Heart To Heart
Elise was taken into the spare room that housed some of the female slaves. The downside with that though, was that the slaves would have to sleep in Amalie's already crowded room. They all seemed fine with this, and Amalie was too exhausted to say anything. She ended up falling asleep in her room after bathing and dressing her fellow roommates. When she awoke, it was early in the morning. She was as quiet as possible, as not to wake anyone. She got a quick wash and walked into the hall. She almost bumped into her tired brother, who could barely keep his eyes open. She had to help him into his room, so he wouldn't trip up over his roommates. He nodded in thanks and then passed out.
She visited Elise and Summer. Elise had started to produce milk not long after her baby was born, so that was a huge sigh of relief for everyone. Both were fine. Summer was a quiet baby, which was also a relief. She was now three weeks old, and her hair was slightly longer. Oren and Stephen tended to stay away, just on the off chance Summer bonded with them and thought either of them was her father. She liked Amalie, and would often reach out and grab her finger. Amalie found that adorable, but she did not feel a maternal instinct. She would do anything for the baby, but she did not feel anything maternal.
Amalie found her Father downstairs, cooking. She also saw that the slaves had taken to a bathing plan. The women would bathe first, then they would go upstairs, then the men would bathe. Stephen picked up some towels and gave them to the men, they nodded in thanks, and he walked back to the pot of beef and vegetables.
"How are Elise and Summer?"
Amalie looked to him, before cutting some bread to go with the meal. She then got some flour, sugar and oats to make some biscuits.
"Both are doing well. I feel strange though. As a woman, shouldn't I feel an instinct to help mother Summer? I mean if Elise needed to do something, and so would leave her with me".
Stephen shook his head. "Not all women do. That doesn't mean that you don't care. It just means that you haven't yet got that instinct. You are only 18. I know Elise is younger, but she had no say in the matter. Sorry, that was a horrible thing to say".
"But sadly that is true. Right, I shall take some food to Elise".
She walked out into the living room, to see the male slaves, all dressed and sitting on the various chairs around the room. She smiled as all of them had put on weight, some muscle tone too. Most had started to help with the household chores too. That gave them something to do and exercise. She then turned and was stunned to see Elise coming down the stairs, with Summer in her arms, whose eyes were gleaming in the sunlight as she looked around the room. The older woman couldn't help but smile.
"Is it okay if I eat down here?"
Amalie nodded as she pulled up a table and put a bowl of food on it. "Of course. Here, please, sit".
She did and Summer wriggled on her lap. She looked around the room, at everyone whilst the food was being handed out. The female slaves came downstairs and sat down next. They, like the men had put on weight. Everyone had food, apart from Oren, who was still fast asleep. Some would be made later for him. As everyone ate, Fenris made an appearance but ate his food in the kitchen. Amalie wondered why but didn't ask.
Afterwards, when everyone was finished, and Amalie's biscuits were handed out, she headed into the kitchen to wash up, and saw Fenris, sobbing quietly, and she felt her heart wrack with pain. She started washing up, not wanting to ask him what was wrong, but at the same time, she wanted to know so she could try and help. He was sat, hunched over, in the corner of the room. When she was done washing, she offered him her hand and he stood up and took it. When she led him into the living room, he jumped back and shook his head. She turned and panicked.
"I'm sorry! I didn't want to frighten you".
The elf was shaking, and his voice trembled as a result.
"I can't be near them. Every time I see them, I remember what I have seen being done to them. They look so, normal now, like nothing ever happened. Do they hurt? Feel the agony? My soul aches. I can't get past this. I feel safe, secure for a little while, but then I feel scared. I have no reason to be, but I still cling onto it".
Amalie sat close to him. "He kept you as his own, you were not allowed to be yourself. He tried to stop you ever having your own identity, but he failed. Look at you, stronger, braver, wiser. You have never been weak. You survived what many would not, you kept on going. It may have been through pain and hardships, and you could have given up. Accepted defeat. But you didn't. Something happened that gave you the opportunity to end his wrath and you did. You managed to do it. So, what else can you achieve?"
Fenris thought that over and knew that Amalie was right. She didn't doubt what he had been through, nor anyone else there, but they and he did survive. No one gave up, even when death clawed at them with it's evil grasp. They fought every step of the way, past Danarius and Hadriana's despicable ways. He stopped shaking, and took some deep, calming breaths.
"Amalie. You constantly believe in me, in everyone. But I am flawed, not worth any place in your thoughts".
She walked over to him and put her hands on his shoulders. "Oh Fenris. You are worth anything and everything. You are wonderful. And erm...". She blushed and he smiled. "You have beautiful, sparkling eyes that never fail to captivate myself. And you are handsome and humble".
His smile grew and he kissed her knuckles. Now she couldn't look at him. "You're making me blush".
She hugged him again and he wrapped his arms around her waist. She sucked in a breath and kissed his cheek. That made the warm, butterfly flutter happen again in his stomach, and he laughed, suddenly feeling nervous.
His serene peridot eyes sought out her warm hazel eyes, before their lips brushed again, but that went further and they kissed gently. His hand went onto the curve of her back near her backside. She pushed her hips against his and he made a surprised noise before pulling away and turning around. She blinked and sighed, leaning on the kitchen worktop, feeling as light as a feather. When that feeling faded, she quickly realised why Fenris had turned around. She felt embarrassed and hoped that no one walked in, to see them just standing there, awkwardly.
Amalie walked out of the kitchen, and sat down, embracing the warmth that flooded throughout her body. It made her a little uncomfortable, and her lower abdomen hurt as she thought of the elf's sweet lips on hers.
Fenris stayed in the kitchen, unable to think of anything but Amalie. Her soft skin, flowing, sweet smelling hair, her perfect shade of pink lips...he felt a twitch in his breeches and he didn't like it at all. It felt wrong, but she felt right.
He was as confused as ever.
