The Golden Lion
Alan Zurückgeben sat in the writing room of Hoborg‘s Castle. He was writing:“I am troubled. I keep asking myself: What should I do? To sort my thoughts, I have decided to write them down.
“Nine years ago we received a message from the Brokenhood, saying that Ottoborg and Caline had married and she was with a child. Father flew into an outrage. He will never let go of her. He hates Ottoborg with a passion. He blames him for everything wrong with his life. It does not matter what I say to him.
“Recently another message announced a pending visit from Ottoborg’s new family. Father has described to me how he would cut Ottoborg’s belly open and hang him on his own gut. I am deeply worried what this visit will bring. It is due tomorrow. Father depends on me for support. He knows that I will not defy him.”
Alan lay his pen down. With a miserable moan, he buried his face in his hands.
Suddenly the door swung open. In the doorframe stood Hoborg.
“Come, Alan! Ottoborg has arrived!”
Alan leaped to his feet. “I thought they would come tomorrow!” he exclaimed in alarm as he dashed out of the writing room.
“So did I,” Hoborg agreed, leading the way out of the Castle. “Come, their travel-robot has already landed on the South Plane.”
They arrived shortly. Alan’s heart leaped into his throat as he took the scene in. He was too late! Nehmen was already clawing at Ottoborg’s throat! As Alan watched, his uncle Nike grabbed Nehmen from the behind and tore him away. The Hoodian was screaming an unbroken chain of threats, and his adversary’s only luck was that Nehmen had already descended into German. For a moment Alan stood, his body like ice. Then, duty propelled him forward.
He ran toward his father. “What has happened?!” he shouted. His father barely registered him. Alan grabbed onto his stem and he was about to yank it when another scream rose up.
Everybody froze. It was a sound that they had never heard before. It was shrill and high, too high for any Neverhoodian, and its sole effect was that they wanted it to stop. Alan’s ears finally found the source. It was a carriage in front of Caline.
It was the baby!
Alan recovered from the surprise. His father wasn’t moving, his glazed eyes looking at the carriage, uncomprehending. Alan did not hesitate. He took Nehmen’s hand and he led him away from the commotion before he came back to his senses.
They actually got as far as the Mush Room before his father started protesting. Alan managed to pull him inside and press him against the wall, but by then Nehmen was fighting him tooth and nail. He was about to break free and run back when, thankfully, Nike appeared and spun the Mush Room down. Dizzily all three stumbled out.
Leaning against the wall and sweating heavily, Nehmen was muttering under his breath. He raised his head sharply. “Why did you drag me away?” he yelled at his son.
Alan did not flinch. “English, father,” he reminded him calmly.
Nike stomped over to his brother and grabbed him by the shoulders. “What were you thinking!” he blared.
This time, Alan did not try to defend his father from the scolding. At the end of it, the Hoodian looked as miserable as a squashed fwa sheep. Nike turned to Alan and said:
“Go. I’ll handle him. Find Ottoborg and tell him I’m sorry for what happened.”
And Alan did so. He avoided Nehmen’s betrayed gaze as he turned his back on him and left.
Ottoborg and his family were no longer on the South Plane. Some Hoodians informed Alan that after the child broke into crying, Caline decided that they needed to rest. They had gone to the Castle, the Hoodians said. Alan thanked them and he followed the family.
Arriving at the upper floor of the Castle, Alan saw that only one of the guest rooms was occupied. He knocked on the door and, promptly, he regretted it. Unconsolable crying broke out in the room. Presently Ottoborg opened the door. His eyes narrowed when he recognised Alan.
“I’ll be. It’s Nehmen junior.”
Alan cringed. “Please, don’t call me that.” The crying didn’t let up.
“You got something to say to me?” Ottoborg hissed. Alan swallowed. The king was openly hostile. Not that Alan could blame him, after all, the king had just been viciously attacked by his family member. But Alan would not be intimidated. His years with father had taught him that much.
“I want to apologise,” he asserted, “on behalf of Nike, and myself.” He wished that he could apologise on his father’s behalf as well. Sadly, his father wasn’t sorry. “What happened was terrible! I am deeply ashamed that I wasn’t able to control my father.”
Ottoborg stared at him, more confused than angry now. The wailing was picking up in volume.
“Oh for Quater’s sake,” Caline shouted from the room. “Would you both come in? I’d appreciate some help!
Ottoborg rubbed his eyes wearily and he stepped aside so that Alan could enter the room. Caline was sitting on the bed, her travel cloak still on, and on her each knee sat a… a child. Twins!
Alan had never seen children before, but he thought immediately that these were the most adorable children in the world. Their heads were adorned with big soft curls, and their little faces were scrunched up in screaming abandon. Ottoborg took one of the children from Caline and began rocking him on his hip. Caline held the other boy out to Alan. The gesture was so tired and final that Alan immediately took the child from her. He imitated Ottoborg by setting the boy against his hip and rocking him gently.
