"Not a bad choice," he said happily, and the strong young man went back into the cellar to get the ingredients. It was a pound of sirloin, cut up. Two potatoes with salted cheese, cut up. With two smaller wooden cups of milk, along with the spices he presented for her, all within a pot that was half filled with water needing to be boiled. He told her all of this as much, and pulled up a chair as he watched her. He set the fire at the side of the kitchen so she didn't burn the house down, and showed her how to put on mittens as well, beforehand.

For being so tired, he was still very chipper. She actually liked that about him, although if she'd met him back when she was a queen.... Well it was best not to go down that line of thought, wasn't it?

When he brought the ingredients she started to get nervous. But she paid close attention. Once the water was starting to boil over the fire she took off the mittens and took up the knife. It wasn't the first knife she'd ever held, but it was far sturdier than ones used at dinner time. "So I just... chop... all of this?" she asked, looking at the spread. She picked out the cheese first and cut it up. But the potatoes... she couldn't just slice it or stab it with a fork and cut it. She had to actually hold the end with one hand? She did so very gingerly, her fingers far away from where she was trying to slice. But of course that wouldn't work, she was being to timid! The potato slid away, practically laughing at her.

He simply watched her, wanting to be encouraging and also secretly admiring her full and curvaceous figure now that she'd had some food in her. His cheek rested on his hand who's elbow rested on the table, and he almost lost himself in his male gaze before he saw the potato slip. By the Lord, he was proud of her for even asking to learn, so he wouldn't let her lose courage now of all times.

He pushed himself up, and drew in closer to her. He grabbed the potato, his chest pressing to her back and her head as he guided her hand with the knife back to the potato. "Here, hold it firmly like this." He said to her, his large hands over hers as the potato was held in place. "We don't need the potatoes sliced too thinly. Just..." He cut the potato with her hand, guiding her along. "Thin enough. See?"

She was grateful she didn't have to ask for his help. But the WAY he came to her aid... She startled slightly and glanced over her shoulder questioningly. But she didn't pull away. She swallowed and nodded, trying to focus. But he was too close. She held herself away from him slightly, and yet could still feel the muscles of his chest pressed against her back. Her mind was all to happy to remind her of what he looked like with his shirt of as well. Heat crept up her face. His weighty arms encircled hers warmly. And he had his own distinct smell, too. She took a breath, finding it not an unpleasant smell...

But then she dropped the knife and pulled away, flushed. "No--Yes, yes. I've got it, Berek." She turned away but he could probably still judge how red her face was by how red her ears were! She crossed toward the fire and checked on the water. "It's boiling. Um, what do we do now?" She raised a hand to her mouth and bit her knuckle, briefly closing her eyes. She couldn't become attracted to him. She just couldn't let that happen... They were LIVING together. He was a BLACK SMITH. No matter how sweet he was, buying her roses, looking at her and touching her like she wasn't cruel or cold or ugly, OR crazy! That was the worst of it. Or the best of it. The way he simply looked at her sometimes!

He'd not meant to make her flustered, but he supposed inside he'd hoped to get a bit closer to her. But not in that way! He bit his tongue, and sat back down again, feeling just as flustered and attracted to her as she was to he. He never thought he'd be attracted to a Queen like she was some lovely woman down the road! But she was so pretty and shapely, and she'd grown to enjoy him whether she'd admit it or not. And he'd...grown to enjoy her, God help him.

He breathed in, calming himself. "You need to place the cut up meat and potatoes in there. Slowly! Don't want the water to splash on you. Ok, now put in the cut up cheese, and then finally pour the milk in." He watched her do it, almost getting up again but thinking better of it. "Alright, now stir every now and then for half an hour as the ingredients melt, and it should be ready. See? It wasn't so bad."

She took a breath too and turned back around. There was a little chopping left to do but once that was done she dropped things in the pot to boil, slowly, as he directed. Including the spices. Last of all the milk. She picked up the spoon she'd seen him use last time and stirred it. The cheese was already melting! She was actually COOKING!

She smiled a little and turned back to him. At his words, she paused for a second and then said, "No. It was fine." She wiped her face as if she was sweating and poured some water for both of them and even for Humphrey. She crouched on the floor to give it to him and pat his head.

"I had several hunting dogs at the castle," she said, folding her arms on top of her bent knees. "This little guy reminds me of them a lot." She patted him one more time and stood up.

Berek gave a smile at her patting Humphrey's head. "He's a great dog. Helped me a lot over the years." He said, scratching Humphrey's rump with his foot. He scooted over so she could better sit at the table, and decided to ask something that had been on his mind a bit. "What happened?"

