So I kinda have writers block for both stories . . . I know what has to happen in Singing Stones and what I want to happen in Warden's Daughter (Lia trying to have a conversation with Peet). But I'm not sure if I just lost motivation at the moment, forgot how to write, life's too busy, or I'm just full blown stuck. If y'all have any ideas on where to go or how to-brain lag- um, write it or whatever, please tell me. (I need a better starting point than just before we get a story) I mean, unless Warden's daughter skips to the Dragon Day Festival and I can use the book more, my brain needs help braining. And it definitely needs some assistance in Singing Stones because I'm trying to do it how Esben saw it and would rather not go to Artham or someone else's perspective. (well, maybe Arundelle's.) Ideas for either story would be liked. Please comment any ideas no matter how strange they may be.

-The first part is a dream, just making sure that's clear. -The poems are not mine. They came from a poem generator and I changed some of the wording though it is still mostly theirs Chapter 1 Chapter 2 “Sing, Lia.” She hums. “Sing the Song and I’ll set you free. Don’t you want to see your mother again?” I surprise both of us by looking up at her, “Mama’s dead. I saw your snakes take her out.” I spit out the words like venom, wishing it would sting her like it does to me. “No,” she tells me, whispering. “No she’s not. She’s free, and on the winning side.” I can’t watch her any longer. I look down, staring at the puddles that formed during the rain. “No. I-I won’t,” I can hear my voice getting shaky though I try not to. The Stone Keeper. The one who holds the power to heal, but only uses it for harm. “They left you Lia. They could have stayed, but they left you.” “They-they needed to live. I-it was, It was my choice.” “Lia, they’re not coming back. Sing the Song and I’ll set you free. Then maybe, you can see the rest of your family again.” I close my eyes, trying not to cry. I don’t know how, but I find my voice. “No. All you give are lies,” I look up at her, into her sunken eyes, “My choice. My way. I remember, and that makes me stronger than those you’ve changed. They didn’t want to. They gave up. I’m still fighting. I’m still winning.” She sighs and starts to walk away, but I have a question. “What about Papa? And Uncle Esben?” “They chose the winning side, my dear. And you can join them.” “With what?” I know I shouldn’t ask, but I can’t help it. She gives a smile at the edge of her lips, “A bird like your father? A tree like your mother? Which would you rather?” I shake my head, “No,” but I can’t even hear myself. I feel tears hot on my face. I start the song, barely aware of the sound. Suddenly aware of what I’m doing, I cover my mouth and squeeze my eyes shut. My hands are a sharp cold on my face like a bird's talons. I sink to the floor of the cage, no longer caring about the tears streaming down my face. I hear the lock open and I glance up. The Stone Keeper stands at the entrance, hand out for me to accept. “Come now, Maddie, I’ll show you the sky.” I stand on shaky legs as she leads me through tunnel after tunnel. Up and down. Left and right. I can see sunlight. I let go of her hand. “Th-Thank y-you,” I tell her. Thinking nothing of what she caused. She disappears into the dark hole and I follow the side of the mountain until it falls away, curving into the forest deeper ___________________________________________ Eventually I’m back to the cave. I hear movement inside and look through a bush. They look familiar, but impossible to place through the missing chunks of memories. “Papa!” I shout, running out to hug him. He screeches and throws his arms around like he’s trying to stop a swarm of bugs. I hiss and pull my arm against me, feeling blood through the cloth. His eyes clear for a moment, looking at me instead of through memories. _____________________________________________ “Maddie?” I wake up with a gasp. “Yeah?” I ask the Kalmar head beside me, putting on another smile. “You started yelling, are you okay?” He looks genuinely concerned. “I’m fine, just a dream.” I pull out my journal to end the conversation. Their words may sting, their action hurt But the heart still yearns for them To mend the wounds, to heal the scars A love that won’t condemn It’s a battle of the soul  To forgive and to forget To let go of the pain they caused And move on without regret Loving someone who hurt you Is a test of strength and grace But in the end, love will prevail And bring peace to our troubled place So we hold onto the hope That love will conquer all And heal the broken pieces Of a heart that took the fall. I turn the page gently and start another. Whispers through the heart Echoing through the night A symphony of love’s art Igniting a radian light Tender moments shared Cherished memories to hold A bond that can never be broken A story to be told. You know, ending on a lighter note.

