An Old Acquaintance

It was until a week later that Kressara and Boraden left the war camp and bid farewell to Prince Eldarion. The Gondorian and Rohan forces had crushed the Northmen Alliance nearly to a man. A devastating blow to them which would have lasting effects for generations. Boraden wanted to stop in Gehenna to see what there was to see before they continued on to Minas Tirith. He had always been curious about the village that her grandfather Conleth Phelan had built into a stronghold.

The trek south was a pleasant one with the sun shining down and blue skies as far as the eye could see. They passed a train of wounded as they hobbled their way back to Rohan and they all raised up their arms and cheered for Kressara as she passed them. That night they camped under the canopy of thick leatherleaf trees and that night Boraden made love to her on her blankets under the stars. It was no easy thing to kill the man that raised him from a babe. But he knew it had to be done and as allegiances go his was now to Kressara if not to her father the King of Gondor but that was something that would undoubtedly change in time. For now he elected to ‘not talk about it’ and Kressara did not push him to.

Gehenna’s tower guards saw them but they did not raise an alarm. Two riders hardly constitutes a danger and many people, merchants and traders came to Gehenna on a regular basis. They were stopped at the gate though, an old, grisly man in boiled leather armor opened up a small slat in the large, wood and iron gate to get a look at them.

“Who be you and what be ya business ere? This be the Crossroad Village of Gehenna and the laws of Gondor hold sway here to all who enter this gate!” He announced as if he had said the same many times before. Boraden only looked over at Kressara and did not even bother to dismount.

The war might have been over, but Kressara knew that dangers would always lurk in Middle Earth and she would not be content to just sit around Minas Tirith for the remainder of her life. She wanted to travel Middle Earth with Boraden, but for now they had earned a much deserved rest. She also very much wanted to help her husband located any information about his true parents. She did not speak to him about the killing of his adopted father, nor did she speak to him about her father and he might expect from him. Boraden had made his feelings very clear that his allegiance was to her alone and she did not question him.

On their way to the White City they decided to stop in Gehenna. She was more than happy to show Boraden the village that her grandparents had built up and lived in for so long. She knew that her uncle Beren and aunt Ithilwen were now the Lord and Lady of the village, but wasn't sure if they would be there or not. Kressara and Boraden rode at a leisurely pace and spoke about anything and everything. She had never felt closer to anyone before now, though the wound that Gowen had left was still fresh in her heart.

As they approached the gates of the village they were stopped by a older guard who clearly did not recognize her as she had not been back to Gehenna in some time. She was relaxed in her saddle, though her weapons were always within easy reach.

"I am Princess Kressara of Gondor. Daughter of King Elessar and Queen Nauriel. My grandparents are Conleth and Serethiel Phelan. My husband, Boraden, and I are just here for a visit."

Kressara's voice was pleasant, but firm at the same time. The voice of a true princess and warrior.

The old man seemed to take his name looking at her when she identified herself as Princess Kressara. He also spared a look at Boraden too, obviously they had not heard that Kressara had gotten married. “Well, you were but a wee lass the last time I sawr ya, Lord Beren and Lady Ithilwen are not here but we remember Princess Kressara,” he said and whispered to others that were near him behind the gate. The small porthole closed and almost immediately the gate brackets were shifted and the massive gates began to open. “Do ye wish an escort Princess? I believe you know where the Lord’s manor is? I ain’t moved since I was a young lad meself,” He cackled and as they rode in the gate was promptly shut behind them. Even from where they were it was obvious that Gehenna had changed a great deal. Cobbled roads, stone buildings and tiled roofs were everywhere she looked at people moved here and there en masse and gave the picture of a bustling city instead of just a crossroad village. High up on the hilltop was where her mother had been born, the manor in which her Grandfather had built or her grandmother, Serethiel. Above it amongst the trees she could see the large treehouse he had built especially for her. Boraden rubbed the back of his neck obviously uncomfortable with so many people in a small area.

“An ale would suit me well Kressara,” Boraden said. “There are several Inns and Taverns in Gehenna,” The old guard said from behind them. “The Traveler’s Roost has a fine ale and some of the best rooms in the village. It’s to the east three streets over. If your into a fine, large hearth and large common room, the Maiden’s Rest is straight down this street 2 blocks,” he suggested and Boraden seemed to smile at that but he only turned to look at Kressara and let her decide.

