Tough Life

[Laurë Eledhwen]

The sun was raising and a new day was starting. Laurë had been gone since a whole month of her home town; her mother wanted to see how things were going out for Laurë and since she didn’t have the strength to come by herself to Mineas Tirith, she asked for her daughter to come and pay her some company a little. Of course, Laurë agreed; her family was important in her eyes and her mother was the only one she could relay to (if you didn’t count Jossian and Keann in now).

However, things didn’t go all nicely. She managed to go to her hometown, escorted by one of Jossian’s friend since he didn’t like the idea of her going alone out there since it takes a few days. Things went rather well, until her town had been invaded by these things you called orcs and slain everyone in it almost. She on the other hand got lucky enough and even managed to kill one who tried to get her. She has a few burses from the action, a few small cuts on her face and a larger one on her back for pieces of her house fell on her getting her knocked out. Soldiers found her still alive the next morning of the event and once she was healed enough got her back to Mineas Tirith. She was still shaken by the event but hey, who wouldn’t?

She saw her own mother getting killed before she managed her way out to soon get knocked out after that. She was lucky she was still alive. She arrived at the door of Mineas Tirith, wearing a blue marine cloak clearly not in the mood, nor not as bright as she used to be. Guards asked her if she would be fine, she agreed and made her way through the city.

She soon arrived to her tierce and wandered him; things were certainly calmer in such an early morning. Hopefully she wasn’t going to be bugged by anyone. She was strong; she didn’t anyone to rub it in. A small breeze blew into her hair, making the hood go away and revealed her slightly wounded face. She quickly put it back while walking but unfortunately bumped into someone.

[Aldamir]

Aldamir felt so good since a while now. Sorsha, not so much. But then again, it was her friend that left the city. To Aldamir, however, it was a pain he was finally relieved of. A whole month of piece, where he didn't have to deal with a more troublesome version of his sister, where he had no one to make him lose his temper. A month of peace. He reconciled with his friend. Fights over ladies and his behavior towards them were common between the two but no woman ever managed to break their friendship and it was sure not Laurë who succeeded in that.

Sorsha was told of her leaving town, to see her mother. And Aldamir sure prayed she was going to stay there. He started to believe it was what happened for Sorsha did not receive any news and that the girl had yet came back. When he heard of the dreadful news that yet another town within the kingdom had been attacked, he informed his family. Sorsha was panicked, for it was Larë's hometown. Aldamir did share felt bad for the girl, and for his sister, but to finally be free of someone who always got on her nerve was too much of a relief for him. Still, he didn't wish for her to die, even though he expected that was what happened.

He was now on his walk, on duty, making sure the day would start well for every member of the white city. He heard several noises as people slowly woke up and started their day. Including a box falling and breaking to the ground. He decided to go check, just in case. A good thing for he soon after heard shouting. He quickened his pace and came in front of a girl wearing a hood and a man yelling at her. he inquired what happened and the man said the girl didn't look where she was going and pushed him, making him drop his box and so have it broken at his feet. "Now it's a total waste. Who will pay for this!?" he exclaimed.

Aldamir ordered the man to calm down. He was trying to get the traits of the one who caused all this. "I'm sure it was just an accident." Aldamir said as he lowered his head in an attempt of catching a glimpse on the face. "An accident! I don't care that it's an accident, all those dates are now inedible! Do you have any idea how much it costs?" "Sir!" Aldamir said loud and sternly. It had the right effect for the man finally quiet down. He picked what he could spare from the box and left, grumbling, maintaining he would refer it to higher places. Aldamir moved closer to the person. "Be more careful next time." he said, unaware of who it was.

[Laurë Eledhwen]

As if it was to make her day better, she ended up bumping into a man who yelled at her for doing so. It wasn’t even her fault...well, maybe it was hers a little since she was walking at the same time but still. She tried to apologize to the man but he obviously didn’t listen to her. Besides she didn’t want to explain to him how she was sorry after going through all she had been gone the past few days. It wasn’t any of his business and it wasn’t of anyone else’s. She wanted the man to forget about that and even proposed to pay for these but still, nothing good came out of it.

She frowned hearing Aldamir who came. Joy. The one she mainly didn’t want to see had to show up. The yelling of the man didn’t help her into feeling any better. Her eyes watered up but she was strong enough not to let a tear fall down. She didn’t want to give him a victory and she of course had too much pride to do something like that in front of Aldamir, the one who always managed to piss her off no matter what he did and where he came out from.

