“Don’t be difficult.” He said with a wry smile.
Difficult? She took a deep breath slowly.
She was not difficult. Or she never used to be.
But really? Him? Had the Boy lost his mind? There had seemed to be so many more capable and trustworthy people gathered for that mission, why not ask one of them? Surely Gal knew someone, if local knowledge was an issue? Ella just stared at Baralinion as he continued to tell her of her new orders.
She observed The Boy as he spoke, still silently frustrated at where she was being sent. It was during this observation that she noticed something about The Boy, something that had changed.
His eyes. Although only months had passed since their initial meeting, his eyes exposed a maturity that wasn’t there before. Recent events had not just marked him physically, but had also changed him mentally. He deserved her respect and attention.
This was enough to snap Ella somewhat to her senses. Who was she to act in this way? She had always been the one to promote second chances, so why did this time feel so different? So difficult.
She did her best to push these feelings to the back of her mind as she took the letter and parcel from Bara and placed them in her satchel.
“I will of course do as you wish” she said gently, “And I will be on my best behaviour as I do” she added, forcing a slight smile.
“Thank you. That’s all I ask” he replied, before turning the discussion to his plan to visit Rohan.
Ella approached the door of Thinthil’s home slowly. She had managed to avoid him up to now, but that was a luxury she no longer had. She had been tasked to accompany him on an errand he had been set by Baralinion, and keep him updated as necessary.
The owl, that had led her to him that day from the market, was to be the way they kept in touch. Somehow the creature always knew how to find them both.
Taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders, she knocked on the door. The evening was drawing in, and by the sound of the many locks being turned and slid, Thinthil was not used to receiving evening visitors.
After a brief introduction on the doorstep, Ella was invited into his home. There they discussed the upcoming tasks given to them by Bara over a glass of brandy. It was during this conversation that Thinthil revealed that before he could carry out this assignment, he had already committed to lend his assistance to another. Again, she observed as he spoke. The arrogance and self importance that had riled her so much previously, was very noticeably absent.
Knowing that her role was to stick by Thinthil’s side until the mission was completed, she realised this meant accompanying him on his prior arrangement.
She would need a warmer cloak.
