Chapter 2
Seeing Wil
A vigil was held over the infants cradle day and night and the ever presence Flick Ohmsford and his wife took charge of his care. The healers came in on a regular schedule to mix the potions and give instructions of what must be done in order for the infant's recovery. That is, if he would recover. They gave him little hope since he was born sooner then he should have.
Standing in the doorway and watching Flick's wife, they marveled at the love she so devoted to this tiny baby. She would not listen to their foredooming words and warnings and stubbornly insisted that the baby would not die. Flick joined her in her belief.
However, Shea did not come to visit the infant and refused Flick's constant urging. He already lost his beautiful daughter and her passing was more than he could bear. He kept his distance in getting too close to his daughter's baby, and allowing himself not to love him any more than he had already did, just knowing of his existence. He kept those feelings locked away to protect him from any more pain in the event the baby would suddenly die.
Flick understood this and gave his brother time to heal and his distance towards the infant. But this only made him all the more determined that the baby would not die, but live and bring his brother peace and giving him some happiness that he so needed.
Shea fell into despair after the funeral and the next month that passed only increase he somber mood. He took to locking himself in his room, drinking to numb the pain and searched old records and books. He thought of Allanon and the closeness that seemed more like father and son because this is how the old Druid had treated him during their time together. He could feel closeness to him especially after their final good-bye. If anyone new of or could stop this evil curse upon him that he should live only to watch all those he loved being taking away from him and die at such an early age. Shea felt that he had suffered too much and lost more than anyone should have. He was alone to look at the four empty walls in his room at the Inn of his adopted family. Sure he still had his brother and he was happy for him, still having a wife to love and look after, but for Shea, it was painful to see their happiness when his was gone and taken from him.
He would always feel like he was intruding upon them or indirectly making Flick feel so responsible for his happiness. He could not do this to his brother any longer. He had to leave and somehow make him understand that this was the best thing for him. "Stubborn, Flick!" Shea said to himself out loud. He could not imagine his brother ever agreeing to his departure. No, he was not going to let him just walk out of Shady Vale and go wondering around the four lands, nor was he going to allow the treacherous journey to the north to find the Druid's keep and then try to waken him. Shea knew he could not go the same way that Allanon had taken him, and he thought that there must be another way into Paranor, an easier way. Even if he had found that way, he knew how difficult it was for him to gain access into the Keep. That would take a thief. An idea popped into his mind and a smile curled his lips for the first time in a month.
For all the reasons and fears for not going to Paranor, the reality of living an empty life was worse. Then for this infant, Shea must find away or die trying. Either way, he did not care any longer. Sometime it was harder to live than it was to die.
With that thought, Shea knew what he must do.
A knock came to his door that brought Shea from his thoughts, but he did not call out to answer and ignored it, siting quietly in his chair.
"Shea?" said the familiar voice of his brother. "Are you asleep? Can I come in and visit with you?"
There was no answer. Shea closed his eyes in the darkness of his room and waited for Flick to think that he was asleep in his bed. After a few minutes had passed, he heard his brother's footstep walking away from his door and down the long hallway.
Shea got up from his chair and staggered over to his bed and fell into his pillow. Not caring to undress or change into his nightshirt, he just rolled over and covered himself up with a warm quilt. Closing his eyes, he soon fell deeply asleep.
It was the next morning when Shea came down into the kitchen and greeted everyone with a warm smile. Flick could see an instant change in Shea and his appearance. Even the smile on his face could not hide the tell signs of his days of morning. He had on a clean pressed white shirt and black trousers with his soft, leather, high boots and his long blonde hair was evenly combed and shockingly clean as if he had just had a bath. But, it was his eyes that held the signs of the deep emotions that he tried so hard to cover-up. Their sparkle was missing and his eyes seemed dull and dark. Flick's eyes followed his brother as he made his way into the kitchen with a new bounce in his steps and a smile on his lips.
Flick's suspicion only increased with this sudden change to his demeanor and watched his brother even more closely. "I'm happy that you decided to join us this morning?" commented Flick cautiously as he saw his brother walk over to the cook who handed him a plate of food.
Shea greeted the cook as he took the plate of baked ham and fried eggs giving it a sniff and a delightful look of pleasure. "Outside of my father, Darin, these eggs and ham are the best!"
The cook gave him a wonderful smile after hearing his compliment from his employer and he turned his eyes back to Flick to see if he caught his great mood.
Shea walked towards the table to sit next to his brother. "It is about time that I come to my senses and rejoined my family."
Flick's comment faded when his wife came out of the kitchen carrying the small infant in her arms.
"Darin, could you heat up Wil's bath water, it's time we get the young master presentable," said Beth as she rounded the corner of the nursery just off the kitchen entrance. She did not see Shea sitting there and she suddenly stumbled on her words. "Oh, um…….. Shea! I was not aware that you were joining us for breakfast."
