Sarah never liked Gremio. She didn't like him when she was a child in Kirov with him. She didn't like him when he came of age and left town to serve in the Succession War. And she certainly didn't like him when she saw him again, beaten and battered with time following around some young do-gooder. She brushed him off when he tried to make small talk as they did laundry together, pinched his arm when he'd force a smile when he tried her cooking, and slapped his face when he saved her from tripping down some stairs. But she found it odd. He took all of her abuse with a weak but genuine smile. He'd do kind things for her such as protect her from that lout Sheena or bring her a bowl of stew if she had to stay up late cleaning. Everyday she spent time with this man washing and cleaning. She never smiled and he kept up his quiet peace.
- - - - - -
She hid on the coast to nurse her wounded heart. She'd met him in private on the rooftop at night and asked him to be with her. He frowned, closed his eyes, and said he simply could not do that. He claimed that he is needed by Tir and couldn't make a good husband for her. She didn't understand it. He was so kind and dear to her. Eating the awful food she made him with a smile and helping her whenever he could. But he didn't even move as she walked away in tears. The sky was cloudy and the rain began to fall but she didn't want to go inside. He might be at the wash bucket, washing that wretched do-gooder's clothes. Why would she love some stupid slave? She never liked him any way…
- - - - - -
It had been three years since the war had ended and a new order was established. She lived in Gregminster at an inn, not far from his old home. But he was never there… It was raining again. She disliked the rain almost as much as she disliked him. She went out to collect the clothes from the line so they wouldn't get wet but stopped. He was there, standing soaked in the rain. His face even more worn out and scarred than the last time she had seen him.
"Sarah…"
"Gremio."
He looked down and coughed. She stood still, quivering at more than the chilly wind. Like a beaten dog, he lifted his head up a bit and stared at her weakly.
"I'm not needed any more…"
She bit her bottom lip shaking, rain dripping down her chin and slick hair. After a moment she raised her arms out to him.
"If you want… I'll take care of you."
"Thank you… I need to rest…" With those words he collapsed into her arms.
- - - - - -
She walked slowly barefoot through the grassy knoll. Her son ran ahead giggling with his blonde hair shining in the sun. Her husband limped behind on a cane, his right leg almost too damaged to use any more. They had left behind Gregminster and the memories it held for him but chose not to return to the dirty streets of Kirov. Instead they bought a house a few miles north of Sarady and opened an inn. She did all the cleaning, he cooked, and their son did what chores his little body would allow. On slow days like this one they'd take the air and walk about outside. She was happy. She had her son and a loving husband. After all, she had always liked him.
-Fin-