Post by Orin Evans on Jun 15, 2009 2:37:20 GMT -5
Alexandria had read duke Henry’s letter of Cassandra, Aric’s cousin, over and over again. This wasn’t good. Aric had gone back to Tresteria for a while and she hadn’t heard from him yet. Would he come back? Would Tresteria’s aid end? Alexandria honestly had no idea what was going to happen, and she lived in fear every day that something else would happen to her and her people and the land. And if King Edward and Aric found out about Cassandra’s kidnapping, especially if anything bad happened to her, she was sure that would bring on more trouble.
The problem with the bandits scattering about Elysium, had just reached news to her. Supplies from Tresteria were looted and stolen and people were being harmed. It was time to get the guards and the military active again to get situations back into control and rid of these bandits.
With a heavy sigh, Alexandria stood at her window, staring out. She was planning and trying to sort everything out in her head. Who could she speak to about getting things in order? Aric wasn’t here, most of the military commanders, save for Naevah were gone. And she hadn’t caught sight of Lysander in quite some time. It would seem that he had come and left once again. Typical.
Orin had put off talking to Alexandria for long enough. He was actually nervous. To talk to his own sister? Yes. Though what was the worst that could happen? Well, he really didn’t want to think about that. Moments before he was making his way to the castle, he had bumped into a lady on the beach. She had helped calm him and settle his nerves slightly, for which he was grateful for. If it hadn’t of been for her, he probably would have decided he wasn’t ready and went back into hiding.
Now he was walking down the halls of the castle, wondering if he would even be able to find his sister. Of if she would even have the time to speak to him. He knew that she was busy with a lot these days. The kingdom had been destroyed and there was still a lot to be done. There was also the wedding to be planned… Something he wished not to think about. Could this honestly happen now? They had avoided the whole arranged marriage thing before… Why couldn’t this time be the same? He hated to see her have to sacrifice herself this way. Was it honestly the only way?
With a heavy sigh, he stopped at the castle doors, the guards briefly stopping him. “I wish to speak to her majesty, please. It is very urgent.” The guard recognized him as the queen’s brother and let him in. He was silently led through the halls until they reached Alexandria’s door to her office. Orin nodded to the guard, letting him know he did not need an announcement and he could leave. He waited silently until the guard was out of sight. A deep breath was released from his lips. “Lord help me…” Knuckles rose to knock gently on the door. And he waited.
She was at her desk, then, reading over Henry’s letter to her, once again, and trying to come up with a plan. Cassandra needed to be found and returned safely before Aric would return. Before King Edward could find out. And she needed to think of something to console the woman into forgiving her and Elysium for this happening to her.
The knock startled her and she quickly glanced up, wondering who it could be. She only hoped it was someone who could assist her in this little problem. A search party would need to be formed. “Come in.” She glanced back towards the window. It was dark and late, and it suddenly dawned on her. Someone coming to her this late only meant another problem was at hand. She quickly stood from her chair, nervously. Her voice more forceful before the door opened. It seemed to be taking forever for whomever was outside the door, to come in. “What is it? Please come in.” Hands rested on her hips and she stared at the door before deciding she would just open the d**n door herself. Quick footsteps carried her towards the door, and she reached out for the doorknob. God let it be someone that could help her.
Orin hesitated after hearing her voice for the first time. He needed a moment to think his words through. He already could imagine her reaction to seeing him there outside her door. And then, she called out again and he heard her footsteps coming. This was it. Moment of truth. His fingers curled around the doorknob and he quickly opened the door before Alexandria could open it for him. He was careful to make sure that she was out of the way so he hadn’t hit her with the door. And before she could protest his visit, he rushed in and shut the door behind him.
Hands were held up in a defensive gesture and he spoke quickly in one breath before she could say anything. “Please listen to what I have to say. I know you hate me right now and I’m sorry. But I cannot let whatever is between us now, continue. I miss you. And I hate myself for everything that has happened. Please. We need to talk.”
