Her eyes looked for Lukas as Einar focused on the mare, asking for an explanation to what had happened. Henriette knew better than anyone that things could awfully wrong when it was less expected and that no one was completely safe, but Einar had always taken good care of his horses as they Einar’s pride and joy. The sudden movement brought her attention back to the Prince. The gesture broke her heart and she could not help the tears now rolling down her cheeks. She did her best to not interrupt him, for she knew he needed it.
When it was obvious the mare and the foal were gone, Henriette wrapped an arm around him. It was not the moment to have such conversation, not when he was grieving. Their fight seemed so meaningless now, ridiculous even. “Shh no. Hey, love, no. You had every right to be upset and we both needed time. But it is not our last memory, I promise you.” She pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “She knew you were here with her and that you tried to help.”
She gave him a few more minutes in silence, but they couldn’t stay there. Once again she looked at Lukas for help, as Einar needed a bath and a change of clothes, perhaps some rest after this. “Sweetheart,” she called softly, gently brushing his hair off his face to kiss his forehead. “Let us take you back to your chambers.”
Einar leaned his head so it rested against the top of Henriette’s, burying his face in her hair. He knew he was bloody, and covered in dirt and who knows what else, but in that moment he needed her, and thus he allowed himself to just be enveloped in her smell for a moment, instead of the reek of blood that currently hit his nostrils. Like salt and rust, it corroded his senses, making him feel nauseous. Very gently, he stroked the mares nose one more time, before slowly lifting her head off his lap.
Nodding at Henriette as she pulled herself away from him, he found his hand stretching after her as she pulled away slightly, eyes fluttering back closed, however, as her fingers brushed against his forehead. Although he had not been here long, or so it felt, he realized he must have been up half of the night as the exhaustion hit him. It had taken a physical and emotional toll on him, the loss of his mare. Nodding to Henriette, he allowed she and Lukas to convince him to stand up. Looking at his guard and friend, he looked back at the mare with sad eyes. Before he could even ask, Lukas nodded, squeezing his shoulder, “I will take care of it, just go get rest.”
Einar gave a heavy sigh, knowing that he and Henriette where right. His arm was slung casually around her back, resting his hand on his hip, forgetting just how filthy he was. When he remembered, however, he gave a soft groan as he looked at Henriette’s dress, now smeared with some red much like himself. “I am sorry Hettie...” he said, tone exhausted and barely coming out more than a mumble, “I forgot...I will get you a new dress.”