Pebble in the Pond
Chapter 2:
|| Youth ||
xxx
Will Thorne shook his head, his growing curls flowing in the strong breeze as he laughed loudly, the sound echoing the trees surrounding him.
A boy of not yet ten, he was mischievous and adventurous, often sneaking around the hillside of his home to explore. He never got far because he worried about his mother.
The only reason she let him as well, was because he had Daisy, the family herd dog beside him. She was huge and strong, a dark brown dog with gleaming amber eyes, capable of taking down cattle or local wolves or predators.
Will adored his dog, hugging her often. When he was five he used to use her as a horse, considering how big she was to him. Emma had once disliked the idea of Daisy becoming a house pet, but since she had no cattle anymore, the dog had a new purpose in its life.
"Come on, mum will be waiting." He now called to the dog, his voice high and filled with spirit.
Daisy whuffled her agreement and followed him obediently.
He hadn't wandered far and they soon came across the small home set far from Wensley Village, but the closest to the castle.
Will was too young to go to the castle. Sometimes his mother would take him on Market Day.
He knew he hadn't been born at this small house, comfortable with two bedrooms, and a small four metre field at the back of the property.
His mother, weak and sick from his birth, couldn't maintain their old farm on her own, so she sold it and bought a smaller place.
Will helped her often in the field, which they grew herbs for medicine or local spices to the village and the castle. She taught him how to care for the fields, keeping them free of weeds or pests, and how to water and fertilise.
They made enough money as well as the castle's benefit to survive in luxury, which was good, because Emma was often tired and needed a lot of rest.
Will rounded the corner and came to the front door, pausing as he heard voices inside. His mother didn't often have visitors. Occasionally the local healer would come around with poultices or medicines to make her stronger, but he knew the healer's voice, and these were two distinctly different male voices, which made him curious.
Will stepped in, Daisy following.
"Will! I've been looking for you!" Emma exclaimed when she spotted him.
He stepped forward, gratefully falling into her extended arms.
"You're filthy." She scolded and he smiled.
Will looked up, finally taking in the two figures that towered over him.
At first glance they were intimidating. One carried a sword at his belt, while the other had a huge bow slung over his shoulder.
His eyes widened and he slunk further into his mother's embrace, mindful of the ever safe presence of Daisy beside him.
Emma was used to Will's emotions and pried his hands off her, forcing him to meet the two men.
"Will, don't be shy." She ordered and he let her pull him to his feet, keeping his hand in hers.
One handsome but slightly overweight man in reasonably rich clothes leant down to smile at him. His beard and moustache were trimmed neatly and with a smile, he looked far less dangerous.
"This is Baron Arald, he looks after the castle." Emma said.
Will frowned, wondering what an important man would be doing at his home.
"Hi Will, it's nice to meet you." The man said warmly, offering a large hand to shake.
The child took it, surprised at the strength of grip.
"And this is Ranger Halt." She smiled at the cloaked figure.
Halt glanced at her, his mouth twitching into what could be an 'almost' smile. He then looked down and studied the boy. He didn't offer his hand but instead nodded.
Will didn't know if that was a good thing and so he kept staring openly, unashamed with his glances, the way only a child could be.
Emma drew him against her legs so he could hide against her skirts and cleared her throat, drawing the men's attention back to her face.
"The Baron has been supplying us with enough money to live since your father died." She now spoke, almost quietly, directing her words to Will.
Will looked up at her at that. She didn't often speak of his father, Daniel, and found he wanted to know more.
"And Halt came and made sure I was looked after before you were born." She went on.
"Did you know my father?" Will asked boldly, directing it to either of the men.
Smiling faintly, the Baron shook his head. "I'm afraid I didn't."
Turning his head, Will let his hopeful gaze fall on the Ranger.
Halt flicked a glance in Emma's direction and she merely blinked back. The boy missed the look entirely.
"Yes I knew him." He said finally, the voice quiet and controlled.
Everyone could see Will was ready to pounce on Halt with eager questions, so Emma let a hand fall to his head, keeping her to him and silencing him. The boy made a small grumbling sound, but stayed in place.
"Perhaps you can discuss it at another time." She said, smiling.
Arald and Halt nodded.
"We just came to see how you were doing. I try and regularly check those I'm helping, but sometimes I lose track of time." The Baron said, smiling sheepishly.
Halt didn't add to it, but he nodded slightly. Emma was grateful that he made the effort to see her; he had in the past, but Will wouldn't have remembered.
"Well we better be heading back." The Baron told her, smiling, making sure to include Will in the gesture.
"Yes, thank you for visiting." Emma replied, moving to let them out of her small home.
Will snuck behind her, watching the retreating figures.
Arald seemed nice, for a Baron. Not that Will had met any Barons before. Halt was terrifying but he knew something about his father, which made him interesting.
"Well that was nice." His mother said warmly, leaning against the door frame.
"Why won't you talk about father?" Will asked her, surprising her by his closeness.
Emma turned and sighed, kneeling down so she could trace the side of his face with her hand.
"He was a good man. I'll tell you the rest when you're older." She told him softly, but with the familiar sound of authority behind it.
Seeing her son's eyes flash and his lip turned to a pout, she stood and called Daisy over.
"She needs to be fed and then you can help me make the dinner."
Will made a scoffing noise and folded his arms.
"Daisy doesn't need to eat, she's getting fat." He said bluntly.
Emma turned and smiled at her son.
"Well that's because she'll have puppies soon." She told him.
Will looked at his dog and noticed she was plump, but he assumed it was because he overfed her at dinner.
The prospect of puppies caused a great smile to form on his face, and already the day's conversation was a distant memory.
A/N:
I like Will with a last name with T. It's his mother's name, if you don't like it, don't worry; I won't mention it much :)
I also thought he was great with animals, hence having a dog.
- Love Mae.