The oxen pulled wagon arrived in the village soon enough and all the people that were moving about were excited by the arrival of two of their won. Fionn hopped off the front seat and helped Akorsa out of the back. After saying some short greetings and giving hugs to some old friends and relatives, the two made for Akorsa�s family�s home, as she was beginning to look like she might be sick. Leading her into the house carefully, Fionn allowed his wife to lean against him for some support as she walked through the kitchen. Aroha was in the kitchen cooking, as she was wont to do most of the time. The mother let out a gleeful squeal and ran forward to hug her daughter and son-in-law tightly.
�Akorsa? You look ill, child, what is wrong?� asked Aroha, her voice filled with concern.
�She has been a little bit off track as of late, mother,� Fionn informed her. �I thought that it could have something to do with all the stress she has been through. I thought the fresh air of home would help clear her up a bit.�
�Well, that shall never do, will it?� mused Aroha, helping Fionn move Akorsa into her room and then to lay her down on her cot. �How do you feel, child?�
�Mother, I feel quite dizzy,� she said, rolling onto her side and bringing her knees up to her chest. Fionn moved towards her and rubbed her back gently, offering what comfort he could.
�What ails her, Aroha? Have you ever seen such a thing?� he asked worriedly. Aroha patted him on the shoulder and smiled at him.
�Do not worry yourself, Fionn. Leave us for a time so I might find out exactly what ails you. In the meantime pay a visit to your father, who ought to be more than glad to see you,� said the mother, shooing her son-in-law out of the room. Fionn turned to protest but the door had already been shut. Seeing no other choice than to reluctantly abandon his wife in her time of need, he went in search of this father.
- - - -
The grisly old Myron was to be found surveying a patch of grass just outside his home, looking at it with great interest. The small plot of grass had once been his wife�s little flower garden, but since her death, it had too passed on, leaving nothing more than a bare spot. Myron though, as he was now free of most of his obligations, having finally married off his son, that he ought to take the time to restore the garden.
�Father?� called a familiar voice from behind him. Myron turned about to see none other than his Fionn standing a few paces a way. He let out a hearty laugh of joy at the sight.
�Fionn, my boy, you are home! What brings you back so soon?� asked the father as he greeted his son with a forceful clap on the shoulder.
�Akorsa has not been well of late, father. I had been thinking that perhaps whatever it is that ails her would be cleared up by home and the open air,� said Fionn. �She is with her mother now; I was thrown out of the house, so I thought it would be best if I paid you a visit in the meantime.�
�Well, I am very glad you came to see me, son. As much as my manly pride would like me not to admit it, I miss your company at home. It is not entirely the same now that I am all alone here,� admitted Myron embarrassedly. �I think that is enough of that ridiculousness for now, son. What do you think ails that dear woman of yours?�
�I think it to be no more than stress, father. She has been working herself into a fit over the slightest things, especially with all these changes going on. She feels that if she so much as sleep she will let the people down,� Fionn said sadly.
�That is utter foolishness, the poor dear. Well, if anything Aroha will find out what is going on with her and have it cleared up in a flash, so do not worry yourself. You just take care of the lass, do you here me?� queried Myron sternly.
�Aye, father, I know, and I shall. I swore to take care of her when I married her, and I have every intention of doing so. It is just that I cannot force her to stop her needless worrying, and I have not the ability to tend to everything that ails her. Some things are beyond my skill to heal,� said Fionn. �Would you mind it too terribly, father, if I went back to check on her now?�
�Not at all, Fionn, and see her. If you are fortunate Aroha will be finished and she will allow you back in the house,� said Myron, smiling to himself silently as he watched his son dart back to the house of his wife�s parents.
