Chapter Two: Bliss

The next morning dawned clear and cold. I looked out the window next to my bed and saw that the leaves had begun to turn. Reds, yellows, and oranges now blended vibrantly with the greens of Summer.

"About time the leaves started turning,"I muttered to no one in particular.

It was the last week of Twirleaf, and all of us hoped that the long Summer promised a Winter just as mild. I dressed in a leisurely manner, content to enjoy a quiet morning. The night before, the four of us had agreed to meet on the East balcony for breakfast.

When I arrived, I found the girls waiting for me, sipping their morning coffee and chatting excitedly back and forth.

"There you are Martin," Rhiamons greeted me as she dropped three sugar cubes into my tea. "We were wondering when you'd turn up."

I nodded my thanks as she handed the mug of piping hot liquid.

"How long have you both been up? It's only seven-thirty. I'd expected to beat the pair of you."

Einan giggled.

"We're not children anymore Da, so we hardly ever sleep in."

I smiled to myself, for that was a fib, and Einan knew it.

"And anyway," she continued, "you're getting older. Perhaps you ought to slow down a bit."

The three of us burst into uncontrollable laughter as I made great show of chasing Einan indignantly 'round the balcony, being sure to stoop and limp as I went. After the hysterics calmed down, I noticed that Rheneas had yet to appear.

"I say, Rhiamon, where is that brother of yours?"

"I suppose the invalid has slept in," she remarked lightly. Then, more gently, she murmured, "he looked exhausted at supper last night."

Her face fell, and I did my best to cheer her up.

"I'm sure he'll be alright m'dear. The healers say he's in the home stretch now. He'll be on his feet again any day now, you wait and see. Why don't you and Einan start breakfast while I go and check on him?"

Rhiamon smiled gratefully, and Einan blew me a kiss as I strolled inside. Rheneas was sitting on the side of his bed as his faithful faun-servant, Vlis, helped him with his shirt.

"Glad to see you're awake old man. The girls were worried about you. I'll just send for the stretcher, shall I?"

Rheneas shook his head.

"Between you and Vlis, I should be able to walk."

I wanted to protest, but I knew how it felt to be stuck in bed for days on end, unable to help oneself. I stepped over and looped one arm over my shoulder, while Vlis got the other. A slight outtake of breath, and Rheneas was standing.

"Are you alright?"

"I think I can manage."

It took us twenty minutes to make a five-minute journey, but we made it to the balcony. As we eased Rheneas into his chair, the girls began scolding.

"We were just about to come and see what was taking you so long," Einan grumbled.

"I might have known it was something like this. You'll never get well if you overtax yourself!" Rhiamon chided.

I stood back watching, Vlis having made a discreet departure as soon as the girls started their half-cheerful, half-worried bombardment. After two minutes constant scolding, Rheneas could take it no longer. He asked quietly,

"How am I to recover if I never use my limbs?"

The girls' mouths closed in tandem.

"Now, will someone pass me some toast before I faint from hunger?"

Einan handed him the requested item, and a jar of jam as Rhiamon poured her brother a cup of coffee. He accepted both gratefully, and apologised for interrupting them so brusquely. All of them laughed and resumed a less heated conversation.

I smiled as I returned to my chair and tucked my napkin into my collar. I'd never seen the inseparable childhood trio happier.

"Things are finally on the mend."