It was a simple question, but if he had to guess it was a loaded one. "If you'd feel comfortable telling me. I can't imagine what might make a Queen lose..." He didn't know how to finish the sentence, and so she could rest he went over to stir the pot some more, the light from the fire lighting up his eyes, making them gold.

"Lose her kingdom?" she smiled mirthlessly.

She didn't mind telling him, although she didn't want to think about it. Her fingers drummed on the table briefly and she looked at them. They were still ragged but they were already growing out again. They'd been perfectly manicured her whole life before now but if she had a file she figured she could probably fix them herself. She might have to look into that next. But this was just stalling...

"My biggest mistake was firing Tyrell, I think. Then again... if he'd been there maybe they just would've killed him." Still, she couldn't help thinking that if not for her pride... He would've been there to save her. It wasn't like she'd been in love with him so why hadn't she gotten over his rejection?

"I don't know how they got in. They were just suddenly there, in the middle of the night. It didn't matter what I did to fight them of or cry for help. They'd killed everyone they met on the way in." She'd seen some of the dead bodies while they were carrying her out, not even dragging but actually carrying her. She was already gagged and tied up by that point. And treated to one of many speeches about her wickedness and how unfit she was to be queen... She'd wanted to gouge their eyes out for such insolence!

"I remember being kept somewhere like a cave. Maybe a cellar. But only for a night. I kept thinking that someone would find me but there wasn't time. I have some vague memories of the trip here... There was definitely a ship. But I was so sick... And drugged... for most of it." She lost the formal pose she'd been sitting in and drew her knees to her chest and hugged them, lowering her face. The rest was pretty basic. They'd already dressed her in a peasant's dress and then they just dumped her in a foreign country with no way to live. She still didn't know why that had been their plan. Was it the plan or had something gone awry? It was still effective though. She would never make it back home. They got their wish, she may have lived but she may as well be dead.

He listened to her earnestly, and his face fell with such a story. "That's terrible." He whispered, shuffling in his seat. She might have been handed a lot of things in her life, but no one save the most vile deserved that kind of horror to go through. And all of that death she had to deal with... She had been yanked out of her old life in such a violent way.

He leaned over and gently gave her a hug. He knew she kept telling him to get away earlier, but this wasn't borne out of attraction or lust. He felt true sympathy, and he'd grown to care for her in a way over the past near week. He just simply held her, not enjoying her pain or discomfort. He felt like he did when he first found her and repeated the words he spoke even then.

"It's going to be ok." He said, looking down on her as he hugged her. His voice was soft and warm, wanting to ease her. She might be a haughty, arrogant, lazy woman sometimes. But...today she had been different. She truly tried. And even before that, no one deserved such a fate. "It'll be ok."

The Demere's were not huggers. She had certainly hugged her sister Faeryn before but not as compassionately as this. (They had a strained relationship). Her father had hugged her as a small child, but not once she'd grown up. Her mother never had.

She let her legs drop to the ground and she turned toward him, accepting the hug. She embraced him back and let herself believe that it really would be okay. Somewhere along the line she'd stopped fearing what he was after and begun to trust him. Today especially, she was grateful for his presence in her life. Or her presence in his life, at least.

The next week passed by quickly. As Ferona's hair grew, Berek's list of items to craft shrunk. He worked hard at it, spending breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Ferona, Humphrey, and occasionally Jeffrey. He'd taught Ferona how to cook the trencher, as well as a few mixed dishes and entrees she could make on her own. Ferona picked potatoes and tomatoes while Berek prepared the meat, and at night while he worked, she'd sew.

It was getting to be all too comfortable for them, simply enjoying one another's company and working to help keep the residence and land afloat with the cash. A few clients showed up midway through the week, but they were there to collect and pay the arming swords Berek had made earlier. One of the clients didn't realize how expensive it would be, but decided to barter a horse for it instead. Berek agreed, knowing he'd enjoy one and Ferona would love riding it.

As the week wound to a close, Berek needed to head back into the town for some new foodstuffs. At this point, they had spent two weeks living in the same house. Ferona was much healthier, healed, and her hair was now wavy and around her chin. Berek's hair had been cut by Ferona partway through the week as well, close cropped yet again, and shaved as well. Ferona had offered to teach him how to ride the horse, but so far he as a slow learner.

Yet again, Berek packed up his bag on his back and had his walking stick in his hands. Ferona was going to go with him now, on or off the horse was her choice. He didn't mind, really.

Now that she wasn't bald anymore, Ferona's self-esteem was quite boosted. She smiled more these days. Furthermore, she was excited about the horse! It was a blood bay mare, no purebreds in her line at all. But she was a million times better than a donkey. Fera named her Rose and loved her more than she could've guessed she would.

So yes, she was riding her, just like she did every day. And it was a little strange because she had her dress hiked way up to allow for it, with pants on underneath. She'd gotten used to wearing them so she might as well make use of them... She wasn't about to try to cut her dress to make it fit for riding. And side saddle was the worst!

