A short story

This is just a little peek into what I felt like Artham and Esben's lives would have been like before the great war. Artham is probably fifteen and Esben fourteen, some of it may not be exactly accurate since it was something I just whipped up, but I hope you like it!

Artham weaved through the crowds in the courtyard, slightly annoyed at how many there were. He kept a stern look on his face as he searched for his younger brother.

"Esben you always seem to get me pulled into these things." He grumbled under his breath. Many people whispered and pointed at him. He did stand out from the crowd, he was extremely strong with broad shoulders, dark raven hair but softer blue eyes. Where is he? He wondered, walking towards the gates of the grand castle. He raced up the steps of a tower and looked out across the courtyard and spotting his younger brother below. He rolled his eyes when he saw a mop of light brown hair, darting between the people and escaping with a plateful of pastries. "Oh, not again." He sighed, running back down the stairs. He entered the inner courtyard where a large picnic was being held for the celebration of opening the trade routes, and an alliance, with the Green Hollows. Artham looked up at the huge men before him. Hollow folk. He was stunned by the huge axes and broadswords that swayed from their belts. I should try training with one of those. He thought, momentarily distracted. "Artham! Where are you?" He heard a strong voice echo out into the courtyard.

"I'm here father." He turned to see his father striding towards him. Dark brown hair with a few streaks of white in it fell gently from below a simple crown, kind green eyes and broad shoulders made him look exactly like a king, but one with a gentle heart. "Where is your brother?" He asked, concern creasing his face.

"I'm trying to get to him."

"Oh dear, he did it again didn't he?"

"Yes, we should just post a few guards around the tables, that would stop him."

"I believe he would only take that as a challenge."

"Hm, you're right, he would, well, I'll go find him."

"Thank you, Artham. You are an amazing Throne Warden." His father strode off again, taking his mother's arm and talking to all who were there. Artham dissolved into the crowd again, keeping his head lowered. He strongly disliked it when people randomly came up to him and started to talk to him just because he was the Throne Warden. And lately his father had been introducing him to all the ladies around the court and country. He especially disliked that. He soon spotted his brother and quietly came up closer to him. "For you, dear Nia." He heard him say, he looked around a group of people and saw his younger brother bow with a flourish to a Hollish girl and hold out the plate of pastries he had swiped. He chuckled at his brothers attempts to impress the girl. Then he came up behind him and grabbed his shoulder.

"Esben, why do you have to make my job so much harder?" He said, fighting back a smile.

"Oh, hello Artham. Well, if I didn't you would grow bored and lazy, you know, lose your edge. And you know you enjoy the challenge." He said turning towards his brother, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Hello Artham." Nia said to him with a smile.

" Hello Nia, I would appreciate it if you tried not to encourage his little escapades." He said with a chuckle.

"Har har, very funny. You've lost your edge though; you only saw me after ten minutes." Esben said, popping a blueberry gooeyball into his mouth.

"Esben, who do you think requested for blueberry gooeyballs to be put out in the first place?"

Esben opened and closed his mouth, searching for words.

"You just have to be a step ahead, don't you?" He grumbled, handing the plate to his older brother. "Yes, it's my job actually." They all sat down, farther away from the crowds of people, munching on the treats.

"This is a great day, isn't it?" Esben said, laying back in the soft grass.

"Except for having to talk to everyone. I would say it is indeed a lovely day." "I hope the kingdom stays like this forever, but I just have this awful nagging feeling it won't." Esben said, a look of worry passing his face.

"Don't worry about the future Es, that's my job. Just enjoy today."

"Annerria and the Green hollows, Who would have ever thought the two would form an alliance." Nia said, lying next to Esben.

Maybe we will have a Hollish queen. Artham thought with a grin.

"Well, It seems to have turned out fairly well. I can't wait to try training with some of those swords." Esben sat up to look at them.

"You know Artham, there is something I think you would especially like to train in. There is a class in school that trains kids for the Durgan Guild. You would be very good at it."

"Hmm, sounds like fun."

"I better go find my dad, thank you Esben for the treats and you can ask my father about the guild Artham! Goodbye!" She got up and walked back into the sea of people. Artham considered teasing his brother about the girl but decided to wait till tomorrow. Today, everything in the whole kingdom was perfect. He got up and walked back up to towers Esben behind him. They sat, eating Blueberry Gooeyballs on the top of the wall as the sun spilled its hidden colors into the ocean beyond. "I hope to remember these sunsets forever." Artham said quietly, staring out beyond the sea. "We will Arth, we will. We'll make Annierra and the other lands greater than ever before, we'll sail beyond the castle and discover all sorts of new things. But Arth I was honest about what I said earlier, the last weeks I've had the worst nagging feeling that this won't all last forever." Artham looked over at his brother, and somehow, he saw a king sitting next to him. He heard quiet voices rolling through his head. Two young boys' laughter mixed with a little girls whistleharp. He shook his head to clear it, but the quiet laughter lingered. "Es, I was serious about what I said too. Don't worry. If it makes you feel better. I will always be here to protect you no matter what. I promise, through anything, I will be by your side." Esben chuckled. "I don't know if that makes me feel better or worse. But thank you." The two brothers looked out beyond the sea and Artham let the quiet fill his head, with the slight laughter of children's voices from somewhere beyond.

Oosh, that was a long story, if you stuck through it all, I hope you enjoyed reading it, as much as I did writing it!