Chapter Nine – "Harvest Festival"
The Harvest Festival was split into three days. The first day was more of a social event. Dances were held on each level of the city. Foods from all over were presented, though nothing too heavy was really brought. That was saved for the third night. If one were to equate with any Earth holiday, it would be close to Halloween and Valentine's Day. It was a day of love and fun. According to Eternian tradition, the harvesting of spring, summer, and autumn crops would come to a close this day. That evening would be celebrating the end of it.
The second day was a day of resting, and Queen Marlena compared it to Labor Day and St. Patrick's Day. It was a day of relaxation. Traditionally, tea would the most frequent drink of the day. In the evening, drinking of ale, beer, and wine was traditionally the most common beverage (in fact, some even call the second day of Harvest Festival 'Booze Day'). Games were the most common thing in the evening and night.
The third day was quite close to what would be Thanksgiving. Huge meals were served in the early evening. This was the end of the Harvest Festival and was often more intimate in nature than the other days. Parties are held, but most families and friends get together in small groups.
The winter growing season began the next day.
For Eternos, the Harvest Festival was the largest event since, well, ever. The Harvest Festival had been pretty much denied by the Horde, despite small attempts at celebrating in some minor fashion over the years. This year, they were making up for lost time. The crops were incredible bountiful. It seemed that the combined strength of Moss Man, Woodsman, the Gem of Life, and hard work had produced at least three growing seasons worth of crops.
Adam took in the sights and smells that evening as the festivities began. Lanterns and lights were strung up all over the city. On each level, a band played and dancing had begun an hour ago. Adam perused the large table of food that stood out in the pavilion in front of the Palace. Massive pumpkins sat alongside various bowls of fruits and vegetables. Adam made himself a plate and walked over to a table where various dignitaries were sitting.
Adora, in the meantime, watched as couples slow-danced. She couldn't help but think of SeaHawk. They had danced only once before the darkness had overtaken the world – and that was the celebration of Hordak's downfall. As other couples danced merrily with their lovers, Adora's heart sank.
"May I have this dance?"
Adora looked around and saw Duncan standing there behind her. She smiled and nodded. This man, who more like an uncle than an advisor, walked with her out to the dance floor. She grabbed one hand the two of them slow-danced, laughing and joking.
Adam was halfway through his pie piece when he felt a tug at his arm. He looked over and saw Addison.
"Hey little buddy. What's up?"
"Can you do that with me?" Addison asked, pointing over to a corner of the pavilion where a small group had gathered.
"What is . . . oh," Adam saw the sign above the group. 'FATHER AND SON APPLE BOBBING.' He smiled and stood up. "Sure thing."
Addison smiled gleefully and the two of them walked over to barrels. Each one was filled to the brim with water and had apples floating on the surface. Adam turned to the attendant running the show.
"How do you play?" asked Adam.
"The father gets out as many apples as he can in the time allotted. The son then needs to hold as many as possible."
Adam looked to Teela's son. "You got that, little buddy?"
"Uh-huh."
Adam nodded and grinned. "Whenever you're ready."
The bell rang and the contest began.
Not far away, Teela took a few seconds as Ileena prattled to make she knew where her son was. Her eyes quickly fell on Addison – who now had at least five wet apples in his arms – under a big sign that said 'FATHER AND SON APPLE BOBBING.' She wondered if it was Duncan who was doing the bobbing. But when Adam wet face flew out of the water with an apple in his mouth, she saw who it was and felt nothing but joy at the sight.
Someday, I hope, she thought to herself.
"Adam, we lost!" yelped Addison.
"Hey, sorry kiddo. I guess I'm not as good with my mouth as I thought I was," Adam replied.
"Hey! Seven apples!" Teela said, approaching. "Not bad!"
"Hi," Adam said, kissing her on the cheek.
"You're all wet," Teela returned, smiling. "Addison, how about you go find Talon? Show him your apples, huh?"
"Okay, Mom! Thanks Adam!"
"You're welcome!"
Addison charged off, carrying all of those apples. Teela looked to Adam and then grabbed his hand. "We never got our first dance."
"Now's the time."
She led him out to the dance floor just as Songster (who leading the pavilion band) was starting the next slow song. "Addison's gotten close with you," Teela told him.
"I think the trip really bonded us."
"I'm very happy." She sighed. "I thought we'd never be here. I thought I'd never do this with you."
"I . . . I dreamed it. I hoped for it."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Close to midnight, the festivities came to an end. Adam walked Teela and Addison their new room – which was now twice as large; officially an apartment. Adam himself made his way to his bedroom, which was not (as he ordered) his parents old room. Despite some changes made, it was back to exactly as he remembered.
"Hey Cringer," Adam said.
"Hi there, Adam," Cringer responded. He went around in a circle of his sleeping spot. He quickly curled down in it. "I'm sleepy."
"Big shock," Adam replied, getting dressed. He crashed into his bed. Everything felt so very right. He fell asleep faster than he had any other time in his life.
"Adam, honey."
Adam's eyes opened slowly, taking in the image of Teela before him. She sat on his bed, dressed in her pajamas, hair back in a sloppy ponytail. In her hands was a silver tray with a teapot, two cups, and a plate full of toast, muffins, and a couple doughnuts.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," she said. "I made you breakfast in bed. I also made us some tea."
