Arthur paused before going into the tent. This was his chance to prove to Tinny that he could still protect her. He could hear her and the other girls giggling inside. They were carrying on like they weren't in the middle of a war. Arthur couldn't help but think it must be nice to set aside all their worries and laugh. Now it seemed criminal to interrupt with such serious talk. Tinny would forgive him.
"Girls? It's Arthur. May I come in?"
Lakche responded with her often unapologetic voice. "What do you want?"
"I wanted to speak with Tinny alone if I could?"
Darn, he shouldn't have made it a question. Now they had an easy option to turn him down.
He could hear Tinny's soft voice tell them something and pretty soon the girls all passed him. Arthur walked in to find Tinny sitting near the back. Looking at her now he wondered if she looked like their mother. Her face still managed to look innocent despite the terrible childhood she had.
"I hope I didn't interrupt anything important?" He sat down beside her and tried his best to smile.
Tinny politely smiled back and then there was awkward silence. "So…what did you want to see me about?"
Arthur took out the tome and rings. "I want you to have these."
Tinny took them gently and her eyes grew big. "Wow, Arthur, is this the tome Thoron? These rings, aren't they the valuable shield, speed, and magic rings?"
Arthur nodded excitedly. "Yep. The rings belonged to our father. Thoron belong to our mother. I inherited them before we were separated. They helped me survive in the wilderness."
Tinny shook her head and handed them back. "I couldn't possibly take them."
Arthur pushed them back. "I want you to have them. I thought that if I kept them for myself I could better protect you."
"What changed?" Tinny asked curiously.
"I see how you fight. You are very talented and I figure giving you these will do better than me getting in your way. I'll still stay close but for a different reason. I want to watch you make them pay."
Tinny quickly hugged him. "Thank you so much, brother." She whispered in his ear as tears rolled down. "This means more to me than anything."
"I'm glad." He whispered back.