'
To her surprise, Rey awoke to find that she had slept the day away and yet she still felt heavy with lassitude. She was also very hungry.
With a sigh, she dressed, hoping she was in time for the evening meal, but when she went to leave her room, she found a tray outside the door, laden with cold cuts, bread, cheese, salad and an apple.
Undoubtedly it had been put together by Dopheld who was of the opinion that she didn't eat enough; indeed, some of the meat looked like it ought to have gone to Lord Ren's table, but she didn't let that stop her.
Feeling rather decadent, she went back to bed with the tray, eating as she gazed out of the window at the deepening sunset.
It was nice not to have to go downstairs, she didn't have the energy to make the journey and contend with the barrage of questions that would likely follow.
When she had eaten all she could manage, she stayed looking out of the window, her shawl wrapped around her shoulders, though, (she thought somewhat wistfully), it was not as comforting as Lord Ren's blanket had been.
'
The moon was just beginning to rise when there was a soft knock upon her door. Pulling her shawl tighter, she hesitantly answered to find Mr Hux bearing a tray with a steaming jorum on it.
He smiled slightly as he handed it to her, "Dopheld insisted you needed a posset," he explained, his smile slipped as his eyes settled on her throat and she self-consciously tucked her shawl closer.
"I hope you sleep well, Rey. If you are still unwell tomorrow, do please stay here and rest."
"Thank you, sir," she answered quietly, thankful that he hadn't made any other comment, "But I am sure I will be quite recovered. Good night."
'
Although she had never had a posset herself, she had on occasion made them for Mr Plutt, so she was curious to try it and very touched that Dopheld had made her one.
The warm sweetness of it was soothing and once she was finished she drew her curtains and settled into bed. As a result of sleeping so long, she expected to be awake for a while yet, so she opened a Penny Dreadful to pass the time, only to nod off after only a few sentences.
'
The green woods were lush around them, the trees more spread out than before and rays of sunlight filtered through the branches and bright green leaves.
Rey was sitting with her back against a large tree trunk, quite comfortable, with her bare feet resting upon a soft carpet of moss.
Perhaps five feet away, lay the wolf, a stray ray of light making his golden eyes glow and shift. His chin was on his paws as he watched her watching him - they were at an impasse, neither willing to flee or pursue, waiting for the other to make a move, yet knowing neither of them would.
It was peaceful, despite the waiting Rey was relaxed, just enjoying being there in the quiet, alone save for the wolf who was yet to make a sound.
After a while, her fingers twitched in her lap - the wolf's black coat looked so glossy and soft, it had her wondering how it would feel if she were to stroke him, and whether she would lose a hand if she tried.
His large ears flicked, as if he knew what she was thinking about, gaze steady on her as he sat up and cocked his head, as if he were asking her to try, to see, to feel…
'
A howl pulled her awake, the sound familiar and no longer holding any fear for her. Getting up, she was rewarded by a black shape on the lawn, sitting with muzzle lifted to the sky as the cry came again. She felt like she knew this animal, as if her strange dreams were true somehow and he was out there, because he was waiting for her...
Another howl had her mouth turned down at the lonely sound, and she wondered if he would run if she were to go down to him. She had no idea what it was she would do, perhaps find a bone or two in the kitchen for him? But as she turned to go, there was a flash of movement, and he was gone, a shadow lost amongst shadows.
It was probably for the best, she told herself, he was still a wild animal, after all.
'
The next day she awoke feeling well and rested and ready for work, which pleased her greatly as she hated to be idle and it felt very unfair for her to be given time off after breaking rules, when Poe and Dopheld hadn't even been allowed on the boat trip.
It occurred to her that if Lord Ren hadn't prevented them from going, she would not have had such an awful encounter with Snoke… but it would be unreasonable to blame him for that, he couldn't have known what would happen.
The bruising on her arm had faded to a lighter purple, with yellow and green beginning to show, so she assumed it was the same for her throat. She could have looked in a mirror, but for some reason she chose not to.
Unlike two days before, she made sure to do her collar up high and tight, ignoring the discomfort and hoping that it hid the worst of it.
'
"Good morning!" she sang as she cheerfully entered the kitchen, startling Dopheld and Mr Hux.
"Rey!" Dopheld's eyes roved over her form as if expecting her to be missing a limb.
"The posset was wonderful, thank you," she smiled at him and then looked at Mr Hux, "I am ready to return to my duties now, sir."
"I am very glad to see you so well recovered, Rey," he gave her a small smile, then became all business again, "I do not think the master will be downstairs till much later, so if you would, please attend to the dining room and library this morning. Dopheld, he will have his breakfast later, there is steak in the pantry."
'
Whether by good instinct or command, both Poe and Dopheld stayed off the subject of the boat trip and everything that followed, other than to say they were pleased to see her.
