan will court you."

"But-" Maire opened her mouth again, but Lord Naomhan took her hand.

"You will grow to love me in time, I hope." He lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips softly.

Maire stiffened and pulled her hand away. "I will grow to love you? Or do you mean I will grow to love your money?" She brushed past Lord Naomhan and Cathal, hurrying into her room and closing the door.

She waited near the door, listening for the outcome of her actions. Cathal was trying to apologize. "Forgive her, Lord Naomhan. She is normally a most agreeable girl. I do not know why her reaction was so...strong."

"So adverse, you mean?" Lord Naomhan's voice floated to Maire's ears. He sounded faintly amused. "Do not worry, Cathal. Money...or the prospect of money, is quite a temptation to most women. So is the opportunity to be a great lady with servants to command. I think she will change her mind."

"I certainly hope so, my lord." Cathal's voice grew harder to hear. Maire supposed he was walking Lord Naomhan to the door.

Good riddance, she thought, crossing her arms. And no, Lord Naomhan, I won't be changing my mind. I won't change my mind at all.

Maire sat down on her bed and thought about Colm, purposefully banishing any thoughts of Lord Naomhan.

She jumped when Cathal rapped on her door before entering. He didn't wait for me to answer, she thought resentfully. "What is it?"

Cathal walked over to her and put his hand under her chin. "Did you mean what you said about not loving him?"

Maire nodded. "Of course I meant it. I don't know him. I can't love him if I don't know him."

"But you will come to know him better," Cathal prodded, "when he comes courting?"

"I won't court him." Maire stood and crossed to the small window that lit her room. "I won't marry him, either."

Cathal sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You will court him, Maire." He turned on his heel and left the room, closing the door behind him with a thump. "He said he would come tonight at eight."

"I will not," Maire said to the empty room. "I will tell him I love Colm. I'll do it tonight when both of them are here."

Cathal knocked on Maire's door a while later. "Maire! You've chores to do before you change clothes."

"Change clothes?" Maire didn't open the door. "Why would I change clothes?"

Cathal stuck his head inside the room. "Because you want to make a good impression on Lord Naomhan."

Maire crossed her arms. "I've done that already, haven't I?" She thought back to Lord Naomhan's words. "I will not let such beauty go to waste. Wasn't that what he said?"

Cathal closed his eyes in exasperation. "Whatever advantage you might have because of your beauty, you lost when you were rude to him."

"I wasn't being rude! I was being truthful. I don't love him and I won't grow to love him." Maire stood by the foot of her bed, her fingers playing with the blanket.

"Then you'll grow to tolerate him." Cathal opened the door wider. "Your chores."

Maire glared at him and swept out of the room in a huff. She went about her normal chores, doing everything as loudly as possible to let her father know how upset she was. She banged the water bucket on the floor and let water slosh onto the floor, and knocked over a chair or two throughout the course of the day.

Finally the sun began to go down and Maire went into her room again. "Wear your best dress!" Cathal called after her.

Maire slammed the door closed behind her. "My only other dress, you mean." She threw her dress on the bed and sat in her chemise for a long time, until she finally shook her head.

"Just imagine the look on his face when he hears that I'm marrying Colm." She tossed her hair and began putting on her best dress. She faced the mirror, running her hands down the skirt of the light blue linen dress.

Maire stared at herself and reached out to touch the reflection of her face. "I am beautiful. Lord Naomhan is honest, at least." She lifted her hair and tossed it over her shoulder, twisting this way and that in front of the mirror.

Cathal called. "Maire! Come start the supper!"

Maire sighed, pursed her lips, and opened the door. "Coming." She tied on an apron and started to make soup.

"Do we have bread?" Cathal sat at the table watching her.

"Some. It's a few days old."

Cathal sighed. "It will have to do."

Maire smiled to herself. Lord Naomhan would have to get used to the taste of staleness. His words to her earlier would become stale after tonight and he would forget he had ever wanted to marry her.

She stirred the soup, growing more tense as the evening progressed. Why am I worried? I will simply tell Father and Lord Naomhan that I love Colm and that we are going to get married. Then Lord Naomhan will go away and I will marry Colm.

