Found
I was up and out of the hut long before dawn. This is nothing new, although the increasingly chilly mornings are making these walks decidedly less pleasant. I wasn't expecting to come across anyone; there is usually no one around when I head out for my morning excursions, the townsfolk still slumbering in their warm and cozy beds. But this day, I ran into none other then Rhaug.
Unexpected, though not unwelcome.
Given the nature of our last talk, I doubted he'd want to see me. Wasn't that the point, after all? But since when has that ever stopped me? I went straight over to him and gave him a tight hug. To my surprise, he returned the gesture. I don't know if it's sweet or silly that he thought I embraced him for my sake. I didn't correct him, though. "I decided that the big strong solitary manly man was in need of a good hug," is far less contentious than "But I'm a woman. Of course I need hugs!"
It started with an argument anyway. Of course it did. Not one about who hugged who and why, thankfully. 'twas more a case of who is the real mind reader between us! He does this frequently, denouncing me for "claiming to know his mind" and yet does the exact same thing to me. I wonder if he's aware of his own hypocrisy? 'Twould be ironically amusing if he is.
Regardless, the conversation settled down into something more peaceful shortly thereafter. We spoke for hours with nary a recrimination. Oh, he threw one in - misunderstanding the meaning of my words, he chose to take them in the worst possible light, as ever - but even that was swiftly bypassed.
Through a series of completely unrelated topics. I ended up offering to cook him dinner! Stranger still, he accepted. It won't be for a while yet, of course. I need to gather the ingredients from Bree, which means waiting for Audre so I can take her missives with me, and he will be departing for the wilds again once he's seen Taala. It could be weeks or months before I see him again but I'm content to wait.
As long as he does return.
It's not so much what he said but the way he said it that raises such concern. Indeed, upon realising that I worried for him, he quickly tried to dismiss the matter by saying that he simply misspoke. I don't believe that for an instant. He may misinterpret words and intentions from others, and he may choose his own words poorly on occasion, but he never says something that he doesn't mean. If he's worried about his chances then bedamned my faith in his ability to take care of himself; I'm worried for him, even if I promised to pretend otherwise.
So, what does one do when the person they care for most is soon to depart for pastures hostile? I return to my lessons with Ethan, I wait for the tailor to be done with my new clothes and the letters she wishes to send, and I plan and prepare for a meal that I may never make...
How cheerful.