Kressara's eyes gazed about as the gate was opened and they were let through. She had not been back to the village in several years and both she and the village had changed quite a bit. She had heard that her uncle Beren and aunt Ithilwen were making improvements, but she was extremely impressed. Her gaze soon fell upon the manor up on the hill that overlooked the entire village. She had been impressed with it as a child and she was still impressed now. It warmed her heart to think that her grandfather had built it specifically for her grandmother. Everyone also knew that it was the house in which her mother, who was now the Queen of Gondor, had been born. This village was also where her mother had first met her father before leaving with him to fight in the War of the Ring. Her aunt Lindariel had also been born in this village and was now the Queen of Rohan. Many people flocked to Gehenna simply for these reasons. Great strength, bravery, and resilience had been born here and Kressara was more than a little proud to be apart of such an incredible family.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by Boraden's voice requesting an ale. She normally stayed in the manor when she came to Gehenna and wasn't overly familiar with the Inns and Taverns here. However, the guard made two good suggestions. She could see from the slight smile Boraden gave at the second suggestion that that was the one he would prefer. "I think Maiden's Rest sounds perfect. Thank you for the suggestion."

The road was wide enough for several horses to ride along side one another and it was a rare thing for people to pass by Kressara without bows, curtsies or all out gawking. She wasn’t unknown here by any means but she had changed a great deal. She had grown and wore a sword on her shoulder. That and leather armor. She had a cloak but it had no Gondorian livery or anything to announce who she might be. She and Boraden too could pass for nobles but nobles did not normally wear weapons and were usually accompanied by guards as well.

Boraden dismounted and removed his saddle bags. He moved over to Kressara’s horse as she dismounted and removed hers as well and tossed them all over his shoulder. It was a large bundle but he managed it easily and followed her into the Inn.

The Inn was made of large, polished oak and it had the smell of pipe smoke and ale. A woman in a yellow dress played a hammer dulcimer on a small stage at the far end and the bar was situated to the right of the doors along the wall. There were tables and chairs, most of them unfilled at this time of day and two large hearths with pillowed chairs and benches along with small shelves of books on the wall next to them. Boraden gave Kressara a pleased smile and he stepped up to the bar.

The Innkeeper was a short, plump fellow with large jowls that hung down from his cheeks and chin. He was balding with graying tufts of hair on the sides. He smiled at them and stepped up to the bar as he dried a large mug with his clean, white apron.

“Well, hello mistress...and sir. If ya need rooms I aves several dependin on the color of yur coin and the finest baths in the village,” he said as he smiled at them. “Just one room, your finest and a large bath sounds...agreeable,” Boraden said and though he didnt look at Kressara, she felt what he felt through the bond. Enough to make her cheeks catch fire. As he began to haggle with the Innkeeper on the prices Kressara noticed that there were an unusual number of Gondorian soldiers in the Inn. In fact, the only people besides them were soldiers, obviously off duty right then but it was an odd sight nonetheless.

Kressara stepped with Boraden through the doors of the Inn and was pleased by what she saw. The Inn was clean and filled with light. It felt comfortable with the fire burning in the large hearths and pillowed chairs. There was even a bookcase filled with books. It was all Kressara could do from walking over to it and pulling one off to read. She hadn't read a book in so long that she couldn't even remember the last one she had read. However, she had a feeling that Boraden was going to keep her far too occupied tonight to even have time to think about reading. Those thoughts were confirmed after Boraden asked for their finest room and a large bath. She felt her cheeks start to warm and a small grin tugged at the corner of her lips.

As Boraden haggled with the Innkeeper over the prices Kressara looked around the room again and took notice that there were quite a few Gondorian soldiers in the Inn. The village was in the kingdom of Gondor, but she felt it was quite unusual for so many soldiers to be here at once. Had they stopped here as well on their way back to the city? She approached a higher ranking soldier, who was playing cards with a few others.

"Excuse me. I was wondering why there are so many soldiers here in the village. Are you all on your way back to the city?"

The soldier had a silver lanyard on his shoulder that folded under his arm and rested on his chest. He had short, dark hair and a mustache and goatee that gave him a sharp, intelligent look. At her approach the other men at the table stood up immediately with him standing only moments later and they all nearly gawked at her.

