The stable smelled of fresh hay and sweet animal breath. Outside, excited voices mingled with music and the sound of horses’ feet. In- side, all was quiet. Peter, wide awake now, slipped from his brother’s saddle. He ex- amined himself, drenched with mud. Joshua approached with a pail of water and a wash rag. “You don’t think you can get me cleaned up in time for the ban- quet, do you?” Peter was skeptical. “What about my clothes?” Joshua smiled a little, beginning to wipe dirt off Peter’s face. “You can use mine. We can swap.” Peter stared blankly at his brother. “What? Joshua, you can’t do


that. You are the crown prince. Father knows I ran away. He plans to punish me.”


“He won’t punish you.” Joshua promised. “Come with me.” Despite Peter’s confused objections, the brothers swapped cloth- ing and prepared to enter their father’s courtroom. “Ready?” Joshua whispered. Peter trembled, suddenly afraid. He had disobeyed his father, the king, and he did not deserve to stand before him. “I’m with you, don’t worry.” Joshua promised, and the two ap- proached their father.


The king’s face was stern yet kind as he gazed upon his sons, one


 threshold. “My sons.” There was a hint of sadness in his eyes. “One of you has fallen into trouble.” His deep voice had mourning in it. “One of you must not attend my banquet.” Peter lowered his gaze. “Who is guilty?” The king inquired. Peter sighed and opened his mouth to answer, but, “I am guilty.” Joshua declared.  beckoned Peter to his side. “Come here my son.” Peter’s fears dissolved in his father’s loving embrace. At last, he felt fully safe. He was home again. “Tonight, my son,” His father whispered, “You will be my guest of


honor, my crown prince.” With these words the king took a dazzling crown from its resting place beside him and bestowed it upon Peter.  “Not because of anything you have done,” His father assured him, “But simply because I love you.” The king rose and faced Joshua once again, who watched, sad yet hopeful. - ing. Speechless, Peter watched as the servants led his older brother out of the courtroom, away from the banquet hall. Tempting scents of roast meat and potatoes wafted from the hall.


Voices of a thousand happy people could be heard, yet Peter could not avert his attention from his brother. Nothing seemed more worthy of his attention.   Just before he left the courtroom, Joshua turned around, and his eyes met Peter’s. “I love you, brother,” he whispered. Peter realized that he had never known a love so beautiful and that he would never know anything like it again as long as he lived.


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