chapter 1 As I open the door to Oscar's, I take a moment to pause, just like I always do when we visit. I look up at the higher shelves filled with books, those  I used to see in Anniera's bookstores. Whenever I went with Papa, he always made sure we stopped by. It didn't matter what town we were in; they all had a bookstore. I realize Janer and Tink are waiting for me, so I gently close the door and run my hand along the side of the wide shelves.  “Mr. Reteep? We managed to pull Tink along this time, too,” I think I hear him somewhere nearby, but I'm not sure.  Tink sighs behind me—loudly.  “Maddieeeee,” he whines.  Finally paying attention to his noises, I turn to face him, holding back a laugh as he trips over a book. I pick it up and scan the shelves, catching a glimpse of Tink running by at the edge of my vision, but I think nothing of it.  Without meaning to, the beginning of a poem starts to form in my head: Once woven together, now frayed at the seams,   In echoes of heartbeats, we drift from our dreams. “Come on, bind a fook and let's go,” I urged, hoping not to leave Leeli alone for too long. I glance out the window to see Peet crash into the sign between Main and Vibbly Way. As I watch, he stands up, brushes off some dirt, and begins talking to the sign. Papa, really? You have to make a scene, don’t you? I think, smiling as I remembered how Esben used to pull him into conversations to keep him from “turning into a book with all the books he reads,” as Uncle Esben used to say. “Well, your mother makes mediocre pies!” he shouts. “How dare you? I challenge you to a fight!” He pauses, waiting for a response. Then he attempts to punch the sign, misses, and ends up spinning around a few times before falling over and laying there. “How about this?” Tink asks, holding up a book about different animals. “Do you want to?” I responded. He nods, so I pull myself away from the window and head through the maze of books to Oscar’s desk. “Ah, hello Igibys. Find everything okay I hope?” Oscar asks once we finally find the office. “Yes sir, like alway,” I tell him. He glances over at Janner then back at me, asking a silent question. I nod slightly, impossible to tell unless you’re looking for it. Can you help sort books tomorrow? Yes. “So, ‘The Many Animals of Skree and Dang’. Found that pretty interesting myself. In the words of Beatriz McGillicutty, ‘A fine book I tell you.’” As we leave Books and Crannies, I realize Peet is gone. Either moved by some Fang, or awake and back at his tree house. I tug my sleeve down over the scars just in case. Seeing a group of Fangs by the path back to the cottage, I take off my rings and put them in my pocket. Mama’s with the silver heart, papa’s band of blue, and mine squiggling up and down like waves. I pull Kalmar closer as we head out of town past the Fangs. Lucky, I think for a moment. Lucky enough to forget. Lucky enough to be on the winning side. I remember mama’s words from our carriage ride through Blackwood. Remembering is the one thing they don’t want us to do. If they take the memories, they’ve already won the fight. I tap Tink on the shoulder, “Race?” He nods. “Three, two, one, Go!” I easily let him get in front of me, knowing someone needs to keep up and Janner would never manage. He runs up on the porch and almost into the door. I’m only a few paces behind but breathing easier. I smile, “Well done Little King,” I tell him, hitting him lightly on top of his head. When he catches his breath, he opens the door and heads in to get a drink. I sit on the steps and watch Janner’s small form running and stopping as he travels up the lane. Kalmar walks back out with an extra cup and offers me one. I place it down until Janner is close enough to be heard if he had the breath. I stand and walk over with the water, hugging him lightly. “Stay strong, Little Soldier,” I mutter just loud enough for him to hear. He tenses when I call him little like I knew he would. He nods as he takes the water, still out of breath. Somehow, I manage not to laugh while leading him to the porch. Janner sits down and I go inside to try and find my yarn. I grab some orange and blue out of the bucket with some needles. Climbing up to my bunk, I start at the end of one sock and keep going. I didn't even realize Leeli came in and was fingering her whistle harp. __________________________________ < Time gap Tink’s head appears at the foot of my bed. “Mama says come and get you before the food gets cold. She’s called you a couple times already.” I glance out the window, surprised to see the shadows long until I realize the new socks are done.  Oh, I realize, How long have I just been sitting here? “Then let me get down,” I tell him and he disappears over the edge of the frame. I climb down, taking multiple steps at once to the kitchen.

