Chapter 10

Taking Max's words to heart Will had made sure that they didn't ride too far each day and had a roof over their heads each night. But the journey back to the University did provide Will with a number of revelations. Max had been wrong about Jake's talking in his sleep, it had continued, and become the background to each nights sleep - so he had been right about Will getting used to it. But the biggest revelation, by far, was Jake when he was drunk. He lost his inhibitions, became more social and outgoing. At first Will had found it amusing, to see the quiet, unassuming brother he had been getting to know again making drunken vows of undying love to the woman who served them. They, in their turn, were used to such words and laughed them off, and even helped to get their "suitor" to bed. That was until Jake chose the wrong woman and her husband, at her side, did not find his words amusing. Will intervened.

"Forgive him. He can't handle his ale! See it as a compliment; you do have a very beautiful wife. Who I am sure would never dream of looking at another man."

He dragged Jake off to their room before the man could read anything into what he had said.

"Jake, you can't do that!" Will was close to laughing.

"Why not?"

"Because, my little brother…" Will was suddenly very serious, "there can be repercussions…"

"Oh, I won't do it again." And with that Jake, suddenly overbalanced and sat down on his bed.

The seriousness of his brother's words combined with the fact that he was quite clearly drunk made Will laugh out loud. He came and sat by his brother and put his arm around him.

"Jacob Grimm, what I am going to do with you?"

"You'll work something out, you are my big brother," Jake leant his head against Will's shoulder and went to sleep.

Will put Jake to bed and then sat and stared at him. Could he really look after his brother, protect him? Was he asking too much of himself? He was used to being on his own, doing what he wanted when he wanted. But now he would also have to consider Jake. His past discretions had already nearly cost Jake his life. Jake had reawakened memories of their past, before their sisters death, which were good, but were they enough to keep them together? Or would their differences drive them apart again? He would stay with Jake as far as the University, where he would be safe again. Beyond that, he wasn't sure. He would sleep on it and make a decision in the morning.

--

"I was more than a little drunk last night, and if I said anything that I shouldn't I can only offer my sincere apologies."

"It was nothing that I hadn't heard before and I took no notice of it, even from one as handsome as you, Herr Grimm," replied the serving girl "But I think that Herr Klein might have other ideas – his wife is not THAT beautiful."

"Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. Although I must admit my brother's eyesight was not that good last night, with or without his glasses!"

The girl laughed, "The other Herr Grimm! Good morning to you sir. Please sit and will bring you breakfast.

They sat a nearby table and the girl returned with their meal. As they ate Jake told Will about his life at the University.

"We should have you back there by the end of today," said Will.

"I know. I'll be glad to be back again."

"And you won't need me around anymore, will you?"

"Oh, I thought that you might be able to find some work there. In Arnsberg you seemed to be able to turn your hand to just about everything."

"It will depend on what I can find. But whatever happens we'll stay in touch, so you won't be completely rid of me."

"If you think that would be best, Will."

Will had been thinking and maybe a longer distance relationship with Jake would be better. With Jake based at the University he would always know where he was and he could have more of the life he was used to, coming and going from Jake's life as he wished. And if their relationship got better then he could consider something more permanent in Kassel. He needed to see what Jake's reaction to this would be, and from what he had said he had no opposition to it. So he could now leave Jake without any feelings of guilt. He might even go back to Arnsberg.

"That's it sorted out then. We'll get you settled down again and then I can go and see what's out there."

Jake did not reply. The finished their meal, paid the bill and were soon on their way. They had no problems with the rest of the journey and the sun was setting as Jake directed them to the stables owned by the University.

"Herr Grimm! It is a pleasure to see you return, Sir," Jake was greeted by the stable boy.

"Good to see you to, Joseph. Have I missed much?"

"Lots Professor, but you are sure to find out in due time!" Will turned to see a man walking into the stables.

"Franz!" Will watched as his brother approached the man, greeted him warmly and spent the next few minutes talking together. But then Jake turned back to his brother and the horses. "Franz, may I introduce to my brother, Will."

"So you are the mysterious brother, then. We were all beginning to believe that he had made you up!"

"I'm pleased to meet you, Franz. Professor?"

"Just a nickname. We all thought that Jake was on his way to being the University's youngest ever professor. His decision to leave came as quite a shock," the man came forward and they shook hands. "He was away a lot longer than he originally planned and there was a rumour that he was sick, is it true?"

