Cahpter 12

- Nelwynn's POV -

Ornelle: "Am I misunderstanding though? Nelwy seemed to be quite happy when you invited her in."

Whether it was teasing me or Landyn, I could no longer bear it. I'm sorry Landyn. Without even finishing the meal you'd offered I stormed out, running as far as my legs can take me. It's better not to be involved with a failed mage like me.

I didn't know where I was running anymore. I wasn't running home, I wasn't running back to the Magic Institute, I was simply running. I'd made my way to the forest near Landyn's village, taking rest behind the tree.

My stomach began growling once more, I should've eaten more, but how can I go back now after that? I curled up behind the tree, before I'd heard a familiar voice.

Landyn: "Nelwynn! Nelwynn!! I'm sorry fir mother's behavior, but this forest is still home to wolves, please come out!"

It was Landyn's voice, I've no idea how he'd found out I'd run into the forest, when I'd then remembered that he was the one who'd hunted the animals for the meal he'd provided. He must've followed tracks I'd left. I was happy knowing he was worried, but what if he was just doing this to toy with me, like the mages at the Institute? Like the people in my hometown?

---

I'd followed Nelwynn's tracks she'd left in her frantic bolt from the meal, finding she'd run into the forest. I've still warm meat with me and wolves inhabit these woods. Even if it isn't that deep into the forest, it's still dangerous, especially considering I've not any weapons on me.

As I approached where her tracks ended, I'd begun calling out to her, believing her to still be in the area. After about five minutes of searching and calling out to Nelwynn within the vicinity, I'd about ready to move further in to see if perhaps she'd made her way deeper into the forest. It was then that I began to hear a somewhat loud stomach growl, followed by a soft crying. I'd followed the sound of crying to find Nelwynn hidden behind a tree, noticing she'd torn some of her clothing on some of the branches, and even managed a few light cuts.

Landyn: "Nelwynn... Hey, Nelwynn?"

I'd reached out to her, trying to calm her down before having my hand slapped away by her. Then she began apeaking, still curled up, sobbing, and refusing to look at me.

Nelwynn: "Go away!"

Landyn: "Nelwynn, please, this is not a place for anyone to stay, do you want to be killed by wolves?"

Nelwynn: "Hic, it's better than dealing with the Institute again, and better than going back home."

Nelwynn had never spoken about her home, but something was bothering her. She'd spoken about being harassed by the other mages, but never spoke of her home. Clearly there were problems even in her own hometown. I'd decided to sit next to her and try to figure out what the problem at hand was.

Landyn: "I won't go away, but I won't force you to do anything either. Here, I'd grabbed some of the food you'd left behind, you should still eat."

Nelwynn: "Why should I? I'm not hungry!"

Nelwynn's stomach let out a loud grumble, I'd said nothing, as teasing her about it would do no favors, and would probably encourage her to run off again. Instead, I'd held my hand out halfway, with some of her food.

Landyn: "Please eat Nelwynn. While I may not be able to change what the mages said to you, while I may be ignorant of all your pains, I still consider you a friend. I'm not asking you to force yourself to do anything, I'm asking for you to survive. Everyone back home will be sad if you died like this you know?"

Nelwynn: "Liar."

Landyn: "I'm not lying Nelwynn, but I won't make you believe me either."

Nelwynn then finally lifted her head up, face soaked with tears. Still sobbing, she spoke to me, looking at me this time.

Nelwynn: "Why?"

Landyn: "Why what?"

Nelwynn: "Why are you doing this? I'm a failed mage, Cordell knows that too, and the only reason he speaks to me is out of pity!"

Landyn: "I'd already told you Nelwynn, you're my friend, and you're no failed mage. I might know little about magic, but none of the other mages were brave enough to lead a nigh suicidal charge on a mass of other mages and archers. No, they sat comfortably behind everyone else."

Nelwynn: "Thats-"

Landyn: "How many of those mages put their lives on the line the same way you did? How many of them could lead any number of troops to do what you did?"

Nelwynn: "But you're the one they trusted, not me... I- I was just doing what you'd instructed, hic."

Landyn: "But you did that because you trusted me then too, didn't you?"

Hearing that, Nelwynn's eyes widened, suddenly realizing that she did trust in me, though she was unsure if she'd still trusted me. quickly she looked the other way to hide her face.

Nelwynn: "I- Maybe a little."

Landyn: "Here, you still haven't eaten yet."

She looked back to see me still holding her food about halfway between us. Hesitantly she reached towards the food, grabbing it and taking small bites out of it very slowly. Then her tears restarted while she ate.

I'd pulled her in to console her, I didn't know if such was the right thing to do, but it was the only thing I thought to do at that moment. Nelwynn's blushed, still crying and eating. Pulling the morsel away to wipe away her tears and begin sobbing again.

