Found:
An odd day. A mixed one, it could be said.
The morning was quiet and sedate. I'd spent most of it working on my scrolls and a contract I had needed to write. The afternoon saw me head into the village to purchase supplies. Steel was gentle with me - I suspect he is quite aware of my current physical limitations. Alas, upon returning to my house, I fell from his back as I tried to get back down to my feet. I'm not sure how long I lay in that puddle for. I was dazed, I think, bruised at the very least. Or perhaps that was just my ego given how nimble I have always been. But age and injury come for us all eventually and I continue to suffer both in this cold climate. In any case, by the time I managed to move, and get my supplies indoors, I was soaked through with mud and had little choice but to scrape my coat and wash my clothes clean.
I was hardly expecting Rowan again, but there came that knock. Three heavy raps upon the wood; same as before. I felt no embarrassment for answering the door in naught but my robe, but I did recall how prim the man can be sometimes, so I at least found some clean trousers and a shirt to put on beneath my housecoat.
We shared some wine - I was surprised to learn that he is acquiring a taste for mulled; my preferred tipple - and spoke of many things. He expressed some shock that I had burned the book, though goodness knows why. I have always kept my promises to him. He refrained from chiding me for stubbornly working this house alone in my current state - which came as a shock to me. I am so very used to him taking every opportunity to tell me off! - and instead gently suggested that I hire some help. So I offered the job to him. Terms have been agreed, rates and days set, now all that remains is for him to give the matter due consideration and either accept or decline. 'Twould make sense for it to be the former for he needs coin if he is to winter here and I need some help with the more laborious tasks - though the mental image of Rowan the House Maid is one that tickles me.
Talk turned to dreams and hypotheticals. I am glad to see that he is now capable of such thoughts; a great stride toward his admitted wishes even if he does not see it as such himself. Whereas the man was once held back and held down by all that went before, now he sees a preferred future even if he does not yet see how he will get there. I hope my encouragement helped. I would dearly love to see him truly happy.
Speaking of which, there is progress! Not only does he now smile with an almost alarming frequency compared to before, but he speaks with jests and even flirts a little! I would be proud if any of it was my doing. Instead I shall simply enjoy the banter, be happy that he is happier, and do my level best to keep to previous promises made. He makes it difficult to do so at times, leading me to wonder if he tempts me out of some hitherto unseen mischief or if he simply doesn't realise what he's doing. In either case, 'tis my burden to bear and bear it I shall until such a time as he releases me from my vow - which, I suspect, will be never.
Regardless, there is work to be done. Better I put my ink toward my manuscripts than these rambling musings.
