Mikaela Ellwood
(SPECIAL PRIZE FOR FRENCH)
Massey High School in Auckland
Translation (The Oath of Autumn) from French into English of Serment D'Automne by Françoise Bourdin
Massey High School in Auckland
Translation (The Oath of Autumn) from French into English of Serment D'Automne by Françoise Bourdin
The Oath of Autumn
The vines stretched on either side of the road, neatly aligned over the pot-bellied hills. This breathtaking drive through the big vineyards where the prestigious parcels of land were divided into sections by low walls of dry stone was an unmatched pleasure. Just before Chalon, Guillaume left the regional road, heading west. In that direction the lands were less well-known, but just as generous, peppered with the varnished tile roofs and winding alleyways of idyllic villages. He paused in front of Robin's house before driving through the gate. The ultramodern construction seamlessly melded into the surrounding countryside. Guillaume had designed it for his brother's wedding, and he had put all his talent as an architect into it. He pulled into the gravel driveway and parked under the shade of a large oak tree. The tree had annoyed him while he was drawing up the plans of the surrounding area and garden, but he would not have sacrificed it for anything in the world. As he took his luggage from the boot, he heard Robin calling and spun around with a grin. But his face fell and the smile was turned into a frown. What had he been expecting? He hadn't actually imagined anything precisely, refusing to even think of it, and so what he saw hit him full in the stomach. "I know," said Robin as he came down from the terrace, "it’s the chemo, it's killing me." He had to have lost at least a dozen kilos since their last meeting. There were shadows under his eyes, his features were gaunt, his skin had a yellowish tinge and his voice was hoarse. Almost all his hair had fallen out and he seemed much older, much changed. "Robin..." murmured Guillaume, dropping his bags. He held out his arms and his brother fell into his embrace. They stayed like that for a long time, each as overcome as the other. "Don’t worry," whispered Robin, "the doctors aren't too pessimistic. The battle is not yet lost!" |
Serment D'Automne – Françoise Bourdin
De part et d'autre de la route, les vignes s'étendaient, bien alignée sur les coteaux ventrus. Un plaisir pour le regard que cette traversée des grands crus, où les parcelles prestigieuses étaient juste séparée par murets de pierres sèches. Avant Chalon, Guillaume quitta le déparmentale en obliquant vers l'ouest. Là se trouvaient des terres un peu moins célèbre mais tout aussi généreuses, des villages typiques avec leurs toits de tuiles vernisées et leurs ruelles tortueuses. Quand il arriva devant la maison de Robin, il s'arrêta un instant avant de franchir le portail. Cette construction ultramoderne s'intégrait sans heurt dans le paysage. Guillaume l'avait dessinée pour son frère quand celui-ci s’était marié, et il y avait mis tout son talent d'architecte. Il s'engagea dans l'allée de gravier et alla se garer à l'ombre d'un grand chêne. L'arbre l'avait gêné pour élaborer les plans des abords et du jardin, mais pour rien au monde il ne l'aurait sacrifié. Alors qu'il sortait ses sacs de voyage du coffre, il entendit Robin se héler et il se retourna, sourire aux lèvres. Aussitôt, son expression se figea, se transforma en grimace. À quoi s'était-il donc attendu? En fait, il n'avait rien imaginé de précis, refusant même d'y penser, et ce qu'il découvrait le bouleversait. -Je sais, dit Robin en descendant de la terasse. C'est le chimio, ça me crève. Depuis leur dernière rencontre, il avait dû perdre une dizaine de kilos. Ses yeux étaient cernés, ses traits marqué, sont teint jaunâtre et sa voix rauque. Presque tous ses cheveux étaient tombés, il se semblait vielli, transformé. -Robin..., murmura Guillaume, laissent tomber ses sacs. Il ouvrit les bras et son frère s'y jeta. Durant une longue minute ils s'étreignirent, aussi émus l'un que l'autre. -Ne t'inquiète pas, souffla Robin. Les médecins ne sont pas trop pessimistes, la partie n'est pas perdue! |