❖ The mumbled plea had been heard, and no one was more surprised than Anna. She was rather used to finding her own footing, and solving her own problems. To ask others for help wasn’t unheard of, but it was unfamiliar. They’d never been around to ask. Out here, by the outer borders of the kingdom, the princess had sought the companionship of a stranger.
A kind one, if their compliance was any indication. “Really? Oh — thank you. I… Only if you don’t have things you need to do. Or, I could help, if you need it.” Anna pushed at her wash of anxiety, so unfamiliar with that on top of unknown people. The gates opening had changed so much.
”I’m Anna — and you are?”
a wave of uncertainty seemed to pass over the other girl's face and eleanor froze, tilting her head to the side and offering a bright smile. being nervous in the company of others was a feeling eleanor had never experienced, so she could not understand the discomfort portrayed in front of her. “Oh, it’s no problem at all! I’d be glad to stay. I’m Eleanor.”
