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"Why should you not like me to see you so? Is it because you know I will kill the man who did this because of my love for you?" Daoine asked clearly. He had not fully registered that what he spoke was the complete and utter truth: he would hunt down the man who did this like the beast he was and kill him without hesitation. "Yes, yes, because that and because I do not want to hurt you, you who I love so well." Rowan said miserably, half crying and half sighing. With that she became smaller than Daoine thought she could become and he wrapped his arms around her while two tears escaped his eyes. "Do you? Do you really and trulyâ€|love me?" asked Rowan humbly. "Yes, but more than really and truly, wholly and completely; always and a day past forever." With his words she relaxed the last part of her into him that she had held back until she felt sureness throughout her heart and body. "Why was it not supposed to happen? Why did you not want me to see you?" Daoine quietly inquired to Rowan's head. "Why did you come here if you wished to avoid me?" "I wished not to avoid you, but to wait until these bruises had healed and then come and tell you of my love for you-I had a conversation all planned out, it was like a script. I did not intentionally wander here, actually I don't see how I could come this far in such a little time, it was like I stumbled across a short cut that had always remained hidden from me until my time of need. I intended to visit the Hedgewitch who I am good friends with, but instead I found myself here-in the barn, and in your arms." Daoine knew it must be Faerie work to transport her so quickly and so asked no more questions of the exhausted Rowan. He carried her to his room in the back of the inn and tended to her for many days. Oisin insisted that Daoine completely neglect his normal duties in the Tavern until Rowan was feeling good enough to walk. None of the regular Tavern visitors knew about Rowan's beating; they just knew she was sick from a bad cold that had gotten much worse on the journey over. The men had Daoine give her flowers they had secretly picked and same pleasing things such as a rock shaped as a heart or an old bird's nest. In time Rowan's markings did not show and she could talk and eat without pain
in her jaw, but her psychological condition was not as quick to heal.
I do not pretend to know what she was thinking, but she put on a good face
and did not complain. Maybe it would have been better for her if she had
complained, she could have poured out her worries and pains, and fears then.
But she kept it all locked up and stood proud. It only took a few short weeks
for Rowan to leave Daoine's room and get her own so Daoine could stop
sleeping on a pallet outside his former room. She helped Oisin in the bar and
tavern. And the regulars made sure no soldier ever spoke to her unless it was
to order a beer or food. She smiled less, but was grateful to her posse of
uncles. This however did not stop admirers from admiring just as a dam cannot
stop a river from wishing to overflow. Her most hidden admirer was Captain
Corf himself. He spent more time at Oisin's tavern and applied better manners
in her company. The thing was that, she did not discourage him or encourage
him. She simply acted as if she did not notice. Her spare time was spent with
Daoine and her working time was spent near Daoine. It was obvious they were
deeply in love. She acquired a silence that mirrored Daoine's and a look in
her eyes that suggested she did not quite hear you when you spoke
to her.
 
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