One week had passed since Anarion woke up. He was still in an extreme amount of pain but things were getting better. The inn staff had been working hard on Anarion’s meals, making sure they would aid in his recovery process. Every morning Giselle would bring his food and wait while he ate it. This particular morning she brought a massive bowl of stew, Ilya came with some bread and water.

Giselle handed the huge bowl of stew over to Anarion, he put it down on the flip-out table that was attached to his bed. He looked at her with disinterest. “Thanks,” he said while he began to chow down. Giselle watched on with glowing admiration. Ilya put the bread beside Anarion and the water on the table. She looked at Giselle, then Anarion. “You really should pay more attention to the women around you. Giselle is quite smitten with you.” Anarion spat out his food at that moment while Giselle shrieked in horror and ran away.

“You don’t hold back any punches Ilya,” said Anarion continuing to eat. “Do you like my sister?” Anarion was looking at Ilya with food in his mouth, he chewed then swallowed his food. “She seems nice enough.” Ilya was frustrated by Anarion dancing around her questions. For an eight-year-old, she was fairly mature and perceptive.

“Romantically you blockhead! Do you like my sister Romantically?” she asked. Anarion nearly spat out his food again. He finished chewing, took a big drink of water, and said “No.” Ilya sighed. “She’s worked so hard to help you recover quickly, you really shouldn’t string women along like that.” Anarion slammed his hand down on the table “How the hell was I stringing her along?”Ilya sighed again. “You should notice the signs a woman gives that they are into you. Especially you.”

Anarion tilted his head. “Why especially me? I don’t get it.” Ilya yelled “A lot of women are going to be attracted to you! How stupid can you be!” Anarion continued to eat his food, processing the information. Ilya got closer and whispered, “So if you don’t like my sister, do you like Amma?” Anarion started choking on his meal. It took all of the water he had to clean his windpipes.

“Would you stop with this bullshit kid! You are going to kill me!” Ilya quickly said, “Don’t avoid the question, you blockhead.” Anarion quickly replied “No.” Ilya smiled. “My mom said never to swear, but I am going to say that you are full of shit you blockhead!” Anarion slammed his hand down on the table, which reverberated through his body causing a lot of pain.

“Amma this, Amma that. For fuck sakes I can’t even get a fucking break from this shit while I’ll recovering. I have no feelings for Amma!” Ilya started laughing, finally, she settled down. “I’ll leave you alone. However, you need to stop telling lies.” Anarion was ready to strangle Ilya “Get out!” he yelled.

Ilya left the building. Herman came into the room. “What was all that racket about.” Anarion quickly replied. “Nothing, just a little fly that came in to annoy me.” He finished his meal, let it digest then laid back down. He hated this, people coming in day in and day out. He had no place to hide as usual when people pissed him off.

Lunchtime brought Ithilious. “You heart breaker you.” Anarion was ready to strangle Ithilious right from the get-go. “Ithilious, if you piss me off I don’t care how many stitches I break, I’ll fucking kill you!” Ithilious laughed. “Wow, you are in a miserable mood this morning. I heard you broke Giselle’s heart.” Anarion looked at Ithilious “What the fuck are you talking about?” Ithilious smiled “I have no romantic feelings for her or something like that. Ilya told her sister you said that.”

“Whatever, I guess the truth hurts.” Ithilious laughed. “You really should be more sensitive to a woman’s feelings.” Anarion sat up. “Says the playboy who couldn’t.” This comment pissed Ithilious off. “I wondered today how you could be an even bigger miserable asshole. I guess the question has already been answered.”

Anarion yelled “Then fuck off already! All I want is a little peace and fucking quiet!” The day passed with people visiting and simultaneously annoying him. By the time night time came around Anarion pretended to fall asleep to avoid talking with Amma. She always came to visit him at night, which was extremely awkward and drove him up the wall.

It annoyed him that Ilya said he was lying. In his mind, he felt absolutely nothing for her. However, he continued to feel increasingly uncomfortable every time she came to visit. She was often there until midnight, then returned to the inn. She spent more time with him than the others. He did not know what to make of this. He did not know how to feel about it besides awkward and uncomfortable.

