Their journey seemed to never end, at least the day took too long to end. Ezran started lagging behind out of exhaustion.
It was finally dark as they reached a small village whose dock led to, yet another lake. It seemed that right when they needed it to be light outside it wasn't. No one sailed a ship in the dark, unless they were looking for trouble. To top off their bad luck, it smelled like it was going to rain.
They stood at the edge of the docks overlooking the lake before them.
"Great, just great," Rayla commented sarcastically. "We're goin' to need to find shelter, it's gonna rain soon and we don't want to be stuck in the middle of it. Let's go, the sooner we find shelter the sooner we can eat and sleep, and find a captain to get us across this despicable liquid, first thing tomorrow mornin'."
Callum turned to face Rayla, "I don't suppose you have any ideas for where we can stay the night? Especially, a shelter that doesn't mind elves, otherwise I doubt we'll find any highly un-populated areas."
Just as he finished his sentence, He, Rayla, and Ezran heard a faint voice of middle-aged woman, who sounded as if she was looking for something or someone.
"Hello, is anyone there. Hello!" She called out.
Rayla adjusted her hood on her head, as they approached he voice.
As they neared the woman, she was revealed to be, just what she sounded like; a young middle aged woman with fair skin, dark hair, and eyes that glazed over a murky clear proving her be blind. The lady walked around with a long walking stick to feel around for where she was.
Callum walked up to her and spoke softly, "Ma 'am, Are you lost? Is there anything we might be able help you with," he gently helped her past some surrounding wooden crates.
The woman nodded in thanks and chuckled softly, "Frankly, I heard your dilemma, and was just about to ask you the same thing. I understand, you said you need shelter, and a sea captain for tomorrow morning, is that right? My husband and I would be delighted to assist you. I was actually looking for him when I heard you."
Ezran, Callum, and Rayla looked at one another and shrugged.
Rayla spoke unsuringly, "Your husband? We appreciate it, ma'am, but we would hate to intrude in your home."
"Nonsense, we've let multiple young families stay at our home in the past. Besides, you all could use some baths, fresh clothes, comfortable pillows to rest your heads upon." The young woman disagreed politely.
Both Rayla and Callum tried to reply, but Ezran beat them to it, "That sounds great, Thank you."
"It would be my pleasure, young man. Follow me," The lady turned around and slowly led them to her cottage.
As they followed behind her, Rayla leaned over to whisper to Callum, "Is she implyin' We smell?"
Callum smiled and shrugged, "I don't think she meant it like that."
"I suppose," Rayla directed her attention to the woman, "Ma'am, Shouldn't we wait for your husband? You said, you were looking for him."
The dark-haired woman replied, "Of course, I was. But knowing him, He's likely readying his ship for tomorrow's passengers. You know, cleaning and restocking below deck. He'll be back soon. Though, I appreciate the thought."
She turned around at the front of her quaint cottage, she opened the door revealing a comfortable living area with a lit fireplace.
When they walked in, they felt the warmth of the fireplace filling the room perfectly. The woman shut the door and hung her coat over a handle carved into the wall near the door.
She gestured to the fireplace, "Please sit down, you must be exhausted from your traveling."
As they did as she asked she continued, "Now we may be properly introduced, My name is Helen Kate, but you're welcome to call me Helen as you wish. What are your names?"
Callum looked over to Helen, from the fireplace to the small food prepping area in the far corner. He and Ezran sat at the fireplace saving room for Rayla who still preferred to stand. "I'm Callum, this is my little brother, Ezran, and our friend, Rayla."
Helen said in small, amused giggles, "Oh, my, Pardon me, but I assumed, the young one was your son. See, how wrong, I am! Then might I inquire, Callum, Rayla, you are or not married?"
She gained instant replies of beet red, blushing teenagers.
Callum and Rayla looked at one another, and immediately turned away. Rayla attempted to explain without stuttering and stammering over her words, "Uh, NO!! Absolutely not, we're just friends, good friends and nothin' more. Not now, not ever."