His face was serious and he stood there staring at her. God, how much she changed. He remembered how tired and worn she had always looked, but this was beyond that. She lost a lot of weight and looked almost sickly. It took him back a bit and made him pause. He wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and hold her fragile form and never let go. But instead, he just stood there staring at her. His eyes burned, threatening tears. He didn’t like this. He didn’t like seeing this side of her, so weak looking. So tired she could barely stand. “Alexandria, please sit…” He had used her real name this time. It felt more appropriate in this moment because he knew he needed to earn his status of her brother, back. With a heavy sigh, he took several steps closer to her and lightly grabbed hold of her arm, leading her back to the chair in front of her desk. His hands were placed on her shoulders and he urged her to sit down into the chair. Carefully, he knelt down in front of her and took her hands into his. Head bowed down and he spoke quietly. “I am a fool for waiting so long to speak to you, but I was so bloody afraid to and I don’t know why…” He couldn’t bring his eyes up to look at her. He was afraid to see that sunken in face of hers with the dark circles under her eyes. “I understand if you cannot forgive me…”
Alexandria was startled as the door suddenly opened just before she reached for it. Sapphire-colored eyes rested on Orin. Eyebrows furrowed and lips parted to tell him to leave. Though before she could, he spoke, insisting that she listen to him. She pressed her lips together and listened to him, watching his every move.
When he fell silent, Alexandria still said nothing. Her eyes remained on him, taking him in as if she hadn’t seen him in years. He, too, had changed. He looked as if he hadn’t shaved in weeks, and like he hadn’t slept in months. He looked weathered and tired and she knew of the constant work he had been doing on Elysium and the rebuilding. Though the two hadn’t spoken, she still heard word of him from others, and had been told that Orin spent a lot of his time rebuilding houses and shops that had become damaged in the war. She felt happy he had decided to stick around instead of disappearing as he would have done in the past.
The last time they had a conversation was at the end of the war, when he gave her the necklace she had given Thais. But even then, they had hardly spoken.
She moved over to the chair and slowly sank down into the cushions of it. Sapphire eyes followed Orin as he knelt down in front of her and took her hands. She watched him, a frown placing on her lips. When he finished talking, Alexandria spoke quietly. “I do not hate you, Orin. How could you even think such a thing like that?” Her eyes narrowed and she shook her head. “I was never angry with you until that last stunt you pulled at the ball, about prince Aric. That was very wrong of you to do… To crush everyone’s hopes and concerns like that. I cannot forgive you for doing such a cruel thing to me, and everyone else, like that.” She took her hands from him and hesitated, wanting to just push him away from her. But instead, she remained, her hands curling tightly around the arm rests of the chair. The memory of that night replayed in her mind. She hadn’t seen what Aric had done or said to Orin. And she remembered him visiting her in the library to help comfort her. They had almost kissed, and it frightened her. Why had that almost happened? Her cheeks flushed at the thought of it. Luckily, rumors hadn’t spread after that. She looked back down at Orin and shook her head. “How could you do something so foolishly rude? Do you not see how much he has helped us? How much King Edward from Tresteria, has helped? It was my only hope. I know you think that we somehow could have gotten by without their help… But Orin, I do not think you understand. Did you not see the condition of Avalendor? There was no money to buy all these supplies. To start up again and rebuild. It was either this… or give up and send everyone away to other lands. So then what would have been the point of fighting the war with Saelis? It didn’t seem right.”
He flinched as she took her hands from him. Yes, he had been wrong for doing what he had done. And he quickly realized that after she had stormed out of the room and Aric lashed out at him for being such a moron. The moment had only made it more difficult and made him more afraid to come speak to her. He knew he had done wrong and he was sorry for it.
