Chapter 4: Don't Stop Believing

Midnight Train to Bruhl

November 1, 1935

Welkin plopped down into his seat just as the train whistle blew. What a day it had been! Heartfelt goodbyes all around, a last look around the Fort, the surprise that he was to be knighted…all of that seemed to melt away with the knowledge that he was finally alone with Alicia. As she sat down right next to him he immediately held her hand.

"This is it! We're headed home," Welkin told her. She smiled and nodded at him, grasping his hand and laying her head on his shoulder.

"Oh…I'm so tired…"

"Seems pretty unlike Alicia the distance runner to tire out like that."

"Now that it's all over I'd just like to take a big nap."

Welkin brushed aside the stray hairs that were falling into her face, kissing her softly on the forehead. He could never figure out what it was about her that captivated his heart the most: Was it the faintly sweet, earthy smell of her hair? Her soft, healthy skin? The unusual way she seemed to smile at the oddest times?

Alicia broke his little reverie. "Welkin…where are we staying once we get to Bruhl?"

Welkin shifted a bit in his seat. "Well, I was hoping you could stay at my place. If you really want, I'll get you settled back at the bakery."

"Hee hee. You know, I used to be so used to sleeping next to an oven I couldn't sleep without it warming me. Even in the summer. Now that I'm used to sleeping without one I don't know what I'll do."

"Sleeping next to the ovens! Doesn't that get a little cramped?"

"It's really not that bad. For an apprentice like me it's really quite good. Some of the people in the other squads told me that they had to sleep in the stables."

Welkin was softly stroking Alicia's hand. "So…you're going back to the bakery then?"

"Oh, no. I'll stay with you. I'll go back to the bakery next spring. We already talked about that, remember?"

They had indeed. Welkin was going to go back to Randgriz University to finish his final semester. It would be best for Alicia too: She had a baking certification exam to take in the spring, and there was some catch up to do. Until then, though, they figured that they deserved some time to adjust to peacetime together.

"I hope Martha didn't leave Salix alone at home," Alicia said. "It wouldn't be good for him."

"No, Martha has more sense than that. Her husband will be there."

A bit of silence reigned. Welkin, thinking that Alicia had dozed off, was about to catch a nap himself when she spoke up.

"Welkin…do you ever get this feeling that life is going to be rolling along really quickly once we get back?"

"I guess. Life is constantly at work…working to eat, working to build itself a home, working to survive. But hey, that's what makes it interesting, right?"

"Yeah…I mean, it all seemed so simple before and during the war. We followed orders and instructions. We weren't 'war heroes.' Now we're going to be out and about doing this and that. Remember all that mail you got from all those Bruhl organizations pestering you to speak at their events?"

"I never even knew half of them existed, to be honest. But I can see why they would look for us. They want someone to lead them on to rebuild Bruhl. I mean, just think of the mill. How long might that take us to build up again?"

Welkin passed Alicia his left hand, while he embraced her with his right.

"Then again, why would I need to worry? I've got you as second-in-command."

Alicia laid her head down in his lap. "Sometimes I just wish people would leave us some room. All I want to do is be alone with you."

It was at that point that Welkin had the first germ of an idea in his head…images of a night in a cottage floated into his mind. He kept the thought in his head.

"We'll find a place. I know we will."

The train lurched a little as it neared Bruhl Station. Despite the rather late hour, the station had quite a few people waiting for their returning loved ones. As they stepped off the train, Welkin and Alicia finally felt like civilians again. A few people gazed at the two as they exited the train, recognizing them, but they were courteous. They knew better than to give unneeded attention towards their fellow Bruhlers. Martha's husband, Elder Lipponen was already there, waving to them. Standing next to him was a familiar old woman, also waving them over.

"Ms. Patisse!"

"Alicia dear! I'm so happy to see you again!" The woman embraced her former apprentice. "Look how much you've grown. I remember when you were only a girl of sixteen coming in."

"Aww…I was only gone for seven months."

"Only seven months! And from what I hear you're to be wed to General Belgen's son over here! You live quite the charmed life, Alicia dear."

Alicia blushed furiously and changed the subject as quickly as she could. "How's the bakery?"

"Well, I closed up the bakery temporarily, but the ovens haven't even stopped a day since you liberated the town. I ended up baking for the bread line…a feat in itself! If it wasn't for Elder managing to sneak flour past the blockade to us, I don't know what we would have done."

