Bonding

Elswyth was startled at the sound of the door to the aviary opening. She supposing it was Heron come to find her, turned with a smile on her face. She was startled to see it was not Heron but a girl with brown hair.

Elswyth did know who she was at a glance, and still smiled. "You're Hazel right?"

The girl came over, and grabbed her hands. "I finally get to meet my brother's girl!"

Elswyth grinned at being called Heron's girl. "Oh, you're a sweet thing."

The younger girl laughed, then blurted out, "So when are you and Heron going to marry? I've always wanted a sister!"

"Not for a while." Elswyth glanced away. "Though I assure you we will within the next few years."

"You sound a lot more confident than my brother."

Elswyth nodded. "I think Heron is just unsure that I won't change my mind. Though, if he knew how long I've been aiming for him, I don't think he would be at all unsure. And he also is keeping in mind we aren't officially engaged so he's being careful about his wording."

"I take it you wouldn't mind if he did make it sound like you were engaged?"

"Oh, he's made it fairly clear he is going to ask me at some point." Elswyth smirked, remembering how he sometimes talked like them getting married was a sure thing, before he got embarrassed and tried backtracking. "Now what about you? I've heard you have your eyes on a certain knight."

Hazel blushed. "Asrar and I have already decided to get married. Once I talk to father I'll make it an official engagement."

"He should accept it, I'm sure."

"Even if he didn't, brother is king now." She smirked, "Technically he'd be able to give his blessing instead."

"True." Elswyth stifled a laugh. "And your father would get over it I'm sure. I mean, he's starting to accept me – as Heron's friend anyway. Not sure how he'll react to the news that Heron is planning on marrying me."

"Well, I approve!" Hazel said chipperly. "You obviously make my brother happy."

"I know." Elswyth chuckled, resisting to urge to ruffle the young girl's hair. "Once he got over the confusion and accepted that we were heading in that direction."

"How dense was he?"

"It didn't occur to him till I said something." She laughed. "I think I frightened him at first!"

Elswyth found herself enjoying talking to the young lass. She'd already liked her, from their letter exchanges, but talking to her made it even more clear. Her letters had given Elswyth the correct idea of her character.

She looked forward to acquiring a little sister. And even though Heron and her were not yet married, she already was going to start treating the girl like a sister.