Once upon a time, long, long ago the Great River swelled with powerful currents, cold to the touch and rich with life. In these waters swam the biggest and most delicious fish the world had ever seen, and it was because of these fish that the village of Senectus prospered.
In this village lived a young man, Lucto. Three generations of his family had been fishermen of this lucrative village, and he was on his way to becoming one himself. His family was in desperate need of this, as they were poor - Lucto's father had drowned in the Great River fishing one day, leaving Lucto and his mother to fend for themselves. Since the day of his father's death, Lucto's mother had taken ill, but Lucto could not figure out what was wrong with her. Lucto spent day and night caring for her, always willing to do whatever it took to bring her back to health. Some days he would not even leave the house.
Lucto had a secret, however.
Late at night, when no one was around, Lucto would quietly dream of life beyond the village. Somewhere deep down, he knew he wasn't meant to be a fisherman like his father before him. Every day he tried to work up the courage to tell his mother this, but every morning when he brought her food, he could not find the courage to speak his mind. He knew she needed him, and so every day he would shake off the thought, laughing to himself for being so foolish, and yet he felt a piece of him missing. No matter how hard he tried, the thought would return even stronger that night.
This continued for many months until finally he could bear it no longer. As he was about to give his mother her porridge one morning, he set down the bowl and sat on the edge of her bed, looking at her with a far-away look in his eyes for what seemed like hours.
He took a deep breath. This was it.
"It's okay, Lucto."
He blinked.
"I know this isn't where you want to be. I'll be okay. Besides, I've been telling you for weeks
now that my strength is returning, but you're always off somewhere else in that head of yours."
Lucto realized that she was right. He vaguely remembered his mother saying something
every day he brought her breakfast, but had been too focused on making sure everything was perfect that he didn't even listen to what she was saying.
After hugging his mother goodbye, Lucto grabbed what provisions he could fit into his bag and left.
This was it. He was going to leave Senectus for good.
As he left his home and set out on the road to the north, he walked with a spring in his step. He felt an energy he had not experienced since his father was alive. He felt as though he were a knight returning from war, shedding off his armor as he walked into the sunset. He did not know what lay before him on the road ahead, but that didn't matter.He was ready to begin his life.
Shortly after Lucto left, his mother returned to her former self in perfect health. She and Senectus would see many successful and lucrative fishing seasons. Lucto lived to become a great knight in a faraway land, and although he faced many troubles along the journey of his life, he truly lived the rest of his life to its fullest. He, his mother, and the the village of Senectus lived happily ever after.
I loved reading your story, it was very well written. I love how Lucto had the courage to leave his mother, which gave her the courage to move forward in life without him playing such a vital role. Beautiful.
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