The room was still a soft ray of morning light slipped through the narrow wooden window, resting gently upon the worn table and the quiet figure seated beside it. Aragorn remained there, slumped slightly forward in the chair, his arms loosely crossed, his head tilted as sleep had claimed him without permission. The night had been long. Though his body rested, his mind had not.
Moments ago or perhaps hours, time had blurred; he had been awake, staring into the silence, thinking. Thinking of everything that had happened. Of betrayal. Of survival. Of strength. Of loneliness.
And now… Of her.
His breathing was calm now, deep and steady, like that of a child finally free from worry.
On the bed behind him, Jessy slowly stirred. Her fingers twitched first, then her eyes fluttered open. For a brief moment, confusion filled her gaze. The unfamiliar wooden ceiling, the quiet scent of earth and wood, the faint sound of wind brushing past the hills outside , then it came back.
The river…. The fall..….The fight….Him….
She turned her head slightly.
And there he was, sleeping on a chair.
Not even properly his posture awkward, his neck bent slightly, as if he had simply… given up on comfort.
Jessy blinked once. Then again.
A small smile formed on her lips,
"…You stayed like that all night?" she whispered softly, though she knew he could not hear her.
Carefully, she rose from the bed, her movements light, almost silent. The wooden floor creaked faintly beneath her feet, but Aragorn did not stir.
She walked closer.
For a moment, she simply stood there, watching him.
There was something different about him when he slept. The sharpness in his presence, the quiet intensity it all softened. What remained was… peaceful. Almost vulnerable.
She reached for the folded blanket resting nearby.
Slowly, gently, she draped it over his shoulders.
"Idiot…" she murmured softly, though there was no insult in her voice.
Only warmth. She turned away quietly and stepped outside.
The village had already awakened.
Grimfang Village stretched calmly beneath the morning sky, nestled between soft hills and dense forest lines. It was neither grand nor poor just… alive….
Jessy paused just outside the small house, taking in the scene.
Children ran across the dirt paths, their laughter echoing freely. Some chased each other with wooden sticks, pretending to be warriors. Others played near small carts or helped their families with simple chores.
A group of catfolk children paused as they noticed her. Their eyes widened.
"…Elf?" one whispered
"She's pretty…" another said without hesitation Jessy blinked, slightly caught off guard.
Then she smiled softly and waved.
The children immediately burst into giggles and ran off, embarrassed.
"…So lively," she muttered to herself, her voice filled with quiet surprise.
She began to walk.
The paths were simple, lined with wooden houses and small stalls. Beastfolk moved about their routines, wolffolk carrying tools, dogfolk arranging supplies, catfolk chatting among themselves, and even a few chickenfolk tending to baskets filled with eggs.
It was peaceful….Strangely peaceful….
A few villagers glanced at her as she passed.
Some nodded politely. Others stared a bit longer.
And then…
A pair of young wolfmen standing near a water barrel suddenly straightened as she approached.
"…G..good morning!" one of them said, his voice a bit too loud.
Jessy paused
"Good morning," she replied politely
The second one nudged the first
"Say something else, idiot!"
"I...I already did!"
Jessy tilted her head slightly, amused
"Do you… need something?" she asked.
Both of them froze…..
"…No…"
"…Nothing…."
"…We're fine….."
"…Very fine…."
She let out a small laugh
"I see…."
As she walked away, she could hear one whisper to the other,
"You messed it up."
"You were worse!"
She shook her head slightly, still smiling.
At the center of the village stood a larger wooden building.
An inn…..
Jessy paused before it. It was sturdy, well built, clearly meant to host travellers but it was quiet.
Too quiet…..
No noise from within. No signs of movement,
"…Strange," she murmured.
It seemed like travellers were rare here.
Or perhaps… This village simply wasn't on many paths. She turned away, continuing her walk. A faint feeling lingered at the edge of her senses.
She stopped for a moment.
"…Hmm."
Someone was watching her.
No several…
But it wasn't hostile….
More like… cautious curiosity…..
She exhaled softly...
"Understandable," she whispered.
Outsiders were rare. Suspicion was natural. She chose to ignore it.
Soon, she reached a small marketplace area.
It wasn't grand, just a few wooden stalls placed side by side. But it had everything needed.
Fruits…..Vegetables…..Meat....
Fresh fish laid neatly on wooden boards. Cuts of deer meat hanging from hooks. Baskets filled with carrots, potatoes, and leafy greens.
Simple...Honest....
Jessy walked closer, observing everything. Her eyes paused on a piece of meat.
Then vegetables, then fruit…..
"…Right."
Aragorn….
Yesterday, he had only eaten bread.
And even then… he had shared it with her.
She folded her arms slightly,
"…I should do something."
A faint determination appeared in her eyes.
Cooking…..
That would be a good way to repay him.
She stepped forward and began picking items, some vegetables, a portion of meat, and a few fruits…..
Nothing extravagant….
Just enough....
She approached the stall owner, a middle aged dogfolk with a calm expression.
"How much?" she asked
The man glanced at the items
"One silver Paro "
Jessy blinked
"…That's all?"
"For that, y…yes…"
She looked at the items again
Then back at him
"…Are you sure?"
He nodded
Jessy hesitated for a second, then smiled.
"…Thank you"
She handed over the coin and took the items. As she walked away, she couldn't help but feel a little… lighter.
The path back felt shorter.
The village seemed even more peaceful now.
Or perhaps…..her mind was....
She reached the house and stepped inside quietly. The room was still the same.
Silent….
And there he was....
Still asleep...…
Jessy placed the items gently on the table.
Then she turned. Her steps slowed.
She walked closer to him. For a moment, she simply stood there again.
Watching.
His hair had fallen over his face, covering his eyes.
"…Messy," she whispered softly.
Without thinking, she reached out.
Her fingers gently brushed his hair aside.
Slowly…..
Carefully.....
Revealing his face....
Her breath paused for a second,
"…He looks… different."
Softer...
Younger....
She hesitated….
Then, as if pulled by something she didn't fully understand, her fingers moved again this time, touching his cheek.
Lightly…..
Warm....
A faint blush crept across her face,
"…What am I doing…"
But she didn't pull back. For that one moment… She forgot everything else.
Suddenly Aragorn's eyes snapped open. His hand shot forward instantly.
And caught her wrist,Jessy gasped.
"…!"
Her eyes widened in shock. Their faces were close.
Too close...
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
They simply looked at each other.
Then Aragorn blinked. The tension faded from his expression.
"…Oh…."
His grip loosened
"It's you "
Jessy exhaled softly, her heart still racing
"…You scared me "
"You were too close," he replied calmly
There was a brief silence. Then Jessy smiled. And Aragorn, after a moment, smiled back. And just like that the quiet morning continued....