Elizabeth smiled at the beautiful day in Valedale. It was early morning, the birds were chirping, the breeze smelled of sweet flowers, the Silversong river flowed under the bridge, and the sun was shining without a cloud in sight. She took in a deep breath, stretching her arms out and letting the sunlight warm her skin. After a moment of standing outside of her house she stopped lollygagging and walked up the path leading into the woods. In her arms she carried a basket with a bottle tucked inside, she needed to collect dew and flowers for Avalon.
She loved how green it was near her home, the forest was vibrant with life and the song of nature. Each tree and flower reminded her of the beauty of Aideen's gift to them, and with reverence she collected dew from the sacred flowers. The Hollow Woods was peaceful, filled with quiet rustling of animals going on about their day and birds singing their songs. In the distance she could hear a horse cantering along the path, no doubt someone on an early morning ride. Elizabeth hoped it would be Rebecca, she had some things that the girl could help with.
"ACHOO!" the sound startled her so much she almost dropped the bottle in her hands, and was followed by a long series of sneezes that ended with a groan and someone blowing their nose. She looked at the rider on the now halted horse and saw Rebecca rubbing her face.
"Rebecca!" she called to the girl, getting her attention. Rebecca looked up and saw Elizabeth in the flowers. Midnightwarrior turned and trotted up to the druid, not needing any guidance from his human who was currently busy wiping her nose.
"It's a terrible day to have a cold, it is going to be such a beautiful day. So bright and green, and the flowers are all blooming, it's wonderful," Elizabeth started off apologetically before she got carried away looking at all the nature around her.
"Oh I've noticed. It's horrid," Rebecca snorted in response, digging out another tissue from a pack in her pocket. Elizabeth looked at her in shock.
"I thought you enjoyed nature, you've help me tend to the flowers so many times!" the druid couldn't help but be appalled at the idea that someone like Rebecca didn't like nature. It didn't make sense, she always helped the druids against Dark Core and Garnok, and part of that included helping nature.
"I hate it when I'm out of allergy medicine. My prescription was supposed to come in a few days ago, but my refill hasn't arrived yet," the rider explained, and Elizabeth gave an understanding 'ahh' and a nod. There was something terribly unreliable about the delivery system in Jorvik. Rebecca sneezed again and groaned, holding a tissue to her nose.
"I will not ask you to help me outside today in that case, and I hope your package comes in soon. Perhaps there is someone who needs your help indoors?" Elizabeth suggested before she tilted her head slightly. Rebecca was holding the tissue to her nose for quite a while.
"Or perhaps I can check and see if I have any recipes that will help with allergies?" she offered the miserable girl who nodded.
"That would be wonderful, allergies are a terrible thing," Rebecca said, taking another tissue from her pack. Elizabeth was startled to see bright red when Rebecca carefully removed one tissue from her nose and replaced it with the fresh one.
"Are you alright?" she demanded, eyes fixed on the bloody tissue.
"Yea, this happens every day when I don't have medication. This is why I prefer winter and fall, there isn't anything green trying to kill me. If you have some magic or potions to help I would greatly appreciate it. It's hard to ride while bleeding profusely from my nose…" Elizabeth nodded, still staring at the blood as she hastily stood and gathered her things. Rebecca just sat back on Midnightwarrior, not holding the reins at all as he followed the druid to help his rider.