It seemed so simple when she thought about it that way, but there was a small nagging in the back of her mind that kept her worrying. Not worrying...wondering, she corrected herself.

Finally they heard the clatter of hooves on the cobblestones outside. Maire took a deep breath, took off her apron, and gave the soup one final stir.

Cathal motioned to her. "Come here." He looked her over with a critical eye, then nodded. "You look beautiful, Maire."

Maire ignored her father and went to the door, looking out into the dark. She could see a large white horse, and a man dismounting from the horse.

Lord Naomhan came up to the door, his tricorn hat in his hands. "Good evening, Maire. Good evening, Cathal."

Cathal bowed and held the door open. "Good evening, Lord Naomhan. Will you take supper with us?" He discreetly nudged Maire, who pressed her lips together and curtseyed.

Lord Naomhan seemed surprised. He twisted the hat in his hands. "No, thank you. I have already eaten, I am afraid." He seemed genuinely disappointed and Maire found herself watching him curiously.

Cathal's mouth hung open for a moment, his carefully laid plans torn to pieces with Lord Naomhan's words. "Well...won't you take a seat?" He offered Lord Naomhan one of the two chairs by the fire and gestured for Maire to sit in the other one. Cathal dragged one of the chairs from the table over to the fire and sat.

There was a silence, the only noise being the crackle of the fire in the hearth. Maire found that her heart was beating quickly, for some reason she could not understand. It's simple, she reminded herself. Just tell them you are in love with Colm.

Lord Naomhan spoke first. "Maire, I have to ask...did you make the supper that your father offered to me?"

Maire nodded. "I did, my lord."

Lord Naoman leaned forward. "Would you...would you do me the honor of letting me eat some of whatever you have prepared? I have eaten, but I do not want to seem rude." He glanced at Cathal as if trying to gage what Maire's reply would be.

Maire glanced at Cathal also. He nodded to her. "Of course, my lord." She rose and went over to where the cauldron hung by the fire.

Taking a bowl from the shelf beside the hearth, she scooped soup into the bowl. "Would you care for some bread, too?" She asked over her shoulder.

Lord Naomhan hesitated. "Yes, I would. Thank you."

Maire brought the soup over to him and set it in his hands, then went back for the bread. She cut him a slice that was neither too thick nor too thin, then brought it back to him, cupped in her hands. "Here, my lord."

Lord Naomhan took the bread and set it in the bowl so it was partially submerged in his soup. "Thank you." He blew on the soup and Maire watched the liquid ripple under his breath. He hesitated for a moment, glancing up at Maire for the space of a heartbeat before he lifted the bowl to his lips and took a cautious sip.

Maire realized that she had not given him a spoon. She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. Let him think we're so poor that we don't have spoons. But, she had to admit, he had handled the predicament well.

He rested the bowl on his lap. "The soup is well made," he said after a moment. "Filling, too." He took a bite of the bread, then sopped up some of the soup and ate another bite of the bread.

Maire went back to her place beside the fire, spreading her skirt around her legs as she sat. Cathal was watching them, his eyes flicking from Lord Naomhan to her every few seconds.

Lord Naomhan continued eating. "Maire," he said as he set the bowl down again, "would you want to do your own cooking?"

Maire laughed aloud. She quickly covered her laugh with her hand and glanced at Cathal, whose eyebrows were lowered warningly. "Forgive me, my lord. Yes, I would want to do my own cooking if I were to be married."

Lord Naomhan did not frown, but he did not smile, either. "It is not the normal custom for a lord's wife to cook. You would have servants to cook for you."

Maire felt her face freeze. "I...I said if I were to marry. Meaning...meaning, my lord...I do not plan to marry you." She had not expected the words to come out like that, or at a time like that.

Cathal's mouth dropped open. "Maire!"

Maire faced him fiercely. "Did I misspeak? I do not plan to marry him! I do not want his house, his land, his silks and satins, or his servants! I love Colm, Father!"

Cathal could only stare. "M-maire!" He said again.

Lord Naomhan was staring hard into his bowl of soup. He reached over and set it down on the hearthstones. "Perhaps it is best that I leave." He stood, taking his hat in his hands again. He bowed to Maire, who had risen from her chair, then bowed to Cathal. "Good night."

