Dullahan

10 - Alone - 3

It was only after the knock at the door that he realised how dark the room had become. He looked up, blinking against the darkness, staring at the door. It was not full dark yet outside, but the sun had disappeared beneath the horizon and the small room in the shadow of the castle was dark all the same.

The knock itself was quiet, accented by the muffled clatter of the trays as Wyn set down the new one, picking up the old. A moment of quiet passed, and then Eldred heard the retreating footsteps.

He waited a few moments longer after he heard the door at the end of the hallway shut again, before he carefully moved the open book from his lap, resting it gently on the bed beside him.

The tray that awaited him held what Eldred could only assume were the remains of a feast, food far richer than any he had eaten in the castle so far. He hesitated when he saw it, peering down the hallway as though Wyn might run back and proclaim a mistake. When no such thing happened, he crouched down to retrieve it, rising unsteadily in an attempt not to spill its contents.

He froze mid-way as a door opened, heart jumping at the sound. He felt only momentary relief at the realisation that it was Meirion's door that had opened, rather than the door at the end of the hallway.

The dullahan took two steps, his door clicking closed behind him, before he drew to a stop, and Eldred felt the man's attention focus to a point on him.

A moment passed, the two of them standing still, before Eldred pushed himself back into motion, taking a step backwards into Ness's room, wanting very much to be left alone.

"Hold," came the word, Meirion's voice commanding but not unkind.

Eldred found himself unable to spur himself forward, caught mid-step. He kept his head forward, staring ahead at the window, willing himself to continue, to shut the door behind him, to feign deafness for that moment. He just wanted to be alone, to be within the room and the safety that it brought. Instead, he listened as Meirion closed the distance between them, his steps soft.

"I would speak with you, Fenn, if that is alright?"

Eldred looked up toward the man, searching for something he could say that might make him turn back around and leave him be. In a moment, Meirion's demeanour changed, closing the gap between them before the boy could react, one gloved hand closing around his shoulder, the other holding his chin and tilting his face to one side.

Eldred struggled, trying to pull away. He was unnerved being so close to the dullahan, trying not to pay attention to the man's lack of head as panic flared up within him. The tray slipped from his hands, bowl clattering to the floor, water splashing the floor.

The dullahan seemed not to notice, his next words spoken with an intensity that reminded Eldred of Ness.

"How did this happen?"

Eldred blinked, unsure what the dullahan was referring to, until the side of his face twinged as Meirion's gloved fingers brushed the broken skin. The grip on his shoulder loosened as Eldred winced, as though he might break the boy further. "I- walked into a statue," he said quickly, all too aware of what exactly he was talking to, the image of Ness in the stables burned into his mind. The lie came naturally, words spoken to soothe an adult's concern. "Ran into it," he continued, "I- wasn't looking where I was going."

Immediately the dullahan drew back, a coolness washing over Eldred. He regretted telling the lie in an instant, the panic that had faltered momentarily beginning to creep back into his mind, and for the first time since he had been introduced to the dullahan he wondered if he was actually safe with the man. "I will only tell you this once," Meirion said eventually, "and I suggest you consider my words well; Do not lie to me." The silence between them held for a moment, weighing heavily on Eldred. "Let me ask you again; How did this happen?"

Eldred looked back into the room, wishing he had been quicker to retreat to safety. "It happened yesterday," he said after a moment. "But it's fine, it doesn't hurt-" he continued quickly, tugging himself free from the dullahan's grip. That wasn't a lie, as such- the bruise on his face didn't hurt unless he applied pressure. Either way, the words did not seem to trouble the dullahan as much as his first attempt had.

"Better, but not quite," Meirion said softly, "How did it happen?"

The boy shook his head. "Can you leave me alone?" he asked, taking a step back into the room, avoiding looking at the man and instead staring at the pile of books on the desk. "I just want to be left alone."

"If something within this castle has injured you, then I am obliged to investigate, if not resolve the situation so that it does not happen again. Beyond my promise to Inessa, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of those who reside within these walls," he said, and then, softer, "You will not always want to be alone, Fenn, and if someone did this to you, they might seek to hurt you further."

"It won't happen again," Eldred said- another truth, as he had no further intentions of interacting with the castle children again. Any desire to roam the castle grounds, to visit the castle gardens, had been quelled by the events of that day.

Meirion watched him for a few moments, as though waiting for him to say more. "It is not weakness to ask for and receive help, Fenn."

Eldred shook his head, trying one final time to tug away from the grip on his arm, which was deceptively firm.

"I am trying to help you, Fenn, why do you defend...?" he trailed off, and then sighed. "Do you think every dullahan solves their problems with violence?" he asked, smile creeping into his voice at the notion.

Eldred hesitated, frowning.

Meirion chuckled, "Where would we be if every slight were resolved with blood? It is no secret that most of the Fae find us disturbing- there would be no one left if we took a blade to all who did something against us. No, Fenn, no such punishment would await whoever caused this injury. It is against the very spirit of the castle to harm a guest, and a sleight to myself and Ness that you have been harmed while under our watch. I would see to it that whoever did this sees the consequences of their actions- a dock in pay, a rotation in the more unpleasant tasks of the castle, something more along those lines."

Eldred let the silence grow between them again, still unable to bring himself to look at the man, staring into the room as he ran through yesterday's events in his mind. He couldn't bring himself to feel anger at what had happened, couldn't bring himself to give up the castle children. He was an outsider in their home, and it was little more than he had experienced in his own village. He thought of Wyn, the boy's friendly smile and the begrudging cooperation of Murna and Nor as they tried to show him magic.

The pressure on his shoulder eased, and Meirion took a step away, sighing. "I cannot force you to tell me, although I do not understand why you are so determined to hide them." Eldred, suddenly free, took a step back of his own, eyes snapping back to the engraved bronze of Meirion's armour, finally finding himself able to look at the man.

The dullahan watched him for a moment, before he shrugged, moving to step around the open doorway and continue on his way. He only took a few steps before he stopped, hesitating. Eldred watched him warily. "Inessa is still young, as far as we dullahans are concerned, and she had a... difficult awakening. She lets her suspicions get the better of her at times, but at her core she is worried for your safety. Understand that she is doing what she she thinks she must to keep you from harm. This castle-" he gestured around them, "is not a safe place for you, even if it is the safest place she can give to you for now." He stood for a moment longer, watching Eldred with uncomfortable intensity. "That being said, if anything should happen to you again while you are under my watch, I will take matters into my own hands; with our without your cooperation."

The hairs on the back of Eldred's neck prickled, his shoulders tensing as the dullahan waved a hand in farewell and continued his advance down the hallway. Eldred remained in place, watching the door shut behind Meirion, before he let himself relax. He exhaled, suddenly feeling very tired, and turned back into the room.