I'm back again.
The next day.
Wendy stepped lightly, as she went down the stairs.
She had to get breakfast started and help her mother wash David and her clothes from yesterday.
She looked around the dining hall. The lone guest from yesterday was nowhere to be seen.
She had been sure the sun was higher in the sky than normal, but if he was not there … then...
"Wendy?" She froze as she entered the kitchen.
Her mother was standing in the kitchen with her grandmother, Arthur, the baker's wife Mrs. Marny, and the weaver's daughter Mina.
She looked at them confused for a moment. "I'll get started on some eggs." She then said and started towards the door.
"No need for that, my darling." Her mother said with a warm smile. She stepped forward and stroked the young girl's cheek. "Anna and her husband have given us enough bread for a few days."
"Oh, it's nothing, Mary." The large woman said and smiled.
"Does that mean I don't need to get eggs?" Wendy asked confused.
Mina let out a giggle.
"You should not go out in that." She said and gestured towards the oversized shirt hanging loosely on Wendy. "You could catch a cold."
Then she turned around and showed Wendy some folded clothes.
"I work hard, but I managed to get them all clean, though I had to prepare a rip in your shirt."
Wendy took the clothes. It was her shawl, undergarment, skirt, and apron.
They were all clean.
"Father said, we could sew in one of my old dresses if you need," Mina said to Wendy's mother.
"Oh, you don't need to do that much." She answered with a smile, as Wendy let the oversized shirt fall to the ground and put on her own clothes.
The baker's wife put a hand on her shoulder. "Mary … when something like this happens, we need to help each other."
"It is the least we can do when you have done so much to help us." Mina joined in.
Mary blushed but turned towards her bedroom when she heard her husband groan.
"I'm coming dear," she said.
Then the kitchen door opened to show a girl from the village with a milk churn.
"Mother and father said to bring you this milk." She said and lifted the heavy thing with difficulty.
Wendy's mother smiled and looked at her daughter, who had just finished tying her apron.
"You can go out and get some eggs, anyway. Let us make some omelets for our guests.
Wendy smiled and put on her shawl.
As she went around the side of the house, Wendy stopped.
Between the house and the chicken coop stood their lone guest looking out at the forest.
Wendy did not really know what to do and considered hiding behind the corner of the house when the guest turned around and looked at her.
He gave her a polite smile.
"I am sorry," he said confused. "Is this a place I shouldn't be?"
Wendy felt her cheeks grow hot. "I … need to … get eggs..."
The man looked towards the chicken coop and laughed, as he stepped backward, leaving her a direct line to the chickens.
Wendy did not know what to do, so she ran toward the chicken coop without looking at him.
She could not think straight, as she was putting eggs in the basket.
It had been so embarrassing.
She opened the door to the outside slowly.
He was not there anymore.
She then hurried to the kitchen.
In the time she had been gone, there had been more people.
They had delivered butter, cheese, and sausage.
Eva had woken up and stood excitedly beside their mother, as she prepared the stove to make omelets.
They had gotten the stove sometime after David was born, but they rarely used it, because it required just as much wood as the fireplace, and they had to keep the kitchen window open because of the smoke.
Wendy's mother smiled at her and took the eggs from Wendy. "Thank you. Would you mind brewing some tea?"
The girl nodded and went to get water. When she came back, she noticed that there was a lot of noise coming from the dining hall, much more than their lone guest could make.
She peeked inside and saw that, just like the night before, almost the whole village had come to the inn.
Her father was sitting at a table nearest to the door smiling, laughing, and entertaining the guests, as he usually did.
Wendy smiled and went back to brewing tea.
Edward came into the kitchen, as she was taking the kettle out of the fireplace to cool. He tucked on the sleeve.
"Father is in the hall..." he whispered.
There was something off with his face, but Wendy smiled at him nonetheless.
"I know, I saw it." She whispered back.
But Edward's face didn't change. "There is something wrong..." he started.
"Edward!"
Both children turned toward their grandmother.
