He runs, but he always returns eventually. It took him unusually longer this time as his own despair ravaged him. It ripped him apart little by little until he was a shadow of himself. The pain of having lost his son was far too great. Seeing his limp body maimed on the beach has burned scars into Tiphon’s memory. It returns frequently like thorns in his side, but he needs to continue living. Destroying his own life won’t bring Tiberios back. Nothing will.
As the sun begins to rise above the horizon Tiphon is already at the border of the Dale. Like a mirror staring back at him he only sees what he once was here, what life he had before everything spiraled. The hills are the same as are the trees and the babbling brook, but he also notices subtle changes that have been brought on by Ramiel. There are voices and there are bird songs emanating around him. It’s everything Tiphon hoped to see after so long and yet he feels foreign, like he no longer belongs. This is his past. He sees the shackles ready to clasp his ankles and to hold him in the “what was.”
The sun is higher. It’s hours past dawn and still Tiphon hasn’t moved. A gentle breeze tousles his molten locks but he hesitates as another breath is drawn into his lungs. The muscles underlying his porcelain coat quiver with uncertainty. He looks over his shoulder towards the rough edge of the trees and he considers fleeing once more and acting as though he was never here, but then he hears Ramiel in the distance. His voice is deeper, stronger, older. Tiphon’s heart leaps in his chest and after another moment’s hesitation he takes that large step into the Dale. His throat tightens as he pushes himself to go deeper and deeper into the kingdom’s embrace until he is on the outskirt of the congregation. He sees Ramiel standing proud, addressing the Dalean family as any suitable king would. The boy has been raised well and has been primped for kingship since he was a boy. It almost comes naturally to him.
Only when Ramiel mentions a Queen and Princess does Tiphon truly realize how much time has elapsed.
And so now he has a Princess for a granddaughter.
A smile begins to stretch across his lips and his gaze greatly softens when he sees the family of three standing atop the knoll. It reminds him of Talulah and Elysteria. Warmth blossoms through Tiphon as he inches forward, standing out from the crowd as he always has. ”Welcome to the family, Ea and Sela.” Their family, his family.
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