Officially starting! Woo! I'm gonna shoot for daily posting, so hopefully that should work! I hope you enjoy this! Just remember: the invitation that starts it all 😏
CHAPTER ONE: A BIRTHDAY
“Good morning, Em,” Esben said sleepily as he walked out of his room, still rubbing his eyes.
“What?” Artham asked, mischief shining in his eyes, “do I not get politeness as well?”
“Look. I’ve only got enough for one bit of politeness, and I’m giving it to Emerald.”
Emmy laughed. “Looks like Esben slept on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Again.”
Artham chuckled. “What does that make? A week now?”
Esben smirked in spite of himself. “Well, I’m just a little grumpy. It is almost eleventh month.”
“So grumpy and impatient for Maker’s Day?” Artham asked.
“No,” Esben muttered, too embarrassed to say the real reason he was being a grouch. That was Nia’s birthday month. Him and Nia had been corresponding in letters for months! And that month, even though it just was there, made him miss her, and got that funny feeling in his stomach he didn’t particularly like.
Artham raised his brows, and Emerald giggled, both having a slight idea as to what was bothering their brother.
To interrupt the grumpy mood, a head peeked around the corner and smiled when she saw all of them there. It was Arundelle.
“Good morning, everyone!”
Artham, out of habit, sat as little straighter and smiled. Esben snickered, and Emerald rolled her eyes and greeted Arundelle.
“I have wonderful news this morning,” Ari said, a light shining in her eyes.
“What is it?” Artham asked.
“Let me guess, you set a wedding date,” Esben said with a smirk.
Arundelle blushed and tried to laugh it off, but Artham just punched his brother in the arm.
“No, Esben. I got a letter from Nia! It’s her sixteenth birthday next month, and she invited us to come over!”
Esben’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Yes! I just got her letter this morning. She’s invited all four of us. What do you think?”
“Oh, Arthie, can we go?” Emerald asked, her big eyes shining with excitement and expectation.
Artham looked at his sister and smiled. “Well, I say yes. We’re through all the important council meetings for the rest of the year, so why don’t we go ask grandmother?”
Emerald jumped with glee and clapped her hands. “Oh yes! Let’s!”
“I’ll go ask my father,” Arundelle said, turning to go back the way she came. “Let’s meet at Castle Rock for lunch and report back on if we got permission or not.”
“See you there,” Artham said, getting up from the couch and heading towards his grandmother’s sitting room. Esben and Emerald passed by in front of him, and he turned back slightly, just to see Arundelle turn and disappear. He smiled, then went to follow his siblings.
Madia Wingfeather, the queen-grandmother, sat in her own personal sitting room, knitting. Her grandchildren came in one by one, and she smiled at their entry.
“Well, hello there my dears. What can I do for you?”
Esben nudged his older brother forward, and Artham shot him a glare. Then he faced his grandmother. “Arundelle got an invitation to go to Nia’s birthday next month, in the Hollows, and Nia invited all of us. We need your permission to go of course.”
Madia smiled. “Of course, dears. That’s a lovely idea. I’m sure you’ll all have a wonderful time. And Artham, I trust you with all their safety completely.”
All three Wingfeather children smiled. “Thank you, Gramma!” Emerald said, kissing the old woman fondly.
“Oh, you’re welcome my love. Now, after breakfast, I suggest you all go packing. You’ve got a long trip ahead of you.”
As Arundelle was getting the table set for lunch, she looked at her father across the table. “Papa.”
“Yes dear?”
“I got an invitation to a birthday party. In the Hollows.”
Reginald stopped and looked at his only child. “Oh?”
“For my friend, Nia. Artham, Es, and Emerald are going, so I wouldn’t be alone…if you let me, of course.”
Reginald paused, then resumed setting the table, and Arundelle watched him as she continued setting the table.
“You said, Artham is going too?”
“Yes, Papa.”
“Hmm. Only because of that, can you go.”
Arundelle’s eyes lit up. “Oh, thank you Papa!”
Reginald smiled. “Of course, my dear. Just make sure that…that…” Reginald’s voice trailed off, and his eyes became troubled.
“Make sure?” Arundelle pressed, her brows knitting with concern.
“Nothing. Just, make sure you have fun.” He kissed the top of her head, then disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Arundelle standing at the table, wondering what her father could have meant.
The next day, both girls decided to go shopping for presents in the marketplace, leaving both boys alone. Artham was sitting in the living room, reading a book, and Esben was sprawled on the floor, drawing in his sketchbook.
“Hey, Artham?”
“What?”
“You know, I’m a little nervous to leave for the Hollows tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“Because…because I…I do like Nia.”
Artham chuckled slightly. “I know. You weren’t exactly hiding it.”
Esben sighed. “Should I be nervous about it?”
“Being that it’s a month away, no. I don’t think you should worry. Nia’s a nice girl.”
“I guess. You know, Artham, I really appreciate you being my brother.”
Artham laughed. “You don’t have much of a choice.”
“Well, I’m glad I don’t. I’m sure you’re the best brother in the world.”
Artham smiled. “I doubt that.”
That ended the conversation. The girls came in, showing off the gifts they bought for Nia. Artham and Esben applauded them all, even if Esben found the hair comb a boring gift.
I hope you liked this! As you can see, a little longer this time. And yes. This is the invitation that starts it all. Let me know if anything seems choppy or unclear!!! 😁
Hehehe… he let Ari go cuz Artham was going… hehehehehe
BUT WHAT WAS HE GOING TO WARN HER ABOUT???
clears throat um, and great chapter!!