Out of instinct Aelin recoiled when she felt Gale's hand reach out and softly touch her cheek. She could not remember the last time she had been touched in a tender way, probably not since her mother had died, and she had not expected such a gesture from this knight. Aelin looked up her golden eyes shimmering with the tears she was holding in, and slowly allowed herself to sink back into the position she was in before and bring her cheek back to rest against the knight's hand. Although she couldn't and wouldn't express it there was a warmth in that hand, and in that touch, that Aelin craved and desperately needed.
Aelin watched her new guardian's hand as he slowly pulled it back. She nodded in understanding as he told her that his parents had been killed by monsters as well. "I'm sorry," she whispered back in acknowledgement not trusting herself to speak in more than a whisper without breaking down herself. She nodded again appreciatively this time as Gale told her that he would take her to the barracks and get her some new clothes and a bath when she had finished. That news brought a little bit of a smile to her face. Aelin couldn't remember the last time she had a proper bath and not just a dip in a river, and gods she knew she needed it. She looked down at her clothes and knew that they were little better than rags, so that would be a welcome change as well. She took a few deep breathes to compose herself before speaking. "Thank you Sir Gale," she said simply but genuinely. She had not expected such kindness from the man in all honesty and she allowed herself to think maybe the next four years won't be so bad after all.
Aelin got another small helping of the stew, and sipped it until her tummy was fuller than she could remember it being in a long time. "I am ready Sir Gale," she announced as she wiped her mouth and finished her meal.
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