Emily Hunt was on the outskirts of the village towards the woods. She had a nice brown basket on her arm, where she put the delicate flowers she was picking. She had all kinda of wildflowers on her arm, from white daisies to a deep red rose. She'd been out there for hours, so when she finished up, she headed back towards her small home. It was a quaint little house, where she grew up in, and had lots of memories. She walked through the small, peasant town where she had grown up, to the other side, where her home was, a little outside of the town. She opened the sturdy door, and shut it, going and setting her basket of flowers I. The strong wood table her father had crafted.

Something told her... Today was a new day.

Thwack... thwack... thwack... thwack...

The sound of the hoe breaking the dirt followed by the faint whisper of the scraping that followed. It was the sound Rourke heard day after day after day. It never got any easier, but work was work. It put food on the table and kept his arse off the streets. Putting food on the table was a generous claim, but it was semi true nonetheless.Nothing ever changes around here, does it. I work all this land and get nothing for it. The fat lazy Lords get it. Not a damned thing I can do about it. He sighed, then continued to plow the field. Just as his father had before him, and his father's father before that. It was their lot, it seemed. Plowing the fields until the family died out. Under his breath, he cursed. He cursed the nobles, their fathers, and their forefathers. Their entire system. But he couldn't change it, not right now.

He looked up, watching the road and sky as he did when his arms hung like lead. As always, the one girl from the village came by, probably heading home. As always. He watched her pass, as always. No. Today, I'll actually try to visit her. Maybe. After he'd plowed his set, Rourke laid down his plow and left, headed in the vague direction of where the girl always walked daily. The buildings thinned, and the town shrank in the distance, until it was a speck on the horizon. A sturdy looking hut crept into view. Rourke brushed off some of the dust and dirt from his clothing, for all the good it didn't do, and knocked on the door, not exactly expecting an answer immediately.

She shot her head up as she heard a knock on the door. Quietly, she set the bouquet of flowers down in the vase, with water, and creaked open the old door. "May I help you? " she asked quietly, her eyes shining. "I can give you water, but you've come an awful long way for that." She smiled, leaning her chest on the door. She quickly brushed a small piece of hair behind herear.

"May I help you? I can give you water but you've come an awful long way for that."

Rourke's words seemed to die in his throat. He'd finally gotten the guts to talk to the girl on the road, but had nothing to really way to her in the moment. How could he have done that? He stared, most likely rudely, at her, then busied himself with staring off back at the town.

"I... ahh... You walk by constantly near the fields... Just something I noticed... You don't seem to talk to anyone either, so... ah... Everything.... okay?" It was awkward, disjointed, and probably sounded insanely stupid to the woman. Moron. Rourke thought to himself.

"Oh?" She seemed taken back by his kindness, which seemed rather odd to her, as she was quite the introvert.

"I.. I um.. I'm fine. Really. " A nice smile tugged at her lips. "It's just a routine thing I do. I don't really know many people in town, just what they do. Like you're the farmer for the plot down the road. " She stood silent for a moment before blushing. "Um, did you want some water? I can give you some." She stepped back, letting him enter if he wished to do so.

"It's just a routine thing I do. I don't really know many people in town, just what they do. Like you're the farmer for the plot down the road... Um, did you want some water? I can give you some."

"Oh. Yeah... uh... sure. Thanks." Rourke strode inside, inclining his head politely at the invitation. The house was bare, but livable. Cozy, even. Reminded him of his childhood, back when his family owned their own home. Whenever that was. So lost in his mental reverie that he forgot to answer her other question. "Oh yeah. Water. That'd be great. But yeah, I guess it's fairly obvious I'm a laborer." He glanced down at the deplorable state of his work clothes, almost in shame. He probably should've cleaned himself up a bit more before paying someone a visit. He scratched the back of his head, embarassed. "Yep. That's me. A man of the dirt, making a living for the guy above me. Kind of sucks, but I can't move up easily, y'know? Kind of hard. What do you do, though? Do you live alone in a place like this? It's rather home-y, I'm honestly jealous of ya. Almost feels like a palace to me."

"Almost feels like a palace to me."

