A cold chill fills the air of Bash and Kenna's chambers. Only a few pieces of wood remain in the modest fireplace and the once roaring fire is starting to burn out. The change in light and temperature that this has brought has gone completely unnoticed by Kenna who is staring intently out of the window. There is a letter clutched tightly in her right hand and her expression wold be almost unreadable if it weren't for the tear marks that stain her cheeks. As fresh tears begin to fall from her eyes she doesn't bother to wipe them away but her left hand moves to touch the delicate necklace that rests on her chest.

The stillness of the room is interrupted as Bash swiftly throws open the doors of their chambers. His hair is a mess and his boots and clothes are covered in dirt; evidence of the time he has spent in the woods hunting the darkness. His shoulders are slightly hunched and his arms hang heavily at his sides. Despite the air of exhaustion that clearly surrounds his demeanour there is a feeling of unrest and agitation that animates the expression in his eyes.

'I feel as though I am completely wasting my time. Not one of the villagers or Pagan families that I have spoken to is willing to help me and most will barely even talk to me at all. When I volunteered for the position of King's deputy I stupidly thought that I might actually be able to help people. But what am I supposed to do when the people that need to my help are too scared to accept it?'

Despite Bash's sudden entrance and fair from quiet rant about the unsuccessful nature of his most recent endeavour into the woods Kenna remains too engrossed in her own thoughts to notice his arrival. Kenna's unresponsiveness doesn't go unnoticed by Bash. She is the type to dole out the silent treatment but not when the situation is clearly open for her to ridicule her husband.

'Kenna?'

His initial attempt to get her attention fails and he allows a hint of exasperation into his voice as he calls her name again.

'Kenna?'

Bash sighs as he fails to get her attention one more. She is clearly intent on ignoring him and he doesn't intend on wasting what little energy he has left trying to get his stubborn wife to answer him. Instead he turns his attention to getting out of his dirt ridden clothes so that he can finally get some decent sleep. Bash hastily removes his belt and his sword and throws them to the floor. The noise that they make as they hit the cold stone finally breaks Kenna out of her trance like state. With a sharp intake of breath both of Kenna's hands goes to clutch at her chest as she spins around to face her husband.

'Bash! You almost gave me a heart attack! Would it kill you to act with at least a little more grace?'

'Perhaps not. Then again would it kill you to pay a little more attention to your husband?'

At this Kenna's expression changes from one of surprise to one of incredulity as she raises her eyebrows. Once again Bash sighs before addressing her.

'I did try to get your attention when I came in. I called your name twice but you seemed intent on failing to notice my presence.' Bash's statement causes Kenna to blush slightly as she fails to find a witty retort. Kenna shifts her attention to the small chip in the stone at her feet and takes a deep breath as she tries to fight the rush of blood that is slowly heating up her cheeks. It isn't too long before she has thought of something to say but as she lifts her gaze to look at Bash once again he chooses this moment to continue undressing. As he removes his shirt in one swift motion the heat returns to Kenna's face and the words that were on her tongue disappear leaving her mouth dry.

This time Kenna turns her attention to the slowly dwindling fire that is barely managing to heat their room. Kenna's changes in emotion have gone unnoticed by Bash who has decided to once again fill the silence that permeates the room.

'I always thought that most wives eagerly awaited their husband's safe return home.'

'Yes well perhaps I was never meant to be a conventionalwife.' As she speaks Kenna adds more wood to the fire and subtly begins to wipe at her cheeks and under her eyes to remove any trace of her tears from her face. She doesn't want Bash to know that she has been crying. She begins to smile slightly as she continues to express her sentiments. 'and perhaps 'most wives' have more to look forward to than the return of sullen face and judgemental remarks.'

This time it is Bash who raises his eyebrows as Kenna turns to face him. Taking in his expression Kenna decides to carry on with her remarks.

'But if it makes you feel any better…' Kenna shifts her expression into one of over exuberant joy as she continues to talk. 'Oh Bash how great it is to finallyhave you home. Your presence simply brightens up the room! I have missed you oh so terribly'

Bash laughs at her display of playful sarcasm and decides to play along.

'Oh yes I can see how distraught you've been during my absence. It appears that you have barely been able to keep a fire going.'

