Brandilyn had stayed away from the town of Bree for many months now. After the death of Ramsey, Aeg just vanished from Bandilyn’s life and she found herself alone running The Refuge. Not many people came by, but she knew there were people in need. She thought about the old farm and how they would help the nearby camps and settlements of the those protecting the roads and lands in the Bree-land area. This was not something she wanted to try and do alone, but it came to her to that she could take the idea of The Refuge to the people who needed it instead of waiting for them to show up.
She packed her horse up with all kind of supplies, food, clothes, basic medical needs and even an instrument or game if she could find one. Once her steed was packed she would ride through different neighborhoods and farms in the Bree-land area, trying to help anyone in need. Sometimes she would stay on a farm for a few days and just help a new mother balance her daily tasks and new baby. Or maybe she would heal the wound of a young man who had cut his hand while skinning the hide his dads hunt. Sometimes she would offer up The Refuge for those who had no place to stay. She also had a few people stay who paid their way or contributed by hunting for food or helping to keep the old building from falling apart.
She liked helping people, she always had. Still there was a hole in her heart. A hole she put there. As much as she tired to fill it with her good deeds, she felt empty and alone. She missed the people she loved, and she wanted to see them again. Even if they most likely did not want to see her.
Brandilyn looked at the gates of Bree. Her heart was heavy once again, and her choices had left her feeling empty and alone. She stood in the dark for a long time and looked at those gates. The swan necklace she always wore was still on her neck as her hand mindlessly traced over the heart shape made by the necks of the two birds.
They were never love birds, though she has loved Kristophor for many years. Each time he came close to letting her into his wall she found a way to make him build it up even higher than the first time. Brandilyn watched a couple enter the gates with a young girl that trailed behind them as she thought to herself. “Why? Why do I do that?” She shook her head knowing she had expected too much from him and when he gave her what he could, she demanded more. A few tears rolled down her cheek as she thought about the last time she saw him. She had wanted him to fight for her. She wanted him to prove Aeg wrong and show that he could include her and let her stand next to him, where she wanted to stand. But instead he and turned dark and cold, knowing that she was drifting from him again.
All she ever wanted from him was to be able to stand next to him, support him, love him and be included in his life. All he ever wanted was to protect her and keep her and Amanda and Bree safe. The only thing he had ever asked of her was to make sure Amanda was taken care of. Brandi shook her head again feeling like she had failed there too. Despite how Brandi felt, Amanda was safe and had made her own choices, which Brandi respected. Brandilyn stood there longer and thought about what will happen when she sees the young lass again? Will Kris be leaning on his wooden pillar at the Pony, keeping a watchful eye out, with her sitting on the floor somewhere near by? The idea brought a smile to her sad heart. She tapped her steed on the side and rode into town as she thought to herself, "Time to move on."