Elder nodded. "It was my duty, after all…but those days have passed. I'm glad to see you, Welkin. Martha and the little ones are at the house. You should have seen her fussing over the house, making sure it was ready!"

"Well, that's Martha for you. And little Salix?"

They were walking out the station to Elder's dogcart outside.

"He's growing just like the willow in the center of town. I've never seen a sapling grow quite that fast before."

"Alicia dear, will you be coming to the bakery?" Ms. Patisse asked as Welkin and Elder helped her into the dogcart.

"I'll be coming in the mornings…but I won't be coming back to live in the bakery until the start of next year," Alicia replied as Welkin took a seat right next to her. She squeezed his hand comfortingly.

Ms. Patisse looked at Welkin with a kindly smile. "Ah, I see. Take care of her, will you, Welkin?"

"Of course, Ms. Patisse."

"Your father Belgen was quite the gentleman…I expect that you've carried that part from him!"

They dropped off Ms. Patisse first at the bakery where her home was, to Welkin and Alicia's relief.

"I forgot to tell you that about Ms. Patisse…she's the nicest woman to work and learn from, but you know how those old ladies can be sometimes."

"It's all right. I know. Ms. Patisse is my grandaunt."

Alicia looked at him. Welkin could feel the surprise, even if he couldn't see it all so clearly in the dark.

"She was my grandfather's sister when she was Miss Diane Alkins. From my mother's side, you know…I guess that's why we knew each other but not that well. My dad loved her bread but only went in person when he absolutely had to, of course."

"Every cloud has its silver lining, I guess." Alicia laughed softly. "And you should tell me these things more often!"

The ride to the Gunther house outside of town took place in relative silence, as Welkin and Alicia held hands and looked at the waxing moon above. Martha was waiting outside the door for them. They walked quietly through the house to Welkin's room. It was a relatively spacious room, with a desk and bookcases full of nature books and journals, of course.

"Ahh…it feels so good to be at home again. My own bed here…although I can't remember ever seeing it this clean."

Alicia sat down on the bed. It was big enough for the two of them to comfortably sleep in, and comfier than she had ever slept in.

"If you'd like to take a bath, the bathroom is just a right and then a left. I can help you unpack."

"You go first, dear. I'll take care of it."

"Okay. If you've got a lot of stuff to keep and my cabinet isn't big enough, you can keep it in Isara's old room next door."

He kissed her, and taking a towel and some night clothes went to take a bath. Alicia set to unpacking, first taking care of her husband's clothes. The cabinet was a bit lacking in space…and she wanted to see Isara's room as well.

It was a room quite similar to Welkin's, except perhaps a bit smaller. She thought that it might have been a guest bedroom when it was first constructed. A large blackboard covered up the half of one wall. Although it was blank, all of Isara's writing long erased, she could see that the only chalk pieces there were worn down to little nubs. Above her bed hung a large Darcsen banner with the symbols of her clan.

To think that in the peace of the past Isara had been here was something truly overwhelming. Although the house was large and had not regained that "lived-in" feel yet, there was something warm and beautiful about it that made her think: Perhaps I really can call this home.

Welkin walked into the room with a sigh.

"Times change so quickly. One night I'm wishing Isara a good night here, then all of a sudden this room is empty. I just hope that one day this room is going to be a place of rest for someone again."

"I hope so too," Alicia replied quietly.

She took a quick, hot bath, enjoying the feel of living cleanly again. She walked into Welkin's bedroom in a long nightgown, getting into the covers next to him.

"I could get used to this."

"What?"

"A comfy bed like this. Even if I don't have an oven next to me."

Welkin got the hint, coming close to her and embracing her under the covers. She felt so soft in his arms, so soft that he never wanted to let go. He could feel her body quivering ever so slightly under his touch and feel the slow, steady rhythm of her breathing.

"I love you, Alicia."

Alicia shifted a bit to make herself a little more snug in Welkin's arms.

"I love you, Welkin."

Their bodies touched, but there was not the stir to possess or to give alike. There was only the exchange of warmth and the feeling of a long day's work drifting into dreams. There would come the night to know in every way, but for the moment there was only the desire to keep on loving, keep on believing.

In a way, this story is a rebellion against the grand epics of war and conflict that manifest themselves on this section. Not that they are not brilliant, enjoyable to read, or intriguing, but sometimes, we just have to remember: The good fight is to fight for the preservation of peace. That is the true triumph of Welkin and Alicia's story. Not to mention that this section is rather lacking in the romance department, which is a bit alien to me, seeing that my roots are from a romance-heavy category.