Storm Trials: Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX: THE HIGH KING

Esben now found himself pacing helplessly in the throne room. He hated this age-old tradition for the King to be away from his wife when she was going through one of the most painful experiences a person could go through. It made him slightly upset that all kings had done this, and so his face began to take on an angrier look, and Artham noticed.

“Es, please, try to relax, brother. Nia is a strong woman; I know things will turn out all right. They did with Janner didn’t they?”

Esben sighed and looked at his dirty blonde boy from across the room. “Maybe, but, this pregnancy has been a lot harder on her than I thought it would be.”

Artham said nothing, just watched his brother.

“I remember when mama was pregnant with Emerald, that was a pretty hard pregnancy. Dad was worried, just like you are. I remember perfectly. But, when Em was born, my, our parents, had never been happier. Just like you will never be happier when this baby is born.”

Artham smiled, a broad, warm smile, that made Esben feel a lot better. Though Es did notice the tears welled in the corners of Artham’s eyes. He knew that the story Artham had just told was a very emotional one.

Podo looked a bit grouchy in the corner. “Tell what stories ya want, Artham, but yer ma weren’t related to me baby girl. So it amounts up to nothing.”

Esben looked nervous, as he looked at his brother’s angry face. “It might offer some comfort to her son, though,” Artham said. Podo looked shocked.

Artham said nothing else, just went back to looking at his book.

The baby had been born, and, although Nia was exhausted, both her and the new High King were fine. Esben and Nia had planned out the names more thoroughly this time, and they already decided on Kalmer Faulkner Wingfeather.

The whole household was filled with gladness. And in the room where the baby was, young Janner was fascinated with his new baby brother.

The boy’s chunky toddler hand was gently placed upon the baby’s cheek, and, for the first time since the baby had been born, he opened his eyes and locked them with his brother.

Artham laughed joyously when he saw that. “Those brothers are going to be strong as an iron rope!”

Esben made a gesture with his head for Artham to see the baby, but Podo cut him off.

“Ah! Let me see that grandson o’ mine! Missed the first one’s birth, can’t miss an opportunity to hold the second.”

In moments, young Kalmar was placed in Podo’s arms, and a flare of anger burst in Artham’s chest. It made him upset that the grandfather, who did not have as much claim to the children, was able to hold him first. It made him mad.

As time went on, Wendy held him, Ari held him, Arthra held him. But every time Esben would offer him to Artham, Podo would cut him off.

Artham now looked at Podo with a deep sadness in his eyes, and Nia noticed it. All in a moment, Artham didn’t look like the bold Throne Warden…he looked like a hurt little boy.

Some sadness with Podo and Artham, and some fluff! Again, I chose the middle name of Faulkner for Kal, bc his actor's name is Griffin Robert Faulkner (well, at least, his OG actor)

Let me know if anything seems weird or wonky! I hope you liked it!