Part Two

After almost three months at Oxford, Tristan finally returned. However, instead of meeting his brother at the train station, Siegfried spent the evening scowling as he sped down the lonely country road that would eventually take him back to his cottage.

For over a week, he had made plans to pick Tristan up and take him to dinner as a way to celebrate his return and Siegfried could hear all about his vacation. At least, the parts that little brother would be forthcoming about. As for the rest of it, Siegfried had ways of finding out anything he really needed to know.

Unfortunately, the uncertainties of private country practice struck again. Siegfried had gotten an emergency call about a stallion that had fallen into a barbwire fence. This put him behind on all the other visits he was already committed to. In the end, he was forced to hand one visit over to Alan and to ask his assistant to take Tristan back to the cottage as Siegfried was certain that he'd never finish in time.

It was well into the evening before Siegfried had finally gotten his work done. By then, he was weary and fervently hoped that his latest domestic was considerate enough to put back some supper for when he got home.

After arriving and putting the car away, Siegfried walked in to find a pair of wagging tails and panting faces waiting for him.

"All right, you lot move out of the way," he laughed, making sure to pat each of them on the head. "You'll get a walk later after dinner and not a moment sooner."

He took off his coat and hat and had just hung them up when he noticed the light was on in the room he had renovated for the practice. He sat his bag down and walked inside to see Tristan standing in the middle of the room, staring at the shelves of medicines and instruments.

At the sound of Siegfried's footsteps, he turned to face him, a wide grin on his face. "Siegfried…it's marvelous!"

Siegfried could not hold back the warm smile that appeared on his lips. Alan hadn't had such a profound reaction to the changes. At last, he had someone who he could share the thrill he felt over how the practice was growing.

That and there was the giddy happiness he felt over having his brother back home.

"Tristan," he said softly. He held out a hand to shake, but as soon as Tristan reached for it, he couldn't resist the urge to pull his little brother in for a hug instead. Thankfully, Tristan seemed to be equally receptive to the gesture given the firm embrace Siegfried received in return.

He gave Tristan one last light squeeze before letting go and waving an arm around the room. "It is impressive, isn't it? We're entering a new era of veterinary medicine, Tristan. And this practice will soon be stepping out of the dark ages, just you wait and see. Let me show you some things here that I'm particularly proud of."

He steered Tristan around the room, pointing out instruments and medicines that were practically cutting edge up in the Dales. Of course, Tristan only had a passing understanding about what he was seeing, but even this casual interest was an encouragement that Siegfried relished.

A few minutes later, they went out to the living room and found a plate of sandwiches and some beer sitting on the table. Both of them quickly devoured the food and drink before moving to sit in front of the fire.

Siegfried pulled out his pipe to smoke and raised an eyebrow when he saw Tristan reach into his pocket and pull out a pack of cigarettes. His little brother had never smoked before. Must have been a habit he picked up while on holiday. Siegfried couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment as he watched Tristan light one and begin to smoke it. He made a mental note to discuss it with his little brother at some point.

"So…how was Oxford? Relaxing, I hope."

"Oh yes, very," Tristan replied, smiling.

Siegfried honed in on that smile as soon as he saw it. He recognized that as the smile his little brother used whenever he was trying to gloss over something he didn't want Siegfried to know about.

"Yes…and you learned a lot while you were there, didn't you? About your new hobby?"

"My what?"

"Punting, my dear boy, punting. You did say that you were endeavoring to learn it."

"Oh yes, right, punting," Tristan said. "Yes, it went very well. You could say I'm something of an expert now."

"Really? That's good," Siegfried said. "Yes, very good indeed." He could see Tristan starting to relax marginally. So now was the time to use the card he had been holding onto for the last few weeks.

"So nothing untoward happened then? Nothing that could have led to a spot of trouble for you?"

"Oh no, Siegfried," Tristan insisted with just a touch too much urgency. "Nothing like that at all."

"Yes, I see," Siegfried said, nodding. "So there were no late-night outings while you were there?"

"Well…maybe a few, but nothing special, you know. Just a little harmless fun."

"Harmless fun?" Siegfried repeated. "So walks around the fields, sharing a drink around a bonfire…."

