Start a fire

They had only been in Ishgard for at least a couple of days, and already, the city had been busier than usual. Bjalf had nearly forgotten about the Frostcrown festival that was being held each year, but his memories were starting to come back to him. As he was walking around the market, he was mainly looking for some herbs, so that he could replenish them for his journeys. It was a short moment of peace for him and his mind, since it had been rather occupied lately. He had lived on his own for so long now, he needed to get used to the fact that he had to share it with his wife. And he was only slowly getting used to it.

Not that she was bad company, but for the most part, they were still strangers to each other. He had taken everything slow with their marriage, because he wanted her to feel comfortable around him, and know that he respected her boundaries. Since they hadn’t married out of love for each other, even if he had wanted to keep her safe, which was the sole reason why he had done it.

But during his walk through the market, he had been able to find another druid, one whom he knew from their shared past together, and one who had been able to tell him something he had never known. That he had a daughter, somewhere in Avalon, who had lost her mother, a woman he once loved. He had not shown much of his surprise, but he had felt it. An ache in his heart, a feeling of sympathy for his daughter. Maybe even a slight curiosity to meet her. It already made him think of visiting the rainforest again. Although, he wouldn’t able to go there alone..

When he cracked open the door to his room inside a little tavern within Ishgard, it made some noise, even if he tried to be silent. This immediately announced his arrival, and his blue eyes were quickly able to find his wife. Looking at her from underneath his thick brushy eyebrows. As usual, he didn’t say much. Instead, his black raven flew from behind him into the room, taking place upon the backseat of a chair. That bird was always around him. ”Is the hearth still warm enough for you?” He eventually asked her, when the silence became even too unbearable for him too. Walking towards the fire, so that he could place a few new pieces of wood on there. Not wanting her to feel too much of the winter’s cold.

Bjalf was still trying to figure it all out in his head, but he had no reason not to trust the information that was given to him. Most of the druids he knew from his past were taught not to lie, and ofcourse, Bjalf knew that there had been a possibility of him having a child.. He simply wondered now if she had known before he left, or after.. Either way, it wouldn’t really matter anymore, because what was done, was done. There was no going back, and there was no use in thinking about what he would have done if he had known.

Back in his room, he was met with his wife, looking just as beautiful as he had ever known her to be, even if he tried not to put much thought into that. He still felt more like her protector and friend, instead of like her husband. But he could not deny that there was also part of him that was glad to have her in his company. Even if he didn’t show it that much. She greeted him, and he only responded by giving her a soft nod, instead of using words to greet her back. Which probably did not come as a surprise, because that was usually his way. Then she came over to him, but stopped when she stood in front of the fire, and that made him wonder if she was still warm enough in the room they shared. But right after he asked, his raven came flying into the room, placing itself on a chair close enough to her. And there was a soft smile growing on his lips when she stroked the features of the bird, who was now not afraid of her anymore. The bird had a harder time trusting other people, but once it knew for certain that Bjalf trusted someone, it felt more inclined to do the same. It made a few cawing noises, but mainly because it liked the affection that he was given.

The man looked back at the woman when he spoke again, telling him that it was still warm enough, but that adding a few more pieces of wood wouldn’t be a bad idea. He gave her a friendly smile and a nod, before looking down when she placed a mended shirt in a basket. ”Thank you,” He said, for the fact that she was taking care of their - mostly his - torn clothes. But when she eventually told him to sit, telling him that she would get the wood, he seemed a little surprised at first. Though, in the end, she was right of course. He had been out all day, taking care of their horses first, making sure they were watered, brushed and fed, and then he had been gathering supplies at the market. He softly took place in the chair and watched her as she moved around to gather the wood. ”Have you ever been to the Twilight ball?” He then asked her, mainly because he still wanted someone more for her in return. Knowing he was probably not the most ideal husband for her, but he wanted to try to give her all the things she wanted.

Bjalf had never been good at keeping his clothes decent, maybe because he had been missing out on women's touch during his travels. He had never really cared enough about his looks either, but still, seeing how she had mended a few holes in his shirts, he could appreciate her work. She was doing him a kindness, and he was more than able to see that. His smile softly widened when she told him it was no problem, while he kept looking at her with those big friendly blue eyes. Knowing she was speaking the truth, because she was a giving person.

But, as he sat down in the chair, it turned out that Antonia was not quite done yet with making him comfortable. He kept on watching her as she took tree logs from the rack holding them, but before she moved to place them on the fire, she went to grab him a drink and something to eat. The look on his face changed a bit as he kept looking at her, but he was still showing a smile. Letting her know that once again, she didn’t need to take care of him the way she did, even if he surely didn’t mind it either. Without using words. However, instead of saying something about her, he asked whether she had ever been to the Twilight ball. It was not something he particularly liked, because he was rather in the company of nature and his animals, but still, he had been wanting to return something to her. To show off his own good intentions.

Her answer was no, but was not a surprise to him, knowing her family. She offered him the plate and the glass, and he took it from her, placing it on the table in front of him while still looking up at her. Listening to her words. ”Thank you.” He said, again, and it felt maybe a bit uncomfortable saying it again, since he had not done anything for her in the meantime. ”Would you like to go there?” He asked her, when she began to place the logs on the fire, making it instantly brighter. After which he motioned with his hand, offering her to sit in the chair across from him.

The woman chuckled softly at his second ‘thank you’ and for a moment his face changed, and maybe some of his embarrassment came showing through, before he quickly turned his head towards the food on his table. He took one of the cakes she had either taken from the tavern kitchen, or baked herself. But when he sank his teeth in one, he began to experience some taste he had never experienced before. His eyes swiftly looked back at his wife, almost in surprise by how good they tasted. Bjalf had been to this tavern before, and their food had never tasted this good, which told him enough. And again, he let his eyes do more of the talking. Something he always preferred, since he wasn’t that much of a talker. It was probably one of the reasons why he liked to be in the company of animals, rather than humans.

Bjalf wanted to pick up his cup to have a drink, but he waited a moment when she sat down next to him. Looking back at her when she answered his question. Again, showing him kindness by letting him know they didn’t really have to go. Because she knew it was not to his liking. But still, he had already readied himself - inside his mind - for going, and it wasn’t easy to change his mind on something like this. He still waited to wash down his food with the drink, mainly because it would also be a shame to dull the taste that was still going through his mouth. ”Don’t worry about me, if you want to go there, we can go.” He told her, his smile showing again some kindness in return. And it was clear that he was doing it for her. To give her something back.

Then he finally raised his cup and took a large mouthful, before placing it back on the table. After which his hand grabbed another piece of cake on his plate. They were so small compared to his hand. ”There is also something else I need to tell you.” He let her know, letting out a heavy breath, meaning it was something he had difficulty with. Mainly because he wasn’t one for showing much of his emotions, even if he felt them.