"Franz, I'm stood over here! Yes, I have been ill, but thanks to Will I'm better…and back."

"That's all right, my friend. I was just wondering what the chances of getting your room were?"

"Very funny! The answer is not a chance! Joseph, would take care of Pepper and my brother's horse and tell him I will be down to see him in the morning."

"Very good, sir. He will be in his usual stall." They watched as the boy led the horses away.

"Will, I think you should come and see this room that Franz coverts so much, and Franz, I will see you later."

"Usual place?"

"Of course."

The three of them left the stables, Jake leading the way. They walked across the square, Will and Franz regarding each other. Will had the feeling that Franz would be having a chat with him later, but he was ready for that. He hadn't been the best brother in the world, he knew that, and he wasn't sure that he was going to be again in the future. But, for the present, at least, he was going to be there until Jake was settled back into his life here and he felt it was safe to leave him. With a wave Franz took the road that led out of the square whilst Jake led him to the left, following a path that snaked through the buildings.

"Herr Grimm, it is good to see you again. I was beginning to wonder if you were ever coming back and that we were paying you for nothing."

"Herr Wallem, I was going to come and see you after I had put our things in my room. I was unfortunately delayed in my travels, as you know from my letter…"

"Ah, yes, Herr Grimm. Your "accident", you weren't very specific about the details. This I assume is the brother you mentioned in your letter?" He indicated Will.

"Yes, Herr Wallem. Wilhelm Grimm, a pleasure to meet you."

"Yes, yes. Well, Herr Grimm I need to see you in my office at your earliest convenience to discuss your work here…"

"What about my work here, Herr Wallem?"

"…that is a matter to be discussed in private." With that he walked off.

"Jake, I don't think he likes you very much. Who is he?"

"The head of my Department. I really should go and see him soon, it must be important."

"But first I think we should get you settled in to your room. We have been travelling all day and I don't know about you, but I feeling tired."

"And you think that I need to rest after the journey?"

"As the responsible older brother it is my duty to take appropriate care of you, and you wouldn't want anyone you write to thinking I am slacking in my duties, would you? Now show me where this room of yours is."

Jake smiled and led Will to his old room, located in the one of the buildings owned by the University. News of their arrival must have spread, as when they arrived there was already a fire in the hearth. Jake's room surprised Will, although he wasn't sure why. He had known that Jake had become a scholar from his previous visits, but he hadn't thought was that actually meant until now. An entire wall of the room was covered with shelves and those were full of books. It was more books than Will had seen in his entire life.

"Jacob, did you rob a library for these?"

"Not quite. I have been collecting books on folklore and magic since before I came here. I suppose that I do have quite a few by now."

"Yes, you do. But they can't all by about folklore?"

"Will," Jake reached out and took down a book from the shelves, "each country has it's own set of tales and folklore. I've got books from all over Europe and even one or two from further a field. The one thing I have found is that although each story is different, the same themes run through many of them. There must be some sort of connection between them; they must have come from a common source…but what that is I can't tell yet. That was why I decided to leave the University and collect the German tales in the villages. To see if I could find that source."

"And did you?" despite himself Will found that he was being drawn into what his brother said. Even though he knew if would eventually have something to do with magic. He would just have to try to hold his temper.

"Not yet. But I will. I will find the proof that magic is real." The moment the words were out of his mouth he regretted them. He looked at his brother, who was looking at him.

"And if you never find it, what then?"

"I will at least have made a record of the stories I have heard and kept them safe, so that they won't die out."

"Now that is something I agree with. Someone needs to collect all those old tales and I can't think of a better person than you. I do still remember the stories that Papa used to tell us as we sat round the fire on cold winter evenings – and I still remember a certain somebody clinging to me because he was scared!"

"But you were never scared."

"I always knew that they couldn't be true. They were just told to teach us to behave."

"And I always thought that they were true. I suppose that sums us up, doesn't it Will?"

"Yes, I think it does. But that doesn't mean that, if we don't try, we can't get along."

"I'll try." Jake knew that his life long belief in magic and it's consequences all though years ago would always be a barrier between him and his brother. But if he remembered not to get too enthusiastic about each new tale around his brother, then maybe they could agree to disagree.

"Good. Now lets get you unpacked."