He remained knelt down in front of her, his eyes staring down at the floor as Alexandria spoke. He understood the situation at hand. Or he wished he did. He was being stubborn about it—wishing that it was all wrong and that this wasn’t the only solution she could have taken. They had made it through before without any help. So why was now any different? He shook his head and looked at her, finally. “But the war was also about our freedom from being tied to another land that had control over us. And now we are just falling right back into that. You have no idea how many people on this island believe that once we finish rebuilding… When you marry and he is king, that the kingdom will no longer be under your rule. That we will have to answer to him. And if one thing goes wrong, King Edward takes this island as our own. He has ever right to, does he not? It is his money being spent to bring this place back up. For what reason? To be nice? And Prince Aric is lonely so he threw him at you? Aurora, I seriously doubt that. And so does everyone else… We’re all walking on eggshells out there. Wondering what is going to happen next… What changes will take place. Whatever.” He sighed, taking hold of one of her hands again. He squeezed it tightly and bowed his head down, eyes falling to look at the floor. “I’m sorry, but I just hate this whole thing. I keep seeing you hurt and there is nothing I can do but stand by and watch it all. What would you have me do? I’m your brother and I am only trying to protect you.” He had done such a lousy job at it lately. With how he dealt with the whole situation about her being in love with Thais, and then failing to make sure he stayed alive. At least she had been happier then, when Thais was alive. And he couldn’t have appreciated that then. That a man made his sister happy? How completely stupid and heartless of him. With a heavy sigh, he looked up to her again, taking her hand and pressing his lips against her knuckles. Tears welled up in his eyes. “I am so sorry. For everything. I want to be here for you…As I should be. I just… Want you to be happy. To be safe. And I wish, more than anything, that I could take you away from all of this. Or at least make everything bad go away. It kills me, Aurora, to see you this way. So pale. So thin. So tired looking…You look like you haven’t slept or eaten in days.” He rested his forehead against her hands. “Please forgive me. For everything…” All stubbornness thrown aside now. Orin knew he needed to move past it and get over it all. This could not continue between them. She was his only family, and he was done with their silence.
He was right. Part of the war had been about winning their freedom from being taken over and led by another. And she had constantly thought about that. But there was something more important than all of that. She felt it was worse to straight out give up and let the war ruin everything. For her people to be forced to live elsewhere under another’s rule, because despite the fact they won the war, their land was too destroyed to live on. It seemed wrong to her, to just give up like that, and all their efforts would have gone to waste. At least she hadn’t given up that way, and she was taking a stab in the dark, trusting something to work out, in high hopes that it really would. Aric was a good man. She could see that in him, and she could see that in his eyes. The way he looked at her, spoke to her. She could feel it. And she felt that he would protect them if King Edward ever would threaten them. At least she hoped he would and that it wouldn’t come down to that. Overall, Alexandria felt she had made the right choice. There was no turning back now.
She listened to Orin’s concerns and what he had to say. Her eyes watched him, but she said nothing in defense to what he spoke of. It wasn’t until he appeared as if he’d start crying, that Alexandria offered him a weak smile. One hand reached out and she placed it on his face. “Orin. There’s no way of telling what will happen. But I strongly believe I have made the right move. I need you, and everyone else, to trust that. We have made it this far. I am not too weak to give up, yet.” She smiled a bit more and leaned forward, placing a kiss to his forehead. “Do not hold my life on your shoulders, Orin… I will be okay. I am still alive, and all of this only makes me stronger. Please trust me. Aric seems to be a very trustworthy and decent man. You would like him if you’d only give him a chance.” She squeezed his hand that he held hers with and sighed. There was a lot, still, that they needed to speak about, but as she thought of Aric, she remembered his cousin. Alexandria slowly stood, pulling on Orin’s arms to follow her and stand himself. “Walk with me, please?” She kept his hand in her own and pulled him towards the door of her office, leaving the room and stepping out into the hall.
“I forgive you. Only if you stop distancing yourself from me so much.” She glared at him for a moment and then stopped, pulling him into a warm embrace. “I am sorry if I have made it difficult for you to speak to me. It was never my intention.” She buried her face into his chest and wrapped her arms around him tightly. “I really missed you. More than anything…And I really need you right now.” She wanted to break down into tears and just hold him for hours. But she couldn’t be allowed that luxury at the moment, and it would need to wait. “I know that you have just come to talk to me…And I know we have a lot more to speak of. But I have a bad situation at hand and I really need your help…” She pulled away from him, her hand coming to brush away several tears that had escaped her lids. “Please?” Her eyes pleaded as she looked up at him.
There was nothing more he could say to that. She was right, and he needed to trust that and trust that she was old and wise enough to make the right decisions. This was her kingdom and she knew more about it than anyone else did right now. Would he ever give Aric a chance? Maybe. But at a far distance. It would take a while, he knew. And at Alexandria’s suggestion of it, he just sighed.
He stood up with her and followed her out of the room. But was surprised when she suddenly stopped and embraced him. He wrapped his arms around her gently, afraid he would break her if he held her as tightly as he wished he could. But he held her closely, scared to let go. His chin rested on top of her head and he listened to her. Her voice vibrating against his chest. “I missed you too, ‘Rora. More than anything. And I am here for you.” His arms loosened around her when she pulled away and asked if he could help her with something. His brows lowered in curiosity and he simply nodded. “Of course. What’s going on?” He took her hand again and led her down the hall, allowing her to explain whatever situation was at hand, and what she needed him to do. Not even a half hour had gone by, and he was already at her service. Well, it felt good to be here to help instead of cowering in the shadows from her.