It did wonders. Soon the boy stopped crying and he opened his eyes. He looked at Alan, unsure and shy. Alan made a funny face. The boy continued staring at him. Alan made another face and warbled. The boy giggled. It was a delightful sound. Alan made an outrageous face and the child burst out laughing.
Alan’s heart leaped in his chest. This was… The trilling sound vibrated straight to the core of him. It made him so happy. Nothing in the past ten years had made him as happy as making this child laugh.
“They like him,” Caline observed curiously. “See, Otto? He is already better at placating them than you are,” she jibed at her husband playfully. Alan was staring at the child in his arms. His eyes were so round and brown...
“What’s your name?” he asked.
The boy looked at his mother, seeking help.
“Come on, we’ve rehearsed this,” Caline smiled. “What’s your name?”
The boy blushed and chirped: “Ottimo!”
“And what’s your name?” Caline turned to the boy that Ottoborg was holding.
“Tuborg,” the child replied, grinning.
“Good boys,” Ottoborg praised his sons. Then he caught Alan’s eye and he coughed. “Ahem… nice work, Alan.” No more Nehmen junior, Alan noted. The tone was much friendlier, too. “Thanks. For both calming Ottimo and… for the apology. I appreciate what you did back there, your pa was like a rabid dog. You really ought to talk to him...”
“I will,” Alan assured him. Yes... he should check how his father was doing. He passed Ottimo back to Caline. As as soon the boy left his arms, he felt a great loss. And suddenly, a thought appeared in the back of his mind. “I must apologise once more,” he said, pushing the intruding thought away. “I will see to it that such a scene never happens again.” But his mind was elsewhere. It had recalled a memory of his uncle Krevel. Nehmen isn’t a child, the Hoodian had said, you aren’t responsible for him, no matter how much he likes to put it that way. “I will see you soon. Goodbye.”
Alan stood outside for a minute, feeling his heart pound in his chest. Try as he might to block it out, the thought was burning its way through his mind.
I would much rather serve those two children than my father.
No! No, no, no! Loyalty was Alan’s highest principle! To consider shirking his duties like that… Terrified of his own mind, Alan ran away from the guest room.
Downstairs he stumbled upon Hoborg, who congratulated him on handling the situation on the South Plane. Alan looked at the king as he talked, and he thought him wise. Surely if Alan brought the heretical thought up, Hoborg would assure him that it was unthinkable.
“My king,” Alan said, “Ottoborg and Caline seem to have their hands full with their two children. I think they could use some help.”
Hoborg tilted his head to the side. “A babysitter? Perhaps. Do you have something in mind?”
“Well,” Alan shrugged, “the children seem to like me. And I’m sure there’s space for one more in their kingdom...”
“No!” Hoborg cried out. “You mustn’t do that!”
Alan paled. He nodded quickly and turned to run.
He only stopped below the Mush Room, catching his breath. Why had Hoborg said that? He had looked so scary! Something in Alan’s chest was writhing: what Hoborg had said was unfair! He had denied Alan’s desire so easily!
Alan stopped. What? When had the heretical thought become his desire? But... there was no mistaking it. Hearing Hoborg’s disapproval had made it crystal clear. Alan wanted to go and help Ottoborg’s family with their two children. The mere thought made his heart jingle with happiness.
The Hoodian felt faint. He had been made to be with his father forever! It had always been his purpose in life! How could he suddenly be in so much doubt?
He leaned against the wall and rubbed his face. Alright. He had thought himself conflicted before? Now his head was a total mess. He needed someone to set him straight. He needed to find Nike.
After he spotted his uncle, the two of them sought the privacy of the perch atop Willie’s red-roofed house. Overlooking the entire Neverhood, the view from the place made one’s head swim.
Alan looked out there as he forced himself to form the thought as clearly as he could. “I want to go and help Ottoborg’s family with their children. The two of them look so tired, but the children are such a delight! All they need is another person’s help. I could be that help. I know how to take care of people, I’ve taken care of father since I was born...” He gripped his chest. “But I was created to be with my father! If I leave, he will be alone. So I need you, Nike, to tell me… is it right that I want this?”
And Nike did not hesitate to say: “Yes.”
Alan stared at him, wide-eyed.
“Nehmen has been using you, Alan!” his uncle continued without mercy. “It isn’t healthy or good for either of you.”
It was like a veil lifted from Alan’s eyes. Finally, after all the years, he admitted to himself: I don’t want to be with my father forever. Loyalty wasn’t everything. His own happiness mattered. He gulped and rubbed at his eyes.
“Thank you. I’ll think about it.”
Nike gave him a hug and he left Alan alone with his thoughts.
The battle of right and wrong inside Alan was long and exhausting. At some point he got down from the perch of Willie’s house and he walked through the Neverhood. A day might have passed. He didn’t recall that span of time afterward. Everything he had stood for, everything he had taken pride in… it might have been wrong.
