Shakespearean Tragedy

Last weekend we were walking up the path and met up with Amy and her family.  We have an amazing ability to catch each other out and about.  The kids were beyond excited.  Emily hugged Beth. Cian and Reuben started chasing each other around and then the girls started chasing them - it was all good fun.  When the adults had enough of all the screaming and running we decided to collect the children and part ways.  The older kids (Cian and Reuben) and the one who desperately wants to be 5 (Emily) had run down the path a ways because Cian wanted to see if he could outrun Reuben on his bike.  Amy, Michael and I were walking behind and as we looked up from chatting we saw Emily get a  little too close to Reuben's bike and Reuben lost his balance a bit and very accidentally hit Emily toppling her to the ground.  The adults ran to the entanglement of Reuben, the bike and Emily and peeled everyone apart.  Emily was red with tears more out of shock than actual injuries and Reuben was being grilled by his parents for not being more careful (honestly it was an accident and Emily should have been more careful).   Then we all started to realize that the screaming and crying was not all coming from Emily.  There was Cian flushed with anger pointing at Reuben tears pouring down his face "You hurt Emily!!".  He would not be consoled - his kinsman (or kinswoman in this case) had been wronged and he was out to make it right.  With his level of outrage all that came to mind was the fight scene between Tybalt and Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet" where Romeo says: 

This gentleman, the prince's near ally, 

My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt 

In my behalf; my reputation stain'd 
With Tybalt's slander,

—Tybalt, that an hour 
Hath been my kinsman!


All were no worse for wear.  Reuben made Emily a card with a Tinkerbell and a bike which Amy was concerned might give her PTSD.  Emily promptly forgotabout her knock about until about 10 minutes later when Cian hit her in the head with a rock.  Life is hard when you're 2.  At least she has her brother - she may also sustain injuries at his hand but she can be sure he will fight valiantly that he and he alone can do so.