Flick's cheeks began to redden when his wife casually mentioned the name he had given to his brother's grandson and he prepared himself for his retort for being so bold.
Shea turned to his brother and smiled at him gently. "Wil, is it, Flick?" he said raising his brow to his brother.
"Wil is as good as any name. Besides by the time you got around to doing it, he'd be half grown and still being called baby!" commented Flick with a bit of sarcasm in his voice as he shrugged his broad shoulders.
"Bring my grandson over to me, so I can get a good look at him," said Shea preparing himself by pulling the chair a short scoot away from the table and holding his arms out to receive the infant.
Beth stared at Shea and was thankful that he had finally dealt with his grief and ready to accept the passing of his beloved daughter. She smiled as she placed Wil into his arms and removed his blanket. She stared longingly into Shea's face to get his first impression of his beautiful grandson.
She was not disappointed because when Shea looked upon his sweet little face and saw the healthy glow and the beautiful, sweet face of his grandson who looked back at him with his clear, bright blue-eyes. He could see the features of his daughter Shannon in his face, the same elvish looks of the fairness that he too possessed. It took his breath away as the child wiggled and thrashed about his small little arms before letting out a loud wail of his discomfort being held out rather than snuggled closely in the warmth of embrace and blanket. Shea took the blanket from Beth and wrapped the infant snuggly and brought him closely to his chest and began to rock him. Slowly he quieted and nestled his little head against the warmth of his grandfather's chest.
"Wil Ohmsford?" commented Shea as he stared at the baby. "It's a perfect name, Flick. I am proud that you have given him his name and cared for him when I was unable. You have been my stronghold during my weakest moments. I'm thankful that you are my brother."
Shea raised his eyes from little Wil and looked at Flick who for the first time did not have a comment to make on the subject in his usual stubborn manner. He shifted his bulky form in the chair and stroked the thick wiry beard feeling uneasy with the tears filling in his eyes. He picked up his cup and took a long sip of his coffee trying to regain his composure. He had never known Shea to be so complimentary especially after days of drinking and had hardly expected him to be in such a wondrous mood. Something was wrong and it echoed in lengths into his mind.
Silently Shea stared at his grandson while Beth helped Darin fill the small tub and make sure the water temperature was perfect for the infant. She readied the homemade soap and other supplies she would need for his bath. Going back into the bedroom she prepared a small area to wash him and placed the clean clothing he would need to change him.
'Oh, my beautiful one,' echoed in his heart and mind silently while he gazed down at him. His heart dropped to his toes feeling and knowing his love for him. 'Would you suffer the same fate that I now try to live with? Would you be asked to live a long life in loneliness and longing'
Shea knew the answer in his heart and knew as he had suffered so would Wil, he could just feel it within his being. All his answers were with Allanon and he would make the old Durid speak. He owed him that much. Whatever evil lurked in this world, Shea could sense it overshadowing him and his family. If he was going to free his grandson of this curse, he must act soon. As if he could speak to the infant mind to mind, he promised him that he would never allow him to suffer all that he must endure.
Within moments, Beth was by his side, and took Wil with her for his bath. Flick tried to stand to help his wife, but Shea grasped his wrist and snuggly gave it a warm squeeze. "Thank you, Flick. Thank you for everything that you have done for me and now for Wil."
Flick looked at Shea as if seeing him for the first time and cleared his throat uneasily. "You're my brother, Shea. Why wouldn't I always be there for you?"
Shea smiled up at his brother and gave him a sincere nod and released his arm. Turning to his plate of food, he lifted his fork and began devouring it. He never realized just how hungry he truly was. The warm food instantly made him feel much better and his determined spirit lifted with each scoop of his fork to his mouth.
Flick walked into the bedroom and stood next to his wife while she undressed the infant. "If I did not know my brother any better, I'd swear he was saying his good-byes," commented Flick who has always said the first thing on his mind.
"Nonsense, Flick. Shea has just came to terms with his grief and he is now ready to be a grandfather for the first time," Beth giggled as she spoke holding the naked and wiggling infant in her arms holding him securely as she lowered him into the warm water to bath him.
Flick handed her the washcloth and soap and smiled warmly as she ran the wet cloth over the top of his head wetting the short, soft, feathery texture of his blonde hair. Gazing over her shoulder, he chuckled watching her bathe little Wil. He instantly dismissed his suspicions immediately, thinking his wife was right. How could Shea leave when he had a grandson who needed him?
XxxxxxxxxX
A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update this story. I've been so overloaded.
Anyway, Thank you, ShireElf for your reveiw. You all ready know how special I think you are!
You know I will surprise you sometime in the next few chapters.
I wish I was getting more interest in this story, but perhaps once this story gets going, I am hoping anyway.....
