Safe and Sound // Lonward
Edward fully believed good intentions and well wishes could help even in dismal times. Returning home - was Swynlake home now? In some ways he felt as though it were - and discovering the terrible events had been eye-opening and deeply sorrowing. The poor souls who had died he had not known, but none the less he grieved for the loss, for their families, and for the empty space left behind that could never be filled. Edward believed, yes, that any and every life had a distinct reason and place; so an end to them truly was a terrible loss to the world.
He hurt deeply for Devyn, watching his dearest friend so frantic in the search for Dian, and having met the man himself and known him to be very kind, Edward also hurt for that; wishing that he would return soon, safe and sound. In that all he could do was remain when Devyn needed to talk, or cry, or whatever else each day brought; hopeful when the answer came they would bring peace, no matter what they were.
But that day he had another task at hand; looking after another dear friend. Although he hadn't told her as much and had simply shown up full of good intentions and carrying a sunshine-bright bundle of flowers to help cheer her up, at the Lightfoots door and found himself smiling brightly at the delightful woman who answered said door and...offered him a baffled look. After explaining his reason for being there to Elionwy's mother, well, she had still looked at him a bit oddly but allowed him inside.
She had also noted in a very motherly tone something to the degree of leaving the bedroom door open and seemed quite set in that but Edward hardly thought that odd; why would he have shut it in the first place? Surely Eilonwy would have preferred having it open to speak with her mother anyway, it seemed a silly request but he politely, cheerfully, agreed as he bounded up the steps; leaving Laurel just shaking her head.
He knew her injuries had been terrible, but Edward was determined to show her a smile as he reached her room, stopping first outside and asking if he could come inside, waiting permission before quickly crossing the distance and offering her the golden-yellow mix of flowers wrapped round with shimmery orange paper; they reminded him of her own sunlight and how it glowed so brightly.
"Hello," the smile never faltered even if he felt a twinge of deep worry over the state of her bound arm, the faint bruises at her throat; he would be happy just to see her and hopefully it would help. "I do hope I have not disturbed you in your rest, I thought perhaps I might see to how you were feeling? And if I could help?" And of course there was the more pressing matter. "I found myself...deeply troubled to hear of your injuries and wished to see you, speak with you. It was...truly...frightening, to return and be left uncertain of how you fared. I did not mean to intrude, of course, forgive me if I have." he apologized.
@eilonwy-notjustgirl