Chapter Text
Bruno Madrigal was a rare sight to see in Encanto and in the Casita. The most mysterious child of Alma Madrigal had not been seen in years and now, thanks to the courage and the miracle that was Maribel he was back and walking the streets once more. Of course, he wasn’t the same man anymore. The years of isolation and persecution had taken it’s toll on him. He was quieter, softer, quick to apologize for the smallest of things, and had more tics than a clock. Many could hardly believe that this was the same man that had “cursed” his sister’s wedding with a hurricane or gave them such grief with his visions.
“Maybe it’s an act?” Some curious villagers wondered as Bruno was being led by Maribel around the town. He wasn’t seven feet tall, nor did he give off an aura of an evil sorcerer. Bruno was thin and gaunt and had an air of exhaustion about him. He was jumpy and clung to Maribel or the nearest Madrigal like his life depended on it.
“I think he’s faking.” One brave villager decided.
“Do you think we’ll have another hurricane?” a few guessed.
“I don’t want to be cursed,” another villager panicked.
Such words did not escape the Madrigals. Delores, the secret keeper of the family, went to her mother and repeated every word she heard. Of course, Pepa being Pepa, she was the first to set the record straight. Not even Felix dared to intervene on the villagers’ behalf. He watched as his beloved wife literally stormed out of the Casita and down to the village below.
“Do not speak about my brother in such a tone!” she thundered, lightning daring to strike anyone close to her. “My brother is a good, honest man! If you have something to say about him, say it to my face!”
Delores was pleased to report that she heard no one say anything negative about her dear uncle Bruno. And why would they now? He had helped saved the miracle and his visions, granted that they could be confusing and cause alarm, helped decipher what the future held. Nothing was truly written in stone and neither were the mountain ranges that had protected Encanto all those years ago. A clear path to the outside world was open and with it, the rumors of Bruno Madrigal flooded the surrounding towns and villages. Was he a seer? A sorcerer? A cursed man? Or the key to a glorious military conquest as one general hoped?
“No more shall we lose our battles or territories,” the general decided after hearing the latest rumor on the newly embraced seer. “Bring me Bruno Madrigal alive! Let us see what this seer can do.”