The Red String Of Faith

A/N:This chapter is beta by Kylee. To everyone that read this story. I will be away for two weeks and won't be able to update this story and my other stories till I get back.

Chapter thirty eight

 

Nicholas got off his horse. His terrible mood from earlier evaporated as soon as he approached the cottage. He tied his horse to the nearby tree and headed straight to the cottage. He put on a smile and opened the door.

Hearing the door open, Jamie looked up from his task and gave Nicholas a welcoming smile. “Nicholas! I was just thinking about you,” he said as he set the table for dinner, not at all surprised to see Nicholas visiting at this time of the day.

“Where is Sebastian?” Nicholas asked as he gently closed the door behind him.

“Bathing in the river with the twins,” replied Jamie with a warm smile. “Why don't you join us for dinner Nicholas?”

“Love to,” answered Nicholas with a grin as he sat down on one of the chairs around the table. “You’re not at all surprised to see me Jamie?” he asked.

“No, not at all,” answered Jamie. “You have been over a lot these days Nicholas. We would be more surprised if you didn't show up tonight,” Jamie commented. "Now tell me, what is wrong Nicholas?” he asked, taking Nicholas by surprise.

There was no hiding anything from Jamie. Sometimes Nicholas couldn't help but wonder if Jamie could read minds. He sighed, “I ran into your dad and the king of Aria on my way here.”

Jamie placed the basket of bread on the center of the table, “What is the king of Aria doing with my dad?” he asked, curious as to why his dad was with the king of Aria. He disappeared into the kitchen to bring out a bowl of salad and returned right away.

“Arian wants to see you,” answered Nicholas. "He wants your forgiveness before he meets his end, and the king of Aria wanted to grant him this wish," he told Jamie.

Jamie pulled out one of the chairs and sat down. “If Sebastian sees my dad he won't hesitate to kill him Nicholas. You didn't tell him did you?” asked Jamie, staring directly at Nicholas.

“Hell no! I don't trust that man,” Nicholas answered right away, not bothering to hide his hatred of Arian from Jamie.

"Nicholas … ," Jamie didn't get to finish as he heard the sound of more than one horse approaching his cottage. He then heard the sound of swords clashing against each other. Jamie glanced at Nicholas and saw that Nicholas had heard it as well.

The two of them stood up and went out to see what was going on.

Jamie opened his door to see the king of Aria and his dad.  They were right in front of his cottage, fighting off a group of men in silver armor. “Nicholas,” he began.

“I know,” said Nicholas who knew very well what Jamie wanted to ask him. He pulled out his sword and went to help Jeffery.

Jeffery kicked the enemy off of Arian and stabbed him through the heart. He helped Arian up, leaving his back open for an attack.

"Jeffery," Arian screamed in horror when he saw the sharp edge of the sword coming right at Jeffery from behind.

Before the sword could even do harm to Jeffery, Nicholas plunged his sword forward  and into the enemy’s back and killed him instantly. “You owe me one Jeffery,” he told the man as he withdrew his sword.

“Thanks," said Jeffery then he and Nicholas stood back to back, ready to finish off the rest of the enemies.

“Do you know who they are?" Nicholas asked as he killed another one who attacked him face on.

“No,” answered Jeffery. “But I do know that they want Arian’s life.” As soon as Jeffery said that, Nicholas noticed the enemy racing towards Jamie, who stood by the door watching them.

“Shit, they are after Jamie too!” yelled Nicolas. ‘Jamie!” he shouted out loud to warn Jamie.

Jamie already knew why Nicholas was shouting his name. His eyes were glued to the men racing towards him. He wasn't scared because he knew that he was safe. Sebastian had set up a strong and powerful barrier around the cottage to protect him and the children. He watched as the enemy raced toward him, holding his sword out in front and with every intention of killing him. He saw the surprised look in the man’s face when he was pushed back by a strong powerful force, which sent him flying backwards. It all happened before he could even get close to Jamie.

Nicolas and Jeffery sighed in relief. Now that they knew that Jamie would be safe, they put all their concentration into finishing off the rest of the enemy.

Jamie smiled in relief seeing that Nicholas, his dad and the king of Aria was safe.

"What is going on here?” Sebastian roared out from behind the three with the twins by his side.

