One exam down and another update! In this chapter, a new character will be introduced and Jack's past, how he met Rapunzel, and why they are in Scotland is revealed. I'm letting you guys know way ahead of time but I'm going on vacation for the whole month of July so writing during that time will be minimal to none, so don't expect any updates for ANY of my stories during that month. Sorry for any inconveniences.
Nothing to report this chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter #8: Family and Friends
The following week passed quietly with little event. William MacInroy left DunBroch and headed for his own castle a few kilometres north for some 'business'. What kind of business? Merida couldn't care less; she finally had some freedom to do what she wanted but little did she know that William's right hand man, Artair, was keeping an eye on her from the shadows.
The moon Jack and Rapunzel had been anticipating would arrive soon: the new moon. Soon, Tuffnut and Rannveig would be making their escape and Rapunzel had come up with the perfect cover: a gathering filled with music, dancing, and drink. Rapunzel knew that many would come even a few guards would leave their posts to join, leaving the streets empty. At some point during the gathering, when all the guests had their share of strong alcohol, Jack would leave and escort Tuffnut and Rannveig to the forest to meet with Aileen. From there, the two would make their way to England and then- Whoa! I'm getting ahead of myself; the new moon would not come from another three days.
Where was I? Oh, yes: during the week, Merida had ordered brand new arrows but something was wrong with them. Though it was only a small problem, she knew who she wanted to fix it.
Merida's POV
I was walking as causally as I could towards the smithy. The tips of the arrows I had ordered weren't sharp. I could easily do it myself but some part of me wanted to talk to Hendry again and I was certain he knew how to sharpen arrow. How much different could it be from sharpening a sword? When I arrived, I saw that the door was closed. I took hold of the door handle and tried to turn it but it couldn't; the door was locked.
I let out a quiet grunt of frustration; where could he be? I knocked almost furiously but there was no reply. I paced back into the direction I came, my mind contemplating what I should do to pass the time. I had no lessons today and there was no William around to stop me from doing what I wanted. That combination could mean only one thing: do the archery course with Angus! Before running to the stables, I went to my room to replace the new arrows with the old ones. As soon as that was done, I sped out of the castle for another day of pure freedom
Still Merida's POV
The sound of soft cooing and the familiar blue flame appearing out of nowhere had stopped me right in the middle of the course. The instant I had stopped, the single Wisp became a long trail of little blue flame. I kicked Angus lightly and we slowly trotted down the trail. Once again, the Wisps led me down a familiar path. Once again, they were leading me to the river.
When the river came in sight, I first thought that it was deserted but then I saw someone sitting on a rock facing the river, a notebook in his right hand and a charcoal pen in his left, scribbling on the parchment; a bag was lying beside the rock. I knew who it was; that auburn hair was not hard to recognize,
"Hendry?" I asked quietly, not expecting him to shoot up from the rock and closing the notebook with a slap. He spun around and gave a very awkward bow, nearly tripping on his fake leg.
"You Highness." I heard him mutter. Rolling my eyes, I jumped off of Angus and let him graze in the grass,
"How many times do I have to ask you to call me Merida?" I asked with a tone that was a mix of annoyance and a chuckle. Straightening himself, Hendry just shrugged his shoulders. I looked at the notebook he had in his hand, the pen marking the page he was on, "Can I see that?" I asked, motioning to the notebook. Hendry looked at it and slowly handed it to me. I sat down in the grass.
I opened the notebook and saw a half drawn charcoal picture of the river and the surrounding forest, "Are you some kind of an artist?" I inquired, turning the next page. On it was a very well drawn picture of the castle "These are rather good." I turned the next page to see a group of men and women dancing; it seemed so realistic I could almost hear the music playing, "They're very good, actually." I turned on more page and saw a village situated in front of a large rolling hill and surrounded by a small forest, "Hendry, this is incredible." I looked at him and he shrugged his shoulders,
"A lot of people back in my village didn't seem to think so."
