The Foundling

In the dim light of dawn, Cedric stood attentively before his majesty. "Tomorrow morning, Cedric, I want you to head to Pinevele," the master instructed, his voice firm yet compassionate. "Seek out Lourdes and her family. Assist them in gathering their belongings. They're to move to the Velmont Manor, situated in the heart of our kingdom."

"Yes, sir. I will carry out your orders," Cedric replied with a nod, his dedication evident.

The journey to Pinevele was uneventful, but the sight that awaited Cedric was a warm one. Robert stood outside the modest house, bags packed and family gathered, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.

"Oh, Lourdes," Robert began, a tremor of excitement in his voice, "to think I'll be returning to the kingdom, to the very streets where I played as a child, the heart of the capital!"

Lourdes, her face a blend of joy and melancholy, responded, "I'm elated for you, love. Yet, part of me mourns the loss of this home. It's witnessed so much, not least of which the gift of our son, Aran."

Robert looked down at Aran, his face lighting up with pride. "It feels like just yesterday we found him by the riverside, a blessing bestowed upon us. How swiftly he's grown, every day more charming than the last."

Lourdes took a deep breath, her eyes distant, "Speaking of Aran... do you remember that fateful day when our world almost crumbled?"

Robert's face paled slightly, "How could I forget?"

The day had started like any other in the rustic Pinevele cabin. Robert tended to the garden while Lourdes busied herself indoors, their adopted son Aran peacefully napping in his crib. Found by the riverside years ago, Aran, the apple of their eyes, was safely tucked into his crib, lost in the peaceful dreams of childhood.

As the day unfolded, the ordinary rhythms of their life were suddenly disrupted. An unsettling silence filled the cabin, and a quick check on Aran revealed an empty crib.

Lourdes was frantic, her voice filled with panic. "Robert! Robert!" she cried out. "Aran's gone! He was just in his crib, sleeping soundly. Do you think... could someone have taken him?"

Robert, trying to remain calm, reassured her, "Stay here, Lourdes. I'll search the house. If someone dared to take our boy, they would've left a trace."

With that, Robert began his desperate search, hoping to find some clue, some hint of their beloved Aran's whereabouts.

Robert's eyes darted around the cabin, a sense of urgency evident in his every move. "Lourdes, I'll check every corner of this house first," he promised, his voice thick with worry.

He started with their bedroom, peering under the bed and checking the closet. Then, he moved to the living area, looking behind the curtains, checking under the furniture, and even inspecting the fireplace. The kitchen was next, with Robert opening every cabinet and even the oven, hoping against hope to find some sign of Aran.

With each room he searched and found empty, his heart grew heavier. Lourdes watched from a distance, her hands wringing in anxiety.

After what felt like hours, Robert, with a defeated look, met Lourdes' gaze. "I've looked everywhere inside, darling. He's not here."

Lourdes, her voice shaky, suggested, "Maybe... maybe he wandered into the woods? What if some creature took him?"

Robert nodded grimly. "I'll search the woods then. Wait here."

He ventured out, his calls for Aran echoing through the dense forest. "Aran! Aran, my boy! Where are you?" The woods swallowed his shouts, offering no response. He searched tirelessly, looking behind every tree, every rock, every shadow... but Aran was nowhere to be found.

Robert returned to the cabin, his face etched with despair. "Lourdes, I've looked everywhere in the woods, but Aran... he's nowhere to be found," he murmured, exhaustion evident in his voice.

Lourdes, her eyes glistening with tears, whispered, "Oh, Aran, my precious boy. Where could he be?" Her heart ached with each passing second.

Just as the weight of their despair threatened to crush them, a sudden noise echoed from above. "Thud!"

Lourdes' eyes widened in realization. "What was that, Robert? Could it be... rats in the attic?" A pause. "Wait, did you even check the attic?"

Robert's eyes darted to the ceiling. "I... I didn't," he admitted. Without another word, the two of them rushed upstairs.