Callum agreed, "Yeah, yeah, we don't - we don't see each other that way."
With a mischievous grin, Ezran walked over to Helen and whispered, "They like each other, they just don't it, yet. Callum isn't subtle, but Rayla never seems to notice it, yet."
Helen giggled at the comment which caused two sets of eyes to go towards Ezran. Callum asked suspiciously glancing form him to Rayla, "What did you just tell her?"
The woman replied smoothly for the eight-year-old, "Not to worry, your brother merely told that you abandoned your food, so you've been eating stale food from not-so-welcoming villages, accidentally, of course. So,.. If you aren't in a relationship, how come you travel so closely with one another?"
They weren't sure if they could tell her the truth so they came up with a "believable" story.
Callum explained while rubbing his neck which Rayla thought was cute, but said nothing regarding it, "Well, uh-um, During our - our journeys to-together we've,.. um.. well, we've -- alot has happened so we figured, we should stick together."
"Yeah, Like glue," Rayla added awkwardly chuckling.
'Okay, Fair enough," Helen grinned. "Rayla, Would you mind if I asked your assistance with gathering the food and bringing it to the fireplace, it needs to cook."
"Not at all, Miss," Rayla said with a helpful smile taking some plates from Helen's bombarded arms.
Zym started jumping around and hiding excitedly and Callum and Ezran began looking for him while having their own fun, as well.
As Rayla walked over to the, now clear fireplace Rayla accidentally took her time when she stopped to steal a glance at Callum. She let out a soft sigh, as she watched him, checking him out and just generally enjoying watching him play with his little brother.
Callum didn't notice the watchful eyes on him, and this time neither did Ezran.
It wasn't, until Helen called out her name so that she could the bring last plates to her, that Callum and Ezran turned to look at her for a brief moment, and Rayla quickly turned away and delivered the last plates.
Rayla knelt down beside Helen, "Sorry, I got,... distracted." She glanced back to Callum only to look back to the fire.
Helen began speaking while she placed the food on a medal platter and placed it in the fire, "So the boys are nice. They seem to think highly of you..."
"I doubt that," Rayla mumbled to herself a little too loud, it interrupted Helen.
Helen smiled, "Well, If it counts, I know they do. Especially the older one, Callum, I believe, his name was."
"No, Callum's my friend, but no, He's not that fond of me, I'd have better luck goin' after his friend, Soren, than Callum, himself. Besides, I'm not -- I'm not the type of... person he likes. I think, I'm more of an acquaintance to him than a friends."
Helen remained silent as she pulled pieces of food from the fireplace and onto fresh clean plates.
"That's not what you meant, was it?"
"It all depends how the recipient views it."
Rayla couldn't argue with that.
When the food was ready, Helen served and while they ate she left to another room to gather some fresh handmade pairs of clothes for each of them. She shortly came out and passed them out. "Whoever finishes, first can use the shower, first. It's the second door to the right, when you reach the hall. Holler if you need anything."
They finished relatively speedily given they were starving, they sent Ezran to go shower first. And Callum and Rayla discussed sleeping arrangements with Helen.
Helen and her husband only one spare bed. They had few pillows so Bait and Zym to sleep on the floor with.
Callum insisted Rayla took the bed with Ezran, claiming he would take the chair in the living area. Rayla argued claiming she should take the chair and He and Ezran should take the bed. She was secretly planning to stay awake all night anyway, and sleeping somewhere uncomfortable would help with it if he'd let her. But on Callum's watch She wasn't going to be uncomfortable.
They bickered back and forth about who was taking the bed with Ezran and who was gonna take the chair, until Ezran came out in his pajamas and found them arguing.
Finally, He had enough, "GUYS!!! I'm taking the chair, Bait and Zym sleep better when I'm with with them. You, both can take the bed."
