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Once upon a time, on a fine summer’s day, an assassin’s life was changed forever. A fairy god-prince gave him a second chance at life, turning this assassin into a dashing knight. He found comrades in two of the finest aides of the land. And he fell deeply in love with a maiden so sweet, with hair so apple-red and heart so strong and kind. On his wedding day, he looked into his fair bride’s green eyes and thought, Ah, I have need of nothing more.
And so, for a time, he lived without want with his lovely wife. He served the fairy god-prince with his comrades, full of pride.
Until one day, a peculiar parcel came from the knight’s former land. Inside this small parcel was a painted portrait, and in this painting was depicted a husband and wife. The husband had eyes like a cat and a mischievous grin; the wife — hair as black as night and eyes like amber pearls.
His wife, five months pregnant, held the portrait in one hand and squeezed his knee with the other. He knew what he had to do.
My darling, you must go, she agreed with his decision. A single kiss, and he packed his traveling bag.
This knight embarked on a very special journey to find his family.
With the help of his fairy god-prince, the knight secured passage by ship to his homeland, a long month’s voyage. Many years had past since he left home, so he began his search at the bustling harbor.
Do you know these people? He would point to the portrait he brought, then point to his own amber eyes.
A shake of the head, a shrug of the shoulders; no, Sir Knight, and so sorry, Sir Knight.
A month of inquiry passed, and then another. The poor knight felt discouraged — is my journey already at its end? — when he noticed an elderly man from the neighboring town, whom he had never seen fishing on the pier before.
Ah, the fisherman’s old eyes twinkled. They moved inland long ago, close to the old forest. Pass this large town, turn right at the fork in the road, and follow the babbling river.
First, I must pass the town. The knight stopped by the town well to fill his flask when he saw a mother and her three young children. The three boys chased each other in circles around the large well as the woman filled three pails to the brim.
Do you need any help, ma’am? He politely inquired. I understand that this can be difficult; my wife is pregnant, too.
The woman laughed a hearty laugh. Thank you, Sir Knight, but that’s what my family is for. She called out to her children, and each child tottered off with a pail in his hands. Do you miss your wife?
More than anything, he declared.
I miss my husband, too. Home is simply not the same without him, she admitted. Congratulations to you and your wife. Return home safely, dear.
The knight bowed his head, thinking about his own pregnant wife at their garden well.
At the fork, I must turn right, the knight reminded himself as he travelled down the main road. Even with a magnificent steed from the harbor town, he took a few weeks to reach the fork in the road. At the fork was a small outpost, and there is where he took some rest.
He closed his eyes to enjoy the warm kiss of the sun, thinking of his last kiss with his beloved. The knight almost nodded off when a young man yelled out his name.
It’s all right, take your time, the knight said, for the man — a young messenger — was clearly out of breath. A letter was in his hands, sealed with the fairy god-prince’s family crest.
A letter from your kingdom, the messenger explained.
A nod in thanks, and the knight read the looping scrawl.
My love, the letter began.
I hope this letter finds you well. Because you asked me to stay palace-bound for the rest of the pregnancy, Zen used his fairy magic to help me send this to you quickly. Worry not for me, for your comrades care for me day and night. Yes, I am so grateful for their company, but they certainly cannot replace you.
Not only do I send you my love, but I send you wonderful news. Our little one was born on the 12th. A little early, but he was as eager to meet his father as I am to see you again. I think the name you had chosen fits him well. Come home soon, your family misses you. Ryuu and I will be waiting. xx
The knight smiled, energy renewed for his journey.
And I follow the babbling river to my family, he thought with increasing excitement. As the knight lead his horse alongside the river, he recalled his wife’s love for her home country’s songs, and he simply couldn’t resist singing in harmony with the babbling waters. She always sang one of the folk tunes when she cooked dinner, and he missed the playful lilt in her voice that the river could never imitate.
Perhaps my son will sing them, too. The knight grinned.
Perhaps he will become a knight, he then hoped. As proud as he would be, however, he knew his wife’s hopes even better than his own. Well, perhaps a pharmacist would leave a wonderful family legacy, too.
Finally, in the late afternoon, the knight approached an old cabin. No one seemed to be home, but even that couldn’t dampen his spirit. I found it. I found my family.
He knocked on the cabin door once, twice, three times before opening it himself.
Hello? He questioned. There was litter on the floor and a thick layer of dust on the furniture. No one answered his call.
Mother? Father?
Frowning, the knight closed the door and sat on the old porch. His heart was heavy with hurt and disappointment. Taking out his parents’ portrait, he felt an anger and sadness he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Why? Why? He thought of his past. He thought of the dangerous career he once held, putting a hand on his chest where he bore his largest scar.
It’s not fair. It’s not fair. He remembered his utter loneliness when he left this land for another.
With a deep sigh and a single tear, he returned the portrait to his bag and took out the letter from his wife.
My love, his heart echoed her words. The knight closed his eyes and imagined home. He wanted to breathe in the fragrant smell of his wife’s beef stew.
Our little one, his low voice hummed. He thought of how round his son’s cheeks must be and wondered if his eyes would be as green as their herb garden or as gold as his wedding ring.
His heart tugged as he thought of his family patiently awaiting him.
A realization struck the knight, and he chuckled to himself.
Time to go home.
Months passed, and the knight had finally arrived at his own doorstep. He was greeted by a baby crying and a mother beaming. His wife cupped his cheek and thumbed his stubble. Did you find it?
A long kiss was his reply. I found my family.
With his journey come full circle, the knight and his family lived happily ever after. The end.