“U...my lady...uh...errr...um...Princess Kressara…” He said nervously then stealed himself. “We are a training detachment from Gondor. We’re training this rabble...uh...I mean..the Gehenna militia how to repel a siege should it ever happen. Upon hearing her name spoken aloud the room suddenly became a cascade of men shifting their chairs back and standing. “We’re all off duty my lady, I assure you,” He said trying to maintain a leisure smile. But then his expression changed as if a thought had just come to him.

“If you’re here to see Captain Gowen Tricande, He’s at the Traveler’s Roost with his lady wife, Lady Emarelle,” He said and bowed to her. Kressara had met Emarelle and her family before at a ball in Minas Tirith. She had deep blue eyes and hair that was a mass of red gold curls.

Kressara glanced around the room as all of the soldiers suddenly stopped whatever they had been doing and stood up as they realized who she was. She gave a small nod to them. It was often difficult for her being a princess and a fighter. Soldiers were never quite at ease around her, unless they knew her quite well and the atmosphere of a room such as this always changed when she was recognized. However, she did appreciate their respect.

She looked back at the soldier she had addressed and wasn't entirely surprised by his answer. As Gehenna became more populated and richer it became a bigger target. Her grandmother had countless stories of attempted raids and she and her grandfather had tried quite a few themselves to fight. She was about to thank him for his information and return to Boraden when the soldier suddenly mentioned a name she had not expected to hear...Gowen. A deep ache remained in her heart caused by him. She had thought for so long that he was the one from her visions. She had loved him and he her and together on the battlefield they had been incredible. She still remembered receiving that letter from her mother telling her he had married. Oh, how she had cried. Her sobs had wrecked her body until it ached and there were no more tears left to cry. And now, when she had found her true happiness with Boraden, he stepped back into her life.

She gave a small nod. "Thank you." She then looked at the rest of the soldiers. "Please, be at ease." As they all sat back down she returned to Boraden. "Were you able to get us a room?"

Boraden flashed an irritated look at the Innkeeper who slid coins off of the bar with a finger. By his pleased expression he had gotten the better of Boraden on the prices. “Tis highway robbery Kressara,” He grumbled and moved to pick up the saddlebags. He hefted them on his shoulder and handed her an iron key to their room. “It’s up the stairs to the left, the last room,” he said and smiled at her.

Just as the bartender had said, the room was quite spacious and clean with a large bed though not a 4 poster as what one might expect in the ‘best room’ of an Inn like this. It had its own fireplace and ample chests and closets to stow all of their clothes and gear. Boraden laid the saddlebags across the back of a large chair and then began to disrobe. “Ive been dying to get this armor off!” He said with a grin and before long he was naked fishing through their bags for his clean, white shirt and black pants that fit hugged his butt and thighs like a glove. With just his pants on he washed the dust from the road off of his face then doused his entire head into the basin and toweled off. He felt her examine his shoulder with her hands and winced when it appeared that there might be some infection. The deep cut that had been sewed was red and angry. Luckily Gehenna had some of the very best healers and the healing house had grown a great deal since she had last been here. “Nothing that a few pints of ale wont fix. Well that and a tussle with you in that bed,” he said with a chuckle. He was an uncouth man but his love for her was a bonfire through their bond. “I intend to get quite smashed tonight and have at you until sleep takes me,” He said as if it was just something that was going to happen.

Kressara walked up the stairs first with Boraden behind her carrying the bags. She found the room and unlocked the door and they stepped inside. The room was nicer than some of the inn rooms she had been in before, though it certainly wasn't a room in a palace. However, it was clean and comfortable with fresh looking sheets and towels. There was also plenty of storage for their clothes and a private fireplace and bath.

Kressara removed her weapons and set them by the bed within arms reach. She then loosened her hair from the braid it had been in and combed her fingers through the dark waves as Boraden began to change out of his armor. His body was firm all over and just looking at him standing there naked brought carnal desires into the forefront of her mind. However, as he began to rinse himself off in the wash basin she took notice of the wound on his shoulder that he had received in Rohan. It was not healing as she would have liked and she decided that tomorrow she would have him properly examined by a healer. Tonight though she wouldn't bother him about it for tonight there were other things on her mind. His words caused her to grin and laugh and her eyes shone with love for him.