Landyn: "I know. I'm right here."

Nelwynn: "waaaaah!"

Nelwynn began crying uncontrollably, turning her head into my shoulder while I'd comforted her.

After about 30 minutes of comforting, she'd calmed down a little.

Landyn: "Are you ready to come back?"

Nelwynn faintly, but hesitantly looked at me while I'd gotten up, holding my hand out to her. Softly, she'd reached out and grabbed my hand. After she did, I'd gently pulled her up, and we'd begun making our way back to Lodroestein, back to the house.

Nelwynn: "Landyn... T-thanks."

Nelwynn thanked me as she looked away, blushing while she did.

Landyn: "Of course! I wouldn't be much of a friend if I did nithing, now would I?

Though I wished to know more of Nelwynn, I knew that prying now would risk putting her into an unstabke state again.

Nelwynn: "I'm, you really think of me as a friend, right? this isn't some strange way of making fun of me, right?"

I stopped walking and turned back towards Nelwynn, whereupon she'd stopped as well, and looked at me, eyes wide and full of anticipation. It was then that I'd pulled her in again to hug her.

Landyn: "Does this seem like I'm making fun of you?"

Nelwynn: "I... I don't know... I suppose, not."

Nelwynn put her arms around me as well, softly putting her arms across my back. We'd stood still for another 3 minutes, hugging each other, comforting each other. Letting go after a few minutes, we'd begun to move again.

Landyn: "Come, let's go, I'm sure the others are worried about us."

Nelwynn: "I'm sorry..."

Landyn: "You've nothing to apologize for, my mother teased you, and certainly Cordell did not help. You needn't apologize for their wrongs."

Nelwynn: "But I'd so suddenly stormed out... Will it truly be fine for me to return?"

Landyn: "It is. Besides, you've some scratches, and your clothes faced some tears as well. If you'd like, I can see if mother can't let you borrow some of her clothes until yours are fixed?"

Nelwynn didn't say anything, though as I looked into the corner of my eye, I could see her smiling and blushing. After about 15 mor minutes of walking, we were out of the forest and nearing the village again. As I'd approached home, with Nelwynn in tow, I could see the others standing outside, with mother looking somewhat sullen, perhaps realizing that she bore some blame.

With that, Mother rushed forwards to hug me, and then Nelwynn, frantically apologizing to her.

Ornelle: "I'm sorry Nelwy! I didn't wish to upset you so!"

Cordell: "hmph, your mother's been crying almost nonstop since you'd taken off after Nelwynn you know. Crying that she'd hurt both you and her somehow."

Arnold: "I'm just glad you're both safe, Landyn. Though, you didn't finish your food before running off, it's a little cold now, but it's sitting on the table. Please don't waste it."

Landyn: "Yes father."

Arnold: "And, Nelwynn was it? You've still some food left, though Landyn grabbed some of it, so I presume you've already eaten the morsels he'd grabbed for you?"

Nelwynn spoke softly but answered my father.

Nelwynn: "Yes, I'm sorry for running out before finishing the meal..."

Arnold: "No need to apologize, as long as it wasn't wasted."

Nelwynn: "Yes."

Arnold: "Then you two should finish your meals. Landyn when you finish, you'll need to setup a place for them to rest. The house is too small, but I've spoken with one of the stable owners in your absence, and they'll be fine with allowing them to rest in the stables for a night."

Landyn: "Yes father."

Cordell: "Though sleeping in stables like an animal disgusts me, at least it provides some shelter against the elements, so I suppose I cannot complain too much."

Landyn: "Are such accomadations acceptable for you as well, Nelwynn?"

Nelwynn: "Ah, um, yes, I suplose that's fine."

Nelwynn and I made our way inside to finish what remained of our meals. Afterwards, i'd prepared a spare set of clothes for Nelwynn, as it turned out, father had some spare clothing left over from one of his trading ventures, and he'd little issue parting with it. Once Nelwynn had changed into them, I'd led both her and Cordell to the stables, showing them where they'd be sleeping.

Upon seeing the conditions of the stable, I'd turned towards Nelwynn to see that, while not complaining, would be displeased sleeping in such conditions.

Landyn: "Nelwynn, if you'd like, I will sleep in the stables, I'll speak to father aboht lending you my room for the night."

Nelwynn: "I- I couldn't! Then you'd be left to sleep in the stables Landyn, that isn't fair for you! Cordell and I are your guests, I won't complain over the hospitality provided!"

Landyn: "Nevertheless, I'll speak with father. If he is accepting if the idea, you may sleep in my room while I will sleep here in the stables."