Astilwen watched in horror as tears began to stream down Tilionwen's face. Pulling the woman into a hug she held her, and tried to work out what on earth had set this off. Surely it couldn't have been Ariane's departure? Still, it was the only thing she could think of that might have done it.
"It's ok." She murmured, keeping her voice soft and soothing. "It's alright, it isn't your fault she left. She was in pain and needed to be alone for a while that's all. She'll come back later I'm sure."
The two of them stayed that way for a while, Astilwen making vague shhing noises as she attempted to calm Tilionwen. Finally the woman's sobs stopped, and she moved away a little with a shocked expression. Before she could apologise or even run, Astilwen pressed her handkerchief into the other woman's hand and smiled at her.
"Feeling better?"
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“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
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