-I know it's shorter than normal and stops weird, but I have writers block and I haven't added to this in a while -Gracie! finally wrote enough to post the next part! -The song is Sparrow by Jason Gray Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Escape Artham swung his sword at a . . . Fang? He couldn’t remember what his brother called them at the moment. A pile of dust was collecting in the paths he had traveled through the horde. Most of his focus was searching for any other non-fang beings getting attacked. He wasn’t sure whether the snakes were terrible at swords, or if he was simply better than he thought. Though there were flames surrounding him, he couldn’t feel their heat. “Artham! Where are you!” He thought he heard Esben yelling, but could hear little and see less. Climbing the first non-burning thing he saw, Artham scanned the area around him for survivors. He couldn’t see much through the smoke and held his breath as he tried not to breathe it in. Protect the king. That was the first of his vows. To protect the king (Or queen, but that did not fit for Esben). To remember and remind seemed irrelevant at the moment. Then he was to protect the kingdom. Well, what little was left of it already. The rain still poured, but it did nothing to calm the flames melting even the stone walls of the castle. He half-fell-half-jumped from the crumpled wall and sliced another creature in half before he landed.  He heard Esben call out again, but a demand instead of a question. “Artham! Get Nia and the children to the river! It’s too crowded for them to get through alone!” He ignored his little brother’s calls and went to make a secure circle around the castle grounds. A safe space for any Annierian who could find it. He kept his brother in his line of vision. It wasn’t that hard as his brother was trying to force through the crowd to him. Zoning out the fire and rain was easy enough, but Esben refused to stay quiet any longer than a few seconds to kill the snake-beings. Artham threw his sword at his brother. The wind knocked it slightly to the left, and hit a Fang in the head as they tried to ready a bow. He smiled, but only for a moment as he realized he lost his only weapon. He dropped to place his hands on the ground, and swung one foot out around him, causing a mix between a ripple and domino effect with him at the center. (Or start, if it was dominos). Esben’s sword stabbed into the ground beside him. How did he know it was Esbens? Well, that’s simple. It had a star where the blade met the hilt instead of the crescent moon his held. He picked it up and ran towards the castle, swinging at anything in his way. I’ll come back for you. I always will. “Arfam!” He heard above the storm. “Uncle Arfam!” Kalmar! That sounds closer than the castle, “Artham! Over here!” He figured Nia was the one yelling, and from under a fallen slab of stone. He raced toward them, jumping over anything on the ground, even the fallen Annierans. “Sorry. Sorry,” He said to no one specifically. He sang to himself lightly, a nervous habit that may actually be helpful for once, “Even the sparrow knows, he holds tomorrow. “Not a sin-gle star i ou of pace,” Janner sang/shouted the next line, apparently he sang a little too often around his nephew. “Nothing broken he can’t replace.” someone else joined in. “If you long for hope” “When you’re afraid,” “Ook at te sarro!” Kalmar shouted at the end. Laughing, he took Leeli from Nia as she crawled out of the makeshift hiding place and handed her back when Nia was on solid ground. “Eet,”Kalmar mumbled, reminding Artham that they had skipped dinner to escape. “Soon Tick, soon.” He answered. “Tick? Really?” Nia asked. “ I mean, A clock. Right?” He bobbed his head side to side, “tick tock.” “The worst time I think ye could’ve come up with it lad.” Podo told him with a pat on the back.

Leeli-What's it like being tall? is it nice? Artham-I live in constant fear of the short ones who - in my experience - will climb four chairs, two boxes, a small coffee table, and six oddly placed stools to get what they want. Esben- It was oNE TIME!! *to herself*Marlay-you can respond with almost anything with not since the accident Janner-actually, no you can't Kink-not since the accident Arundelle-Artham, have you ever thought about having kids? Artham-Do Esben's not already act like it? Janner-We're not ki- Artham-Kamar! Put the fire down!! Kalmar-Guys, I impulsively bought a snake. What do I name him? Janner- you di- Leeli and Artham-Gnorm

-are y'all okay with it being in 1st person or would you rather it still be 3rd like the books? -Does it make sense for her to be telling them about Anniera? “Janner!” I yelled as he took the journal from my hands, holding it over his head as if I couldn’t stand up and reach it. He knew he couldn’t outrun me either; he failed too many times to make it a challenge. With a sigh, I held one hand out, palm up, and easily stole the journal back with the other. I traced lightly over the Annieran symbol I’d sketched in the corner. It wasn’t even close to the real one, but it was close enough. “Aren’t you supposed to be working on something?” I asked. Nia– wait, no, don’t get into that habit again. Mama and Po–Grandpa had gone to town for the day and me, Janner, Ka-Tink, and Leeli were supposed to be working on our Annieran studies, THAGS(1). “Yes,” He said. I tried to interrupt, but he started speed-talking so no words could be shared. “But you said you would help me. How exactly am I supposed to write a journal when nothing interesting happens to write about?” “Write about Sara Cobbler!” Someone shouted. I picked up a Glipfruit and threw it carefully behind me to roll up the tree and . . . No. Don’t think about it. You’re needed now, not then. The fruit falls to the ground, splitting open and splashing the back of my leg with juice. I hear Nugget start barking and head over, and I'm thankful for the interruption.  “Nuggs!” I call, reaching to unlock the garden gate. He rushes over and I open it just in time for him not to crash into it on his way to what I’d assume to be thwaps.  