Secretly Pooka
Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians or references to Shakespeare
Author's Note: I've got a few planned plot twists in my story... ones I haven't read being done before. I wonder if any of my readers or reviewers will come close to guessing what I'm thinking of doing...
Thank you to my reviewers for your input!
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chapter six: Welcome to Burgess
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"Jack- Jack Frostfall." Jack stuttered as Melody gasped in pain, hands clutching her stomach. Jack gulped and nervously rubbed his ear, She wasn't about to go into labor was she?! "Are- are you okay?"
Melody puffed as she regained breath, "Just peachy Jack. This littl'un just kicks strongly at least once a day."
Jack edged closer, looking between Melody's stomach and Aloe, "So... the baby isn't coming yet?"
Melody laughed, "No. This babe has a month or two left."
Jack sighed a little in relief, "That's good. Mom clutched her stomach and then screeched at Dad that she was going into 'labor, that the baby was coming!' And somehow Aloe came out of the room and it sounded like it hurt." Instead of his ears being pinned back in embarrassment, Jack felt his face burn. Was this how humans expressed awkwardness? Melody's face was red... was that what he looked like?
Melody coughed, "Yes, well... Who is this little munchkin?"
"This is Aloe, my baby brother."
"And what did you come to Burgess for? With a squirrel and an otter I might add?"
"They're my friends. This is Andrew and that's Amber. Say hi you two." The two 'animals' waved.
"Hello." Melody waved cheerily back "Rather intelligent, I think I like them."
"I like them too." Jack grinned,
"How did you tame them?"
Jack panicked, it was one thing to have a planned conversation and another to remember the right back story in the heat of the moment. He blurted, "Um... They aren't, tamed per say, but they like me so they follow me."
"I bet there is an interesting story behind that." Melody gently teased, or at least Jack interpreted it as gentle teasing. He gave a sigh of relief,
"Yeah, it involves..." Huh, how could he describe their meeting on the moon sound interesting but not strange, "The moon, teddy bears, acrobatics and an upset baby brother."
"I can't wait to hear it. ...Are you staying around here?"
"We've got a place, but it's pretty far out. Is there anywhere in town where my brother and I could lodge for the winter?"
"Probably." Instantly, Melody had the gleam of a professional barter. Melody tapped a finger against her mouth, "Do you have something to trade? We don't have a hotel or similar such. Most families can't afford another mouth or two to feed and those that could might not want to share..."
"I've got a few things I could trade... like Aunt Petal's extra quilts." Jack gazed quizzically upward at the pregnant lady, "Would that work?"
"For some. What about your skills?" Melody inspected Jack's thin frame with a critical eye, thinking about employment opportunities for the lad. He wouldn't be able to apprentice with the blacksmith. Jones prefers boys with some meat on them already and anyway he already has three apprentices. I think Jones is at his limit with the amount or lack of work he has. Jack could run errands or herd cattle...
"I'm a pretty good woodsman. I know how to make a few simple traps." Jack thought it over, "Dad made sure I could fight wild animals around my size. He was a trapper you see."
Her earlier thoughts derailed, Melody gasped, covering her mouth with a hand, "Was? I hadn't wanted to pry..."
"I would have needed to explain sooner or later why we were without an adult's guidance anyway." Jack sighed before smiling a bitter brittle up-twist of the mouth, "Yeah. My dad was a trapper. My parents passed away not to long ago; it's why we are seeking refuge in town for the winter. Until Aloe grows a little, I don't feel comfortable raising him alone during the cold weather. I can do it in warmer weather, but," Jack shrugged,
"Winter's coming." Melody nodded in understanding, "Tell you what, I'll talk to my husband and you bring those quilts and we'll see if we can come to an agreement."
"That would be amazing! But... what about your baby?"
"My husband has a cradle in the works. If all goes well however you'd be sleeping on the floor." Melody said, very apologetic. My house isn't made for boarders yet.
"That's alright. I can use my mother's quilt for bedding." Jack assured her, "Or I could make a rug."
"You can make rugs?"
Jack nodded, "Ones with simple weaves. Depends on the material I guess."
