And, this story is drawing to a close. We have a short, happy chapter! Things will definitely pick up in the next one. I hope you enjoy!
CHAPTER TWENTY: PARTY PLANNING
“Isn’t your birthday in about a week?” Biggin asked Artham.
“Yes sir.”
“Hmm. Sixteen. A full man. And then you’re going back home, ain’t ya?”
“Yep.”
“I’ll miss ya bein’ here.”
Artham smiled. “I’ll miss it a bit too.”
Nia and Emerald came up then came up, and both boys stood. “Artham, do you want a birthday party?” Emerald abruptly asked.
“Nope.”
Emerald rolled her eyes, and crossed her arms over her chest. “You can’t say no.”
“Yes I can.”
Nia giggled. “Well, how about we do a going away party for you and those your closest to will know it’s your birthday,” Nia said.
Artham gave her a look of dissatisfaction. Emerald pouted again, suddenly, looking a bit sad, and Artham knew he was defeated.
“If you insist,” he said with a dramatic sigh.
Nia smiled. “Come on Emerald, let’s go find Olumphia and Jodi and start planning!”
Emerlad squealed with delight. “Bye Artham!”
She grabbed Nia’s hand and they both raced off.
Esben eventually found his brother lying in the field as soon as Biggin left. “Hey, did you hear what our sister is planning?”
“Yes, I did. A ‘going away’ party.”
Esben lay down beside his brother. “It’s really your birthday.”
Artham laughed. “We’ll all be celebrated. Aren’t you happy to be going home soon?”
Esben smiled. “Of course I am.”
“What do you think grandma will think of us?”
“She’ll probably think we are all grown up. And fancy.”
“Fancy?”
“Yeah! Im a teenager, you’re an adult, and Em’s a nice young lady. Plus, you’re all scarred up.”
Artham smiled. “Yeah. I guess I’ll have to explain that to her.”
“You will. But you kinda did it to protect us.”
“I guess so.”
“I love you Artham.”
Artham smiled to himself, and he punched his brother in the arm, brother for ‘I love you too.’
Meanwhile, Nia and Emerald and Olumphia were planning things out in the Keep.
“I think we should hang balloons everywhere. And pretty streamers. Ooh, and we should make it a dance! And invite tons of people!”
Olumphia smiled. “Don’t get too excited there Em.”
“I am excited! But I am going to miss you girls.”
Nia put her arm around Emerald. “Well, you can always write to us. And visit maybe. And maybe we’ll visit you.”
“I hope so.”
Jodi McBenson, another young friend of Nia’s, joined the girls immediately.
“Let’s get to decoratin’ girls!”
Emerald squealed. “Yay!”
Headcanon: When a person turns sixteen, they’re an adult. So, Artham could be fully responsible for the kids in Anniera. I hope you liked it!
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nods Jodi McBenson. Nice.
I'm wayyyy more on Artham's side for this one. If it were my birthday, the less people I have to deal with, the better. However I totally see Emerald's side of things.
Well written, Arthra!
okay . . . getting a little extreme for a going away party. (I feel like Artham about birthdays. Kinda wish people wouldn't insist on doing stuff for them. JUST LET ME GET OLDER IN PEACE!)