All Things New: Chapter Two

And here is chapter two, filled with some familiar faces! :D

CHAPTER TWO: REUNION

The trip came, and the four children were on the ship with no time to spare. They enjoyed themselves, in spite of the periods of sea sickness that all of them had. The month came and went slowly, to the children, but to the captain of the ship, it was just like any other time.

But now, all four of them were standing on the Hollish docks, bags at their feet, and friends in front of them. Nia was the first to greet them!

“Oh, I’m so happy to see you all!” She hugged them all, making Esben blush a bit.

“You all look so different from the last time I saw you! For the better, I assure you.”

Arundelle smiled. “Well, Nia, you’re positively blooming.”

Nia smiled back. “Oh, you’re just being nice.”

Then, Biggin O’Sally and a young girl came up. Artham smiled. “Biggin, it’s good to see you. And you, miss.”

Biggin smiled. “This is my good friend, Jodi. And it’s good to see you too, real good.”

Artham smiled. Jodi looked at Artham rather curiously. “You don’t look exactly like I thought you might. A champion in the Durgan shouldn’t be so…skinny.”

Artham laughed. “No, he shouldn’t.”

Olumphia suddenly came, and soon Arundelle, Emerald, Nia, and Jodi were gone. Clout came forward and shook Artham and Esben’s hands. Rudric did the same, though there was a special handshake there, filled with more warmth, since he was, of course, their cousin. Esben did feel a little uncomfortable with him, since he also liked Nia.

“Well, it’s good to see you all again,” Rudric said kindly. “My parents would love to see you, if you wouldn’t mind stopping by, of course.”

Artham shook his head with a smile. “We would be happy to see Horus and Meerida again. Let me just find my sister.”

Rudric nodded. “I’ll meet you back at my house.”

Artham grabbed his and Arundelle’s bags, and Esben grabbed his and his sister’s. “Let’s go drop these off at the Helmers before we go see the Keeper,” Artham said.

Esben nodded. They would be staying at the Helmer’s home, including Arundelle, upon Nia’s insistence.

As the boys enjoyed the cool, fresh air, Emerald was spending her time with the girls in the marketplace, even if Arundelle did feel a little out of place. Eventually, the girls broke up, and Nia, Ari, and Emerald headed to the Helmers as well.

They all got there at the same time, and Emerald and Arundelle claimed their bags. Then they went inside, just to be practically swarmed by Podo and Wendolyn.

Podo shook both of the boys hands, complimenting on how much they’d grown, and Emerald was kissed on the head, his whiskers tickling the top of her head.

The boys were kissed practically a dozen times by Wendolyn, much to both of their embarrassment and pleasure. When Wendolyn finally kissed Artham for the last, she looked at him with tears in her eyes.

“Oh, my dear boy! I’m so happy you were able to come.”

Artham smiled slightly, wondering what Arundelle was thinking, and then he remembered that the Helmers didn’t know who she was.

“Um, this is my…uh, friend, good friend, uh, Arundelle Well-I mean, Waterwell.”

Artham was now blushing fiercely and Arundelle wasn’t doing much better. Podo and Wendolyn exchanged a glance, but they greeted her with the same cordiality, and Arundelle felt very much at home.

Ari and Nia decided to stay back and help prepare lunch while the Wingfeathers went to go and see the Keeper.

“Boy, Artham, you sure made a lovely show of it in there with Arundelle,” Esben said with a smirk.

Artham glared at him, but Emerald giggled. “I hope you two get married someday.”

Artham nearly choked.

When they arrived at the Keeper’s house, the greeting was much more formal, though that is to be expected. Now it was no longer guardian meeting with ward; it was Keeper meeting with king.

“Well, how have the young ones been?” Horus asked with a smile.

“Good,” Artham said, shaking both of their hands.

“My, Artham, seems you’ve grown a head taller than last time,” Meerida said, smiling.

“Um, yeah, seems I have…I suppose.”

“Will you be staying for lunch?” Horus asked.

“Oh, um, thank you, but Wendolyn already started preparing lunch. But it was nice of you to invite us,” Artham said.

Horus nodded. An awkward silence prevailed through the room, when finally, Esben broke it by sneezing. Everyone laughed, but then, after a few more awkward moments of small talk which Artham hated, it was time for the children to leave, and they were more than grateful. They didn’t feel very comfortable with the Keeper. In truth they never had. And this was no different.

They were soon seated at the table for a nice dinner with the Helmers. Podo blessed the meal and then began the munching.

“Artham, would you pass me the butter please?” Arundelle asked.

Artham smiled. “Of course.”

Wendolyn smiled at them from across the table. “You know, Artham said so much about you with the letters you two would write. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Artham shoved a big bite in his mouth so no one would ask him any questions, and Arundelle just blushingly smiled. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Helmer. Artham said much about you.”

“All good things I hope?” Podo teased.

Artham laughed. “There was nothing bad to report.”

“You know, Esben, you’re sure getting a lot…taller, and stronger,” Nia said, smiling.

Esben swallowed quickly. “Thanks Nia, you too.” He just put another bite in his mouth when he heard Emerald giggle and saw Artham nearly choke on his peas. It was then that Esben realized what he had said.

“I mean! You’re really, uh, very pretty now. I mean you were before but I- “

“Thank you, Esben,” Nia interrupted, smiling.

Artham looked at Esben with a smirk. “Boy Esben, you sure made a show of it.”

Esben glared at him.

“Oh, and Artham,” Nia started, looking him full in the face, “Nibbick knows your here. He’s not invited to any festivities, but something tells me he’ll show up anyways. You should really, just keep your eyes and ears open.”

Artham’s face turned grave, and the whole table’s mood switched.

“I’ll…keep my eyes open. Thanks.”

Artham took a sip of his soup, though everyone could see his hands shake.

Just to clear one thing up, Artham is not scared of NIbbick. He is more nervous about what might happen. He is nervous about getting hurt again, but not scared. And I hope you like this chapter, and seeing all of the old friends come back! :D

Let me know if anything seems weird or choppy!