Midnight Wonders

5.4.1. Recollections by the Fireplace

The door opened again, fully this time. Tristan stood in the doorway, taking up the entire frame, one hand holding onto it as if for support. "So," said Tristan, looking as Luc remembered him from that previous time, all tall and regal. "You are..."

"I'm Luc," said Luc, putting a hand to his chest as if he could mean anyone else. "Are you...Tristan?"

Tristan stared at him. He sighed, and something about him seemed to deflate. He slouched a little. "Yes. I am."

"Um," said Luc, wondering why he had even come here. "Your father is looking for you."

"Me?"

"Yes, he said he misses you."

"Me?" Tristan said again, as if he didn't believe it.

Luc nodded. He wondered if he would be let in. Tristan was leaning awkwardly against the door, almost as if it were holding him up, and Luc was just standing in the middle of the hallway.

"Are you sure? He said me, Tristan?"

"He said Tristan," Luc confirmed for the third time. Tristan's doubt was starting to make him doubt, and he tried to remember back to his conversation with the King of the Sycamore. Had he said he had another son?

"Oh," said Tristan, seeming to deflate further.

"Will you go back to see him?"

Tristan gave him a blank look. "Maybe. When did you get here?"

"Just now," said Luc. "I came with Emma and Annabel." He figured Tristan should know them, seeming as he knew Kay. Did he? That had never been cleared up. Well, if they were both from the Sycamore it was surely plausible.

"Emma's here?" Tristan said, straightening suddenly. "And Annabel?" He looked around the halls as if they might be there.

"Emma's gone to see the Queen of the Yew, and Annabel's looking for Cora," said Luc. "I mean—my sister."

"Your sister—oh, right," said Tristan. "Oh, if Annabel's looking, they'll surely find each other."

Luc hesitated. "Did you come here for Cora too?"

"How'd you guess?" Tristan said dryly. He paused, then said, "I think you should come in." He didn't move from the door.

"I think so too," Luc said, after a moment of silence, "and I would, if you would let me in."

"Oh," said Tristan. He moved out of the way, and Luc entered the room.

Tristan stood in the middle, one arm holding himself tightly, his other hand rubbing his jaw. Luc stood awkwardly by the door and surveyed the room.

It was similar in size, shape, and atmosphere to the rooms at the Sycamore. The only subtle changes were in the arrangement of furniture. And there was a small fireplace in one corner. That seemed unwise. The entire place was a tree (or multiple; he couldn't be quite sure)—surely it could burn down in just an instant.

But, jolting a little as if just remembering something, Tristan went over to the fireplace and began fiddling with it. Luc didn't know how to make a fire, so just watched Tristan silently as he worked.

Soon, Tristan had started a crackling fire in the place. He sat there, crouched in front of it, the flames catching in the reflections on his gold buttons. "Can you feel it?" he said, after a moment, still staring into the fire.

The answer was no; Luc didn't think he could feel it, considering it had only just come to life. He could smell it, though, and he could sense the answer Tristan was hoping for. "Yes," he said. But he hadn't been cold.