(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{From here}

Their rooms are as neat as ever but there are signs of Ragnar's presence - horn cups on the mantle, a tunic draped over the back of a chair.

Sinric guides Athelstan to sit on the edge of the bed. "Can I get you some mead? Or something to eat?"

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods and reaches for the jug and starts to pour, and then hesitates, choosing the other cup. Ragnar's cup. He brings it to Athelstan. "Drink it slowly, please?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"I promise. I don't mean to get drunk", he says with a faint trace of humour.

It's been tempting, at times, but not when Sinric's there.

[thewidewideworld]

"I'm more worried that you'll make yourself sick, if you haven't eaten in a while." Sinric explains softly.

[athelstanthescribe]

"True enough. I ate... at breakfast, but now it's the mid-afternoon there. Long enough to have an empty stomach."

[thewidewideworld]

"Then please take it slow?" He asks, gently and worried as he perches on the edge of the bed.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods a promise again, and takes a sip of the mead.

"How have things been here?"

[thewidewideworld]

"Ragnar brought baby goats for his daughter but they got loose. They caused quite a bit of trouble. But you were right, they are very cute. And they answer when you talk to them."

[athelstanthescribe]

"He wrote of them in his letter", Athelstan says with a nod. "That they got into the garden and soiled your clothes. He says I should go and visit them."

[thewidewideworld]

"Ragnar kept apologising, which was silly. They are only babies. No-one can blame them for what they can't help. Chasing them was quite entertaining."

[athelstanthescribe]

"As good a diversion as any for an afternoon", he says with a soft smile. "I hope no one was too put out."

[thewidewideworld]

"The good doctor was a little upset about the kitchen herbs being chewed on but I think they will recover." As will he.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Herbs are resilient", he agrees. "Else they couldn't be harvested and regrow as well as they do."

[thewidewideworld]

"Very true." Sinric nods. "Other than that, I've just been reading and writing my lord's story. It has been very quiet here." Waiting for Ragnar and Athelstan.

[athelstanthescribe]

"You've been waiting so faithfully", Athelstan says quietly. "To be the connection between us."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles warmly. "You know how much I care for you. That's why I wait."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I hope it may not be too much longer." For his own sake, as well as to let Sinric get back to his life.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles and leans in to kiss the tip of his nose. "It will be as long as it takes." He makes a point of sounding cheerful about it.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan appreciates the effort, and puts his arm around Sinric before he pulls away.

"In this place, it does seem easier."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric settles against him, resting his head on Athelstan's shoulder, snuggling close. "It is easier here. The bar, the library, the gardens. There's always something to do."

[athelstanthescribe]

"My hands are somewhat better, I think", he says with determined hope. "I stretch them every day and the stiffness seems less."

[thewidewideworld]

"May I see you hands?" He asks softly, holding his hands out to him.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Of course." He holds them out, the wounds unbandaged now and doing what's left of their healing in the open air.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric holds Athelstan's hands tenderly, stoking his fingers and the edges of his palm. "It's good to see how well you've healed. And you no-longer need a cane to lean on?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"The pain is so much less", he confirms, "I've dispensed with it. Sometimes I do have stabbing pains in my feet if I rest my weight wrongly, or my hands for no clear reason, but I can walk."

Nerves take longer to heal than flesh and bones.

[thewidewideworld]

"Do your muscles still ache? As they once did. Would it help if I was to soothe them?"