"Then you won't be able to make a job out of it."
"I can do simple errands and trapping until I get a proper apprenticeship or job... though I'd prefer a job. I do plan on taking up my father's mantle when I'm older."
"Good to know," Melody nodded, "So may inspect your Aunt's quilts?"
"They are quite a few miles away, but I can have the quilts and other things here by the afternoon if I leave within the hour."
"But you just got here, I don't want to run you off. If you got here from that far away, you must be tired." Melody's eyes were full of concern.
"Oh, I'm fine. I can handle a jog." Jack assured her.
"But what about your brother? Does he need rest or a bit of tucker? How are you going to carry him while carrying quilts? And what about your animal friends?"
"Amber and Andrew will be fine. I have a sled that can handle the weight of the blankets. I've got bread and apples if he gets hungry. And Aloe basically napped at least half of the time."
Melody had relaxed a little, "Bread, huh? Do you actually know how to cook then?"
"A little. Nothing for a fancy eating place, but I can make a pretty decent salad and simple fruit twists."
"That's more than my Nathaniel can say. His expertise is with jerky. He can't even weed the garden correctly half the time. Maybe you can save more of my vegetables this year." Melody rubbed her stomach, "With this little one on the way, I can't bring my wrath on the errant villainous rouge rubbish properly."
Jack's eyes were wide, she was certainly creative with her words, "...Did you mean the weeds or your husband?"
Melody smirked at the boy, "The weeds, although, from what the other ladies have said, I might howl more plentiful insults when this wee one decides to arrive."
"Err... okay. I'll just go and get my quilts now."
"I'll just be going then. If I'm not out and about, the Overland home is the closest log home to the lake."
"I appreciate it. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"See you in the afternoon then. Cheers." Melody might've been off to the market or to converse with other ladies. Jack didn't know, but turned about and traveled to his hidden Pookan home.
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"Mercy, lad! Did you not leave any blankets for yerself?" Melody leaned against her door frame in astonishment. The stack of thick almost brand-new quilts were in better condition and in greater numbers than she had anticipated. The tower of bed warmers was at least half the lad's height!
"I've got enough of a stock pile left. I picked out my favorites, ones that reminded me most of my family and set them aside."
His aunt must have been quite the seamstress. Melody jolted out of most of her daze as Jack responded. She hadn't thought she had said that out loud.
Jack chuckled, "She couldn't do clothes but she was a fan of warm hugs, Aunt Petal's name for the blankets."
Running her hand over the top blanket, Melody almost melted into it's softness, "I can understand why. I've never felt a blanket so soothing before."
That actually was a Pookan trade secret that kept nightmares from happening, but Jack couldn't very well explain that! "Aunt Petal's secret. She loved making them and sharing them in her spare time."
"Are you really trading these?"
"I've got enough family heirloom quilts to keep Aloe and I warm in future winters." Jack assured her.
"You've got a place to stay if I have anything to say about it. Nathaniel will be back soon with another barrel of jerky venison. We will survive this winter with enough portioning."
"Thank you." Jack's blue eyes glowed with relief.
"I have the feeling I should be thanking you, lad. We won't perish of the bitter cold at least."
Jack frowned slightly, he hadn't thought of that, "What about other families? You could trade the blankets or something if they don't have adequate sources of warmth."
"And it will be a great blessing to us all." Melody nodded determinedly, "I don't want do have another friend perish because of the cold. Speaking of which, could you take one to Sir Fortinbras? He's getting on in years and I would like to thank him for his cheer."
"Sure, would you like to pick one for him? I'll see that he gets it... er, will he still be out and about?"
"He'll likely be out and about until the sun goes down. His home is the tiny brick building close to the marsh on the other edge of the town. He's always been fond of poetry... if you have anything resembling stars, can you take him that one?"
"I've got three actually." They weren't the stars above Earth, but it wasn't like it would matter... right? Jack carefully pulled the blankets out of that one and let Melody inspect them,
"Hmm... which would he like best? Ah ha! This one has more yellow. I think I remember him saying it was his favorite color at one point."
