To Francis' disappointment Arthur wasn't waiting for him at the foot of the stairs, so he had to enter the crowded kitchen alone. To his luck, though, no one except his friend and his parents seemed to notice him standing in the doorway of the kitchen in which the whole Kirkland family was eating, much chatter from the twins and Allistor in the background, although when Joseph Kirkland stood up and went to the Frenchman, they ceased their bickering and looked at him, the kitchen in complete silence except for the sound of sizzling bacon on the pan. The old man gave Francis his hand and Francis shook it. "My name is Joseph Kirkland, thank you for coming to help us," he swiftly said and when Francis had greeted him also, he went back to his seat and continued to read his paper. "So this is Francis?" William asked, his nasal voice and accent concrete, when the man in question sat down next to Arthur. "Looks like a nice fellow, strong too," Wallace added with a voice almost identical and continued to stuff his face with scrambled eggs. "Good, we need someone who could handle strong muscle-work," their father said, giving a slightly dodgy look to Arthur to which Scottie laughed. "Oh shut it, eejit, you know I could easily throw you to the ground," Arthur snapped, pointing his fork at his brother. "No fighting!" Margaret said and smacked her son against the back of his head, causing the Frenchman to smirk. She put a plate full of bacon, toast, scrambled eggs, cooked beans and tomatoes in front of him. "Eat up, we have a long day ahead of us," she said and went to sit at her husband's right hand. After half an hour of eating, their stomachs full of many servings of fried goods and porridge, Francis leaned back in his chair, sighing. To his amazement the twins ordered thirds. "I'll show Francis around the perimeter until you all finish up," Arthur said and stood from the table, his friend following him. Joseph went along with them to the living room and watched the two put on their wellingtons and leave the house. When Margaret came to bring him his tea, he asked: "You are sure that Francis fellow is Arthur's "special" friend?" "Of course!" the woman blushed and smiled. "If only you'd hear the way Bosey speaks of him on the phone!" she sighed and looked at the door the two had went through not too long ago. Joseph gave her an unconvinced look, to which she huffed and folded her arms. "Don't give me that look! Don't you want him to be happy?" "I do, but I still think you're overestimating it all," he simply said and sipped his tea.
It was a spectacular day outside, even though it was still early, 8 o'clock in the morning: the Sun was rising bright in the blue sky, making the greenery around pop to color, different trees blossoming in the fruit garden. Francis could finally see the magnificent and rustic beauty of this place; the looming blueish-green thick ancient woods in the north, fields as far away as the eye could see in the east, a road, paved with lonesome trees, leading to the nearest village in the south and the cottage complex with different farm buildings in the west, their orange and gray stone walls covered with vines and moss. The old age and happiness of this place couldn't stop Francis from smiling, he would had liked to visit this place for many years to come. Arthur was leading him to the forest, saying he wanted him to meet Nana. "I thought it was weird she wasn't at the breakfast table," Francis remarked when they were climbing up a slight green hill. "She wakes up very early, which reminds me - today is just a practice day. Tomorrow we have to wake up at dawn and start the real work," Arthur said to his friend's dismay - he had always hated waking up very early - when they had reached the top. Francis looked around and he hadn't been wrong earlier: the fields did seem to go on forever and the forest was immensely large. They started to descend the hill when he noticed where they were headed. A small one-man road through the tall grass lead to the woods, where below the first trees was a big wooden bench; on it sitting a woman. When they got closer, Francis finally got the first look of Arthur's grandmother. "She looks as ancient as the forest behind her," was his first thought. "Good morning, Nana," Arthur said and hugged her. The old woman hugged him back, but didn't say anything. "This is my friend Francis, he's here to help us with the farm-work," he said and Francis greeted her, but again received no reply. "We should go back, they should be done by now," Arthur said after a while and they left, Mary's eyes following their steps. When back on the top of the hill, Arthur suddenly stopped. "What's wrong?" Francis asked and went back to him, for he had already started to go towards the house. "I felt like saying something, but... I don't know, it's too difficult to put into words," Arthur said while looking melancholically at the fields. "The hardest thing to say is usually worth saying," Francis replied and smiled, wondering what his friend was thinking. Arthur gave him a good long look before opening his mouth, but he was cut off by his mother yelling from the door: "Arthur! Francis! Come down, we're going to hand out the tasks!" The Brit shook his head and told Francis not to mind him before walking to his mother. Disappointed and curious, the Frenchman followed him, but decided it best not to ask him yet. "He'll eventually tell me," he told himself as encouragement.
