A Place Called Home

Chapter - 51

It took only a few days for Angela and Lily to get used to their lives in Ironhelm, quickly settling into the warm, if bustling, atmosphere of the Iron Mug. Angela, who had spent years running her household, had offered to help in the kitchen soon after they'd arrived. Thorne had, reluctantly, accepted, though he quickly realized she was more than just competent—she was an inspired cook. Before long, Angela had added several new dishes to the inn's menu, each one winning over customers who'd once only thought of the Iron Mug as a decent place to get a drink. Now, it was drawing in regulars who came just to taste Angela's hearty stews and herb-roasted meats, her rich pies, and spiced breads.

One evening, as the inn buzzed with patrons enjoying a busy night, Jacob and Thorne sat at the bar, each nursing a mug of ale. Thorne, who rarely had a moment to sit, was eyeing the crowded tables with a critical, slightly bitter gaze. Angela, a light blue apron wrapped around her waist over a flowing dress, moved gracefully between tables, smiling and chatting as she served steaming dishes. There was a lightness to her that hadn't been there before, a kind of carefree joy in her work. Her golden hair was pulled back, but a few loose curls framed her face, catching the firelight as she moved. She looked radiant, at home, even beautiful, and Jacob couldn't help but smile as he watched her. 

"Look at her," Thorne grumbled, barely able to hold back the smirk he tried to hide behind his gruff exterior. "Waltzing about with all her fancy cooking. You'd think she's been running the place for years. Stealing my spotlight, that one, and the customers' hearts too. They're even starting to ask if 'she's' around before they ask for me!"

Jacob chuckled, taking a sip of his ale. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were a little threatened, old man."

"Me?" Thorne scoffed, crossing his arms. "She's just…efficient, that's all. Making me look bad, the way she can whip up a roast that'll have old Merv there"—he nodded toward a bald-headed regular—"licking his plate clean. Not to mention that…what was it she called it…'apple crumble'? Might as well hang a 'Thorne's Out' sign on the door."

Jacob's laugh was deep, his eyes glinting with a teasing edge. "You look genuinely miserable. Makes me happier than you could know, after all the teasing I've had to put up with from you." He took a swig of his ale, grinning. "This might just be my favorite night in Ironhelm yet."

Thorne shot him a glare. "Glad my misery's giving you so much joy. Bet you wouldn't be so cheerful if she was stealing 'your' job."

At that, Jacob only shook his head, his gaze drifting back to Angela as she moved through the room. "She's not stealing anything. She's…fitting in. Bringing something fresh to this place." His tone softened, his voice just a touch more serious. "And she looks…happy, doesn't she?"

Thorne huffed, though he couldn't hide a faint smile. "Aye. That she does. Just don't get used to seeing me in the background."

Their shared laughter was interrupted as Lily appeared at the foot of the stairs, her small figure wrapped in a light blue dress that seemed to catch Jacob's eye the moment he saw it. It was his favorite color, the shade bringing out the warmth in her fair skin and the brightness in her gentle smile as she looked over at him. 

Jacob stood, leaving his ale behind. "You ready to go?"

"Yes!" Lily said, her eyes lighting up. She'd asked Jacob to take her shopping earlier that morning, wanting to pick out a few things she'd need. Elara was busy training with Mariel, but Lily seemed pleased to have Jacob's company.

He gestured toward the door as she joined him. As they walked out of the Iron Mug and onto Ironhelm's bustling evening streets, Jacob noticed the bounce in her step and the curiosity in her gaze as she looked around.

Lily occasionally stopped to marvel at the wares on display—trinkets, tapestries hanging from merchant stalls, and various foods. When they reached a stall draped with colorful scarves, her gaze lingered a bit longer, her eyes tracing over the different shades.

Noticing her fascination, Jacob stepped up to the stall and picked out a scarf in a shade of deep blue. He held it up with a questioning look. "How about this one?"

Lily's eyes sparkled. "Blue is my favorite color," she said, touching the soft fabric with an appreciative smile.

"Mine too," Jacob replied, watching her face light up in response. For a moment, they just stood there, sharing a smile in the gentle hum of the marketplace. 

"Then, it's perfect," she said, taking the scarf and wrapping it around her shoulders, looking both shy and happy. Jacob paid for the scarf, enjoying the simple joy in her expression as she admired it draped around her.

---

The next morning, Jacob found Elara in the common room of the inn. With a small nod, he gestured for her to follow him outside. She was curious but didn't ask questions as they walked down the street, only a few doors from the Iron Mug Inn. Soon, a tall, broad-shouldered man met them by a modest stone house tucked between two larger buildings. The man greeted Jacob, then stepped aside to let them in.

The house was cozy, with three bedrooms, a spacious lounge, and a neat kitchen that opened out into a small garden at the back. Elara looked around in wonder, glancing back at Jacob, unsure of what they were doing there.

"What do you think?" Jacob asked.

Elara's brows furrowed in thought. "It's… it's nice. But what are we doing here?"

Jacob leaned against the doorframe, folding his arms. "I've been thinking," he began, his tone thoughtful. "Now that there are more of us—Angela, Lily, you, and me—the inn's been getting a little cramped. Not to mention," he added with a wry grin, "it'd be good for us to have a place of our own. Somewhere that's just… ours."

Elara's eyes widened as she looked around again, her gaze softer now, taking in every detail. "You mean… a home?"

Jacob nodded. "Exactly. I'll miss Thorne's grumbling and the hustle of the inn, but it's not far—we can visit as often as we like." 

Elara turned back to him, her expression filling with warmth. "I love it," she whispered, her voice a little choked. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around him, holding him tightly. Jacob returned the hug, sensing how much this meant to her.

As she nestled into his embrace, Elara felt the depth of what this change represented: a place where they could build a future together, as a family.