As he turned around to face her she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him rather deeply. As she pulled back she grinned at him. "Well then I think you should head back downstairs and get us some ale...and some food too."

Boraden smiled and nodded to her command then left her to freshen up as he went down in search of food and drink. In just under 20 minutes he opened the door and stepped inside with a large tray. There was ham, cheese, fruit, nuts, bread, pie and a large pitcher of ale with 2 boiled hide mugs. He set the tray on the long table that sat in front of the small sitting area in their room then filled the mugs with the ale. He loved watching Kressara wash. Her body had a lithe, graceful look to it but there were visible muscles too that gave her a dangerous hardness with little bodyfat that he could see. “Pie and ale dearest,” he said and prepared them a plate each, a little bit of everything then moved to side down in one of the chairs. He sighed once he stretched out his long legs in front of him, his plate in one hand, his mug in the other. Boraden was obviously older than Kressara but she didn’t seem to mind that. Infact she didn’t much seem to mind much of anything that he was which surprised him. She was much different than he thought a princess was as well so he supposed in that regard, they were pretty even. He was not a ‘proper’ noble or anything and she didnt seem to expect him to be.

“I dont know much how to be anyone other than myself Kressara. When we meet the King and Queen...you’ll have to coach me on how to act..maybe what to say too,” He said in between bites. He ate quickly though he always seemed to. As if there was always little time for such things as washing or eating. He did take his time when he made love to her though. Well...sometimes he did.

After Boraden went to go get the ale and food, Kressara took some time changing out of her armor. She laid it all carefully on one of the chairs and got out a robe to put on after she was done washing. With a smile she considered that there was little point in putting on any other clothes. She left her hair down and used a sponge to gently scrub away the dirt and dust from her body. Kressara was still quite young, only in her very early 20s, and her body was lean and subtly toned. There were a few scars on her body from battles, but it only added to her overall quality instead of subtracting from it.

She heard Boraden come back in and then felt him pause to watch her after setting down the tray. She was not shy around him and let him see her in her entirety without shying away. She was exposed and vulnerable and somehow it only brought them closer together. She picked up her robe and put it on, tying it loosely around her waist. She walked over to her plate of food and began to eat, but much more slowly than Boraden. She picked up a few red grapes and ate them one by one.

"I can teach you whatever you would like me to, but I don't want you to have to feel that you need to pretend to be someone else for my parent's sake. I married you...not them. You are my happiness and carry my heart with you. It would upset me for you to be uncomfortable."

“Oh...really? Then perhaps I shant meet your parents after all,” Boraden joked but then cleared his throat when she gave him a wry look. “Well...I didn’t really make a very good impression on your brother...I feel as if your parents may only see me as a Northman as well,” He said thoughtfully as he popped a grape into his mouth. “A man deeds should define who and what he is not his title or station,” He said. “But it doesnt seem that the world works like that...most of the time,” Boraden said and set down his empty plate and picked up his mug.

“I cant say that killing all those men was wrong...The clans had it coming to them but once a man throws down his sword he is well and truly out of the fight. I saw so many of them being cut down as they ran…” He began but then sighed. “As I say, I do not make judgements,” he said deciding that bringing this up now was not what he really wanted to do right then. He shifted toward her setting down his mug on the table and went down onto his knees before her as she ate in the chair across from him. She caught a glance of his face and he truly did look tired. Weary as if he was troubled by what he did. He was troubled but only time would heal this wound. He untied her robe and was happy that she did nothing to stop him. He moved his hands to her hips and slid her down a bit in the chair. She continued to chew on a grape as he lowered his head down between her legs and availed himself of her middle as she ate...or tried to eat anyway.

Later that night while they both laid in the bed Boraden refilled her mug and then his own with what was left in the pitcher. Her body was covered by a thin, white sheet but he could clearly see the shape of her beneath it. He was under the sheet to his waist and he took a long drink from his mug. “You are...so beautiful Kressara. I sometimes wake up with a start thinking that this all has been a dream and that once I wake i'll find that none of this ever happened,” He said worriedly. It was one of the reasons he made love to her so often...besides the fact that she made him feel so good.

