After her first visit to the village, Sigrunn did her best to work up the courage to come back once every week or two- trying to take things one step at a time until she was more comfortable with the larger number of people. For the most part, though, she remained in the safety and comfort of her hilly home and the forest that surrounded it.

Eret was impressed with the effort she was making and found himself rather proud of her for taking that next step and pushing the boundaries of her comfort. He just worried that she was pushing herself too much.

On one of the days that he was due to visit her, Eret found that he was a bit nervous to see her. Since talking with Astrid about how he was when he was with Sigrunn, Eret had been wondering if she was right and he was in fact falling for her. As he made the trek towards her hilly home, he thought over what had been bouncing around in his mind for a while.

Sigrunn intrigued him quite a bit, from her wild yet gentle and kind nature to the air of mystery that hung about her. She wasn't just a stranger anymore, she had become a good friend to him in a short time but there was just something about her that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

When he neared her hilly home, he didn't see Bera anywhere nearby so he figured- like many other times- that she would be at the willow waterfall pool. Going towards the west, Eret weaved through the pine trees and tall grass.

Meanwhile, at the pool, Sigrunn swam around and enjoyed the lovely weather. It never ceased to amaze her just how lucky she was to live near something so beautiful and peaceful.

"There you are."

Sigrunn jumped a bit and turned, seeing Eret standing on the bank.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," Eret said, raising his hands up and stepping back. "I thought you might be here when I didn't see you or Bera at the hill."

Sigrunn offered him a smile, then gestured to the pool. "Care to join me?"

"I wouldn't want to intrude," Eret replied, rubbing his neck nervously.

Sigrunn shrugged and resumed swimming about. "Suit yourself."

Eret sighed and shook his head with a small smile- much as he did the first time he had found her at the pool. He undid the fastens of the thick waistband that held the sheaths for his two swords, then kicked off his boots and slipped out of his fur vest, his tunic, and pulled off the fur wristbands he wore- setting them all off to the side.

Sigrunn glanced back when she heard a splash and chuckled when she saw Eret balked slightly at the cooler temperature of the water. She waded in the deeper parts of the pool and watched him dip under the water entirely for a moment before resurfacing. "I don't know why you hesitate every time," she teased.

"Well, for all I know, you're not in the mood for visitors," Eret replied, swimming over to her. "I'd rather not assume."

"Fair enough," Sigrunn said, "but you should know by now that I'm never opposed to your company."

Eret raised a brow playfully and smirked. "You could stand to mention it more."

Sigrunn rolled her eyes and splashed him. "Oh really?"

Eret splashed her back, only to earn another in his face. He looked around and saw that she had disappeared under the water. He waited patiently, listening for any sign of her location. Behind him, a small ripple sounded, and just as Sigrunn was about to ambush him and try to dunk him under the water, he spun and wrapped his arms around her.

Squealing, Sigrunn couldn't help but blush in surprise as Eret pulled her into his arms and held her firmly against his chest. Her hands rested against his chest, feeling the toned muscles and his heart racing. She looked up at him, her blush deepening when she realized how close his face was.

Eret looked down at her, the sunlight making her hair and eyes glisten. She looked more than cute at that moment.

"W-What?" Sigrunn asked, her facing burning even as she found that she didn't mind Eret's arms around her like that.

"You've never squealed before," he replied, chuckling.

"W-Well, what did you expect? Surprising me like that, I mean really." Sigrunn glared at him a bit and stuck out her tongue as she pushed away from him and started making her way to the bank.

Eret shrugged, but his smirk remained. "What? I think it's cute." He started following after her.

"No need to tease, Eret."

"What makes you think that I'm teasing?" Eret asked, coming up behind her as she wrung the water from her hair.

Sigrunn turned to answer him but wasn't expecting him to be standing right behind her. Her face erupted with warmth again as his hands found her hips. "A-Aren't you, though?" She looked down to try and hide her embarrassment, but her eyes were drawn to the branded scar over his heart.

Eret watched as she hesitantly reached up to touch the scar, tracing it lightly with furrowed brow. He knew that she had been curious for a long time and he found that he didn't mind it at all.

Sigrunn traced the branded scar, then moved her fingers gently across his chest to the other various scars etched into his skin. When she realized she had done so without asking, she withdrew her hand and looked up. "S-Sorry..."

"It's alright."

Behind them, Bera called out and drew their attention elsewhere. Sigrunn pushed back from Eret and looked around, scanning the area for whatever caught the owl's attention. After a moment, she watched Bera take off and dive down- catching a rabbit. She let out a breath that she hadn't realized she was holding and looked back at Eret.

"Well, Eret, how would you like to spend the rest of the day?"