Once they got close to the town she dismounted and straightened her clothes and her scarf and patted Rose's flank. She also felt for her purse of money, considering again what she should buy today.

Berek held the reigns to Rose as they walked into the marketplace to fetch food for the next two weeks. The sun was shining, though the air was crisp and slightly chilly. Berek mentioned they might want to get a cloak that was Ferona's size. He could go and grab one when they were heading home, but for now it was time to grab things to eat.

The marketplace was down another two roads, stalls erected and men and women haggling and milling around. A veritable crowd that was doing their best to collect whatever foodstuffs they could for the coming winter. Which brought something to the forefront of Berek's mind, but he'd wait for it later. He knew she was well enough to leave now, her dignity in tact, her hair growing back, her health returning. But now that winter was setting in, even if she had somewhere to go, it would be dangerous for her. He just hadn't known the right time to offer that she could stay the winter.

"You and Rose seem to get along great." Berek said, giving Ferona a familiar nudge. "We'll need to get her some food here as well. What do you think'll taste good for the next few dinners, by the way?"

To be honest, Ferona had never paid attention to the timespan he put on their arrangement. So far she'd been surprisingly content, once she stopped being so bored. And she'd really grown to enjoy spending time with him. She was thinking about the upcoming winter, but only because he'd brought it up a few times. She agreed that she needed a warm cloak.

Food! She briefly clutched his sleeve. "Oh, don't get me started!" There were SO many foods she'd been wishing for now. She tried to choose the one she wanted most. "Fish? Or some really good vegetables..." Something other than what was growing in his garden. She tugged his sleeve a little more. "Eggs! Yes, we should definitely get eggs..." But transporting them all the way home without breaking them might be a slight problem. Then again, one of the first days she was with him he had gotten a few from somewhere... She dropped his sleeve and brushed a fly away from the horse.

The two young people made a nice looking couple together, to anyone that noticed them. Ferona was very striking in the red dress next to the red horse, with her bright green eyes taking everything in. But Berek wasn't unknown here and since the first time a client caught sight of her word had spread through the town that he had a woman staying there. So far, though, no one knew it was the crazy beggar "queen." Those that cared for gossip and knew Berek on sight were very interested in her. But many others paid them no mind yet.

He gave her a smile that showed his teeth, bright and happy at her sudden excitement. "Ok ok, we'll get some eggs and fish." He declared, looking around and gathering what she suggested. "Oh, broccoli sounds good too. Carrots as well. Jeffrey, Rose, and we could have some of those..." He was half talking to her, half talking to himself. Oh, they needed wheat too for the trenchers. Not to mention some more spices, though they were expensive, often from lands far away.

He purchased all of the above, slipping them into his sack and paying the merchants, content with the wages he had earned from all of his work at the forge. "We'll need some more milk as well, but not here. I usually get mine by bartering with a neighbor down the road." He gave Ferona a sly wink, showing they'd get to it soon enough. Rose neighed, and it drew a few faces in their direction.

"That's the handsome blacksmith." One of the maidens said, her face falling when she saw Ferona striding beside Berek. Her father laughed. "Looks like he's taken girl!"

"Who's that with Berek?" Another asked. "The rumors are true, but I don't recognize her."

They grabbed a few apples too, Berek handing Ferona one and taking a bite out of his own as they left the marketplace, Rose's tail swishing to and fro as they walked in their own little world. It took only an hour or two for them to shop, and once they were done, Berek halted near the edge of town. "Ok, sit tight. I'll go in and grab a cloak for you." He said, squeezing her shoulder. "Keep an eye on Rose."

"Okay, thanks," she said to the smith as he left.

They were putting all the foodstuffs into Rose's saddlebags. But Ferona kept an apple for herself and began eating it too, like Berek. She didn't finish though, and gave the rest to the horse. Rose knickered excitedly and breathed on her hands.

"Oi! If it isn't the Queen Beggar!" suddenly announced a man, laughing snidely.

"Eh? It really is. And wasn't that the smith with 'er?"

"I do believe it was, Todd! What would he be doing with 'er, ay?"

By now the two men were close enough to recognize. By SMELL if nothing else. It was, of course, the manure cart drivers she'd had the misfortune to tick off previously. But this time their expressions weren't nearly so angry. They looked... like they'd spotted fresh meat.

Todd, was it? Todd snatched the scarf off her head, eliciting a shriek. She dropped Rose's reigns and grabbed for it.

"Lookie there! She's not bald no more!" He held it out of her reach, passing it from one arm to the next.

The other man, the one she really hated, reached out and touched her hair, carressing her cheek in the process.

