Aldarion was not stupid, it was not that he liked her. Simply, she was a courtesan of middle age, of course she was going to be embarra.s.sed by everything that happened. In addition, it had to be added that she did not usually relate to anyone, so she clearly would not be used to that deal.

It is true that Aldarion did not need to apologize to her, he had not done anything wrong but he wanted to gain favor with her and what better strategy than to be gentle and modest.

Of course, Aldarion also thought that if Cirdan found out that he had been able to disturb her in some way the Elven King could punish him in some way. Cirdan had made it very clear how much he loved Erumäre in his previous conversations about her.

While wandering in his thoughts, Aldarion realized that the time had pa.s.sed and his cla.s.s of the afternoon with Feladrias was approaching. He almost did not have time to eat, so, he ate as little as he could again repressing the pain in his arms and went quickly to the parade ground.

Once reunited with Feladrias, the Captain Elf ordered him to do some warm-up exercises and after that they began to train the fencing.

Both repeated the same training the previous day that consisted in facing each other and when they rested, Feladrias would guide him on his failures.

"When you have tried to feint your eyes and feet have indicated where you really wanted to attack..."

"If you use all your strength in a hack from above and failures you will leave openings in many places..."

"You have problems using the middle guard posture. You should train your strength more..."

At first Aldarion even found it difficult to lift his sword due to the annoying stiffness in his arms, but little by little he got used to it until he finally moved normally.

When Feladrias noticed that Aldarion was already very tired and that it would not do any good to continue, he ordered him to praticate the bow a little and retire to rest.

Aldarion did what he said and like the day before he left very tired to his room, almost unable to walk.

When Erumäre brought the dinner her cold fitness had returned in some way and Aldarion, who had no strength, convinced her again to feed him, only this time he did not go halfway through the plate of food when he fell asleep.

Erumäre seeing this, she simply threw a blanket over him so he would not catch a cold and she left, taking away the tray of food.

The next day Aldarion could not even wake up because of what Erumäre had to do, which she called repeatedly as she gently shaked his shoulder several times.

In the end Aldarion opened his eyes, got up and began to eat breakfast very lazily.

The days pa.s.sed quickly following this routine. Aldarion learned a lot about singing, politics and government.

In addition, he became accustomed to the training of Feladrias. So much so, that the stiffness had already disappeared from his body and he no longer returned so tired to his room at night.

Aldarion had decided not to tell Erumäre the truth that he did not have the strength to eat, as it was the only time he had to try to chat with her and increase the likelihood of improving his relations.h.i.+p with her.

During these days Aldarion kept telling her what he had done all day long while she fed him without almost answering his questions.

Three weeks had pa.s.sed when Aldarion decided to take a step and while she fed him.

"I would like to know more about you, my lady." He said directly without showing any tact.

She was blocked and opened her eyes wide. She did not expect that request at all. After a few seconds she recovered herself and answered as if nothing had happened.

"And, what would you like to know my lord?"

"Well, what little I know of you is that you are a courtesan in King Cirdan's court and that he appreciates you very much." Aldarion did not want to address the issue directly, he would go little by little until she spoke to him about his problem. To bad ones he would guide her.

"What you know is true, what's more, I also have a lot of appreciation for the King."

"Oh! I like knowing that. What I do not understand, and I hope you enlighten me, is because he has arranged for you to take care of me. Surely, the King will have more servants."

"Certainly the King has more servants, but I'm the one who knows the most about medicine, so I started taking care of you. Even if you had healed, the King decided that since I had started taking care of you I should finish my homework."

Little by little Erumäre was gaining confidence in the conversation with Aldarion and her prayers were getting longer and longer. That night they were talking to each other until the plate of food was over and she said goodbye.

Another week pa.s.sed and in those days the lessons continued the same and Aldarion and Erümare continued talking. During that time Aldarion learned her hobbies and what things she liked, and she learned things about him.

Little by little Aldarion was knocking down Erumäre's heart defenses and she started showing emotions in front of him. Until that moment she had always shown her cold expression, except for the moments when she was embarra.s.sed and shy.

Aldarion finally had to confess his little lie that he could not eat but he did not lose his nightly conversations with Erumäre because he decided to be frank with her.

"My lady Erumäre, it is true that you do not have to feed me anymore, but if you do not mind... would you like to stay with me for dinner?" She looked thoughtful again, watching the man in front of her.

Aldarion had realized that this was a mania for Erumäre. Every time he asked her a question that she did not expect, she stayed thoughtful.

"I know it sounds impertinent on my part, but I really appreciate talking with you, my lady." Aldarion told her nervously that he had screwed up.

"Well, I have to admit that I've gotten used to talking to you, my lord." She answered him as she sat in the other chair next to the table.