There were days when I wished I wasn't the Huntsman of the Northernmost Kingdom. There were days when I wished above all else that I were just another commoner, or perhaps a wanderer like Wolfsbane. I most certainly wouldn't mind being a wanderer. It would be considered a raise from my job recently. Today was one of those days when I wished I could have been someone else.
It started out like any other morning. I woke up before the sun, ate a quick meal, and went out to check my traps. It had been one of my better days, having caught three jackrabbits and a small doe. I took my haul back to my small hut, where I proceeded to clean and package all of the meat in brown paper, packing it in the icebox that was behind my humble home. After that, it's time for tea.
I spent the trip to Hatter's house in deep thought, as it was probably one of the only times that I would get the peace and quiet to do so. One of the many things that was continually on my mind was my singleness. I had enjoyed being a bachelor for many years, never thinking about commitment or settling down. But, with each of my friends now with their Perfects, having completed the Bonding and their stories being permanently written down, I couldn't help but wonder if there was more for me out there than living as a bachelor all of my life.
I had to admit, I had been thinking about if I had an Other Half or Perfect, and what it would be like. And, I have to say, it wasn't entirely unappealing. I actually liked the idea of having one girl. Knowing that I wouldn't have to go home alone at night, and that I wouldn't have to sleep in an empty bed. For a bachelor, I didn't like solitude.
When I reached clearing, the clan was already there, pouring tea and picking finger foods. I took my usual seat, glancing at each of the happy couples – Hatter and Samantha, Peter and Angela, Wolfsbane and Ina – before glancing at the empty seat next to me, wondering if it would ever be filled. I wondered if I would ever come to an afternoon tea, a girl on my arm, happy and smiling as my friends were.
"You look a little down," Hatter commented as he poured himself a cup of tea. "Is everything alright, my friend?"
I nodded, quickly busying myself with filling my plate and tea cup. "Everything is fine. I just have a bit on my mind. The frost is just around the corner, you know."
Wolfsbane and Hatter both nodded their heads. Angela and Samantha, on the other hand, were practically jumping out of their seats, eyes full of excitement. Hatter laughed. "In case you can't tell, Angela and Sam are just a wee bit excited."
"Oh, really? I hadn't noticed." I said, practicing the art of sarcasm I had been learning from Angela and Sam. Apparently, I had been using it all along, but never realized it.
"Are you kidding?" Sam shrieked, making me wince. "It's like winter over on the Other Side. It's my favorite time of year! With the snow, and the lights, and the way everything looks like it came out of a snow globe, and Christmas! It's just the most perfect time of year."
"What's Christmas?" I asked hesitantly, knowing from experience that asking either Angela or Samantha a question like that could send them into an excited, boisterous frenzy that could last for days.
"It's a holiday they celebrate on the Other Side," Hatter said, quickly cutting in before Samantha had a chance to answer, thus keeping her excitement at bay. "Apparently, it's a day when you spend time with your family and friends, exchange gifts, and eat as much food as you possibly can until you're sick."
Sam and I sat there for some time, silently starting at each other. I finally spoke, voicing my confusion. "I don't get it. It just sounds like a glorified birthday."
Samantha playfully slapped Hatter's arm. "This is why we are having a Christmas party." She laughed, turning to me, "And you are all invited."
"Maybe you'll have a pretty little thing on your arm to show off," Wolfsbane chuckled, and I threw a croissant at him. He caught it effortlessly in one hand. "You never know, Mate. The party isn't for almost three full moons, you could find someone by then."
I sighed. "I don't want to find just 'someone,' I want to find the one."
Angie came around the table, giving me a comforting hug. "I understand, Hun. And they should be ashamed of themselves for trying to push you into something you're not sure is right."
A melody of 'hey's' came from around the table. I chuckled, taking a sip of my tea. I was thankful that at least Angela understood where I came from. I didn't want something that wouldn't last. I didn't want a week-long fling. I wanted something that was going to last. I wanted something that was real, that was pure, unadulterated love.
After the tea, I made my way home, taking a shortcut thought the Middle Grounds. After my friend's actions about me finding a date for the Christmas party, I didn't feel in the mood for human interaction. When I got to my house, I didn't even bother going inside, wanting solitude.
I didn't know that the river was behind my hut when I first built it. Between it and my home was about three or four feet of trees and low shrubbery, making it almost impossible to know it was back behind it all. But, since I found it, it had been my getaway from the Realm. If there was ever a time when I just wanted to be one with the nature around me, I would go down to the river.
Taking off my shoes and socks before rolling up my pant legs, I wadded into the middle of the river where the water was about waist high. I let the palms of my hands barely skim the surface of the water, feeling the rippling waves underneath my hands. I closed my eyes, making myself forget about everything but the sand beneath me, water around me, and breeze above me.
That night, I was making my dinner when there was a knock on the door. I didn't usually get visitors that late, so I was cautious. Tucking a knife in the back waistband of my trousers and grabbing the lantern on the counter next to me, I hesitantly opened the door.
What I wasn't expecting was a royal messenger, delivering an official statement to me, of all people. As soon as he handed me the folded slip of paper, he bowed gracefully and walked back to where his horse waited for him patiently by the side of the main road. Putting the knife back where it went and setting the lantern on the table top, I sell into a chair and broke the wax seal that held both sides together.
Inside was a statement of summons. I was to be at the castle of the Duke and Duchess of the Northernmost Kingdom tomorrow afternoon. While it didn't give me the option to back out, I had a feeling that if I didn't show up, it would be my head.
I wondered what they wanted to see me about. I hadn't been going over the tracking amount for the season, and had kept tallies of every animal I killed and brought home. I hadn't been in the public eye lately, and was sure that if I had broken a law, they would have taken me in right then and there. They definitely would have brought something more than a gangly messenger, who looked like he was barely of age.
With a sigh, I had gone back to preparing, and finally eating, my dinner. I wanted to understand, but I knew that I couldn't let my patience get the best of me. Trying to keep my head off of the summoned, I ate as quickly as I could before going to bed early, praying a prayer of thanks as sleep overtook me almost immediately.