His last words rang in her head. A palace? This small, small shack she'd grown up in was a palace? She hardly thought so, after seeing the castle the King and his family lived in. It seemed huge, almost as big as the world to someone like her and him.

"There's nothing to be jealous of. I'm a peasant, like yourself. You're welcome to stay here for awhile if you need. It's just me in this 'palace'." She chuckled, as she drew up some water from the tiny kitchen, and handed him a wooden cup with the water. She then looked down, particularly at her hands, which were quite soft. She hadn't done hard labor, like him, in years. She used to help her father, but.. when he passed, it reminded her too much of him. But, she wanted a garden, so she wouldn't have to make a long journey across town just to get flowers she'd turn into some sort of medicine when needed. She lost track of the time, and when she smelt a lovely baking smell, she almost had a heart attack. "Oh!" She moved quickly to her small furnace, which was a stove to her, and took out a small loaf of bread.

"I'm sure you're quite hungry.. Rourke, is it? Working in the fields all day tends to do that to you." She said almost matter-of-factly, and smiled, cutting it up. "At least take some home with you, will you? " Emily had a nice, warm, and soft smile, almost like the bread.

"I'm jealous that it's nicer than the dingy hut that I'm forced to live in as a laborer. Something like this is a luxury I'm not yet used to. I'd like to hope I can make something like this of my own, one day. One day..."

Rourke gazed out the window, thinking briefly to himself. Yeah. A house of my own. Somewhere away from here, where I can live for myself, and maybe my family. Who knows, it could happen. Even to a laborer like myself. He looked down at his hands, noting the callouses, cuts, and blisters that had formed on his hands over the years. The time seemed to just blow by him. How long had it been? He honestly couldn't say for sure. He did know that it made him strong. Soon, he'd leave the fields, plow his own, and make his own way in the world. In time. "At least take some home with you, will you?"

Rourke stirred in his seat, startled by the woman's words. "Hmm? Oh, yeah, the bread. I'd love some, thank you very much. You're very kind, Miss. I greatly appreciate the gift, I will savor it for as long as I can." He smiled warmly in return, attempting to match the smile she had showed him. A kind kind woman, this one. Not a hint of malice about her. No ill intent. "I'm very happy with this gift, thank you. Do you mind if I come by tomorrow, perhaps? I'd like to visit again, since you showed me such kindness today. Perhaps I can help if you need the assistance. Would that be an arrangement you'd agree with?"

"Yes, of course. That would be fine." She nodded and smiled. "I'll be sure to have bread and water then." She chuckled, and then sighed. "I thought you had been wed Rourke. Is this not so?" She remembered a few years back when she could have sworn Rourke was getting married. Maybe it was the farmer he worked next to?

"It'll be gratefully accepted every time, Miss... what was your name again? I don't think I ever caught it."

Rourke noted her sigh mentally, and an eyebrow rose in curiosity. Marriage? When did that come up in the conversation? Was she married? Was it back at Imal's wedding a few seasons ago? He attended, but he wasn't the one getting married.

"No, no I'm not. I was Imal's best man of sorts. I was a guest, nothing more. Are you married, or just prefer to live alone out here? Where's your family?"

"Please call me Emily. I'm Richard's daughter. The farmer that practically farmed first around here? He's my dad." She sighed, remembering him. "But it's just little old me in this lonely cottage of sorts. " she added, and looked at him. "No husband, no children, although I'd love some one day." She started to drift away in a day dream when she caught herself. "Sorry, I'm sure you have things to be mending to." She smiled warmly.

"Emily. That's a lovely name. Thank you. I don't recall the name Richard, but I believe you. I must've been small when he started doing his job, I suppose." He looked around the small house again for a quick moment. "Seems like he did well for you and your mother. You're a lucky girl. Although, it's rather shocking you've not been married yet, or at least asked." He finished his water quickly and stood. "But you're right. I've got a few more things to do still before the sun sets. Thank you again for your hospitality, Miss Emily. I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

"It is shocking, isn't it? Not even asked." She repeated him, as if in disbelief herself, but sighed. "I believe so, Mister Rourke. I shall see you then, I suppose." She had her hand intertwined with the other, hanging loosely in front of her, and smiled as she watched him. He seemed like a nice enough guy...

