Speech // thought

Despite his best effort, Artorias had sufficiently dominated Eltrys. As he was forced to concede defeat he saw the small form of Haydee on the field. He relented to the Hallow's Lord as he saw Haydee fall. She should not have been up, she should not have been here, she should not have battled.

As he was released to leave the field Eltrys quickly came to Haydee's side. His face was severe, concerned, eyes cold, demanding, accusing her of endangering herself. He didn't speak, he hefted the small woman over his back, she was having trouble breathing again. He loped, struggling to hide his soreness from the tussle and hefting the small form on his back. He reached an overlook and looked back at the field. This was the way it was. He trusted the Hallows to not endanger his members, they were probably coming for the sugar in the caves and testing their mettle.

His wolves (and bear) were doing their best, he was proud of them. He slipped into the cave behind the falls and gently placed Haydee's petite form on fresh furs. Good, Alexa had been able to refresh the bedding and herbs in here.

He poured her a cup of the tea that she was supposed to be taking daily to help her improve.

He couldn't fault her for attending the raid, for defending her home. But he was... He placed the cup near her, not able to meet her eyes, and turned back to the fire.

He was angry. Angry that he hadn't been able to protect her from this sickness, angry she had to attend the raid while she was still in recovery, angry that she wasn't better already... Angry he was so helpless and feeble in the past.

The raid had been a disaster for Haydée. When the challenging call had rung through the air, the fear of those she loved getting hurt had driven her from her sick bed and out onto the battlefield. In her weakened state, when she was bested, the frail woman had to practically crawl to the sidelines where she then collapsed to watch as the rest of the fights played out. Chest worked as she sought to bring her breathing under control, the effort it had taken to battle evident by the way she rapidly pants and issues intermittent coughs.

Eltrys appears, face stern and cold and she immediately crumbles, ears folding and paws drawing inward as she curls into herself, attempting to appear as small as possible. Without a word he hefts her up and she squeaks slightly in surprise as she is deposited onto his back. A cough rattles Hay’s chest and, while it has dried up, the muscles of her chest still hurt from excessive amount of effort that they have been put through these past few weeks. They move into the cave system and make it to her den where the sweet smells of fresh herbs greet her.

No words are spoken as she is lowered to her bed, body instantly relaxing against the fresh furs as a sigh of relief slips past her lips. Muscles melt as her body spreads out and she stretches her aching muscles but pulls up short when her chest twinges in displeasure. A small cough bubbles past her lips and she quickly stifles it as Eltrys approaches her, leaving a cup of medicinal tea before her without meeting her eyes and then turning away to face the fire. Anger radiates from the earthen man and Haydée’s ears fold back as she gazes down at the tea, unsure of what to say.

There is no regret for what she did and she takes a swig of the drink. Hay swallows down a tickle in the back of her throat and makes a soft sound to pull Eltrys’s attention to her. A paw slowly traces the rim of her drinking vessel and she brings her emerald gaze up level with his as she says, “If you want me to apologize for defending my family, I won’t. There was nothing but pain and bloodshed when I was leader and I refused to allow everyone to fight without me. I am getting better and I won’t sit idly by while my home is attack...”

Haydée’s words are strong, filled with determination as she speaks but, at the end she falters and drops off, her eyes falling down to the tea as she adds more softly, “I will not allow you to face challenges like that alone.” There is an unspoken vow in there, a promise to never let him face things alone so long as she is alive. Huffing a sigh, she keeps her eyes diverted down as she takes another long pull from the medicinal tea, making a face at the bitter bite of the herbs hidden within.


"Haydée Kedieo"

Speech // thought

He glared at the blaze, the heat brushing his nose and cheeks as if a punishment self inflicted. He should not have left her side... But he had not wanted to intrude beyond what was polite at the time...

He pulled himself back from the heat and closed his eyes as she spoke into the growing silence. He was about to interrupt when she continued more softly. It froze him mid turn.

The silence stretched again as he melted from his initial shock. Then slowly shifted away from the fire, half to face her, half to watch the doorway.

"I can't fault you... I won't. You responded to the call as you should." He started, his voice distant, an edge of disappointment, either at himself or the situation it wasn't all that clear to him.

Then his ice blue eyes dared to weave their way over the den and fall into her small form. He watches her take a sip fo the tea.

"Do you... Mean that?" He asked seriously, how his voice upticked in hope. Did he dare to hope? The last he knew she still hadn't made up her mind about him. Was he truly this foolish? Wasn't dogging her heels until she relented to him worse than the wait? If she admitted it now... Was it because he was too pushy? Could he trust it?