-5 years later-
“No…” she moaned weakly. “No….please.” The bed was soaked in sweat as she started tossing more fitfully. “No don’t! Please don’t kill him! I’ll do anything!” her voice growing louder in anguish.
A half elf came urgently into the room, pausing as he observed her restless sleep. Cautiously, he approached when she seemed to settle for a moment, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. “Ruthrrien” shaking her shoulder lightly. She groaned some. “Ruthrrien?” Shaking a little harder.
“No! No! NO!!” She screamed suddenly as she threw him off and bolted awake, eyes wide and panting. The half elf toppled backwards onto the battered wood floor of the cottage.
Her wide eyes looked feverishly around the room, every muscle tense and ready for action, the dream already slipping away. When her gaze landed on the elf, she froze. Blinking a few times at the fair skinned, tawny-haired figure before her, she finally seemed to come to herself and relax. Her shoulders drooped and she sighed heavily, “Sorry, Arlen.”
He slowly got to his feet and dusted off some. “It’s alright. It’s not the first time you know.” He paused for a moment as she slowly turned, letting her legs slide over the edge of the bed, wincing in pain as her feet came to rest on the floor. She looked far better than the near dead condition he had found her in two months ago, but she still had a long road to recovery.
“Did you remember something this time?” he asked quietly.
She huffed angrily. “No, and I wish you’d stop asking.”
“Don’t you want to remember?”
“I’m beginning to lose hope that I ever will,” sighing heavily and trying to sound more calm than she felt; her pounding heart betraying her. “Did I say anything…new?”
He didn’t answer right away as he walked across the room to grab new bandages, more medicine, and a cold rag for her head.
It wasn’t until he sat beside her and began unwrapping the bloody bandages that he spoke again. “‘Don’t kill him,’” he said quietly.
She stared at him. “Really? I’ve never mentioned anyone else before, have I?”
“No. But you sounded very upset. He must have been important to you.”
“Well I wouldn’t know would I.” She snarled suddenly, her anger rising. He paused, waiting for her to calm again.
“Sorry” she said again heavily. “I can honestly say I don’t know why I’m like that,” hoping to ease the tension with a little humour.
He smiled a little and resumed tending to her injuries. “You certainly have a peculiar manner about you; a wolfish nature. Sometimes I don’t know whether I’m tending a human or a beast,” chuckling a little. “You’re a fighter at any rate, and a strong one I’d wager. Of that I am certain.”
She smiled at his kindness, wincing a little as he tightened a fresh bandage. “I am very grateful for your care. I know I haven’t made it easy. It’s a wonder you were even able to get me here without my tearing you apart.” Looking guiltily at the scar down his leg.
He noticed her glance and offered a kind smile. “I have my ways, miss.”
She guessed that he had some magical skill, though he never used it when she was conscious. Sometimes she would catch him whispering that lyrical elvish language as she drifted in and out of sleep, especially in those early days when he had first found her. At any rate, he was clearly a healer judging by the room alone. The shelf-lined wall across from her cot was filled with books, bottles, and jars. In the corner sat a small wash basin with cabinet beside full of bandages, towels, and tools for mending. She could remember nothing before this room, and Arlen was currently the only living soul she knew. Whoever she was before, she had no memory of.
“I hope one day I can repay you.”
“Well, not killing me is a good start.” Grinning as he finished his work. “Now rest. We will get you back to fighting strength soon enough. Keeping up with your appetite is our biggest problem right now.” Chuckling again.
She smiled and nodded a little as she lay back down. “I’ll go hunting as soon as I am able…” she mumbled as the sleeping tonic he had given her started to take effect. He shook his head some with a slight frown, lost in thought about this strange woman as he quietly left the room.
The Whitney Scott 