Chapter 9: Shadowbrook

That morning, Koa checked Raidne's wounds. "You're almost healed, Raidne. We should tell the king," he said with joy.

Raidne couldn't predict what would happen next. What was going to happen? Would she have a choice? While her mind was filled with these questions, Koa had already informed the king. As a result, Raidne was immediately summoned to the king's presence. Her heart was pounding. "What if he throws me into the dungeon?" she thought anxiously. With this thought, she started to tremble slightly.

When they reached the doors of the throne room, she managed to control her trembling. As the guards opened the doors, King Marlon and Queen Nyla had serious expressions on their faces, which indicated how serious the conversation was going to be.

"Raidne," King Marlon began, his voice calm but firm. "You're healed now, and you must make a decision. You can stay in the palace and help our cook, or you can live in a settlement in this kingdom."

Upon hearing King Marlon's words, Raidne immediately thought of her hometown, Shadowbrook, where she had lived before being kidnapped as a child. As soon as it came to mind, her eyes slowly filled with tears. Shadowbrook wasn't just the place where her childhood had passed; it was also a symbol of the innocence and peace she had lost. Would she be able to see Rowena as often as before? But on the other hand, the thought of whether her family was still alive created excitement in her heart.

Despite this dilemma, she said, "I want to settle in Shadowbrook." Her voice sounded resolute.

The king looked at Raidne thoughtfully for a moment. "This is your choice," he finally said.

As soon as Raidne understood the king's consent, a wide smile spread across her face. However, she said that she wanted to say goodbye to Rowena first.

Once the king granted her permission, Raidne hurried to the infirmary and explained everything to Rowena, who was talking to Ethan at the time.

"I'll visit you every weekend. Maybe Ethan will come too," Rowena said. She was very upset. She had thought that Raidne might want to stay in the palace. But of course, her family might still be alive, so she must have wanted to find them.

Ethan was surprised to hear that Raidne would leave the palace. He had realized that her intentions weren't evil. If he were in her place, he probably would have turned out the same way. It was a complicated situation.

"Why did she threaten me days ago?" Ethan couldn't help but think. Maybe, in her own way, she was trying to protect herself. After all, pirates knew how dangerous the world could be.

Once he understood this, he said with true sincerity, "I'll come with Rowena every weekend. You can be sure of that."

Raidne smiled at both of them. "See you, guys!" she said. This was Raidne's first smile in years.

Just as she was about to leave the door, Ethan said, "I want to come with you, Raidne."

"Maybe we can go by horse."

Rowena looked at Ethan with concern, but he reassured her, "Don't worry, Rowena. I'm just going to see what Shadowbrook is like, then I'll come back."

Raidne and Ethan left the palace early in the morning. The journey to Shadowbrook would take three hours. The rhythmic sound of the gravel crushed under the horses' hooves accompanied their thoughts during the ride.

After a while, Ethan took a deep breath and turned to Raidne. His voice had a sense of determination. "Raidne," he said, locking eyes with hers, "I know your real story."

Raidne paused suddenly. Ethan's words brought all the fears, pains, and secrets she had kept hidden to the surface. She lowered her eyes and stayed silent, not knowing what to say.

Ethan continued, "I understand that you were kidnapped, struggled for years, and did whatever you could to survive. But knowing this isn't to judge you. I just wanted to understand you. While you stayed at the palace, I observed you, and I realized that you don't have evil intentions. I was prejudiced, but now I know you have battles of your own, and you did everything you could to win them."

For a long time, neither Raidne nor Ethan said anything. Then Ethan, wanting to break the silence, spoke softly, "What do you remember about Shadowbrook?"

Raidne fixed her gaze on a point on the horizon. "Most of my childhood memories are blurry, but there are a few things I remember," she said, taking a deep breath. "The sky was blue, and the trees were green. My mother used to wake up early every morning to water the flowers in the garden, and my father chopped wood... The world seemed so much simpler back then. The day I was kidnapped... I'll never forget that day. I was playing by the river with Simon. My brother... He was just a child back then, and so was I. Everything changed in an instant."

Ethan looked at the sorrow on Raidne's face and understood how deeply her words affected her. "Maybe this time, Shadowbrook will bring you not just sorrow but also peace," he whispered.

Raidne stayed silent for a while, but Ethan's kind words brought some warmth into her heart. "Maybe," she said with a slight smile. "I don't know what to expect there, but at least this time, I'm there by my own choice."

Along the way, they spoke occasionally, but most of the time, they were silent. Raidne's mind was filled with thoughts about how Shadowbrook might have changed. Her family, the state of the town, familiar faces… In the midst of this uncertainty, her heart was beating faster as she rode her horse.

Finally, as the first signs of the town appeared on the horizon, Raidne's heart almost leaped out of her chest. At first, the town seemed like a dream to her; familiar yet foreign. The trees were still in their old places, but the houses had aged, and the streets had become narrower. She could see how time had touched the town.

When they dismounted, Raidne took a deep breath. "Yes... here it is," she said to herself. For a moment, a flood of old memories came rushing back – Simon's face, her father's voice, her mother's laughter… Everything was returning. But just then, a townsman approached them, and his words pulled Raidne back into the present.

"Raidne," the old man said with a look of surprise and recognition. "Is it really you?"

Raidne squinted, trying to recognize the man. "Yes, it's me," she replied. "Do you... know me?"

The old man smiled faintly and nodded. "Yes, you were here many years ago. We've all been worried about you. Your brother Simon, too."

As soon as Raidne heard Simon's name, her insides shuddered. "Simon? Is he here?" she asked quickly.

Seeing Raidne's excitement, the man nodded. "Yes, Simon is still here. You can find him; he lives just next to your old house."

Raidne couldn't hold back her tears upon hearing this news. Knowing that Simon was alive was an incredible relief and joy for her. She wanted to go there immediately. "Thank you," she said, shaking the man's hand.

Ethan quietly approached Raidne's side. "Let's go find your brother," he said, offering his support.

Raidne looked at Ethan gratefully, then quickly rode her horse towards Simon's house. The excitement at the end of the journey lifted Raidne's spirits. Her heart was racing with both joy and fear. What would she say to Simon when she saw him? Would the years of pain and longing be combined in that moment?

When they arrived at the house next to their old home, Raidne dismounted and held her breath. She stood in front of Simon's house and took a deep breath before knocking on the door. Her fingers trembled slightly. Finally, she knocked.

When the door opened, Raidne stood face to face with Simon. Simon waited for a few seconds, giving Raidne a chance to recognize him. He looked a little older, but the liveliness in his eyes was still the same.

"Raidne..." Simon said, his eyes filling with tears. "Is it really you?"

Raidne couldn't hold back her tears and whispered, "Yes, Simon, it's me. I'm here."

Simon took a step towards his sister, and they embraced. The years of longing melted away in that moment. Silently, they shared the accumulated pain and love of the years.

"I missed you so much, sis. I've always been waiting for you," Simon said, his voice trembling.

Raidne gently stroked her brother's hair and said, "I missed you too, Simon. I've always thought of you."

Ethan stood slightly behind, watching this emotional reunion. Something stirred within him; witnessing this reunion left an impression on his heart as well.

Raidne and Simon, looking at each other, decided not to forget the past, but to rebuild it. Now, it was time for a new beginning in Shadowbrook.

"What happened while I was gone?" Raidne asked as she stepped into her old home with longing, after not seeing it for about 30–32 years.

Simon invited Ethan inside, then smiled sadly and said, "Oh, Raidne! What didn't happen!"