| JT could hear Estel's voice as he approached the healers. She was already waiting outside and getting to know some of the townsfolk.
"I've heard there are some games in Vesper! Will you take me JT?" She sounded so buubly and looked even better than the day before.
"Of course I will!" He smiled and they made their way out of the gates with Estel excitedly saying goodbye to everyone they passed.
They made their way through the shire and along the southern coastline. It started to rain heavily and they took shelter under the trees. The weather had passed by the time they reached the beach.
Estel took off her shoes and curled her toes up in the sand before dropping to her knees and making fists in the sand also. Was something coming back to her? A memory?
"Shells!" She shrieked happily as JT crouched beside her.
"I used to have lots of shells... But I don't know when... And I don't know where?" She sagged.
"It will come back little one." He said softly.
She started to clean the sand from the shells. "Masta didn't allow me any belongings." She frowned.
"When you get back to the healers place a shell to you ear and you can still hear the sea." JT smiled softly at her.
She nodded and got to her feet and they carried on the short journey into Vesper. It seems they had missed the nights events and given the option of going into the tavern or walking around the town Estel chose the tavern... She wanted soup!
They went inside and JT saw a familiar face in Stewan so he said hello and introduced Estel as the barmaid brought the soup. A pigeon called JT away on duty so they headed back to the healers with the young guardsman promising another visit before night fall.
It was dusk when JT returned to see a smiling Estel waiting for him.
"You came back!" She beamed.
"I did! And i got honey"
JT lit his lantern and they sat in the twilight eating honey and chatting. A strong bond was forming between them and the young archer found himself gazing at her more than once.
They huddled close in the chill evening air. "The marks on you back little one?" He glided his hand gently over the scars on her back revealed by her dress.
"Masta made them, when he was angry." She sagged remembering her days with the cruel orcs.
"If I ever find him I'll kill him mellonamin." JT said grimly.
"No no no. You mustn't! It's dangerous." Panicked Estel looking concerned at the guardsman.
"If he ever comes into bow range I will bring him down." He scoweld.
They chatted again of happier things. Estel wanted to stay in Cove and find work so she could be near JT and her new friends and this lightened the guardsman's mood. Before they knew it the sun was rising over the horizon and they hugged eachother close before picking up his lantern JT headed back out into the forests. |