He shut the door behind him. Maire and Cathal both waited silently until the clatter of Lord Naomhan's hooves sounded from outside. Then Cathal rose.

"Maire!" Cathal took her by the shoulders. "Do you realize what you have done?"

Maire nodded, taken aback by her father's reaction. "Yes, I do! I've done what I should have done before - told you of my love for Colm!"

Her father shook her. "No, that's not all you've done! You refused a lord! That's not done!"

Maire tore herself from her father's grasp. "I just did it," she said proudly. "I refused him once and I'll do it again!"

Cathal grabbed Maire's arm and pulled her over to her room. "You will not refuse him. If he comes again, you will apologize."

"I will not!" Maire flung open the door to her room, darted inside, and closed the door loudly.

Cathal banged his fist on the door. "You foolish girl!" Maire waited for him to fling open the door and berate her again, but he did not.

After a minute or two, Maire tore off her dress and got into bed. She pulled the blanket up to her chin with a savage jerk and turned on her side, facing the small window. She could seem moonlight shining through the window.

The light seemed so pale and impersonal that Maire turned on her other side, facing the door. She gritted her teeth and concentrated on thinking about Colm. But the more she thought about Colm, the more she thought about Lord Naomhan. The more she thought about Lord Naomhan, the more upset she became.

Finally she sat up in bed and banged her fists on her thighs. "I will not marry Lord Naomhan! I will not marry Lord Naomhan! I will do anything, just as long as I can be with Colm. Anything..." She pulled her feet under her and crossed her legs at the ankles, resting her elbow on her leg and her chin in her palm.

She thought of all the things she could do to avoid marrying Lord Naomhan. But I can't do anything without Colm, she thought. I will tell him tomorrow. The moment I see him, I must tell him everything that has happened. With that thought she laid down again and pulled the blanket up again.

The next morning, Cathal rapped on her door. "Maire, we need more water." Maire was relieved to hear that his voice sounded normal.

"Coming!" She hurriedly dressed and slipped on her shoes, then opened the door to her room and went to the table.

Cathal was sitting there, a cup of tea by his elbow. "I'll make you some tea while you're out," he said gruffly.

Maire nodded and picked up the water bucket, then went outside. She glanced up at the sky, which was grey instead of blue. A feeling of heaviness came over her. You're going to see Colm today, she reminded herself. And he'll think of a solution to the problem.

She walked to the well, swinging the bucket and making up a rhythm that combined the motion of the bucket and her steps. As she reached the well, she saw Niamh just lowering the bucket down into the well. Maire suddenly thought that if she tried to tell Niamh everything that had happened, she would go mad. She walked slowly and did not say anything to Niamh.

She did not have to. Niamh looked up. "Maire! I saw a white horse at your door last night! Did Colm get a horse?"

Maire set her bucket down with a thunk and leaned over the edge of the well. "No," she said dully.

"Then who was it?" Niamh paused and put a hand on Maire's shoulder. "What is wrong?"

Maire shook her head. "It was Lord Naomhan."

"Lord Naomhan?" Niamh echoed. "Why?"

"He means to marry me." Maire clenched her fists. "I've told Father and him that I love Colm and will not marry him."

Niamh's eyebrows rose. "You...you refused Lord Naomhan?"

Maire frowned. "Yes, I did. You know I love Colm! Why is that so strange?"

Niamh hesitated. "It's just...Lord Naomhan...he's a lord! If you anger him, you could put yourself in danger. And your father, too."

Maire tossed her head. "Father is doing everything he can to keep the arrangement from falling apart. He's in no danger."

Niamh shook her head doubtfully. "I hope you're right. Does Colm know?"

Maire shook her head. "Not yet. I'm meeting him today. I'm going to tell him everything."

"Good." Niamh picked up her bucket and started to walk away. "He'll know what to do."

Maire sent the bucket down into the bottom of the well with a splash. I hope so. She dawdled at the well, pulling the bucket up slowly. On her way back to the house, she walked slowly, meandering down the road as though she had nowhere else in the world to be.

Cathal was waiting when she got back. "Was there trouble at the well?"

"No," Maire answered coolly. She set about the housework and when that was done, she left without saying anything to Cathal.

Maire hurried down the street to the church. There she saw a soldier leaning against the wall and ran up to him. "Colm!"