"Right, exactly like that."

"…moonlight swims in the river…."

"Well…maybe once or…."

"…absconding with a statue…."

"Yes, I…wait, what?! I mean, no, no, I…."

Siegfried smirked. He knew he had Tristan now and he wasn't going to let him go so easily. "Don't try to deny it, little brother. I heard from Aunt Grace about some of your nocturnal escapades. And about the mysterious incident involving a disappearing and then reappearing statue in a nearby park. Keep in mind also that I have other sources at my disposal."

"Siegfried, honestly, I…."

Siegfried stopped him with an expression that he knew that Tristan understood as one that meant that no amount of deception would help his position. A moment later, Tristan sagged down in his seat, and Siegfried knew he had won.

"It wasn't like there was any damage, you know," Tristan offered weakly. "And we did put it back the next day."

"That is beside the point," Siegfried shot back. "My word Tristan, apparently, I can't let you out of my sight for a few weeks without you leaving a wave of anarchy in your wake."

"One little statue is hardly…."

"Just a statue? Think hard before you answer, little brother. In this situation, a misguided desire for discretion will not serve you well."

Tristan gaped at him for several seconds before lowering his head.

"I'm sorry, Siegfried. I didn't mean to…. Well there was no harm done. No lasting harm anyway."

Siegfried blew out a long sigh. "Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless. Here you are on the cusp of manhood and you haven't even begun to learn a thing about personal responsibility. Or about curbing your wayward habits. Perhaps, I should inform the police in Oxford that I have located their elusive statue thief and see what they can teach you."

Tristan's eyes bulged, his mouth falling open. Siegfried watched him silently for another full minute so his baby brother could chew on that last thought. The way he saw it, Tristan deserved to sweat a little for all the mischief he pulled while on holiday. Especially since no one had managed to catch him in the act and give him suitable punishments for his actions.

"You wouldn't do that, would you, Siegfried?" Tristan asked, his voice strained with nerves. Siegfried stared at him for another minute before finally speaking again.

"I suppose…given how there was no lasting damage done…I might be able to overlook your indiscretions and choose to not get the authorities involved. Provided, of course, that you'll be doing the mucking out and grooming for my mare for the next month. Along with some much needed work in the garden."

"A month?! Siegfried, that's bloody well not…."

"Yes, Tristan?" Siegfried cut in. "You were about to explain to me why isn't not fair that I'm ensuring that you'll avoid any legal retribution for your misbehavior with your only punishment being doing a few extra chores around the house?"

Tristan opened his mouth to reply, but apparently thought better of it and quickly shut it instead. He glared at Siegfried for a moment more before letting out an exaggerated sigh.

"No…no, you're right. I'm sorry, Siegfried."

Siegfried studied him. He did believe that Tristan regretted his actions and that the apology was sincere. However, he wasn't as certain that his little brother would be deterred from any more debauched behavior in the future.

It wasn't so much that his little brother was rotten or lacked even a shred of moral fiber. On the whole, Siegfried firmly believed that Tristan was a kind, honorable person. Still, his little brother was also impulsive, incorrigible and possessed a far too boisterous sense of humor. Unfortunately, those traits were more than enough to get him into plenty of trouble.

Tristan squirmed under his brother's gaze, and Siegfried let out a chuckle while shaking his head. The problem was, he was far too fond of Tristan to stay angry at him for any significant amount of time. That, along with his contentment over having his brother home again, made it so he didn't want to prolong this any more than what was absolutely necessary.

"As you said, no harm done, little brother," he said quietly. "So long as you have learned a valuable lesson, I think we can consider the matter closed."

Relief instantly washed over Tristan's features and he glanced down to pet the new dog that had appeared while he was away.

"Besides, we have more important matters to discuss," Siegfried added.

Tristan immediately tensed up again. "We do?"

"We do indeed." Siegfried took his pipe out of his mouth and snuffed it. He noted that Tristan had let his cigarette burn most of the way down into ash. Good, perhaps he would rethink this new habit of his.

"While you've been gallivanting about in your usual way, I've been doing some thinking about your future," he continued. "You know that your last year of secondary education starts this fall. Consequently, preparations should begin for your professional education."