She felt that he was searching for who had bumped into the man, she slowly raised her head to look back at Aldamir. If only he went away from her; he wouldn’t have to see her like this and she wouldn’t be troubled by what was going on.

“It was an accident.” She managed to let out before gazing down once again; there were no ways that she would let him see her like this twice. Once was enough and she hoped that he would understand that it wasn’t the time to be persistent around her.

[Aldamir]

When she talked, somethign tilted in his brain. he could not believe it, mostly because everyone moer or less thought she was dead. She sure wasn't helping him find out when she lowered her gaze even more. He approached once again and slowly lifted a hand. When he grabbed her hood, he delicately pulled it off. He gasped out of surprise when he saw the familiar face. "Laurë!?" he exclaimed, unable to believe it. But it was indeed the girl, there, in front of him. And she was already starting well, by causing such a ruckus. He wondered when she came back, if she came back.

"What are you..." he began to say, wanting to know what she was doing here when she went back to her mother, when they heard the village had been attacked and that mostly everyone died. But he stopped when he saw her eyes. She was obviously making an effort not to cry but they were watery. He never saw her this vulnerable. She was usually fighting with him, claiming that she was all so strong and all, that she'd never need a shoulder to cry on or a man to protect her. Considering where she arrived from, he could easily imagine the cause of such tears. If they thought she died, perhaps someone clsoe to her really did. No more defiant eyes, no more head held high and snotty attitude.

Aldamir looked around, knowing soon it would be crowded. And in her current state, she might make many people angry for standing in the way and whatnot. "Come." he just said, walking out of the street and waiting for her to follow him.

[Laurë Eledhwen]

Laurë wasn’t so sure about how to react as Aldamir came closer to her for usually that was the last thing they could both think about it. However, today wasn’t a usual day and neither was it going to be the kind of day where she would fight back when he tried and managed to pull her hood off revealing her face with the few burses and her watery eyes. She blinked though as he seemed surprised of her presence. What? Did the news of her village already reached Mineas Tirith? If so, she assumed that he was happy to think that she was dead but now she was coming back to spoil his day. Well, if it was the case, the feeling was returned.

She bit her lips as he was about to question herself but suddenly stopped. What now? She thought before lowering her gaze again. Didn’t he see that she was in pain, both physical and emotional? They didn’t wait until she recovered fully; they wanted to get at least her out of danger as soon as possible so whenever she was able to walk for a considerate time they dragged her here, where she would apparently live the rest of her life at.

So for the time being, she expected him to be any kind of rude in her direction. She expected an exasperated sigh or any displeasing comment in her direction but nothing came out except for one word: come.

She wasn’t sure of how to react but still came and followed him trying to fight against her tears, too proud to cry especially in front of him. She wrapped her arms around her waist not in the mood for an argument she remained silent a few silent tears managing to make their way out without her consent. God, if they heard about her town, she just couldn’t imagine how Jossian and her cousin would react to such a news.

[Aldamir]

When she finally came next to him, tears were already pouring down her cheeks. In silence. Whatever happened, it must have been terrible for her to be like that. But at least, she was coming along. He passed an arm behind her but did not touch her. It was only in a way of palcing a perimeter, or perhaps to amek sure she wouldn't run the other way.

They walked for a little while before Aldamir opened the door of a small establishment. He let her come in. A woman welcomed them and said they could take whatever table they'd like. Of course they could, no one was there! Dividers separated the tables to give a somewhat sense of intimacy. It wasn't like a local pub or tavern. It was more a tea shop of the like. You could eat, but people weren't as noisy, even when it was full, and music playing here was softer and less...bawdy.

Aldamir wlked Laurë to a table in the back. He said nothing to her. He jsut assumed she was for now in no state to meet either her uncle or her friend. She needed a bit more time. The girl returned, this time with a teapot, cups and a plate full of shortbread biscuits, nuts, small cakes and other various things to eat with the hot beverage. Aldamir waited for the tea to infuse well and poured each other a cup, still in silence, observing her from the corner of his eyes. Finally, he pulled out a handkerchief and gave it to her, so she could wipe out her tears.

[Laurë Eledhwen]

No matter how much she hated to show her weaknesses to Aldamir, she still managed to cry in front of him and followed him without any complain or spiteful reply that she could think of. If it wasn’t for her pride holding her back, she would’ve simply started crying on his shoulder. However, it wasn’t the case; she would never let something happen, at least not for now- there had too many people around for her to let loose.