The soldier straightened and flung open his arms. Maire ran straight into his embrace and rested her head on his shoulder. "Oh, Colm! Colm, it's terrible!"

Colm's arms slid around Maire for a quick moment, then he pulled away to force her to look at him. "What's terrible?"

Maire grabbed his hands. "You must promise not to be angry. You know this wasn't any of my doing."

Colm frowned in puzzlement. "I might know if you would tell me."

Maire nodded hurriedly. "Lord Naomhan wants to marry me!" She burst out.

Colm froze. "He does? And...you don't want to marry him?" He wasn't just asking the question, Maire could tell. He truly dreaded her answer.

"Of course I don't!" She hastened. "I told him that last night. I told Father, too. They both know that I love you now." She took his hands in hers.

Colm paused, his face thoughtful. "What are you going to do?"

"Don't you mean what are we going to do?" Maire said shortly.

Colm nodded. "Of course I mean we. This is just as much my problem as it is yours. But you are the one who is most affected." He let go of her hands and clasped his own behind his back, taking a few steps away.

"We could elope!" Maire said suddenly. "If we went far enough they wouldn't come looking for us!"

Colm nodded slowly. "We could. But I don't want to force you into a life of running away. Maire...is Lord Naomhan coming back again tonight?"

Maire shrugged. "I don't know...maybe he changed his mind after last night."

Colm thought for a moment or two, then spoke. "If...if he comes tonight, just see what happens. We'll figure something out, but we can't do anything until we know how he feels about it. All right?" He took her hands in his again.

Maire looked down, her face set in a frown. "Oh...all right, Colm. I won't do anything until after tonight." She tilted her face upward with a pleading demeanor.

Colm smiled and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. "Until tomorrow, Maire."

"Until tomorrow." She turned and walked away, glancing back at Colm until he was out of sight.

When evening came, Maire found herself pacing the house restlessly. Cathal had not insisted she change into her nice dress. In fact, he had not talked to her much through the day. He sat in the chair by the fire, his chin sunk into his hand and his gaze on the dancing flames.

The sound of hooves startled both Cathal and Maire. Cathal jumped out of the chair, pushing it over the floor as he rose. Maire clutched at her dress. He came back.

Cathal moved swiftly to the door, but not swiftly enough to forestall Lord Naomhan's knock. Cathal cast a warning glance at Maire and opened the door. "Lord Naomhan!" He said a little too loudly. "This is...somewhat...unexpected."

Lord Naomhan stepped into the house, once again holding his hat in his hands. "I am sorry for the intrusion, Cathal. I need to speak with you, however."

Cathal paused, lowering one eyebrow. "With me? Or with Maire?"

"With you." Lord Naomhan glanced at Maire quickly. "Privately."

Cathal nodded. "Maire, let us talk."

Maire pursed her lips, but nodded curtly and went into her room. Her heart was hammering in her chest. Perhaps Lord Naomhan was going to renounce his intentions! That had to be it. It just had to be. Or maybe he was postponing his intentions of marrying her.

She stood beside the door and listened, but could not hear the words exchanged between the two men, save for the faint murmur of their voices. After a while she grew tired of straining her ears and sat on her bed, playing with her dress. Her fingers moved as if they had a mind of their own.

She started at the sound of Lord Naomhan's voice which had grown a bit louder. "Thank you, Cathal."

"You are welcome, my lord," Cathal said. Maire thought his voice sounded strange, like he was trying to talk and swallow at the same time.

She heard the front door close, and heard the sound of Lord Naomhan's horse as he rode away. Maire waited for a few minutes, then opened the door. "Is he gone?" She asked quietly.

Cathal was seated at the table, resting his head in his hands. "Yes, he is gone, Maire," he said after a moment of silence.

Maire ran over to him and wrapped her arms around him. "Oh, Father! What did you tell him to make him go away?"

Cathal did not look at her. "I told him that you would marry him on Sunday."

"What?" Maire pulled away from her father. "You did what?"

Cathal raised his head and looked at her. "I told him that you would marry him on Sunday," he repeated, standing up.

Maire stood up, too, so quickly that her hair flew about her face. "I told you I would not marry him!"

