Toad Liver Soup. Part 4

Artham was feeling much better now. It had been a month since he broke his arm saving Esben from the tree branch, and his mom finally let him go outside.

Artham was laying on the emerald green grass in the Garden around Castle Rysen. He was listening to the birds sing, and felt the cool breeze against his skin. He sighed with contentment.

"Yay Arth." Esben flopped down next to him. "How are you doing?"

Artham snickered. Esben asked the same question every time he saw him. Even if he left the room for a minute, then came back.

"I fine Es. You don't have to keep asking."

Esben blushed. "Sorry, I got into a habit."

"It's okay." Artham sat up and put his arm back in his sling. "Do you want to go look for frogs?"

Esben brightened up. "Sure!"

The two boys walked off in the direction of the river. Artham watched Esben as he looked under every rock. The sun was warm, and it reflected off the water.

"Artham!!!!" Esben shouted.

Artham's head snapped in his direction, his eyes scanning his little brother.

Esben grinned and held up a bug toad. "I found a toad!"

Artham laughed and walked over to him. "What are you going to do with him?"

"Do you think Mom will let me cook him?" Esben asked, looking at Artham hopefully.

Artham made a disgusted face. "Why is Aerwiar would you want to eat a toad?"

"I don't want me to eat it. I want you to eat it."

Arthams mouth dropped open. "What?!"

"Mr. Bonifer told me that Toad Liver Soup is good for broken bones." He looked so innocent.

Artham held back a laugh. "I don't think Toad Liver Soup could cure me any more then a swarm of bees." He stood and ruffled Esbens hair.

"Come on Es. Did you find enough frogs?"

Esben stuffed the toad in his pocket. Artham grimaced.

"Okay, I'm ready." Esben grabbed Arthams other hand as they walked slowly back to the castle.

They were silent, both pondering completely different thing. Artham was trying to figure out one of the tails form the book Bonifer had given to him, and Esben was trying to think of a way to get Artham to eat the Toad.

"Arth?"

"Yeah?"

"How long until our trip to the Green Hollows?" Esben asked.

Artham thought a moment. "About three months. Are you exited for it?"

Esben nodded. "Do you think you'll be better by then?"

"Yeah. I bet I'll be better and stronger then ever. Is there anything you are looking forward to?"

"Yeah. Last time, I met a girl there. I forgot her first name, but her last name is Helmer. I would like to see her again."

"Maybe if you like somebody, you should learn her name first." Artham teased.

Esben punched his arm.

Artham laughed.

"I knew her name, I just forgot it."

"Ha, I hope you see her again." Artham chuckled to himself. **************************************************

When they got back to the castle, Esben ran off and Artham went looking for Arundelle. He found her in the kitchen with his mom.

"Hey hun." Nala said. (I mixed up the family tree in the back of TMITH)

"Hey mum." He walked over to Arundelle and looked at what she was doing. His eyes widened. The toad Esben had found was now armless and legless, with it's head chopped off and the liver removed.

"What. Are. You. Doing to that thing?" Artham was horrified.

Nala grinned at him. "Bonifer gave me a recipe for Toad Liver Soup, and Esben kindly brought me a Toad." She had a mischievous gleam in her eye.

Artham's stomach turned and he took several steps back. "Please tell me your not going to make me eat that?"

Arundelle and his mother said nothing.

"Aru?" He looked with pleading eyes towards Arundelle. She looked at him sympathetically.

"It's worth a try Artham. I bet it won't be to bad."

"It's a toad." Artham said bluntly. "It eats bugs!"

"Not anymore!" His mother said. She threw the toads liver in the pot, along with it's appendages.

Artham just stared horrified at the pot. "I kinda wish that tree had killed me." He said.

Nala and Arundelle laughed.

"What is cooking in here?" Jru, Arthams Father, asked as he strode into the room. He kissed his wife on the cheek and looked into the pot.

He snorted, then looked at Artham. "Your mother has been talking to Bonifer."

Artham groaned and put his head in his hands. "I do not want to eat a toad."

Jru patted him on the back. "It's okay son. It's only one meal, and Toad Liver Soup isn't to disgusting."

"You are not helping his suffering by teasing him Jru." Nala said waving her spoon at him.

He laughed. "Don't worry Artham, it really isn't as bad as you would think. I had it plenty of times when I was a lad." He walked out of the kitchen, still laughing.

**********************************

That night, the cook made Hog Pig and Totatoe soup, but Artham had to eat Toad Liver Soup. He almost didn't make it. It was the worst thing he had ever put in his mouth. Esben decided to sit next to his mom instead of him this time. Probably because he feared Artham might do, something.

After dinner Artham wend to his room and flopped on his bed. He vowed then and there never to brake a bone again as long as he lived.

Four the next few hours Artham read a book about the Woes of Shreive ( I have know Idea how do spell that). It was a good book, but kinda grewsome at times.

There was a knock on his door.

"Come in!" Artham called.

Esben poked his head in, looking wary. "Artham?"

Artham sat up on his bed. "Come in Es."

Esben walked all the way into the room, closed the door and hopped onto Arthams bed. He looekd at Artham.

"Are you mad at me?"

Artham's brows furrowed. "No. Why would I be?"

"I made you eat a frog!"

Artham laughed. "It wasn't to bad Es."

"You nearly threw up!"

"Okay, it was gross. But maybe it will help my bones?"

"That makes you sound old." Esben noted.

Artham chuckled. "Yeah I guess it does. Look, eating a frog definantly isn't something I want to do again. But it is no reason to be mad."

"Really?" Esben asked.

Artham nodded very seriously. Then poked Esbens side. Esben giggled.

"Sit down next to me Es. I am going to read to you from my book."

Esben nestled up to Artham as he read by the candle light.

HA HA! I FINISHED THIS PART!!!