Once Ashlynn made her proclamation, she made her way slowly off the dais, relying on Ollie to support her and Jocelynn to guide her on her way.
Before she left the Great Hall, however, Ashlynn paused at the side of the hall where her allies had gathered.
"Thank you," she said, bowing her head low to the group that included Loghlan Dunn, Captain Devlin, Sir Beathan, Diarmuid, and so many others. "I donât have words right now to express how much your support tonight meant to me," she said. "In the days to come, Iâll give my thanks properly, I promise..."
"Lady Ashlynn," Sir Elgon said, stepping forward and interrupting her. "Youâre too much like your father, worrying about your crew when you should be caring for yourself. Lord Rhys raised two amazing daughters, and we know you wonât forget us come morning, but for now, do as Master Isabell said and get some sleep. The rest will keep till dawn."
"Pfft," Ashlynn snorted as the veteran knight thwarted her attempt to be gracious to her followers. "Why do I feel like youâve said the same to my father more than once, Sir Elgon?"
"Because I have," Elgon said warmly. "Sometimes he even listens to me. You should too."
"I yield, I yield," Ashlynn said, holding up a hand helplessly. "But if you intend to nursemaid me, youâll have to move to the back of a long line," she said with a teasing look at Ollie. "Itâs better if you save your worries for Jocey."
"Until we see you both home, or your father comes to visit you," Elgon countered. "Iâve got worry enough for both of you. We all do," he added, gesturing to the other knights and sailors from Blackwell. "One ship, one crew, my lady."
"Fair enough," Ashlynn acknowledged. "Then, in the spirit of sharing," she said, turning to Jocelynn, who still clung to her side. "Jocey, can I sleep with you tonight? I canât imagine that Owain left my chambers as they were, and I wonât move into the Marquis suite... maybe ever," she admitted.
"But for tonight, she said, looking directly into her sisterâs trembling seafoam eyes. "Tonight, Iâd like to rest with you. If you have space for me..."
"Of course I have space for you," Jocelynn said as she gave Ashlynnâs arm a squeeze. "Let me bring you there and then... then we can talk the night away," she said softly. "I, I have so much I need to say..."
"Mmm," Ashlynn agreed, before turning toward the large chamber doors. For a moment, Morwen and Cadeyrn moved to follow, only for Ashlynn to turn them away. "Sir Ollie can help me with my armor, and Jocey can help with the rest. Youâve both done well tonight," she praised. "But now, you should go back to your families. Iâll see you again at breakfast, but not before then," she said firmly.
The walk through the corridors was eerily quiet. Servants had retreated to their quarters, and as eager as many people were to leave the Great Hall, no one had been willing to leave before Ashlynn withdrew.
On any other day before Ashlynn had come to Lothian, if she and Jocelynn had been walking together, the air would have been filled with the sounds of laughter and gossip, even if they were walking with an escort like Sir Elgon. Tonight, however, the silence of the corridors wrapped around them like a heavy blanket as both sisters fell deep into thought about the things that needed to be said.
Ollie wisely held his tongue. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say that his heart was consumed by its own worries, and his feet longed to race towards the room where Sir Cynwrig had brought his parents to protect them. That time would come soon enough, however, and the greatest threat to their safety, that fighting would consume the manor after Ashlynn breached the Great Hall, had passed.
Jocelynnâs chambers were neat and orderly, from her luxurious and comfortable sitting room to the bedchamber beyond it, though to Ashlynnâs eyes, it looked more than just clean... It looked like her sister had been preparing to leave. The hearth had been allowed to burn low, and no one had replaced the candles that had burned down to short stubs. Even the air in the room was chill, as if Jocelynn allowed no warmth in the place where she slept.
"Oh, Jocey," Ashlynn said as her breath caught in her throat. "Youâve been living like a ghost here," she whispered as she reached out to gently stroke her sisterâs cheek.
"Only a ghost could hope to see her sister again," Jocelynn replied, cupping Ashlynnâs hand to her cheek as fresh tears spilled from her eyes. "Or Cousin Eleanor," she added as she bit her lip and soft sobs shook her shoulders.
"Jocey..." Ashlynn whispered, gathering her sister into her arms and holding her as gently as her armor allowed.
Ollie stepped quietly away, leaving both sisters a moment alone while he stoked the fire in the hearth and lit a few of the tapers around the room. It wasnât a time for bright lights, and he understood that, but he could at least push back on the gloom that filled the room.
"Ashlynn," Ollie said gently when he returned from Jocelynnâs bed chamber to find the sisters still frozen, like statues locked in an embrace. "Let me help you with your armor," he said with a gentle smile. "And thereâs water heating by the fire to wash up after that."
"Thank you, Ollie," Ashlynn said gently. "Jocey?" Ashlynn prompted gently, pulling back from her sister. "Can you help me once the armorâs off? Ollieâs family is in the manor, and I really should let him go."
"O-of course!" Jocelynn said quickly as she stepped back, looking at the man who had made her feel safe and protected through the chaos and turbulence of the night in a way that no one ever had before. "I, I can tend to her armor, Sir Ollie, you, you should go..."
Part of her didnât want to see him go. She wasnât ready to be alone with her sister yet. That part of her even considered asking him to stay... But Isabellâs words echoed in her ears, and she clutched at the fabric of her cerulean wedding dress and made herself make the offer anyway.
She had to face her sister eventually, and now that the moment was upon her, she would do it directly, because if she didnât do it tonight, she didnât know if she would ever find the courage to try again.