Hello There! I am so sorry this came in late! I've got no excuses that's my bad. But anywho here's my story I hope you like it. And again I apologize for this being late.
Story for prompt #4 : a fall hiking trip.
Enjoy!
-Joyful Wild
BROTHER
"Come on, Janner!" Thirteen-year-old Kalmar exclaimed excitedly.
"I'm...coming!" Janner called back. He was about to turn fifteen in the winter.
It was in the afternoon but with the fall breeze gently blowing it didn't feel hot but, you still needed a jacket. It was about a hour after lunch when Kalmar asked Janner to go on a hike with him. And with no hesitation Janner grabbed his sword and went with Kalmar. It had now been thirty minutes since they started their hike and Kalmar had challenged Janner to a race to a big rock up ahead. And of course, Kalmar won but Janner didn't mind. The boys sat against the rock to catch a breath then they continued their walk. Janner had asked multiple ties if they should head back but Kalmar had not stopped until it was about an hour later.
"Ok Kal, now we should be heading back." Janner said.
Kalmar sighed turned around to look him but, this time he looked sad instead of happy. "What's wrong?" Janner asked.
"It's just this whole time we've been out here you've been scared."
"What makes you think I'm scared?"
"Well, every ten minutes you've been asking to turn back as if there's something up ahead that could kill us."
"That's not why I've been asking that."
"Then tell me why."
Janner opened his mouth then closed it when he realized that his brother was right. He looked down then said, "Ok, so maybe I want to make sure that you're alright."
"Janner, I need you to do something for me."
"What is it?"
Kalmar pulled out a blindfold. "Put this over your eyes."
"What? Why?"
"Janner don't you trust me?"
"Yes, I trust you."
"Then put this on." Janner took the blindfold and wrapped it around his head. "Could you at least tell me what you're doing?" Jammer asked.
Kalmar stood behind Janner and put his hands on his shoulders. "I want to see how much you trust me."
"Kalmar, I do trust you."
"Then why are you scared?"
"One, I'm not scared and two, as a Throne Warden I need to make sure that you're okay." Kalmar shook his head and gently pushed Janner forward. Janner wanted to ask so many questions, but he knew Kalmar wouldn't answer them. It had been ten minutes until Kalmar finally stopped Janner and took the blindfold off of his head. At first Janner only saw light but once his eyes adjusted, he saw the most beautiful view ever. He and Kalmar stood near the edge of the cliff looking out onto a great big forest filled with many colors of red, orange, yellow and brown. Janner stood there with awe and wonder. It was beautiful.
"See, what we would've missed if we turned back?" Kalmar asked.
"But why did you want me to be blindfolded?"
"I wanted to see how much you trusted me."
"Kal, I've told you before I do trust you."
"Then how come you carry your sword everywhere you go? How come whenever I say I'm going to go somewhere you get worried and run after me."
"I'm supposed to protect you. Is that bothering you?"
"No. Janner I'm very grateful that you are my brother and that the Maker gave me you to be my Throne Warden but I think what's happening is you're doing everything out of fear. You're afraid that you're going to loose me."
"Kalmar I'm not afraid."
"Yes, you are, Janner! Even before we discovered of who we truly were you always seemed nervous. When we were on the run there was always something in you that made you look afraid. Even in the Hollows you were worried about the people hurting me. In fact the only times I remember you not being so anxious was when we were little kids and we didn't know about the troubles of this world and...when you died. Then after the Maker brought you back you seemed more worried. Even though we are safe at home you look like you're expecting an attack. Janner I'm very grateful for you watching out for me and I'm very proud of you. But for once I just want to see you for one day not worrying about anything and truly enjoying life and spending time together without putting a hand on your sword."
Janer looked down at his sword and found his hand on it without him knowing it was there. Janner looked up at Kalmar. "Kamar, I don't keep my sword with me because I'm afraid-"
"Yes, you are Janner! I can see it. I can tell when you're afraid."
"Okay, fine! So maybe I don't want to lose you. Kalmar, I don't think I'll ever forgive myself if I lost you." Janner looked down and tried not show his tears in his eyes. He remembered having a nightmare about losing Kalmar, but he never told anyone about it.
"Janner, look at me at me. I'm right here. I'm okay. See I'm safe. You don't have to worry so much, just for once let me help you!" Janner finally looked up into his brother's eyes.
"Kal, I'm the oldest sibling, I'm the Throne Warden! It's my job to help you and protect you!"
Kalmar stayed silent for a few seconds then walked closer to Janner. He noticed that Kalmar had tears in his eyes too. "I know that lately we've been busy with meetings and making sure that Anniera is in order. And I could tell when you're getting overwhelmed with having to keep an eye on me and make sure that our people are in danger."
"Well, I'm the Throne Warden and you're the King what else do you expect?"
"Just because I'm not a Throne Warden doesn't mean I can't protect you to."
"Kalmar that's not how it works. I'm supposed to protect you. Not the other way around."
"Why? Because our ancestors made it that way, because you're the oldest?"
"Yes that is exactly why I'm the Throne Warden."
"But I think you forgot that we're brothers. We protect each other!"
"I know that we're brothers, but it is my job to make sure that Anniera's King is alive. I protect you."
"But why can't I protect you?"
"Because Anniera needs their king."
"But I want my brother!" Kalmar exclaimed with tears falling down his face. "Not a soldier who is always serious and marching around and has his sword ready at all times as if he was in war! I want my brother! The brother who isn't worried all the time! The brother I remember having the greatest time with me and enjoying things without fear. You've done your part as a Throne Warden and a brother now I need to do my part as a brother. Janner the more worried you are the more you're going to miss. You're going to miss so many wonderful things that the Maker brings. And most of the good things in life come from pain. Joy feels so much sweeter after you feel sadness. You can't be healed unless you're broken. There are going to be times where something happens to me, and I need you to understand that you won't be able to stop it from happening. You have to let go. I know you don't want to lose me, but I don't want to see you every day looking more and more worried. Please Janner, let protect you and help you. You can't keep everything to yourself forever. Please, let me be your brother."
Janner stood there staring at Kalmar, surprised at what he said. Janner looked down at his sword again then back at Kalmar. Then Janner took the sheath with his sword in it and took it of his hip and dropped onto the ground. "I...," Janner wanted to speak but couldn't. Then he felt his legs grow a bit weak. He soon dropped but never hit the ground because had caught him and held him as tight as he could. Kalmar gently set Janner on the ground while Janner cried into his shoulder. Kalmar couldn't help but cry too. Then Kalmar prayed out loud while Janner prayed in his mind, both asking the Maker to take away the fears and worries. "I'm sorry Kalmar." Janner said.
Kalmar slowly pushed Janner off of his shoulder so that he could see him. Kalmar put his hands on both sides of Janner's face and put their foreheads together. "It'll be okay. I love you."
"I love you too."
Then Kalmar brought Janner into a hug and held his brother as tight as he could and thought about drawing a picture of this hike. "Janner, I need you to do something for me."
Janner laughed, "What?"
"Promise you'll do it?"
"I promise."
"Please, love yourself in the way I do so that you can see why I can't lose you."