Chapter 41
It was dark when Avalina came into the clearing that surrounded the farmhouse and buildings, but she didn't need a light.
There was no moon out, but she and Mitternacht knew this place backwards and forwards.
She had grown up here.
Dismounting at the door, she led him into the dark stable, pausing for a moment after she shut the door behind her to feel for the stack of matches and the lantern that always sat on the shelf.
Lighting it, she hung it on a post as it filled the stable with its golden glow.
Mitternacht stood quietly as she pulled the saddle and all its accessories off and put them on their racks.
Slipping the bridle out of his mouth, she checked the corners, noting with satisfaction the marks the wood had scored in his mouth were nearly gone.
His legs were nearly back to normal as well.
The horse's large, dark eyes were tired, but contented, and he nuzzled her face gently.
Avalina smiled as she kissed his nose.
To him, she was his joy, his world. His entire world revolved around her. She prayed she would never let him down and be unworthy of such an honor, for his approval meant more to her than anyone else's.
Even the King of Prydain could not compare with him.
She took her time brushing and rubbing him down. It was their ritual, the favorite time of both their days.
Taking a deep breath, she inhaled his scent and his calmness, which in turn calmed her.
She would need his strength when she walked in to face her family.
Avalina was loathe to leave him and it was with great reluctance she eventually did so, bidding him goodnight.
Blowing out the lantern, she slipped outside and closed the door before walking across the yard to the house.
Several lanterns were lit in the kitchen, providing plenty of light.
Pushing open the kitchen door, her family greeted her cheerfully.
"Did you have a nice ride, Ava?"
Her mother smiled as she placed a pan of food on the table.
Avalina nodded at her mother, gently smiling, determined not to ruin the outward good mood.
"Yes Mother, it was most enjoyable."
Arran came around the corner just then with an armload of firewood.
"Hey there, little sister," he grinned affectionately as he dumped his armload on the woodrack by the fireplace.
"I'm guessing you had a good ride?"
"Yeah, I really did," Avalina said, grinning a bit back as they sat down to eat.
"I hope ya'll didn't need me too much while I was out."
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, dear," her mother answered.
Avalina grinned and took a bite of food, savoring the taste.
"Oh, and by the way, I took your saddlebags to your room like you asked me to," Arran said around a mouthful of potato, "And they were as heavy as chainmail. What did you put in 'em, millstones?"
Avalina chuckled, barely avoiding spraying the table with peas.
"I don't think so. If you call a couple of books heavy then you have more issues than I thought."
"Children, children," their mother scolded.
"No talking with your mouths full!"
"Thowwy," they both apologized, speaking around their food, barely holding in their chuckles.
"What have I raised, ruffians and buffoons? You'll be eating in the barn from now on if you can't even eat like civilized human beings!"
Their mother scolded, but although her words were harsh, there was laughter in her eyes and a lightness in her tone Avalina had not seen since she had returned.
She was glad to see it.
It was almost as if nothing had changed.
It was a merry and plentiful meal they all had that night.
Brushing out her hair, Avalina sat on the edge of her bed by her window, staring out into the black.
She had left it open so the breeze could come in, to cool her off (The house was mildly stuffy) and the song of the night could sing her to sleep.
She probably would not be able to hear it tomorrow night.
Shaking the thought aside, she laid her brush down and headed for the saddlebags.
Although everything she required would be provided for her at the castle by the servants, (That was one other detail she had not told her family. Telling them that there were invisible servants that waited on her would be very complicated for her family to understand at this point and time) she would favor packing a few of her own things to keep that little bit of home with her, and she would have to empty her saddlebags first.
Picking them up and setting them on the edge of the bed, Avalina realized it did indeed feel a bit heavier than it had last time, but certainly not enough to elicit the response from Arran that he said it had.
He had probably been teasing.
'My silly brother!' She thought, shaking her head and smiling softly at his antics.
Pulling the flap on one open, she carefully pulled out one of the thick books she had borrowed from the royal library at Eilonwy's insistence.
Avalina so wanted to read it, but Eilonwy would want her book back long before Avalina would be able to return it, so they would have to stay here.
Arran could run them to Dalben's when he found time.
After pulling the other one from the opposite side and laying them on the dresser Avalina found the strip of cloth that Mitternacht prized so much and laid it on the bed.
That would have to come with them.
Picking up the bags again, Avalina realized that there was something else in one.
Feeling down inside, she pulled out a roll of parchment, her heart thudding hard.
Expecting the worst, she slowly unrolled it and read.
