Disclaimer: Do we really have to do this before every chapter??? STILL not mine!
A Legend's Journey
Chapter 4
"Rest a little more. It will only take me a few minutes to put things in order and prepare some food."
She nodded as he eased her back against the pillow. He gathered some clothing and disappeared into the bathroom, shortly returning looking freshly scrubbed and wearing clean clothing identical to that which he had just removed.
Somehow she found that slightly amusing. Black boots, black pants, a thin, lightweight black sleeveless shirt. Her experience with men was severely limited, but even she knew that clothing was not high on any man's list of priorities! It seemed that nothing had changed with the passage of time.
Clothes! The soft smile on her lips vanished! 'Where are my clothes?!' She guessed she had been aware she was wearing a gown rather than the clothing she'd been wearing at the time that - - whatever it was - - happened but hadn't thought of the implication. She hadn't seen anyone else since she woke up here. Oh surely he hadn't been the one to - - oh, surely not! She felt herself blushing furiously and was tremendously relieved that he had gone into another room.
Leaving the room after his shower and shave, Auron had gone to the outer door to see if Tep or another youngster would run an errand for him. Opening the door, he was momentarily surprised to see the way blocked by a fierce-looking, blue-furred figure who stood well over seven feet tall.
"Kimahri!"
The Ronso warrior turned and greeted his friend with what only his mother or closest friends would have recognized as a smile. That strong feline face did not easily bend itself into a smile.
"Kimahri glad to see Auron. Rest well?"
"Yes, thank you, Kimahri."
Seeing the question in his friend's eyes, Kimahri said, "Healer left as sun begins. Tells Kimahri that Auron, lady must rest after Joining of Minds. Kimahri stay here; no one disturb."
Auron looked up into his friend's golden eyes, laid a hand on his shoulder and nodded. Both understood the sincere thanks in the gesture. Nothing more was required.
Kimahri then remembered the two packages in his massive paw. "Julan brings this short time ago; Kimahri to tell Auron that Healer will return." Gesturing toward the other package, he continued, "Nan leaves clothing. Kimahri to say Auron should call her to help."
Auron was deeply moved by his friend's devotion and care. The day was far gone and it was hot in this sun yet Kimahri had stood there like a rock for all those many hours guarding the door so his rest would not be disturbed. He touched his friend's arm once again and received a deep rumble in response.
As he collected the packages from the Ronso, Auron saw Nan making her way across the square towards the villa, her perpetual smile gracing her aging face. Kimahri greeted the approaching woman with a slight bow, turned to Auron and said, "Kimahri have meal now, rest. Will return." Auron nodded.
"Good day, Nan."
"Good day to you, Sir Auron. All is well?"
"Yes. Thanks to Julan's skill and guidance, all is well. We are fortunate to have him in our number."
Nan gave her own small "Hmmph". That was so like the man before her. Yes, Julan was a highly valued member of their populace, but the winds had carried whispered word of the Joining of the Minds successfully achieved by Sir Auron. And, though not a highly educated woman, she knew of the rarity of the event and the even greater rarity of its being done successfully, its extreme difficulty and its danger to both parties. As the story spread throughout Spira, Sir Auron's reputation would doubtless soar higher.
Turning to the business at hand, Nan took the packages from Sir Auron and entered the compound. Depositing Julan's package on the kitchen table, she proceeded to the small bedroom but was surprised to see it unoccupied.
With a gesture towards the larger sleeping room, the man behind her rumbled, "In there."
Oh.
A quick smile and she turned and tapped lightly on the door to the larger room.
Sir Auron's room.
So many questions were whirling through her mind. How had she even gotten to this place so far removed in both time and space? There was nothing in her experience to provide even an inkling of an answer. She had suddenly been snatched from her world and unceremoniously dropped into a strange place about which she knew nothing. She felt completely helpless and not a little frightened.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft tap at the door to which she responded with a soft, tentative, "Yes?"
Bright, bird-like eyes peeked around the edge of the door followed by a round, cherubic, smiling face framed with a curly frizz of hair that still bore traces of the red it had been in years past. "Hello! I'm Nan."
Raine instantly found herself smiling back at this cheerful person. Chattering non-stop, Nan began picking up a few things from around the room, brushing away a little lint from here and there. Somehow that chatter sounded vaguely familiar and Raine found it comforting as she watched the older woman quickly bring order to the room.
Then, hands on hips, Nan faced her and said, "Now. Let's see about getting you all cleaned up, shall we?"
The realization that Nan was the one who had been attending to her toiletry and personal care before she awoke caused an enormous wave of relief to wash over her.
Noting the expression and flush on the younger woman's face and somehow understanding the cause, Nan clasped one of the girl's hands in her two, looked into her eyes and said softly, "Oh, my young friend. You have no cause for fear while you are in the care of Sir Auron. He is known throughout all lands and is to be trusted at all times." In an awed hush, "He is a Legend even as he still lives! His name is written in our history for all times to come! He is a Warrior and Guardian."
Sir Auron? Legend? Guardian? More questions! She had no more time to ponder this strange information as Nan helped her up and steadied her as they made their way to the bathroom.
Nan's chatter was calming and Raine found herself enjoying the sound of it, though she didn't understand all that was said. The hot water of the bath was soothing and relaxing to her sore muscles. The soap on Nan's soft cloth smelled so sweet and fresh, like some sort of flower that she couldn't identify.
A thought wandered into Nan's nimble mind as she worked. Then she stopped. 'Hmmmm.'
'Hmmmmm' again as possibilities fluttered across her imagination. 'Ah, Nan, you're nothing but a hopeless romantic!'
The girl turned to her with a questioning look. "Nothing, my dear. Nothing but an old woman's silly thoughts!" she said with a smile and chuckle.
Before Raine knew it she was clean, dry, dressed, soft hair brushed into a smooth dark cascade that flowed past her shoulders. Dressed in her own clothes yet! Just wearing the familiar clothing helped establish some small bit of normalcy in her life. Nan explained that she had taken them home and washed them. What an angel this dear lady was.
Raine leaned towards the older woman and gave her a heart-felt hug in gratitude and thanks. Nan hugged her back – and Raine felt that she had just might have found the grandmother she had never had.
Nan gave her a gentle push towards the door, "Go get yourself some food. You must be famished! I'll straighten up in here."
She quickly changed linens and put the last items in order. Hurrying, she slipped out the door to return to her tent. Anya, who had the next tent, was kind and didn't mind filling in for her, but she didn't like to be away from her business any longer than necessary.