The problem with the bandits scattering about Elysium, had just reached news to her. Supplies from Tresteria were looted and stolen and people were being harmed. It was time to get the guards and the military active again to get situations back into control and rid of these bandits.
With a heavy sigh, Alexandria stood at her window, staring out. She was planning and trying to sort everything out in her head. Who could she speak to about getting things in order? Aric wasn’t here, most of the military commanders, save for Naevah were gone. And she hadn’t caught sight of Lysander in quite some time. It would seem that he had come and left once again. Typical.
Orin had put off talking to Alexandria for long enough. He was actually nervous. To talk to his own sister? Yes. Though what was the worst that could happen? Well, he really didn’t want to think about that. Moments before he was making his way to the castle, he had bumped into a lady on the beach. She had helped calm him and settle his nerves slightly, for which he was grateful for. If it hadn’t of been for her, he probably would have decided he wasn’t ready and went back into hiding.
Now he was walking down the halls of the castle, wondering if he would even be able to find his sister. Of if she would even have the time to speak to him. He knew that she was busy with a lot these days. The kingdom had been destroyed and there was still a lot to be done. There was also the wedding to be planned… Something he wished not to think about. Could this honestly happen now? They had avoided the whole arranged marriage thing before… Why couldn’t this time be the same? He hated to see her have to sacrifice herself this way. Was it honestly the only way?
With a heavy sigh, he stopped at the castle doors, the guards briefly stopping him. “I wish to speak to her majesty, please. It is very urgent.” The guard recognized him as the queen’s brother and let him in. He was silently led through the halls until they reached Alexandria’s door to her office. Orin nodded to the guard, letting him know he did not need an announcement and he could leave. He waited silently until the guard was out of sight. A deep breath was released from his lips. “Lord help me…” Knuckles rose to knock gently on the door. And he waited.
She was at her desk, then, reading over Henry’s letter to her, once again, and trying to come up with a plan. Cassandra needed to be found and returned safely before Aric would return. Before King Edward could find out. And she needed to think of something to console the woman into forgiving her and Elysium for this happening to her.
The knock startled her and she quickly glanced up, wondering who it could be. She only hoped it was someone who could assist her in this little problem. A search party would need to be formed. “Come in.” She glanced back towards the window. It was dark and late, and it suddenly dawned on her. Someone coming to her this late only meant another problem was at hand. She quickly stood from her chair, nervously. Her voice more forceful before the door opened. It seemed to be taking forever for whomever was outside the door, to come in. “What is it? Please come in.” Hands rested on her hips and she stared at the door before deciding she would just open the d**n door herself. Quick footsteps carried her towards the door, and she reached out for the doorknob. God let it be someone that could help her.
Orin hesitated after hearing her voice for the first time. He needed a moment to think his words through. He already could imagine her reaction to seeing him there outside her door. And then, she called out again and he heard her footsteps coming. This was it. Moment of truth. His fingers curled around the doorknob and he quickly opened the door before Alexandria could open it for him. He was careful to make sure that she was out of the way so he hadn’t hit her with the door. And before she could protest his visit, he rushed in and shut the door behind him.
Hands were held up in a defensive gesture and he spoke quickly in one breath before she could say anything. “Please listen to what I have to say. I know you hate me right now and I’m sorry. But I cannot let whatever is between us now, continue. I miss you. And I hate myself for everything that has happened. Please. We need to talk.”
