Hmm...let's see what Nibbick does 😇
CHAPTER FOUR: THE BOY’S COMPETITIONS
“Today, begins the competitions,” Nia said, the next day at breakfast. “The first one is for the boys. Just arm-wrestling.”
Esben gave a lopsided grin. “That sounds fun!”
“It will be.”
Artham wasn’t so sure, but he didn’t say anything. He hated attention and competitions like this.
“What will the girls do?” Arundelle asked.
“We are going shopping,” Nia said, grinning.
Emerald squealed.
“The only thing, Artham,” Nia said, making sure he looked her in the eye, “Nibbick might show up today. I didn’t invite him, but you know he’s a bit of a rat. And he knows the prize for the competition.”
“Which is?” Artham asked.
“A big, expensive Hollish dog.”
“A dog?” Artham asked, feeling a bit underwhelmed. Artham liked dogs, especially when weighed against cats, but a dog? Thats what Nibbick wanted?
“Yeah, but they live up to forty-five years.”
Artham’s jaw dropped.
“He’ll be your lifelong companion. And right now he’s only two weeks old, so he’s still a puppy, even though he’s bigger than your average dog. He’s not named either. So, you’ll get to name him.”
“What do you mean me?”
“Artham,” Nia said, narrowing her eyes, “we both know you’ll win.”
Artham instantly looked back down at his plate. “It’s true,” Esben said.
“What color is the dog?” Ari asked, a bit of wonder filling her eyes.
“If you want, me, you and Em could stop by and see him on the way out towards town.”
Arundelle nodded. “Yes please.”
Artham looked at Ari. “Since when do you like dogs so much?”
“Oh, I always have. I’ve just, never been able to have one.”
“Oh.”
It was all Artham said, but it was connected to so much more.
“Come on, Arth!” Esben shouted, looking behind him and seeing how Artham was dragging his feet.
“I’d rather be shopping,” Artham muttered. He hated being the center of attention. And the truth was, he knew he would win. And he didn’t want to. He liked to lose, because then people didn’t make so much fuss. But if he beat Nibbick Bunge, he’d be in a lot of trouble. “Again,” he muttered.
When he finally did reach the place, Artham’s heart sank to his heels and then shot back up in his throat. Why was Arundelle here!? She was supposed to be shopping! But there she was! Along with all the girls.
Nia tapped his shoulder, and he spun around, looking almost crazed. “We got down early, and they wanted to watch, but- “
“It’s okay.”
“I know this is hard, what with Nibbick, and the attention, and…and all of that.
“You mean he is here, then?”
Nia nodded and gestured with her head.
There he was. Twice as thick as Artham, maybe even three times, but a little shorter.
Artham sighed. “Well, here we go.”
He walked forward, and Nia watched him nervously. She knew Artham was downright scared but just wouldn’t say it. He was scared of winning, and letting Nibbick beat him up again. Just now, Nia saw his limp a little more pronounced, and so did Podo.
Podo suddenly gripped Nibbick by the collar. “Listen here, you little booger, no funny business, you understand?”
Nibbick broke away. “Mr. Helmer, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
Nibbick looked at Artham and smiled. “And neither do I, what with Broom-Boy being the competition,” he murmured.
The game started, and, as Artham predicted, he bested everyone. And so did Nibbick. Eventually, Nibbick and Artham were the only two left.
Esben stood beside Artham. “I tried to get him out Arth, but he’s too strong,” Es said, massaging his hand.
“Thanks Es. But I…I’ve got it.”
Nibbick grinned as Artham stepped forward, much as he had that day when he had beat Artham to a pulp. Suddenly, a searing pain shot through Artham’s leg.
“Well, broom-stick, what are you gonna do with the dog?”
Artham sighed. He couldn’t say what he wanted to. He knew that. “Give it to a friend.”
Nibbick raised his brows. “I’m gonna sell it. Mighty fine prize.”
Artham shrugged. “I’m sure you will.”
Nibbick smirked. And the match began.
Everyone knew the tension between these two, and everyone could see Artham’s nerves. But after a few minutes, they could also see Artham’s strength. He was winning!
Podo was watching closely, not wanting Nibbick to cheat.
But then a fight broke out behind him, and Podo had to look away. One of Nibbick’s friends started harassing Rudric, and now they were fighting.