Rey appreciated not having to explain herself, though she knew in time she would tell them, as they were her friends… which reminded her of Rose and Paige.
Over breakfast, she wrote a quick letter, inquiring after Rose's injury and whether they were able to get home safely, but not mentioning her misadventure in case they felt guilty over letting her go off on her own.
Poe was due to head up to Dockray later that day and she gave him the letter to pass on. It did make her wonder if Rose and Paige had come upon Snoke, she thought Lord Ren would have told her if there had been reports of Snoke's death, so it was possible they had given him aid. At least she knew they had been in the company of a trustworthy man - she didn't think Captain Canady was the sort of person who would tolerate anyone who was not.
'
It felt good to clean and dust and sweep, indeed, she felt so well that Rey wondered if Dopheld had added something extra to her posset, perhaps something from Maz? Either way, she hummed as she worked, first laying a fire in the library and dining room, just in case Lord Ren came down early and was chilled.
'
When he did emerge, considerably later, he looked exhausted, much worse than she had felt the past two days. Again she wondered what sort of illness plagued him and why it had such a strange set of symptoms.
She had just finished in the dining room when he and Mr Hux entered, the latter carrying a heaped breakfast tray as the former shuffled after him.
Without a word, she silently gathered her things and made to leave. Lord Ren, whose eyes had been fixed on his food, stilled as soon as she was close, turning as if led by his nose until his eyes came to rest on her.
Bobbing a quick curtsy, she departed, his gaze a tangible warmth upon her back.
'
It wasn't long after that he entered the library where she was dusting, she hadn't realised he was there until a small sigh sounded and she turned to find him in one of the leather chairs, his huge form nestled under the chenille blanket.
His eyes were hooded but not closed, and when she went to leave, he spoke.
"Please, stay," his voice raspy and weak, "Carry on with your tasks."
Feeling a little self-conscious, she nodded and took up her feather duster once more. Not very much later, there was a soft sound and she turned to see that he was fast asleep.
As she had observed last time she found him like this, in slumber his face softened, lost its severe cast, making him seem younger and one might almost say beautiful, despite the obvious signs of illness.
Carefully, she tiptoed out, closing the door softly behind her as she went down to the kitchen.
"Are you done already?" Dopheld asked in surprise as she entered.
Rey shook her head, "No, but Lord Ren is asleep in the library and he looked so worn out I didn't want to disturb him."
Ignoring Dophelds stunned expression she took herself off to the pantry to see what was available. As Lord Ren was convalescing, she decided she would make a Brown Bread Pudding, it was a fortifying dessert, beneficial while also being appetising.
As it was eaten hot, she busied herself cleaning below stairs and helping Dopheld with the evening meal.
'
To her satisfaction and pride, Lord Ren had requested a second serving of the bread pudding, and the others enjoyed it too. It wasn't the most elegant of dishes, but it was pleasing and hearty.
Sometimes it seemed curious how Lord Ren could be so unwell, so afflicted, yet also able to eat in such quantities - the few times in her life she had been truly ill, she hadn't wanted to eat at all, nor been able to.
Still, it was good that he could, perhaps he would be even worse if he didn't eat during his monthly phases.
'
Poe had returned that afternoon with Rey's basket, and a reply from Rose, but Rey had not had time to read it till she retired that evening.
Tuesday 23rd June
My dearest Rey,
How kind of you to write, I must confess to feeling awfully foolish over the whole debacle! My ankle is a little sore and Doctor Kalonia told me that I must rest it.
It is tedious, but I am doing so, Hays is being a good boy and keeping me company, while poor Paige is single-handedly keeping the shop.
We were sorry to hear from Poe that you had taken ill after getting home, I hope whatever it is that it is of short duration. Sunday was such a lovely day until the mess at the end!
Once we are both suitably recovered, it would be lovely to see you again, we both do so enjoy your company and are so glad you came to live here, even if you do have to work for the Big Bad Wolf! (Perhaps burn this after reading, just in case he finds it and seeks retribution!)
Yours fondly,
Rose Tico
'
Rey beamed to herself, holding the paper close to her chest, she was pleased to know that Rose would recover, but especially happy to have such a lovely letter. Part of her was still surprised that Rose and Paige liked her and weren't bored in her company.
It occurred to her that Rose had mentioned nothing of finding Snoke, or his corpse in the road, so he must have escaped or been aided by someone else… unless the wolf had eaten him? She gave a small shudder and for some reason felt very sure that the wolf would not have found him palatable and would very likely have had indigestion afterwards. It was such a wicked thought a nervous giggle escaped her and she had to cover her mouth for a moment.
It seemed highly unlikely Lord Ren would ever step foot in her little bedroom, so she didn't burn Rose's letter, instead adding it to a keepsake box that resided under her bed and contained small, precious things, that would have no value to any but her.
