First Night Out

So, that was a conversation our hero would rather have avoided. Well, it's not like he could have done so for long, but... Had he gone too far, teasing Ellea like that? Sunny seemed rather upset wtih the pair of them.

Well, for good or for ill, he'd shared almost everything there was to share. Well, there was one important detail he'd managed to keep to himself; namely the 'union' with Ellea, the talking tree, and the fact that his senses seemed a bit better.

Okay, that could have been adrenaline, sure, but even at that time he was still aware of things he hadn't been aware of before. It was a little scary, truth be told, but he had tried to point out that he wasn't your typical child.

Ian shook himself, looking around. In one corner of the ruin, part of the second floor was intact, providing a small shelter. The dwarves fortified it and even expanded it a little. Two of the walls were little more than rubble, so those were rebuilt enough to last at least the night.

Really, it was quite impressive. Granted, if it rained there wouldn't be too much protection for those on watch, but most of them would be under the remnants of the second floor.

Sitting in the corner of that place, the young man was forced to sit still and stay out of trouble while the dwarves went to work.

He was waiting beside the two awkward girls in his life. One of them, well daddy would fix it. The other, well, he didn't know what to do there. Ugh... what a fine mess he was in.

"So," Sunny asked just a bit waspishly, "Would you care to tell me what you told her about... us?"

"What do you mean?" the youth asked, tilting his head to the side. "I told her our relationship was strictly physical."

She stared at him heard, glaring, "You said what?"

Ian nodded, earnestly, "I told her how we had been walking when you suddenly stole my pinkie with your own!" He squirmed just a bit, blushing furiously, "So bold..."

"B-but what about when we talked about..." she started to say, but he shushed her.

"Sh.... You know I'd never tell someone I'd just met every little detail, right? Besides, if I had known what the immediate future was going to look like back then, I'd have probably handled it better."

"Ugh... You act all grown up sometimes, but at others I swear you act like a spoiled kid."

The conversation trailed off a bit as Sunny turned to try and clear out the remnants of the fireplace along the wall. Ian turned to the elf maiden, raising an eyebrow.

"My," she replied, all innocence. "I think you might have hurt her feelings just a little bit."

"Never ask serious questions you aren't sure you wish to know the answer too," he replied, snorting. "Well, maybe I wasn't feeling fair though..." He considered the girl... she was close enough to hear them, though she seemed to be ignoring the pair.

"She your girl, then?" Ellea asked with a calm innocence about her.

He motioned for her to draw closer, then whispered quietly, "I'm pretty sure Sunny is planning to use me for something... Play nice, but I don't trust her much, nor these dwarves. They are acting kinda suspicious."

"Is that right?" she asked, speaking quietly. "If that's the case, why are you still with them? We could have avoided them."

"No... I'd rather keep them in sight until I know for sure, you know? Besides, there's an ancient Terran saying: 'Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer'."

"I've never heard that before... What's a Terran, is it at one of those schools you mentioned?"

"It's... complicated. I'll tell you all about it when we get home. Ah... as for us..."

"Ah, right... us... You said you wouldn't let me act the part of a servant, right?"

"I said a lot of things," the boy grinned impishly at her, "But that was then. I need someone I can trust and... I don't know why, but ever since that union thing, I feel like I really can trust you.

"It's... a side effect of the magic. Honestly, what were you thinking? You're a noble, right? Shouldn't you know about elves blood?"

"You make it sound like common knowledge..."

Ellea opened her mouth to retort, then paused, thoughtful. As she hesitated, Ian changed the subject. "So, we'll talk about that when we're alone too... as for us, will you be my retainer?"

"Eh? What's a retainer?"

He smirked, "A follower, someone whom I can depend on to help me. I need someone I can trust and, though I am doubting myself even while I'm asking, I need to trust someone... will you be that person for me?"

"I... That is... I've never uhm... Nobody's ever asked me to... I-is that really okay?"

"It's not only okay, it's my one freedom, the right to choose my vassals and attendants. Well, I'd think of you more as an Escort or perhaps Guardian makes more sense. I'll work on the right word later."

"Do I have to answer right away?"

"No... You can deny me whenever you want, but depending on the oath you make we may be comrades for a very... very long time."

"Oh?" she replied, looking mischievous.

"What are we talking about?" a very grumpy looking Sunny asked suspiciously as she glared down at the pair of them.

"I asked Ellea to be my best mate at the wedding," Ian replied sotto voiced.

"You what!?" Sunny asked before the elf could reply.

"I'll do it," the elf said then, nodding firmly. "Whatever you have of me, my lord, I shall strive to do my best, whether as a confidant, a defender, a guardian, or just someone to stand at your side during your wedding."

"Oh..." Ian teared up, taking Sunny's right hand in his left, then Ellea's left in his right. "I'm happy! Now to get father to agree... well, that's a problem for future me."

"It's a bad habit, saving problems for the future," the elf said seriously, "If you wish me to be serious in this role, it's only fitting I tell you to consider your actions carefully. Don't leave for tomorrow what you can solve today."

"Oh no... I've hired my own nanny..."

"Name calling won't get you anywhere," the elf said, blushing, "What's a nanny?"

"Someone who raises babies for busy parents."

"No, I refuse! I am not a nanny!"

"Governess, maybe?"

"I don't like the sound of that..." Sunny interjected.

"But a governess isn't bad, she takes charge of the education of teenaged nobles. Education, manners, etiquette, she teaches all of this and more. Medieval schooling."

"And what does an elf know of any of these things?" Sunny asked, glaring.

"Hey now," the boy said, nabbing Sunny's pack and going through it. "Don't be jealous. Our relationship is entirely platonic. Probably."

"Hey... do you want to get hurt?" Ellea interjected.

"Ugh, whatever. If she's you're 'retainer', she can carry your stuff for you."

"Elly, please... Just you asking that question hurts my heart... and sure, Sunny. Now then, what do we want for dinner?"

"Eh? Isn't Rokal cooking, tonight? We have the supplies we picked up from the Hold."

"Ah... well, if that's what you want. But, a Lord is responsible for his retainers so... Ellea, I'll make sure you're taken care of, okay?"

"Wait," Sunny interjected again, "I don't like the way you said that..."

"Relax, dear one, it's not like you aren't going to be right here, hmm? Would you mind asking the cook to boil some persimmons for me? Ah, these fruit... and a little of this mint... then strain it and bring me the juice?"

"Ah, you could just ask them..."

"I could, but they like you more. I'm a burden, right? Me and Ellea will deal with our own dinner for tonight, and breakfast too, so we won't be as big a burden on your supplies."

"That's... how are you possibly going to... ARGH! Do what you want." Sunny stomped off angrily, leaving the pair mostly alone for the moment.

"So... We can share two different meals or we can each have one of our own." Ian grinned, "Your answer determines what I'm picking for dinner, tonight."

"I say we share, then. I wonder what delights you have in your bag of tricks..."

"Well, we'll be having cheese tortellini in marinara and.. hmm... what goes good with that... Ah, Beef Ravioli! I wonder if I can remember how to make pasta so we can have it again, sometime... it tastes much better fresh."

"Eh? You... you really want me to cook for you?"

"Yes," he replied firmly, "I'll put my life in your hands, who better to trust with my food? I mean, if you can cook. I wouldn't force you to do anything you weren't interested in."

She was looking at him with shining eyes as he prepared their dinner, shaking her head quickly. "I... I really... I really would like to try!"

"So mote it be," he replied, smirking mischievously. In companionable silence, he prepared their dinner for that night, looking forward to the future with his, hopefully, trusted companion.