Seeing Wil
A vigil was held over the infants cradle day and night and the ever presence Flick Ohmsford and his wife took charge of his care. The healers came in on a regular schedule to mix the potions and give instructions of what must be done in order for the infant's recovery. That is, if he would recover. They gave him little hope since he was born sooner then he should have.
Standing in the doorway and watching Flick's wife, they marveled at the love she so devoted to this tiny baby. She would not listen to their foredooming words and warnings and stubbornly insisted that the baby would not die. Flick joined her in her belief.
However, Shea did not come to visit the infant and refused Flick's constant urging. He already lost his beautiful daughter and her passing was more than he could bear. He kept his distance in getting too close to his daughter's baby, and allowing himself not to love him any more than he had already did, just knowing of his existence. He kept those feelings locked away to protect him from any more pain in the event the baby would suddenly die.
Flick understood this and gave his brother time to heal and his distance towards the infant. But this only made him all the more determined that the baby would not die, but live and bring his brother peace and giving him some happiness that he so needed.
Shea fell into despair after the funeral and the next month that passed only increase he somber mood. He took to locking himself in his room, drinking to numb the pain and searched old records and books. He thought of Allanon and the closeness that seemed more like father and son because this is how the old Druid had treated him during their time together. He could feel closeness to him especially after their final good-bye. If anyone new of or could stop this evil curse upon him that he should live only to watch all those he loved being taking away from him and die at such an early age. Shea felt that he had suffered too much and lost more than anyone should have. He was alone to look at the four empty walls in his room at the Inn of his adopted family. Sure he still had his brother and he was happy for him, still having a wife to love and look after, but for Shea, it was painful to see their happiness when his was gone and taken from him.
He would always feel like he was intruding upon them or indirectly making Flick feel so responsible for his happiness. He could not do this to his brother any longer. He had to leave and somehow make him understand that this was the best thing for him. "Stubborn, Flick!" Shea said to himself out loud. He could not imagine his brother ever agreeing to his departure. No, he was not going to let him just walk out of Shady Vale and go wondering around the four lands, nor was he going to allow the treacherous journey to the north to find the Druid's keep and then try to waken him. Shea knew he could not go the same way that Allanon had taken him, and he thought that there must be another way into Paranor, an easier way. Even if he had found that way, he knew how difficult it was for him to gain access into the Keep. That would take a thief. An idea popped into his mind and a smile curled his lips for the first time in a month.
For all the reasons and fears for not going to Paranor, the reality of living an empty life was worse. Then for this infant, Shea must find away or die trying. Either way, he did not care any longer. Sometime it was harder to live than it was to die.
With that thought, Shea knew what he must do.
A knock came to his door that brought Shea from his thoughts, but he did not call out to answer and ignored it, siting quietly in his chair.
"Shea?" said the familiar voice of his brother. "Are you asleep? Can I come in and visit with you?"
There was no answer. Shea closed his eyes in the darkness of his room and waited for Flick to think that he was asleep in his bed. After a few minutes had passed, he heard his brother's footstep walking away from his door and down the long hallway.
Shea got up from his chair and staggered over to his bed and fell into his pillow. Not caring to undress or change into his nightshirt, he just rolled over and covered himself up with a warm quilt. Closing his eyes, he soon fell deeply asleep.
It was the next morning when Shea came down into the kitchen and greeted everyone with a warm smile. Flick could see an instant change in Shea and his appearance. Even the smile on his face could not hide the tell signs of his days of morning. He had on a clean pressed white shirt and black trousers with his soft, leather, high boots and his long blonde hair was evenly combed and shockingly clean as if he had just had a bath. But, it was his eyes that held the signs of the deep emotions that he tried so hard to cover-up. Their sparkle was missing and his eyes seemed dull and dark. Flick's eyes followed his brother as he made his way into the kitchen with a new bounce in his steps and a smile on his lips.
Flick's suspicion only increased with this sudden change to his demeanor and watched his brother even more closely. "I'm happy that you decided to join us this morning?" commented Flick cautiously as he saw his brother walk over to the cook who handed him a plate of food.
Shea greeted the cook as he took the plate of baked ham and fried eggs giving it a sniff and a delightful look of pleasure. "Outside of my father, Darin, these eggs and ham are the best!"
The cook gave him a wonderful smile after hearing his compliment from his employer and he turned his eyes back to Flick to see if he caught his great mood.
Shea walked towards the table to sit next to his brother. "It is about time that I come to my senses and rejoined my family."
Flick's comment faded when his wife came out of the kitchen carrying the small infant in her arms.
"Darin, could you heat up Wil's bath water, it's time we get the young master presentable," said Beth as she rounded the corner of the nursery just off the kitchen entrance. She did not see Shea sitting there and she suddenly stumbled on her words. "Oh, um…….. Shea! I was not aware that you were joining us for breakfast."
