Prompt: Write about a change of age - in other words, write about someone's birthday.
I had some other ideas, but wanted to end this challenge on a less-depressing note than those... so here we are. :)
It was his fiftieth birthday. And it happened in the Mending.
He almost couldn't believe it. All those months spent waiting and hiding, his hopes had diminished and he had begun to doubt that he would ever see the Mending. Though he spoke of bravery and courage to his children, the long time of nothing happening had made him doubt.
Yet here he was, twenty years after the First Feast of the Mending, turning fifty years old.
So much had happened in his lifetime. From his brother's betrayal, to the attack on Nick Hollow, to becoming the Last Tunneler, so many things had happened. It was because of them that he was who he was today – a loving, kind, wise father, husband, and teacher.
He'd always loved his family of course, but he hadn't always had the wisdom to lead them well. It truly was as Herbare Fond said. "Anyone can have learning through books, those are available to anybody. But only life brings wisdom."
He glanced up from the fire where he'd been staring to see Sween coming toward him with a smile. "What is my fifty-year-old husband thinking of?" she asked.
Whittle stood and took her hands in his. "Only reflecting on my life thus far and how wonderful you are, Sween." He leaned forward to whisper to her. "Though I do hope you won't be parading me around as old."
Sween laughed. "Certainly not. I wouldn't think of calling you old until you're fifty-one."
Whittle pretended horror. "Do you mean to say I only have one year of youth left?"
Sween laughed again. "Come into the kitchen," she said, starting toward the other room. "I've got the cake set out."
Whittle smiled at her. "Sounds – and smells – delicious."