'Well how is a woman supposed to perform her wifely duties when her dearhusband is not around to appreciate them?'

'Maybe if she were not so dismissive of her servants…'

'Yes well if I wanted to overhear vicious gossip about myself I'd spend my time with the delightful ladies of French court rather than hiding out here all day.' At her confession the awkwardness that they'd been fighting against settles itself back into the air. 'Then again maybe I should call the servants back to prepare you a bath. Do you not ride by any rivers or streams on your little adventures?' As Kenna begins to walk towards the doors of their compartments Bash notices the letter that still lays on the floor by the window.

'Believe it or not but hunting down evil does not leave much time for bathing'

'Clearly.' Kenna's retort hangs in the air as she leaves the room to go and fetch whichever servants are on duty at this time.

The easy smile on Bash's face slowly drops as her begins to read Kenna's letter. Bash goes to sit down at his desk as he continues to read and his expression becomes taken over by pain and anger. Once he has finished reading he places the letter on top of the paperwork that fills his desk and slowly places his head in his hands.

Kenna bursts back into the room with a young serving girl following closely behind. At her return Bash jumps to stand up and retrieves the letter from his desk.

'Kenna?'

This time Bash's voice is strained and filled with worry as he approaches Kenna. Her eyes immediately drop to the pieces of parchment in his hand and her composure breaks; making way for the pained expression that now fills her face. At her reaction Bash's own expression softens as he reaches out for her. Kenna glances at the servant preparing Bash's bath and her whole body tenses.

'Isn't it a fine evening? I was thinking of taking a walk. I shall let you bathe in peace.'

Kenna turns around and quickly exits the room; slamming the door behind her.

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Kenna is standing by the water's edge. Her expression is calmer than before but there is still a trace of pain in the set of her eyes. She closes her eyes as she takes a deep breath and listens to the sound of the water. Bash slowly approaches behind her and slightly brushes his palm against the dip of her spine as he comes to stand beside her. Kenna momentarily relaxes into his touch. Bash looks down at her and she gives him a small smile in return before returning her attention to the water. She twists the ring that Bash gave her as she starts to talk.

'When I was younger there was this lake not far from my home in Scotland that I used to visit all of the time. Whenever I was upset I could just stand by it and listen to the sound of the water and it would never fail to relax me. I used to count down the days until summer when I could go swimming as much as I wanted. I don't know what it is about the water but I've always felt at home there.'

As she speaks she rests her head on Bash's shoulder and his arm comes to wrap around her waist and his fingers begin to gently trace the dip of her hip. It is quiet for a moment before Bash speaks.

'I'm sorry about your family. It can't be easy having them disown you like that.'

Kenna closes her eyes as her face tenses up in pain. For a moment she attempts to hold everything back but Bash's frankness made her want to open up. Kenna turns and buries her face in Bash's chest and lets the tears come. As she begins to cry quietly Bash wraps both of his arms around her small frame and rub soothing circles into her back. They stay like this for a while until Kenna decides to confide in her husband.

'I don't know what to do Bash. I never thought I could lose their love. I just want them to forgive me.'

'I don't believe that you could lose their love, Kenna, they're your family. Their forgiveness might just take time but they will forgive you I am sure of it.'

Kenna holds on to him tighter before she steps back and looks up at him.

'You really believe that?'

As Bash replies her wipes the tears from under her eyes.

'I do but then again my family has always been completely free of scandal so what would I know?'

Kenna laughs slightly as she looks down and takes one of Bash's hands within both of her own. She stares at the scar of the back of Bash's hand and begins to trace it with her thumb as she contemplates just how much she wants to share with him.

'When I have been at my lowest in this castle it has always been thoughts of my family and our home in Scotland that carried me through. I have missed my home for so long but now I fear that I will never have one to go back to.' Bash pushes the hair out of her face and tucks it behind her ear.

'You will always have a home as long as you are my wife.' The sincerity of Bash's words makes Kenna smile before she briefly captures his lips with her own.

'Thank you.'

'You're welcome.' Bash bends down to place a gentle kiss on Kenna's forehead before gesturing towards the castle 'It's late and it's getting colder by the minute are you ready to head back inside?'

Kenna nods and they make their way back to their chambers together.