See the Dawn Again
Prologue
From the high mountains came a great gust of wind, sweeping down into the valley below. A small gust broke off from the larger host and journeyed down, down, down, until it reached a poor, solitary, old house by the riverside. It promptly blew through the house, pushing with all its might against the wooden doorway. Finally, after much effort, the door ceded to the little wind and flew open. The wind continued its journey, rattling the pots of rice and beans, and blowing over the little nose of a girl, not older than two and ten, waking her with a profound bravado. The wind continued blowing, to a bunk of two boys, both twins, blowing the covers off them and creating a fury among them. Now, happy with the progress of the day, the wind promptly slowed down and went back the way it came, whistling happily.
The family it awoke in its wake started the tasks of the day. The mother, nearly five and forty, who was sick with some pox or unknown disease, nevertheless gave directions to the two older boys.
"Eustace, make your mother a cup of herbal tea, from the ones you got while you were in the forest yesterday." Eustace grinned slightly, knowing his intentions in the forest yesterday had nothing to do with an herb, but with the pretty girl from the next village. He ran out the door as quick as possible to fulfill his mother's request, as the old woman groaned about his nocturnal adventures.
"Aren, go wake your younger brother if he isn't already up. The fool boy most likely played with that new wooden sword most of the night." Aren, ever the dutiful son, followed her instructions.
"Nymeria, prepare breakfast for the boys. The gods know they couldn't do much without your help." She smiled at her only daughter as she got out of bed.
"Mother, why does Arien get a wooden sword. He can't use it very well at all." Nymeria asked her mother. "You aren't getting a wooden sword, little one. Arien needs it to practice. He will make a great knight, perhaps even serve in the Kingsguard one day, if the gods be good." her mother answered, hoping beyond hope that her word prove prophetic.
"He should have become a squire by now then, right mother? In the Dance of the Dragons there were many squires younger than he is."
Her mother sighed heavily. She had never learned to read well, yet her husband was quite a brilliant man, knowledgeable in both reading and writing, and could plow a field better than the best. But alas, he was gone, lost to them only a decade ago. That is what she had come to accept, though a place was reserved in her heart that hoped he was still alive, somewhere.
Both Nymeria and Edmund were summer children, and her eldest sons, the twin brothers Eustace and Aren acted like a child of summer. They will grow. And understand. She calmed herself with such thoughts.
"Nymeria, the gods will guide all of us, if only we pray to them. Now, continue with that breakfast. Eustace should be back soon with my herbs." The mother sat back, watching as her favorite daughter did as she was asked.