Nora and Ren travel for two days before they reach the next village. This is due to Ren's insistence they take time to eat, rest, and keep watch. Then, there is the fact Nora claims she needs privacy to use the bathroom.  Ren respects this as always, but worries what if someday she leaves him?  He tries to shake this uneasy feeling from his head.
      Two days later, the pair finds themselves in the next village.  Nora is quieter than usual which makes Ren wonder what is on her mind. She smiles when Ren sets her down with her stuff.  She notices he too is quiet.  It is almost as if they struggle with the same thing.
      The evening comes and they stay the night with plans to head out in three days. Ren does not know that Nora has no intention to join him this time.  He believes she will go with him as she always does. He smiles when he sees her asleep on a bed of hay in a farmer's barn.  He is grateful the farmer agrees to let them stay here.  He tucks a stray hair away from her face and blushes. He drops his hand and hears himself sigh. He wishes he could tell her how much she means to him.
      
    Ren's  POV:
    All my life I have known nothing, but pain and grief.

    Yet with Nora, I feel whole again.  

      Ren sees her shiver, removes his vest and places it around her legs. He is glad for the shelter since this means he does not have to keep watch tonight. Soon, he drifts off to sleep unaware that his arms around her arms. He has a nice dream.

   The next day, Ren wakes up first and blushes. He lets go of her careful not to wake her up. He leaves the barn to ask about food and smiles when the farmer hands him a batch of freshly baked muffins.
  
   "My wife made those this morning," The farmer says.

    "I will be sure to thank her then," Ren says.

    "Young man, might I advise you to take good care of her," The farmer remarks as he points to Nora who is just waking up.

   "I will sir," Ren says. He wonders what the farmer meant by this and bites into a blueberry muffin.

    "Ren, is that a muffin I smell?"  Nora asks still half asleep.

"Yes, and there is more where that one came from see,"  Ren says as he hands her one.

   "Thanks, Ren," Nora replies.

    "You are ever so welcome," Ren says.

     Nora yawns sits and eats the muffin.  She is glad to have some nourish after such a long journey.

    "Sorry, to bother you, but here," The farmer says as he hands two cups full of orange juice to Ren.

   "Thanks, sir,"  Ren says.

  "Your welcome and the name is Andy," He says.

"Glad to formally meet you when it is daylight then, I am Ren, and this here is Nora," Ren says.

"Wow, those are fine names you two have there,"  Farmer Andy states. He waves at Ren as he heads back to the house.

   Nora drips some juice, eats another muffin, then finishes her cup of juice.  "Wow, that was fantastic!   It is a good thing too because I was famished," Nora says.

  "Nora, you are always hungry,"  Ren teases her.

"Yes, so?"  She says.

"So, do not you think you need to slow down a tad bit?"  Ren asks.

"Slow down, Ren, I will have you know it I am not fat, mister," Nora says. She stomps off angry.

  "Nora, that is not what I meant,"  Ren says.
  
   Time skip to the next full day...
       Nora struggles on rather she should tell Ren about her decision.  It is only one day before they are to leave this place.  She decides, I suppose I should,but how? When?

     Ren notices Nora is deep in thought and hopes she is not sore at him for what he said the other day. He was only meaning he thought she should be careful not to eat so much to avoid health issues in the future.  He does not know how to explain it right though.  He never was good with words.

    Nora smiles at him and thinks, forget I can not tell him.  Besides, he will insist he stays until I change my mind and I would only slow him down anyways.

    Later, that evening, Nora decides she must hide so Ren can not find her the next morning that way he can not convince her to accompany him. She feels like such a burden to him anyway. She rather has some time alone and believes time apart from him will be good for them both. She pretends to be asleep.  
    Sure enough, Ren yawns, says, "Good night, Nora!  See you in the morning," and falls asleep with his arms around her.
    Nora feels bad she tricked him. She whispers, "Good night, Ren! See you tomorrow," and hides in the top area to the barn. Soon, she grows tired and falls asleep for real this time around.

    Early the next morning, Ren wakes up, grabs up his things, and heads out of the barn.  He does not see  Nora or her stuff and assumes she must have decided to wait for him in the woods.  He heads in that direction unaware of how wrong he is and with no clue that he travels without her.  He keeps on until dark. He pulls out some food and eats it. Then, drinks some water from his canteen. He turns to tell Norah she has first watch then it dawns on him she is nowhere in sight.
   
   "Nora, where are you?" Ren calls out in fear. He looks for her, but she does not appear. He sobs and thinks, so my nightmare did come true she left me.  No, it is far worse, I left her. 
  "Oh, no what have I done?" Ren sobs. He can not stop.

     Meanwhile, Nora comes out of her hiding spot once Ren is long gone. She feels lonely and wonders if she made the right decision. She thinks well there is no turning back now. She knows she is here to stay and he is long gone. She sighs, and thinks, what have I done?
      
     Nora's POV:
    Ren, forgive me.  I had to stay.  

   Can not you see it?

If I went with you the grime would kill you?

 I stayed to save you.  


Ren's POV:
  Nora, what happened to you?

  Why did not you come with me?

Why did you let me leave you?

What will I ever do without you?

I love you!

Now, how will  I ever tell you?

Find out more in Chapter 4...

-Summer out!