Bjorn wanted to wrap his arms around her and tell her that it would be okay. Once he realized this, he questioned himself as to why he felt that way, for when ever Horan or his other friends were upset he would only make light of the situation at most and try to get them to laugh to forget about their woes. Never did he want to embrace them in order to soothe their pain, so why on earth did he want to do this to the girl who sat across from him?
"You can talk to me about it if you'd like," he offered. She sighed and sat back in her seat, shaking her head every once in awhile as if she were arguing with herself inside her head. A long silence had passed and just as he was about to tell her she didn't have to, she spoke.
"I don't know where to even began. I just...I don't know. Ever since the incident with the bear Darsa has been acting so different. We had always been close growing up and now it is like she is a stranger to me. She was cleared the day before I was by Ubba and she didn't even bother to stop by and visit me or see if I was okay. It hurt me more than it should have but I can't help it. Then afterwards she has all but ignored me. Every time I have tried to talk to her she would brush me off or disregard me all together. Worst of all though, I was by the creek today washing some clothes and we shared some very harsh words, since then she hasn't even looked at me. She told me if I actually spent time with you then I would understand but that doesn't make any sense. Maybe I acted like a child but I don't think I deserved to be treated like that," Rowan said, crossing her arms. She frowned and sighed as she looked from the floor to Bjorn.
"Which brings me to you. I am sorry for avoiding you these past few days. Another childish act on my behalf I suppose. I just assumed that if I kept my distance then that would sort my indifference I have with you, but even that didn't help. As of late I have been having strange and abnormal feelings towards you that I have never experienced before and I wish they would just stop." She finished, almost sounding annoyed with herself.
At this Bjorn nodded his head as he understood why she had been acting so cold towards him the past few days. At least for the most part anyway. He didn't know what she meant regarding him but he would pretend that he did for now until he could figure out what she was talking about.
Leaning forward, he forced her to look at him, "I do not think you acted like a child towards your cousin. I too noticed how she and Horan have been acting and I find it bizarre as well considering how she blatantly despised him not even a week ago. But believe me when I say that Horan does not mean to take your cousin's time away from you. He is one of the most loyal and caring men I know, which is one of the reasons he is my dearest friends. He probably doesn't know how you feel about him and would be over here begging for you to not be upset if he did. But if I have angered or upset you somehow I am sorry and I do apologize. Running from your problems never fixes them though Rowan."
She chuckled and a look of confusion washed over Bjorn's face, only amusing her even more.
"You think I was angry with you? It is quite the opposite if I am being honest," she said. If only he knew the real reason why she was avoiding him. That she was trying to suppress the odd feelings and inappropriate thoughts he had brought her.
The corners of Bjorn's mouth rose at her words, satisfied that she was not upset with him. He then looked down, almost forgetting that he had a full plate of food in front of him. Not wanting it to get cold, he dug in and cleaned his plate as did she once they were full Rowan had to admit that she felt slightly better being able to talk to him.
"That was very good," he said, commending Rowan. All of her food had been the past few days. She smiled and bowed her head, "Thank you."
He threw back the rest of his drink from his tankard and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "So I've been thinking. If you'd like, I shall finish teaching you how to read." He knew this would cheer her up. Even though it would take away his time from the stables it was worth it.
Almost immediately after hearing his words, Rowan perked up and smiled widely, "Really? Have you finally thought about what you would like in return?"
Now it was Bjorn's turn to laugh, "I don't want anything from you. I want to teach you."
Her eyes shined even a brighter shade of blue at this. "When can we start?" She asked.
Bjorn shrugged, he hadn't thought that far, "How about now?"
Rowan practically screamed yes, so Bjorn stood and collected his parchment, ink well and quill as Rowan cleared the table of the dirty dishes and together they went over the basics.
She had already learned the alphabet and knew what sound the majority of them made.
For the next few hours, they worked well into the night. Rowan had completely learned how to produce the sounds of each letter and had even learned how to read a few basic words Bjorn had scribbled onto a list.
Yawning, Rowan stretched. It had been a long day and she was ready for bed. "I think I'm going to get some sleep if that's okay."
"Of course," Bjorn said and walked over to ready his bedroll. Afterwards they each took turns changing behind he changing wall into their night clothes.
Rowan regretted not bringing her wool nightgowns to keep her warm at night as she nestled into the large bed. Gone were the warm summer days as the crisp autumn ones had set in, leaving the nightly temperatures frigid.
She watched Bjorn settle himself in on the floor after he doused the fire in the cobblestone pit and the tent grew rather dark.
With each passing moment, the cold night air sunk deeper into her body, almost reaching her bones. She had suffered each night shivering in the bed, wishing she could be warmed. Without thinking about the consequences she blurted out, "Would you like to come up here with me?"
Bjorn sat up and looked around in the darkness for someone else that may have been in the tent with them. When he couldn't hear or see anyone, and looked in the direction of Rowan, "Were you talking to me?"
She would have laughed if the invitation hadn't been so awkward for her. "Well there isn't anyone else here I would be talking to is there?" She asked lightly.
At first Bjorn didn't know what to say. He had heard that it was normal for the men and women of the Skabelse to sleep in the same bed but ever since arriving they had yet to do so. He more or less trusted her and didn't think this was a trap as much as he hated to admit it. And he was awfully tired of having to sleep in a bedroll.....
"Uh sure, I suppose I would," he answered carefully still wary of her invitation. He stood up and grabbed the top blanket from his bed roll and walked to the right side of the bed and joined her.
It felt strange to be lying next to another person but natural at the same time.
He pulled his blanket on top of them and rolled onto his side, accidentally brushed his bare chest against Rowan's cold body.
He seethed at the shock of the coldness, "You're freezing!" He whispered, surprised. It's no wonder why the Gladeswoman had invited him into the bed.
His hot skin felt like a Godsend against her and she wished he would scoot a little closer to her. "Yes I am sorry. I couldn't take it anymore. That is why I asked you to join me," she whispered back. She felt that she needed to explain to him why she had asked him to come into bed with her. More so she needed to tell herself why she had, because deep down there was a part of her that had asked for another reason.
The two fell into a silence, trying to get used to the other's close proximity. Both bodies were as still as statues, afraid to breathe too deeply or move a muscle. Neither wanted to disturb the person that lay next them.
She couldn't help be to be so aware of the man that was only a few inches from her. She focused on the sound of his steady heart beat and even breaths. Every once in a while it would brush the back of her neck and she would shiver.
Soon she relaxed and welcomed the Rorikman's close proximity. Already she had felt her temperatures rise and she couldn't deny that she felt safe with him so close. He brought her comfort and for the first time in days she didn't feel lonely.
Slowly Bjorn's body heat warmed Rowan under the covers and together they fell into a blissful sleep.