She gave him a small wave and a bright smile.

{http://advancedgraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/560-Elena.jpg] {Outfit, btw.}

Rourke left, his small present of bread in hand, and waved in return. "Same time tomorrow, then!" He called over his shoulder. As he headed down the road back to the village, Rourke's mind was still back in the cottage. That kind of life was a life he'd hoped to find someday. A pretty girl, a nice home, maybe children in the future. Maybe... No. He was getting ahead of himself. He promised that he'd help out with her gardening on occasion, and whatever else she'd need when he was finished working the fields. Nothing more. Still, he thought, Not a bad way to earn some food and drink every day. And with a pretty girl to eat with. He continued his way home, a pleased smile on his face.



Thwack... Thwack... Thwack... Thwack...

Rourke worked incessantly again, this time hacking firewood to heat his house this winter. His body, now thoroughly covered in sweat beneath his winter coat, began to chill him and make him shiver. He would've gone to Emily's the past few days, but his helping her had significantly delayed his winter preparations. He was skating on thin ice, so to speak. However, he did wonder how Emily would've prepared for the winter. Would she be bitter if he took the time to prepare for himself instead of helping her as usual this week? He'd hoped not.

Emily smiled, and ran a hand through her thick hair. He was such a nice guy...

Three Months later...

Emily hadn't made her usual trip through town to get flowers, but instead for extra bakery items. She had a nice little business going now, for her baking. She often traded nice breads for clothing, or supplies, as she had food. Emily sighed as she gathered some wood from the woods today. She thought Rourke might need some too, so she was carrying 2 logs out from the woods, in her baker's dress (same pic), and a scraggly looking blanket wrapped around her shoulders, made to look like a shawl. After dragging them to her house, she set the axe next to them, but then ran inside, and sitting on the cold ground by her oven, putting her hands near the fire to warm up.

Rourke stacked the chopped firewood to make a rather sizable stack next to his house. Hopefully, it would last long enough that he could stick it out until spring. With the stack being nearly as large as he was, the possibility was highly likely. The next barrier to surmount would be the problem of food. I can survive off not much at all. But Emily has enough bread, right? Couldn't hurt to check, at least, when my own problems are solved. Rourke ducked into his small thatched roof hut, searching for his own stash of coins to buy some dried meat at the market if he could.

The hut was small, but livable. He had a small straw mattress tucked away in a partitioned room he'd added during the past season when he wasn't assisting Emily with whatever else she'd needed or was out in the fields. He was rather proud with his handiwork, and the hidden stash where he kept the few valuables he had on hand. Once the coin purse was retrieved, he returned to the main room, where a small hand-built table sat with a few well-made chairs and a wood burning stove nearby the table. A small washbasin was set off to the side of the stove, where his dishes from the morning sat, clean. He smiled, wondering if Emily would feel at home in his house as he felt in hers. But that would have to be another day, if he worked up the courage to invite her back to his home. He sighed, letting the problem lie for another day. As he close the door to leave, he plucked a bit of thatch from the roof and inserted it discreetly between the door and the door frame. Better safe than sorry, after all.

He wound his way along the road to town from his house, taking care to avoid the smaller patches of ice that dotted the road. After stopping by the butcher to pick up a rather sizable amount of dried meat for both himself and for Emily, he carefully made his way along the road to her home, bundle in hand. Finally arriving after what seemed like an age of walking, Rourke took a moment to pause and reflect on the past few months. He realized that he'd grown quite fond of Emily in that time after all the work he'd done for her and the time they'd spent together chatting. It caused his cheeks to grow redder than they already were from the winds of winter, but it wouldn't cause him to return home after all this time. Rourke confidently strode to the door and knocked on the door, calling out as he did so. "Emily? It's me, Rourke. Care to open up? Winter may be pretty, but she's rather harsh on the face and bones!"

"Rourke?" Emily looked at the door the same way she did the very first time he'd come to her home. "Rourke, come in, get out of there!" She had opened the door, and closed it quickly behind him, then returning to her cold spot on the ground by her wood burning stove. Her teeth clattered some as she rubbed her arms, but soon returned to her feet, and ran out in the cold, clumbering back in with some wood. "What.. what are you doing here? I thought you were getting ready for the winter? If this is about my garden, then you can just go home, it froze over a few days ago." She looked at the young man oddly, and rubbed her arms, trying to accumulate enough warmth to feel her legs again.