Cathal's face was set. "Maire, he has offered to give me thirty pounds."

Maire felt her face grow hot. "You're selling me? For thirty pounds?" She crossed her arms, unable to comprehend what she was hearing.

Cathal frowned. "I am not selling you," he snapped. "Watch your tongue."

"You...you...I don't believe you! I told you that I loved Colm!"

Cathal's brow darkened. "You know I don't like Colm. You know I don't like soldiers."

Maire felt her throat tighten and she choked back tears. "He's not just a soldier! He's...he's my love!"

Cathal marched over to Maire and shook her. "Listen, Maire, you don't know what is good for you, so I will tell you. On Sunday you will go to the church and marry Lord Naomhan. You will wear the wedding band he puts on your finger and you will go home with him." He punctuated his last few words with more violent shaking of Maire until she was dizzy.

Maire jerked away. "I will not marry him!" She declared, tears running down her face. "You cannot make me marry him!" She ran into her room and slammed the door shut, immediately throwing herself down on her bed where she cried until she fell asleep.

The next morning, Cathal knocked on her door. "Maire?" He called gruffly. "Fetch the water."

Maire clenched her fists beneath her blanket. She counted to ten in her head and got up slowly, her face frozen in a sullen mask.

When she emerged from her room, Cathal was standing with the bucket in his hand. He held it out to her without a word.

Maire took it without speaking to him, and stalked out of the house. This time she did not got to the well. She walked in the opposite direction, because she knew she could not speak to Niamh.

As she walked along, she realized that today was Friday. Only one day until Sunday. Only one day to figure out what to do.

Maire kept walking until she was sure Niamh would be gone from the well, then turned and retraced her steps until she came to the well. Again, she took as much time as she could and only returned home when she felt like it.

That day she did her chores without all the banging and loud noise, but she was sullen and stone-faced. Cathal was silent, too, spending most of the day in a chair by the fire.

When afternoon came, she walked to the church to meet Colm. He was waiting for her and came up, taking her hands in his.

"What happened?"

For the first time since Cathal had rapped on her door that morning, Maire felt the mask fall away from her face. "Cathal is selling me!"

"What?" Colm's grip on her hands tightened. "What do you mean?"

"Lord Naomhan offered him thirty pounds. Cathal told me I would marry Lord Naomhan on Sunday."

"Sunday. This Sunday?"

Maire nodded. "This Sunday. Colm, what are we going to do?"

Colm gathered her in his arms and held her, not speaking for a long moment. "You still don't want to marry him? You're set in that?"

"I am," she said firmly. "I will not marry him."

Colm was silent again. "There is always elopement, like you said." He glanced over at the church.

Maire followed his gaze. "We could be married right now, Colm!" She said excitedly.

Colm shook his head. "We can't."

"Why not?" Maire pulled away.

"I already asked about it. The fee is too high." Colm pulled her back into his arms.

Maire felt like she was drowning and clung to Colm. "Then...there is nothing we can do, is there?"

Colm took her arms and pulled back to look her straight in the eye. "There...is something. But...you must be very brave, Maire."

Maire licked her lips. "What?"

Colm hesitated. "Would you...would death be more desirable to you than marrying Lord Naomhan?"

Maire's eyes grew wide. "I...I...yes." She said after a moment. "Yes, it would," she said firmly.

Colm's face had grown slightly pale. "You're sure? You would rather die? Maire, I don't want you to die, but I know that if you married Lord Naomhan, I would not be able to live." He brushed a finger gently along Maire's jaw.

"I said yes," Maire said shortly. "I don't want to live if I can't marry you." She felt a great relief as she realized her words were true. And Colm's solution seemed so simple. I can't believe I didn't think of it.

Colm stared into her eyes for a moment, searching her face for signs of remorse. "Very well," he said finally. "Meet me tomorrow night by the stream. One hour before midnight."

"I will come," Maire said softly, her resolve strengthened by Colm's. She embraced him tightly, throwing her arms around him impulsively.

Colm held her, gently rubbing her back. After a few minutes, he pulled away. "I love you, Maire."

"I love you, too, Colm," Maire replied softly. She whirled and ran home, filled with a new sense of purpose. I told them I wouldn't marry Lord Naomhan, and I won't. She raced into the house and startled Cathal out of his chair.

