Journey of Hope-Chapter 11

Notes:

• I had so much fun writing this chapter. 🙂

• Last chapter before I let you know what I think about Janner.

• Please pick it to pieces. I want to fix any canon errors I made.

• Oh, and yes, I definitely did take inspiration for this from The Jewels Rise Again.

Chapter 11 In the Maker’s Country

Janner stayed embracing his father for a long time. Every second he spent with Esben started to fill up the hole in his heart that was made by Esben’s absence and then his death. He was finally with the father he had dreamed of, strong, young and whole. Esben laughed and Janner looked up at him, memorizing every detail of his loving face.

“I’m so glad to have you again, Janner,” Esben said. He spoke the name Janner with a special tenderness.

“I saw what you did,” Esben continued. “You were magnificent. I am so proud of you. I love you” Janner had longed to hear those very words, ‘I am so proud of you’ and ‘I love you’ for years. His mother and his grandfather had said it to him, but he longed to hear it from his father. Janner buried his face in his father’s chest again and hugged him with all his might.

“I love you too. I missed you.” Janner said.

“I missed you too. Now we’re together. Let’s enjoy that.”

“Is Grampa here?”

“He is, and so are your Grandma Wendolyn, Rudric, and even Nugget,” Esben said with a laugh at Janner’s astonished face.

“You will see them,” Esben continued, “but for now I want my son all to myself,” he said with another tight hug. Janner laughed as Esben stood up, taking Janner by the hand.

“Come,” he said. Janner gladly followed. Esben took Janner running through the fields and exploring the rolling hillsides. They ran and laughed and talked and hugged. Janner told his father all about their adventures and about how their family was doing, Artham, Kal, Nia, Leeli, and even Oskar. Esben laughed when he was told of Oskar, and his face brightened with joy when he heard of Nia. He looked lovingly at Janner when he was told of Kal and Leeli, and he grew thoughtful when Janner talked about Artham. Esben told Janner funny, loving, joyful stories of life in Rysen before the fall.

“Once, you even buried Tink up to his neck in your Mama’s garden because you thought it would help him grow faster, like Nia’s plants.” Esben bent down and put his hands on his knees as he and Janner shook with laughter. His time with Esben was another of the brightest spots in his life that Janner could later remember. They were sitting on a beautifully carved marble bench near the wide, peaceful river as they talked and laughed, when Esben stood up, reaching out his hand for Janner’s.

“I’ve been saving the best for last,” he said, “but I just can’t wait any longer. You will love this. Come with me.” Janner laughed again as he stood up and grasped his father’s hand tightly. Esben and Janner ran through the sunlit fields. Janner didn’t wonder where Esben was taking him because his heart was overflowing with joy just to be in his father’s presence, just to hear his voice and his laughter, just to be holding his strong, warm hand. Janner’s heart quickened when he realized that they were headed to the wide, deep, ocean-like river. He looked up at Esben questioningly, but Esben just laughed and winked. They skirted a stand of trees that grew alongside the river.

“It’s just around the corner,” Esben said, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. Janner grinned as he looked at his father’s mischievous expression.

“Alright, close your eyes now,” Janner obeyed and let Esben lead him by the hand. He heard the grass rustling under his boots, and felt the wind from the water wash over him as they passed the trees.

“Open!” Esben cried joyfully. Janner gasped when he opened his eyes. They stood by the river next to a wooden dock. The river was so wide Janner almost thought it was part of an ocean. Tied to the dock, bobbing gently on the waves was a beautiful boat, just the right size for two people. Esben laughed again when he saw Janner’s face.

“Can we…” Janner started to ask.

“Absolutely!” Esben took Janner running across the final few feet of soft grass and thumping across the wooden dock. They ran up the gangplank and Esben began instructing Janner on how to raise the anchor and raise the boat’s two sails. Janner’s heart was pounding in excitement from the moment he had stepped on deck. He relished the gentle movement of the boat and the breeze blowing off the water.

“Janner, come over here,” Esben said. They had been sailing for only a few moments before Esben called out. Janner walked over to where his father held the wheel. Esben took his son’s hands in his own and placed them firmly yet gently on the wheel. Janner’s heart thrilled as he felt the smooth, worn wood underneath his palms and his father’s warmth behind him.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to teach you to sail,” Esben said. He stepped back from Janner, leaving him alone at the wheel.

“Wait, uh, where are we trying to go?” Janner asked, remembering his previous experience on the Enramere.

“Nowhere and everywhere. Steer us around to your heart’s content. Get a feel for the wheel. Don’t worry, I don’t get seasick.” Janner laughed at this little joke, and at first only made a few uncertain turns. Esben watched from behind with love in his eyes. Just as Janner got to be more daring, a stiff wind started up, sending big waves toward the little boat. The sky had only a few wispy clouds in it, not enough for a storm, but Janner knew these things could grow pretty quickly. He once again realized that even if he tried, he couldn’t feel anxious or afraid, so he just turned around and looked at his father questioningly. Esben laughed and said,

“Don’t worry, Janner. We don’t get dangerous storms here. Just enough of a gale to make sailing interesting.” Esben grinned like he had done this many times and loved it. He came up behind Janner and placed his firm, big hands over Janner’s on the wheel.

“Enjoy the wind, enjoy the waves. This will be fun,” Esben told his son. Janner laughed a little uncertainly, but after a while, he was steering them directly toward the largest waves, laughing and shouting when they sent spray up onto the small boat. They both got wet and happy. The sun, still shining through the wind, dried their clothes and hair quickly. The gale seemed to last a happy eternity to Janner. He was sailing a wild, open sea with his father by his side. It was his oldest, deepest dream fulfilled. When the wind died down, it felt to Janner like it had only lasted a few minutes.The sun got low in the sky, painting the heavens with rosy colors of sunset. But it never got lower than a certain point. It never gave way to the darkness of night.

“You can let us drift now,” Esben said, as he turned and opened a door on the floor of the small aft deck. Janner started to follow, but as Esben descended into the hold, he said,

“Just wait up there, I’ll only be a few moments.” Janner waited, rejoicing at the feel of the breeze in his hair and the spray on his face. Esben came back up with a large wicker basket in his hand.

“Supper!” He announced. He and Janner sat down on the deck and gave thanks to the Maker for their simple meal. The food was the best Janner had ever tasted. It was like the food in Aerwiar, but once again so much more and better.

“The only thing I know that comes even close to the food here,” Esben said, “is your Mama’s cooking.” They talked some more and laughed, then watched in a happy silence as the sunlight glanced off the waves. Janner leaned his head against Esben’s shoulder trustingly, and Esben put his arm around Janner. As golden light washed over the Maker’s land, father and son sat together on the bobbing boat, hearts full to overflowing with contentment and joy and love.