Miss Addie and Neth have been rescued and back in Bree for a few weeks. They were badly wounded at their captor’s hands but Masin and their other friends were able to find and rescue them. The mission left all with small wounds and Masin with ones that were much worse, but none as bad as Miss Addie and Miss Neth. According to the healers it will take six weeks for Miss Addie to be able to walk again. Masin has taken it upon himself to guard the pair and he was also able to provide what he hopes is a safe hideout for them to stay in while their wounds heal.
A small run-down cottage deep in the woods of Masin's land would be their hideaway. He was slowly cleaning up and repairing the place before Miss Addie vanished. It was simple but perfect for what they needed. The old log home had two rooms. The first room held nothing more than a bench with a pillow and blanket draped over the back. The bench sat in front of a warm fireplace and there was a rug to welcome those who entered. The second room had two beds with a small table in between them, and a rug at the foot. Another fireplace warmed the room and a few chairs sat clustered in one corner of the room.
Miss Addie and Neth were asleep in their beds. Masin sat with his eyes open and his hand on the hilt of his sword as he thought about what had befallen them both. He pulled the blanket from the back of the bench over his shoulders and stared deeply into the dancing flames of the fireplaces as he thought. Neth felt like everything was her fault due to her past in Gondor and Addie thought everything was her fault because of her past in Rohan and because she was unable to to fight back against Strongboar, she also felt guitly over those that were hurt by trying to help her. He smiled and shook his head, "What a pair." He whispered silently as the flames of the fire popped and cracked. Masin knew this tale was not over and those that hunted them would not give up with ease, whoever they were. He had hoped when they took the life of the bandits that held Addie they had ended her suffering and her need for revenge but this man Strongboar held a power over Addie and he held it over Masin too.
Revenge... a basic and destructive reaction to anger, injury, and humiliation. Someone seeking revenge is looking to retaliate for a wrong that has been done. The passion for revenge is strong and sometimes almost overwhelming. It is an unwise attempt to change the shame felt into pride. ... Masin felt it brewing deep inside of him and he knew something was going on in Addiela's mind too. He did not know Neth as well but from the first day of her recovery she wanted to get up and seek who she thought was responsible for what happened to the pair. But the three of them had to stay put, Addie and Neth had to let their wounds heal and Masin was determined to make sure no ill fate befell the pair no matter the cause. The only people to blame were the ones causing harm to his friends, and they had to be stopped.
