Faithful Pebble
Part Forty
"Yes," the boy nodded, nodded far more eagerly than he liked. Remembering himself and to whom he was talking, the boy quickly covered his mouth and smiled, a smile rippling with missing baby teeth and bubbling laughter. He wiped his hands on his pants. "Yes, then I can tell everyone. I've never seen a fairy story."
"You don't want to be in a fairy story?" His hero tilted his head, crossed his arms thoughtfully. An idea was beginning to tickle the back of his skull.
The boy nodded—no, shook his head—no, hesitantly shrugged before lifting a tiny thumb and a white little forefinger. He inched them together, held them close and sure and smart and proud. "Maybe a little," he said. "Why?" he stuttered. He saw the plot fill his hero's eyes, the little boy, the smallest, youngest, tiniest...
His hero smiled as well. His was anything but shy. "You know, if you want me to be the hero that would mean that no one else can be it, correct?"
The boy suddenly frowned. Uncertainty pulled at his lips making them bow and deflate. He nodded slowly.
"Many people come to this town looking either to save her or slay it. It can take care of himself but the welldweller, no one really goes up there anymore—"
"But I do!" the boy cried.
His hero's smile twisted slyly. "I know you do. Would you—what I mean to say is, if you wish to help—"
"I do! I do!"
"Could you… Would you, if you see or hear any of these other heroes go near the well, would you tell me? I'd like to steer them away from it. They don't treat Pebble too well and if you help, I can ensure that no one else hurts her. This will allow me to take my time as I help her climb out. Would you mind?"
The boy looked at him a moment, then smiled. "Only on one condition," he said.
Thanks for reading! - Calla