Warmth of The Garden

Eman's POV

The family garden stretched before me, vibrant with blooms under the warm summer light. Though the northern territories were known for their swift, brutal winters, the magical artifacts positioned throughout the citadel's foundations preserved this fleeting warmth. A subtle hum of magic radiated from the stones beneath my feet, the kind most would miss unless they knew to listen. Beyond the high walls of the garden, frost was starting to appear on mountain peaks, their distant, rugged summits catching the weak glint of sunlight as the season threatened to shift.

I stood beneath the old oak tree, its green branches swaying gently overhead. My hands were clasped behind my back as I watched my family move through the garden.

Aron's laughter interrupted the soft rustle of leaves. He darted across the grass, his wooden sword slashing wildly, each strike aimed at an enemy only he could see. The uneven crunch of his boots echoed through the space as he pounced and whirled, his black hair bouncing with every wild movement. At last, he came to a halt, thrusting the air with a triumphant cry.

"I've slain the frost dragon!" he declared, chest puffed out, his sword held high like a trophy. His cheeks, warm and pink, glowed brighter than the northern sun.

Near the koi pond, Ali sat cross-legged on the heated stones. Unlike his brother's flurry of motion, he stayed utterly still. His gloved hands hovered just above the surface of the water, stirring the air ever so softly. Gold and orange scales flashed beneath him as the koi drifted closer, their movements relaxed as if drawn to him in some magnetic, unspoken way. His emerald-green eyes tracked them with silent intensity, his gaze unblinking.

Elise sat on the stone bench nearby, her scarf placed loosely around her shoulders. She tilted her head slightly, watching Aron as if cataloging his antics for some future memory she intended to cherish. A faint smile curved her lips, serene and steady, though her fingers toyed absentmindedly with a loose thread on her sleeve, her movements delicate and thoughtful.

"Papa! Look!" Aron's shout rose above the soft murmurs of the garden. He sprinted toward me, his wooden sword bouncing in his grip as he ran. "The northern lands are safe, I defeated the dragon!"

He skidded to a halt before me, brimming with pride. His small chest swelled with the weight of the land he'd saved in his imagination.

I crouched slightly to meet his gaze, tilting my head as though appraising his heroic claim. "You defeated the frost dragon, did you?"

Aron nodded. "Yes! It was huge, at least this big!" He spread his arms wide, his sword almost slipping out of his fingers in the process.

I tapped my chin, pretending to think. "Hmm. That's impressive. But did it breathe ice? You know, frost dragons are tricky like that."

His eyes widened, sparkling with excitement at my engagement. "Oh, it tried! But I dodged it, just in time. Then I jumped, like this!" He leapt into the air with a wild swing of his sword.

I let out a low hum, feigning skepticism. "Jumped, did you? And what happened next?"

"I stabbed it right in the heart!" Aron mimicked the motion with a dramatic lunge, nearly falling over in his enthusiasm. "And then it melted, all of it, gone!"

I straightened and offered him a solemn nod. "Well done, Protector of the North. You've saved us all once again."

He straightened with pride, a victorious grin spread across his face. "I knew you'd believe me!" he declared before turning and dashing back into the garden, already shouting about his next foe.

A soft chuckle drifted toward me. "You're humoring him now? I didn't think I'd see the day."

I turned slightly toward her, catching the playful glint in her eye. "He earned it. Besides, every protector deserves recognition."

She smiled at that, a small, knowing curve of her lips that needed no words.

I turned my attention Ali once more. His hand dipped lower, his fingers gliding just above the water's surface. The koi seemed mesmerized, gathering in a tight cluster near him. One or two dared to break the water's calm surface with a gentle splash, as if to greet him. I stepped closer, crouching beside him. "What are you thinking about, my little one?" I said softly, brushing a gentle kiss across his cheeks.

"Do you miss papa?" I asked softly, with a gentle smile

Ali barely turned his head, his focus still on the fish. "They're boo-tiful" he said in a toddler's voice, as if it explained everything.

I placed a hand lightly on his small shoulder, feeling the warmth of his trust in the way he leaned into my touch, however faintly. His presence was calm, steady, as if no storm could shake him.

And yet, as I watched my sons, one boisterous and wild, the other quiet and contemplative, I couldn't help but wonder how strong they might become one day.

I exhaled slowly, my mind wandering to the future. There were many talents in our family, many worthy contenders for leadership. In the north, strength was everything. Tradition demanded that only the strongest would rule, not just in power but in will. These boys, my sons, would grow, and one day, one of them might carry the weight of our name.

But what then?

Would their bond survive the pressures of power? Would one inevitably rise while the other fell away? The thought clawed at the edges of my peace, a shadow that loomed over these fleeting moments of warmth. The garden was a sanctuary, but the real world would demand more from them than this enchanted space ever could.

"Ali!" Aron's voice jolted me from my thoughts, his excitement spilling over as he charged toward us once more. "You have to hide! A dragon is coming!"

Ali tilted his head, his smile faint but present. "Moon dragons stronger," he said simply.

Aron stopped short, blinking at his brother. "What? No, they're not! I'm stronger!"

Before he could launch into a full rant, Elise called out from the bench. "Aron! Come here for a moment."

He hesitated but eventually stomped back to her, dragging his sword behind him. Elise pulled him onto her lap, smoothing his hair with practiced ease. Whatever she said soon drew a sheepish smile from him, and his restless energy settled into quiet.

I moved my gaze back to Ali, who had already returned to his silent vigil over the koi pond. His serenity was unshaken, the same as ever.

"The garden suits you, my love," Elise said softly behind me.

I glanced at her, catching the knowing smile on her lips.

"You think so?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

She nodded. "It's the only place you seem so relaxed."

I didn't reply, but I lingered in this peace for a moment longer, watching my sons. Aron leaned into Elise, chattering excitedly, while Ali remained by the pond, lost in his quiet world.

Winter would come soon enough, but here in the warmth of the garden, we had this, however brief it might be.