Sinine and Lucia walked in silence for a bit, the elven maid glancing over at the content expression on the woman's face. She knew Lucia had other intentions to walk her home. She was tired, sure, but no more than any other night and Lucia would have known that since she had been her escort on nights when the healer truly needed it. Knowing her as she did, Sinine assumed Lucia wanted to talk and as they turned onto the road that led by her home her assumption was confirmed. 

“So what do you think?” Lucia asked in an excited , anticipating voice.

“Think about what?” Sinine asked, being purposely obtuse. 

Her answer got a slight shove from the other woman.  “You know what about, Alastair. What do you think? Just like I told you right?” Her tone was pushy and excited as she waited for sinines assessment. 

“Oh,” Sinine answered, feigning surprise at the question. “Yes, he seems quite nice.”

The answer was a reserved one and Lucia gave a small scoff. 

“Nice, sweet, rugged, manly, mysterious and so adorably shy,” The taller woman declared before nudging her friend again. “Come on, even you would have to admit there was something about him you found attractive.”

Sinine blushed and shrugged her shoulders without giving an answer which only seemed to egg on the teasing. 

“Come on, admit it, you find him attractive too. You know I hear he’s a bit of a bookworm just like you. You’ve got to be intrigued by that at least.” The continued prodding was accompanied by more nudges causing Sinine to fold in on herself until she was wound tight like a spring.

“Fine! I admit it! He’s very attractive!” As the words escaped Sinine blushed deeply a guilty expression on her face as she crossed her arms in a huff. “You’re so mean sometimes Lucy,” she said with a pout as she looked down, slowing a bit. 

Lucia slowed her pace as well, looking over at her friend for a moment before leaning in close to put an arm around her shoulders in a gentle embrace. 

“I’m sorry Sini, I didn’t mean to tease you like that, I just…really wanted you to like this one.” 

Sinine brought her head up a little looking over at Lucia who met her eyes for a moment before looking away embarrassed. That wasn’t something Sinine saw often, as close as they were Lucia rarely showed any sort of vulnerability and always seemed in charge and cool. Besides that she had never cared before about Sinines opinion of her lovers. Sure she would share certain details and vent every now and then but never seeking any sort of advice let alone approval. She always kept that part of her life compartmentalized, dealing with the love and loss on her own and never letting any pain, if there was any, show to her friend.

Sinine sighed and placed her arm around her friend.“I do,” she said in a reassuring tone, giving her a small squeeze as she flashed a smile.  “I do.” she repeated again in a quieter voice. although this time it wasn’t meant for Lucia and the feeling of guilt was almost suffocating and the girl didn’t know how to deal with it.

Lucia smiled back and pulled Sinine into a full hug forcing them to stop in the middle of the street for a moment. Sinine returned the hug, squeezing hard as if trying to wring the feeling of guilt from her heart. It didn’t work but the embrace did ease the tension some and the women continued on their way all hard feelings seemingly forgotten. 

“I am surprised though, he doesn’t seem like your usual type Lucy,” Sinine said as her small cottage  appeared at the top of the hill.

Lucia laughed in response, “Yeah, isn’t it great. He hasn’t tried anything yet, it’s been a long time since anyone has wanted to take it slow. Since someone wasn’t just interested in…you know.” Lucias voice grew softer and she folded her arms a brief glimpse of pain showing through in her vulnerable state. 

Sinine noticed it and reached out to snake her arm through locking elbows with the woman. 

“Well Lucy, how do you know he’s even interested at all?” The question could have been accusatory if asked wrong but from Sinine it was sweet and sincere.

Lucia shrugged, “I guess I don’t but I want to try. It might not work out, in fact it most likely won’t but… If it does, there might actually be a chance for something different.” Lucia gave a sigh then shook her head before giving the same cheerful smile she often had. “Besides, he's not completely out of my normal interests. He checks a lot of the boxes, he’s tall, rugged and has a soft spot for dreamy little bookworms like me.” She nudged sinine a little who blushed a bit as she shook her head.

“Speaking of which, do you mind if I borrow a couple of those books of yours?” The question was almost timid, asked quickly in a quiet voice as they reached the doorstep of Sinines cottage. 

The smaller maid giggled a bit and turned to face her friend leaning against the door. “My my he’s already having quite the positive influence on you.” She gave the woman a smirk and for once Lucia looked down embarrassed. 

“Yeah, yeah just figured I’d see what's so special. You don’t have to tease,” Lucia pouted and Sinine gave another small giggle as she reached out to pat Lucia's arm. 

“I’ll dig a few things up and bring them with me tomorrow. Who knows you might actually gain an interest.” 

Lucia looked up at the touch and gave a grin, “Don’t count on it little fairy one of us needs to keep their feet on the ground.” As she spoke she covered the distance to embrace Sinine one more time.“Thank you Sini, you really are the best.” 

Sinine returned the hug looking up so as not to suffocate, her face coming only to Lucia’s chest. “You too Lucy and I’m really happy for you.” 

They broke a moment later and bid each other goodnight Lucia heading back down the hill toward her own home as Sinine went inside and kicked off her boots. She only bothered lighting a single lamp using its glow to make a small snack of jam on bread which she ate as she went over her books.

She picked out a few she thought Lucia might actually like, older stories of romance and love sprinkled with bits of adventure.  Only the older books had much of that anymore and they were becoming forbidden more and more each day. She sat the selection on the table so they wouldn’t be forgotten in the morning. She paused for a moment looking at them before grabbing one off the top and bringing it to the bedroom. 

 After she had changed Sinine sat back on the bed as she finished her small meal lost in a story she had read a hundred times. The words painted pictures in her mind until she drifted to sleep. The book held close to her heart as her dreams changed the tale, casting her as the love struck princess and Alastair as her prince.