Closing the gate carefully behind me, I walk between the fresh shoots, watching closely for movement under the crop leaves. “I didn’t know you could do that!” I jerk my head up, realizing the growl was coming from me, ready to act out of another creature’s thoughts. “What?” “I didn’t know you could do that,” Leeli said from beyond the fence. “Do what?” I asked, begging she didn’t notice the other side. “You changed your eye color. They’re usually green, but they were just closer to yellow.” I shrug and smile, trying not to show the worry I’m sure is plain on my face, “I didn’t realize.” I didn’t realize my vision had returned to normal either.I shake my head to clear it and whistle-click Nugget over as I head out to hopefully finish my writing. “Are you okay with your songs or do you need help?” I ask. “No, I’m just working on memorization right now.” Leeli responds. I smile and pick the worn journal from the ground. Not the same as the carefully cut and bound leather of Anniera or the Green Hollows(2), but there’s definitely been worse. I wonder if Mr. Reteep has any books about Papa and Uncle Esben. I doubt most of them are true. “If we hurry up and finish, we may be able to borrow some books from Mr. Reteep later.” Janner and Tink stopped wrestling and climbed on different branches of the tree, suddenly determined to finish anything they might have to do. “Maddie, can you tell us a story about Anniera?” Tink asked from his challenge to climb higher than Janner through his fear of heights. I sit down against the tree, no longer trying to add anything to my journal. “What kind of story?” I ask. “Um, about the king?” “Well, they say he used to work in the fields along with the farmers-” “But he’s a king!” “Yes, but Annierans believed that even though there is a king, it is more for order than to rule. That’s why-” “Can we just go already?” Janner interrupts. ________________________________________________________ 1)THAGS, Three Great And Honored Subjects; word, form, and song. Some foolish people believe there should be a fourth Great and Honored Subject, but they are sadly mistaken 2)The Green Hollows is home to much fruit

I'm trying to make a Lego Thwap Garden and found a little Lego creature thing that kind of looked like a ridge runner. He currently has a Thwap Garden uniform and I'm wondering whether he can be trusted or if I should remove him from the area. His name is Ichigo

More random things said and done at marching band rehearsals because I feel like it. -*Attacked by props and percussion* -Watch out, for the DRUM SET! -I want to hear you YELL! -*Random yelling* -Grandma! -It's a drumstick, not a boomerang -*Purposefully singing off key* -We lost a snare! -Will the guard hurry up, hurry up? (To the beat of We Will Rock You) -It's to trap the moose

Random things done/said at our marching band rehearsals; -Break the stick! -I'm returning the children -*Throws drumstick across the practice field* -Why are you under the castle? -I would be concerned for you, but it would be more concerning if I wasn't concerned -SEVEN!!!!!! -ESPEN! (We say it as a word btw, not E-S-P-N) -Where are your legs? -I almost drank the spray paint -Do you want to get hit with a mallet? -BAZINGA!! (It was a word of the day. It should not have been) -It's StyRaPhoMe -*Random staring contest* -*The pod set*

I did not make these quotes. It was an incorrect quote generator (Possible spoiler?)

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 -Sorry if the pacing is weird, the POV changes were hard to write Also, This one has a title The Change Suddenly, Arundelle stopped and looked over Artham’s shoulder towards the gate. “Come join us!” She yelled with a wave. Artham looked behind him and saw Esben dragging Nia out to dance with them. Though Nia continued to refuse at first, the others eventually pressured her to join them in the cold. She soon added onto the laughter filling the air until Wendolyn and Podo called out and drug them in to dry off. Esben shook his head, extra water from his hair splashing everyone, though most of them couldn’t feel it through their pre-soaked clothes. Artham ran his hand backward through his little brother’s hair so it stood up in spikes around his head. Nia marched over in an attempt to smooth it back down, only for Podo to throw a jacket over her face and have her walk into Esben’s painting. Artham suddenly remembered something he had meant to tell Nia earlier, “Hey Nia,” he glanced at Esben, wondering if his little brother would do anything. “Are you aware that-” he removed the hand over his mouth and continued, “Esben still draws-”  He turned around, and was promptly hit in the head with a bear. “Kalmar! What did I tell you about throwing toys!” Nia shouted. “Foo.” Artham covered his mouth and tried his best to hold back a laugh as Kalmar immediately waddled over to Arundelle. She knelt and put her hand gently on the side of his face, “Sorry, I don’t have any right now, maybe later?” Kalmar ‘humphed’ and walked over to sit against the grandfather clock against the wall. “Tick-tick. Tick-tick.” Nia turned around, “Kalmar, what?” He repeated, “Tick-tick. It go tick.” he told her, like it was the most obvious thing in all of Aerwiar. “Ar-” Nia started, then looked around the room. “Where’s Artham?” “Likely somewhere in Anniera. More specifically, probably in the castle.” Nia shot a look at her husband. Artham smiled from above as his little brother acted oblivious as he played on the floor with Kalmar. He stood on the plank and wobbled slightly as he found his balance. He heard Arundelle giggle as it echoed through the open room. “Up,” was all she was able to get out of her laughter. Artham took a few steps forward so he could use a pole for support, and looked at the group on the floor. He faintly heard Nia gasp as she saw him. Esben simply stood in shock with his mouth hanging open at his brother on the ceiling.  “Nia!” He called, still determined for her to discover his little brother’s tricks. “Esben still draws on himself!” She looked over at her husband. Though he couldn’t hear any words, he figured it was something about time it takes for the ink to dry vs how long he had between when he played with the kids. Artham had heard the conversation many times, but it was rare for him to have seen the drawings instead of guessing after they were washed off. Artham heard Podo behind him, and carefully turned around. “Ye need to get yerself down from there boy! Yer gonna get the children to bad habits!” His voice was much louder than need be, for the echoes off the walls let him hear even a few words Nia was telling Esben in her aggressively calm way. Artham stepped carefully around the column and stuck his arms out to either side as he walked over to the next pole, continuing the same way till he was almost above the stairs. Leaning over the edge, Artham easily found the spot he had hollowed out from years traveling like this as a kid. He pushed himself over the edge, holding on by his fingertips. Pulling himself along the beam, Artham slowly got above the highest point in the stairs – the top of the rail. He dropped down and waved his arms in small circles to regain his balance from the drop. Climbing off the rail, he noticed Janner trying, very poorly, to hide behind a curtain. Waving to the group in the open area behind him, he walked as casually as possible as if he were going back to his room.  ____________________________________________________________________________ Janner peeked out from his perfect hiding spot. Where’s Uncle Artham? He leaned most of the way out and stumbled into view of his parents and grandparents by the door. Suddenly, he gave a small shout that sounded like a squeak, and it turned into laughter as he was spun around by who he realized as Uncle Artham. “Put me down!” Janner yelled, though it was hard to understand through his laugh. Also, he realized, everyone else was laughing as well and likely couldn’t hear him. Nia was the first to get herself back under control. “Artham!” She shouted up at him, “You’re still soaking wet, and now you got it on Janner too!” Artham put his nephew down and Janner ran to everyone in turn to give them hugs. First Nia, then Esben, Podo, Wendolyn, and ending by giving the longest hug to Arundelle. “Now,” Nia said to no one specific, “We need to go change into some dry clothes, and then dinner needs to get started.” Janner ran over to his brother and half led-half drug him through a door to the sitting area. ____________________________________________________________________________ Nia smoothed down her dress and headed out of her room to Leeli’s. She cracked the door open and stuck her head in to make sure she was still asleep. Closing the door gently behind her, she walked down to the kitchen, hoping Wendolyn had something set out. Suddenly, she heard a scream from somewhere in the front area. She raced to the sitting room and saw a snake-like creature cornering Janner and Kalmar against a wall. Janner was holding one of Esben’s paint brushes out in front of him while he tried to shield Kalmar. She backed out of the room, but left the door open to watch in case no one else came. “Artham!” she yelled, hoping he could hear her from wherever he was. She heard footsteps along the stairway and risked a glance over. She just barely ducked as a knife was thrown in her direction. It went through the creature as it turned to dust from the impact, and stuck into the wall. She ran forward, scooping both of her sons up the best she could in a hug. Closing her eyes, she willed herself not to cry as they leaned into the embrace.Feeling someone else put their arms around her, Nia opened her eyes just enough to see Esben kneeling beside her while Podo and Wendolyn had a hand on each of her shoulders. “Thank you,” She wasn’t sure whether she was talking to the knife-thrower, the people around her or the Maker. There was a light tap on the open door, and everyone turned around, shocked back into the world they were now certain was more dangerous than any of them had seen. Arundelle stood in the doorway, Leeli held firm in her arms, “Artham’s checking for any more.” Artham poked his head around the wall and gave them a nod before disappearing to check outside the castle in the still pouring rain. Nia moved closer to Esben as Janner and Kalmar pushed past. Following them out, she decided she did, in fact, need to know about the creatures her husband constantly told her not to worry about. “Esben, what are those things called?” He paused, wondering how much to tell her. “Fangs. Or so I’ve heard. If there’s one, there are likely more somewhere on the isle.” He sounded disconnected, and Nia couldn’t figure out whether that was good or bad at the moment. She headed up the stairs to the room Janner and Kalmar shared. Grabbing a bag for each of them from their closet, she packed outfits to last a few days and arranged a few other things to go in each. Janner’s picture books, an old butterfly from Arundelle, and his bed toy. For kalmar, blanket, his butterfly from Arundelle, a sketchbook from Bonifer, and a small hand game. She closed both tightly and went to put them by the stairs. “Why do they need bags?” Esbens’ was the first voice she heard. Nia suddenly became aware of what she was holding and put them down, ignoring the question. The door slammed open and both of them turned to the sound. Artham was standing in the open doorway panting as if he had run across half the isle before arriving. (Which he may have) “Get to – the – river,” He said between breaths. Spinning around, he raced back out the door while drawing his sword. The high King and Queen looked at each other for a moment, stunned. Podo and Wendolyn ran in from somewhere to the right, though Nia wasn’t sure when. “River. That’s where Artham said to go.” Esben relayed the message while Nia was still in shock of what was happening. She watched disconnectedly as Esben ran up the stairs to grab the boy’s bags and something she couldn’t see off a nearby table. “Where’s Arundelle!?” Nia snapped out of her trance at her mother’s voice and looked around. “Here,” someone called from nearby, followed by a cough as the air filled with smoke. Esben pushed the things into Podo’s hands and raced off to find a sword and join his brother. And a picture! Beam Seat