"Maire! What is it?" He stood, staring at her oddly.

Maire caught her breath. "What? Oh, nothing. Nothing's wrong," she hastened, going over to the table. She took up a knife and began to chop up some potatoes.

Cathal followed her slowly. "You look flushed. Are you all right?"

"Yes, Father, I'm fine!" Maire said impatiently, the knife making a thocking noise on the wooden table. "Don't worry about me."

Cathal slowly went back to his chair. "Maire, I want you to know that I still love you." As he sat down, he looked over his shoulder and spoke to her earnestly. "And I will always love you."

Maire looked down the potatoes, feeling slightly guilty. "I know," she said after a moment. "I...I love you, too, Father." Would you still love me if you knew what Colm and I were going to do?

They avoided talking to each other that night as they ate. Lord Naomhan did not come. I suppose now that he's been assured I'll marry him, he thinks he doesn't need to come any more, Maire thought bitterly.

She cleaned up after supper in silence, the dishes clacking loudly against each other. Cathal sat by the fire, repairing a pair of his boots. She came to sit by him, staring into the fire. Don't look back. You love Colm. You are going to be with him, not with Lord Naomhan.

Cathal set his boots down by the fire and rose, stretching. "Goodnight, Maire," he said wearily.

"Goodnight," she answered without looking at him. She sat by the fire for a long while, her eyelids growing heavy in the flickering light until she finally roused herself and went to bed.

The next morning she woke before Cathal knocked on her door and went to the well without being told. Today is the day, she thought with a little shiver of excitement. I will not marry Lord Naomhan tomorrow.

Niamh did not come to the well while she was there, which Maire was thankful for. She knew she would either have to tell Niamh everything or lie to her. She couldn't fathom lying to her friend, and she couldn't even think of telling her everything that had happened. And that she and Colm refused to live without each other.

She filled the bucket and went back to the house.

As the day progressed, Maire started to feel more and more unsure. Guilt hovered over her like a dark cloud. I am doing what I think is right! she argued with herself. You love Colm, he loves you. It's simple. Simple. She took a deep breath and continued on with her work.

When evening came, she fixed supper for herself and Cathal, humming to herself. She had made up her mind and was not going to back down.

Maire did not tell Cathal when supper was ready. He came to the table when he could see that she was finished preparing the meal. They ate in silence, but it was not a tense silence, at least not for Maire. Cathal seemed to feel differently, for he ate his supper staring down at his food as though it were the most important thing in the world.

Maire spoke impulsively. "I love you, Father."

Cathal looked up at her, his eyes showing his surprise. He swallowed a mouthful of food and asked, "Do you really, Maire?"

Maire was about to answer in the affirmative, but she stopped and bit her lip. Do I really? He is making me marry a man I do not love. But I am finding a way out of that, so it does not matter anymore. "Yes," she answered after a moment of reflection. "Yes, Father, I do really love you. You have always wanted the best for me."

"And I've tried to give it to you," Cathal said earnestly. "You know that, don't you?"

Maire felt her throat tighten against her will. "Yes, I know that." She blinked a few times. Stop feeling guilty, Maire! You've made your decision and you are not changing your mind!

Cathal looked relieved. "Don't ever forget it." He rose from his place at the table and came around to Maire, taking her in his arms for a long minute.

Maire leaned her head against his arm, breathing deeply. "I won't ever forget it, Father."

Cathal pulled away, his eyes shining in the firelight. "You're a good girl, Maire." He walked slowly over to his chair by the fire and sat down, looking suddenly very old.

Maire felt the guilt wash over her again. Instead of dwelling on it, she rose and began to clear the table. When she was finished tidying up, she went over to where Cathal sat and touched him gently on the shoulder.

He started and looked up. "Oh. Maire?"

She leaned over to kiss his forehead. "Goodnight, Father." Her throat tightened again and she gave him a small smile before going into her room.

She put on her light blue dress and looked at herself in the mirror for a long time before lying down and looking up at the ceiling, not sure whether to feel sad or excited.

When she heard Cathal going to bed, she knew that she still had to wait a time before going to meet Colm. She dozed a few times and woke up again, each time growing more nervous. The last time she woke up, she judged it must be close to time for her to leave. She rose quietly and left her room, being careful not to close the door loudly.

