It had been a hectic week for Zandrianna, and she sat back in her house and reflected on it as she fed Althessia, the babe cradled snugly in her arms. After witnessing the assault on the woman outside the tavern, she had worried about her safety and the safety of her daughter; however, she sighed a little in relief, it seemed that the man had decided she was no threat. At the very least, she had had no troubles getting to and from her home to Bree to tend her duties. 'Worried for nothing,' she thought, sighing ruefully to herself.
Then there was the young girl she had met at the Pony one day. The child, her short and messily cut red hair clearly suggesting a Rohirric background, had an air of neglect about her, half starved and wearing crudely made home sewn clothing. Her eyes had darted about the room warily, flinching at every newcomer that passed by. Slowly, Zandrianna had gained her trust enough to learn that her name was Curveth and that she'd been on her own since the age of 10. Despite their worries, and offers of help, the child was insistent that she had to camp outdoors, and that she would be fine even with the winter coming. Frowning heavily, Zandrianna sighed and decided that nothing should do but to seek the youngster out.
Her hand gently adjusting the babe's head, she continued to think, looking to the bookcase full of Komatsu's old tomes, and a frown crossed her face, she missed Komatsu terribly. She looked beyond Althessia's small bed to the window as she watched out, as she often did, waiting for some sign of him - some word from him - anything.
Looking down, she realized that her daughter had gone to sleep and she stood and walked over to the small bed, placing the babe in it, before leaning down to kiss her. As she straightened, she adjusted her bodice, going to stare out the window again, a frown creasing her face. If only ... they filled her mind as a tear slid down her cheek. He had promised her - and she had faith in him. He would return. Standing up, she straightened her shoulders, a look of determination on her face. Yes ... that would be for the best. She turned, and headed across the main room to her bed for the night.
As she started to get undressed, she heard the door open and slam again as someone entered the house. Jumping up, Zandrianna raced into the main room, looking for the intruder, only to see a familiar young woman standing there, her bag in hand. "Immalaine!" Zandrianna cried, racing forward the envelope the young woman in a hug, to Immalaine's surprise and apparent delight.
"Lady Zandrianna!" Immalaine replied, giggling as Zandrianna half squeezed her to death. "I ... I'm so glad t' be back. I ain't ne'er had a welcome quite like this!" Immalaine dropped her bag, reaching around to hug Zandrianna back, a smile on her face.
Drawing back, Zandrianna kept her arms around Immalaine as she looked her over carefully. "Rastellion brought you back -- and in once piece. Good." she said, nodding. "But child, why in Theoden's King did you go running off like that? You could have been eaten by orcs, or wolves or ... or anything!" Zandrianna's lips narrowed into a thin line, as she looked disapprovingly of the younger woman's rash actions.
"But ... Lady Zandrianna, they didna an' I'm fine. See?" Immalaine replied, even as she blushed and looked embarrassed at being called out on her decision. "An' 'sides, I did find Rastellion's uncle an' I did it all on my own!" She smiled, lifting her head proudly.
Sighing, Zandrianna shook her head. "Yes, yes you did. And I'm proud of you for that. But you are never ever to do that again, do you hear? I'll not be worrying about you on top of everything else." Turning the young woman towards the bedroom, Zandrianna kissed her cheek. "Now, it's late, get some sleep and you can tell me all about your adventures tomorrow."
Yawning, Immalaine nodded as she turned to give Zandrianna a peck on the cheek before heading to the small room. "I think I will ... it were a long few days, an' I reckon I got lots t' tell ye. After I get th' cookin' done that is." Swinging her bag onto her shoulder, Immalaine headed into the bedroom, closing the door gently.
'Yes,' Zandrianna thought, smiling to herself as she headed back to her room to sleep, 'I imagine you do.'
