Moving Onward

As the initial shock of discovering my brother alive begins to fade, a swell of complex emotions rushes in to fill the void. Standing next to Orryn, I find myself studying Malcolm, who kneels before me, burdened with apologies and self-blame. Each word he utters is like a stab to my heart; he's carrying a heavy load of guilt that he shouldn't have to bear alone.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," I whisper, my voice tinged with uncertainty as I grapple with my own flurry of feelings. "You were trying to keep us alive. The fate we met was not your fault, but the king's."

The urgency in Malcolm's voice pierces through me as he tries to interject, clearly determined to cast himself as the villain in our twisted tale. "If I took care of you better th…"

"Nonsense," I cut him off, unwilling to let him continue down that path of self-destruction. "Our parents passed away when you were just eight years old. You took on the huge task of raising a newborn and a toddler all by yourself, and guided us through to adolescence."

Walking forward, I place my hand gently on his hunched shoulder. My touch is a physical testament to years of unspoken feelings, a silent thank-you for sacrifices made and hardships endured. He lifts his head to meet my gaze, his eyes, the mirror image of my own, reflecting years of sorrow and regret. "You did well with what you had. You should be proud of yourself."

At my words, his eyes soften, transforming from pools of regret to reservoirs of relief. A tentative smile graces his lips, displacing years of sorrow with a flicker of hope. "To think one day little Nadya would be the one comforting me while I weep."

My heart swells with a blend of relief and lingering sadness. Here we are, separated by years and circumstance, yet bound by blood and a shared past that neither of us can escape or rewrite. It's a poignant moment, as if all the unspoken words, all the missed milestones, and all the lost time are crystallizing into this single point in time.

And as he smiles, I feel a warmth spread within me, a sense of home I hadn't realised I'd been missing. I chuckled lightly, a rush of nostalgia washing over me. "Well, time changes things, doesn't it? We've both grown in ways we couldn't have imagined."

He let out a soft sigh, the weight of years of guilt and regret evident in his posture. "I've replayed those moments in my head countless times, Nadya. Wondering if there was a different choice I could have made. If there was another way."

Gently, I squeezed his shoulder, searching his eyes. "And I've spent years wondering where you were, if you were alive, if I would ever get the chance to see you again. We can't keep dwelling on the 'what ifs'. We're here now, and that's what matters."

Malcolm got up slowly, looking around at the surroundings, then back at me, tears shimmering in his eyes. "I never believed we'd have this moment. Yet here we are."

Pulling him into a tight embrace, I whispered, "We've been given a second chance, brother. Let's not waste it."

The warmth of his embrace enveloped me, and brought back a flood of memories from our childhood. There was a comfort, a sense of security in his arms that I had missed for so long. Yet, in that cocoon of warmth and familiarity, a chilling thought crept in, causing me to pull back slightly to gaze into his eyes.

"D...do you think that Monti might still be alive?" The words left my lips, quivering with hope and apprehension. The mere idea of our younger brother still being out there was both thrilling and terrifying.

Malcolm hesitated for a moment, his eyes searching mine, as if weighing the consequences of hope. "I don't know," he admitted, the rawness in his voice revealing his own yearning and fear. "But I never imagined I'd see you again, and yet, here you are, right in front of me."

His comforting words rang in my ears, grounding me in a reality that seemed too good to be true. While I yearned for more time to reminisce and hold onto the fragments of our shared past, there was a greater destiny calling out to me.

Despite the warmth and familiarity of Malcolm's presence, an unsettling thought remained. The truth of my origins was a complex tapestry of fate and choice. Even if Malcolm and Monti weren't bound to me by blood, the bond we shared was just as potent. Our shared trials, the years we had looked out for one another, the memories that tethered us together, these were ties more profound than mere genetics.

Drawing a deep breath, I pulled away from Malcolm and looked him in the eyes, my determination evident. "As much as I would like to stay, there's so much I need to do and so little time," I declared. The gravity of the upcoming war weighed on me, and the task at hand felt enormous. "There are forces at play, things larger than us, and this kingdom needs saving."

Malcolm looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of pride and concern. "You've always had that fire in you to make a change," He said softly, a hint of a smile touching his lips. "But remember, you're not alone in this fight."

I gaze up at Malcolm, my heart swelling with a blend of nostalgia and hope. As I let my eyes wander, they land on Orryn. He's sitting at the war table, the embodiment of casual confidence. Leaning back in his chair, hands relaxed behind his head, and feet propped up on the table, he seemed a world apart from the tense atmosphere enveloping the room. I couldn't help but smirk at his audacity.

"Yeah, I know," I reply to Malcolm, nodding slightly. The atmosphere in the room is a potent mix of tension and anticipation, but Orryn's relaxed posture offers a sharp contrast. It's almost as if he's challenging the universe, daring it to throw anything more at us.

Orryn tilts his head in acknowledgment, his stormy grey eyes meeting mine. "Ready to plan our next move?" He inquires, a hint of mischief in his tone.

"Just give me a moment," I murmur, placing a gentle hand on Malcolm's arm. "There are some things we need to settle first."

Malcolm nods, his expression serious yet understanding. "Take all the time you need. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

With a deep breath, I try to centre myself. The immediate future will hold many challenges, danger, and uncertainty. But with Malcolm's unwavering support and Orryn's strategic mind, I can't help but feel an undeniable sense of hope. Together, we will be a force to be reckoned with.