Chapter 22: A Tale of Two Rangers

It is a bright afternoon. Everything around seems peaceful. Aldar and Melandra sit outside on wooden benches beside a Willow tree.
           
This particular tree is massive and a bit older than the rest of the other Willow trees surrounding it.
           
Both rangers wait for their leader and friend to emerge from his abode.
           
Though their friend might not outspokenly express his need for emotional support, Aldar and Melandra have been with their leader long enough to know that he needs it at this moment. 
           
After a few minutes, a handsome fairy with long, straight brown hair rushes out of the massive tree, looking paler than usual.
           
He starts pacing in circles around Aldar and Melandra. He continues this activity without respite. The other two fairies just stare on, with matching amused expressions. They allow him to keep on a bit. 
           
Finally, Aldar cannot take it anymore. He is probably already getting dizzy observing his friend. He stands and blocks the fairy to end his repetitive pacing.
           
"Marion, can you please stop already? You are going to drive me and Mel crazy!" Aldar says full of amusement in his tone.
           
Marion looks at Aldar, totally confused. He smiles sheepishly, upon recognition of Aldar for the first time, since he came out of his Willow shelter.
           
He has never been disoriented like this as if a dark spell was cast upon him.
           
"Greetings Marion! Do you recognize us? Please take a few breaths and calm down." It is now Melandra's turn to tease him.
           
Marion glances at Melandra. Obviously, he did not notice her too. His face looks so confused. The other rangers could not even imagine what's going on in his head right this instant.
           
Melandra shakes her head disapprovingly. How can their esteemed leader get to this kind of behavior? The great Marion... The leader of the rangers... He is considered the bravest and strongest ranger amongst the Earth fairies, who never gets scared or worried. Their leader who always know what to do and takes very precise actions.
           
"I apologize, Aldar, Melandra." Marion sighs deeply.
           
"Cara has been at it since dawn. How can giving birth be so agonizing?"
           
Marion attempts to explain his peculiar behavior. His fellow rangers have always perceived him as the fearless warrior that he is.
           
Truly, anticipating a birthing process can make one fairy behave like a crazed one.
           
In this particular situation, he has shown so much doubt in himself. He has always been a ranger. But to be a father, that is a totally different matter. It is an unknown skill for him.
           
"Come, sit first Marion." Melandra taps the empty seat beside her.
           
Aldar leads Marion to the offered bench when it appears that he did not comprehend what Melandra just said.
           
"Calm down my friend. Soon you will meet your baby. Everything will be alright." Aldar gently assures Marion, with a friendly pat on the back.
           
Marion sits awkwardly and continues to look worried. He focuses his stare on the ground.
           
When he found out that Cara is carrying his child, he has been counting the months until its arrival. However, Cara is a bit fragile in her pregnancy so he worries day after day if Cara will be well and ready for the birthing process.
           
This is the most dreadful feeling for a ranger like him. He can protect his people from danger. He will even sacrifice his life for them without thinking twice. But now, he has no control over this.
           
How long will this anticipation be?
           
Just like an answer to his question, the cry of a baby reverberates from the Willow tree. This startles Marion from his thoughts. He stands but not particularly sure of what to do at all.
           
Zella, the fairy nurse, emerges from the Willow tree carrying a crying baby boy in her arms.
           
However, instead of a smile, her face is full of sadness. She pauses, attempting to use the gentlest words she can think of at the moment.
           
"I am sorry Marion. Cara fought so hard but she was very weak. She has struggled so much. She tried her best to keep strong, just until her beloved boy comes out safely."
           
Zella tries hard to explain to Marion.
           
But Marion is already deaf to any explanation. He is not listening anymore. His thoughts are already tumultuous.
           
He touches his son's forehead gently then rushes inside the Willow tree. His expression resembles the face of a defeated warrior.
           
"Cara...no! It can't be!" That was all he can afford to utter. His head is not thinking straight.
           
Melandra walks towards Zella and takes the crying baby in her own arms. She tries to make the little boy stop from his fits of cries. Poor baby...How can such an innocent child be parted with his mother too soon?
         
Aldar follows Marion inside...
 
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"Straighten your arms and grasp your sword firmly." Marion patiently instructs with so much seriousness in his voice. He demonstrates slowly how to take a battle stance using a sword as a weapon. As a ranger, these are basic skills to acquire.
           
The little fairy boy, about a year and a half old, listens with full attention. He keenly observes Marion. After which, he tries to imitate with precision his father's movements.
           
"Well done my son. You will be such a brave ranger someday." Marion praises his son as he messes his thick brown hair with a hint of fondness. He smiles at his son but half-heartedly.
           
"I will be just like you father. I promise!"
           
The boy exclaims proudly with a frown on his face, in his efforts to project fierceness on his innocent face.
           
His father pinches him on both cheeks as he tells him light-heartedly, "Oh, I'm so scared..."                 

Both father and son laugh at each other playfully.   
           
"Yes you will definitely be, my son. You shall protect our Queen and King, and our little princess, as well as our people from those who will try to hurt our realm." Marion confidently replies.
           
Suddenly, Aldar barges in with anxiety written all over his face. He weighs his words carefully.
           
"Marion, come quick. Something is happening. A number of fire fairies were spotted near our border. I am not yet sure what they are doing there. They had to cross the Blue Haven to get there. The other rangers are trying to establish an official discourse with these fire fairies at the moment." Aldar explains hurriedly to Marion.
             
When Aldar realizes the little boy with the wooden sword is there, he smiles at him and says,
             
"Well good evening to our little ranger! How's your training so far? You should try my bow and arrow someday."
             
"You promise to teach me Aldar?" the boy asks expectantly.
             
"I most definitely will." Aldar replies.
             
Aldar looks at Marion who is already set to leave.
             
"King Merlion will join us as soon as we find out if this is bigger than just a few fanatics. Mel is with the Queen now and our princess." Aldar tries to fill in Marion, as quickly as possible.
             
"See you later brave boy!" Aldar exits.
           
"Father, is everything alright? Are there really fire fairies nearby? I have not met one. Can I come with you?" his son pleads insistently.
             
"I am sorry my son. Maybe some other time I will bring you with me. I have to do my duties first. You understand how it is to be a ranger, right?"
             
Marion stares at his son's deep green eyes. His son stares back at him with adoring eyes.
             
"Yes, father. I will wait for your return here. Promise to tell me all about it when you get back okay?" he requests.
             
"I will. Nurse Zella will stay here with you. She is on her way here now. Stay brave, my son." Marion instructs him.
             
"I love you, father." The boy embraces his father tightly.
             
"I love you too, Caspian." Marion whispers.