The Dawn Of Abnega

Chapter 5

AURORA

    When I wake up with the sun tickling the horizon, I find Ellio has already folded the furs I gave him to sleep with on the sofa and brought what little food I have outside to cook breakfast. He's dressed in the same clothes as yesterday and the day before and I feel a sudden rush of annoyance. Why did he not mention that he only had the clothes on his back when he arrived in my village? I guess I should have assumed as much after he said he ran here all the way from the castle but I had a lot on my mind. He didn't even bother to ask.

What a fool.

When I begrudgingly reassure him that I will have my brother find him clothes, Ellio reluctantly and guiltily asks about how to find a bath. I want to be annoyed that I have to provide everything for him, but then I remember how he grew up. He is probably used to doing everything himself and for others. I'm sure he's not very comfortable relying on me. That pulls some empathy from me since I can understand him from that standpoint. He is probably as independent as me but is forced to lean on me now that he is out of his element.

Since he will be hunting today, I reassure him that I can have bath water prepared for tonight. Even though I try not to be too tense or bitter, Ellio still thanks me repeatedly for being so generous and seems to shrink his tall posture. I can't help but wonder if he shrinks himself to be below me, like he was below the Erenell king and the queen. That definitely annoys me.

Even if I wish Ellio was not so damn tall, I don't want him to shrink and slouch. That habit will have to go away once we get some muscle on his bones so he does not give off such mixed messages.

Ellio thanks me with a soft, genuine smile and I force a halfhearted one simply to be polite. I can't help but feel guilty so it is hard to smile at him. I don't have hardly any food, only ever had enough furs for myself, and I never even offered to show him how to get water for a bath. I'm a terrible hostess but he doesn't seem to expect much. I'm sure he's just grateful to have a roof to sleep under after what he's been through but I think he deserves more than that.

I try not to get too caught up in our fumbling relationship and simply promise to be more prepared so I don't make my potential future husband miserable here. If we are truly going to attempt this relationship thing, I must put just as much effort into it as he has. He has given me his gratitude and his affection but I have done nothing to earn either. I can change that though, and I will.

Ellio will go out hunting with my brother and a few other men today while I train my students for Courtship Season. And then afterwards, we might have enough time between then and the challenges in the Martyr Pit that I can take him to the market and grab food and whatever clothing we can find. If they don't have what we need, I can always mooch off of Lyle. But my brother has many muscles so I'm sure only his clothes from his younger years would fit Ellio, if he hasn't given them awhile to other youths in the village already.

"What do you hunt for if you have the ocean for fish, healthy livestock, and merchants coming in with barrels of fruits and vegetables?" Ellio asks as we enjoy our meal by the fire in the dim morning light.

I give him a glance as I chew and take note of the way he runs his fingers absently through his curls and keeps his brows furrowed as he chews. I don't think Ellio means to frown like he does sometimes because it always disappears when he looks up at me, takes a sip of his water, or moves forward to fuss with the fire. It seems he only frowns when he is deep in thought or too distracted to realize he's doing it. He is still handsome when he frowns, though. It almost makes him look older but still aloof.

"There is good meat in the forest and up the mountain. Eating fish everyday gets old and we like meat a lot around here so we would go through our livestock too quickly if we relied on them to feed us. We do eat things like bread and fruits and vegetables, but like I said, meat is a very important part of our meals. It is hardy, keeps us full, and gives us energy," I explain to Ellio.