Chapter 1 Artham shifted to another branch, hoping to keep out of the sun (And view, for he was sure Esben would come annoy him soon). He found one with a decent view of the sky and perfect visibility of the area under him. Artham watched the clouds, wondering whether Nia and Esben had taken care of telling his nephews of his engagement or if they left it for him. Quietly, he mumbled a poem he had written years before with his little brother. In the sky so warm and blue A little cloud calls for you To bring rain or simply shade To the Maker I have prayed That you are mine and mine to stay While in the meadows where we lay   “Uncle Artham!” Artham looked down at the small boy calling for him. “Uncle Artham, why are you in a tree?” He laughed and climbed down through the thick branches with practiced ease until he was sitting on one of the lowest. He swung around carefully so he was hanging upside down in front of the child speaking to him. “Well Janner, it’s good practice and it helps me think.” He smiled a gentle smile and reached down for his nephew’s small, soft hands with his own, covered in spots his swords’ handle had rubbed raw over the years. Janner scrunched up his face, but reached up and held his uncle's firm hands as he was lifted up. “But why in a tree?” He asked, still visibly confused. “Because I like trees. And,” Artham added, “Es and I used to sit up here for hours. He would pick something for me to write about, and I would find him something to draw.” Janner looked up at the strange man in the tree, though he was sure it was only to make him laugh. He picked his small feet off the ground, and began swinging back and forth in his uncle's arms. “Birb.” Janner took his eyes off the swaying ground and placed his feet firmly back on it. Glancing up, he noticed Artham watching another tree in the distance. “What are you looking at?” Janner laughed, trying to figure out what his uncle had noticed. As if noticing the boy holding his hands for the first time, the Throne Warden, still upside down in a tree, looked at him and gasped, letting go quickly. “Artham! I told you not to!” Both of them looked to the person the new voice belonged to, and saw Nia marching toward them, Leeli held tight in her arms. She pulled her son close and tried to look annoyed at her brother in law as he swayed back and forth above her. “This is no way for a Throne Warden to be acting! Especially with someone new to protect.” She ruffled Janner’s hair as he tried to step away, only to back into the tree and be lifted into the air by Uncle Artham. Janner burst into giggles as Artham attempted to pull his nephew up in the tree beside him. “Oh no!” He yelled as Janner fought against him. When both Wardens were back on the ground, Nia handed Leeli to Artham and pulled her son back through the castle doors, but not before pulling a large leaf from Artham’s hair. Artham held Leeli gently, the same way he had held Janner and Kalmar years before. “Kalmar,” he sang, though he knew his new niece would easily do better once she found her voice. He heard leaves rustle behind him and turned around, expecting to find prince Kalmar trying to sneak up on him. Instead, he saw Esben running, rather slowly, towards a table in the middle of the court. Suddenly, he noticed something black on his hands, “Esben! Come here.” He looked over at Artham, and shuffled over. Artham smiled, glad that Esben was still able to act like a kid with all of the pressure he was stuck with. “Show me your hands.” Artham demanded. “And what if I don’t want to?” Esben asked. “So you’re admitting to it?” “I admit to nothing.” “Then show me your hands, unless you want to sleep in the tree tonight.” Esben tried to look offended for a Throne Warden threatening a High King, but his brother had clearly forgotten that it was he who pulled them to stay in the woods longer than the sun was out when they were young. He could only try for a moment, for then they both broke down in laughter. “Wait, no,” Artham corrected when he caught his breath, “Unless . . . un-unless . . . you.” He sighed and glanced up, trying to figure out his threat. “Or I’m taking your pens, which I may just do anyway.” Esben gasped, holding his hands up, palms forward, in fake shock. Artham grabbed one of them and turned it over to see the back. Esben tried to jerk it back, but his brother’s grip was firm.  Only half-aware he was still holding Esben’s hand, he shook it in front of his little brother’s face. “Stop drawing on yourself, you’re going to get it on the children. What’s Nia going to think about that?” Esben successfully pulled his hand away from Artham and backed towards the castle. “Nia! Esben has something he would like to show you!” Artham smiled at his brother as Esben’s hand covered his mouth. Esben stuck his tongue out at Artham, who tried to do it back. Esben yanked his hand away. “You licked me! How dare-dareth you . . . lick the highest of the . . . kingeth kind!?” Artham was glad when Wendolyn came out a moment later, offering to take Leeli. (Because, Artham assumed, Nia had realized it was not the best idea to leave her daughter with the brothers) “The highest of the kingeth kind,” Artham mocked, with a gesture of his hand. A cloud passed over the sun, and a small, light drizzle began. Esben took his brother’s wrist and pulled him under the shelter of the tree. Artham immediately stepped away and did two cartwheels back into the rain. He crossed his arms, silently challenging his brother to come get him. Esben sat down against the trunk and watched the Throne Warden get wet. A few minutes later, Esben gave up and walked mostly dry through the castle gates. Artham sat on the stone table and waited to see if anyone would be told to come collect him. He laid down with his face up to the now pouring rain He closed his eyes, so all he knew was the sharp stone on his back and the icy rain soaking him through. Along with . . . footsteps? He picked his head up, and saw Arundelle running out to him. She offered her hand, and Artham gladly took it. Pulling him to the middle of the courtyard, she spun around so her gown flared out around her. Unsure what else to do, Artham joined her so they were dancing to some music only they could hear.

