Happy

Black smith

By the time Joey groggily rose from his slumber the next morning, Primrose was gone. Her side cold and the quilts made.

Confused, the man rubbed his sleep ridden eyes. His vision blurry as he heard the sound of humming.

Getting up, he slipped on a top and exited the room. Running a hand through his locks, Joey followed the humming to the kitchen. The smell of cooked food filling his nostrils.

Stopping at the doorway, Joey watched as Prim prepared his breakfast. To his surprise, there was meat on his plate. His eyes widening more as his lover added eggs, porridge and a small bowl of fruit.

"Prim? What is all of this?"

"You have a long day ahead of you. I know for a fact that you didn't sleep well last night. I could feel you tossing and turning." Prim answered as she finished setting up his food. "You need energy, it is very unsafe to work with a sluggish mind and body."

"But, my love, this is too much food. We barely make enough to fill our stomachs for the week. Meat and fruit are expensive, we can't afford to waste money on more food because of me."

"You are not the only one who makes money, Joseph." Prim frowned as she wiped her hands on her apron. "I have managed to find a temporary job for the next two weeks on Mrs Bogerty's farm. Since her son left for the capital, she has been struggling to bring in the harvest. So, she has offered a decent amount for my help. Now, come sit down and eat. I will not take 'no' for an answer."

Sighing in defeat the moment Prim put her hands on her hips, Joey shuffled towards the table and dug in. His taste buds dancing in his mouth at the different flavours. It wasn't very often they got to eat meat and fresh fruit. He felt guilty about Prim not having any.

"Have you eaten?" Joey asked as Prim cleaned up her cooking station.
"I have. I ate some left over bread and a small bowl of soup." Prim smiled reassuringly. Silence taking over as Joey hesitantly nodded in response.

After a couple of minutes, Joey finally finished up with a satisfied sigh. Picking up his plate and utensils, he placed them into the washing bowl. Kissing Prim on the cheek; Joey quickly jogged to the room to get changed, before leaving out the front door to get to work.

Entering the workshop, the familiar heat welcomed him as he started to get to work. Prepping the right metals and materials, Joey started up the furnaces with an expert hand.

It wasn't long before Prim came to say good bye. Going to Mrs Bogerty's farm for the day. Leaving with a farewell kiss and a cheery goodbye, she was gone as quick as she came. Leaving Joey to his work.

"Let's get started." He muttered to himself. Ovens, all fired up. Metals, ready to shape. All he needed now was the list.

The sound of hammer upon metal could be heard for miles. In the hours that Joey had been working, the ginger had made swords of all caliber and a few maces. His body was already feeling the repercussions of his labour, a deep sigh leaving his lips when he remembered the amount of work he still had ahead of him.

Whenever he worked, Joey always put all the energy he had into it and a little bit more. He was conscientious and paid close attention to detail.

Even if he spotted the smallest crack in the surface of a piece of metal, he worked swiftly to remove it.

Joey's weapons were renowned for their quality and endurance. Many of his loyal customers were soldiers and great warriors, and they always complimented him on his work. Going as far as to say he was better than the king's personal black smith.

Joey never believed it though. Always dismissing it with a flattered and amused smile.

Joey often found himself in deep thought when he worked. Able to split his mind several ways as he worked expertly. One part of his mind distracted, as he would still be able to concentrate on his weapon making.

This time Joey found his mind drifting to the past. His feelings mixed as random memories filled his conscious mind.

Quite a lot of the time he and Prim had spent on the streets was akin to torture. Spending days without food and water. Working hard and long days for a measly wage that couldn't even buy them a stale piece of bread. Constantly sneaking about in the shadows in hopes of stumbling upon a unsuspecting food vendor, who would be too slow to react as he is robbed blind. Times were hard. Death always seemed a close and certain friend....

However- there were good times. Little moments that even in the darkest of hours seemed to beam brightly. Reminding Joey that there was still hope in the toughest of times...

And one particular memory, stood out among the rest...