Nor am I, she almost says. Not strong enough to step down off it, but only to chafe against it, like a wild jade to the bit. Before too very long, after all, she will have to turn back to the feast and the guests, draw the mantle of nobility back over herself, be their White Lady and their shieldmaiden. And she will do it, because there is no choice; because all that they have fought for is in that; and because it is her duty.
But right now, in this moment, she does not feel duty so heavily on her shoulders. She looks at him, at the dying sunlight reflected in his smiling eyes, and she realises that she is grateful for his presence, weary as she is. There is an honesty there - and perhaps she is only dreaming, but she feels, too, a kind of understanding.
She smiles back: a true smile, if a weary one. Her eyes are still coldly sad, but there is a hint of warmth behind them now. Raising her good hand to brush her hair back behind her ear, she clears her throat.
"Still, I would as soon cause you to endure only what you deserved." This time, she is the one to look away, closing her eyes as the wind brushes cool against her face. "And you did not deserve my anger. In truth, I think perhaps you deserve my thanks."
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sforzinda
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Date: 2021-05-25 01:04 am (UTC)But right now, in this moment, she does not feel duty so heavily on her shoulders. She looks at him, at the dying sunlight reflected in his smiling eyes, and she realises that she is grateful for his presence, weary as she is. There is an honesty there - and perhaps she is only dreaming, but she feels, too, a kind of understanding.
She smiles back: a true smile, if a weary one. Her eyes are still coldly sad, but there is a hint of warmth behind them now. Raising her good hand to brush her hair back behind her ear, she clears her throat.
"Still, I would as soon cause you to endure only what you deserved." This time, she is the one to look away, closing her eyes as the wind brushes cool against her face. "And you did not deserve my anger. In truth, I think perhaps you deserve my thanks."