"Some of the guests are thirsty." The old woman said. "Would you...?"
"Of course, grandmother." He said and went along.
"Wendy, would you take this to our guest?" Her mother asked and handed her a plate with an omelet.
Wendy took it. "The one that stayed here tonight?" She asked, making sure it was their lone guest.
Her mother smiled. "Yes, since he saved your father, he gets the first one."
She nodded and went out.
The guest was sitting right next to her father, drinking, and smiling politely.
She tapped him on the shoulder and handed him the plate when he turned to look at her.
"Thank you, my darling." Her father said and placed a big hand on her head. He then looked at the guest. "It's not much sir, but it is what we have, and we are very grateful to you."
Wendy furrowed her brows. She had never heard her father refer to someone younger than himself as a Sir.
The man nodded and put the plate down on the table.
"Thank you, though it is not me you should be thanking..." the young man started.
Wendy stared at him with big eyes.
Was he going to say, that she was the one to find her father?
Before the lone guest could continue, her mother called from the kitchen.
After all the breakfast had been brought out to the big table and all the guests had been served, the children could finally join their parents at the table.
Wendy poked at her omelet. It shook for a second before it was still again.
A traveler had once told their mother how to make it. Before that, she had no idea what they were.
Wendy took a bite of it. It was creamy, warm, and tasted good. It was a shame, they rarely got them, before it took so much stuff to make them.
"You said before, that you were not the one that found Edgar." One of the men at the table said to the lone guest. "Then who saved the innkeeper?"
The lone guest smiled and looked at Wendy.
"Was it fairies, perhaps?" Offered another man at the table, and light laughter traveled around the hall.
The grandmother frowned at the mention of fairies but continued to eat.
The lone guest shook his head with a smile, as the laughter died down.
"Actually, it was your daughter, Mr. innkeeper." He finally said.
"Wendy?" Her father said in disbelief.
Suddenly all eyes turned to the little redheaded girl sitting in between her younger siblings.
"Yes," the young man continued while smiling at Wendy. "She and her brother went farther into the forest than anyone, and when she found you, she yelled for help."
There was silent at the table.
It did not seem like anyone knew what to say.
"Well, I do not surprise me, that was the reason she snuck out." Her grandmother said.
Then her mother let out a giggle. "No, Wendy has always been like that..."
Suddenly the table erupted into stories of things Wendy had done, that were both fantastic and unladylike.
Wendy felt her cheeks grow red, and she left the table under the guise of seeing to the other guests.
As she went around the hall, she walked past her father and the lone guest.
"Your child is very courageous." The lone guest said to her father.
Her father caught a glimpse of her and smiled. "Very courageous, indeed."
A few days later.
Wendy sat up and stepped out of bed.
The last few days had been odd.
Villagers had continued to come each day with different kinds of food, and they had barely had any guests at all. Some of the villagers were even doing their chores for them.
She tied her skirt around her waist and put her apron on.
The oddest thing though was that it had been a few days, but her father was still in bed, and the doctor had still not visited again.
She went down the stairs and into the kitchen.
Her mother was up too, but she looked tired.
"Hello, my dear." She smiled.
"Do I need to get eggs?" Wendy asked.
"Yes..." Her mother said and rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Though there is no need to hurry, we don't have any guests this morning."
When Wendy came back her mother was boiling water over the fire.
She sat down next to her mother.
"What are you making?" She asked.
"Just some tea one of the women in the village gave me, it should be good for pain, and your father has had trouble sleeping."
Wendy bit into her lip.
"What troubles you, my big girl?" Her mother smiled gently and put an arm around her.
"Why are the people from the village always coming here, and why are there no more guests?" She asked and leaned into her mother.
The woman stroked the little girl's arm. "There is nothing to worry about, little one." She said into the girl's hair. "When something bad happens, like with your father, people will always come together and help each other, so that the people who are hurt can heal. For us, the villagers help by bringing us food, because your father cannot hunt, and have sent word out to other villages nearby, that we cannot have guests at the moment, so we can heal and rest."