'
They were closer this time, close enough that she would be able to touch him, if she would just reach out. He looked so sad, his eyes were closed, his head resting on his large paws again as beams of sunlight filtered over him, dust motes dancing in the light. There was no danger here, no peril, just a lonely being who looked as if he had given up, and that broke her heart, wolf or human.
With fingers that trembled slightly in spite of herself, Rey slowly reached out and tentatively touched her fingers to his head.
The wolf froze under her touch, his eyes flew open, but they were not gold but a soft, warm brown, they shifted back to gold after a moment, and he shuffled closer to her. The acceptance and obvious invitation made Rey bolder, her fingers stroking over his silky head and fluffy ears as his eyes closed again, though this time his expression was one of deep relaxation.
They stayed that way for a while, Rey exploring with her fingers and the wolf basking in the attention.
Even in the dream, her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. There was a connection between them, she felt it keenly, though what it meant she could not guess.
'
There was no howling that night, at least none that woke her. In the morning, she found herself a little concerned, was the wolf all right? What if someone had gone after him? Some hunter engaged by Snoke? The thought of him coming to harm because he had aided her, cut her deeply.
'
As usual on days like these, Lord Ren was late downstairs, when he did venture down, he was visibly drained, though he did not appear as haggard as previously.
He once again came into the library sooner than she expected, which meant he must have inhaled his breakfast.
When she was finished laying and lighting a fire, she went to leave, but he stopped her.
"Miss Johnson?"
"Yes, Lord Ren? May I fetch you something?"
"No, no…" he murmured from his chair, "I am correct in thinking you can read tolerably well?"
Rey frowned, "I can, yes?"
A huge hand waved languidly at the opposite chair, "Sit, read to me for a while."
Had she heard him correctly? "You wish for me to read to you?"
Another vague gesture and she noticed a book of poetry on the occasional table. "Yes, just for a while, if you have no objection, of course."
This was certainly not what she had been hired for, but… he had been so… kind to her, over the events of Sunday, and a small and secret part of her, longed to study his face in repose.
Feeling somewhat shy as she didn't often read out loud, she awkwardly sat in the leather chair, feeling a little like she was being swallowed by it as she tried to settle herself. It was hard to be comfortable because her feet didn't actually touch the floor, if she were alone, she would have tucked them up, but that would be unseemly in front of someone else, especially him.
"Page sixty-six," Lord Ren said quietly, his eyes already shut which made Rey feel less self-conscious.
The page in question was the beginning of The Lady of Shalott by Alfred Tennyson. Rey hadn't much experience with poetry, the author's name sounded familiar but she couldn't place it.
With a deep breath, she started to read. It took her awhile to find the right rhythm, stumbling a little here and there, though Lord Ren didn't seem offended by it.
It was a sad poem, infused with melancholia and at the line, 'She knows not what the curse may be,' she paused to glance up; Lord Ren was asleep again and she studied his face, wondering what his curse was and how it might be broken. For wasn't he locked away, like the Lady? Mysteriously hidden from the world.
With a small shake of her head, she silently closed the book and struggled out of the embrace of the chair. A small noise of distress came from the man in front of her and her fingers twitched - like they had with the wolf, wishing to sooth his frown away... Which was a grossly inappropriate urge and had her exiting the library as quickly as she could, alarmed by how close she had come and how ridiculous it was to compare Lord Ren to a wolf she had petted in a dream!
'
'
A/N: I randomly had this song pop into my head during writing this chapter: Loneliness by Tomcraft. Also, thank you so much for your best wishes for my cat, he, (Hades), is doing well now, there was an emergency appointment on Sunday for popped stitches, but he is healing up nicely now ^_^
Posset: a drink of hot milk, egg, treacle and nutmeg (particularly good for anyone ill or mentally exhausted, best taken in the evening before bed.) Jorum: a large vessel for drinking.
Authentic Victorian Brown Bread Pudding
INGREDIENTS
200g brown breadcrumbs
100g salted butter
Candied peel
Sugar to taste
1 tbsp Black treacle or black strap molasses
3 eggs
Red wine or brandy
For the wine sauce:
140ml of water
2 tablespoons of apricot jam
30g of caster sugar
A squeeze of lemon juice
A glass of sherry or claret
METHOD
Add the butter, candied peel, black treacle (or molasses) and egg yolks to a bowl of breadcrumbs. Sugar to taste (try 3 tbsp) before mixing well.
Whisk the egg whites in a separate bowl, then carefully fold them into the mixture (a little lemon juice will help the rise). Pour in the brandy or wine (as preferred) and fold into the mixture once more.
Grease your mould with butter and spoon the mixture in, being careful not to fill it to the top as the mixture will rise. Cover the open top with a disc of buttered paper, and then tie up in a cloth (or cover with foil).
Steam the pudding in a saucepan of boiling water for about an hour. Leave the pudding to sit for five minutes before serving and decorate as desired - serve with wine sauce.