She followed him still, having no clues of where they were going as long as it was going to be somewhere quiet with not many people she would be fine. Perhaps he was aware of her needs since that’s exactly what he did by going to that tea shop. She remembered having seen and heard of it but never actually entered in. The lady who greeted them was soft and nice. She was glad that she didn’t have any questioning looks seeing her face.

They both walked to the table in the back and she sat down. She liked the little bit of intimacy even if she would’ve never thought that she would be there with ...well, him. She felt a bit uncomfortable around him for it was the first time they actually didn’t fight or argue over anything. Considering her state, she surely wasn’t in the mood for any of this and even if she was, she was too tired exhausted from what she had endured and exhausted from her emotions. She stared at the handkerchief as he gave it to her for a few moments but without any words she took it and whipped her tears away as she managed to gain her cool back she just realized that the woman had given them a few pastries to go along with the tea.

A few minutes of silence passed as she just stared at her tea being infused before she finally let a few words out. “They killed my mother in front of me...she was my only family.” After these, she stopped as she was about to start crying again she quickly looked away feeling strangely awkward to talk about this to Aldamir while Sorsha didn’t know any of this.

[Aldamir]

"I know." he said very softly when she finally let out that her mother died. Well, he didn't really know, he guessed. But he didn't want her to start talking if she didn't feel like it. After all, if he brought her here, it was so she could regain some composure and be able to decide what she'd do now. He gave her a peaceful spot where she could be away from the crowd and think. He didn't need any explanation and wished not for her to give any if it was too hard. If she left the city to return to her mother and that she was now back, it could only mean something happened. And when you knew her hometown was attacked...

He grabbed his cup and blew gently on the hot beverage before taking a sip. He gazed at Laurë without a word. She was once again on the brink of crying, this time more heavily. She was making quite an effort to control herself. He grabbed a biscuit and ate it. he didn't want for her to tell him what happened. Like he once told her, he was not her friend, hence she didn't have to talk to him. She could even ask him to leave he'd do it. But for the moment, he stayed there. For, perhaps, she might prefer to have someone around, just in case. Either way, he preferred to give her the choice to kick him out or not.

[Laurë Eledhwen]

Laurë sighed as she managed to hold it back ; good. She didn’t want anything of the sort to happen even if she did see a side of him that she had never before. Perhaps it was because he saw her crying though…she didn’t care much. She appreciated that he didn’t question her more about her personal life or else, she knew that she would just end up kicking him out. What she also knew that she needed though was the presence of a comforting presence and strangely, he was being one for now.

Not to add that she didn’t feel the need to tell him not to say a word about that to anyone somehow she knew that he wouldn’t. Or else, she wouldn’t even just start to cry in front of him right here and there. She finally grabbed her cup of tea glad that he didn’t state any displeasing comment in her direction. No matter how many times she said that she didn’t need a shoulder to cry on she found herself liking his presence…at least, for now.

The handkerchief was now on her tights while she sat down, keeping it just in case that unwanted tears wanted to show up again. “I’m sorry if I’m taking your time…” she managed to let out in a gasp before she took a sip of her tea then looked down. Once she replaced the cup on the table, she held onto the skirt of her dress as she attempted to regain her own composure so she could go back to her uncle without causing too much trauma.

[Aldamir]

It was obviously hard for the girl not to cry, even in presence of him, whom she couldn't stand. Not like he would care, that was quite a change compared to the tough and annoying brat she usually was. He almost preferred her like this. At least she was silent and polite. Of course, he was not to tell her that. Maybe once she'll feel better and return to bothering him would he say he preferred her calm as she was now. But at this moment, it was inappropriate.

"Don't think about it." he replied when she apologized. He maybe was stern, but he had a heart. He drank his tea slowly, every now and then eating a nut or a cookie. "If you want me to go, you just have to tell me." he felt like saying, just so she knew she could dismiss him at any moment. It was rather awkward to have the two of them like this and if the situation was not helping her, he didn't want to force his presence on the girl. She had enough to deal with at the moment.

[Laurë Eledhwen]

Laurë nodded as he didn’t seem to be bothered by her presence. It was a rather surprising fact if you knew how the two usually were fighting with one and another and yet, here they were almost looking like friends. She stared up at the small cookies that were at her disposition and grabbed one. She looked at him as he told her that she could tell him to leave whenever she was pleased. She gave another small nod in response.