Wendy looked up at her mother but did not say anything.
Mary smiled and hugged her daughter. "I know, it is scary when things are not like they usually are, but everything will be fine, my sweet. I promise."
Wendy smiled and was about to ask something when they heard the door from the hall open and close.
Her mother smiled knowingly.
"It seems our young Sir has woken up early again. You should go see what he is up to, while I get started on breakfast."
Wendy nodded and pulled on her shawl.
She went out the kitchen door and around the house to see their lone guest standing in front of the door to the dining hall.
Their father had allowed him to stay for as long as he wanted.
Wendy hadn't learned his name yet. All the adults called him either 'Sir' or 'young Sir', when they talked to him.
She rubbed her arm and stepped toward him.
She wasn't sure why, but every morning, when he woke up the lone guest would walk outside and stare up at the sky.
He turned towards the stables for a moment, but then turned towards her.
He smiled brightly at her. "Well good morning, my little one."
She blushed. He had taken on a term of endearment for her.
"Mother … is … making breakfast..." she stammered.
He laughed. "I am coming. I was just about to be hungry too."
Wendy turned even more red. His laughter sounded like music to her.
"Why … why are you out here?" She asked as he walked towards her.
He blinked for a moment then smiled and looked up at the sky again.
"I have been thinking..." he started, but then stopped like he was thinking. He then looked down at her. "It is time for me to go home."
Wendy furrowed her brow.
Travelers had homes? Then … why did they travel?
He laughed at her expression and put a hand on her head.
"You know … you are such a courageous little girl." He lowered himself to her eye level. "I have decided to follow your example and not run away."
Wendy stared into his blue eyes, not really understanding what he said, but completely mesmerized.
He pulled something out of his pocket.
"I want you to have this." He said and showed her a silver coin.
Wendy took it and held it up.
It was a shiny silver coin with an emblem on it instead of the queen's face.
She was confused. Why was he giving her this?
He closed her fingers around her coin.
"Always keep it with you, and one day it will help you." He said and stroked her head.
She looked at it for a moment. Remembering how her grandmother sometimes talked about fairies.
"Is it magic?" She asked.
He laughed and got up.
"Yes." He said as they headed inside. "A very special kind of magic."
When they got back inside, her mother had finished making breakfast and her siblings had come down.
"I am sorry, but my husband is still in bed." Her mother said politely to the lone guest.
"I hope, he feels better soon." He said and sat down.
"Oh, yes. The doctor should come today..." suddenly her movement slowed. "Though it is odd why he comes now, he promised to come the very next day."
"Mother, one of the saddles has a stirrup that sits wrong. What should I do?" Edward asked.
Mary looked at her son for a moment. "Which saddle?"
"Temper's." He said bit into his boiled egg.
Suddenly the door to outside opened slowly.
They all became quiet and looked towards the door.
The doctor was standing outside.
Unlike normal, he did not have his bag with him.
"Doctor!" Their mother exclaimed happily. "We were just talking about you."
The older man stepped into the room but was quiet.
It was odd. Normally the doctor was a friendly and warm man, but the children could sense something was wrong.
"I … apologize..." He started. "If I had known you were eating..."
"Nonsense," the mother smiled. "My husband is eating breakfast in our room. You should go talk to him, then you can come join us."
The man stood still.
"I would rather you come with me … Mary. There is something I need to tell him." He said and rubbed his hands together.
"Should we come too?" David asked confused.
The doctor almost looked frightened at the question.
He shook his head. "No … no … just your mother."
"You know..." The lone guest said and stood up and stretched his arm over his head. "I was about to have a chat with the innkeeper as well, mind if I go first?"
"Of course not," the doctor said and almost bowed to the well-dressed young man.
"Why do you want to speak to my husband?" Mary asked confused.
The young man smiled. "I have decided, it's time for me to leave, and I wanted to say a proper goodbye before I left."