The fire had sunk to glowing embers as she passed on her way to the door. She cast one glance at the fire, filled again with misgiving. Then she put it behind her and slipped quietly outside.

The dark streets were deserted as she made her way to the edge of town, but still she kept to the shadows as if she were committing a crime. I'm not. I'm going to meet my love.

She came to the edge of town and stepped onto the dirt road that led to the next town. After a while she turned off the road and headed toward the stream. The people called it a stream, but it was almost a river.

Maire searched for Colm among the trees on the bank. She supposed he was in the shadows in case someone besides her came along. "Colm?" She called. "Colm, I'm here."

Colm stepped out from under a tree. "Maire, I'm here." He held out his arms and she flew into them. "I thought you might change your mind," he said as they embraced, his voice shaking a little.

"You thought I might not come! Colm, you know I love you and I wouldn't lie to you or change my mind."

Colm nodded solemnly. "But being a lord's wife is a large thing, Maire."

Maire tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Being your wife is a better thing."

Colm smiled. "Even though we won't be officially married."

"It doesn't have to be official!" Maire said suddenly. "We can say our vows right here!" She led him over in front of the water where the branches of two trees made a sort of an arch.

Colm was staring at her. "You really want this?"

Maire nodded. "I do." Those two words seemed so powerful; the most powerful words in the wedding ceremony besides the vows.

Colm nodded and took her hands in his. He suddenly dug in his pocket for a bit of twine. "It's nothing fancy, but it will serve its purpose." He wrapped it around their hands and tied it off, then took her hands again. "The man always goes first, doesn't he?"

Maire laughed. "Yes, he does." She gave his hands a little squeeze.

Colm cleared his throat and began to speak. "I, Colm, take you, Maire, to be my...my unlawfully wedded wife. I promise to cherish her.." He paused and thought for a moment. "I promise to cherish her as long as we both shall live, until death do us part."

Maire listened to the strange shortened vow with wonder until she realized that Colm's hesitation came because they would not have times of sickness and health, or poverty and wealth. She lifted her chin and spoke. "I, Maire, take you, Colm, to be my unlawfully wedded husband. I promise to cherish him as long as we both shall live, until death do us part."

Colm held her hands tightly. "This is the part where I kiss you?" Maire smiled and nodded, suddenly shy. Colm leaned forward and kissed her lips, starting softly but growing more passionate as she did not pull away. He was the first to break the kiss. "Now we are man and wife."

Maire wrapped her arms around him. "I'm glad," she said simply, feeling his heart beating beneath his shirt. She felt a moment of regret that they would not get to consummate their marriage, but pushed the thought away. We are married now. That's enough for me.

Colm led her over to one of the trees and they sat under the drooping branches, hands still intertwined. For a moment her heart fluttered and she thought he might kiss her again, and that the kisses would lead to the consummation of their marriage.

But Colm did not kiss her. Maybe he knew something she did not. Or maybe he had more self-control than she did. He wrapped his free arm around her and she snuggled close to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

They sat like that for a long time, in silence. Maire was content in the silence, however. She found herself wishing that they could have eloped. If they had eloped, everything would be different.

Finally Colm spoke. "Until death do us part," he murmured, his grip on her hand tightening. "Is your mind still set on this, Maire?"

Maire nodded slowly. "Yes. Yes, I am, Colm," she said finally.

Colm stood, pulling her up with him. The twine was still twisted around their arms, but he did not take it off. He kept hold of her and led her to the stream. They stood on the bank and stepped into the water.

Maire shivered a little and stepped closer to Colm. "It's cold."

Colm wrapped his arm around her. "Stay close to me." They walked deeper into the stream and stopped when they reached the middle.

"What do we do now?" Maire was shivering, and she knew it wasn't just because of the cold water.

Colm looked nonplussed for the first time. "We...we keep hold of each other...and...go under the water. Keep breathing, I suppose. If I start to come up, pull me back down. I'll do the same for you."

Maire clutched his hand tightly. "Til death do us part." Her teeth were chattering.

"Til death do us part." Colm kissed her lightly on the lips and took her in his arms, then sank beneath the water.