A Peaceful Forgiveness

Busted

Two weeks had passed since Ayslin and August's picnic in the clearing. August had visited a couple times in those two weeks, and mostly, they had talked and gotten to know each other better. They talked about favorites, life, friends and Ayslin's family. They had been able to laugh together, and open up themselves. Ayslin was incredibly excited to see him because she finally had a regular friend, who she didn't feel like she had to ask permission to see. He simply showed up. They had unofficially agreed to meet in the clearing around noon every Friday. Otherwise, if one person met the other somewhere in the woods, they could talk. But they both knew that Ayslin wasn't always available, and August still had plenty of errands to run during the week. Ayslin had no idea what those entailed, but she didn't really care.

August was currently strolling through the trees, brushing low branches out of his face. He had caught a squirrel in one of his simple traps over the weekend, and he was practically glowing with sheer happiness. He had also gotten a letter from his older sister, which always brightened his day. He had scraped the money to buy a fresh hot roll from one of the local bakeries. He got it covered in honey, and it was absolutely scrumptious. It was quite possibly one of the most glorious Mondays he had ever lived through. And then in an instant, it all turned around.

The moment he saw Ayslin, hunched over, sobbing over a tangle of tree roots, his heart tightened in his chest and he dropped everything he was holding. Rushing over, he trampled the wildflowers in the sparse grass and gently rubbed her shoulder. Her head remained down, covered by her hands. He massaged her shoulders and tried to sooth her with soft, friendly words. He waited patiently for her to speak when she was ready. His mind swirled. What could possibly so wrong? This day was going to be magnificent. And now, it wasn't. He cared for Ayslin. He actually did, which was really a bummer because he couldn't be with her and she couldn't be with him. Also, he was fairly certain she didn't even think of him that way. Oh, it was all so confusing.

Ayslin finally lifted her head and wiped her nose on the sleeve of her white hunting blouse. She wiped her eyes with her hand until she realized that they had dirt all over them. She felt ashamed to be seen like this in front of him. She was supposed to be composed and royal and fearless. He probably thought she was such a wimp now. First she had been horribly sick, and now horribly vulnerable. She hated being vulnerable.

"Ayslin," he cooed, "what's the matter? Just tell me, it's ok."

She hesitated but, he was already witnessing it all, so there was really no reason she shouldn't explain...

"My dear friend-" she burst into another round of tears. Again, he waited for her to calm down. "My dear friend Azalea has been struck with a terrible illness! I don't know if she will make it out alive and- Oh!" She couldn't do it. She was too afraid. She was too worried. For her friend, and for herself. She didn't know if she wanted to tell him all the details, but Azalea, poor poor Azalea! "My parents will not let me go to her, for fear of me catching it, but I- They've locked me out of the stables, and I cannot walk or run all that distance by myself. It is much too dangerous. They have not let me out of the castle ever since I found out for fear of me running to her anyway. Oh, what will become of poor Azalea? If I don't get to see her porcelain face again before she is gone I will wither in sorrow!"

August thought this was a little of an overstatement, but then again, she had little friends left from the days before the attack, and the ones she did have were scarcely allowed to see her.

"I have written a letter to her in hopes that I could send a hawk from the falconry or something, but all the birds they have are delivering announcements from my parents about my supposed engagement. I don't know who Prince Hurdir Arnor is, but I hate him."