"The Sun is already too high up in the sky," Joseph said while looking up when the two got together with the rest of the family. He turned to his sons and Francis, and said: "I don't think there's much point in making a list what to do. The first thing we should do is clean the stable and the barn. Your mum's already let the pigs, hares and hens out so Arthur, you take the horses to the meadow; William, you take the sheep to the pasture and Wallace, you're in charge of the cattle and go with William. Scott, Francis and myself will start with forking up the muck and carting it all the way to the compost crate near the vegetable fields where you, Margaret, will start to spread it over. The twins will come and help you once they're done and you, Arthur, will join me. Does everyone understand?" Everyone nodded and they set off in their own directions. William and Wallace took the shepherd dogs with them to aid them while moving the herd of animals which consisted of five cows and 15 sheep to the green fields. Arthur hastily went to the stables and the rest followed him, since Joseph decided it best to start there. The stable was roomy, so every horse there had enough room for themselves in the stalls. There were six of them and they all were healthy-looking. "Hey, Aini, miss me?" Arthur said fondly and went to an elegant Arabian mare, gray and slightly spotted, its black tail and mane shining. He petted its soft nose and the horse snorted from joy. "Aini? That's an unique name," Francis said and went to him to see the horse better. "It's Arabian for spring," Arthur explained and went inside the stall to put a harness on it. Once done, he guided the horse out of the stable and told it to wait there. To his friend's surprise, it stayed on its spot and looked back to see Arthur go back to take the other horses. "These are Robb and Borain, very mellow Belgian draft stallions," William told Francis when his brother was taking care of two massive and strong dark brown horses with creamy manes and tails. When the harnesses were done, Arthur tied the two horses to Aini's sides to its harness. He then went to two big Irish gypsy horses. "Young stallions, Fonso - meaning noble - and Besnik, which means loyal," Arthur said when he brushed the black and white mane away to put on a harness for one of animals pied with the same colors. Once done with both, he tied Fonso to Robb and Besnik to Fonso. "And this is Janey," Scott said when Arthur entered the stall where a small dark gray mare with white spots and a white mane and tail. When Arthur's head almost reached the backs of other horses (except for Aini to which he reached to under its head), this pony was a little above the waist to him. "A sturdy old girl," the Brit said and rubbed its forehead after done with the harness. He went outside and tied it to Borain's side, who was happy to see the mare; the eldest horses were bought together and have been together ever since they were foals. "I'll be back as soon as I can," Arthur told the others and went to Aini, who was becoming restless from standing in one place too long. "No, no galloping now, later," he quietly said to the mare, sliding his hand across the majestic animal's long neck. "You're going bareback?" Margaret asked, holding a saddle ready for Arthur. "Yeah, the saddle would be a bother to carry back," Arthur replied and supporting his arms on the horse's back, he swiftly jumped onto it. He pressed his feet to to its sides to signal Aini to start moving and the convoy set off. Joseph tossed Francis a pair of gloves and a pitchfork. "Well, let's get to work," he said when everyone was ready.
Arthur rode the horses over the hill and once nearing his grandmother, the woman smiled. She had always liked horses and she smiled even more, when Arthur went to the forest with them, since she enjoyed when people visited the woods. She looked back until her grandson was no longer visible through the thicket. For about five minutes Arthur rode until he turned from the main road, long branches of spruces brushing his head. The small road led to a circular meadow inside the forest, completely bare of trees and bearing luscious green grass, a small stream with cold clear water running through it. The horses were happy to be back once again to this little paradise, smelling so fresh and the songs of different birds ringing in the background. The Brit tied the animals apart one by one and once done with everyone, they happily and calmly went off to nibble on the tender greenery. Everyone except for Aini, who started running around the perimeter, neighing cheerfully, joyed to run again and for not having to stay inside a stall or the small fold outside near the house, where there was no room to gallop. Arthur hung the harnesses to a nearby tree and went away, closing the small wooden gate behind him. He walked through the ancient forest, inhaling the sweet smell of spring and feeling vigorous. When he got back to the entrance of the woods, he noticed Nana missing. "She probably went to see the horses through her own secret ways," Arthur thought and climbed over the hill to go back to the stable.
