Stealing the Thief's Heart

Meeting the Rose Among the Thorns

(Rosaline Doompaw)

Taking the cloth from my apron I begin picking up the individual pieces of the cup that Matthias smashed when Imra told him she was attacked at the tavern. He was so furious when Imra explained that she had been being stalked by the person for an entire week before she confronted the thief. When confronted apparently the rogue tried to make a run for it before being caught easily by the patrol guards as they tried to leave the main part of the city. Matthias would most likely sentence that man to death by public execution. Making all of us clean up the courtyard after the fact.

Cringing at the thought of the last man he had decapitated made my stomach turn. The smell of mopping up dried blood with its copper smell that penetrates the taste buds is always more than I can handle. I didn't sleep for days after that.

Lucky for me I had found comfort in many of the people I work with including the only full blooded elvish maid who was in charge of the lot of us. Since i had started living here Eve had taken me under her wing treating me like I was her own daughter. I often questioned her motives but she would just give me a wink then continuing mothering me like an abandoned little puppy. It always surprised me because as a full blooded elf I expected her to treat me with such affection.

Being a Half-Elf was quite difficult around here. Treated like a second class citizen would be an understatement because in Amenabella Half-Elves are seen as trash to the rest. All of sold into slavery as children. I was an odd case of a girl hidden away for most of her childhood. My mother hid my existence for seventeen years. But she did it for my protection. Though frowned upon my mother fell in love with a human man. This happened while she was traveling within the material plane in an adventuring party. Coming back was the only option after the rest of her party had been slayed by Kobalts. Though heavily pregnant she had managed the trek back home and gave birth to me hiding me away from all prying eyes.

She always said how wonderful my father was while he was alive. As I got older I could always see the love in her eyes as she remembered the fond memories they shared.  Something I hope to find one of these days.

My current relationship really seemed to be going well at this point but I can not honestly tell if it will be all that my mother described but he does say he loves me. That's something right? 

"Hey Rosaline!" Eve busting into the dining room from the nearby kitchen made me jump and accidently cut my hand open. She sees my blood dripping onto the floor. Quickly she takes a cloth to my hand holding steady pressure.

"Rosaline! you need to be more careful." She scolds me with that motherly tone. When the blood stops flowing from my hand she quickly takes me over to the sink soaking it in water before wrapping it tight with fabric. "Keep it as clean as possible. I will put new dressings on it tomorrow. For now though i need you to get a room ready someone will be coming to stay here in the matter of a few days upon the request of Mr. Adjor"

"Yes ma'am" I bow down to her but she wraps me into a hug. She was trying to prove a point in private. I was free to treat her like she wasn't the boss of me.

"Eve do you know who is coming to stay here?"

"The person who is supposed to marry Cyran. I want you all to make her feel welcome because she is being forced into this." Her words broke my heart. It is a much worse fate than I would ever wish upon anyone. Cyran is such a cruel ruthless man just like his father. Years of war had made him bitter. The way he treated women was worse; he used them then slaughtered them. I can't imagine how he will treat this person who will be his wife.

"Can I do anything extra to help her? I mean... "

"She will need all the help she can get sweetheart. From what I overheard she is only about ninety three years old. So you are the closest in age to her here."
Eve places her hand on my cheek brushing away my hair.

"If anyone can help her get through the thorns it will be you, my little flower.
this was not going to be an easy walk in the garden. It was going to possibly be one of the hardest things I will ever have to witness.

~~*~~
I feel like these are kinda short chapters but I'm putting a lot of work into them because I love these characters as if they were me. (I play Hazel in dnd)
Rosaline is a sweet little bean who is going to be super important!

Anyways what do you think so far?

Comment and vote it would mean a lot to me thank you!

Xoxo Sami