"'S pretty. No wonder the smith's keeping her at home."

Ferona slapped him and then snatched the scarf back from his stunned friend.

"You bitch!" he cried, grabbing her wrist and yanking her to close to him. "I should've taught you a lesson the first time!"

She was too proud to whimper and to cowed to slap him again. She was reminded too much of the night she was kidnapped, when it had done no good to cry for help or fight. And the enraged face glaring down at her seemed to mesh with the one she'd seen that night as well. She shrank back, heart in her throat.

"The cloak is kind of small for you, isn't it?" The elderly tailor said, laughing. Berek grinned. "Not for me. It's for my...it's a gift." Berek replied, holding up the thick fabric and examining it. He felt like it would fit her snugly, though to him it would be a simple robe. He hoped she didn't mind how plain it was, but it was merely for the winter, after all.

Berek paid the man his money, and wrapped the cloak up so to better transport it. It wasn't quite cold enough for her to need it just yet-

Berek heard a shriek outside. It was faint, but he didn't exactly know what to make of it. Wait...

"Ferona," He breathed, his heart stopping. He moved on instinct, grunting in frustration and fear at what was happening outside. It took him all of four seconds for him to come bursting out of the door to see the three men manhandling Ferona, Rose knickering and stamping about, agitated and afraid.

"Let her go!" Berek said, but even as he spoke the words as a warning, he couldn't exactly stop his fist. The man who yanked Ferona closer was now on the ground, nose bloodied and dazed from the sheer weight of the punch Berek threw. The other two men were surprised to say the least, and they looked to one another as if to see if either wanted to attack, or if they both should. Berek strode forward, taking one of his smaller hammers from his work belt and brandishing it threateningly.

The men wanted no part of the strong young man, particularly when he had a weapon to use. "W-we were just funnin'. Sorry, we'll leave ye be."

"Get the hell out of here." Berek barked at them, causing them to jump. It took only a few moments for them to collect their friend and head on, looking back with a mixture of fear and anger.

Berek didn't care. He dropped the hammer and checked Ferona, not touching her entirely, but merely looking her up and down and idly touching her where she might be hurt. "Are you ok? Did they hurt you?" He asked, honestly afraid she might say yes.

Ferona's face turned to his as he burst out, wide-eyed, pleading. She shrank back further as he threw the punch and fell to the ground upon being suddenly released. "Berek..." she choked. And then he was there, lightly touching her cheek, her arm. She burst into tears and shook her head, still clutching the scarf. She used it to wipe her eyes and held out her hand. "Help me up. Let's go home..."

As soon as he did, she turned and buried her face into Rose's neck and kind of hid behind her and Berek as they got away from all the watchers. But once they passed a bend in the road she let go and turned to him and collided with him in a tight hug, shaking.

Berek hugged her, telling her it was ok yet again. And earlier, he didn't know if he had meant it because life was never as bad as you thought, of if she should be happy she was alive and well. But now he gave it a different meaning, one he felt confident she knew what he meant. He meant it would be ok because he would always be there for her. As he held her on that bend near the forest, he felt like he knew she was someone he truly cared for.

It was a very short walk back home, and Rose was quite happy to be back just as Berek and Ferona probably were. Berek took her into the workroom, still gingerly holding her hand. "Here," he said, taking the cloak out of his pack and slowly wrapping it around her. It was nice and warm, having been pressed against Berek all the walk home. It smelled like him as well.

"You're going to need a cloak of your own soon enough when winter gets here." He told her. "Then again...I can keep the bellows warm for you. I usually do that in winter time anyway." There it was, maybe not asking her, but implying it rightly enough. That he wanted her to stay for the winter. For good, actually.

Once the cloak was wrapped around her, he looked into her eyes and began to speak, but stopped himself short. In the light glow of the forge, he didn't know what to say. "I was so scared for a second there..." he admitted. Berek was actually shaking a tad, his normally carefree and stoic persona gone. He was truly afraid of her getting hurt.

Ferona was out of it for most of the trip. She'd calmed down at first but the longer it took them to get home, the more her thoughts turned inward. She didn't come back to herself until he was wrapping his cloak around her. That felt so good and comforting, it was the perfect thing to do just then. She sucked in a bracing breath and nodded.

And although she hadn't been thinking about leaving or staying, she was most definitely thinking about staying now. She didn't quite catch the importance of what he was saying to her, but she nodded eagerly enough.

He was still holding on to the ends of the cloak, standing close, shaking. Her face was tilted up to his, he was looking at her in that way again... Like she was precious. "It's okay," she replied, soothing him back. He was so strong... but so sweet. She really loved that about him. She stretched her arms up to rest on his shoulders and then she looked at him earnestly, looked at his lips, looked back into his eyes. "Berek..."