The First Well Chapter Twenty

Here we are! The last chapter sniff

I hope you enjoy!

CHAPTER TWENTY: THE END OF IT

“Uncle Esben!” Arthra cried out, when Artham had finally let her go. Esben hugged his niece close to his chest. Janner noted the tears that slipped down his father’s cheeks.

The children were unsure of what to do, how to welcome their cousin. But they were all smiles. And Arthra smiled back. And then, gradually, she hugged them all. Artham helped Arthra to stand, and he pressed her close to him in another hug, which Arthra did not mind. Nia and Podo greeted Arthra, Nia a bit more warmly, but Arthra remained very quiet. Almost cold. The children thought that rather strange.

“I’m sorry happy to see you, my dear,” Nia said, her eyes moist. Arthra smiled a little.

“Was it you then, that saved me from the waters?” Podo asked, not fully able to look Arthra in the eye.

“Yes.”

And then she turned away from him and wanted to be introduced to Oskar and Sara. Leeli now, wanting to be formally introduced even though she had already hugged her, shyly went forward, and she smiled up at her.

“I’m Leeli,” she whispered.

Arthra smiled, and she kneeled down.

“It’s nice to see you again, princess.”

“Again?” Leeli questioned.

“Yes. I was there when you all were born. I think Janner might even remember me.”

Janner nodded, smiling a little. After Arthra had gotten some regular water, and everyone else had gotten some food, Kalmar asked the question they had all been wondering.

“Can we leave now?”

Everyone laughed slightly, and then nodded.

They left immediately. Gayla was still traveling with them, and Arthra seemed to have made some type of deal with her, and when they reached the Field of Finley, Gayla stopped.

“I must go now. I’m sorry for any trouble I have caused, and I thank you all,” she said, with a glance at Janner and Kalmar, “for your kindness.”

Then the girl ran off.

“Will she be alright?” Kalmar asked, wondering why she had run off. But he wouldn’t be getting answers yet.

“She will,” Arthra said, quietly. “She needs to go home.”

They crossed the Field quickly, and soon a village came into view.

“We have to hurry!” Kalmar exclaimed. “I want to get home!”

Then he ran ahead. “Tink!” Janner called, and then he raced after his brother. Leeli giggled, and Sara grabbed her hand and the two of them, jogged after the boys.

Nia laughed, and she hugged her husband’s arm. “Things are getting back to normal, my dear.”

They arrived in the town where the Keep* was, and everyone was ready to check in for the night.

“Let’s go to the Orchard Inn,” Leeli suggested, and everyone agreed. All except Oskar.

“It pains me, Wingfeathers, that I must, in the words of Trilliban the Bruised, ‘Depart back to my calling. The library still needs to be sorted.’”

Oskar hugged Nia and the children, and he lingered in his hug with Janner. “It is truly wonderful to have you back, my lad.”

When Oskar pulled back, Janner saw that the old man had tears in his eyes. He then bowed to Esben and Artham, shook Arthra’s hand, and then walked off, with many long glances back towards the family.

Janner felt a feeling of sadness enter him. He would miss Oskar when he went back to Anniera. Arthra placed a hand on Janner’s shoulder.

“Maybe they’ll be a royal library for him to sort in Anniera sometime.”

“Artham?!”

Artham’s head whipped up, confusion, excitement, and consternation flying in his eyes.

“Arundelle?”

From around the corner of a building, Ari appeared. She rushed towards her husband, and practically leapt into his arms, kissing him as she drew closer.

Artham felt the color rush his cheeks.

When Arundelle released him, she asked a million questions that Artham couldn’t even answer, but he did reach his hand out and grabbed Arthrsa’s, pulling her a bit closer, and Arundelle’s eyes met hers.

Ari gasped, and drew back. Arthra smiled.

“Arthra!” Arundelle exclaimed, and she rushed forth, her heart swelling with happiness.

Now everything was truly right.

Janner did blush when Ari kissed his cheek, but now he understood that she was his aunt, and that made him admire her and now begin to love her as well.

She hugged Kalmar and Leeli as well, kissing them both. Then she hugged Nia and Esben, and she smiled a little warily at Podo.

She had checked out a few rooms at the Inn, just in case she found her family, and she told her ill-informed letter from Nibbick Bunge.

Now Janner was sitting in his room, bathed, and ready for sleep, while Kal sat on the bed opposite.

“Janner?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m sorry. All of this was my fault and—“

Tears suddenly poured from Kal, and Janner was in a moment hugging his brother.

“Kal, it’s okay. If it wasn’t for…for your….blockheadedness, we wouldn’t have found Arthra. Kal, I forgive you, if there’s anything to forgive. I think it’s my fault too. I didn’t pursue you in Dugtown. But it’s okay, Kal. And besides,” Janner said, trying for a joke, “you did make me possibly the coolest Throne Warden ever.”

At that, Kalmar laughed. “I’ll never hear the end of it will I?”

“Nope,” Janner replied with a smile.

Kal smiled back. “I don’t think I want to. I love you, big brother.”

Janner wrapped his arms around his little brother’s shoulders. “I love you, little brother. Now, let’s get some sleep.”

EPILOGUE

After that night, the Wingfeathers returned home. Anniera was bright and beutiful and ready to welcome them. After the long, long journey, the family was happy to have a time of rest….for now. But, like the eye of a storm, this was simply a respite from the War that had been, and perhaps a prelude to the War to be. But this future War will be fought with words and emotions more than the mere swords the Great War was fought with. For now, let us leave them, in peace….for now.

And now, I have finished the First Well! The poll is closed, and it looks like I will be writing the prequel next. But fear not, Lili! I will make a reminder post for you later on ;)

I would also like to address why I chose to bring Esben and Podo back. Well, to put it simply, Artham. They both had a lot of unresolved business with him, and their deaths were so rushed and (IMO) unnecessary. Esben did not need to die. So, I decided to bring him back! So, why didn’t I bring back everyone? Like Wendolyn, Rudric, and Nugget?

Their business is done. Wendolyn’s business is done because her death has formed Podo’s character arc, and I think that would make the story a little too perfect.

Same with Nugget. Nugget has possibly one of the most beautiful sacrifices, and not everything can be perfect.

Rudric’s arc is closed as well. He made his peace with Nia, and I don’t think I need to complicate the story with Rudric’s drama.

Even bringing back Janner I debated on. I might do another First Well where the ending is different for the emotional depth hehe.

Now, I would love to thank all of my readers for dealing with this choppy writing and all of my clarification posts! Espescially to @Lili the Shakespeare Nerd (FF, FAR, TW, TC, SS, NoMS, CL, DK, AaPK(S), CE, CM, D) and @Spaghetti Thwap-ESST, TS, GB, FP, SS, SM, BK, TQ , who has commented on every chapter! And thanks to the mods! ^^

It might be a little before the Prequel comes out, but it twill! Thank you all sm! ^^