Carrying a small flickering candle, the brother leads her through the tangled maze of the monestary. She walks a few paces behind him, her eyes downcast. She thinks to herself, not speaking.
'I am not sure what has occured in this holy place that had such praise lavished upon the guests, I am not certain of the significance of Serenity, of the child in the hole, of the Inquisitor and his actions. But I am even far less certain of what has just occured.'

She walks past the point she repeatedly bumped in to Colonel Kai, and smiles. 'Far from well met I am afraid. Another time, another place, I might have fallen in love with a man like you. As it stands, we will never have more than a minor flirtation.'

Down the staircase into the ante chamber before the chapel itself, where Siegfried discussed how easy it was to give away the ship.' The Purple Rose, my own ship, that I might sail until I am told different. A choice, yet not a choice.'

Slowly, the monk swings open the door in to the chapel, allowing Molly to walk in ahead of him. The small chapel is peaceful, moonlight through stained glass. The peace is almost overwhelming against the turmoil of her mind. She sinks to the floor, kneeling in front of the Brother.

'My Lady, there are pads for you to kneel upon to prevent your discomfort' He speaks slowly, calmly, a soothing voice wrought from years of practise on the scared, sick and dying.

Molly laughs softly, barely disturbing the room's silence. 'Sir, I have been a housekeeper for 18 turns of the moon, and before that a milk maid for 17 summers. Your concern is appreciated, but I will remain as I am.' He nods, though she can only just see him. She closes her eyes, breathing slowly, feeling the cool dark stillness wash over her. The tension from her body flows out, as if an invisible pool spreading around where she kneels. She sighs slightly, blessed relief.

'My child, has it been a long time since your last confession?'

'Being Avalonian, I was not brought up in the Vatine faith, though I believe that you will hear out all those who need to confess and be absolved of their sins?' Her voice is soft, but bears an edge of strength.

'Of course, we give what we can to those that need it' Molly smiles at his words. Remembering a little from the books she's read in the library at the estate, she speaks slowly and solemnly.

'Forgive me father for I have sinned. I have made a promise to a good man, to take him as husband, that I will make vows to love, honour and cherish him, and I know that to do such will be a lie. I care for him, but as a friend, or relation, not as a woman should care for a husband.' She stops, looking up, expecting displeasure on his face. Instead, he speaks softly as he kneels in front of her.

'Go on child, now that you have begun, you should tell it all'

Molly takes a deep breath. 'I do not love him. I was initially charmed by him, and found the marriage favourable, and believed it was correct for me to agree to be his bride in the hopes that love would come. But I know now that it will not...' The monks nods at her for reassurance.

'I hold another in my heart. I fought to not love this man, a friend whom I always cared for. Alone with him, I fell in to his embrace, and kissed him many times. I have never felt anything like it in all my days. His touch was maddening, and I have longed for him intensely for a while now. I have only realised that I am now in love with him, and angry with myself for allowing it to be so. I do not want to love him, for it is hopeless.'

'Does he love you in return?'

Molly shakes her head in the dark, tears filling her eyes before spilling over on to her flushed cheeks. 'No, for he lost a wife and child only two years past, and blames himself for their passing. He can not give his heart to another, because he can not forgive himself. I believe he feels strongly for me, more than he believed he ever would feel again for another, which pains him greatly. He can not be mine, because he is not of free heart, and I am betrothed. And yet I love him...' She sobs 'And I will break either mine own heart to marry this other man, or his heart to not! I need no longer marry for security, or at all, for the gift I have been given offers me opportunities I did not have.' The monk puts his hand softly on her head.

'I do not know what to do. I will hurt my dearest friend for the man I love was the object of her own affections. I will hurt my future husband were he to find out about the kisses we shared in Carleon, but also that this man has my heart. I will hurt the man I love, I am unsure quite how, but I am certain i will, for he has already lost so much.'

So you see, I do not know how to act. I could call off the wedding, I could not go home, I could marry him as promised. But I do not know which is the correct path, if any of these is. I do not want to cause pain to others, but I feel it is inevitable. I know I shall hurt myself, but I believe that is of less import. I have to come to a decision on how to act, how to behave. What thinks you?'

The monk sighs heavily.

'Child, you have put yourself in a very awkward position. It might have been better advised had you stayed home rather than journey with this friend you have fallen in love with. You have made a promise, and I believe it would be dishonourable for you to back out of this marriage. I would advise that you return to your husband to be as soon as possible, and try to concentrate on your life with him.'

Molly nods, her expression hidden by the darkness.

'I believed you would say exactly that. It is the correct thing to do, though not necessarily the thing I wish to do. I shall endeavour to behave in a fitting manner...' Molly's voice trails off, as if she adds other words to the statement in her head. 'Believe you that it will be easy for me to put the man I love from my heart, if I return to my betrothed?'

'No, my child, affections of the heart are never so easily put aside, but I believe for the sake of your honour and soul, you must try to. From the words you've spoken, there can be no future in the love you have, and therefore ought to cast it away. You should seek a union made before God, with the blessings that marriage comes with, and the raising of children.'

Molly sits quietly, contemplating her future. There is a stillness about her, mind working far faster than her body could keep up with, even if she were to move. After a few minutes, she speaks once more. 'Thank you brother, I value your advice and counsel. What lies before me is a time of great change, and your words have given me a path I should follow. I believe I shall return to the others now.'

The monk nods, standing up. He offers her his hand, which she takes, feeling pain across her knees as he predicted she would. 'Shall I escort you back to the refectarium, my lady?'

Molly smiles softly, going to the door.

'No, I believe I shall find my own way...'