"Thank you Joanlinne, that will do."
Her maid-servant curtsied, the slender elf maiden picking up the towel and scurrying out the door, closing it dutifully behind her.
Elissa stripped off her travelling tunic and breeches, throwing them aside, and tested the water with an outstretched toe. Finding it to be within her range of liking, she slowly trod both legs into the bath and settled into the warm waters. A road weary sigh of exhaustion escaped her lips, and she leaned her head back against the edge of the tub and stared up at the ceiling, letting the warmth soak through her tired body. She sunk back, closing her emerald eyes, finding she almost wanted to fall asleep right then and there, instead of her warm, soft bed. A proper bed, *her* bed, after all this time. She wanted to forget what had happened these past few months, pretend she was a young woman in her father's court again. Finally, some time to her self, without someone expecting anything of her…
She flicked her eyes open, sitting straighter with a lap of water, and ran the scented soap down her long, smooth legs. She watched the wisps of steam rise from the tub, twisting their way and dissipating before they reached the ceiling. She rose her foot out of the water, examining her toes, before submerging it back under the surface.
She'd barely gotten out and started drying her dark hair, when she heard a rasping knock against her chamber door.
"Maker," she cursed, quickly tying the soft towel around her and making haste to the door. Holding the towel to her chest, she opened the door, staring out at whoever it was. Her brother looked momentarily shocked to see her, dripping water onto the floor and wrapped in a towel.
"Fergus?"
He grinned. "Sister, I am sorry to disturb you. I see you're… busy."
"No, never for you. What did you want?"
"Nothing so serious. I just wanted to make sure you were settling in well, and had everything you wanted."
"I'm doing very well, thank you, Fergus. Have you started your duties to Highever already? Pray not."
Fergus laughed. "No rest for the wicked. Or was it the weary. Either way, there's anything but peace and quiet in Highever these days. But do not trouble yourself about it dear sister, I'll take care of it. You of all people deserve a rest."
Elissa looked troubled. "But we only just got back! Surely you could just let one of your generals handle affairs for one night."
Fergus put his weight onto his left foot, scratching the skin of his arm awkwardly.
"You know Peth, he'd have darkspawn ruling the kingdom by breakfast if I left him in control."
Elissa chuckled. "Peth has his uses. But for this matter I agree with you, brother."
They both grinned heart-warmingly at each other, and then Fergus stood straighter.
"Come down and seek me out when you've rested. There's much to discuss."
"Of course. I will definitely." She spoke.
The two of them stood there taking each other in, still not believing the other to still be alive, before Fergus bowed, taking his leave and closing the door gently behind him.
Elissa stood there for a few moments, staring at the wood in the door. She'd never hoped in all of the past few months that her brother had lived, but the Maker had smiled upon them.
She hastily tied her bed-robe around her, collapsing on the four-posted bed and concealing herself among the pillows. She would sleep well this night, the first for a long time without any dreams of dragons or darkspawn.