CHAPTER 4

The young prince sat beside the communal fire, watching the sun slowly make its way below the western horizon.  Every now and again he would peer over to where the women were making the night meal.  There was laughing and whispering and every now and again, Rondi would catch one of the women looking at him.  It was starting to get cold, but that was not what made Rondi uncomfortable.  He was not used to being the centre of this kind of attention.  Sure, being a prince brings with it looks and stares, but these women had no idea who he really was.  It was only now that Rondi realized what a sheltered life he had lead. 

It did not help either that he had been separated from his father and Obadiah.  Rondi waited in silence for someone to come for him. He waited for someone to tell him that the healer had finished checking his father and that he would be alright.   He had waited by himself for almost an hour now.

“Master Jesse.”

“Master Jesse, are you alright?”

Rondi looked up to see a man standing above him. He was average height, lean yet very fit. He reminded Rondi of the messengers at the palace. His long, dark brown hair was ruffled, as if its owner’s idea of grooming was a quick run through with his fingers.

 Rondi brought his thoughts back to what the man was saying. He was obviously talking to him.  A friendly smile covered the man’s face as he sat down next to the boy.

“Well, you were obviously thinking very deeply, lad.  I have been calling you for a while now.”

Rondi apologized and looked back to the fire.  He didn’t want to offend this newcomer, but he suddenly realized that the game of masquerade had begun; and he had no idea of the rules.

Taking the boy’s silence as shyness, the man went on, “I should introduce myself.  I am Jebediah, the eldest son of Eiroln, but my friends call me Jeb.  My father is the uncle of Obadiah.” 

Rondi took a new interest in the man sitting next to him.  He took the offered hand and smiled shyly.

“You must be tired after your long journey.  Come, I will take you to my home where you can rest.” 

“I thank you for your offer, but I doubt that I could rest without first seeing my father.”

“Of course; I understand.”

The two sat together in companionable silence. It didn’t take long before Obadiah exited one of the buildings and made his way to the pair.

“Master Jesse, your father wishes to see you now.”  Rondi stood.  So, now his name was to be Jesse.  Confusion reigned supreme in his mind, but he put it away to concentrate on his father and what lay behind the door.

~«<>»♦«<>»~

The door creaked slowly open, announcing the entrance of the three.  Looking around him, Rondi saw his father in the corner of the average sized room, propped up with padded rolls and blankets.  His torn shirt had been removed and where the make-shift bandages had presided, there were now clean, fresh ones.  Ammiel had obviously been cleaned up as dirt was nowhere to be seen on his person. Rondi in that instant became very aware of the dirt that clung to him and the discomfort that it brought. 

Looking around the room, Rondi also realized that they were not alone.  Eiroln, Obadiah’s uncle sat next to his father, while the lovely woman from the river moved quietly around the room, cleaning up the old bandages and removing the bowl of dirty water that must have been used to clean the prince.  She looked at Rondi and smiled.  The lad felt his heart miss a beat as he lowered his eyes and searched out his father’s face.  She was truly beautiful.  Against his will, Rondi felt a warmth make its way up his neck to his face.

Ammiel’s eyes opened and Rondi could see the deep weariness that resided there.

“Jesse, my son.”  The corners of Ammiel’s lips rose slightly at the look on his son’s face.  No one else would have noticed the slight questioning in Rondi’s eyes, only someone who knew to look. Rondi went to his father’s side and sat beside him as Eiroln moved over to give the lad room to sit. 

“How are you Father?”  Rondi’s eyes quickly scanned the covered form of his father.

“I am well enough,” he replied, not wanting to worry his son any further.

“Aaron, I do not wish to interfere, but I think you should tell your son the truth about the extent of your injuries.  After all, it will be quite a while before you will be able to travel the long distance to your home.  Getting his hopes up now will only cause pain later.”  Rondi looked over to Eiroln to see that he had been speaking to his father.  Aaron?  His father had chosen Aaron as his new name?

“You are probably right.  Please Eiroln, would you do the honors?” Ammiel looked suddenly uncomfortable.  There was pain written on his face.  He was obviously in a lot of discomfort.

“Certainly, but I believe that it is time for us to leave you to get some rest.”  Looking to the others, Eiroln spoke, “Jeb, would you stay to take care of Aaron for me?  Shayna, please ask Jenja to prepare the necessities for the young master to bathe, and some clean clothes for him to wear.”  Turning to Rondi he said, “After you have washed, Shayna will get you some food.  You must be ravenous after such a long journey.  I will speak to you then.” Eiroln’s eyes filled with kindness as he spoke to the boy, “Your father is in good hands now.  We will take care of him as if he were our own, so do not worry any longer.”

“Thankyou,” was all that Rondi could think to say.  He was exhausted and hungry and concerned for his father, and these were only some of the things that were whirling around in his mind.  Adonai, I need your strength more than ever just to get through this night.  I can not handle this on my own, but Lord I know that I am never alone when I am in you.  I claim your strength as my own.  Thankyou for your sustaining hand my God.  Amen.

 A peace suddenly seemed to flow over Rondi starting from the top of his head and made its way to the bottom of his feet.  All would be well; he had that certainty to sustain him now as Rondi offered up his thanks and praise to his Heavenly King.

Well, there you have it - the first part of chapter 4. I hope you enjoyed it.

Once again - Cheers my dears!