Tristan lowered his head again. "Oh…yes. About that…."

"What about it?" Siegfried asked. "You were planning on continuing your education, were you not?"

"Obviously. I mean, yes, I was, of course, but I…well…."

Tristan continued to avoid making eye contact which caused Siegfried's brow to crease in concern.

"My dear Tristan, you're not making yourself very clear. You say that you want to go on to professional studies and yet for some reason you don't want to share your field of interest with me. I'm sure you must see the futility of that. After all, who do you think will be funding your education from now on?"

Tristan slouched down even more. He ground the remains of his cigarette into a nearby ashtray and placed fidgeting hands onto his lap.

Siegfried moved closer and leaned down toward him. His little brother's reticence was unsettling, and he wished that Tristan wasn't so hesitant about sharing his thoughts.

"Tristan, I feel that I know you well enough to know that you most likely have a respectable line of work in mind."

"Yes."

"Nothing sordid or that would involve unethical behavior from you."

"Good lord, no, Siegfried."

"Then I'm at a loss to understand your reluctance," Siegfried said. He sat down next to Tristan and placed a hand on his brother's leg. "My dear boy, if you have ambitions for an honest living, there is no need for this trepidation. Never forget that I'm your brother, Tristan." He gave Tristan's knee a light pat. "Whatever it is, I promise to support you. Now, won't you tell me what you have in mind?"

Tristan took a deep breath. "Well…I was thinking…."

"Yes?"

"I was thinking…." Tristan finally raised his head to look at him. "I was thinking I'd like to be a vet like you. That, that maybe we could work together, you know. When you have your own practice."

Now it was Siegfried's turn to be flabbergasted. Although, a part of him was convinced that he really shouldn't be so shocked by this revelation. Ever since he was a boy, Tristan had demonstrated an affection for animals, a trait they had always shared. His fondness for cats in particular was as strong as Siegfried's own for horses. His little brother had also consistently shown at least mild interest in the work Siegfried had dedicated his life to.

However, there was still a vast difference between idle curiosity or even a small measure of hero worship and making the decision to follow in someone else's footsteps. Even more stunning to him was Tristan's declaration that he wished to solidify the bond they already shared as brothers even further by becoming professional partners as well.

A blush appeared on Tristan's cheeks, and he looked away. "Sorry. I guess it's kind of silly, isn't it?"

Siegfried sat up and shook his head. "No, no, no, my dear brother, not at all. There are many fine businesses that were built upon families who choose to carry on traditions set by their elder relatives. I simply…." Siegfried paused, clearing his throat in an attempt to push some of the emotion out of it.

"I simply want to be sure that you…. That is, I…. Tristan, is this truly what you want? Being a country vet…it's not an easy life by any means. As I'm sure you've observed in my work by now."

Tristan turned to face him again. "I know. I know it's not all good, but well, whenever I think about other things I could do, I always come back to this. I guess it's just what makes the most sense for me." Tristan let out another embarrassed laugh. "If that even makes any sense at all."

"It certainly does, little brother," Siegfried assured him. "I know exactly what you mean."

Tristan grinned at him, a grin that Siegfried was certain was mirrored on his own face. He jumped up from the couch and poured out two more glasses of beer. He took them over to the couch and handed one to Tristan after his brother had risen to his feet.

"I believe a toast is in order," Siegfried declared. He held up his glass. "To you, Tristan. And to us. To our future partnership."

"Cheers," Tristan smiled, clinking his glass against Siegfried's before taking a huge swallow.

For a few seconds, Siegfried forgot to drink his own beer, the enormity of what the two of them were committing to still sinking in. When he finally did start to sip it, he kept thinking about how, before this moment, he couldn't have imagined that his baby brother would be joining him on the professional journey he had chosen for himself so many years ago. However, now, Siegfried couldn't envision a future without Tristan working alongside him. He knew that both of them were facing a hard road with mountains of work ahead, but Siegfried soon realized that, rather than finding it daunting, he was exhilarated by what was to come.

Whatever the future held for them, Siegfried now knew that he and Tristan would be facing it together the way they always had.