Age of Darkness

Chapter 23: I Am Your Uncle...

I wake up, and see Elizabeth standing next to me.

''You're up?''

''Yeah. What happened? I had the strangest dream...''

''Uh... About that...''

I look around, and see I'm in the same house, and I'm lying in the same bed. I'm still all bandaged up, as is Elizabeth. Instantly, I jump up, and feel a stabbing pain in my chest.

''You injured yourself, Nicholas, when you fell off the mountain...''

Mountain? I try to remember... Oh yeah. When I fell.

''And the man?'' She smiles.

''Well, he found us! Took us here. Bandaged us up.''

''And he's-?''

''Yes, Nicholas. I'm your uncle... Alexander was my brother.''

I turn to see the man standing in the doorway, two bowls of soup in his hand.

''It's okay. Zelda told me about everything. Bless Alex's soul... I was expecting you, just not lying, unconscious, in a heap of snow.'' He chuckles. ''Have some soup.'' I take some.

''Thank you. So, you're Father's brother?''

''Yes.''

''And you talked to Zelda?''

''Yes. She came through the area a few days ago.''

I look at Elizabeth. Zelda's still looking out for us.

''I took you here, when I found you. Took care of your injuries.''

''Thank you.''

''And now it's time to celebrate! For I have met my dear nephew, and his... girlfriend, and-''

''We're not together!'' She and I say in unison. Uncle... I need to ask his name... chuckles at us.

''Of course. You can call me Uncle if you would like. Or Harry. Or Uncle Harry!''

Uncle Harry is a big man, with a bushy beard, and a booming voice. He leaves the room, and comes back with a large feast.

''It's great to meet you, Nicholas.''

''It's great to meet you as well.''

Over those first few moments, I feel as if I've known him for years. He is so much like my grandfather, and so easy to get along with. That night is the best I've had since we left Zelda. A night of laughing, story-telling, joking, and catching up.

''Nicholas! You remind me of  Alexander so much! I remember once, years ago, when we were young, and we went venturing into the woods! And the things we saw! Ha! I could write a book on just that one day...''

And then he's crying, muttering things about his brother, but after some comforting, we're all back laughing again. I'm surprised when he suddenly gets serious.

''So, Nicholas. I take it you're aware of what you must do.''

I nod.

''I'm proud of you,. my boy. You're a brave, god young man! Standing up to someone as terrible as Zirkon. Following in Alex's footsteps. A great man! A great man, indeed!''

We talk and laugh until deep into the night. And I'm sad when we finally have to go to bed.

''Tomorrow, you two. Tomorrow, I'll take you to your next destination. Much better than these mountains I live in. But still, quite dangerous. But do not worry yourselves, for all is well, and we are together at the moment. Sleep well.''

And, soon, all is silent. I don't sleep, though. I listen to the breathing of Elizabeth, who sleep in the bed next to mine. I think about what we're about to face. About my uncle. About everything. I think until I can think no more. And I smile, for at the moment, it feels as if all is well in the world...