Hope in Deep Waters (an AtE story) Ch. 23

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The End of One Chapter and the Beginning of Another

As the dawn grayed the sky, the Wingfeather family tried to rouse Oskar, who kept muttering, “In the words of the esteemed Nap of the Fortywinks ‘five more minutes, please…’”. 

He finally snapped awake when the blue dragon gently picked the large man up in his mouth and set him on his back. Even Lachlan chuffed in a way that sounded like laughter at the sight of Oskar's shocked expression. Once Oskar regained his composure (and his glasses), the group set out on the last leg of their journey home, hoping to arrive before most of the Anneirans awakened. It would be best to be able to get a bit settled before curious and overjoyed people began to flood them with questions about their adventure. Who could blame them for being excited?

While Janner munched on the last of his provisions, he wondered aloud to Sara how the people would react to him being alive and how in the world he should react to their reaction. 

Sara said she wasn’t sure, but encouraged him to ask the Maker to help him know what to do.

This gave Janner some reassurance, but his stomach was still in tighter knots than the safety strap he fiddled with anxiously. He noticed that Kalmar had not said a word or even eaten a bite of food since he had mounted Hulwen in front of Leeli, and seemed to shrink lower and smaller onto the dragon’s back as the Shining Isle drew nearer. Janner wished he could talk with him, even just for the comfort of knowing that they were not alone in their nervousness about what would happen when they reached the shore. But the wind was too loud in his ears and the dragons flew too far apart to make conversation easy. 

One sound, however, could be heard clearly above the whistle of air. Heedless of the distance between the riders, a soaring and triumphant melody from Leeli’s whistleharp descended on the ears of all who were present, reminding them that this was a time for joyful celebration, not a day of mourning and worry. Janner smiled as his sister’s song refocused his thoughts on what was beautiful about that day and his anxiety began to melt away like rain clouds in the sun. 

      ~~~~~~~~~~

Soon, the waiting was over and the dragons spiraled down to land softly on Anneira’s newly grassy shore as a note of Hulwen’s ethereal song rang out into the bright morning sky to alert Arundelle that the Wingfeathers had returned home. Janner marveled at how the island had transformed. Not a wisp of smoke remained, and flourishing vegetation had sprung up everywhere seemingly overnight. The island was clearly far from dead, and bursting with life.

“Arundelle!” Artham exclaimed, seeing her approaching quickly from the castle.

“Artham!” she shouted joyfully, embracing him and then realizing with a start that he no longer had talons.

“Yeah, that happened,” said Artham with a mischievous grin. “I’ll tell you more later, but the High King wishes to speak with you.”

Kalmar stood up straight and took a step forward to shake Arundelle’s hand. “Thank you for keeping watch over Anniera while we were away. I know it’s a lot to ask.”

“I was honored to, your highness,” Arundelle smiled. Suddenly, she gasped when she noticed Janner standing a bit behind him, and Leeli skipping alongside Nia without a crutch.

Nia stifled a laugh at her stunned expression. “As you can see, a lot has happened in a few days!” 

As Nia recounted the events of their journey to Arundelle, who stood arm in arm with Artham, Kalmar glanced up at the sun which climbed higher and higher into the sky. His toes fidgeted in his shoes. It wouldn’t be long until all of Anniera was awake and rushing to the castle to see their returned king. Their very inexperienced and unworthy king, he thought.

“...It’s good to see that you have held up well,” Nia was saying to Arundelle.

“Oh yes,” replied Arundelle, “it took some getting used to, but I’d say it went well overall. In fact, something incredible has happened that I thought you might never guess until I heard what you have experienced in the last few days. Now I suppose it might not surprise you at all!”

“Kalmar should hear what has happened in his absence so that the transition is smooth.” Nia turned to the spot where he had been standing a moment ago. “Janner? Do you know where Kalmar went?” 

Janner glanced around fervently and then spotted him. Kalmar was running toward the castle.