All Things New: Chapter Thirty-eight

A lot of stuff happens in this chapter. And I am happy to say it is pretty happy for the most part!

CHAPTER THRITY-EIGHT: PROPOSITIONS

“I do not want to do this,” Esben said, looking down at the black tunic he was wearing.

“No one does,” Artham said, leaning his head against his little girl’s. He was holding Arthra.

“Papa?”

“Yes?”

“Where is aunty Emerald?”

“She’s with the Maker. He needed her for something.”

“Will the Maker take you?” Arthra asked, a little bit of panic in her eyes.

Artham got a little nervous. “No! No no. Not-no. I’m here. There is nothing to worry about.”

He looked back at his brother. “Let’s just get this over with.”

The funeral was over. Time was passing. The wounds were healing. Emerald was of course missed, but all Anniera could not spend forever mourning the loss of their Song Maiden. They had to grow. The family had to grow. A few years of a moderate type of peace had passed. Arthra was now seven years old.

The family had a trip to the Hollows planned, partly for a trading dispute, but partly because Esben had a plan. Maybe not a good plan. But it was a plan. He wanted to propose to Nia. They had been writing letters to each other for ages. She had been a comfort when Emerald died. A balm to his troubled soul when things got rough. She was the love of his life. And he had no idea how to communicate that. But Artham was helping him on the boat ride…sort of.

Artham seemed a bit distracted on his journey back. A couple things were bothering him. Wendolyn had said that she would go to Anniera and care for Arundelle, but she never did. And there was not a word from her. The other thing that bothered him was the fact that Podo’s name was around Symia so much. What had Podo done? Had he been a pirate? Artham had a hard time imagining that, and doubt started to grow in his heart towards the people he had once regarded as family.

And now Esben wanted to marry Nia? Was it appropriate for the High King of Anniera to have a father-in-law with such a questionable past?

Artham tried to shake away the feeling. He didn’t want to believe such bad things about the people who had cared for him in his hour of need. But they still remained. Dull perhaps. But they were there.

The entering into the Watercraw several weeks later was not so pleasant as previous times had been for Artham, even if he did try to seem enthusiastic for Arthra’s sake. Old friends greeted them. Biggin and Jodi had gotten married over the course of time, Rudric was now the Keeper, and Olumphia and Clout had started working at the Guildling Hall. It was a constant reminder to Artham how much things had changed.

And then he saw Nibbick. He was on his way to Chimney Hill, where they would greet the Helmers, but Nibbick was found first. Esben seemed to shrink at the sight of him, and Arundelle placed a protective hand over Artham’s arm. But Artham was not afraid anymore. He simply smiled shortly and nodded quickly. Nibbick returned the gesture. And their walk continued.

“Everyone must grow up some time,” Artham muttered.

The walk to Chimney Hill was just as pleasant as it had ever been. But to Artham, there was a sense of dread. He wondered slightly how Wendolyn would explain such a thing as not even showing. And he had the proof as well, so she could not deny it.

You might think it odd, that Artham Wingfeather, the man who had loved Wendolyn and Podo Helmer so dearly, could possibly think this way about them.

In truth, he trusted no one except his closest family anymore. The way Bonifer’s name was handled around the camp, the way his sister just disappeared, he could not say died, because he was not so sure, like that, and the fact that those men in Symia seemed to know Podo, made him wary. Death of close friends had also made him a bit harder, and war had made the innocent youth a hardened mad.

All of that aside, he found himself at the front door to Chimney Hill, and Esben knocked a few rapid times. There was silence for a moment, and then slowly the door opened. There, with her eyes red and puffy, a handkerchief in hand, stood Wendolyn. Something was clearly wrong.

The old lady nearly jumped with joy when she saw the three standing outside, and she hugged Esben and Artham just the same as she used to, though now they had to bend down. She greeted Arundelle with warmth, and Arthra was doted over. Podo came down, and he heartily shook both of the boy’s hands, gently took Arundelle’s, and doted over Arthra as well. Artham could tell he was a bit tense, and he wanted to know why. But at the same time, he did not wish to pry, so he kept his mouth shut. He did not have to wonder too long though.

