What an unusual day it had turned out to be! Daphne's mind was everywhere as she packed her belongings once again. Though it wasn't all bad, the day weighed on her. She was weary and longed to collapse into sleep. But she knew despite her exhaustion, her mind was too scattered and energetic to actually rest yet.
First Furley had asked that she change out of her armour and into something presentable. She foresaw his request, but that did not make it any easier. However, she'd told him that she would try to listen to him more, with less pushback, so this time she did so without arguing. But when he mentioned her hips as she turned to go and change, she felt ever so much worse about dressing "nicely". She felt like hiding. Yet she did as requested, then took her place at the bridge to welcome those coming and check them for weapons.
Hearing a shrill yet somehow familiar voice just before being tackled to the ground was certainly not what she'd expected that day. Bellindah, her cousin and the only person with which she'd truly felt like family...the only person to love her since her father died, had apparently come to Rivendell with Gondorians making their way home. Daphne had thought her dead! She had left three years prior, when she was just a lass of thirteen and Daphne, twenty-two, in pursuit of justice or revenge, or possibly both. Daphne had told her that she'd not been trained nearly enough. As Belinda showed some of the new scars she had, Daphne became angry. She'd been right, but she should have known the lass would do something foolish. If her own parents were murdered by a creature she would want them dead as well. Was this not the very reason she feared every snake she came across, and tried to have them killed? The death of a loved one does things to a person's mind.
It had almost seemed like old times. Belly could still read her much too well. Still looked up to her. Called her Petunia though she hated it. Teased her. Did all the things she knew would get a reaction. Yet, Daphne could not begin to understand how she felt. Hurt for her leaving. Guilt for failing to protect her. And so many other emotions. But she decided to do her best simply to focus on the fact she was still alive. She even stood up to the smelly fish-boy when he threw his vile smelling catch at Belinda face for no apparent reason. Ugh.
Then seeing how many had come to the market from some other route had both frightened her, and made her happy. Surely this meant it was going well. And after she'd sneaked past Furley to change into more comfortable attire, it was much easier to be among the people. Though unfortunately that blasted pig which had begun following her shortly after they came to Rivendell, found her on her way back and decided to follow defiantly, despite her every attempt to shoo him away. When Belinda decided his name was Harold, it had made Daphne laugh harder than she remembered laughing in a long time. She knew Ana didn't understand, but she would explain one day. Maybe.
Aside from dressing up and the pig, she was sure it would be a good day with a good haul. But as she watched Furley go over the amount made, the look on his face made her heart sink. He'd been acting off before, but she knew this would add to whatever was weighing him down.
Oh yes. Her brain certainly could not forget that. The cause for his odd behaviour. Deorla. Apparently she'd said she was leaving. Daph didn't know her that well, but she was a part of the group. Of what Daphne had come to see as her family. Not only that, but seeing how much it hit Furley, as he sat there drinking glass after glass of wine...It didn't seem right. Why would she leave? Some commander? Where had her commander been all this time where the Company had been traveling and overcoming obstacles together? Together. She was a part of this group. It wasn't as if Daphne didn't have experience with people leaving. She shouldn't have been surprised by it at all. But she was. She wanted to talk her into staying. If not for the Company as a whole...then for Furley. She'd talk to her about it if she could. But knowing Furley couldn't get her to stay, she had little hope for her own endeavours.
Maybe she could get Ana to help. She was beginning to see that she could trust her. That evening, as they sat and spoke in the Hall of Fire, she realized that Ana was truly her first friend. Even if she left as others always seemed to...it would be something she'd cherish forever.
Daphne finally was about to sleep..when her traitor mind turned back again. This time, to the sudden question Belinda had posed Furley out of nowhere. She cursed aloud, though quiet enough no one could likely hear, and buried her face in her pillow. What was the meaning of that? Was Belinda trying to destroy everything Daphne had been coming to appreciate over the past months? She should have known she'd try something, judging from her questions as to why she was wearing one of her nice dresses. It was ridiculous, but Belinda never gave up. And now, if anyone remembered her questioning, it could make Daph lose her job even, if she didn't handle it right. And she never forgot how she rarely handled things right.
At least he didn't seem too worried about that when he joined her and Ana as they drank and spoke. Then again, he had been drinking and had things of much more importance on his mind. Maybe she'd slip past that embarrassment this time. Especially as both he and Ana did have a somewhat decent amount to drink after. Though... Ana was probably on the same thought as Belinda, in some areas.
Daphne grunted, rolling over and squeezing her eyes closed, trying not to wrinkle her nose. To add to all of the day's events, someone had thought it amusing to put that disgusting smelling fish beneath her pillow earlier. Better to let her mind wander than focus on that smell anyway.
Again, finally, she began to drift to sleep, her mind easing just enough to allow exhaustion to take over. These things would work out. They had to. And if they didn't, then she'd do her best to make the puzzle fit together despite the missing or torn pieces. She wasn't about to let this group she'd begun to care about, be torn apart. It was too special and good. Worth fighting for.
She rested a hand on her own shoulder as her mind slowly fell from a state of half-wakefulness into sleep.
