Safe and Sound

---Aaron---

We rode into the village of Ravenstone a couple of days later, attracting many curious glances. Think about it: a pair of teenagers, carrying swords, riding on horses bred for battle and with two young children. One couldn't help but wonder who they are and why they're here.

According to Martha, Charles and Christina's aunt and great-aunt lived here. We asked a few villagers if there were any Wymonds living here, but everyone shook their head no. "Do you know your aunt's name?" I asked Christina.

She shook her head. "I've never met her."

"Hey, Aaron, when we were intercepted by those horsemen, didn't they say something about the children being the descendents of someone?" Katherine asked. "Who was it?"

"Um…" I thought back. "They said Frederick Ham-something. Hamson? Hamlee? Hamilton?"

"Frederick Hamlyn! We'll ask around for anyone by the last name Hamlyn." Katherine jumped off her horse and approached the nearest villager to ask. This time, the villager nodded yes. He pointed to the other side of the village and told us to look for the small house that was painted blue and had a rocking chair on the porch. We thanked him and walked towards the house, leading our horses by their reins.

The outside of the house reminded me of Matthew's cottage. It had the same aura of familiarity and security, with almost the same arrangement of flower pots and external décor. The garden was nicely trimmed and had a majority of the plants that Matthew and Martha grew. My gut told me this was the right place.

Katherine knocked on the door. Moments later, a middle-aged woman answered the door. Her chestnut brown hair was in a bob cut, and her blue eyes studied us curiously. I could see a few similarities between her facial features and Christina's. This must be Christina and Charles's aunt. "Oh, hello. How can I help you?" The woman asked.

"Hi, is this the residency of the Hamlyns?" Katherine asked politely.

"Yes, this is. Are you children looking for someone?" The woman responded, eyeing our swords warily.

"Do you have any relatives by the name of Wymond?" Katherine inquired further.

The woman's eyes widened. "Who are you? What do you want?"

"We mean no harm." I said, stepping aside to reveal Charles and Christina hiding behind Katherine and me. "These are the grandchildren of Matthew and Martha Wymond. We were supposed to escort them to their aunt and great-aunt here in Ravenstone. Are you their relative?"

The woman stared at Charles and Christina, her mouth agape. Disbelief filled her face as she looked at the children up and down. "What are your parents' names?" She finally asked them. I heard a slight tremor in her voice.

Christina looked up at Katherine, who nodded. "My dad's name is Tristan, and my mom's name is Rose." Christina said carefully.

"Rose! Oh, my poor sister…" The woman clapped her hand over her mouth, holding back tears. "I can't believe it, after all these years…I'm sorry, please come in, dear children. I'll explain everything inside."

The woman had us all sit down in the living room and carried out trays of cookies and tea for us. Then she went into another room, where I vaguely heard her talking to someone else. Several minutes later, she led out an elderly woman dressed in a mint green dress and helped her sit in a comfy armchair across from us.

"I'm Lily Hamlyn, Rose's sister," the middle-aged woman introduced herself. "And this is my aunt-in-law—the children's great-aunt and Martha Wymond's sister—Melanie Elswood."

"You're Martha's grandchildren?" Melanie squinted at Christina and Charles through her reading glasses. "Charlie and Tina, right?"

"Uh, Charles and Christina," I corrected. Melanie turned to scrutinize me.

"Who are you, young man?"

"I'm Aaron, and this is Katherine." I introduced ourselves. "Martha and Matthew entrusted us with the task of getting Christina and Charles here safely."

"How do we know if you're really our relatives?" Christina blurted out. "There have been bad people after us. How do we know if you're trustworthy?"

Melanie smiled. "Ah, so smart. Just like Martha. Well, I have this." She unclasped a delicate gold chain from around her neck, pulling out a pendant to show us. "My sister had an exact same one."

Christina took off the necklace that Martha gave her the night of our departure. The two gold pendants glittered under the sunlight streaming in from the window.

"They're the same," Katherine murmured.

Melanie nodded. "Our father had these custom made, so they are one of a kind. I never thought they would be used to prove our relationship. Where are your grandparents? Why did they have two strangers, two teenagers, bring you children here?"

"Our grandparents…died about a month ago." Christina said softly. "They were killed by Lord Victor's soldiers."

I heard Lily's sharp intake of breath. Melanie trembled visibly. "Lord Victor, again?" She sighed, looking at the children with sadness. "The first time, it was your parents. And now, my sister and brother-in-law."

She focused on Katherine and me, studying us up and down. "If Martha and Matthew trusted you two with their grandchildren's lives, then you two must be very honest and honorable young man and woman. Seeing those swords on you, I'm guessing you two fought off pursuers along the way?"

Katherine and I nodded yes. Melanie continued. "You are talented swordsmasters, then, and I thank you for protecting these children."

"It was the least we could do," Katherine said. "Martha and Matthew saved our lives."

Melanie nodded slowly. "Did Martha tell you about these children's parents?"

"Not in detail. Martha only had time to tell us that their parents were killed by Lord Victor." I answered. Martha to the window, seeing but not seeing the peaceful village life outside. I was almost able to see the memories that danced before her eyes.

"These children had such a tragic childhood. Since Martha didn't tell you, you are probably wondering about their past, and why Lord Victor was after them. Since you escorted them all the way here, I guess I owe you, and them, a proper explanation."