It was two days before I could talk again. Two long days before anyone dared to do more than shove food and water in front of me. Gunther and the teacher both still came, but they sat far away and just talked. The teacher told stories about his life among the trees, but Gunther talked to me. He told me that it was OK, and that I was safe, and that he loved me, and that he would wait until I could talk about it. And that I hadn’t bitten him *that* badly, and that they were hoping to be able to re-attatch the hand. And then he would snicker when I would look at him sideways.
//I’m sorry,// I said, two days later, //for biting your hand. Does it still hurt?//
He held up the bandage, //Oh, no. This is mostly for show. Mother says I have to keep the bandage on, that wild animals pass on bad infections.//
I snorted at him, and he laughed. //Seriously, I’m fine. I’m glad you’re talking again. Do you want to talk to... anyone else?//
I knew who he meant, and appreciated his tact.
//Yes.//
--
//How much do you remember?// the man asked, when he came in.
//Not much. I thought you were... my father.//
//I’m not, obviously. I am way too young. I am your brother, your younger brother.//
//Gerald?//
//Yes.//
//You were, what, three when I was... when I...//
//Yes. I was three years old when you disappeared. They searched for days, but the Dwarves never go as high as the Eagles nests, and so they had no idea where they were. And most of us thought...//
//You thought they had eaten me, of course. It is the natural thing to think. We would have no problem eating someone that size. I eat goats all the time.//
He chuckled, //My brother eats goats, ‘all the time’. Won’t Mother and Father be freaked out to hear that.//
I sat up, and flapped my good wing, //Where are they? Will I get to see them?//
“Well, of course you will get to see them, the question is when. They had just left for ”The Day“ when I came here with my family. So they will have to find out about it and come back.”
//I wrote them a letter, and told them that I thought it would be best if we met them at the castle. Your wing should be better in a couple of weeks, or so the doctor says. It was just a ‘green stick’ fracture, he tells me.//
//So, I would fly to the Castle and meet them there? Would you come?// I was suddenly nervous, nervous at the idea of meeting my own parents.
//If you think that would work,// Gerald said.
//I have someone else I would like you to meet, if you think you are up to it,// Gerald said. He and Gunther were sitting with me. We had been talking for five days now after my ‘revelation’.
//Who is it?// I asked, //I think I can meet them.//
//It is Hans,// he said, and I buried my head under my wing. Hans. I remembered Hans. I remembered being pulled away from him, and being mad at him that he had never rescued me.
I finally pulled my head out. //Yes, I would like to meet him.//
//Jonathon? Is that really you?//
He looked completely different. I could barely see the resemblance in his face. And he was much older.
//Yes. Yes it is. How are you doing?//
//Oh, Jonathon. They told me it was you, but... but it was hard to believe. I watched you...// He stopped, //but you asked me how I was doing. I am doing fine. I have a wife now, and two children.
I cocked my head to one side. //But, you are a Dwarf? I thought… you have mated already?//
//Oh, yes, years ago.//
//Then, then Eagles must live longer than Dwarves?//
//I guess so… you haven’t married?//
//Oh, oh, no. I couldn’t. I don’t even want to. I mean, yet.//
—
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Von