The Bookshop and the Barbarian

by Morgan Stang

“It's just a worm.” “This worm is reading book?” said Asteria, stooping down. The worm looked up. He wore a tiny pair of glasses that were very thick (in relation to the worm's size, of course). His two black eyes were enormous through the magnification. And then he spoke. “Aye, that's right mate, I'm readin' this here book, I am.”

“I'm a readin' worm is what I am, 'till you two blokes came along and interrupted, you did.” “You can read?” “Course I can. I'm a bookworm. It's what we do. We're born, we are, then we go and wiggle our way to the closest book and start readin' it, we do.”

If you're wondering who Sir Edmundus Gloopinbottom is, you must have lived under a rock your entire life. For everyone knows the amazing author and all of his varied masterworks, his topics ranging from genre fiction to educational texts and everything in between. His real life adventuring is inspiration for many of his releases. He was knighted by Queen Zenobia of the Southern Reaches. He is a writer of unparalleled skill and class. He is the most humble individual in all the world. He is a green slime.

Maribella and Esteban stared into each others eyes and they had quite the moment.

“She gave him flowers!” whispered Maribella, grabbing onto Asteria's shoulder and leaning into her. “Just like how Dave gave her flowers when she left! Look at them!” “Falling stars,” said Asteria in awe. “It is actually happening for Dave. He has wooed llama girl.”

The bookworms slowly drew closer, and Maribella leaned in to see better. “What do you think will happen?” asked Clarence. “They will fight,” said Asteria. “This is display of force over territory. Such things happen among moose. This is so.” Closer and closer they got. Ever closer. And then. They kissed. Maribella lit up in a smile. “Look at that! Oh, but how romantic, isn't it? They're hitting it off so very well.” Townspeople scrunched up their faces and watched as the two bookworms continued to kiss. “They progressed rather fast, wouldn't you say?” said Hargle. “Well, perhaps bookworms have short lives so they need to work quickly,” said Maribella. “Whatever the case, I think it's beautiful. Magical, even. How likely was it that poor Mr Cumberbutton, locked away up in his room, hidden away from the world all day, would find true love like this? I think it's a wonderful lesson to learn from these two. Love is always possible, even when you think it's not.”

Asteria said nothing. Heavy silence sat between them. At length, Maribella looked up. Asteria had tears in her eyes. Maribella's heart skipped a beat. She had never seen Asteria cry before. “What's wrong? Is something the matter? You're crying.” “Ha-Mazan warriors do not cry,” said Asteria, holding the book closer. “We shed tears. And you are wrong. It is not dumb present.” She looked up from the book. “It is the best thing anyone has given me.” She reached out and wrapped her arms around Maribella, pulling her in. They embraced for a long while.

Don't wait for tomorrow, Maribella. Don't find yourself with only a memory to hold onto.” Maribella swallowed, holding back her own tears.

There was a piece of paper on her bed. There was writing on the paper. She stepped forward and picked it up and read it. I am leaving for the Ha-Mazan Tribes tonight. I can no longer fight against my fate. I must return to my Queen and devote my life to her. This is the only way. Thank you for everything. Your Winter Solstice gift to me helped me write this note. I am sorry for not saying goodbye. It would be too hard. This is better. When I look at the stars, I will always think of you. I will always love you.

“But in reality, I was running toward my fate.” She dropped to one knee suddenly and placed her hands on her thigh, then bowed her head. “My Queen,” she said. “Would you allow me the honor of devoting my life to you, of protecting you against all dangers, of being by your side at all times?” She lifted her head, and there was only love in her eyes. “Will you allow me my fate?”

“I love you,” said Asteria. “My Queen. My fate.” And they kissed, holding each other on that hilltop for as long as the fireworks went off. It was an especially long fireworks show that year.

As Maribella stood there, staring off into the void, reality itself lost all meaning. She wasn't standing on Main Street in Leafhaven in the cold, she was cast across the cosmos to tumble forever through time and space. “The brick...” she said, eyes opening wide. “The parrot had the brick...in his hands...” “Bell,” said Asteria, arching a brow. “Have you gone mind-sick?”

The answer is none of the above. It was another trick question. Sir Edmundus Gloopinbottom is the greatest author mentioned in this book. He won't show up again, because his overpowering character would take away from the heart of this story. But just know he was there, all along, at the Winter Solstice party, at the New Year's Night celebration, and stayed in town for quite a while before setting off for the horizon and more adventures.

After all, every time you read a book, you see the world from the eyes of another person, and that, of course, is the basis for all empathy.

And if you have no friends, then you can always make one over a book. We all love books, and someone that loves something you love is a friend. After all, that's how it worked for Maribella and Asteria. And where are they now? To this day, they are living happily ever after.