Orion gently patted Aerin's back. In all honesty, Wood Elves were certainly not lacking in the looks department. Her emerald hair and eyes, even when filled with tears, gave her a wild, fey beauty that seemed to spring from the forest itself.
Seeing her act like this was a relief; it meant she was still the same person, that the horrors of war hadn't fundamentally broken her spirit.
"Aerin, are you trying to take advantage of me?" he said, his tone dry. "And for the love of the gods, stop wiping your nose on my cloak."
Her sobbing subsided into sniffles, followed by the sound of her furiously wiping her face. Orion gently pushed her away, raising an eyebrow.
"Godfather, you're finally here! I don't have to live on the run anymore!" Aerin's eyes were wide as she studied him, her voice bubbling with excitement. "But you were too late! The people I gathered were found by the demonic monsters and scattered. Even my only high elf friend was sacrificed in the battle."