She didn’t dismiss him though for she had the feeling that if she was going to be left alone, she would just look like someone weak crying for no reasons. She took a small bite into the cookie unsure of what to do with him. It was actually the first time that she was spending a rather pleasant time with him if you didn’t count in the fact that she lost her mother and saw one of the most horrible wars of history.

She started playing with her hands, unsure of what to do with him. She was a bit taken aback by his sudden…softened manners that she just stayed there in silence, occasionally drinking tea and eating her cookie; she was better to do that or else she had the feeling that she would just faint right now and there because she was too tired from everything that happened.

[Aldamir]

Laurë nodded to him but said or did nothing to dismiss him or anything. So he remained at his seat. He doubted to be the best person in teh situation, and clearly not the one she'd like to have by her side, but she had no one else for now. He could still go fetch Sorsha, or try to retrace her uncle so he could take her home. But she didn't seem ready to see anyone for now. She was on the edge of a meltdown.

Seeing her eating cookies, he decided to take only nuts, leaving the remaining cookies for her. He refilled his cup and hers, seeing it was nearly empty. Being together like this was weird. Sure they weren't saying anything and didn't look all that close, but compared to how they usually acted when in the presence of the other...

She looked broke and exhausted. But right now, she wasn't saying a word either. So he preferred not to push her and bring her somewhere. Maybe she just needed some time. He'd let her have that.

[Laurë Eledhwen]

After a few moments of a somewhat awkward silence between the two, she finally decided to speak. “Could you...get Sorsha?” She felt a bit weird kicking him out like that but since he told her that he wasn’t her friend and such, she assumed that he didn’t want to lose more time with her. Besides, he was still on duty.

She didn’t look up at him though after her request. She had the feeling that her uncle would just die of worries. If soldiers had learnt about the news, she assumed that he and Sorsha did. But her uncle somehow grew to be like a father to her and if it was the case, he would be even more worried than her closest friend.

She grabbed the cup of tea and took another sip in silence. Then another cookie; at least it would give her a reason to remain silent.

[Aldamir]

Aldamir stared at her for a moment after she asked him to get his sister. Was she the best to bring, he didn’t know. But if Sorsha was the one she wished to see, he would not contradict her. Maybe she wasn’t ready yet to speak with her uncle. She had her reasons, and like he showed all along, he didn’t mind about them. It was her life; she had the right to live it the way she wished. He finally nodded but seeing she had lowered her head and refused to look at him anymore, he stood up. He took out some pieces of gold and placed them on the table. There were obviously more than enough to pay for the tea. “If you want something to eat while I get her.” He explained.

Aldamir left the small establishment and walked the streets straight to his house. He was supposed to be on duty, but having other things to do was so unusual from him that when he asked another guard to take his place for a moment, the man assumed something bad happen and relieved him. He didn’t want to run but he found himself walking faster than usual. His sister would sure not believe her ears once he’ll explain. When he arrived, they all wondered what he was doing here. They too were not used to see him doing something else than his job. When he told his family what happened, his mother placed a hand over her mouth as she gasped. Sorsha jumped on her feet and asked where Laurë was. Aldamir told her where he left her and that she was waiting for her friend. Sorsha immediately ran. Aldamir followed her at a slower pace.

When he arrived at the door, Sorsha already arrived and was holding Laurë in her arms. Seeing they were together, he turned his back and let them talk together.

[Laurë Eledhwen]

Laurë glanced at the extra money that Aldamir let for her. At first she was rather clueless to why he would do this but once he explained her why, she nodded. Looks like he was more of a gentleman, it was a bit odd not to argue with him but at the same time it was rather pleasant just to be there in the presence of someone that well, found themselves just to be comforting a little. She raised her head once he left and sighed taking another sip of her cup of tea; she was obviously not hungry for she was still trying to cope what just happened to her.

It didn’t take long before she saw Sorsha arriving running and when she did, she just started crying. Her friend wrapped her arms around her so she was now being held by her. She explained a bit of the story to the other girl, not willing to go into details but still said a few things. How the roof fell on her and that she didn’t remember what was going on after that. Until she woke up in what looked like a nursery. She did say that her mother died right in front of her but never mentioned of her father. Anyways, she never had one until Jossian.

She was obviously tired and exhausted but she was still on the adrenaline from the past days. “I’m sorry I didn’t write you...” She finished knowing that she might have worried about this.