Jenny acted different. She cried all day. She didn't eat, or cook. She arrived late at work, of she never even came, and when she did, she looked like she hadn't had any sleep for days.
Will was worried about her and often came to talk to her. He tried to make her see that one day she would feel better and wouldn't feel this amount of pain if she thought about Gilan. When she heard his name, she started to cry even louder.
Jenny began to regret her decision. She knew she had hurt Gilan and was terribly sorry about that, but the worst thing was not seeing him, not feeling him, knowing that they were apart and that he wouldn't visit her anymore.
Alyss told her that it was her choice. It was up to her if she wanted him back. But the tall girl also said to her that she mustn't forget the reason of the break-up. Maybe it was best to try to forget about him, but Jenny just couldn't.
And after a few days of rethinking everything, she made up her mind. Jenny wanted Gilan back. Even if she could only see him every few months, it was better than nothing.
Gilan entered the little castle of his fief. He didn't notice the surprise at the faces of the guards when they saw him. But then again, he also didn't realise he looked like a homeless person with an alcohol addiction.
He stumbled into the grand hall, where the feast was held, with a lot more noise than the baron was used to, considering Gilan's status as one of the most silent among the rangers.
The baron immediately noticed something was off. Something was really wrong.
The guards had followed Gilan, since they were not sure if he actually was the ranger he claimed to be. Sadly, they were too late.
Gilan had reached the baron and was clearly offended by something one of the nobles had said about his appearance. He started to yell and smacked the middle-aged man in his face, causing a nosebleed which made everything look even worse.
The guards grabbed him and dragged him to a room which was connected to the grand hall, followed by the baron who looked quite upset.
"Gilan, I can't let you go on like this. I'm sorry but I have to file a complaint about you to Crowley."
The baron sighed. He and Gilan had always gone along just fine. It hurt to see his friend in this state. But he knew this was the only option to help him.
"You can't just hit one of the noblemen, because he's offended you."
"But," Gilan mumbled, "it was Jenny, he offended her. He said, he said he couldn't understand that a girl with her looks could make a man so miserable."
Gilan started to sob.
"Gilan, I know you miss her, but you have a duty to for fill. You can return to your cabin till Crowley has decided what to do with you."
The baron made a gesture to the guards, after which they helped Gilan up, with less force this time, and took him away.
The man sunk in a chair near the window and held his head in his hands. He felt old.
Jenny rode all day to get to Gilan's fief. He had taught her how to ride.
All she could think about was his handsome face, his cheeky laugh and strong arms. She remembered the way he used to look at her, and sighed. How could she have ever ended their relationship?
Jenny could see the village lying in the valley. The sky had already darkened, making the contrast with the campfires bigger. People were dancing around them, celebrating their day-off.
The girl smiled at the sight and approached the small town slowly, while looking around hoping to see a familiar figure. But she realised she would never see him, if he tried to make himself invisible that is.
Jenny left her horse at the inn and walked towards one of the campfires. She grinned when she saw a young couple kissing on the grass. The beautiful young girl disabled her from seeing the young man who was holding her in an embrace. When the girl got up and tried to help the young man to stand, Jenny froze.
She recognized the tall man, his short brownish hair and green cloak. It was Gilan, but somehow he looked strange, as if he wasn't there, not really. It was stupid of her to come here, she thought. She had been right to break-up with him. How fast did he get a new girlfriend? In a few days? A week maybe?
Their eyes met and Jenny could see his surprise, his happiness and then his pain.