"Really?" He carefully took the notebook from my hands and closed it,
"That's why I only draw when I'm on my own with nobody to make fun of me."
I looked at him and smiled. Right at that moment I realized how Hendry and I both did the things we love when nobody's watching. Him with his drawings and me with my archery. We had more in common than I dared thought.
Rapunzel's POV
The kitchen was quieter than usual. Lunch had finished only 10 minutes earlier and most of the cooks and maids had left either to check up on family or spend a few spare minutes in town. It was that time of year again when merchants and traders from the far corners of the kingdom would come to the castle and try to sell their wares but I decided not to go. There was really one merchant I would want to see and he wasn't coming; he'd always send a message a few days prior to his arrival and I've gotten nothing.
With a sigh, I looked into the fire; I had finished all my other jobs earlier and now I was relaxing in front of the fire. It was nice and quiet here, the only sounds coming from the crackling fire and the few servants that decided to stay behind. The peace was abruptly disrupted when Máiri came bursting through the door,
"Rapunzel!" she screamed as she ran to me,
"What is it?" I asked quickly. Was something wrong? Did something happen to Jack? Did-?
"He's here!" she panted,
"What!?" He's here!? I shot up from my chair and grabbed her shoulders, "Where!?" After a few more pants, she pointed to the door,
"In his usual spot in the market place." That's all I needed to know. Without saying another word, I ran out the door as fast as I could, towards the marketplace. He's here! I couldn't believe it! He did come! But why didn't he tell me he was coming? Did he want to surprise me that much?
The marketplace was much busier than usual; everybody wanted to see if they could rack up a good deal on some quality English wool or a rare trinket that the trader claimed that it was from mainland Europe. Everywhere, merchant and traders were yelling loudly their wares and prices while musicians played on the streets trying to earn a pretty coin from a passing music lover. But I ignored it all; I was too focused on finding him. With the thick crowd it was hard to see anything. I looked around and found a sturdy unused box standing by a stall. I climbed up and looked in all directions and there to my left, I saw it. In a less crowded area of the market, stood a stall with many brightly dyed wool spread out on the table, a tall man with short black hair and-though it was too far to see-light blue eyes. He was wearing a white shirt, a gray vest and black pants. He was talking to a costumer with a light blue fabric in their hand and a pouch of money in the other.
"Onceler!" I yelled out loudly after the costumer left, waving my hands high in the air. I wasn't sure if he heard me but he started to turn his head left and right before his sight fell on me. A bright smile came on his distant face and he ran away from the stall. At the same time, I jumped down and ran to him. We both ran and we didn't slow down when we came into each others sights. We crashed into each other and embraced tightly, "I thought you weren't coming!" I squealed loudly, the people around us watching,
"Did you honestly think I would miss an opportunity to see my baby sister?" He chuckled and gave a peck on my cheek before letting me go,
"You do have a point," I agreed, "How's father?"
"The same: old, grumpy, and still mad at you."
"Like I'd expect anything different." I joked.
Besides my father, Onceler was the only family I had. My mother had died giving birth to me and Onceler's mother, my stepmother, had been dead for a few years now. I haven't spoken to my father in 5 years and I don't blame him for being so silent. Any father would be furious to hear from his stepson that his only daughter ran away to marry someone they deemed unsuitable. My father did not approve of me marrying Jack; he had always called him a "pick-pocketing beggar". Prior to meeting me, Jack had a hard life. He and his sister were beggared orphans; not a single orphanage would take the two in. Jack was forced to steal food and money for them to survive the harsh life of the streets. During their wanderings in Northern England, Jack managed to get a spot for his sister in a convent but sadly, the convent refused to let Jack live there as the Mother Superior feared that Jack would run away with one of the precious relics or the silver. Reluctantly, he left his sister there with the hope that she'd live a better live than before and a promise that he'd come back for her.