His face was serious and he stood there staring at her. God, how much she changed. He remembered how tired and worn she had always looked, but this was beyond that. She lost a lot of weight and looked almost sickly. It took him back a bit and made him pause. He wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and hold her fragile form and never let go. But instead, he just stood there staring at her. His eyes burned, threatening tears. He didn’t like this. He didn’t like seeing this side of her, so weak looking. So tired she could barely stand. “Alexandria, please sit…” He had used her real name this time. It felt more appropriate in this moment because he knew he needed to earn his status of her brother, back. With a heavy sigh, he took several steps closer to her and lightly grabbed hold of her arm, leading her back to the chair in front of her desk. His hands were placed on her shoulders and he urged her to sit down into the chair. Carefully, he knelt down in front of her and took her hands into his. Head bowed down and he spoke quietly. “I am a fool for waiting so long to speak to you, but I was so bloody afraid to and I don’t know why…” He couldn’t bring his eyes up to look at her. He was afraid to see that sunken in face of hers with the dark circles under her eyes. “I understand if you cannot forgive me…”
Alexandria was startled as the door suddenly opened just before she reached for it. Sapphire-colored eyes rested on Orin. Eyebrows furrowed and lips parted to tell him to leave. Though before she could, he spoke, insisting that she listen to him. She pressed her lips together and listened to him, watching his every move.
When he fell silent, Alexandria still said nothing. Her eyes remained on him, taking him in as if she hadn’t seen him in years. He, too, had changed. He looked as if he hadn’t shaved in weeks, and like he hadn’t slept in months. He looked weathered and tired and she knew of the constant work he had been doing on Elysium and the rebuilding. Though the two hadn’t spoken, she still heard word of him from others, and had been told that Orin spent a lot of his time rebuilding houses and shops that had become damaged in the war. She felt happy he had decided to stick around instead of disappearing as he would have done in the past.
The last time they had a conversation was at the end of the war, when he gave her the necklace she had given Thais. But even then, they had hardly spoken.
She moved over to the chair and slowly sank down into the cushions of it. Sapphire eyes followed Orin as he knelt down in front of her and took her hands. She watched him, a frown placing on her lips. When he finished talking, Alexandria spoke quietly. “I do not hate you, Orin. How could you even think such a thing like that?” Her eyes narrowed and she shook her head. “I was never angry with you until that last stunt you pulled at the ball, about prince Aric. That was very wrong of you to do… To crush everyone’s hopes and concerns like that. I cannot forgive you for doing such a cruel thing to me, and everyone else, like that.” She took her hands from him and hesitated, wanting to just push him away from her. But instead, she remained, her hands curling tightly around the arm rests of the chair. The memory of that night replayed in her mind. She hadn’t seen what Aric had done or said to Orin. And she remembered him visiting her in the library to help comfort her. They had almost kissed, and it frightened her. Why had that almost happened? Her cheeks flushed at the thought of it. Luckily, rumors hadn’t spread after that. She looked back down at Orin and shook her head. “How could you do something so foolishly rude? Do you not see how much he has helped us? How much King Edward from Tresteria, has helped? It was my only hope. I know you think that we somehow could have gotten by without their help… But Orin, I do not think you understand. Did you not see the condition of Avalendor? There was no money to buy all these supplies. To start up again and rebuild. It was either this… or give up and send everyone away to other lands. So then what would have been the point of fighting the war with Saelis? It didn’t seem right.”
He flinched as she took her hands from him. Yes, he had been wrong for doing what he had done. And he quickly realized that after she had stormed out of the room and Aric lashed out at him for being such a moron. The moment had only made it more difficult and made him more afraid to come speak to her. He knew he had done wrong and he was sorry for it.
He remained knelt down in front of her, his eyes staring down at the floor as Alexandria spoke. He understood the situation at hand. Or he wished he did. He was being stubborn about it—wishing that it was all wrong and that this wasn’t the only solution she could have taken. They had made it through before without any help. So why was now any different? He shook his head and looked at her, finally. “But the war was also about our freedom from being tied to another land that had control over us. And now we are just falling right back into that. You have no idea how many people on this island believe that once we finish rebuilding… When you marry and he is king, that the kingdom will no longer be under your rule. That we will have to answer to him. And if one thing goes wrong, King Edward takes this island as our own. He has ever right to, does he not? It is his money being spent to bring this place back up. For what reason? To be nice? And Prince Aric is lonely so he threw him at you? Aurora, I seriously doubt that. And so does everyone else… We’re all walking on eggshells out there. Wondering what is going to happen next… What changes will take place. Whatever.” He sighed, taking hold of one of her hands again. He squeezed it tightly and bowed his head down, eyes falling to look at the floor. “I’m sorry, but I just hate this whole thing. I keep seeing you hurt and there is nothing I can do but stand by and watch it all. What would you have me do? I’m your brother and I am only trying to protect you.” He had done such a lousy job at it lately. With how he dealt with the whole situation about her being in love with Thais, and then failing to make sure he stayed alive. At least she had been happier then, when Thais was alive. And he couldn’t have appreciated that then. That a man made his sister happy? How completely stupid and heartless of him. With a heavy sigh, he looked up to her again, taking her hand and pressing his lips against her knuckles. Tears welled up in his eyes. “I am so sorry. For everything. I want to be here for you…As I should be. I just… Want you to be happy. To be safe. And I wish, more than anything, that I could take you away from all of this. Or at least make everything bad go away. It kills me, Aurora, to see you this way. So pale. So thin. So tired looking…You look like you haven’t slept or eaten in days.” He rested his forehead against her hands. “Please forgive me. For everything…” All stubbornness thrown aside now. Orin knew he needed to move past it and get over it all. This could not continue between them. She was his only family, and he was done with their silence.
