Don't Be Afraid GT

Back Home

(G/t. Don't like, don't read. Thank you!)
~~~
When Elena finally woke up again, it was just after noon, and the sun was very high up. She looked around, smiling as she found herself still on Tirion's chest. She looked up towards his face, hoping to see his gentle blue eyes watching over her and his soft smile, but she only got the smile. Tirion's eyes were closed, and his breathing was steady, suggesting that he had fallen asleep. He was unconsciously caressing her back with his fingers in a light circular motion.
She curled back up on his chest, content to just lay with him until he woke up. She listened to the sounds that surrounded her. The waterfall roared as the water splashed into the lake, and the constant chirping that the birds created. She loved the place and its peaceful environment with the addition of Tirion's presence. She really was beginning to trust him all over again, and this time, she knew why.

After a while of simply lying there snuggled happily under his hand, Tirion began to stir. Elena's eyes opened and she attempted to sit up, still a bit tired. She was surprised that she had dosed off that fast. She looked up at him to see his large blue eyes locked onto her. Being very careful, Tirion scooted back a little, resting his upper back against a tree root so he could see her without straining his neck.
Elena smiled as he sat up, looking into his eyes. She leaned into his cupped hand and rubbed her eyes.

"We slept for quite a while..." he said, chuckling softly as he watched her try to rid herself of the weariness still left in her.

"Yeah, we did." She said.

"Are we ready to go home for lunch?" he asked.

"Mmhmm, you need to show me the garden-thingy too." She replied.

"Yes I do, remind me. Otherwise I'll forget." He said with a smirk.

Tirion slowly began to sit up, gently pressing the small girl against his chest so she wouldn't fall or slip. Once he was fully upright, he pulled his hand back, letting her fall back into it. He lowered her to the ground, allowing her to step off before turning to grab his jacket and scarf which were lying on the floor. He put his jacket on and offered his hand for her again. She climbed on quickly, shivering from the cold due to the lack of warmth from him. She was pressed against him again as he stood and walked over to the thick brush.

"Hold on tight." He said.

"Ok." She said, clinging to his shirt.

Tirion sighed as he shoved his way through the bushes, carefully holding Elena close to him. Leaves hit his face multiple times, causing a slight growl in his throat. When he emerged, he pulled Elena away from his chest.

"You alright?" he asked softly.

"Yeah, I'm ok."

"Alright." He said. He raised her up to his shoulder again so she could climb on. Once she did, he delicately tucked her under his scarf and close to his neck. He could feel
her small arms wrap around his neck as she got comfortable for the journey back home.

~~~

They soon arrived back to the house, and Elena had dozed off again, unknown to Tirion. He was wondering why he wasn't hearing anything from his passenger.

"Elena...?" he asked, reaching up to gently pull her out from under the scarf. He held her in his palm and smiled softly when he saw that the girl was asleep.

He sighed and shook his head, his expression one of wonder and happiness as he watched the sleeping child. She stirred a few times, but remained asleep nonetheless.

Tirion walked over to her platform, slowly kneeling down to pull the covers back and set Elena on the makeshift mattress before pulling the fabric up to her chin. She shifted a few times before going still once again.

He pulled up a chair, being very quiet as he did so he wouldn't wake her. He grabbed a book off of his bookshelf and sat down in the chair next to the platform, opening the book. He used one hand to hold the book open, and the other to reach down and gently stroke Elena's small frame.

'Lunch can wait.' He thought to himself.

~~~

When Elena awoke twenty minutes later, she yawned and turned her head to see Tirion's finger running over her. She pulled an arm out from under the blanket and rested a hand on his finger to let him know she was awake. Tirion looked down and smiled at the sight of her tiny hand on his large finger. He found the comparison between the two remarkable.
"So, you are finally awake? You seem to sleep a lot." he said, his head tilted.

"Well, I didn't wanna sleep much 'cause there were scary things in the woods..." she said.

"Oh, so you need to get extra sleep? I see." he said, his tone sad as he remembered her story of how she got out there in the first place.

She nodded, wrapping her arms around his finger. "It was dark and scary out there. I don't wanna go back. I like this place better; it is pretty, and not dark." she said.

He nodded and smiled, glad that she liked it here. "Well, shall we head to the garden then?" he asked.

"Yeah." she said, yawning.

Tirion chuckled and gently scooped her up, along with the blanket and situated her so she would be comfortable in his hand.

He stood slowly, putting his book away and stepping out a side door, smiling at Elena's reaction to what was laid out in front of them now.