Embracing Paralysis: Eliza's Journey of Self-Discovery

The sun had faded from view, leaving the darkening skies to reflect the glow of the stars. In the village of Colby, children played with holly and ivy in their hair, singing and dancing with the joy only a pagan festival could bring. The smell of roasting fowl filled the air, and Eliza welcomed it into her nostrils with a smile.

“I do not envy them,” she said to herself as she looked at the laughing faces surrounding her cottage. She was sitting in her chair by the window, staring down at them. Lady Matilda would likely be joining them soon, but for now she was alone save for her cat, who sat on a stool next to her, washing his paws. “They have never known what it is like to be a burden.”

A blush crept up her cheeks then, and she looked away from the young people below. The truth was that they were all burdens in one way or another. Some were strong enough to carry theirs without complaint; others were not so lucky. Eliza closed her eyes tight, wishing she had been one of the lucky ones.

The door creaked open behind her suddenly, bringing with it a gust of cold night air, followed by Lady Matilda’s voice. “Eliza? Are you alright dear? I went for my walk and found you like this? You’re not ill are you? Do you need me to fetch your father?”

Eliza opened her eyes and smiled at her mother’s concern. “No, mother, I am well. Just…thinking about life. I let my mind wander too far away from myself again, that is all.” Turning back towards the stars above, she added softly, “and thinking about how much I miss Father.”

Lady Matilda placed a hand on Eliza’s shoulder and squeezed gently before moving about the room lighting candles around them both so that they could see better once evening arrived entirely. Eliza watched as she worked quietly, not wanting to interrupt her mother’s thoughts so she could focus on hers instead. Though she had only been wheelchair bound for a few years now – ever since a bout of pneumonia stole most of her movement away – Eliza found that it was getting easier to deal with it all by herself these days, even if it didn’t feel like it most times at all. But this was Pardos Day: there was no use dwelling on past sorrows now!

She could hear the people outside growing louder as excitement over dinner set in; soon they would be knocking on their door asking for food. Losing patience, Eliza called out to Lady Matilda from across the room where she continued lighting candles in silence beside their small fire pit near the door. “Mother? Could you bring us some food? I believe dinner is about ready! And maybe bring me some wine as well? I will stay here and light our candles before we eat ourselves tonight!”

Lady Matilda turned from the fire and gave Eliza an exaggerated look of shock as if insulted by such a suggestion that she might need help lighting their own home's candles for dinner - but then smiled as well when understanding dawned upon her face. “Nonsense child! We shall have our dinner together! Now scoot yourself over there and get ready to eat! It smells delicious! Oh goodness gracious me - what did Cook make tonight?! It smells heavenly! I can't wait! Get yourself over there now so we can eat! We don't want Cook to think we're trying to peek at the feast before it's ready!"

Eliza threw back her head and laughed at how easily excitable her mother became when it came time for dinner - though she had nothing but curiosity as to what kind of meal Cook would make for all of them today. Analysing her mother's excitement over their attire, Eliza imagined the beautiful dresses Cook had crafted for the entire family. Eliza didn't know which dress was meant for whom, but she knew that everyone looked forward to wearing them.

Sir William's family hardly ever got new clothes these days. He had given up hunting so many years ago after becoming lame himself in a bad fall during his adventure hunting bear one winter long ago in Wales. Now, Lady Matilda took care of most things in town while Sir William tended his garden and tried to teach his three children how best to take care of things themselves while keeping their home clean and tidy (though it always seemed like his children enjoyed helping out more than he did). Sir William wasn't very good at cleaning or cooking anymore; he mostly just kept busy with what he knew: fixing stuff around their home, tending their garden, or playing music on his flute. The absence of their oldest son Alan, who had run off years ago without explanation, plagued Sir William.

Cook had become incredibly resourceful, making dresses for everyone whenever anyone visited or whenever someone needed something nice to wear. Sir William's family would look stunning tonight at