I went to the Thirsty Boar, and aye like predicted, it were a bloody awful idea. I even dressed up a bit, wore them earrings that Bild gave me as well. I felt like a fish out of water and it didn't help when that Fiontann announced to Ath that his wife had arrived, meaning me! Obviously there had been talk coming from somewhere, even if Ath and I were only friends. Bal showed up though, that were nice, he even played a few tunes on them there bagpipes of his. Oh! and that little lass that I had to watch over for a bit, were still living there, poor mite.
I started to relax, we were chatting away, Fiontanns wife? lady? she were as nice as always, and there were a few more folk, a lass that looked familiar were one of them. After trying some of the baking that were on offer, I wanted a sit down though and took meself to a table, Ath and Bal joining me. That were when I saw -him-, Elias, and judging by how quick he left, I knew he had seen me too! Silly sod running out like that, I went out to see where he had gone, tried to encourage him back inside, tried to get Fiontann to as well on account he be his friend and left the two as I went back inside to grab a drink, I needed it. Bal had buggered off to confront him as I were not all that forthcoming about who Elias were to me, but Ath joined me, and it were then I did some explaining. Told him I knew I should have gone with me gut and not joined him at the Thirsty Boar, told him about the journey I took with folk, meaning Fiontann, Elias and all, and that it went sour, giving him the reasons why, even told him about what really happened that caused me to hit me head. Fiontann overheard something, not that I be surprised, I mean he were standing close. He just had to say something. It were bad, really bad. He said something about how I should have stayed on that trip, stood up to Ruevir, and that made me blood boil, I just lost me temper, like something broke in me. I gave him a piece of me mind, told him he knew nothing about it, or about Elias, that he were not a blimming genius. I left that place like there were fire at me heels. I left Ath there, who had tried to fix things before they got out of hand, to deal with his friend. I just went home.
Bal found me, soon after, Maddoct did too. Dwarves to the rescue I say, because I went from anger, upset and tears, to smiles. Bal fell asleep in me place, a belly of ale, after Maddoct and I convinced him it not be a good idea to take his axe to peoples heads, and me healer, well he removed them stitches of mine and bandaged me up. I sent him on his way with a full keg of Blackberry Blackburrow Brew. Never seen him so chuffed! Their friendship be priceless.
Ath came over the following day, apologised for all that had happened, even gave me a present..something special to him, from him, but originally from his Ma. I've kept it safe but where I can look at it easily when I like, it be a wooden carving, a trinket of the likes I ain't seen before. He said it were to be given to someone he cared for. Bal came over too, he be looking for a home in the mountains for me. I like dwarves, I like mountains, we'll see. I should do another supper, one where he can join in this time.
Today though, now this be a strange one. He came by again, Ath that is. He were struggling for words at times, talking in a funny language under his breath. He told me he'd been to see Elias, not only that, asked him directly what cheers me up! Queer it be, asking a former love what a lass be liking, but knowing Elias, he probably thought it practical. Told me a few other things that were said between the pair too. It were what he said to me though that were, not surprising, not in the words themselves but maybe the awkward way he were saying them. He fancies me..a lot. I asked him what had happened with his past loves, and he were honest and open about them, then I asked him some questions, ones that maybe if I had never met Elias, I wouldn't think of asking. Questions like, what would you do if a lad spoke to me? or tell me three things that make you happy? If I held out me hand to you in public, what would you do? There were so many questions, and he answered them all in a way that made me decide on something. I've decided to give him a chance, allow him to court me. I've been hurt, so, so much before now, and here were a lad before me that just wanted a chance to be close to me, yet were afraid I'd turn him away. Well I haven't. I don't know what the days ahead will be like, and I've not made him promises, but one thing I do know is, I deserve all them things Elias said I should have and time will tell if they be with this man. I need to look ahead. A bit of me heart is always with that other man, he were me first love, but I need to move on, I need to try and I need it to be with someone who really wants me, and this one seems to be that person.