Rayla and Callum looked at one another not paying much attention on what that would mean.
Rayla stated, "Oh, Okay."
"So which one of you is going next?" Ezran asked firmly.
Both gestured for the other to go then they immediately hung their heads, and Ezran face palmed.
Callum smirked as he gained an idea, "Ladies first."
Rayla glared at him like he'd betrayed her, "I hate you."
"No, you don't."
She was just about to say something before she lost the words to say, so instead she lightly nudged him the elbow, "Fine, you're right. I don't," It was unfortunately true for her. She didn't hate him, and she wasn't sure, she just liked him, anymore.
With a smile, she declared, "Alright, I'll kiss you later."
She immediately realized what she'd said, "I mean, I'll see you later, sorry, I kiss-spoke."
"Mis-spoke! Bye!" She rushed to the restroom to avoid anymore mishaps. She not only couldn't speak but she couldn't keep herself from blushing a crimson, at the thought of Callum.
Callum, himself blushed at her accidental declarations. It wasn't that he minded the thought, but he "knew" it was impossible.
While Rayla showered, Callum and Helen discussed his want to pay her for her kindness. Helen assured him she didn't need payment but Callum insisted he paid her and her husband.
Shortly Helen's husband arrived and they discussed that his pictures were impressive and they were willing to take payment through some of his pictures. Helen's husband introduced himself as Patrick.
Callum was passing by to head to his and Rayla's bedroom when Rayla came out finishing the braid she was putting her hair up in. Her pajamas were a red tank top with 1" thick straps that hugged her figure accentuating it, and long, black pants. Still Rayla refused to even look at Callum while he could catch her. At the first glance Callum was checking her out, red was definitely her color.
Knowing Patrick was home, she just left to her and Callum's room. Callum headed to shower and came out quickly.
The moment he came into their room, Rayla could smell him, and she had to admit he smelled amazing. He was dressed in a mid arm sleeved, dark orange shirt and black pants.
Rayla was reading a book but sneaked glances at him when he wasn't looking.
"So how are we gonna work this out? Us sharing a bed for the night, I mean," Callum asked nervously.
"Well, simple, If you stay on the right, and I stay on the left, there shouldn't be a problem," Rayla responded plainly.
"Yeah, Oh! there is maybe something you might want to know," Callum warned in concern.
"What is it?"
"Um, Well, you know what? Never mind, I'm sure, it won't be a problem."
"Okay."
In No time everyone was sleeping, including Rayla.Rayla awoke once again instantly sitting up in the middle of the night. She looked around to find a relieving sight,... Nothing.
This time Callum noticed the sudden movement, he sat up, "Rayla, what's wrong?"
As if no longer bothered, Rayla confessed, "It's not wrong, it's just, I realized somethin' -- I love you, Callum."
Callum scooted closer to her, and said sounding relieved, "Rayla, I've wanted to tell you this, I love you, too."
With that they leaned into a kiss and their lips touched a split second before she woke again.
But something was different about this time, she couldn't sit up. Something, or rather someone was holding her down. There was a tight grip around her waist, that kept her to the bed.
Her eyes opened as she felt two arms wrapped around her waist, and someone breathing on her neck which sent a shiver down her spine when she realized who exactly she was sharing a bed with.
Immediately, She blushed a bright scarlet.
She tried to wake him softly, "Callum, you're sort of restrainin' me, Callum if you knew what you were doin' you'd have a problem."
She became frustrated with her inability to wake him. He didn't even open an eye, in response. Not like she would know if he did. She didn't want to hurt him just because he was cuddling her. That must've been what he was going to tell her, before he changed his mind. If he knew he was holding her tightly he would've let go, especially if she was uncomfortable.
Eventually she fell asleep trying to wake him, and accidentally made her way into a mutual cuddle, it was no longer just Callum holding her but she held him, too, and somehow her hands made it to comb through his hair without even noticing she was doing it.