Mary smiled and bowed her head at him. "I hope we did not take up too much of your time, Sir."
The three adults then headed towards the parents' bedroom, while the children finished breakfast. But as soon as they were done, they snuck after them to listen to what was being said.
The four children were gathered around the opened bedroom door and peaked inside.
The lone guest was sitting on a stool across from their father.
He thanked him for their hospitality and promised to send money later, to cover for his room and board.
"No need young Sir," their father said. "You have helped me tremendously."
"I believe, I already have told you the truth of that matter."
The lone guest then turned his head and smiled at the children, who quickly duck back from the open door.
When they heard their father laugh.
"What are you doing children?" He chuckled.
"Listening...?" Eva said like it was obvious.
The four adults laughed.
"They are just concerned," Mary said and patted her husband on the shoulder.
He bit into his lip but did not make a sound.
"Perhaps the children would help the young Sir get ready for his travel."
The children all turned around at the sound of their grandmother's voice.
"That is a good idea." Doctor William chimed in.
The old woman held little Arthur in one arm and walked past them into the bedroom.
"Well, it seems to be settled then." The lone guest said and got up. "I thank you once again for your hospitality." He then bowed deeply for the innkeeper and his wife, and let the children guide him along.
Wendy watched as the lone guest helped Edward fasten his bag to the saddle.
Edward was still too short to reach.
He patted Edward on the head and looked the saddle over once more, before climbing up on the horse.
Wendy stepped forward with the bag of food clutched to her chest.
"Here," she said and held up the bag to the lone guest. "It is food … for your journey."
He smiled and took it. "Thank you so much."
Wendy bit her lip, as she gathered her courage. "You never told us your name."
His eyes glinted in amusement. "That is something I would like to keep hidden, at least for now."
"Then … will you come back?" David asked.
The man smiled and kicked the horse.
It walked slowly out of the stable and down to the road.
"Perhaps..." he said, as the horse carried him away. "But first I will need to spread the word about the innkeeper's brave children."
Wendy's face turned red, as the lone guest kicked the horse into a gallop.
The children watched him in silence until he disappeared from view.
"What an odd man." Edward said, copying one of their mother's phrases.
"Do not talk like that about people," Wendy scolded.
"But why does your face get red again, Wendy." Eva asked. "Did he make you feel bad?"
Wendy felt herself grow even hotter, but before she could answer, they heard an odd sound from inside the inn.
When they came into the kitchen, the door to the bedroom was still open, but now the adults were all yelling at each other.
None of them could make out what the problem was, just that their father was angry, and their mother, grandmother, and the doctor were trying to calm him down.
"What is wrong?" Wendy asked, as she reached the doorway and looked into the bedroom.
The adults stopped at once and looked at the children, even baby Arthur seemed to stop crying.
Then the adults didn't answer, she added. "The guest has left. He wished us well."
Her mother forced a smile. "That's good, dear..."
Then Wendy saw the broken pieces of a plate on the floor. "Oh, I will pick that up."
She stepped into the bedroom, but her mother stopped her before she could reach the broken pieces of pottery.
"Just … leave it, for now, my sweet." She said.
Wendy looked at her confused.
"You children should get started on your chores." Their grandmother said slowly, as she rocked the baby. "The stables and bathhouse need to be cleaned."
"Is something wrong?" Edward asked concerned.
"Just go do your chores!" Their father snapped at them.
The children spent the rest of the day at the edge of the forest, picking berries and flowers and lying in the grass.
Despite what their grandmother had said, neither the stables nor the bathhouse needed to be cleaned. Since they had not had guests for days, and the villagers had done their chores for them for the last few days.
Wendy grimaced at the flower crown in her hands.
There was something wrong, she just did not know what.
"Do you think that man was Death? And he came for father?" Eva asked as she looked at her older sister, who almost snapped the flower crown in two.
Wendy looked at her confused. "What man?"
"The man who stayed here and just left." The little girl asked then went back to stare at the flower crown in her older sister's hands.
