I sat inside the winding bramble passages outside of Halfwind Citadel. A cool breeze ruffled my ears and fur, howling and scattering fall leaves around my feet. The wind brought the chill of an approaching storm and little raindrops pattered around me.

All was still, soon even the rain subsided into occasional wet drops. The wind paused its blowing, leaving fresh, cold air in its place. I huddled in my jacket, cold nipping my nose and ears. The wind kicked slightly, ruffling the pages of my book in its breeze.

The perfect time to think. To read. To write. And to draw. But today, I was distracted. Little pinpricks of worry reminded me that danger is always there, that it lays in wait like a wolf stalking it’s prey.

The last green grass bent in the breeze. It was almost as if the world had stilled. Leaves stopped rustling, the chill grew intense. Dark clouds raced to the horizon. I shivered, willing the storm to leave. But it stayed.

It seemed to be waiting, anticipating something. I bolted to my feet, ears sensing every sound. Catching every rustle of leaves or the snap of a twig.

I saw all, my keen eyes sweeping the path. Leaves scattered. Younglings wandered toward the citadel.

I smelled the cool air. The scent of decaying leaves. The tang of fall.

I felt the wind ruffle my fur.

I waited several long seconds before hearing my name. someone was calling for me from the depths of the brambles.

“Leiutenant?” I heard amidst the ruffling of leaves and my own heavy breathing. Who would call me that other than Smalls?

“Your Royal Highness.” I said, bowing, falling to one knee.

“Please, leiutenant of the forces of Cloud Mountain, Second to Captain Pacer, and third in charge of the home of Heralds, rise.” Smalls said.

I obeyed, rising from the damp ground.

“uh.. um..” I faltered.

“Oh Fleck. We’re old friends. You don’t have to call me ‘Your Highness’” he said, winking.

“Yes, Your Small Highness?” I asked, winking.

“Not that either, my friend.” Smalls looked tired, stressed, and worried. He rubbed his eyes blearily, then smiled a tired smile.

“How may I assist you?” I asked, crossing to my friend and placing my hand on his shoulder.

“You may. Please come to a council, tomorrow night, in Lord Ramnor’s ready rooms.” Smalls said.

“I would be honored too.” I said, bowing.

“No, none of that.” Smalls groaned, shaking his head.

“Alright.” I smiled as Smalls walked off.

“Coming?” He asked, turning and motioning me to walk next to him.

We walked in silence, listening to the fall of tiny droplets of water and rustling of leaves. It was good to know that I had someone to talk with when no one else understood.

Smalls would make a great king, wise and kind, leading with gentle firmness. I longed for that day, longed to see my family again.

I longed to go to Weezie and Mother, longed to see Father and Layra, even though I wouldn’t. the thought saddened the happy thoughts in my mind, and Smalls noticed.

“Fleck?” He asked, gently, “Is everything alright?”

“I’m ok, Smalls.” I sighed, wiping the tears from my eyes.

“Ok? Fleck, you can tell me.” Smalls said, suddenly stopping to look me in the eyes.

“I miss my family, Smalls. With Joe and Levi at Cloud Mountain, Father and Layra gone, Mother and Weezie at First Warren, and Stretch who knows where…” I said.

“I know. I feel that way too.” Smalls smiled, and continued walking.

……………………

“C-Cove.” I looked up from the meal I was eating to see Perkinson. The young soldier was dancing from one foot to another, frowning.

“Yeah?” I asked.

“Ca a traitor mend?” Perk asked.

“Huh? What’s with the deep phylosophical questions?” I asked him, worry showing I my eyes.

“I just- oh well…” He trailed off, looking embarrassed.

“Yes, a traitor may mend.” I said, frowning. Perk solemnly nodded, then ran off.

Another worry added to my dilemma.

….the next afternoon….

I raced through the halls, spreading havoc. I was late! Late for the council.

I picked up speed sending several medics flying into the walls in their avoidance of me. I sprinted through the hall, arriving breathless at the door. After waiting a few minutes, I slowly opened the door and took my place next to Cole Blackstar.

