Here we have 21! The second to last chapter 🥲
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: SWEET SIXTEEN
Artham inhaled sharply. Wendolyn and Podo had made a little dinner for him, and now he was about to have a celebration for his going away/birthday party thing. He was a little nervous, but he felt encouraged when he saw Emerald walking towards him with a pretty blue dress on, and Esben coming in, for once, a clean tunic. Artham took Emerald’s arm in his, and Esben straightened up.
“Well, our last Hurrah in the Hollows,” Esben said with a smile.
“Yep. Then home,” Artham said, feeling warm inside.
“Let’s go see all our friends!” Emerald said with a smile.
As soon as the three all entered the main room, everyone smiled and cheered on ‘The Wingfeather Children’. Yes, the big secret was out. Podo was shocked, but no one was more shocked than Nibbick Bunge.
He was terribly shocked. And afraid. As soon as him and Artham made eye contact, Nibbick squirmed, but Artham smiled.
‘Hot coals on their head.’
They all enjoyed delicious treats as well, almost as good as the ones in the Dragon Day festival. Almost. Though none of them felt quite so happy as they did that day. It seemed like ages ago now.
Artham denied all dances he was offered, and he was offered a good many, but Rudric stole Emerald away, and Esben danced with Nia for a spell, but Artham could tell it was them just being good friends.
Artham turned his head slightly, and looked all around him. He saw a person that caught his eye and made a flush mount to his cheek.
It was a young lady, couldn’t have been older than fifteen, with long, light brownish/reddish hair tied back, and a lovely lavender dress, and deep, green eyes. She was very pretty.
She looked over at him, and Artham smiled politely. She walked over towards him.
“Hello there,” she said in a sweet voice.
“Um, hello miss.” Artham bowed politely.
“Do you know most of the people around here?” she asked, a bit of anxious excitement in her beautiful voice.
“I should think so,” Artham said, smiling.
“Oh good, because I’m looking for someone.”
Artham looked at her with an odd expression. She looks so familiar….
“Who are you looking for?”
“A young boy.”
“What’s he look like?”
“Well, he’s average height, skinny, and he’s got black hair, he keeps it short, and blue/gray eyes, and well…he’s kinda cute.”
Artham laughed….a little awkwardly. “Um, I’m not sure if that last part of the description will help me.”
She giggled. “Well, I suppose not. Um, would you know him better by his name?”
“Probably.”
“It’s Artham, Artham Wingfeather. The boy the party is for.”
Artham felt his eyes widen, his cheeks color, and his heart thump. It couldn’t be…and yet it was:
“A-A-Arundelle?”
The girl looked shocked, and then she blushed. “Artham, is that you?”
“Yeah. It is. The cute one, apparently.”
Arundelle laughed nervously. “Did I say that, to you?”
“Mmmhmm.”
“Um, well, you look different! You look so grown up now, so much like a Throne Warden.
Artham stared at his feet. “Uh, th-thank you. You do too. grown-up, I mean. Not like a throne Warden.”
Arundelle giggled. Arthm cleared his throat. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m um, I’m here for your birthday. I got you something.”
She held out a small parcel wrapped in brown paper.
“Oh, uh, thank you.”
He opened it, and he was quite shocked, and happy, when he saw a journal with his name engraved in the top corner.
“It’s…wonderful.”
Arundelle smiled, and then Artham blushed a bit fiercer than he did before Why do I keep blushing?!
“Hey, Arundelle!” Emerald dashed quickly towards her old friend, and hugged her. Esben was close behind, with Nia in tow.
Nia smiled at Arundelle. “Hello there..Arundelle is it?”
“Yes…um, who are you?” She looked at Artham, who blushed again, and Nia looked at him too.
“This is Nia Helmer. Nia Helmer, this is my friend, Arundelle Waterwell.”
She bowed with a smile. “So, you must be…the Arundelle I’ve heard about…here and there.”
Arundelle smiled awkwardly, and looked down. Artham turned his head away, while Nia gave him a sharp, teasing look.
While they were all talking together, and being introduced to all of the Wingfeathers new friends, Artham suddenly had an idea. Esben went to dance with Nia agin, and Rudric took up his old dancing partner.
“Um, Arundelle, would you like to um, dance with me?”
She looked at him, and then she smiled.
“I would love too.”
“You know something Ari,” Artham said as him and Arundelle were dancing.
“What?”
“I’ve missed you.”
Arundelle smiled. “Ive missed you too.”
Ari is here! And we have some fluff! Nia’s already gotten over her crush, as you can see lol. But, in good news, the Arthundelle has started! 🥳. Also, I picked the last name Waterwell for Ari, because Alma Rainwater is her pen name. I didn’t want to use Rainwater, but I wanted to use something with water in it.
Let me know if anything sounds weird or choppy! 😊
🥳 Yay!!!
Wait... second to last chapter?!?!?!?!?!?