Rourke hurried inside with his bundle, sitting near the lit wood-burning stove. The warmth spread slowly throughout his extremities, which was a very welcome feeling after his long walk. He briefly thought about whether or not he should have brought along firewood, then thought nothing of it again. He laughed as Emily sat down beside him, rubbing her arms to stave off the cold. He sat for a moment, watching her struggle against the cold before removing his own heavy winter cloak and wrapping her in it. "There. Feel a bit better. Don't worry about me, I'm used to this sort of thing. Living hard, you know? Shame to hear about the garden, but I suppose that's what happens in winter. Are you going to be alright?" He asked inquisitively, a concerned look on his face. He hesitated for a moment, then hugged her, rubbing her arms through his winter cloak. "Feeling any warmer now?"

Emily's cheeks turned pink and she smiled. "Much warmer.. Thank you." She giggled looking down at his jacket. You could tell it's been worn a lot, and was a little dirty here and there but, other than that it was alright. "Thank you.." She took off his jacket, and held it out to him, before she started shivering again.

It was almost like she was a changed person just like that.. Royals obviously did care about her, didn't he? She felt warmer at the thought. Then, she took back the jacket and. Put it on, then hugged him, her arms around his waist. He felt muscular, which seemed right since he's in a field all day. "Do you feel warmer?" She asked,her teeth slowly stopping chattering.

Rourke grew warmer when Emily hugged him with his own jacket draped around her small form. It was strange, yet comforting, like a half-remembered childhood dream. He held her hands, despite their chill, in his own. He'd hoped she wouldn't mind the callouses and general roughness of his hands taking her smooth hands, but something told him she didn't. "Yes. Very much so." He rubbed the outside of her hand with his thumb, taking time to remember every aspect of the moment. Then, spontaneously, he turned around and held her close to his body. She was warm, shivering slightly, but she seemed like a gigantic fire made in human form.

A small clicking noise drew Rourke's attention to her chattering teeth. It just happened. He couldn't control it. It was utterly on impulse. He drew her close and kissed her briefly before drawing away. A moment passed where he stood there, staring into her eyes, and then his eyes widened. "I... I.. ah..."

Emily didn't know how to react. She stood there staring back at him, after his lips touched hers. She sighed, and looked at him curiously, her index finger tracing his jaw. She blushed, and Looked down placing her head on his chest. She didn't waft to say or do.

Rourke managed to not do something he would regret as Emily's delicate finger made its way along his jaw. Something about the feeling started to fuzz his mind. Thoughts seemed to fade before they were even formed. "Emily, these past few months have been... incredible. It's... I don't even know. It's just something that feels... right. About this. All this. I'd... I don't even know what I want more than this moment to last forever. Do you feel the same?

Emily looked at him as he spoke. When he asked her the life-changing question, she hesitated. Did she feel the same? Did she want to cuddle with him by the fire and have kids the next winter? Yes!

"Yes, Rourke yes! I want o cuddle with you by the fire and get warm, I want yo to live here in a home with me instead of that small shack you live in. I want to love you, maybe even marry you and have kids. Yes, I like you. "

She caught her breath after saying that all ridiculously fast, and wrapped her arms around his waist, and head near his, and smiled.

"Yes, Rourke yes! I want o cuddle with you by the fire and get warm, I want yo to live here in a home with me instead of that small shack you live in. I want to love you, maybe even marry you and have kids. Yes, I like you."

Rourke's heart soared and he scooped Emily up off of her feet, holding her above him for the briefest of moments before settling her down and kissing her again.

"Emily, you've made me the happiest man alive! I...I don't even know what to say right now. When will the day be, then? What do you want to do then? GODS this is amazing."

Rourke continued to hold her close while he waited for her to respond.

"I just want you." She smiled, and laid her head on his chest, and sighed. She smelt the scent of-dirt, but knew he's smell better after she let him shower.

"You can go get your belongings in the morning. Just warm me." She sighed, cuddling closer to him.