The Way of the Sea

Chapter Twelve: Guardians of the Geata

"Mr. Fitz?" Aidan stood, a puzzled lilt in his voice.

"Aidan," Fitz greeted him with a nod and stepped inside. His long, graying hair was tied back loosely from his face and a friendly smile peeked through his beard. Fredric closed the door behind him.

"What—why—" Aidan stumbled.

"There will be time for explanation later," Merida said, starting for Fredric's study. Fitz and Fredric followed. "Right now, we must discuss this serious matter."

Eden rose from her place on the floor and stumbled after the adults as they made their way toward the study. They had all three disappeared inside when she caught up with them, and the door started to close. Eden pressed her palm against the smooth wood of the heavy door, but Fredric stopped her. His face appeared in the space between the wall and the door, an apology written across his features.

"Privately," he said.

She dropped her hand with a huff and Fredric closed the door with a soft click.

Eden glanced aside and realized that Aidan had made his way to her and now stood at the foot of the stairs, listening and watching.

She sighed, and all at once, her quick movements caught up with her. Blood rushed to her head and she swayed. Aidan reached for her arms and steadied her.

"Let's sit," he said, lowering himself to the stairs. He leaned against the wall and stretched his legs across the step, crossing his ankles.

Eden sank to the second step, facing him. She folded her legs modestly to the side and mindlessly tucked her skirt under her knee, her ripped stockings forgotten. Her thoughts were on the three adults behind that door and what they could possibly be discussing without her.

"What does Fitz Campbell have to do with any of this?" she murmured, fingering a loose thread on her sweater.

Aidan tilted his head against the wall and shrugged. "Well...he did act strangely helpful that day on the dock."

"True," Eden recalled. She pulled her hair to one shoulder, pulling a few curly strands out from under the back of her sweater. "It was like he wasn't surprised."

"And whatever he said to the bystanders convinced them that nothing weird had happened."

"Hmmm," Eden screwed her lips to one side and crossed her arms, thinking.

Resigned to waiting patiently, they sat in silence. Eden felt drained of all energy. Truthfully, she was grateful for this moment of idleness; for being unable to know what the adults were talking about and to be left alone with her thoughts. She wasn't sure how much more excitement she could handle in one day. Her bones were weary and her mind even more so.

Eden took a deep breath and let it out slowly, willing the weariness and fear to lift away, if only for a moment. Closing her eyes, she rested her head against the wooden banister. 

"About our conversation earlier..." Aidan said.

Eden opened her eyes. "I'm sorry," she said. "I was harsh on you."

"No, no, you were right," he assured her. He paused and swung his legs around to face the living room so that he was parallel with Eden. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I won't enlist. At least—not yet. I can't leave until I know that everyone I love is safe."

Eden glanced at the children sitting on the couch, and the gentle fire in the hearth beyond them. "Listen. More than anything, I don't want you to leave, but...you don't have to worry about Darin and Alanna. They'll be safe here. I promise."