Artham knew something bad was about to happen to him. Nibbick put both arms against Artham’s, and even tried to pull Artham forward, but Artham planted his heels, and he barely moved. He ground his teeth. He was tired of being Nibbick’s plaything. Tired of being afraid of what might happen. He clamped his eyes shut, praying for some extra strength. And then he opened his eyes, but there was a fire in them…and that scared Nibbick.
A rush of adrenaline fueled Artham’s body, and he slammed down on one side, losing one of Nibbick’s arms, and then he slammed down on the other side, losing Nibbick’s second arm, and winning the fight.
Nibbick fell back, his arms tingling, himself shocked and a bit scared at what had just happened.
Everyone was quiet. Podo had seen the whole thing, and his eyes were wide.
“Fool me once,” Artham said, his eyes still blazing, “shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. and I’m not giving you that chance again.”
But then, Artham offered his hand to help Nibbick up.
Nibbick took it, ashamed and beaten, and the boy skulked off. Artham’s chest was still heaving with the adrenaline pulse. His eyes were only on Nibbick’s ashamed form. But then he felt someone hug him, and he looked down and saw Arundelle. Now his face flushed, and he heard a cheering, which made it go even redder.
After everyone calmed down, and Artham was quite done saying thank you, Podo brought out the most beautiful dog Artham had ever seen. He was big, and furry, predominantly black, with some brown areas, and a white belly.
“Well, Artham,” Podo said happily, handing the leash to him, “this pup is yours.”
Artham smiled. “He’s…beautiful.” Artham put his hand in the dog’s fur, and he was surprised with how soft and silky it was.
“What’s his name?” Ari asked, scratching the dog behind the ears.
“He looks like an almost royal dog,” Artham said. “I think, Prince, is fitting.”
Arundelle smiled, and Artham was lost in that look. He was oblivious to everyone else there for a moment.
“What are you gonna do with him?” Nia asked, patting the dog.
“What?” Artham asked, sounding a bit dazed.
“Uh, what are you going to do with the dog?”
“Oh! Uh,” Artham laughed awkwardly, “I uh, want to…give it to a friend that really likes dogs.”
“Oh? Who?” Nia asked.
“Um, I’ll tell you later.”
Nia’s brow creased, but then she realized what Artham meant. “Oh, I see. Well, we better be getting home, before Mama gets worried.”
Artham nodded, taking the leash in his hand, and moving his head so that he hid himself from view.
That night at dinner, Artham had so many butterflies in his stomach that he could barely eat. He was nervous about Arundelle. How could he bring up giving her a dog?
“Artham, do you feel alright?” Wendolyn asked.
Artham nodded quickly. “Yes ma’am, I just need to talk to Ari about something.”
Arundelle looked up. “What is it, Artham?”
“Well, I was kinda hoping I could ask you in private.”
“Oh. Right now?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. May we be excused?” Ari asked.
“Of course,” Wendolyn said. Arundelle went out, and Artham followed her.
When they were outside, Artham felt the cold wind bite against his cheeks.
“What is it, Artham?”
“I just wanted to give you Prince.”
“What?!”
“I know you really like dogs, and I thought maybe you would like to have him.”
Arundelle’s jaw dropped. “Oh, Artham, I can’t take your dog. He’s expensive, and he’s yours.”
“Yes, but Ari, it’s been my intention since this morning.”
“Oh, Artham do you really mean that?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Do you really want me to have him?”
“Yes.”
“Oh you’re just the sweetest thing.”
Artham blushed. “I am?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Uh, thanks?”
Arundelle laughed and then grabbed his hand. “Come on, let’s go finish dinner.”
some fluff, some fun, just a lot of stuff 😅
Let me know if the 'fight' between Artham and Nibbick made sense. Could you visualize it? I wanna make my action scenes as vivid as possible! And yes, Prince is Arundelle's dog now 😁
Let me know if anything seems weird or unclear!
Just read all four chapters.... It is sooo good!!!
This is an amazing chapter! And Arundelle has a dog!!!! YAYAYAY!!!!! Also, how old is Emerald?
I’m not really a dog person, but I would love to have a Hollish dog!
This is great, Arthra!
And Podo really goes all out for his daughter's birthday.
uh, thanks?🤣🤣🤣 same Artham, same . . .
Hmm. Arundelle's dad only let her go because Artham was also going, but now she's going on shopping excursions without Artham there to protect her.
How long are they going to stay in the Hollows??? That puppy can't leave its mother for several more weeks at the earliest!
Also, I want a Hollish border collie (hill herder, probably) that will live for 45 years.