The Trials of Alar

15

The fighting had all but ended. A couple more zealous rebels sought to go down fighting, but as they were subdued, order was restored. Yet, this mattered little to Alar as he held his dearest Adam so close in his arms again.

“I thought I’d lost you,” whispered Adam, barely containing the emotion in his voice.

“I told you I’d always come back,” replied Alar softly.

“That you did.” They separated at last and smiled at one another in pure joy as Rowan walked up. Alar looked to him and nodded.

“My sincerest thanks to you and your squirrels, sir. A most timely arrival.”

“It is I who ought to thank you, Alar of Red Fields,” spoke Rowan. “For reminding me what true honor means. And now all is made right, though I wish it could have ended differently.”

“As do I, sir.” Alar looked once more to the body of Artika. “He was a skilled warrior.”

“He was. But he chose to use those skills for his own selfish ends, and so this outcome was all but foretold.”

They paused as several guards surrounded them, weapons drawn and pointed at the rebel leader.

“Surrender or die, outlaw!” ordered Findar.

Rowan put his paws up in a gesture of peace, but before Findar could move to arrest him, the two kings arrived on the scene.

“Hold, Findar!” ordered Basil. He turned to Rowan. “I would speak with you, sir.”

“Gladly, Your Majesty.”

This took King Basil aback, for he had never heard a rebel address him as “Your Majesty” before.

“You acknowledge me as King of Corallia?”

“I do, along with my followers. It is high time this pointless blood feud ended. Already it has cost me my grandfather, both our fathers, and now my son. Enough is enough. I am too old and tired to reign at this point anyway, and now my heart sorrows for the loss of my only child. Therefore, I hope you and King Fagan will accept my sincerest apologies for his rash actions this day and many others, and will understand that henceforth I desire only peace between us, and peace within this country that I love with all my heart.”

“Now there’s wisdom if ever I heard it,” spoke Fagan. “And for my part, I accept your apology, old son.”

“Yes,” said Basil, nodding slowly. “As do I.”

“Let’s all shake on it, shall we?” suggested Fagan.

“A fine suggestion, sire,” spoke Alar, looking from one party to the other. “But might I offer a better one?”

“And what might that be?”

“You assembled here today to sign a peace treaty. So, why not let Rowan add his signature to the treaty and let bygones be bygones?”

The two kings regarded each other, then their advisers in search of objections. None were forthcoming.

“We could amend the wording of the document later, sire,” said Trellon. “But there is no reason we couldn’t let Rowan sign as well.”

And so it was done. The bodies of the slain were carried away to the basement, where they would be prepared for burial later, and everyone resumed their places. Alar joined the party of Fagan, and Rowan stood on the side of King Basil. At last the two quill pens were dipped in inkwells, and the kings affixed their signatures to the bottom of the document, followed by Rowan using Basil’s pen. Then came the chief advisors, then the witnesses from each party, and at last the deed was done.

“I hereby declare peace between our nations,” announced King Basil. “May it prove everlasting and profitable to us both.”

Great cheers resounded throughout the cathedral from Corallians and Kentroans alike, whether rebel, commoner, or soldier. Alar embraced Adam, then shook paws with Rowan.

“May the friendship we have forged this day likewise prove eternal,” said the rebel leader.

“I’m sure it will.”

“You’ll have to tell me all about your adventures when we get back to the castle,” said Adam.

“Don’t worry, I…” Alar stopped suddenly and turned to Rowan. “Is Tuck safe?”

“He is. I left him back at the hideout with a couple of nursemaids to look after him. I can send for him now, if you’d like.”

“Yes, please do,” said Alar with evident relief.

“Who’s Tuck?” asked Adam, his tail forming that signature question mark shape.

“You’ll see,” said Alar. “Someone I met along the way. I think you’ll like him. He certainly can’t wait to meet you after all I’ve told him.”

So, Rowan sent a couple of squirrels back to his hideout to fetch the lad and deliver the good news. In the meantime, Adam and Alar joined the grand procession back to the palace, enjoying the cheering crowd without fear or worry for once. Even Alar allowed himself to smile and wave a bit as they rode, bringing no end of joy to his mate.

“You look tired,” he noted as they neared the castle gate.

“I imagine I look a fair sight worse than that,” replied Alar. “Lack of sleep and a tumble off a cliff will do that to you. But don’t worry, I’ll make it through all right.”

“Hmm, I don’t imagine you’ll be up for much excitement tonight, then.”

“Probably not. But I promise I’ll make it up to you sometime.”

They both smiled and left it at that. On reaching the palace, they were scarcely given a moment to recover before being whisked off to the great dining hall for the celebratory feast. As soon as all the delectable dishes were laid out on the table, King Basil stood up and led the gathering in a prayer for the peace and safety of the two realms, and for bounteous tables like theirs to grace both kingdoms in the days to come. Following a hearty “Amen!” from everyone, they delved in with relish.

In the middle of their first course, Alar was informed by Algernon that his guest had arrived, and a minute later, Tucker appeared at his and Adam’s side. A small chair was brought in to accommodate him between them so that he, too, could partake of the fine repast. As hoped, Adam was positively delighted with the youngster, and Tucker’s frank remarks elicited occasional laughs from even Basil and Helen, who had yet to bear any children of their own.

”Sounds like you were a very brave little squirrel,” said Adam.

“I was,” replied Tucker boldly. “I saved Mista Alar a buncha’ times.”

“Is that so?” gasped Adam, regarding his mate with surprise.

Alar nodded, doing his best to keep a straight face. “It’s true. I couldn’t have done it without him.”

“And I saved him inna river by grabbing the branch.”

“That’s also quite true,” remarked Rowan. “I witnessed it myself from the riverbank.”

“Well, you have my deepest gratitude, Tuck,” said Adam. “Thank you for saving my Alar.”

“It was nuffing,” said Tuck with a dismissive wave of the paw before taking another bite of his cake. Everyone at the table had a good laugh.

After supper came several entertainments, from jugglers to poetry recitals. It was all delightful, though Alar required a gentle nudge from Adam now and then to avoid drifting off. Thus, he was more than glad when the entertainments were over and he could at last take to his bed. It was decided that Tucker would share their quarters, making his drey in the living room just outside the bedroom. As soon as he was comfortably tucked in, Alar and Adam retired to the bedroom, where they promptly undressed and lay down.

“Tomorrow we’ll finally be on the way home,” said Adam. “I can’t wait.”

“Mmm. I’ll be gladder when we’re actually there,” said Alar, his eyes already closed. “See how Kendrick‘s been getting along all this time, get back into our old routines.” He sighed. “It’ll be great.”

“Yeah.” Adam paused for a long time then, hesitant to say what he was thinking. Maybe it was too soon to consider it. But they would be leaving the next day. And besides, this was his own dear Alar. He would understand, surely.

“Do you think that, when we go back, maybe…I dunno. Do you think we could bring Tuck along with us? He’s such a nice little fellow, and it doesn’t seem right that he hasn’t got any parents. So, I thought maybe…maybe we could fill that role for him, you know?” He paused. “Alar?”

But one glance told him that his mate was already fast asleep. He sighed and smiled.

“Ah, well. Goodnight, hon.” He kissed him ever so gently on the cheek. “Sleep well.”

And so, uttering a quick evening prayer for them both, Adam turned onto his side with an arm across Alar’s mighty chest, glad to have that empty space in the big bed filled once more. In less than a minute, the stress of the last few days caught up to him as well, and he joined his husband in the world of silent, dream-filled slumbers.