Kressara knew that the orders her father had given were not ones that he normally gave. The circumstances surrounding the Northmen's defeat had been driven by anger by her father, when he normally didn't let his emotions get to him when it came to battles. The difference had been that his wife, her mother, had been purposefully poisoned by the Northmen and had very nearly died. The Northmen had also broken promises and treaties, but that hadn't made it any easier for Kressara to watch as they were killed. However, it was not her place to question her father's orders. She wanted Boraden and her father to at the very least get along since she was close with both of them. She hoped her father would see past the fact that he had been raised by the Northmen and would welcome him into their family. Boraden needed time to heal...they both did and tonight was the start of that healing process.

Sometime later Kressara lay in their bed with Boraden beside her. Her robe had long since been discarded onto the floor and what little clothing Boraden had been wearing lay strewn about as well. Kressara sat up a little as Boraden handed her a refilled mug of ale. She took a small sip and then placed it over on the small table beside her. She listened to his concern and then gave him a loving smile before leaning over and kissing him gently a few times. "I have had the same thought...but this is no dream. It is more real than anything I have ever experienced before. We belong together you and I and I will love you in this world and in the next."

Boraden looked at her and didn't seem completely convinced. “Right now...its just you and I but the world will not look upon us as we do. People see what they want to see Kressara, not what they want us to see. I am no lord and regardless of whats in here,” He said and took her hand and placed her palm upon his bare chest. He had hair there, soft and dark and his chest was damp from sweat and very warm. She could feel his heart beating against her palm. “They will see an outlander. I will ‘try’ not to balk against that preconception. I will not act out or prove them right. But I am who and what I am and thats what the world will need to accept,” He said and hoped she understood. He would not act out and give her family reasons to dislike him but sometimes people just made judgements based on their bias and misconceptions and there was little they could do about that. This was not going to be easy for either of them but he was willing to try...for her, not for himself.

Boraden did have a kind of presence about him. More than his height, more than how he was dressed or the fact that his sword marked him out as a fighting man. His gaze seemed to delve into people. Draw them either to him or away from him just from his demeanor. Her father had that ability where Eldarion did not which likely meant that whomever Boraden’s true parents were they had more of the Dunedain blood in them than what she might have initially thought. And then something else occurred to Kressara. If that was so, if he was like her father how could he looked like he does and only be in his thirties?

Kressara and Boraden made love again before they both fell asleep in each other's arms. Very early the next morning she awoke and found him still asleep. She did not disturb him, but just studied his face as he slept. More and more she found herself convinced that he was of Dunedain blood. The Dunedain was a very old and prestigious bloodline with certain traits that defined them. She could see those traits in Boraden. His bloodline didn't truly matter to her, she would love him no matter what, but she wanted him to know where he came from. She hoped that her parents would help them in this endeavor.

When he awoke they made love again before finally getting up and getting dressed. They ate a quick breakfast consisting of fruit, bread, cheese, and tea before heading out into the village. She was eager to show Boraden everything in the village as she was quite proud of it and what her grandparents and uncle and aunt had accomplished.

"My grandfather really just stumbled upon this place," she told him as they walked together down the main road. "My grandmother had been kidnapped by a man he knew and my grandfather came here looking for reinforcements to raid his camp and save my grandmother. After he saved her he brought her here to recover an they never left. The people here looked up to them both and they were truly beloved. I know they must miss being here, but I think they enjoy being close to their grandchildren and now great-grandchildren."

Boraden followed close to her as Kressara showed him around the village and listened instantly to her tales and stories of her family. Which were far more interesting than he expected. She was telling him everything and she held nothing back. It bothered him that he hadn’t been as forthcoming about his origins but he wasn’t certain she was ready for the ‘whole’ truth. He was surprised that she hadn’t noticed the streaks of gray in his hair. Or perhaps more likely, she did not assumed it was a natural degree of aging. It was that but do to who and what he was it marked him out as much older than he said he was which was nearly 75 years old. Likely as well that Kressara believed what she wanted to believe or the real truth did not much matter to her. Boraden did not know which of the two it was and he did want to tell her. He just didn’t know how.

