Chapter 3: Deleted Scene

& I was originally going to begin chapter three like this. But then I thought it was unnecessary, nothing was really vital to the story. The only part that might be even the slightest bit important is the section in which there is a little 'closeness' between the two. But I figured all in good time right? So here's the deleted scene for your entertainment...if anyone is reading this. &

At daybreak Henduluin did just as he had planned the day before: he woke up and began to work. It was easy for him to rise that morning and he was quite pleased. He was always grateful that elves healed much faster than humans. He tried to imagine himself being confined to a bed for much longer than a day and gave thanks that he was an elf.

Though he had protested sleeping again in Valaina's bed, she had somehow managed to get him to fall asleep there again. He peeled back the quilt and got out of the double bed, reaching up to touch the bandage on the side of his head. He figured that it could probably be removed but decided that it would be better if he waited. He did not want Valaina to scold him. So he left it in place and went about getting dressed.

Valaina had fixed his shirt very well, so well in fact, that he could hardly tell that there had ever been a tear. He pulled it on over his head and was happy to feel that besides a slight soreness in his shoulder, there was no horrible ache or burning pain. He left his boots beside the bed and instead went barefoot.

The she-elf slumbering on her makeshift bed upon the floor nearly startled him. He looked down at her as she slept on her side, one arm curled around her middle while the other was hidden beneath her pillow. Her braid was loose but managed to stay in tact, hanging over her shoulder and curling around her neck. She was covered in another quilt that she had pulled from the closet. He carefully stepped over her and tiptoed towards the door. He moved slowly and took cautious steps so as not to wake her.

And he was there. His hand was on the doorknob and he was literally about to turn it when suddenly she spoke. She had heard his footsteps and knew that he was probably trying to get a head start on chores or something.

"You are not trying to escape are you?" Henduluin froze, his hand still on the doorknob. He turned around and watched as she opened her eyes and sat up, folding her arms over her chest with a lopsided smile.

"I really wasn't. I was just going to help, I want to help out." He walked towards her, stopping to stand over her. She looked up at him and saw his eyes begging for her to let him get up and actually do something. She knew what it was like to be bedridden and wanting freedom and so she sighed, faking annoyance as she rolled her eyes.

"Alright, alright. But sit down and let me take a look at your head and shoulder first." The smile still stayed on her face and so he knew that she was merely joking about being annoyed. He grinned and sat down cross legged in front of her, waiting eagerly for her to finish the inspection.

Valaina first got to her feet and wet a rag, returning to start with his head. She dabbed at the bandage to loosen it so that it would not pull out any of his hair or skin. When it was loose enough she gently peeled it off. Henduluin's face twisted into a pained expression and he sucked in air through his teeth. She drew away with wide eyes.

"Did I hurt you? I am so sorry Henduluin, let-" She stopped when he started laughing, removing the bandage himself. She figured it out at once and slapped him in the shoulder with the rag. He moved a hand to cover his shoulder.

"That really did hurt." He said between laughs. She dropped the rag and leaned forward, moving her fingertips through his scalp towards the wound.

"Serves your right." She muttered, picking the athelas leaves off of the healing skin. She was pleased to see that the area was already scabbing nicely, mostly hidden by his hair. And there appeared to be no infection either. She drew her fingers away and smiled. "Your head looks nice."

"Why thank you milady." He reached out and encircled her wrist, brining her hand back towards his face and brushing his lips against her knuckles. She batted her eyelashes at him and placed her free hand to her cheek.

"Well my lord, 'tis hard to overlook such a face." She took her hand back and continued with checking his shoulder. But he suddenly reached out and held the side of her face in one hand. She raised her eyes and saw him grinning at her.

"Aye, 'tis hard to overlook such a face." He murmured. She could feel her cheeks tinting pink as they had so many times before and returned his wide grin. His hand eventually dropped.

She cleared her throat and began the shoulder examination. He lifted his arm and she began to unwrap the bandaging that had protected the wound from being infected. She cleaned away the dried paste with the rag, carefully avoiding being too rough against his stitches.

"Your skin is mending quickly. I think I'll be able to remove the stitches within the week." She moved back, taking the soiled bandages and disposing of them while Henduluin got up off of the floor.