The Last Party of Rhein

[sciencepants2 328]

 

 

Among the ruins of the village, sounds of old drinking songs and laughter floated up from the crumbling walls. 

 

“For old time sake”

echoed through the crowd, a mantra repeated throughout the night, drinks were passed, the rolling of eyes as another set of feet pulled into a dance.

 

“You made it! Welcome!”

Arms being thrown out, bodies pulled into hugs. Tales of how they got here and where they’ve been. 

 

Though there were no decorations, no grand halls or feast, the celebrations continued. Along the small pier, flowing out into the farms and sprawling through the narrow streets, the people of Rhein celebrated for nothing but themselves, of surviving despite the oppressive chaos of larger nations and the war that threw them from their homes. 

And for the hope that someday down the line they will all return together and lay claim to a place to call home.

 

“For the people, for Rhein! Long Love Rhein!” 

 

They toasted and cheered into the night as the drinks flowed. Families seeing each other for the first time in years, old friends and new ones sharing memories, new ones being made.

 

“bi sàbhailte, siubhal gu math, be safe, travel well”

goodbyes given, new addresses shared. Plans made for another day. 

 

Come morning the crumbling houses were quiet once again, The streets were still, The fields of wheat and oats rustling in the breeze, small waves in the bay lapped against the pier. The Rhein finally sits empty. The people live on.

 

 

“We all came from this village, one way or another, from different lands and families to make our own, and yet the building be bricks and rubble and the land be lost, they cannot take what we are, and though our homes may change and our love ones be far flung along the winds, we will always be the people of Rhein”

~unknown circa 39 year of the second age

Spoiler

 

 

[Robin01_boy 270]

Kane Redfist was sitting in his office, leaning back in his chair and smoking his smoking pipe while in thought. "I am happeh tha' friends an' famileh could meet each other one last toime after it was taken 'way from 'em loike that..." he mumbled, shaking his head slightly. After a few seconds, a slight grin formed on Kane's face "This es not teh end... No..." he paused "It's onleh teh beginnin' o' somethin' new!" 

 

Thomas Redfist, who was who knows where looked back proud on his period he had in Rhein. Especially the last party. "I am glad I could help 'em out... One last time" he sighed deeply "Now my time has come to make a leave" he stated with a dip of the head before walking on into the wilderness.

[Setsuko_ 308]

From off in the distance, a Familiar Blonde Man watches, a shawl over his aged suit. His hair turning grey and his good eye alight with a knowledge gained with age. He watches the merriment with a smile upon his now wrinkled face before stepping away, heading back down the road. "You all did wonderful. Thank you" comes a raspy voice, to no one but himself as he once more covers his face and makes for the desert. This would be the last anyone sees of the man, and the last the man would see of his beloved Rhein.