Page 16 of Golden (Fairytales Retold)

THE RETURN

A s Tabian made his way to Bartholomew’s shop, he hoped that Katerina might show herself, but she didn’t. She’d risked her father’s life to save him. His chest swelled with gratitude. More than anything, he wanted to wrap his arms around her and pull her close. A smile wound over his mouth. They could now have a future together.

When he entered the shop, he found Bartholomew waiting for him, a somber expression on his craggy face.

Tabian’s heart lurched. “What’s wrong? Is Katerina okay?”

“Aye, she’s safe.”

He let out a relieved sigh and then glanced around. “Where is she?” His voice hitched as he caught eyes with Bartholomew. “Katerina saved me.”

He nodded like he already knew. “She asked me to give you these.” He reached for a folded sheet of parchment with the amulet resting on top. Then, he placed the items in Tabian’s hands. The cool weight of the stone rested against his palm.

“Why didn’t she just give me the amulet herself?”

“Just read the letter,” Bartholomew encouraged.

Without the help of the juice from the golden apples, the amulet was merely a necklace. Tabian slipped it over his head and tucked it under his tunic, where it rested against the other amulet. He looked down at the parchment, the edges crinkling beneath his grip.

“Go ahead,” Bartholomew prompted.

Taking in a deep breath, he unfolded it.

My dearest Tabian,

I’m so glad you are well. I watched the entire thing from a nearby tree. Lilith is no more. That means that you and I are finally free.

I want you to know that I lied about something. I told you that while I fell for you the first night in the garden, it wasn’t necessarily love. That’s not true. I do love you—so much so that I was willing to risk my father’s life for you.

I know you’ll be disappointed in me, but I cannot go with you to Verdermere. Please try to understand that I’ve spent so many years in bondage to Lilith, living under her control. Never again will I let myself be a prize to be captured. I don’t want to be loved for my golden inheritance. I want to be loved for me. Completely. The same way that I love you.

I would’ve told you these things in person instead of putting them in a letter. However, I knew that if I did, I would never have the strength to let you go.

My love, I know you said that if you captured the golden bird and brought it back to Verdermere you could usher in a golden age. You don’t need me to be great. You have an uncommon strength of character, and you have the amulet. You have the power within you to accomplish anything. Never forget that.

I will miss you terribly, and I’ll never forget you.

On those days when the sun shines gold against an endless blue sky, look up and think of me, for I will always be thinking of you.

All of my love,

–K

Tabian’s vision blurred as he clenched the parchment. “I need her,” he uttered hoarsely. “Not because she’s the golden bird. I need her for me. I love her.” The truth of his words settled into the center of his heart as he choked out a laugh. “I can’t believe that I’m losing her after all that we went through together. She saved me in so many ways.”

Bartholomew nodded. “That’s what people do for the ones they love.”

Tabian looked at Bartholomew through pleading eyes. “Will I ever see her again?”

The older man’s eyes grew misty. “One day—if you’re lucky—a little bird will light on your window, and you’ll know that you’re the most blessed man to ever walk the earth.”

Tears burned in Tabian’s eyes. “I hope you’re right. Tell her that I’ll be waiting.”

Gruffly, Bartholomew cleared his throat. “You should go. Hugh will blame you for Lilith’s death. People will come looking for you. Your horse is tied near the public trough.”

“Thank you.” Their gazes held, unspoken understanding passing between them. “I hope to one day see you again.”

Bartholomew nodded.

Tabian turned toward the door.

“Go with God,” Bartholomew called after him.

When Tabian got back to Verdermere, the first place he went was to the cottage. With a heavy heart, he knocked once and then opened the door. Elda was sitting at the table, kneading bread.

Her eyes popped open wide when she saw him. She sprang to her feet, rushed to him, and pulled him into a tight hung. “You’re alive,” she cried into his shoulder. “Thank the Great Creator above, you’re alive.”

“I am,” Tabian breathed, releasing a few tears of his own.

Several moments later, Elda motioned for him to sit down with her at the table. He did so, searching her face. “How are you doing?” An all-too-familiar sadness wrapped him in a tight hold. He’d been dreading this moment ever since he left Cloverfeld to come home.