Somehow Jack stumbled into the place where I lived, a town about 5 km south of the rubble wall separating England from Scotland. There he put the promise in motion. He managed to get a low-paying you in the stables. In the weeks that followed, he learned everything he now knows about horses but, thought his boss saw potential, his low wage stayed the same. Several weeks later, Jack was caught stealing bread; the harvest that year had been bad and the price of bread had gone up, much higher than Jack could afford with his low wage-even my family, despite a successful wool business, were reluctant to buy it. I was nearby when the guards came to arrest him. I remember Jack was screaming at the top of his lungs that he was so hungry, hoping that his pleas would spark some pity in the guards. But there was none. Onceler was with me that day and he tried to pull me away, saying there was nothing I could do but I ignored him and, by some miracle from God, the guards stopped when I told them to. They must've recognized me as the "beloved only daughter of the wealthy wool merchant" and when Onceler joined me, they were more than willing to let Jack go.
After a heated argument with my father, Jack could stay, though only for a few weeks. Day turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and by the time the first year passed, Jack was pretty much part of the family, though my father didn't trust him. As the time passed, Jack and I became close friends and slowly I fell in love with him. One night, Jack and my father had an argument, the biggest they'd ever had, and Jack stormed out of the house and headed to the stables with the intention of leaving. I found him before he could mount his horse. He confessed his feelings for me and asked me to marry him. I had said yes without a second thought. Our first kiss happened right there and I remember only one thing about it: that it was perfect.
Moments later, Onceler entered the stable to get Melvin, his mule. I opened my mouth to explain but he held up his hand, saying that he had heard the argument between father and Jack. Just before he left with Melvin, he said,
"Head north to Scotland. Father will not look for you there." He had looked at us and smiled, "I wish you every happiness." And with that, he left.
Since that day, Jack and I have been in Scotland, wandering between the other kingdoms before settling permanently in DunBroch with a few months old Diana. Only Jack had been back to England and only for one reason: to fulfill his promise to his sister. He came back a week later with a simple rosary and the sad news that his sister had been deathly ill and had died only minutes after he found her in the convent. She had lived long enough to hear that her brother was happily married with a child and a good job.
After Onceler closed hi stall in the evening, we decided to walk through the now nearly empty marketplace. As we walked, we caught up on each other's lives,
"How Jack? Is he still as annoying as he was the last time I saw him?" I giggled. During his time with my family, Jack had quickly established himself as a prankster and a trouble maker. His favourite target: Onceler. On a regular basis, Jack would pull a prank or just do something to annoy Onceler. But despite all the pranks and annoyances, Onceler couldn't help but like Jack.
"Jack hasn't changed a bit." I laughed when Onceler let out a sarcastic groan.
"That's too bad." He said in a voice overwhelming with sarcasm, "I was hoping for some peace and quiet." I laughed even more and gave him a small push on his shoulder,
"You are a horrible joker." He started to laugh too,
"I know," He hiccupped when the bout stopped, "That's why we have Jack." I laughed a bit more before changing the subject; I wanted to know how his life was since I'd last seen him,
"How's town? Any women catching your eye?" I winked and he chuckled nervously, his hand rubbing his neck,
"Town's still the same and all the women too; they still think I'm too work-orientated and all the women don't like that. Besides," He looked at me, "you know there is already a woman in my life." I stopped walking and he did too. I shook my head a little,
"You do know that her father doesn't trust you a bit?" He nodded earnestly with a smirk,
"I know but has that ever stopped us?" I chuckled and shook my head,
"Before you know it you'll end up like me." We both laughed. When the laughter died, I asked, "Are you staying at their inn again?"
"Yes. I wouldn't want to catch you and Jack in an embarrassing moment."
"Once!" I punched him playfully in his shoulder,
"What?" He retorted, "It was bad enough catching you and Jack kissing and besides, I hear you're already hosting a guest." I nodded and we stood there in silence for a few minutes before Onceler decided to head to the inn,
"I'll talk to you again soon?"
