Chapter 2 – Welcome Home
Leaving the Navy was something Captain Rukon never thought he would have to do, but then again he wouldn’t say he didn’t enjoy being ex-navy either. Being such a highly decorated naval commander such as himself came with privileges, even after he had left. One privilege was having his very own driver. Arthur, a rather well-spoken Weasel, was Captain Rukon’s Driver, butler, cook, and even at times, councillor. The Captain had always insisted in calling Arthur by his First name, explaining that he was the closest thing he had to Family, until now that is. Arthur was from the same level of society as the Captain. They had been together throughout their whole naval career. The only thing that separated the Captain from Arthur was the rank.
Arthur and the Captain had joined up together, been through basic training together and had served on all the same ships. When the war started, both Arthur and Commander Rukon decided it was their duty to protect their planet. They had both agreed that no matter what happened, they would continue to stay friends. After 3 years of hard fighting, one battle would change Commander Rukon’s life. At the time, he was a Commander, the Captain’s First Officer, serving aboard a destroyer. But during a frantic battle, The Captain was killed, leaving Commander Rukon in charge. His daring tactics saved 30 civilian transports from the enemy. Although the enemy inflicted heavy casualties on Commander Rukon’s forces, he managed to fend off the attackers.
For his bravery and disregard for his own safety, he was commended for his actions, and swiftly promoted to the rank of Captain.
Captain Rukon relaxed, letting out a long sigh. He slumped back into the seat of his black sedan. He started to close his eyes, relaxing for the first time in a long while. He was almost about to fall asleep, when he felt a thud on his lap. His eyes shot open to see Soronir, sitting patiently on his lap, with his face right up against the Captain’s, grinning.
‘Hehe, Hello there little one’ The Captain giggled, patting Soronir on the head. ‘Excited are we?’ Soronir giggled and jumped about the back of the sedan, laughing and feeling very happy. Captain Rukon smiled, he had made the right choice. Someone with such an energetic attitude would become a fine soldier. He wanted to raise a child who would carry on his legacy and continue to protect his planet.
‘Soronir, what are you looking at?’ The Captain quizzed, looking over to Soronir staring out of the car’s window. He shifted over and pressed his face up against it with him, peering out into the world.
‘What can you see?’ He asked, tickling Soronir’s cheek. He waited until Soronir pointed out, over the road, to a large silhouette that was pressed against the hillside.
‘Ah yes, I wondered if you would see that’ He grinned. ‘That is where your Dad used to work.’ The Captain wanted to show him everything, but it was too early. He turned his head to face the front.
‘Arthur, how far until home?’ He said, sitting back in his seat.
‘About 15 minutes away, Sir’ Arthur replied. The Captain pulled Soronir away from the window, and sat him on his lap, stroking his hair. Soronir curled up and rested on the Captain’s lap. Captain Rukon looked out of the window; he could not wait until he was home, until he could start his life again.
* * *
The black sedan pulled off the main road. Flowers of all colours lined the sides of a gravel driveway that lead up a slow incline. The driveway was shaded by tall oak trees that seemed to dance in a gentle breeze. The grass either side of the drive was waving in time to the trees, still glistening with dew. The air was filled with birdsong and the rustle of the trees. It seemed that civilisation had left this area untouched, to grow naturally. The car pulled to a halt in front of two large cast iron gates at the apex of the hill, along the apex was a high hedge that hid what lay beyond. Arthur pressed a button on the dashboard and the gates parted silently.
The sedan continued up over the apex and down into the basin. Directly in the centre of this shrouded area was a large, symmetrical stately home. It was made of a pale brick, with four large marble pillars by the entrance. Tall, glistening windows covered the outside of the house, and red tiles lined the roof. Surrounding the house were fields of green grass, a fountain proudly resided in the middle of the turning circle. Behind the house rested a vast orchard of every fruit tree in existence.
‘Sir, we’ve arrived’ Arthur called, looking in the mirror to see both The Captain and Soronir asleep. The Captain woke, and smiled down at Soronir, who was still fast asleep, purring. He looked at his home, and then to Arthur.
‘Thank you Arthur’ He smiled as the car pulled up to the front of the house. Arthur stepped out, and opened the back door, allowing The Captain to step out, holding Soronir who was resting in his arms. ‘Is his room ready?’
‘I made sure it was before we left sir’ Arthur replied, closing the door behind him and walking up the steps to the house beside The Captain.
‘Indeed you did, I’m sorry’ The Captain replied, walking through the pillars, up to a grand oak door. Arthur opened the door, and watched as The Captain walked past, nodding to him.
The interior of the house was just as stunning as the outside. Walls clad with wooden panels lined every hallway and room. Large golden chandeliers hung from an ornately decorated ceiling. Red curtains hung either side of the windows and the hallway floors were covered in black and white marble tiles, the floors of the rooms covered in dark wood with large, finely decorated rugs. Even after 45 years of living here, Captain Rukon still couldn’t believe how beautifully decorated his family house was. He walked through the atrium, towards the stairs that climbed up to the first floor, still carrying a sleepy Soronir who was, by now, lying there half awake, looking up at his dad. As they walked along the halls, Soronir could see out the windows, over the land that he could soon play about in. They came to the end of the corridor, to three doors, the Captain placed Soronir on the floor.