"Hello, Avalina,
We know that all this is hard for you and your family, but especially you. We can't ever truly understand what's its like being in your place and having to do this. We have sent a little token of our respect and support with you to do with as you like. The master does not know about this.
We wish that we could help you more, but you do not need us as much as you think you might.
You are a strong, capable, sweet young girl with a kind heart. Those things, and courage are all that you need. And remember, anyone can look, but not all can truly see.
We are forbidden to converse with you in any way while you are in the castle or on its grounds, verbal, written or otherwise. Please accept our sincerest apologies.
Be brave."
Brushing away a tear, Avalina carefully rolled it up.
That was coming with her.
Reaching back into the bag, her fingers closed around something hard, covered in cloth.
Pulling it out, she started when the contents clinked together.
Untying the string at the top, she flipped it upside down on the bed and gasped.
Bronze and brass coins lay spilled all over the quilt, shimmering in the candlelight.
Avalina could only stare in awe as she gingerly picked one up to see if it was real.
She had never seen this much money in her life.
Never.
She had never even seen a third of this much at a time.
Being a brush farmer, actual money was a rarity. Her family traded things in exchange for things they needed, most of the time. Money rarely entered the house at any time.
Slowly, she spread them out on the bed where they weren't piled up together, and jumped.
Carefully, she pulled a massive coin out of the batch, holding it up to the light.
It was pure gold.
Avalina could only stare for the longest time, looking at it, half afraid it would disappear if she looked away.
Making sure not to miss any, she swept them all back in the bag and knotted it tight.
This much money would easily support her family for at least two years.
At the very least.
There was more than enough to buy them another horse as well, on top of all that.
Setting the bag on her dresser as she began to pack some things, Avalina could only whisper, "Thank you. Thank you so much."
And she almost felt the air around her get warmer, as if someone was hugging her.
The next morning, Avalina rose with a heavy heart, her saddlebags packed and waiting.
It may as well have been a normal morning. Breakfast, and then out to work. She could help her brother a few hours before she left.
It wasn't that long to the Horned King's castle.
That thought was rather frightening.
Once when they were resting under a tree, Arran softly asked her a question as they took turns drinking from their water pouch.
"Avalina, does he look as ugly as all the rumors say? Were the rumors right about how he looks?"
Avalina waited a long moment before answering.
"Arran, those rumors are nothing compared to what he is really like. He is the vilest, most hideous, monstrous, loathsome, completely *heartless* creature I have ever laid eyes on in my entire life. His very presence is sickening and nauseating. No words can truly describe how horrible it is. He looks exactly as a monster should, that slaughtered millions of people and tried to take over the world, starting with Prydain."
Turning to look at him, she realized he had gone rather pale.
"Arran?" She asked him, concerned. "Are you alright?"
Her brother lightly shook himself.
"No, I'm not. My baby sister is about to be handed over to that damnable monster, and there is not a single thing I can do about it. Unless millions of innocent people die for it."
Taking a deep breath, he continued.
"I promised our father I would take care of you and Mother. I would be the man of the house, protecting, serving, keeping you and your mother out of harm's way even if I were to be hurt or even killed in the process. 'You are to be the Knight of the family, my boy,' Father said to me. And I've failed him, you, Mother, and myself all in one fell swoop."
"Now, I don't want to hear you start that," Avalina told him very firmly.
"There was nothing in the entire universe you could have done to prevent this. This is entirely my fault for trying to race the storm home in the first place. I made a mistake, and now I'm paying for it. Nobody else is. And nobody will when I return to him."
"But Avalina, I am the Man of the house," he choked out. "I'm supposed to *protect* you, and here I am, watching you ride off to your de_"
"Enough!" Avalina snapped.
"It is NOT your fault! None of this is your fault! You can't help what happened and neither can I. But you can't change the past. Nobody can. This is my burden now, and I'll pack it, because if I don't, all of Prydain will pay for my mistake. And that cannot happen."
Laying a hand on his shoulder, Avalina said, softer, "Do you understand me?"
Her brother nodded.
Leaning back against the tree after taking another swig of water, Avalina decided to give him the only piece of comfort she could, even if she didn't entirely believe it herself.
"And besides, I think if he was going to kill me, Arran, I think he would have done it already."
Ok, two people have guessed what breed Mitternacht might be. Does anyone else dare? XD I'll probably tell you all in the next chapter, cause I just can't hold it in any more! XD
I don't own anything except the story and my OC's, everything else belongs to Lloyd Alexander and Disney.