A smile stretched over her lined face. “Much better now that I know you’re alive.” Her features tightened. “When you didn’t come back after two weeks, we all feared the worst.”

His stomach knotted. “I’m so sorry that I wasn’t able to save Garrin.”

The door burst open as Hans rushed in. When he saw Tabian, he bounded to his side and flung his arms around him. “I knew you were still alive,” he exclaimed. “I just knew it!”

Laughter rolled from Tabian’s throat. “Thankfully, I’m alive.” He pulled back and ruffled Hans’s hair.

“That’s very good news,” a man said.

Tabian looked up, thinking his eyes were deceiving him. “Garrin?” he uttered. “H—how?” Tears rolled down his cheeks as he rose to his feet and embraced Garrin in a tight hug. When they pulled apart, Tabian shook his head. “How?” he asked again.

“I think that question is best answered by your father,” Garrin answered as he looked at Elda, silent communication passing between them.

“What’s going on?” Tabian questioned.

Elda was the first to answer. “As I said, when you didn’t return home, we all feared the worst. Your father was so distraught—believing that he’d sent you to your death—that he fell ill. He’s very sick.” Her expression turned grave. “Some have said that he’s on his deathbed.”

Tabian wasn’t sure how to think or feel about the news.

Garrin placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “You should go and see him right away.”

Tabian took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’ll go now.”

Garrin nodded his approval.

He turned to the older man and grabbed him in another hug. He inhaled his earthy scent, marveling that Garrin was alive.

If only Katerina were here, she would be overjoyed that Garrin hadn’t died because of her. His heart clutched, a dull ache throbbing through his body. He missed her so badly that it hurt.

“Don’t dawdle,” Elda shushed. “Go and talk to your father.” She threw him an encouraging smile. “You can come back later this evening and tell us all about your travels.”

In many ways, it seemed like it was a lifetime ago when he’d struck out in search of the golden bird. He was a different person now. More confident and capable with a greater capacity to love.

And now, there was a gaping hole in his heart that might never be filled.

Tabian was ushered into his father’s chambers by a servant. Tentatively, he approached the bed where Father was sleeping. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and sickness. Tabian fixed his gaze on the frail figure lying in the bed. The paleness of his face was alarming. “Father,” Tabian began, touching his hand. “I’m home.”

Father’s lashes fluttered. He stirred and then opened his eyes with a low moan. When he saw Tabian, his eyes immediately filled with tears. “You’re alive,” he rasped.

“I am,” Tabian chuckled. “Barely.”

A strangled laugh rattled from Father’s throat, but it quickly dissolved into a choked sob. “Praise be to the Great Creator,” he uttered, glancing up at the ceiling. “I thought I’d lost you.”

Tabian blinked. “I didn’t know that you cared what happened to me.”

Tears dribbled down Father’s cheeks as his lower lips trembled. “I’m so sorry.” A sob wrenched his throat. “I was hurting so much when your mother died …” Regret twisted his face. “I never should’ve blamed you for her death. Can you ever forgive me?” He looked at Tabian with pleading eyes.

“Of course,” Tabian answered, surprised at how easily the words had come. Perhaps facing his own mortality had given him a new perspective on life. Or perhaps having found a love only to lose it made him more tender. Or perhaps he was simply ready to let go of the bitterness.

Relief washed over Father’s expression. “Thank you. Sit down,” he encouraged, “so we can talk.”

Tabian pulled a chair closer to the bedside and settled into it.

“Help me sit up,” Father directed.

Grabbing a pillow, Tabian carefully propped him up, surprised by the color returning to Father’s cheeks. He could almost see the vitality being restored … or perhaps it was wishful thinking.

His stomach tightened. “Are you going to die?”

Father thrust out his jaw. “Nay, not anytime soon.” His voice took on a renewed strength. “Now that you’re back, I plan to live a long time.”

“That’s good,” Tabian said and meant it with all of his heart. “Tell me what happened to Garrin,” he implored. His throat thickened as he swallowed. “I thought I’d come home to find him dead.”

