| The young guardsman sat alone in the Trinsic Rose tavern. He had hoped to catch Gwen but Millie the barmaid told him she had been out most of the evening. It seems something had been troubling the pretty elf recently and she had been throwing herself into her work and other activities in the Duchy to help her forget her troubles.
JT brooded a little, what could be upsetting his friend so? He drained the last of his Eska Fion and was about to leave when the tavern door swung open... It was Gwen! Her pretty elven features brightened at seeing JT and she made her way over to sit next to him happily.
She had been training with the Duchy guards and then helping to escort a goods caravan before fatigue had got the better of her. She explained why she was keeping herself so occupied and what had been troubling her so much. At one time this news would have secretly made him happy and JT felt a little guilty for that but he was so sad at how unhappy his special friend had become.
"Oh little one, I'm so sorry. Truly I am. If there's anything I can do mellonamin, just ask. Please ask."
The woodsman placed a hand gently on her shoulder and looked into her sad eyes. Instinctively they embraced and held eachother close for a moment then Gwen rested her forehead gently against his.
"I'll be okay... And I have a gift for my friend!" She smiled softly.
It was typical of Gwen to think of her friends even through her own unhappiness. She took JT's hand and they left the tavern to stroll through the Quarter.
"People tell me that you and your lady have to lodge with friends or sleep at inns."
She looked at him concerned, teasing him just a little. JT blushed and looked down at the ground as they walked.
"We can't afford a place of our own and I can't have Estel using a bedroll in the woods like I do." He mumbled.
"No no no... That is why I give you this gift."
They had stopped outside one of the beautiful elven tree dwellings of the Quarter. JT looked at her quizzically.
"What...? The house?"
Gwen nodded and smiled softly. The young Covian was lost for words as she brushed past him and opened the door. There was a kitchen and dinner table and store room downstairs and living/sleeping quarters upstairs.
"Estel will be so excited!" JT beamed.
"But... I feel so guilty...?"
"Why does my friend feel guilty?" Gwen asked confused.
"Because you make me so happy yet you are so sad."
"That is because you are my friend... Mellonamin." She said softly.
"You are the best friend anyone could ever have Gwen." JT replied, a single tear escaping his eye.
"Awwww." She teased. "I did not mean to make my friend cry."
He grinned a little and rubbed his eyes.
"I don't know how I can ever repay your kindness."
"The only payment I want is for my friend to be happy."
They embraced again and Gwen left so JT could get used to his new home. He felt like he would burst with joy as he made his way back downstairs. He had to get back to Cove as soon as possible and find Estel.
What a surprise he had for his "melamin". |