Thread: ᴏɴᴇ ʜᴏᴍᴇ ʟᴏsᴛ, ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴡᴏʀᴛʜ ғɪɢʜᴛɪɴɢ ғᴏʀ [ ɢᴇᴍ x ᴡᴏʟᴢᴇʀᴇx ]

The response to what he said was...more than a little unexpected on his side. He had been expecting that they would respond like he had wondering how to maintain safety and get the upper hand in a confrontation like this. Maybe some fear, maybe some worry. But the raw emotions that almost exploded onto the scene were not something he was prepared to deal with. Korm had gotten used to thinking like a survivor, a warrior, one who always had to be thinking tactically to just be able to make it the next day. And then when emotions did flare up, they were usually the kind of rage that he felt as he took on some local thugs in a fist fight. So this was all very new to him. But then he had to remind himself that not everyone was like him after all. These people had lives that didn't revolve around survival and fights at least not yet, thankfully. Home meant something more to them, a place to be...well, happy. Content. A place to love and be loved. And now that was all being threatened by Jack and his gang, and whatever plans his 'employer' had for the troupe could only make things worse. He listened to Elenial lash out silently, simply watching the emotions play out through her lovely form. She was taking this news incredibly hard. Even as she threw her anger at the world, and him, he felt his heart break once again for her. She had lost so much, and now again she was being forced to be in danger. It wasn't fair, none of it was. But all he could do was grind his teeth and bury all that pain and love deep, deep down. He knew she didn't want to see that love, didn't want to see him. So even though his presence had been thrust upon her, he didn't have to let her see any of those feelings. He merely observed her tirade with a face of stone that probably only she had a chance of seeing through. After she was done, he rather expected that she would either lash out at him with a flaming slap or run away. He didn't know how to comfort her, so he just stared. Instead, it was Agnar who stepped in. The second he did so, Korm could feel the tension in the room ease with a suddenness that was both shocking and very welcome. He almost sighed in relief, looking at the man with a newfound respect. The way he spoke to Eli and the others, it was very clear that he was a father figure who loved them dearly and had done so for a long, long time. Perhaps, this small band stood a better chance than he thought... He watched Eli go with a small start inside his chest, but he didn't go after her. He couldn't, not yet. Even after all these years, he knew that she needed to find the strength within herself that he knew was still there. She would find it on her own, and then she would be able to embrace her new destiny with this family. And as much as he wanted to join her and help her on that journey, he knew his one and only love would have to let him back into her life first. If she ever did, that is. And while it caused him no end of anguish to watch her suffer like this, he didn't want to make it worse either. Snapping out of his reverie, he listened carefully as Agnar addressed him, trying to shake off the feelings he was having. After scrambling mentally for a moment, he realized everything the man had said and frowned deeply. But he still didn't speak, not until Frida was finished saying her part as well. But inside he was once again deeply confused. Wait. I more than anyone? What does he mean? Has she told them about our history together...? His heart surged and hope was reborn within him as he realized what the man's words truly meant. She...she had told her new family about him! The one thing that had never been possible with her other family had been true all along! A thousand thoughts and hopes were suddenly rushing through him, that perhaps things between him and her were not as bleak as he had thought. Maybe, just maybe, there was still a spark there that could be blown into flames. Both Agnar and Frida's encouragements about the both of them gave him more hope than he dared hold on to. Finally, gathering his thoughts, he turned to Frida with a nod. I...appreciate that. Thank you, he said slowly, his stoic mask breaking slightly. I can't thank you all enough for giving her another home. Another family. I...all those years I searched for her seem worth it now, knowing that she was happy for much of it. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, his whole demeanor seemed to have changed. Where once stood a self-reserved, powerful warrior now stood a man who seemed to have a radiating aura of courage and hope. Gone was the wall of brick behind his eyes, and it was replaced by fire that blazed anew. Instead of being a survivor with a lost dream, now there was strength coursing through his veins that could have helped him move mountains. Oh, he could wait. He could be patient. If he had to, he would wait a thousand years for Eli to return to him. I should go. I want to do some digging tonight and see what I can find out. For now, stay together. If you want...come by my forge tomorrow morning. Its on Eagle street, on the west side of town. I'll tell you what I found out and perhaps I can give you all a few things to help bolster your defenses. He turned abruptly to go, but stopped himself. His gaze fell down on Kai, the mute little boy's face doing strange things to his heart. He had never known what to do with delicate creatures, besides Eli, and she was a different sort of delicate. Kai was just...something else entirely. But it made his heart feel warm in a strange way. Without even realizing what he was doing, he reached down and ruffled the boy's hair for a moment. And um...if the boys want I can show them around the forge. Teach them a thing or two about metalworking, he said hesitantly, not really sure whether that was a good thing to offer. It was just the first thing that popped into his head. A dark, crimson blush was creeping over his cheeks and he stuttered something about needing to go. After shaking Agnar's hand firmly and giving Frida an awkward bow he wasn't sure how else to say goodbye to the short girl he disappeared out the door. The next day, bright and early, Korm was hammering away at his anvil, a glowing red piece of iron held between his tongs. He was also sporting a brand new cut on his cheek that he'd crudely covered with nothing more than a smear of healing ointment. Other than that, there was a determined and very satisfied look on his face as he pounded his hammer away at the piece of metal. His night of investigative work had been very fruitful, and thankfully he had some very helpful information to share with the family if they decided to come. As it was, he had a plate of warm biscuits sitting on the bench just at the edge of his workshop. He'd decided it would be rude not to have something to offer them in the morning, so he'd made them the one thing he knew how to cook decently well hearty biscuits. He'd already determined what he would offer them in terms of his help, and if they accepted his life was going to change drastically. But that was okay...he was due for a change, he'd realized. Even being a small part of this family had left a remarkable change in him, and he found himself wanting more. And having this goal, this purpose of helping them and Eli was giving his life new vigor and meaning. Without even realizing it, he'd assigned himself as their sworn protector.