Flick's cheeks began to redden when his wife casually mentioned the name he had given to his brother's grandson and he prepared himself for his retort for being so bold.
Shea turned to his brother and smiled at him gently. "Wil, is it, Flick?" he said raising his brow to his brother.
"Wil is as good as any name. Besides by the time you got around to doing it, he'd be half grown and still being called baby!" commented Flick with a bit of sarcasm in his voice as he shrugged his broad shoulders.
"Bring my grandson over to me, so I can get a good look at him," said Shea preparing himself by pulling the chair a short scoot away from the table and holding his arms out to receive the infant.
Beth stared at Shea and was thankful that he had finally dealt with his grief and ready to accept the passing of his beloved daughter. She smiled as she placed Wil into his arms and removed his blanket. She stared longingly into Shea's face to get his first impression of his beautiful grandson.
She was not disappointed because when Shea looked upon his sweet little face and saw the healthy glow and the beautiful, sweet face of his grandson who looked back at him with his clear, bright blue-eyes. He could see the features of his daughter Shannon in his face, the same elvish looks of the fairness that he too possessed. It took his breath away as the child wiggled and thrashed about his small little arms before letting out a loud wail of his discomfort being held out rather than snuggled closely in the warmth of embrace and blanket. Shea took the blanket from Beth and wrapped the infant snuggly and brought him closely to his chest and began to rock him. Slowly he quieted and nestled his little head against the warmth of his grandfather's chest.
"Wil Ohmsford?" commented Shea as he stared at the baby. "It's a perfect name, Flick. I am proud that you have given him his name and cared for him when I was unable. You have been my stronghold during my weakest moments. I'm thankful that you are my brother."
Shea raised his eyes from little Wil and looked at Flick who for the first time did not have a comment to make on the subject in his usual stubborn manner. He shifted his bulky form in the chair and stroked the thick wiry beard feeling uneasy with the tears filling in his eyes. He picked up his cup and took a long sip of his coffee trying to regain his composure. He had never known Shea to be so complimentary especially after days of drinking and had hardly expected him to be in such a wondrous mood. Something was wrong and it echoed in lengths into his mind.
Silently Shea stared at his grandson while Beth helped Darin fill the small tub and make sure the water temperature was perfect for the infant. She readied the homemade soap and other supplies she would need for his bath. Going back into the bedroom she prepared a small area to wash him and placed the clean clothing he would need to change him.
'Oh, my beautiful one,' echoed in his heart and mind silently while he gazed down at him. His heart dropped to his toes feeling and knowing his love for him. 'Would you suffer the same fate that I now try to live with? Would you be asked to live a long life in loneliness and longing'
Shea knew the answer in his heart and knew as he had suffered so would Wil, he could just feel it within his being. All his answers were with Allanon and he would make the old Durid speak. He owed him that much. Whatever evil lurked in this world, Shea could sense it overshadowing him and his family. If he was going to free his grandson of this curse, he must act soon. As if he could speak to the infant mind to mind, he promised him that he would never allow him to suffer all that he must endure.
Within moments, Beth was by his side, and took Wil with her for his bath. Flick tried to stand to help his wife, but Shea grasped his wrist and snuggly gave it a warm squeeze. "Thank you, Flick. Thank you for everything that you have done for me and now for Wil."
Flick looked at Shea as if seeing him for the first time and cleared his throat uneasily. "You're my brother, Shea. Why wouldn't I always be there for you?"
Shea smiled up at his brother and gave him a sincere nod and released his arm. Turning to his plate of food, he lifted his fork and began devouring it. He never realized just how hungry he truly was. The warm food instantly made him feel much better and his determined spirit lifted with each scoop of his fork to his mouth.
Flick walked into the bedroom and stood next to his wife while she undressed the infant. "If I did not know my brother any better, I'd swear he was saying his good-byes," commented Flick who has always said the first thing on his mind.
"Nonsense, Flick. Shea has just came to terms with his grief and he is now ready to be a grandfather for the first time," Beth giggled as she spoke holding the naked and wiggling infant in her arms holding him securely as she lowered him into the warm water to bath him.
Flick handed her the washcloth and soap and smiled warmly as she ran the wet cloth over the top of his head wetting the short, soft, feathery texture of his blonde hair. Gazing over her shoulder, he chuckled watching her bathe little Wil. He instantly dismissed his suspicions immediately, thinking his wife was right. How could Shea leave when he had a grandson who needed him?
XxxxxxxxxX
A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update this story. I've been so overloaded.
Anyway, Thank you, ShireElf for your reveiw. You all ready know how special I think you are!
You know I will surprise you sometime in the next few chapters.
I wish I was getting more interest in this story, but perhaps once this story gets going, I am hoping anyway.....