Night Watch I: Eliza, Ward of Andrew

*Andy’s POV*

Though I had no way of knowing it then, the next two weeks were the most blissful I’d have for quite some time. Nights on Watch were spent analyzing the structural defenses of the Village, discussing a siege scenario, and theorizing over the meanings of the tattoos and gear we’d found on the various troll scouts. All we could discern, with Tobias' help, was that they hailed from both near and far.

Though no ogres were spotted in the area, Cat, Bone, Robin, and Adam (of the Night Watch Scouts), as well as Scouts from the other Watches, all independently reported finding tracks as close as ten kilometers out. The significance of their findings was all the greater, as they were generally found among troll tracks. The other Watch Officers and I were on the fence about whether that meant that the trolls and ogres were working together towards some end, something heretofore unprecedented and terrifying, or if the trolls were just getting spotted by the ogres as easy pickings to eat.

I also spent a fair amount of time training with Doyle. It helped me keep sharp, and he made tremendous progress. It also boosted the morale of the Watchmen, to see their Second Officer returning slowly to form.

Conversely, when Eliza trained with her uncle, Henry, I thought I would have a stroke every time! Several times I had to accompany her to the Healer’s Tent, once even for a broken wrist! It was clear, though, that it also served to lighten the Watchmen's hearts, when they saw the colossus they had on their side at work on both our quickest and strongest. Henry proved to be an amiable sort, too, and helped us train all of the Watchmen how to face attacks effectively from a much stronger enemy.

On our time off, I did my best to spoil Eliza, as I was, frankly, totally lovestruck. We were in the sweetest phase of a new relationship, and everything seemed perfect. The way she smiled, the way she joked about my hormonally influenced libido, the way she always ate so many fucking disgusting vegetables, how much she swore, and of course, her hearty laugh.

About a week following the festival, I had an idea while we were at Commons. I was in Jeordie’s meat line, feeling slightly guilty at not adhering to Eliza’s bizarre diet standards. Her distaste for animal flesh seemed to be wearing off on me, but I wasn't going to give up without a fight!

The idea that came to me seemed incredibly clever, unquestionably romantic, but I wasn’t sure how to pull it off in secret. Ultimately realizing there was just no way to do anything privately when Eliza was still technically my ward, I decided to just confess.

Her mouth popped open, a sprig of some disgusting, leafy green popping out. “What?”

I tried again. “I don’t have to. I just thought, you know, that I’d like to. I mean, would it bother you, be a problem?”

Eliza slowly shook her head, looking at her plate. “Problem? It’s just so soon. I just can’t believe you want my fucking name on your skin!” She cocked her head at me. “What if you leave me, and-“

I got pissy instantly, “-I won't! No arguing, that point is moot-“

She tilted her head theatrically to the other side, “And what if I die? Then you’re stuck with it!”

I sat up as tall as I could and pointed to Juliet’s name on my arm. “I’m proud to carry Juliet’s memory with me, at every moment. Though I don’t even want to think about losing you, I would do the same for you.”

Eliza stopped arguing, realizing she had hit a sensitive topic. She sighed softly. “I just don’t want you to make a mistake you’ll regret.”

I laughed at that. “Have you seen my tattoos? A lot of them are silly, but I regret none of them! They tell a story. And you’re a part of that story, I want to include you.”

Eliza blushed, obviously swayed. “Aww, dammit! Alright, you softy!”

With the matter settled, we made our way to William’s shop. Shaun greeted us and we made an appointment for later that Dusk.

With a little spare time, I dragged Eliza to Acey’s variety store. I had been wary of him ever since the festival, when he had bid on the dance with Eliza, afraid he had eyes on my woman. However, he was nothing but cordial as I purchased Eliza a treat while she was looking around: imported chocolate.

Later that evening, I gave Eliza her first taste of real chocolate, and she loved it! In return, she gave me a taste of blackberries…

Notes

note: idea for the use of imported chocolate inspired by BVBfangirlqueen. thanks dude! :O)