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Farrendel trudgedalong the branches of Ellonahshinel, his pack heavy against his back. At this time of night, only a few elven lights remained lit among the leaves, illuminating the branches in a soft glow.
Ahead, Weylind strolled along the branches. At the turnoff to his room, Weylind turned, his eyes studying Farrendel. He opened his mouth, probably for another lecture about Essie. Or his usual hovering.
Farrendel brushed past him. “I will be fine.”
“Shashon…” Weylind reached to clasp Farrendel’s shoulder, but Farrendel dodged around him.
“I am fine.” Farrendel turned his back to Weylind and stalked along the branch toward his and Essie’s rooms as quickly as possible. His back itched with the feel of Weylind’s eyes watching him leave, but he did not turn around or slow. And, thankfully, Weylind did not attempt to follow.
Crickets and tree frogs sang softly into the night, but other than that, the evening remained quiet. So very peaceful after all the fighting.
Essie was likely already asleep. He should not feel disappointed that she would not be there when he returned. Yes, Weylind had sent a message that they would be returning tonight. But there was no reason Essie would stay up for Farrendel.
And yet, as Farrendel tiptoed across the final branch to their rooms, the lights of the main room were on, casting a bright glow into Ellonahshinel. Perhaps Essie had simply left the lights on for him so he would not return in the dark.
He eased the door open and crept inside, closing the door with a soft click behind him.
A noise came from behind him, and he whirled, his hand going to the hilt of his sword.
Essie was curled on the piles of cushions on the other side of the room, a blanket wrapped around her. Her red hair frizzed from its braid while her expression held the sleepy befuddlement of someone woken from a deep sleep. She stretched and yawned. “You’re back!”
He let his pack fall to the floor, frozen where he stood.
She had waited up for him. Not only that, but she looked so adorable all sleepy and befuddled that it twisted something inside him.
“I must have fallen asleep while I was waiting.” Essie pushed to her feet, clutching the blanket around her shoulders, and padded across the room until she stood in front of him. “Welcome back.”
Then, she held out her arms, offering a hug even though she did not force one on him. She just waited, letting him decide if he wanted one or not.
Something broke inside him. He stepped forward and found himself wrapping his arms around her before he had thought it through. Yet as he pulled her close, it felt sorightthat he did not pull away.
Essie tightened her arms around him, snuggling closer. “I’m so glad you’re back safe and sound. And thanks for your letters. I really appreciated hearing that you were all right.”
His letters had not been long or detailed. But he had made an effort. It was the least he could do when she had written several letters a week the entire time he had been gone. He had received so many that he had not been able to keep all of them in his inner pocket since they would not fit.
He rested his cheek against her hair, still holding her close. “I liked your letters. I kept them in my pocket. Over my heart.”
Now the tips of his ears were burning. At least Essie could not tell with her face pressed against his shoulder. Why had he said that out loud?
Her arms squeezed him tighter. “I’m glad they helped. I was afraid they were rather rambling.”
“They made me smile.” He had not thought anything could do that while he was patrolling the border.
“Good.” Essie gave him one last squeeze before she stepped back, though she stayed close enough that his hands still rested on her waist, and it seemed so natural that he did not let her go. She rested a hand on his chest, drawing his attention to her face. “You’ll probably have nightmares tonight, won’t you? Is there any point in going to bed, or should I just wait down here since I’ll be coming back down in an hour or two?”
She already knew him too well. And it hurt something inside him thatthiswas something she needed to know to be a part of his life.
He sighed and could not bring himself to meet her gaze. “You should get some sleep tonight. Do not get up on my account. Tonight will not be the only one with nightmares.”
The darkness crowded into the edges of his vision at the thought of facing the upcoming nightmares. The next few days would be a blur of nightmares and fatigue. It would be a week or more before he began to crawl his way out and feel like a person again.
“Ah.” Essie’s hand shifted on his chest, dragging his attention away from the darkness and back to her. Her smile remained soft as she reached up and touched his cheek. “All right. I’ll try to get some sleep tonight. But I’ll meet you down here tomorrow night and every night after that until the nightmares aren’t as bad, all right?”
He nodded, unable to process both words and her touch on his cheek at the same time.
She stepped all the way back. “In that case, we probably should both head for bed, if we’re going to get any sleep tonight.”