Suddenly, he heard his name called. A Hoodian was telling him to go to the Castle immediately. Hoborg was summoning him.
When Alan entered the Throne Room, he saw that everyone was there. His father. Nike. Hoborg sitting on the throne. Ottoborg and Caline at its foot. Everyone else gathered in a circle. Alan walked to the center of it, before the throne.
“My king,” he said, feeling himself tired and empty.
“Alan,” Hoborg’s voice boomed. He was angry. Furious. “I have called you here to answer for yourself. I have heard very disconcerting news. Apparently you wish to leave the Neverhood.”
A wave of noise rose up. Alan looked around and he saw Nike nodding. So, his uncle had told others of Alan’s dilemma. In hindsight, it was to be expected. Nike wasn’t one to keep a secret.
“What?!” a voice rose above the din. Alan closed his eyes. His father... “That can’t be true!”
“My very thoughts,” Hoborg affirmed coldly. “What do you have to say for yourself, Alan?”
Eyes closed, Alan exhaled. He felt the weight of the entire room on him.
“It is true.” He opened his eyes and he stared directly at Hoborg. “I want to leave the Neverhood. I am my own person and I make my own decisions. I no longer wish to be father’s asset. I wish to help Ottoborg and Caline with their children.”
“What are you saying?” Alan’s father wailed. Alan’s stomach fell to an ice pit, hearing the betrayal. But he plucked up his courage, turned around, and faced his father.
“I am not your shadow, Nehmen Aber Zurückgeben. You have only been using me to your own advantage. You have never thought of what I wanted. In fact, you don’t know a single thing I want except...” he swallowed, but his voice still broke, “except that I want you to be happy. I still want that. But... this…!” Alan threw his arms out. He couldn’t describe the entrapment. The hopelessness. The terrible totality of “you were created to be with me for ever”. And the shining hope he felt when he looked at the twins.
“That is not a reason,” Hoborg intervened angrily, “to leave the Neverhood! I will not see you leave, Alan. Not in a million years. Not ever.”
“No!” someone yelled. Alan’s mouth fell open in surprise. It was Caline, gripping her husband’s arm like a lifeline. They both were… livid. Alan watched in awe as the couple stomped up the stairs to the throne. The crown on Ottoborg’s head was glinting.
“Brother!” Ottoborg cried out, shaking his head in great dismay. “Is this how you treat your subjects? You’re a good ruler, so don’t behave like a tyrant! If Alan wants to leave, why couldn’t he? There is nothing to worry about, he’ll be safe with me. Plus,” he glanced over his shoulder, grinning at Alan, “we could really use a babysitter.”
Hoborg stood up. “It is my kingdom,” he said flatly. The room echoed with his power. He was imposing. He was... terrible.
The other king straightened as well. The air around him crackled as he declared: “I am Ottoborg, the fifth son of Quater. As your older brother, I command you to let Alan go.”
Hoborg’s hands balled into fists. He growled.
And he lowered his head.
“As you say, brother,” he mumbled.
Ottoborg nodded in agreement. He and his queen descended from the throne. The crowd parted for them. Caline took Alan’s hand as they passed him and all three exited the Throne Room.
Behind the nearest turn, Ottoborg collapsed into his wife’s arms. “By all of Quater’s creation!” he exclaimed. “That was scary as hell! I thought Hoborg would hit me. I’m not meddling like that ever again, not ever, ever, ever...”
Caline stroked his cheek and gave him a kiss. “You did well. And you, Alan,” she turned to give the Hoodian a wide smile, “you were incredibly brave.”
Ottoborg clapped him on the shoulder. “You should have asked us first! Of course we could use your help with the kids!” He looked around his shoulder and sobered up. “Caline, dear, do you object if we cut this visit short? I don’t want to stick around until Hoborg changes his mind and banishes us from his land for a thousand years.”
Gravely, Caline nodded.
Thus it happened that they only stayed on the Neverhood long enough to bid everyone goodbye. Nehmen didn’t show up, which made Alan both very grateful and a little apprehensive. In his stead, the gentle uncle Krevel came.
“I can understand where you’re coming from, leaving like this,” he said. “I hope that you’ll be happy where you’re going.” He seemed troubled in spite of his supportive words. Alan knew that Krevel was the one taking the brunt of Nehmen’s grief. He felt bad for his uncle, but his father’s wellbeing was no longer Alan’s responsibility. It belonged to his father alone. Alan felt light realising that.
Hoborg did not come to say goodbye, which was fine by Alan.
“We are ready for take-off,” Ottoborg announced at last. Alan checked if the children’s carriage was securely strapped in. Ottimo and Tuborg were clapping their hands in excitement and giggling between themselves.
A feeling like a majestic lion rose up in Alan’s chest. He was right to do this. In front of him lay a new, better life.
