Chapter Sixteen

Matters of the Heart

Herman sighed.

Herman sighed again.

They'd come straight back from the graveyard after the battle and got some much needed rest. At least, the others had - Herman had just struggled. He'd spent half the night turning in his bed. His bed was uncomfortable. His pillow was hard. He was too hot. Then he was too cold. His blanket wasn't long enough and it was too itchy. Then he was thirsty but couldn't be bothered to get up and get a drink because then the bed would get cold again. He rubbed his eyes and sighed a third time and realised he needed to be honest with himself.

It was Tia. Every time she'd been around he dared not move to suddenly, less his clumsiness embarrass himself somehow. He hadn't stopped thinking about her all day. She was a mystery to him. Never had he read of such beauty in all his years, and he found that exhilarating!

But Herman was coming to a sobering realisation. She was an elf, blessed to live hundreds of years whilst he was past his prime. He felt a pang of regret about his youth spent deep in musty old libraries instead of seeing such wonders for himself. Yet, by her own admission he was a subject of her interest. She wanted to know him, to write about him. "Probably just as well she doesn't want me for my holy symbol," chuckled Herman to himself.

An idea began to form in Herman's mind. It was a respectful gesture, a gentlemanly acknowledgement of his feelings.

Herman sighed again.