“More than a few Northmen joined the forces of Rohan and Gondor and fought the Orcs,” he said in a neutral tone. “But I doubt that was written into the histories though I’m not certain it really should be anyway. The Orcs and trolls were a threat to all mankind. Likely if Gondor was defeated the Northern territories would have been next. It only made sense to help in that victory,” Boraden said though his voice held more of a familiarity with that than he intended. “My da..my adopted father,” he corrected. “Had been apart of that fight as a young man. His stories were still told during feast days and during the honors of the dead,” he said as they walked.

In truth he had been a young lad then and he had killed his first Orcs during a desperate fight the Northmen had with a large contingent of Orcs that had lingered behind the main bulk of their armies.

“So the house was burned down and he rebuilt it right back where it was?” He asked. “I see where your stubbornness comes from,” he said with an approving grin.

Kressara knew Boraden was older than he appeared. Through the bond she knew this and that only added to her belief that he was of the old bloodline. She wondered just how old he was though. Not that it ultimately mattered, but she loved him and was curious about his life. She didn't want him to feel he had to hold back the truth about himself around her.

She listened to him speak about the Northmen joining forces with Rohan and Gondor to fight the Orcs. That was not something she had ever been told, but she could believe it. The Orcs and Trolls were a threat to all of Middle Earth, not just Rohan and Gondor. As he spoke about his adopted father she reached out and took his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. However, when he went on to speak about her stubbornness she smiled and rolled her eyes.

"Yes, it was burned down at the end of the War of the Ring and my grandfather rebuilt it for her. He took that opportunity to make some improvements and add on another wing. It's quite impressive and my grandmother loves that house. Before she met my grandfather her life was...a lonely one. She was adopted by Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian as an infant after her own parents were killed in the Trollshaws by Orcs. Unfortunately, she and Lady Celebrian were abducted by Orcs while traveling to Lothlorien one year and my grandmother was beaten and...assaulted by them. Neither she nor Lady Celebrian were ever the same and Lady Celebrian left for the Undying Lands the following year. My grandmother became angry and vengeful and asked Lord Elrond's twin sons, Elrohir and Elladan, to train her in weapons, which was against Lord Elrond's wishes. They agreed and trained her in secret. When Lord Elrond found out he exiled her from Rivendell and she was left alone in the wilderness to fend for herself. She began hunting every Orc she could find and killing them and that is how she met my grandfather. He had been injured fighting the same group of Orcs she had been hunting and she found him and cared for him and the rest is history. It's incredible how much they both have been through and they never let it weaken them."

She fell quiet for a few moments before she looked at Boraden. "I know you are older than you appear. You don't have to tell me how old you really are if you do not wish to, but I wanted to tell you that it does not bother me. I strongly believe you are of the old Dunedain bloodline, which both my father and grandfather are apart of. My own father was 87 when he fought at the Battle of Pelennor Fields."

Boraden was somewhat taken aback by Kressara’s intuitions. Ofcourse this bond between them was hardly fair and it didnt matter that ‘he’ could feel her emotions. Right then it was quite inconvenient. He opened his mouth to tell her the truth...and possibly everything else when a voice spoke from behind them.

“Well...of all the people I’d have expected to see , you were far down on the list Kressara,” Gowen said. He had heard she was here b some of his men and a general idea of where she was. He was resplendent in his uniform and armor. Gowen was always so clean when he had access to the comforts of a village or town or even just an available water source. He sized the man next to her up. A very tall man and took in his sword and his stance. He knew right away that he knew how to use that weapon but him being next to her like that...it all held a certain familiarity that made Gowen feel...what...jealousy? An odd sensation considering that he was now married. But the pang of it hit him just the same.

“I was wondering if we could...talk...and catch up perhaps. It has been a while since I’ve seen you,” He said though he was beginning to babble. Boraden just crossed his arms over his broad chest and raised an uncertain eyebrow up at him.

Kressara immediately began to wonder if perhaps she hadn't overstepped her bounds. She was still getting used to the feeling of this bond between them and the information it fed her. Her intentions had been honorable, but she felt that perhaps she should have just kept her mouth shut. However, before she could apologize she heard a familiar voice behind them. As she turned around she found herself face to face with Gowen...the man she had thought she was going to be with for the rest of her life. He hadn't changed and was still handsome and almost regal looking in his uniform. Unresolved feelings began to bubble up in her heart. Things between them had ended suddenly and badly.