"Oh wow, thanks sweetheart." He kissed her on the cheek. "Where's Addison?"
"Off playing in the courtyard." She smiled. "So nice to say that, by the way."
"Heh. I bet. Where's Cringer?"
"Right over here," Teela answered, jerking her head over to Cringer, who was munching on a big fish from Aquatica.
"Right here!"
"This is great," Adam said, leaning in to kiss her on the lips.
"Ah, hang on there. Why don't you have some tea first, huh?"
"Why's that?"
"Because this is that tea that's supposed to help with bad breath and you have some of the worst morning breath I have ever smelled."
Adam just laughed and poured himself a cup.
While the second day was mainly for rest, Adam took part in a number of meetings to catch-up on what was missed during his trip. Not a whole lot, though Station Zeta (Eternos' scientific headquarters – it had been kept up by the Horde, though not really used) had registered a few small tremors in the Sands of Time. Adam had a feeling there was more to it than that, but nothing else really was really mentioned of it.
As the afternoon wore on, Adam had two more cups of tea. That evening, he planned to be among the people, but wasn't up for a long night.
He walked among his people. His people. It was strange to think that way. Feel that way.
Just six months ago, he was Primus. He had no clue he would be back so soon. That the war be over with. And yet, here he was. Not how he wanted to happen, but life changes. He was home. He looked and saw Orko doing magic tricks for children. Mekaneck and Extendar were having 'guess how tall' competitions.
"Damn, it's good to be back."
Just then, Adora came stumbling over. She was laughing, red-faced, and could barely stand straight. Flutterina and Glimmer were both by her side.
"Hey Adam!"
"Adora? Are you drunk?"
"Oh yeah! Whhhooooo!"
Adam laughed a little. "Have you ever gotten drunk before?"
"Nope! Not ever never ever! I've had some . . . you know . . . that beer stuff?"
"Um, beer?"
She lightly slapped his chest. "No, no! That . . . it's not beer, but it's like beer!"
"Ale?"
"No no no. It's, um, uh, fancy!"
"Wine?"
"WINE!" she yelped, slapping her thighs. "That's what tis! Anyways . . ."
"Adora? Maybe you should go to bed?"
"But I'm having a fantastic time!"
"You're really drunk."
Adora threw her arms onto his shoulders. "Adam, Adam, Adam . . . you're my best friend! You're the very bestest brudder I've ever never ever had! But – SHHHH! – I've never had a brudder before!"
"Yes, yes."
"WE'RE TWINS, ADAM! HOW FXXXING COOL IS THAT?! TWINS!"
"Wow. Okay."
And then Adora barfed.
"My shoes . . ."
The next morning was quiet. Visitors, friends, and family woke up slowly to the fresh morning. A fog hung over Eternos, but it was not unwelcomed. The many cooks and chefs rose early to prepare the meal that would dominate the day. The bountiful harvest made the day quite special. The fact that they were able to make a meal like this this year was an accomplishment.
In the Palace, two separate dinners were made. One for the Heroic Warriors and their guests; the other for the royal family.
As the afternoon came around and the fog lifted, the Heroic Warriors and the Great Rebellion entered into the Dining Hall. Besides the main team of Heroic Warriors, Delora and Talon, Stratos' wife and son joined them. Snout Spout's wife Tara and his two boys Caleb and Jeb were also in attendance. Phillip, son of Mekaneck, was there also. Orko, Adam, Adora, Duncan, Teela, and Addison joined them for a bit, but had their own, smaller meal to attend.
"So now what?" asked Duncan as he bit into a leg of chicken. They were all sitting in another dining hall, this one smaller. It had a huge window that overlooked the city. Far off in the horizon, the trees and mountains were red and golden, the colors of Fall.
"More chicken!" Orko said, grabbing a thigh and eating it all in one bite. "I could go on a quest for this chicken!"
Adam smiled and gave a few scraps to Cringer, who sat by Adam's chair.
"We search for our parents," Adora replied. "And we work on freeing Etheria."
Adam nodded. "Agreed. But I also feel that we need to attend to another matter. Snake Mountain. King Hiss and Evil-Lynn."
"What do you think we should do about them?" asked Teela.
Adam shrugged. "I'd like to know more about what they've been up to. And then . . . maybe deal with them."
A heavy silence fell over the group.
Addison broke it.
"I know what we should do next."
Adam smiled and looked up at the boy. "And what's that, buddy?"
"You and me and grandpa can play ball outside!"
Teela laughed a little. "And leave your Mom out of it?"
"Um . . . I just want to play with them."
Smiling, Teela nodded. "That's fine, sweetheart."
Thusly, right after dinner, as the sun began to dip down, Adam, Duncan, and Addison went out into the courtyard. Orko produced for them a glowing ball. Teela and Adora sat drinking coffee and watched and chatted as the boys played. Cringer lazily watched the ball go between Adam, Duncan, and Addison.
"It's the calm before the storm," said Adora.
Teela nodded. "I'm certain. But let's just live in that calm? Just for a little while?"
"Of course. I think it reminds us of what we've been working towards for too long."
Teela sipped her coffee, happy to be there. Happy to be with Adam. Happy to have her father back. Happy . . . to be alive.
COMING SOON! "THE RETURN TO ETERNIA – BOOK THREE: SECRETS"