Hitilafu opened her eyes, looking up at the tree she had just fallen out of. Her head was foggy and her body felt heavy, but she had not managed to break any bones as far as she could tell. She struck her head on a branch on the way down, and that was what made everything so blurry and strange.
It was not something out of the ordinary. She was very clumsy and she always seemed to be falling down holes, sliding down hills, tripping over rocks, running into things. It was difficult to deal with, but nothing she did seemed to change this fact about herself. She had come to accept the truth of it and wandered through her days with the best care she could manage.
So, really, she probably should not have been in the tree.
Talfrid came upon her as he was passing through the area, not knowing she was connected to the pride he was searching for, however loosely. Her dear friend had gone to the Tokakinji, and her own daughter was a soldier there as well. But she had never been, and did not know the way to get there. Her family had promised to visit her from time to time, and perhaps she would go back with them to visit as well.
If she managed to stop falling out of trees for half a second.
The God of Chivalry moved to her side, nosing her shoulder gently with his great head. She looked at him, but his image blurred and she sighed. She did not know how long she was out after that, but she had a strange sensation of floating for a moment before she was settled somewhere soft and comfortable. She opened her eyes and everything was much clearer to her now.
She took a breath and yawned.
“Ah, you’ve woken up. How pleasant. I was worried you might have hurt yourself beyond my measure of knowledge. But it seems you are alive, and that is a very heartening development. How do you feel, my dear?” He tilted his head at her and she blinked at him. He was very large, but his face was kind and he was sitting next to her protectively. He’d moved her under some shady trees, smaller ones than the twisted, brambly one she’d fallen out of.
She blinked.
“What happened?”
“I was hoping you could tell me that one. You were laying on the ground, but there were no marks on you.”
“I think I fell from a tree…”
“Heavens,” he smiled. He had never fallen from a tree, but then, it was kind of harder when one could simply fly. He shook his head, though, feeling bad for her and knowing it had probably been a bad fall if she had knocked herself out for it. He was worried about her, but he would stay near her until he was sure she did not have any lasting injuries from the tumble, at least. He smiled at her kindly, and she smiled back. There was something easy about his air, despite how strong and impressive his power seemed to be.
She felt comfortable with him, and knew he would not take advantage of her or hurt her. Which was good, as she had enough of unkind creatures in her life. If she could only make friends and have kind acquaintances in her life she would be much happier. But she took what she could get. She was a kind lioness, and trusting, and she did her best to promote in others what she wanted for herself.
Talfrid saw good in her. He saw innocence, and the way she was looking at him only affirmed that idea in his mind. He smiled and let her rest against him. She put her head down against him and sighed, trying to think out what had happened to her.
“I was trying to get something from the tree. I do not even remember what it was now. A bird? I climbed up in the tree and inched my way across the branch and it gave away under me. I should have known better. It didn’t look very strong and I even remember thinking that it was too thin for me. But that bird was so pretty and I just wanted to… say hi. I must have been very bored. Anyway, the tree branch broke and I fell. I think I hit my head on the way down.”
“Well, it is fortunate you did not break anything in the fall, either. It seems you are alive and well. Your head will clear and you will be back on your feet. Perhaps not to climb trees any more. In any case, I will stay here and keep you company, until you are strong. Does that sound fine?”
“Yes, thank you very much. You don’t have to… uhm. Mister…”
“Talfrid,” he said. He smiled warmly and she nodded her head. She looked him over and tilted her head in wonder.
“My name is Hitilafu. You have some very nice uhm…” she motioned at his cape, not knowing what to call it. She had never seen such a thing before and she smiled at him as he smiled at her. His expression seemed to be amused by her innocence.
“Thank you. But you should rest. I will be here, until you do not need me.”
“Okay… are you sure I’ll wake up?”
“Of course you will. You did not hurt yourself so badly. Do not fear, there is no reason for it. You are well, you just need your rest now.” He was so sure and warm that she had no real choice but to trust him, and it was easy to do. She nodded her head and then put it down on her paws, sighing softly and falling to sleep quickly. He watched over her, to make sure her breathing remained regular, that nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He would stay there for hours if he had to, for however long she slept. And when she woke he would bid her adieu but not before that.
Word Count: 1,025 in Word)