He was right. Part of the war had been about winning their freedom from being taken over and led by another. And she had constantly thought about that. But there was something more important than all of that. She felt it was worse to straight out give up and let the war ruin everything. For her people to be forced to live elsewhere under another’s rule, because despite the fact they won the war, their land was too destroyed to live on. It seemed wrong to her, to just give up like that, and all their efforts would have gone to waste. At least she hadn’t given up that way, and she was taking a stab in the dark, trusting something to work out, in high hopes that it really would. Aric was a good man. She could see that in him, and she could see that in his eyes. The way he looked at her, spoke to her. She could feel it. And she felt that he would protect them if King Edward ever would threaten them. At least she hoped he would and that it wouldn’t come down to that. Overall, Alexandria felt she had made the right choice. There was no turning back now.
She listened to Orin’s concerns and what he had to say. Her eyes watched him, but she said nothing in defense to what he spoke of. It wasn’t until he appeared as if he’d start crying, that Alexandria offered him a weak smile. One hand reached out and she placed it on his face. “Orin. There’s no way of telling what will happen. But I strongly believe I have made the right move. I need you, and everyone else, to trust that. We have made it this far. I am not too weak to give up, yet.” She smiled a bit more and leaned forward, placing a kiss to his forehead. “Do not hold my life on your shoulders, Orin… I will be okay. I am still alive, and all of this only makes me stronger. Please trust me. Aric seems to be a very trustworthy and decent man. You would like him if you’d only give him a chance.” She squeezed his hand that he held hers with and sighed. There was a lot, still, that they needed to speak about, but as she thought of Aric, she remembered his cousin. Alexandria slowly stood, pulling on Orin’s arms to follow her and stand himself. “Walk with me, please?” She kept his hand in her own and pulled him towards the door of her office, leaving the room and stepping out into the hall.
“I forgive you. Only if you stop distancing yourself from me so much.” She glared at him for a moment and then stopped, pulling him into a warm embrace. “I am sorry if I have made it difficult for you to speak to me. It was never my intention.” She buried her face into his chest and wrapped her arms around him tightly. “I really missed you. More than anything…And I really need you right now.” She wanted to break down into tears and just hold him for hours. But she couldn’t be allowed that luxury at the moment, and it would need to wait. “I know that you have just come to talk to me…And I know we have a lot more to speak of. But I have a bad situation at hand and I really need your help…” She pulled away from him, her hand coming to brush away several tears that had escaped her lids. “Please?” Her eyes pleaded as she looked up at him.
There was nothing more he could say to that. She was right, and he needed to trust that and trust that she was old and wise enough to make the right decisions. This was her kingdom and she knew more about it than anyone else did right now. Would he ever give Aric a chance? Maybe. But at a far distance. It would take a while, he knew. And at Alexandria’s suggestion of it, he just sighed.
He stood up with her and followed her out of the room. But was surprised when she suddenly stopped and embraced him. He wrapped his arms around her gently, afraid he would break her if he held her as tightly as he wished he could. But he held her closely, scared to let go. His chin rested on top of her head and he listened to her. Her voice vibrating against his chest. “I missed you too, ‘Rora. More than anything. And I am here for you.” His arms loosened around her when she pulled away and asked if he could help her with something. His brows lowered in curiosity and he simply nodded. “Of course. What’s going on?” He took her hand again and led her down the hall, allowing her to explain whatever situation was at hand, and what she needed him to do. Not even a half hour had gone by, and he was already at her service. Well, it felt good to be here to help instead of cowering in the shadows from her.
