Wayfinding | Aaravos x Reader |

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 13: NAMELESS CREATURE

It was odd.

Being able to look at the man and see anything other than what he did to your parents was odd.

But the longer you remained there, listening to him rave over his trade and how you would fit in with the Smiths - it became clear to you that this was the second chance Pa talked about.

Besides, Arkeus was not a bad man. The bags under his hues suggested that he was still searching for the elves - day and night. The calluses and blisters littered over his meaty hands said he was still trying to make amends with his son. The dimples that peeked from his untamed beard said that he was gradually starting to fill the void his late husband left with your company.

Naturally, as conversations commenced until the peak of eve, you came to accept your fate. And despite the rashness of the changes, you imagined yourself getting settled very quickly. After piecing together the logistics of your stay, the blacksmith excused himself to prepare for dinner. When his heavy footsteps became one with the howls and shrieks of the ancient house, you were reminded of the night before and the talk that was bound to happen because of it. But when you turned to Uzner, you noted that he seemed reluctant or hesitant to spark the discussion. Instead, he stood by your bedside with arms crossed before his chest. With a distant and blank gaze, he chewed the inside of his cheek.

"How are your legs doing?" You inquired, briefly alleviating his anxiety.

"A lot better than I imagined. But that's all thanks to you and the Prince," Uzner replied quietly. As though on cue, he interrupted you the second you pried your lips to speak once more. "You saved my life, (Y/n) . . . The way that pawner charged at us - I thought for sure it would be the end of us. I can't thank you enough."

"I . . . it was nothing-"

"You did something remarkable last night. There's no need to be humble," Smith said, averting his orbs to you. Wonder substituted the haunted expression that once occupied his features. "Have you always been a mage?"

You swallowed the lump in your throat. "I'm not sure. I don't think I actually performed a ritual till yesterday."

"Then have you been studying it? Magic - that is." You shook your head, finding his disappointed pout charming. "Well, whatever the case it - you pretty much saved the day. The Prince was gushing about you all night long."

"The Prince?" You asked. Ashamed of the crack in your voice, your face warmed up. "What happened after I blacked out? Where's the crown? The pawner?"

"You didn't quite miss much. Once the pawner stopped choking, the Prince revealed his identity and demanded the crown to be returned. I thought the pawner would have resisted, but after what you put him through, he could barely say a word. We did everything in record time, by the way. We got to the jewler right before the crown was about to be melted."

Ease proliferated through you. "You can't imagine how relieved I am-"

"Oh, but I'm not finished. I haven't even gotten to the best part," Uzner said sarcastically, finding a seat by your legs. "The Prince absolved the pawner."

"What?!"

"Yeah, he discharged him of all charges."

"So everything we did . . . was for nothing? Your highness - or whatever you want to call him - could have literally done that way before we threw our necks under the guillotine!"

"I hear you. Trust me. Remember - I offered that option to him when we first met. But the Prince only tagged along because he thought the jaunt would be adventurous."