Over the past seven years, there had been many issues since the war, and the passing of Wendolyn’s parents permitted her from going to Anniera. But, because of the war, her letter to Arundelle explaining it did not go through. To add to this, they found out that their son, Eric Helmer, had joined the Wanderers, and they had been trying to reach him for years. They had been very busy. And Artham completely understood…though he could tell there was something else they had bothering them. Though Artham had no idea what.

Dinner was served a few hours later, Wendolyn insisting on them staying.

“So, miss Arthra, how do you like being a princess?” Podo asked, looking at the little girl with a tenderness that shocked Artham. He didn’t think Podo could look so loving.

“I like it fine,” Arthra said, curling a strand of her black hair around her fingers, while eating with her other hand.

“She’s got elements of both of you. She’s beautiful,” Wendy said, smiling kindly…though not with the same amount of warmth that she used to.

“Thank you,” Arundelle replied. “She looks most like Daddy though. That’s at least what everyone in Anniera thinks aside from Artham, who’s convinced she’s my spitting image,” Arundelle said, a playful smile on her face.

“Well, she is very beautiful, and last I checked, that fits your description, love,” Artham said.

“How have you been Esben?” Nia asked who had shown up, but whose greeting was exactly the same as normal and did not need describing.

“Uh, fine now, I suppose.” Esben did not even make eye contact, and then he suddenly did, thanks to a quick kick in the shin from his loving brother.

“Oh. Well that’s good. If you don’t mind my asking, Artham, have you found Amarah or Wilden yet?”

“Nope. I presume they are with Dralden and his family, but since I can’t personally go to Skree because of the trade dispute, I really have no idea.”

Nia sighed. “I hope they are safe.”

“They belong to the Maker, and the Maker will watch over those innocent ones.”

Wendolyn suddenly placed down her cup. “There is too much of a sad air around this table. And you know what? I have an announcement to make.”

She looked at Esben and Artham from across the table. “Me and Nia will be coming and visiting you. Since you always visit us, it is only fair. And I owe you a babysit,” she said, smiling at Arthra, who wasn’t paying much attention to anything other than her finger now.

“Oh, Wendolyn, that would be lovely,” Esben said, an uncomfortable look in his eye.

‘Make it more obvious why don’t you?’ Artham thought to himself with a grimace.

“Yes, it would,” Nia said, looking at Esben narrow-eyed, “and Arundelle, I want to see all of the little Annieran shops.”

“Oh, you’ll love Pennybridge. The bookstore there is lovely. We get some really nice and rare ones into the smaller towns, though the bookstore in Rysentown is beautiful. You would love both of them. All of them.”

“How many bookstores do you have?” Podo asked.

“We have one in every town. It’s Annieran custom,” Artham said, smiling somewhat proudly. He did love reading, and he did have several thousand books in his own study at the castle. But, he didn’t want to brag.

“Podo, I need to talk to you,” Esben bluntly exclaimed. Everyone looked at him, and Artham very badly wanted to slap him across the face and get him out of this situation. Now was not the proper time to ask! But, then again, Esben had practically ignored every little bit of advice Artham had given him on the boat.

Podo looked confused and slightly annoyed. He looked at Esben with a stern expression. “Son, we can take this outside if you like,” Podo said, a terrifying look on his face, especially when you are about to propose to his only daughter.

Esben gulped, and he quickly stood up and walked rather mechanically to the door, and Podo, after exchanging a quick glance at Wendolyn, got up and followed him.

Esben was tense. Anyone could tell that. Nia looked a tad concerned. “I hope that whatever they are talking about won’t get Esben in trouble. What are they talking about Artham?”

He glanced up. “I haven’t the heart to tell you. But, don’t worry, I don’t think Podo would hit him too hard. I think.”

A few moments later Esben came in completely fine. There was not a bruise on his body, and he seemed rather relieved. Podo also seemed relieved.

“I hope your little conversation went well?” Nia asked, eyeing both of them suspiciously.

“Everything went perfect,” Esben said with a wink at Artham, who just rolled his eyes.

Artham is still having some stress from Podo, but that won't be fully talked about till the next story. Also, I would like you guys to tell me, when this story is over (because it only has like, five more chapters + epilogue), would you like the next story or would you like some little one-shots talking about little details in the books that I didn't get to put in here? Which one would you like next? Please let me know and if anything seemed weird or wonky ;)