“I will explain everything later,” said Jeffery as the twins ran past him and over to Jamie.

“Get inside you two,” Jamie told the twins and he made his way towards Sebastian and the others.

“Fine, but do tell me Jeffery what the hell is he doing here?” Sebastian demanded, staring furiously at Arian who hid behind Jeffery.

“Well-” began Jeffery but before he could continue on, an arrow flew through the air straight at Jamie, who was walking towards them.

“Jamie!” Sebastian cried out loud as he raced toward Jamie.

Jamie saw the arrow and was about to crouch down to avoid the flying arrow, when his dad threw himself in front of him and pushed him out of the way. The arrow pierced through Arian’s chest, and right away Arian crumpled to the ground.

“D-daddy!” Jamie uttered softly as he scrambled over to his dad and lifted him up. He placed his dad’s head on his lap.

Sebastian seeing that Jamie is safe turned his attention to the direction he saw the arrow coming from, and with anger boiling inside him, he flew over but was too late to catch the culprit. The culprit had already escaped. He quickly made his way to Jamie. He saw that Jeffery and Nicholas were already at Jamie’s side.

“Daddy why?” Jamie asked his dad as tears filled his eyes.

“This... isn't the way... I wanted to go...” said Arian looking up at Jamie. Blood seeped out from his body, dripping onto the dirt and onto Jamie’s clothes. He raised his hand which was stained with his own blood and touched Jamie’s face.

“Jamie... believe it or not... I do... love you... I wanted... you to know this... that is why... I had... Jeffery bring me to you.”

“I believe you Dad. I believe... anything you say... just don't die Daddy,” cried Jamie, his tears fell and landed on his dad’s pale face. He loved his dad despite what his dad had done to him and Caelane in the past. He did not want to see his dad die.

“Jamie...” Arian called softly. “Forgive me...”

“Yes,” said Jamie as tears continued to roll down his cheeks. “I forgive you Dad... I forgive you...”

Arian glanced over at Jeffery, then at the cottage. His eyes took in the beautiful surroundings. This place... is still beautiful... It is... full of happy memories... I tried so hard to forget...” Arian coughed out blood and glanced back at Jamie. Dying here was not so bad he thought. His life started here and it seems like it was going to end here as well. This must be fate he thought to himself and pulled Jamie down and whispered into Jamie’s ears.

Jamie glanced up at the king of Aria and Nicholas, then back down at his dying dad. He saw the smile on his dad’s face reassuring him that what he just told him was the truth, and asking him silently for his promise. He nodded his head, agreeing to what his dad had asked of him.

Arian gazed up at Jeffery with a smile filled with love for the man. “I love you Jeff...” he said softly as he breathed his last breath. His eyes closed and his hand dropped to his side. He died in his son’s arms.

“Daddy!” cried Jamie as he buried his face in his dad’s bloody chest. His dad died protecting him when he didn't have to, and for this Jamie would fulfill his dad’s last wish no matter what.

Sebastian wrapped his arms around Jamie. He wasn't the least bit sad that Arian was dead. On the contrary he was happy that Arian was gone. He glanced at Jeffery and saw a sad look in his eyes. There were no tears, just sadness and regret.

The colorful sky had turned dark by the time Sebastian and Jeffery buried Arian.

Jamie stood in front of the grave staring at the pile of dirt that covered his dad. Jeffery stood beside him.

"He knew that the person you really love is Nicholas, Father,” Jamie said softly.

Jeffery was stunned that Jamie knew that he was his father. Jamie let me explain,” he began, wanting to explain why he wasn't dead like he was supposed to be.

“You don't need to explain anything to me Father,” said Jamie.  This time he looked up at  Jeffrey. “I am just happy that you are alive and well,” he added with a smile.

Jeffery threw his arms around Jamie and held him tight. “I wanted to tell you Jamie,” he repeated over and over again, expressing how sad he was that he couldn't tell Jamie the truth about who he really was.

“I am not angry with you Father. Just promise me that you will make Nicholas happy,” Jamie said as he looked towards the cottage where Nicholas was playing with his sons.

Jeffery followed Jamie’s eyes and nodded his head slowly.