“There is one who will rise to rule if I fall, and it is vital that you all work to preserve her in our absence.” Smalls said.

Emma. Smalls was letting out the secret. What damage could one little secret do?

“Preserve who?” Picket Longtreader asked. He sounded worried and confused. I saw Picket share a look with Heather, his sister.

“My sister.” Smalls said, frowning.

I looked around the room. Faces bent in confusion, some staring at Heather. She looked faint, shaking her head.

“My sister has been protected by my father’s friend..” I drowned Smalls’ voice out, sharing a knowing glance with Picket, shaking my head. He still looked afraid and worried, but the shock on his face seemed to be fading.

“She would be queen.” Heather said, shocking me Into reality.

I remembered. I remembered it all, the shock of knowing who I was, my job, my future. It had been terrifying. And stressful. I didn’t want that for Emma. I remembered the shock, confusion, sadness, and chaos of the waking moment.

Back at Jupiter’s crossing. Seeing Wilfred and Helmer. I remembered seeing the horrid sight and tightly closing my eyes to wish it all away. I remembered Wilfred’s kindness and how he had gently told me the truth.

It all still made me sad. but that was the day it had all begun. I had found my calling. The fire for the right side had been lit in me. Hope for a mending. A rising. I had become a leader in the dark days. It had been hard, and nearly impossible.

But I had realized that hope sometimse springs from the ashes like a plant in spring. Now it was Emma’s turn.

` “Yes.” Smalls was smiling, sadly.

Heather stumbled backward grabbing her chair, and nearly knocking it over.

The Longtreaders had been through so much. They had known the secrets they weren’t supposed to know for a little over a year, but it still saddened my heart to think. They needed peace. Heather and Pickets family, like his own, was out there somewhere, enslaved, or worse.

“W-Who?” Picket stammered. I caught his eye again.

“It’s Emma.” I saw the relief in Heather’s eyes.

“Emma!” Andrew shouted. I grabbed his arm, yanking him outside.

Several rabbits looked at us in surprise, then continued on their way.

“You knew that, Andrew.” I said.

“Oh yeah.” He replied. “Why did you drag us out here?”

“I needed to get out of there.” I said, sighing.

“Are you alright?” Andrew asked.

“Why does everyone keep asking me that!” I cried.

“Because we care so much about you.”

“Really? You do?” I asked.

“Of course we do. We care so so much.”

I sighed.

“If something is wrong, you can talk. I’ll listen.”

“It just-“

“Go on.”

“the council reminded me of how much I miss my family.”

“I understand, Fleck.”

“It seems like no one truly understands.”

“I don’t really understand.”

“But you know?”

“You don’t have to have a brick fall on your foot to know that it hurts.”

“ But sometimes you have to know how!”

“True, you have to have the brick fall on your foot to know how it hurts.” Andrew placed his hand on my shoulder.

“In my worst days, you wouldn’t leave me.” He said.

“That was probably annoying.”

“Yeah. But you saved me.”

“Thanks. I feel a little better now.”

“Lets go back.” Andrew said, and i nodded.

When we came inside, all that was audible was the hiss and crackle of the fire. We backed against the wall.

The council soon continued, eventually nearing it’s end.

“Thank you, friends, for your faithfulness. We are beset by many dangers, and traitors multiply in the dark. But it will not be so in the mended wood!” Smalls said.

“In the mended wood!” we solemnly cried.

The room began to empty. On my way out, I grabbed Andrew.

“I’m so sorry to leave you in danger.” I said.

“Where are you going?” Andrew asked, fear in his eyes.

“I’m accompanying Smalls to Kingston.” I said, looking him in the eyes.

“Oh Fleck! Do be careful!” Andrew called.

“I will.” I said, smiling at him. We went our own ways, no time for rest.

I would be leaving to fight for the mended wood in a few hours.

and we would win.

i write a lot when i'm bored....

okay

#Smallsisawesome

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