In there work was going at full-steam. The heavy lifting and closed building made the men soon get hot and Francis tied his hair up, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "Harder than you thought it would be, huh?" Arthur asked him when he was back, taking Francis' blazer from him. "You have no idea," the Frenchman said and lifted a few more heavy bunches of used hay to the cart, his undershirt wet and clinging to his fit body. He was working hard, since he was under the impression that Joseph and his sons - except Arthur - probably thought that since he was a "prissy" Frenchman, he wasn't cut out to do heavy and dirty work. In reality though it was completely different - Joseph appreciated the amount of work Francis was doing and with such rigor, he even felt he and Allistor weren't doing enough. Scottie took the cart Arthur's friend had filled and took it outside to roll it where his mother was spreading the maneur. The Brit took a large hose and started to water down the already cleaned stalls. Once the water had drained through the small holes in the grounds, he took a big brush with stiff plastic bristles and began scraping the floors and when done with that, he cleaned them again with water. Soon every stable was cleared from hay, mud and dung, and Joseph stayed to help Arthur with his job when he had ordered Scottie and Francis to go and fetch fresh hay.
"Mon dieu, that's so good," Francis huffed once back outside, a fresh warm wind cooling him down. "Ye're a beast, Francis, I can 'ardly keep up with ye," Allistor laughed and patted him on the back. "Com' on, follow me." The two went to a repository, where stacks and rolls of hay were stored. Near it was a big rook to be carried by an ox. "Ye start fillin' it up, I'll go run off fer a sec 'n' get Billy," Scottie said and went towards the fields with a rope. Francis sighed, thinking the Kirkland was just leaving him to do everything by himself and started to fork the hay in the cart. About 15 minutes later, when he had almost filled it, Scott returned with a massive and muscular red bull. "Meet Billy," he said and fixed the ox to the rook. He then helped Francis to put the final bunches on the cart and when done, they walked alongside Billy back to the stable. "What a sturdy animal," Francis thought, looking at the bovine carry its heavy load with ease. They found Arthur and Joseph sitting on a bench outside the stable, consuming the juice and sandwiches Margaret had just brought. "Now we wait for the stalls to dry and then we'll stack the hay there," Joseph said, enjoying his pipe. Francis sat next to Arthur who was also wet from all the hard work and gratefully accepted the drink he was offering. Having drank the cold beverage, he felt instantly refreshed. "That's good, what is it?" he asked while Arthur poured him some more. "Apple and elderflower juice," the Brit replied, took another sandwich and rested his head against the stable walls. "It's already three in the afternoon and we still have the barn to take care of, ugh, not to mention the chicken pen in it," Joseph said while looking at his watch. "Aw great, we'll be finishin' quite late 'n the night," Allistor drawled and threw himself to the ground, laying on the cool grass.
"Oh my God, you all reek," Margaret said when she came to the now clean barn to see if the men were ready yet. They all stood, exhausted and fulfilled, admiring their hard work. "I really hope the sauna is ready," Joseph said and put his pitchfork to a nearby barrel. "Yes-yes, the twins are already there," she said and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner for the hungry workers. They walked around to the back of the house to a small building with a smoking chimney near a lake. "This lake leads to a river which then goes to the open sea," Joseph explained when Francis looked at the water shining black in the darkening weather, a few stars already twinkling in the navy sky. They neared the sauna and when Francis saw everyone was starting to take their clothes off, he assumed that the steam room was just behind the door and he did the same. They dropped their clothes into a nearby crate and entered the stuffy building, herbal hot air blowing to their face from the sudden draft. William and Wallace were already sitting at the top bench, sweaty and red from the heat. "Hey, you're finally here!" they said in union and threw everyone a cool bottle of beer from the cold-box near them. The newcomers also sat down and for a few moments they all drenched their thirst and sat down, their strained muscles eased by the heavy heat. "It's been a while since it's been so crowded here," Joseph said and took another bottle. For half an hour they sat there, talking and laughing, everyone relaxed and ease-minded from the constant well-flavored steam emanating from the heated stones when water mixed with different herbs was thrown at it. "'Ey, Artie, hand me the sheaf," Scottie asked Arthur, who was sitting near the wooden bucket filled with bunches of small branches from different trees. The Brit stood up but instead of handing it, he took it and started to lash it at his brother with, easily said, too much force, the sheaf acting as a whip. The rest of them laughed and soon after everyone was at war with each other, whipping the others with tender branches until the sheaves were completely trashed. William threw the end of his beer to Francis' face and ran out the door, briefly yelling: "Can't catch me, Francis!" Francis and the rest except for Joseph quickly followed him, laughing, but the mischievous twin was already in the cold lake, huffing from the icy chill he got from being too hot. Francis stood at the pier and laughed at him and just as he turned around he felt Arthur push him off it. He quickly grabbed hold of the Brit and pulled him to the water along with him. Wallace and Scott followed with cannonballs and soon enough another battle broke out, splashing each other with cold water and pushing them down under. "You're all going to catch a cold if you don't get out now!" Margaret yelled from the pier, holding a basket filled with towels. One by one they got out of the lake, shuddering in the wind and wrapped the big towels around themselves. They followed Margaret back to the house filled with delicious scents and went to the kitchen to sit at the table. "Freshly made coney stew with honey," she said when handing everyone a big bowl of aromatic food. They all dug in and enjoyed the meal, a side of fluffy white bread and cold milk accompanying it. When they were done, Margaret served her pumpkin pie with whipped cream and after having also finished that, the feeling of tiredness finally succumbed them, sleepy from the hard day, the now surrounding warmth and full stomachs. They all wished each ohter goodnight and went to their respective bedrooms.
