Two figures stood atop a hill that overlooked the small village of Combe on one side, and Bree on the other. It was late afternoon in the waning summer and though such days were often humid and oppressive, on this day, an early afternoon rain and light breeze kept the heat away for a time, allowing folks the space to breathe.
“Didn’t want to risk him findin’ it and…”
Will trailed off. He didn’t want to think about what his father might do if he found a letter from him to his mother.
“I’m glad,” Mary interrupted, “I’d hate for you to leave without bein’ able to say goodbye properly.”
“I wouldn’t leave without knowin’....without seein’ that you’re alright.”
“I’m fine, Thom,” she said, tilting her head up to meet the pale hazel-green eyes that matched her own.
His mother looked older and tired. There was more gray in her hair now. He nodded but didn’t believe her.
“You’ll be back for Yule,” she said, half asking, half stating, her eyes imploring him for an answer.
“I don’t know, Mum. It’s…where I’m goin’ is a week’s ride at the least, probably two. And…well I never did like ridin’.”
She smiled faintly, remembering the fateful afternoon decades ago when he was brought to her, unconscious and they weren’t sure if he would survive the fall he had taken from their mare.
They stood in silence, gazing at the bustling town below as the sun slowly set behind the distant hills. He planned to depart early in the morning, with several people he wanted to meet and a need to find a suitable place to rest at night. He was aware that he couldn't linger here for long. Suddenly, he embraced her, only to discover that her arms tightened around him more than he anticipated.
“You come back safe, now,” she implored him, murmuring, her hands holding him tightly.
Every time he left, she always said the same thing. However, this time her voice carried a hint of fear that he had never noticed before. He paused and looked at her. She had tears in her eyes, and he almost reconsidered his decision to leave. But then, in his mind's eye, he saw the pair of eyes that had been haunting him for days. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and knew he had to go.
“I always do,” he said, with his crooked smile.
She patted his cheek warmly and he put his hand over hers briefly. They didn’t exchange more than a last meaningful look between them before he turned and headed up over the hill.
