Chapter 3 Brother bond

Chapter 3 , Brother bond

They reached their dwelling, a structure that felt less like a home filled with familial warmth and more like a designated house. It stood slightly apart from the cluster of smaller homes in the heart of Aethel, a large, somewhat imposing building of dark stone and heavy timber.

Its size was disproportionate to the two young boys who resided within, a silent testament to their unique and significant status within the village. The interior was spacious and sparsely decorated.

High ceilings echoed with the slightest sound, and the few pieces of furniture – sturdy wooden tables, benches, and sleeping platforms – felt more functional than comforting.

There were no personal touches, no small trinkets or family portraits to soften the austere atmosphere. Instead of parents or siblings, their daily care fell to a rotating roster of older women from the village, the ‘caretakers,’ who ensured their needs were met but maintained a respectful distance, their interactions often formal and task-oriented.

Noal helped Healnor through the heavy wooden door and into the echoing stillness of the main hall. Without a word, they made their way towards the back of the house, their footsteps surprisingly soft on the stone floor.

A faint mist hung in the air, carrying the earthy scent of minerals. Here, nestled against the base of a rocky outcrop, was a natural hot spring. Steam curled upwards, dissipating into the cool air, creating a small, tranquil haven. Large, smooth stones surrounded the pool, warmed by the geothermal heat.

Noal gently helped Healnor to sit down on one of the larger, sun-warmed stones near the edge of the spring, careful with his injured knee. "Wait here," he said quietly and disappeared into the surrounding foliage.

He returned moments later, his hands filled with a collection of broad, green leaves and vibrant blue flowers. Kneeling beside Healnor, he carefully crushed the herbs between his fingers, releasing a pungent, earthy aroma.

"This will help," Noal said, gently applying the poultice to Healnor's scraped knee. His touch was surprisingly tender despite his earlier stoicism about the pain. Healnor winced slightly as the crushed leaves made contact with his skin, but he didn't pull away, watching Noal’s focused movements.

As Noal finished bandaging his knee with a strip of soft cloth he had brought, Healnor looked at him, his earlier tears now dried, leaving faint tracks on his pale cheeks. "Thank you, Noal."

Noal met his gaze, his dark eyes earnest. "We'll always take care of each other, Healnor. Always."

Healnor reached out and took Noal’s hand, his grip surprisingly firm. "Yes. We will. No matter what happens, we'll face it together, won't we?"

Noal squeezed his brother’s hand. "Together, we can handle anything. You with your clever mind, and me…" He flexed his arm playfully. "Well, you know."

A small smile touched Healnor’s lips. The warmth of the spring, the soothing scent of the herbs, and the unwavering presence of his brother created a small pocket of comfort in their unusual lives.

As dusk began to settle over the valley, casting long shadows across the stone floor of their house, the twins prepared for sleep.

Their sleeping arrangements were as unique as their birth – a single, wide bed covered with thick woolen blankets. They lay side-by-side, the silence of the large room amplifying the sound of their breathing.

Healnor, still feeling the lingering ache in his knee and the subtle unease of their isolated existence, instinctively moved closer to Noal. He curled onto his side, his small body pressing against his brother’s. Noal, who usually maintained a more reserved demeanor, felt a moment of surprise at the closeness. Then, a soft smile touched his lips. He gently reached out and placed a protective hand on Healnor’s back, the warmth of his touch a silent promise in the quiet darkness.

Their shared breath mingled in the stillness, a fragile echo of the unbreakable bond between the strong and the weak, the younger and the elder, the two unique souls in the village of women.

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