Arenborn knocked on the door struggling to hide his broad smile. How long had it been? Three months? Four? It felt like it had been far longer. His fingers curled around the small bouquet of flowers he had picked on his way through their little village and he took a deep breath.
The old wooden door began to creak open, his heart pounded in his chest and his breath caught in his throat. He would see her at last after so long. He would see… Vera? Taken aback by the appearance of the old healer woman he took a moment to recover. She looked equally surprised, but her eyes flicked to the bouquet of flowers after barely a moment and she grinned, nodding her understanding. Beckoning him in she gestured to the bedroom where a familiar voice called out. “Who is it Vera?” Arenborn smiled. Just as beautifully Rohirric as he remembered.
Vera smiled at his expression and gestured towards the bedroom again, mouthing at him to go already. Stepping out of his reverie, Arenborn walked quietly to the bedroom, and pushed through the half open door.
Inayat, his wife, looked up from making the bed. Her pale blue eyes went wide in bewilderment, her mouth agape in surprise, and her cheeks flushing red with joy. “Wh- what are you doing here?” She exclaimed, almost accusatory. She dropped the bed sheets and a moment later she was in his arms.
Arenborn beamed as he squeezed her tightly, pulling her close and burying his face into her neck, among her tussles of bright red hair. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he trembled in the embrace. Despite their time apart she smelled the same as how he remembered, and it smelled of home.
They stayed that way for what felt like half a year, gently rocking back and forth as they held each other. Finally, Inayat pulled back, looking up at him with glistening blue eyes. Eyes he could so easily get lost in. “What are you doing here! Your letter last week said you weren’t due back for another month at the very least!” She paused, reading the grin that had spread across his face, despite his best efforts. “You lied!” She exclaimed suddenly, a flash of indignant anger in her eyes.
Arenborn laughed at her expression and she punched him on the chest. “How dare you! You… you… cruel, wonderful man!” All her indignation at his lie left then as she reached up to grasp him by the back of the neck to pull him into a kiss. Aren obliged, sinking into the blissful moment, his arms around her waist keeping her close.
When they finally broke apart, Inayat’s face was plastered with a bright smile that seemed to fill the room with more warmth than any hearth could. She noticed the flowers, and somehow her smile broadened. “Oh Aren, you’re so sweet!” She exclaimed as she took them, looking up at him lovingly.
At that moment, Vera poked her head through, gently knocking on the bedroom door. “I’ll be leaving you two in peace. I’ll come over tomorrow instead.” Inayat bade her farewell and Aren waved before turning back to his wife.
Cupping her cheek, he gently brushed his thumb over her smooth skin as he looked down at her, sighing happily. He was home.