‘Now Soronir, here is where we’ll sleep’ The Captain said, pointing at three doors. He opened the door on the left, to reveal a large room. The walls were painted a light blue, with cream curtains and bedding. There was a toy box in one corner, along with a bookshelf full of books. A large four poster bed sat opposite a beautifully decorated fireplace.
‘This is your room’ He said, turning to the door opposite this one. ‘And this is my room, you will never have to be alone, I’ll always be just here’
Soronir peered inside the doorway. His father’s room had dark wood panelled walls, his bed was draped in a red duvet, and the floor had dark brown carpet. A fire crackled in a fireplace that sat facing the door. On the mantelpiece above the fire sat a model of a spaceship; on the stand the words UPND Illustrious were inscribed. The Captain then turned to the third door that sat between their bedrooms.
‘And in here, Kitten, Is the bathroom’ He said, opening the door. Inside, the bathroom glistened a brilliant white. The chrome fittings of the sink reflected the daylight that entered through a skylight. At the back of the room was a raised platform; sunken into that platform was a bath, accompanied by golden fittings. The floor was pearl white, with white mats.
‘Now I trust that you can bathe yourself, Soronir. But for now, I’ll help you, just in case’ The Captain smiled. He raised his arm and took a look at his watch. ‘But right now, I think it’s time we ate some dinner’
Soronir and his Dad walked down the hallways side by side, holding each other’s paw. As they descended the stairs, Arthur was waiting for them.
‘I trust Sir would like to eat in the conservatory?’ He asked. The Captain turned to Soronir and kneeled, looking at the Kitten.
‘What would you like to do Soronir? We can eat in the Conservatory, or we can eat out in the courtyard?’ He said.
Soronir paused, overwhelmed by choice, and then managed to come up with an answer. ‘Courtyard’ He replied, looking at both his Dad and Arthur.
‘Very well, courtyard it is’ He smiled, raising up and turning to Arthur. ‘Please join us Arthur. Soronir needs to get to know you’
Arthur bowed, and lead them down the central corridor and out into the courtyard. Servants were already setting up the table. They approached the table and sat down, the warm summer’s heat was relaxing. The servants brought out three plates, covered by silver lids. They placed them down in front of them and lifted the lids, revealing three different meals. Arthur had smoked salmon, with homemade chips and a side of salad. The Captain had a Steak, with chips and vegetables. Soronir had four slices of mozzarella pizza; a servant placed a smaller plate beside him that had extra toppings. Soronir picked up pepperoni, bacon, ham, chicken and extra cheese and placed them on his pizza. He looked up at his Dad and grinned.
‘Look! I made a pizza!’ Soronir giggled.
‘Indeed you have little one’ The Captain replied, tucking into his steak.
As the meal went one, Arthur was introducing himself to Soronir, making sure to eat his dinner at the same time. Soronir was the first to finish. He leaned back in his chair, and gave a quiet sigh.
‘That was yummy daddy’ He smiled, looking at his dad who wasn’t far behind him.
‘I’m glad you enjoyed it Soronir’ He chuckled. Arthur was the last to finish, only because he was talking to Soronir most of the time.
As the servants cleaned up the table, Soronir, The Captain and Arthur rose and walked around the orchard. Soronir was darting in between trees, rolling around and climbing up the lower down trees. He giggled as he jumped from branch to branch.
‘Do you think he’s like this because of what I told him at dinner?’ Arthur asked The Captain.
‘It’s possible, or he could just be excited’ The Captain replied, catching Soronir as he jumped off a tree. Soronir held onto him and giggled, resting in his arms.
‘I think someone is getting tired’ The Captain grinned. ‘Perhaps it’s time we went to bed?’
As they walked back into the house, Arthur branched off down a narrower corridor towards the stores. Soronir and The Captain continued through the house to the bedroom wing of the house. They entered Soronir’s bedroom, and The Captain placed him in his bed, tucking him in. He sat on the edge of the bed, and kissed Soronir’s forehead.
‘Goodnight my son, I hope you’re going to enjoy it here’ The Captain ruffled Soronir’s hair.
‘Night night daddy’ Soronir replied, giggling.
‘Remember, I’m only just across the hallway. If you feel scared just hop in’ he smiled. The Captain got off the bed, and pulled the curtains over the windows, before walking out, slowly pulling the door to. As he turned round, Arthur was standing behind him, with a set of warm towels.
‘I think Sir needs a long soak’ Arthur chuckled, handing The Captain the towels. The Captain wandered into the bathroom, before stopping to ask Arthur a question.
‘Arthur, do you think I made the right choice?’ He asked.
‘Only time will tell for sure Sir. But I do think you have’ Arthur replied, as he turned to walk back down the hall. The Captain closed the door, muttering to himself.
‘I think I have too’ He said quietly, as he slipped into the bath. ‘I just hope I can be everything Soronir needs.’
