Gilan duck in the corner of Jenny's kitchen, desperately trying to avoid the plates she was throwing at him.
"Please Jenny," he said, "calm down. I've missed you, can't we just talk?"
Jenny screamed at him in anger. "I'd love to talk to you, if you at least were around often enough to hear it!"
Gilan duck again, but was just too late. A cup flew against his head, leaving a sore bump.
"I'm sorry okay?" Gilan yelled, in order to be heard over all the noise created by kitchen tools flying against walls.
"I didn't mean to stay away for so long. I can't help it!"
The mission was supposed to take a month or two. But he ended up chasing the group of robbers for half a year. Maybe he could have written Jenny, Gilan thought. But then he shook his head, he never had had the opportunity to write a letter, let alone have it delivered.
Tired of all her rage, Jenny collapsed and fell on the floor, crying. Gilan quickly walked towards her and took her in his arms. She tried to push him away, but was too weak.
Gilan felt incredibly guilty for the pain he had caused her, and probably would cause her in the future. Being a ranger, it was never certain how long he'd be gone or when he'd get a new mission.
He felt her change right there in his arms. Jenny had dried her tears and looked up at him.
"Gilan, I can't do this anymore," she said softly.
Gilan got cold inside. He had been afraid of this for a long time, but now that the moment arrived, he was less prepared than ever.
"I can't worry all the time and feel powerless and scared. I can't just wait for you to come home and when you do, only think about the moment you'll be leaving me again."
She sighed. "I'm sorry, but it's over."
Jenny broke out of his embrace and walked out of her restaurant, leaving him alone with his darkest feelings and thoughts.
Gilan sat at his porch, watching the rain as it poured down, making the grass muddy and slippery. He had replaced his beloved coffee, with something far stronger. But it no longer made him feel warm on the inside, just numb.
A few days ago, Halt had visited him. He had warned him that if he didn't get on with his life and acted a bit more responsible, there probably would be consequences he wouldn't like. But Gilan could care less. He had lost the one girl he'd ever love. No one could replace her. He didn't think about his fief anymore, nor the future of Araluen. All he could think of was Jenny's beautiful face, shining like the sun when she laughed, with lively blue eyes and blushing cheeks.
Gilan took another sip from the bottle, but realised it was empty. He trew the bottle away, accidently hitting the shed Blaze stood in. The horse snorted indignantly.
Gilan had neglected her lately. She missed the breeze in her manes, while riding at full speed, and the apples he used to give her.
Gilan got up and unsteadily walked to his horse. With difficulty he could pull himself up and take seat on the horse. Blaze walked slowly to prevent Gilan from falling of; therefore it took longer than usual to get into town.
Gilan knew a nice liquor shop where he could get some new supplies, but the road was filled with village people blocking his way. Then he realized the harvest feast had started yesterday. He had completely forgotten about it.
Somewhere in his cabin lay an invitation of the baron of his fief, asking him to meet him at the banquet tonight. Gilan just now remembered this, but understood he already was late.
In a hurry, not thinking about his current state of drunkenness and filthiness, he steered Blaze in the right direction and took off to the castle.