She glanced at Boraden when Gowen requested to talk to her. She could sense his uneasiness. "Boraden, this is Gowen. Gowen, this is Boraden...my husband."

Gowen’s eyes shuttered to Boraden quickly before they came back to rest upon Kressara’s face. He smoothed his outward expressions well though she caught a quirk to his eyebrow and saw the muscled of his jaw shift. A sign he hadn't expected her to say what she said. That and what she said was truth besides. Boraden furled his brow into a scowl as he felt something akin to loss and a bloom of feeling flow from her. Gowen stepped forward and offered his hand to Boraden but right then a surge of anger spiked up in Boraden and flowed back through the bond. Before she could react however Boraden’s arms drew away from his chest and he punched Gowen in the cheek...hard. Gowen had seen it coming and began to shift away so the blow did not land squarely. If it had Gowen’s cheek bone may have been broken. As it was the shot staggered him and he brought a hand to his face as he looked up at Boraden in anger and outrage. Boraden reached up to grab hold of the hilt of his sword and the grim determination he felt was quite clear through the bond. Kressara’s hand on his elbow was the only reason he did not draw and strike down upon Gowen in one fluid motion that Kressara had seen a few times already. Boraden was not only very protective of Kressara, he was also quite jealous and selfish of her as well.

“I shouldn’t ‘have’ to share your feelings with this...this man,” He growled. And being like himself he spoke his mind aloud too which made Gowen send a confused look toward her and he hadn’t done anything yet in retaliation either though a large bruise began to form on his face. Likely if any of his men had been with him right then they’d have tried to kill Boraden right then and there.

Kressara could feel the sudden rising tension between the two men as they eyed one another. She had told Boraden about both Havan and Gowen, but she had never expected Boraden and Gowen to ever meet. Things between Gowen and herself had been hot and heavy up until their relationship quickly and unexpectedly ended. She had loved Gowen and the end of their relationship had left a large, raw wound that had not yet fully healed. She knew Boraden could sense this and from him she sensed a sharp and sudden surge of anger as Gowen offered him his hand. Before she could do anything, however, Boraden struck Gowen, though the blow had not been straight on. As Boraden then reached for his sword she reached out and touched his arm and he relaxed his hand.

"May I speak with you?" she asked Boraden in a lowered voice. If he was willing she would lead him over to a more private area away from Gowen for a moment. "Things between Gowen and I ended unexpectedly and in anger. I need closure with him. Are you going to be angry if I go and talk with him for a little while?"

Boraden complied with Kressara’s request but he kept a wary eye on Gowen and pointed at him warningly as she led him away a few yards. Gowen felt his cheek and shifted his jaw around to see if anything was broken as he watched them move off. “Im angry now,” He said in a rush as if he wanted to tear the man apart. He did appear to think about her words though and after one more angry glance at Gowen then back to her he had decided.

“Fine...I won’t share your affections with another man...with anyone Kressara. So it will be as you say,” He said harshly then for spice he took hold of her chin then forced her to kiss him. He nearly chuckled when he stepped away from them and she noted where he was going. Back to the Inn...and the ale. Gowen waited patiently for...whatever it was that Kressara was doing. And he averted his eyes when Boraden kissed her openly.

“Hardly a civilized sort this Boraden...clearly you haven’t house broken him yet,” Gowen joked dryly and rubbed his cheek again surreptitiously.

Kressara didn't like that Boraden was upset, but she had to do this. She returned his kiss and watched him walk away back to the Inn. She knew he was going to drink, but hoped he wouldn't overdo it. For now though she turned her attention back to Gowen and approached him. She crossed her arms over her chest when Gowen insulted her husband. "Be careful with what you say Gowen. You are speaking about my husband...the man I love."

Gowen held up his hands as if defending himself from her as if she had delivered that blow. “Alright...fair enough,” He said then turned to walk beside her. “Well, it was just a shock is all. You...being married...when you told me that that wasn’t who you were,” He said bluntly. “Its difficult for me to not feel an insult there Kressara. Obviously it was just ‘me’ that you did not want to marry,” he said though he had seemed to forget that his proposal carried with it alot more than just marriage. He wanted her to settle down and have his children when she wasn’t ready for that. Being his wife though she’d have little choice but to do as he wanted.