Chapter 2: Rough Seas, and Strange Greetings- Found Home

A Story by Ilerah

Dwenlin finally feels at home, even though he has many questions.

“Oh, well then, how did you know that much about me? Has this happened before?” said Dwenlin, in a curious, yet an almost demanding tone, but did not appear rude.

Mareth sat down in the nearest chair, which was parked beside the table, “This has happened multiple times, they let them out with apologies. The prisoners are happy, start a life within a small town. Then a few months, to a few years later theden come and take them away, saying they made a crime to the King, and they execute them at the castle.”

Dwenlin looked at her in shock, “Wait what!? Are you saying that they are that evil to make you think you have freedom, and then kill you? What do they gain from it?

Bandes walked closer towards Dwen, “They gain the peoples trust, and there are those who think that they are good people just because of this. They make it seem like it was an accident the first time they imprisoned you, and let you go. That seems nice, and then later get rid of you because you committed a crime, while the whole time it’s all lies. In doing this they make people believe they are good, and it works.”

Dwenlin slumped down on the ground, his back against the wall near the door. He looked at his hands, and his knees, and threw his head in them. He sat like that for some time, and then stood up.

“Is there some place I can shave, and cut my hair?”

“In that back room to the right, I’ll put your stuff in the room beside it, you will have to share it with my son,” said Bandes.

“Ok, I’m fine with sharing.”

Dwenlin walked over to the back room, inside was a simple bathroom, with a sink, cupboard and a mirror. He assumed that there was an outhouse out back, since there were only those three things. He had previously grabbed his smaller bag, which had his razor, and his knife. With those he shaved and cut his hair easily. He beard was not too long, seeing that he was only nineteen years of age.

Dwenlin left the small bathroom, and then turned right to enter his new bedroom. Already there was a mat laid on the floor, across the room of the small bed. Dwenlin walked into the room, the little boy playing with some wooden toys on the floor.

“So, I never got to ask your name yet,” said Dwenlin to the little boy.

The boy stood up, his shoulder length brown hair covering part of his face, until he moved it out of the way. He had a very young face, yet he looked as if he knew much from his father. The boy walked over to Dwenlin, this time he had a serious face instead of an ear to ear smile.

“My name is Amedaith of course,” said the little boy, trying to act serious, but still he smiled and started to laugh.

Dwenlin smiled at him still standing near the door, “I guess I’m going to be your brother for a little while eh? I have to share a room with you is that ok?”

Amedaith looked up at Dwen, “Well… yes it is, but you have to get your own toys to play with, oh and by the way, I’m six years old.”

Dwenlin smiled again and moved into the room, small for two, just as big as his room at home. The room had a few shelves along the walls, in height with the small boy. It also had a closet along the wall with the door, enough for a dresser and some more shelves. A chest, most likely containing toys, was at the back of the bed, which was against the far wall to the right. His mat was across the room, in front of the door, on the left wall.

Dwenlin walked into the small room noticing his bags neatly by his mat. The boy went back to his toys near his bed, Dwenlin just stood in the room, looking out the window, which was on the far wall. He noticed that it was slowly getting darker, and then realized that he was hungry.

As if she could read his mind Mareth walked into the room, “Boys, its dinner time, hope you’re ok with some soup Dwen.”

“Hum yes that’s ok, anything is really,” replied Dwenlin.

Dwenlin and Amedaith left the room, walking behind Mareth to the kitchen, then turning left after going past the kitchen counter, came to a nice table. Dwenlin assumed that most of the wood work was made by the man of the house, being a lumber jack he most likely new how to make things from the trees he felled.

The family had a normal dinner with their new member, talking of making Dwenlin a bed the next day, and of course making introductions to the small town. Dwenlin enjoyed the family, and Mareths cooking, so after dinner he helped clean up, and then without complaints went to bed at the same time as Amedaith, since he was tired after all.

Even though Dwenlin went into bed at the same time as his newly found brother, he sat awake processing what the family had said. Were theden that bad, were they truly evil? He had all these questions, even though he knew most of the answers, he didn’t want to believe them at all.

Eventually Dwenlin fell asleep, peaceful at last.