David turned around and looked at them. His lips were stained purple from the berries he had been eating. "Was that why they called him, Sir?"
Wendy shook her head. "Why would you think that, Eva?"
Edward, who had been lying in the grass, sat up and looked at them.
"Grandmother told us, remember?" The little girl said. "That when it is time, Death comes riding..."
Wendy unknowingly smiled at the thought of their grandmother telling them stories during the long stormy nights.
"But…" Wendy smiled gently at her little sister. "That man saved me and David, when we were lost in the forest … and father too."
Eva nodded thoughtfully.
"Besides," Wendy continued. "Father did not go with him."
"But, something is really wrong with father." Edward said and pulled some grass out of the ground and rolled it between his fingers.
"What is it that is wrong with him?" David asked.
Wendy finished tying the flower crown.
"I am not sure..." she gently placed the crown on Eva's head. "But … I am sure, that it will all work out."
Eva smiled at her.
"How can you be sure?" Edward asked in a depressed tone. "Father was really mad at the doctor."
Wendy turned at smiled at her brother.
"Because father and mother will protect us no matter what."
Dinner was strange.
The dining hall seemed darker than usual, despite the lit lamps, and no one said a word.
Even the meat and potatoes with sauce, that had been delivered to them by Jakob the shepherd's mother, barely tasted like anything.
Their father had kept his eyes down the whole time.
When Jakob had delivered the food, he had helped their father out to the table.
Their father seemed to struggle to stand up by himself.
Suddenly he sighed and put his knife and fork down.
"Children..." he started. "The reason I was mad at doctor William..."
Their mother put her hand on top of her husband's.
He sighed and started over again.
"When I fell from Temper … my foot got caught in the stirrup..." He paused for a second, before continuing. "Something bad happened to my leg... that is why I have barely been out of bed these last few days … I cannot stand or walk by myself, and Doctor William told me today, that … I will never be able to again."
Wendy pulled off her apron and the silver coin fell onto the floor.
"What is that?" David asked from the bed.
"Nothing," Wendy smiled and pulled the blanket up to his chin.
They had been sent to bed early.
After their father had said, he would never walk by himself again, they had reassured the children that it would all be fine. But...
She turned around and picked up the coin.
When she had asked her father, how he was supposed to get on Temper again, neither he nor her mother had an answer.
Eva mumbled in her sleep and turned over pulling the blanket of a half-sleeping David.
Wendy smiled and pulled off her skirt.
She gently tucked on the blanket 'til Eva released it.
She looked down on the coin again, then put it in her apron pocket, blew out the light, and slit into bed.
It was going to be okay … right?
She did not know how much time had passed, but she could not sleep.
She gently pulled David's arm off of her and slit out of bed.
She just wanted to go down to get some water.
It should be fine. There were no guests, so no one would see she was not properly dressed.
She didn't light the candle. She remembered the way.
She walked down the stairs. They were so much louder at night.
The fireplace in the kitchen was still lit.
As she stepped inside, her eyes fell on a jug of water left from dinner.
No one would mind if she drank that … right?
As she poured the water into a mug, she heard her parents.
"We could find a way..." Her mother said from the side of the bedroom door. "We could buy meat and..."
Wendy stepped closer and put her ear to the door.
"It would not work..." Her father sounded so defeated. "We can not rely on the villagers' generosity and we do not have the money to buy meat for the entire winter..."
Wendy heard her mother sob. "If only you had stayed..."
"I know!" Her father snapped but then continued in a softer tone. "The problem is that I cannot ride a horse anymore, if I could, I could still hunt."
"What about the children...?"
Wendy's heart broke as her mother sobbed.
"If only Edward were a little older..." Her father said.
"We have to sell the inn..." her mother's voice was just a whisper. "If you cannot hunt anymore, what will happen to the children...?"
"There is one last option..."
Wendy pressed her ear into the wood of the door.
Her father's voice sounded strange.
"We have Wendy..." He said.
This is the longest chapter I have written so far, I hope you enjoy it.