Finally, two months after the battle Anarion had the last of his stitches out. Injuries that should have taken months to heal, healed rather hastily. Once Herman removed the last of his stitches he put on a Ghee top that Amma delivered to him the night before. He took his first step outside, the entire town was waiting for him. Everyone thanked him personally for saving their lives and family's lives.

He felt somewhat uncomfortable being surrounded by so many people. Once everyone thanked him he hastily retreated to the tavern. Tycondris was sitting down having a drink even though it was morning. “Finally out. Welcome back, kid.” Anarion sat down at the table. “Thanks,” he said quietly. He sat down at the table out of courtesy for his friend Tycondris, but he just wanted to climb up on to the roof and hide.

“Giselle, a pint for Anarion” yelled Tycondris. Giselle came around the corner silently with a pint for Anarion. She still looked heartbroken. Once she left Tycondris said “She’ll get over it. Don’t blame yourself.” Anarion took a swig from his pint. “I don’t.” Tycondris laughed “As cold as ever. It’s good to see some things don’t change.” The ale was warm, summer had since come along making it difficult to keep ale cool.

Anarion created a small chunk of ice between his fingers and dropped it into Tycondris’s ale, then did the same for his own. “You recovered just in time kid. The summer festival begins next week.” Anarion’s head hit the table with a thunk. “What’s wrong?” Anarion answered. “I was looking forward to the festival before the Oren Invaded. I’m not looking forward to it now.”

Tycondris said, “No one has given you a moment's peace since the whole thing began.” Anarion looked at Tycondris. “I know you too well kid,” he said. Anarion’s head hit the table again. “Yeah, your right.” Tycondris sighed. “Even worse, people will expect you to be there. Being popular isn’t easy for someone like you.” Anarion looked at Tycondris and asked “Do I string women along?”

Tycondris raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” Anarion said, “Ilya said almost two months ago that I string women along.” Tycondris sighed. “She might mean you should notice when a woman is infatuated with you. Personally, I don’t think you do. I just think you don’t notice. There is nothing wrong with that. Plus what would an eight-year-old know?”

Anarion slammed his hand on the table. “That little girl pisses me off.” Tycondris starting laughing hysterically. Anarion glared at Tycondris “What’s so fucking funny?” he asked. Tycondris still laughing said, “You can kill ten thousand oren, but one little girl is enough to defeat you.” Anarion slammed back his pint then stood up. “Time to return to training.” Tycondris was still laughing as Anarion left the tavern.

The Ice Wall he made had been properly melted at this point. However, the usual training ground was stained red. Bwoire waved him over. Everyone was training hard. “Good to have you back, you heart breaker you.” Anarion yelled, “I’ll fucking kill you!” Bwoire started laughing. Amma came over and punched Bwoire square in the face. “I warned you. Just leave him alone!”

Bwoire rubbed his face. “You are really mean Amma. You’ll make a great wife for Anarion.” Anarion built an ice wall in front of himself. Amma was repeatedly punching Bwoire at this point. “If you want the turtle to come out of his shell you don’t fucking poke it!” yelled Amma. Anarion thought to himself “Am I a turtle?” Anarion shook his head. “I’ll just pretend this isn’t happening.” He reinforced the ice wall and built additional walls around himself.

Amma used Bwoire as a punching bag for fifteen minutes straight. Shortly after he peeked around the corner of the ice wall. His face was bruised beyond belief. Anarion was throwing Ice Spears, one almost hit Bwoire as he appeared around the corner. “Try working on Metal. You’ve got the hang of both ice and wind.” Anarion scratched his head. “How do I make Metal again.” Bwoire raised his fist. “Determination!”

Anarion thought about it for awhile then began training again. He used the night of the Oren attack as his inspiration and was able to coat his arm in a thin layer of metal. The day went by rather peacefully. Falcon was working on Earth, Amma was working on Water and Ithilious was still working on wood.