"So... do I simply say this is a gift from you?"
"Child, your family made it. You can even say it's a gift from you so long as it gets to Sir Fortinbras."
"Alright. Where did Aloe get to? Come on Aloe... alright you can eat that."
"But that's a dandelion. A weed."
"They're edible if a bit bitter."
"I could look after the wee one if you want."
"Nah, it's alright. Aloe need to run to get tired."
"Are you sure?"
"Yep. He's already had two naps today. It might be a pain to get him to fall asleep."
"Well then, see you in a short while lad."
"You are a gracious hostess."
"Off you go lad." Melody smiled.
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"Sir Fortinbrass! Sir Fortinbrass!"
"Oy! Tush! It's Sir For-tin-bras! Tis the youth come early. Hast thou a job of employment for hereabouts?"
"Not as yet, Sir Fortinbras. I have a gift for you." Jack held out the blanket Melody had selected from the pile.
The short man gazed inquisitively at Jack, running a shaky hand lightly over the cloth, "Pray pardon me, I understand not what you mean by this. Pray tell why would thou, a stranger, give me such a prize of quilted warmth."
"Well I traded a number of quilts to Melody Overland in exchange for residence during winter and she wanted to share one with you. 'To give thanks for your cheer' I think was her reason." Jack politely didn't mention the 'getting on in years' part. "And I know I'm new, but you're interesting." Was that tactful enough? Or maybe not tactful. Sir Fortinbras had a strange look on his face.
The older gentleman released a breath and smiled softly, "Give me your hand if we are to be friends. Shake on it."
"Okay." There seemed to be some important ritual among this people with the clasping of hands. Granted they didn't have large ears to express emotion, but it still felt more than a little strange to 'shake hands' as it were. After the ritual of friendship, Jack handed the blanket over. Sir Fortinbras smiled brightly and gestured him to sit down in a chair. Not too far away Amber was keeping track of Aloe while Andrew continued to scout the town.
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"Sir Fortinbras? Are you alright?" Jack asked when the older gentleman hadn't spoken for a while and looked on the verge of tears while petting the golden parts of the blanket. Guess the yellow really meant a lot to Sir Fortinbras.
"Nay lad. I have looked upon the world for four times twelve years. Twas on one midnight fated to th' purpose..." Burgess's town crier took a rumbling breath, "Truly, with no less nobility of love, seven summers have withered since split and torn in twain was my very heart! Mine drought weathered soul since she whom of all the world I loved... By angels my wife to heaven was lifted. Oh my Emilia! She whom had strands of starlight, moonlight and sunlight intertwined amongst her golden locks of summer! Mine memory holds her wishes and tears, such as her fondness for words of the theater. Ever after shown the way to heaven, her ghost I with remembrance guard. Forevermore to neglect the common tongue. Nevermore will rich words be deprived to the globe. I will follow she to mine last gasp."
Taking some time to decipher Fortinbras's jumbled fancy dialect, Jack eventually interpreted that the widower spoke in the way of scrambled Victorian English to remember his wife who had passed away seven years ago.
"I understand. My family was killed a while back, but it still seems unreal." Jack added softly, "Some days I expect to see my parents when I wake up, but then all I see is dirt. And then after panicking, I realize I still have Aloe."
"Ah lad," Fortinbras sighed, "Searching of thy wound, I have by hard adventure fund mine own. To be contracted in one brow of woe in great measure even mine hand would forgive a foe. But in the beaten way of friendship, though our fellowship lacks length, I do invest you jointly with my power, preeminence, and all the large effects that troop with majesty. Henceforth, mine palm of great experience will aid thee. Sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours, makes the night morning, and the noontide night. Such as it is, give thanks you have lived so long."
"Maybe I'll see another member of my family still living one day." Jack sighed, "Such is my hope."
"Tis a worthy goal. My hope and prayer is to be with my Emilia in the afterlife. By my testimony, I know I shall, unless I utterly fail to accomplish my purpose to live on Earth."
The two, one a mature youth and the other, a one wise elder then shared in the comfort of silent understanding.