Esben held back a laugh as he walked into his brother’s room, expecting him to be hiding with a book under the covers or trying to escape through his small window from his nephews. He had larger ones, but was determined that only the smallest led to the roof for sure. Instead, Artham was pacing his room, clearly deep in thought. Of course, this was normal for Artham as well, but he murmured to himself quietly and Esben could only make out a few hushed words. Esben knocked on the open door, and Artham jumped like a bird failing to take flight when he realized his little brother was watching him. “Get, I’m busy.” He went back to his pacing, ignoring leaves blowing in through an open window. Esben leaned on the door frame, smiling as his brother walked straight into the leaves flying around his room without noticing. “And what exactly are you busy at? Delle’s been waiting for you to come down. Though I would recommend getting the leaves out of your hair first, they look about as strange as a sea dragon in the air.” Artham’s face turned red, and he quickly tried to come up with an answer that sounded realistic. “...No, not at all. I was…trying to figure out whether..the new Song Maiden looked more like..you! You or Nia, I mean.” He could feel his face heating up, and watched the floor, not needing to try very hard to guess why his little brother had discovered his thoughts. Suddenly, he stumbled back as someone small ran into him, wrapping him in a hug that was supposed to be a tight squeeze. As the attacker was much smaller than Artham, their arms barely reached around him and had little effect on the Throne Warden. “Noooo!” Artham cried as he fell gently to the floor. He heard Esben laughing from the doorway and laughed along as he wrapped his small attacker in a bear hug. The attacker’s voice was high-pitched, but Artham thought it perfect for the young boy who now had a sister along with his brother to protect. “I got you Uncle Artham!” He yelled while his words were muffled by the folds of Artham’s clothing. The High King and Throne Warden quickly looked anywhere but each other, trying not to laugh at the boy who got himself trapped in a hug. The awkwardness of the moment before Janner charged in was forgotten, and Artham was glad. He watched the ceiling and the bold light coming through an open curtain. He sat up, grabbing his nephew quickly before he could slip to the wooden ground. Running his free hand through his black hair, Artham stood up with the boy still in his arms, though now propped on his side. “What about Arundelle?” He looked up where Esben had been only a moment before, but his little brother had moved on, apparently satisfied that his son had disturbed his brother’s thoughts. “What about Aunt Arun.. Arundelle?” Janner asked when he could, gasping for air after his fit of laughter. Artham smiled. Partially at his nephew, the future Throne Warden of the Shining isle Anniera, and partially at the thought of Arundelle officially being their aunt. “Not yet she’s not, but hopefully soon.” The two Throne Wardens, current and future, raced down the hall, the open window forgotten about. Janner ran into the dining room, but Artham went past to the kitchen. “Can I help with anything?” He asked Nia, who was struggling with plates in one arm and young Song Maiden Leeli in the other “Actually yes, there’s a few more plates if you don’t mind,” Artham laughed slightly. “I meant with the plates you’re currently holding.” She watched him for a moment and Artham wondered, not for the first time, what his little brother saw in her. If he was ever able to get past the scowls that she constantly threw at her brother in law, he might just barely be able to find it. “Okay, take these then. I’ll get the smaller pile.” She fumbled slightly as she put the stack of trays on the counter, and Artham watched as she went to fetch the rest. He picked them up and waited for Nia to walk back through before heading out to the dining room after her. “Then,” He heard Janner telling Nia, “I tack-led Uncle Artham. But he still trap.. trapp-ed… trapped me.” “Well, I doubt Artham could have knocked Illia down like that when he was three.” Artham smiled when he realized who the gentle voice had come from. He loved her voice, just like he loved her work and everything about her in general. (Though he didn’t really enjoy when he was in her poems) Placing the plates down carefully in front of every occupied seat, he let his thoughts wander away from the simple task. How? How could someone as clumsy as I find someone like her? He found his answer rather quickly when he ran into a chair. She turned around just as the drink knocked into the chair back, splashing the front of her green dress with a new brown circle in the center. Artham’s face immediately turned the color of a totato as her laughter filled the tense air. It sounded like the wind, as if her joy had opened the windows and was letting the breeze blow away the tension of the moment. “Sorry Ru.” Artham could barely hear his own voice but didn’t trust it to be any louder than a mumble. He knew she wasn’t laughing at him, only at the situation, but he couldn’t find the energy to join the happy laughter now floating from person to person. Arundelle and Nia got up