----------------

"You useless bastard," roared Jeffery’s father and he kicked the man who brought him the bad news.

"What are we going to do Grandfather?" a very upset Janus asked.  "As long as Jamie and Nicholas are alive, Father won't love me.”

"Don't worry Janus, I will see to it that those two are dead.”

"Thank you so much Grandfather," said Janus and he left the hall happily.

Janus returned to his chamber. He opened the window and let the breeze in. He smiled as he pictured himself married to Jeffery. A knock came on his door and he invited whoever it was inside.

"Janus," said his dad.

"Dad you shouldn't be out and about,,"Janus told his dad as he made his way towards him.

"You and your grandfather are up to something aren't you?" his dad asked him.

Janus grinned and sat down on his bed. "Dad, you don't love Jeffery right?”

“That’s right. I don't love him I only married him because it was the only way I could be close to the person I loved,” answered his dad.

“Then you don't mind if I take him for myself?” Janus asked making his intention clear to his dad.

“Hell yes I do mind!” said his dad in outrage and horror that his son would want to marry his half brother.

“I love him and I am going to have him,” announced Janus. “With Grandfather’s help of course,” he added.

Janus’ dad couldn't believe his ears. He yanked Janus from the bed. “You are not going to marry him. You can't marry him Janus.”

“Why the hell not? He is not my Father!” yelled Janus.

“I don't need to give you a reason Janus. I am your dad and as long as I’m alive, you are not going to marry him!” With that said, Janus’s dad stormed out of the room, going straight to see Jeffery’s father.

----------

“Devin I am going to win,” said a very determined Caelane as he got ready to play rock-paper-scissors with his friend. The winner would get to eat the last slice of apple pie. There was no way he was going to lose. Apple pie was his favorite and he would have the last piece.

“But Caelane, you suck at this game,” Devin commented with a chuckle, reminding Caelane about  how crappy he was at the game.

“That was before. I am pretty good at it now,” Caelane told his friend.

“Really?” said Devin.

“Yup, I have been playing with Anders, and let me tell you that Anders lost to me several times in this game,” Caelane boasted to his friend.

“I am willing to bet that Anders let you win on purpose,” said Devin with another chuckle.

“No he did not!” Caelane protested. “Anyway, you will see for yourself once I beat you,” he said.

“Alright,” said Devin, already deciding to let his friend win.

“One two three.. Rock-paper-scissors,” they both screamed out.

“I won,” Caelane shouted out loud and ran around the table as Devin watched. Caelane was so happy he won that he didn't see Anders enter the room. Devin did.

“What are you doing Caelane?” Anders asked the boy.

Caelane stopped and hugged Anders. “I won Anders. I beat Devin," he said excitedly, looking right at Anders with eyes sparkling with joy.

“Won what?” Anders asked, liking the look of happiness in the boy’s eyes.

“I won in rock-paper-scissors,” answered Caelane.

Anders raised his eyebrows. Caelane was really bad at that game. There was no possible way that the boy could win. He glanced over at Devin who smiled nervously. Right away he knew that the boy had let Caelane win.

"Since Anders is here, I'm leaving Caelane," Devin announced and made his way to the door.

“Why don't you stay longer Devin?” Caelane asked his friend.

“Next time. I promised Jay that I would play chess with him,” replied Devin.

“Alright,” said Caelane and he watched his friend leave.

“That’s a very delicious looking pie,” said Anders, looking at the single piece of apple pie sitting on the table.

Caelane sat down and pulled the pie towards himself. “It’s mine. I won it. You can't have it Anders.” He picked up the fork and quickly dug into the pie.

Anders chuckled and sat down across from the pie loving boy. He watched the boy enjoy his apple pie. Soon his eyes drifted down to the boy’s stomach.

“Anders, you’re staring at my stomach,” said Caelane when he noticed Anders’ eyes on his belly.

Anders smiled tenderly at the boy. “I was just wondering how many little Caelanes are in there,” he told the boy.

Caelane turned red from neck to ears. “I... I don't want triplets like Jamie,” he confessed.

Anders leaned over the table and lifted the boy’s face up with his thumb. “But I want lots of little Caelanes,” Anders confessed to the boy and then pressed his mouth against the boy’s soft lips.