A few hours had passed and it was a little past midnight when Francis had had enough. He sat up in his bed, not being able to sleep; he was still thinking what Arthur wanted to tell him earlier the day. He threw on his cardigan and quietly exited the room he was staying in. He smoothly opened Arthur's bedroom door and nearly scared the life out of him when he saw his friend standing at the door, reaching for the doorknob. "What are you doing here?" he hissed. "I - wait, where were you going?" Francis replied, whispering. Arthur quickly pulled him in to the bedroom and closed the door behind him in fear of someone seeing them. "I was going to get you, there's something I want to show you," Arthur whispered and opened the window. "Follow me." He climbed out the window to a small roof below it, Francis doing as he was told. They jumped to a nearby tree and climbed down and soon they were going up the same hill they had before. "Where are we going?" Francis asked, looking at his friend in the moonlit night. "To a place I really like," Arthur smiled and they continued along until they reached the entrance to the woods. To Francis' surprise, Nana was sitting on the bench, a lantern shining dimly next to her. They wished her a good evening and followed the trail deep into the forest, the woman's smiling gaze following them until they were gone in the darkness. Arthur led Francis to the meadow he had rode the horses to and climbing over the gate, he went to sit under a big oak tree, his friend joining him. Francis then understood why Arthur liked the place so much. It was quiet, nightly forest sounds surrounding them; the grass seemed silver under the light of the stars and the Moon, looming black spruces creating a perfect circle to the sky, a light fresh breeze shuffling through their hair. "I come here to think and just... be," Arthur said quietly and looked at the horses do their own business; some were lying down whilst others were still nibbling on the grass. For some time they sat there in complete silence, when Francis finally asked: "What did you want to tell me before?" Arthur shot his eyes open and wrapped his arms around his knees, looking embarrassed. "I don't know why, but almost everything you do makes me want to smile," he said silently, as if whispering. "Pardon?" Francis asked, not believing his ears. Arthur looked at him with shy eyes. "To be hoonest, I have no idea why I'm telling you those kinds of things… I'm not very... eloquent with my words and you have a special talent to make me somewhat lose my mind somehow, which is what could account for me seeming absolutely insane whilst talking to or about you. To be honest, I simply don't know what it is about you, but you make me nervous and excited and happy and at peace and probably a hundred more emotions all at once. I like it even if it does scare me a bit. I like to think it's because I see so much of myself in you and I honestly just want to breathe you in deep and never exhale. Sorry, if this freaks you out and I'm sure these are unrequited sentiments, but how else am I supposed to tell you? You're wonderful and pure - well, in your own way - and lovely and kind and a million more things that I can't wait to still discover about you. So... thank you, Francis... for being there for me whenever I am in need and even if I'm not... for I am afraid of the dark." Arthur finished and continued to look at the horses, fidgeting with his fingers, wondering what came over him. Francis smiled, the happiest he's ever been, and said quietly: "Then, in the words of Michael Faudet, let me tell you, that I will be your torch." Arthur smiled, closed his eyes, and they continued to sit there in welcoming silence for an hour more, until sleep was too overpowering and they decided it best to return to the house.