The sight that greeted them in the attic was both bewildering and relieving. There was Aran, playing near a gaping hole in the roof, seemingly oblivious to the commotion he had caused.

Lourdes ran to him, scooping him up in her arms. "Oh, Aran! You gave us such a scare!"

Robert, looking at the hole and then at Aran, asked incredulously, "Did you do this, little man?"

Lourdes, laughing through her tears, playfully smacked Robert on the head. "Really, Robert? Do you honestly think our two-year-old made that?"

Robert rubbed his head, grinning sheepishly. "Well, when you put it that way..."

Lourdes raised an eyebrow. "Wait, could he have...?"

The couple exchanged a surprised look. "Is our boy... special? A demigod perhaps?" Robert wondered aloud.

Aran, catching on to the attention, looked up at them with a mischievous smile, babbling, "Blah, blah!"

Laughing, Lourdes said, "Oh, Aran, you certainly have a way of keeping us on our toes!"

Robert sighed in relief, "I'll fix the hole tomorrow. For now, we all need some rest."

And with that, the three of them, united in relief and love, settled down for the night in the cabin, beneath the moonlight filtering through the hole in the roof.

Robert looked down at Aran, who was playing with a twig, and then exchanged a knowing glance with Lourdes. "You remember that day, don't you?" he began, his voice soft and filled with nostalgia.

Lourdes chuckled, her eyes distant. "How could I forget? The hole in the attic, the frantic search..."

Robert grinned, ruffling Aran's hair. "Indeed, little man. What did you do with that hole, anyway?"

Aran smirked, a twinkle in his eye. "Secret, Dad."

Robert laughed, ruffling Aran's hair. "Always the mysterious one, huh?"

Their playful banter was interrupted by the sound of hooves in the distance. Robert squinted, recognizing the familiar figure approaching. "Cedric! Over here!" he called out.

Cedric, atop his steed, waved in acknowledgment. "Sir Robert, I see you're ready."

The knights accompanying Cedric halted, revealing a grand carriage behind them. Robert eyed it appreciatively. "Always one for grand gestures, eh, Cedric?"

Pulling up alongside them, Cedric took in their packed belongings. "You seem eager, sir. Excited for the return?"

Robert nodded, looking down at Aran playing by his feet. "More like content, Cedric. The capital beckons, but it's the prospect of a fresh start that's appealing."

Cedric, with a twinkle in his eye, said, "The royal knights could use someone of your skill again, Sir Robert."

Robert chuckled, "Tempting, but I think I'll pass. I've got a new recruit to train," he said, nodding towards Aran. "Who knows? He might just surpass me."

With a swift motion, Lourdes began loading their belongings onto the carriage. "Alright, let's get everything on board. The capital awaits."

The family then boarded the carriage. As it began to move, Lourdes gazed out of the window at their old home, her eyes glistening. "Goodbye, dear home. You'll be missed."

Robert wrapped an arm around her, trying to comfort her. "Cheer up, Lourdes. My great-grandfather was a renowned craftsman in the capital. They say he crafted the intricate woodwork in the castle."

Aran, with a playful roll of his eyes, interjected, "Dad, not that story again!"

Robert laughed, ruffling Aran's hair, "Always the cheeky one, aren't you?"

Their journey culminated at the grand entrance of the Velmont Manor. A butler awaited them, bowing deeply. "Welcome to House Velmont, Sir Robert."

The trio looked up, taking in the sight of the sprawling mansion. It was grand, no doubt, but it bore signs of neglect.

Robert frowned, "Something's amiss. Do you see it, Lourdes?"

She nodded, "It's... old. Almost eerie."

The butler, overhearing their conversation, cleared his throat. "I apologize for the state of the manor, ma'am. It's been years since the Velmont family resided here. Rumor has it they've left Eldenwood for good."

Lourdes sighed, "It's alright. Just wasn't expecting this. Time to spruce up a haunted house, I guess."