"Yes." He turned around and walked into the direction of the inn. He was almost out of hear-able distance when something important shot into my mind "Hey!" I yelled and he turned around. I cupped my hands around my mouth "There's going to be a gathering at my house in three days! Can you come?" Onceler smiled,
"Wouldn't miss it for all the gold in the world!"
Merida's POV
I laughed so loud that I was certain everybody in DunBroch could hear it. The fact that Hendry was splashing in the water trying to get up from an embarrassing fall didn't help either. I clutched my stomach and doubled over, nearly choking from all the laughter.
"You know you're really not helping!" Hendry yelled as he finally got some balance back only to have his fake leg slide on some rocks. Luckily he didn't fall and he stumbled onto dry land, soaked from head to toe. Seeing him like that forced another bout of laughter that I smothered by covering my mouth. He brushed the wet hair away from his eyes and watched me as I died of laughter.
"I know I'm not." I managed to hiccup through my bouts. When the laughter died down, if only a little, I noticed his wet clothing; if he didn't change them, he'd get sick even though it was pretty warm today. He was looking down at his clothing and probably thinking the exact same thing. I was about to suggest an idea when he walked to the line of trees and just took his tunic off! Since that was the last thing I was expecting, I caught a look. He was muscular, result from years as a blacksmith, with an amazing physique and-
I averted my gaze when I realized what I was doing! I'm betrothed! I shouldn't be looking at another man! Trying to distract myself, I began to spin, staring up at the sky. Slow at first and when I found the fun in it, I began to spin faster and faster and faster until I was too dizzy to even stand. I collapsed to the ground and twisted onto my back, watching fluffy clouds of various sizes drift slowly by. It was then that I noticed the red hues in the sky. Had I really spent the whole day with Hendry? I heard something fall down in the grass and Hendry's head appeared beside me. We both stared silently at the sky, watching the clouds move by and the occasional flock of birds. Two ravens flew overhead and watching them reminded me of the Viking beliefs my mom made me learn: that Odin, their chief god, had two ravens that flew around the nine realms and reported back to him. I chuckled; those Vikings had some weird beliefs! Nine realms in a large tree and a bridge of rainbows that connected those realms!
"What's so funny?" Hendry asked. I looked at him and saw he was wearing a cloak that had probably appeared from his bag.
"Nothing." I looked back up at the sky, placing one of my hands under my head. "Do you ever wonder if there is somebody up there watching you?" Hendry remained silent; I turned my head and saw him staring at the sky,
"Yes." He answered quietly and I was certain I heard a twinge of sadness,
"Who?" He was silent of a long time before he let out a long sigh,
"My parents." I was confused at first then it dawned on me that the family Hendry had lived with before coming to work for dad wasn't his real family. Nobody knew who his real parents were and nobody could get it out of the 14 year old.
"I'm sorry. Do you miss them?" He looked away and sniffed a little,
"Yes and no. I don't remember a lot about my mom and my dad…. I had always been a disappointment to him."
"Surely you don't mean that." How could somebody like Hendry be a disappointment to their own dad?
"I don't have a single memory where he said he was proud of me or that he loved me." He fell silent, sighing deeply and closing his eyes,
"Well if it helps," I said, catching his attention, "I think you are one of the most amazing people I have ever met." I meant it; I really did. I could be myself around him.
"Thank you." He whispered, his eyes shining with happiness. The next minutes were spent in utter silence, the two of us just staring at the sky. The silence was broken by Hendry's heavy sigh,
"Something wrong?"
"No," He replied nonchalantly, moving to a sitting position, "Just want to ask you something."
"What?" I teased in a singsong tone,
"There's going to be a gathering at Jack's and Rapunzel's place in three days. There's going to be music and dancing and everything. W-Would you maybe like to come? I'm sure they won't mind." I have never been to such a gathering before but Rapunzel had always described as if it was the best thing on this Earth. Besides, William wouldn't be back for at least 4 days, so what William doesn't know can't hurt me,
"I'd love to!"
There you have it folks. Review, follow, favourite.