Regret shadowed Father’s eyes. His chest rose as he took in a deep breath. “When your mother told me that it was your mission to go and retrieve the golden bird, she stipulated that I must give you a valid reason to go—a reason that would test you to the brink so you could find out what you were made of.”

He bunched his brows. “You were never going to execute Garrin?”

Father’s eyes held a hint of reproof. “What justice would there have been in that?”

“Exactly,” Tabian exclaimed, flinging his hands into the air.

A hint of a smile touched Father’s lips. “I released him the morning you left on the quest and explained to him the whole situation.”

The weight of Father’s words settled in. It was more than a little annoying to know that he’d been fretting over saving Garrin this whole time when there was no real danger. On the other hand, how could he fault Father when he was only trying to honor Mother’s request? His mind raced. “Why did I need to be tested?”

Father reached out and patted his hand. “All in good time.” Eagerness lit his eyes. “Did you bring back the golden bird?”

“Nay.” Disappointment clutched Tabian in a tight fist. Not because he failed to bring home the golden bird but because of the one precious thing that he’d lost—Katerina.

Father swallowed hard as if coming to terms with the situation. “‘Tis okay,” he said with solemn resignation. “The important thing is that you’re alive.” He settled back against the pillows. “Now, tell me everything that happened on your trip, sparing no details.”

Tabian saw no reason to withhold the truth from Father, so he told him everything, even the part about losing Katerina.

“I’m sorry,” Father uttered with a note of sympathy. “You must be hurting.”

A lump formed in Tabian’s throat as he nodded. “She’s the love of my life. I don’t know how I’ll ever be whole again without her.” Would the pain of losing Katerina ever diminish? He certainly hoped so because right now, it was ripping his insides apart. He forged on, telling Father about the amulet.

Excitement kindled in Father’s voice. “Do you have it with you?”

“Aye, both of them. Although only one works at the moment.” He explained all that he knew about the juice from the golden apples. “I’m not sure if drinking more juice will help activate the amulet. I guess the only way we’ll know is to try it.”

“Can I see it?” Father asked eagerly.

Tabian pulled both amulets from his tunic. He leaned forward so that Father could observe and touch the stones.

“I can’t believe that Elda had something like this in her possession all of those years—just waiting to give it to you.”

An edge slipped into his tone. “Don’t be angry with her, Father.”

“I won’t.” His smile was so tender that it had Tabian wondering how Father could’ve changed so much during the relatively short period of time when he was gone. “I owe Garrin and Elda a great deal for looking after you,” Father added.

Tabian wondered if he should voice his next words but decided it was best to get everything out in the open, once and for all. “Why the change of heart? You’ve hardly given me a second look for most of my life.” His insides tightened. “And when you did look at me, all I could see was resentment and pain.”

Father took in a long breath. “I know,” he admitted. “I’ve been selfish. I let my grief consume me.” His voice caught, and he coughed to clear the emotion. “When you didn’t return on schedule, I knew that it was because something terrible had happened. You see, I know how much you love Garrin. I knew you would do everything in your power—move heaven and earth if necessary—in order to get back here in time to save him.” He hesitated, making a gurgling sound as he tried to contain his emotions. “Because Garrin has been the father to you that I couldn’t. I thought you had died … that I would never get the chance to tell you how sorry I am.” He worked his throat up and down. “To tell you that I love you.”

It was Tabian’s turn to go teary-eyed. For so long, he’d longed to hear those words. And now? “Thank you, Father,” was all he could manage. With time, he hoped to be able to repair their relationship and develop a love for his father. At least this was a start.

Father’s voice took on the authoritative tone of his royal mantle. “Two weeks from today, I’ll hold a court assembly where I’ll give a proclamation announcing that my youngest son has returned with honor.”

“But I didn’t bring back the golden bird.”

He continued as if Tabian hadn’t voiced a protest. “At that time, I’ll share Zyrella's final request with you and the members of the royal court.” He locked eyes with Tabian. “A request I fully intend to honor.”