from their seats and went in search of anything to clean up the mess. Artham was vaguely aware of someone pulling him to a seat across the table, but smiled anyway when he realized it was Esben, likely the first left in the room to stop laughing long enough to do anything. Artham simply watched his hands in his lap until Podo said thanks to the maker. He then ate his meal in a disconnected silence, aware of Arundelle watching him from the other side of the table. He dismissed himself at the first chance. Laying on the outer lawn of the yard, he watched the stars through tree leaves. He had been careful to pick a spot as far away from the garden shed as possible, constantly worried Nia would finally decide it was time for revenge and cover him in soil and flowers. Hearing footsteps nearby, he pushed himself up, expecting to have a half-normal conversation with Arundelle before the garden edge was closed off. He couldn’t even fully stand. About half way to his knees, Esben rammed into him, pinning him on his stomach with his arms behind him. “Delle! I found him!” Artham held his breath. Mostly in hopes of disappearing into the ground, but also so he wasn’t breathing in dirt. He heard giggles above him, and was sure Nia and Wendolyn had joined the hunt to find the embarrassed Throne Warden. He managed to pick his head up enough to see two pairs of feet standing in front of him. Artham only had a moment to process this, for Esben yanked him up from the ground aggressive enough to dislocate a shoulder. “Ow, I’d like to keep my arm intact please.” He held back his volume, though it was mostly because he was struggling to breathe normally (As one does when knocked to the ground and jerked back up). “Hey, Ru.” Artham said to no one in particular. The two in front of him and Esben behind could no longer hold back a full laugh when he spoke to someone who wasn’t there. “Arundelle went to bed already, I thought you’d be harder to find.” It took him a moment to realize it was Nia who had spoken. “Esben had the ring, you know. If you’re going to surprise someone, you may need a better hiding spot than under a pillow.” That’s why he came in, Janner was probably part of the plan as well. He realized as the brain-fog from the ground had mostly cleared. “Why did you take her ring?” Artham was glad his voice could now go back to its normal volume without struggle. “Well,” Esben said beside his ear, “I technically stole your ring, since you refuse to give it to her.” Suddenly, there was a gasp from somewhere behind the brothers. “ Artham! What happened!?” Esben, Nia, and Wendolyn suddenly broke away, disappearing into nearby shadows to annoy the Throne Warden again later. Artham saw something on the ground and quickly picked it up before Arundelle could see it. He turned around, his head bowed to hide scratches from the concrete sprinkled on the dirt. Aware of the people watching, he fiddled slightly with the thing Esben had dropped. “Arundelle,” He started cautiously. He pulled out what he was holding so it just barely reflected the hint of light around them. Opening his mouth to continue, Artham suddenly looked back for his little brother. So much better was he with these sorts of things. Esben suddenly burst out of somewhere to the right. “For the sake of sanity! Arundelle,” He took the band from Artham’s fidgety hands, kneeling between them. “Will you and Artham finally just marry each other!?” Artham buried his face in his hands, unsure whether to laugh, cry, or do something else entirely. “Yes!” He picked his head up, wondering if he’d heard correctly. Esben shoved him forward, laughing in his brother’s ear. “She said yes genius, do something better than stand there!” Knocked, rather aggressively, out of his trance, he ran up to her, lifting her into the air and spinning her around as they slowly became aware of the large crowd which had gathered around them. Esben took one of their hands in each of theirs,lifting them high into the air. “Behold, the Throne Warden has found his match!” Though most of the following sounds were cheers, Artham could also hear much laughing at a joke he seemed to have missed. When the crowd left, Nia, Wendolyn, and Arundelle had disappeared. Esben had also faded away with the group. Unwilling to be the reason for a joke, he climbed a tree, one with thick branches where even the thinnest ones were wider than most of the others in the court. He must have fallen asleep at some point, because the next thing he remembered was the early morning light and the feel of bark painful on his back.

Janner-Let me show you a picture from last night that really upset me Kalmar-Ok. But in my defense, Maraly bet me 50 cent that I couldn't drink all that shampoo. Janner-That's not what I'm- Janner-You drank shampoo!? Kalmar-...No? Maraly out of nowhere-Don't worry, he couldn't even finish half Janner-Is Stabbing someone legal? Podo-If they consent to it Maraly-Depends on who you're stabbing Artham-YES!? Artham-Where's Maraly? Sarah-Doing stuff. Artham-Jand where's Anner? Sarah-Trying to stop Maraly from doing stuff Artham-What about Leeli? Sarah-Stopping Janner from stopping Maraly from doing stuff Artham-Kalmar? Sarah-Doing stuff with Maraly Artham-*Run off* Sarah-Shoot. *Chases Artham to stop him*