[@Wick][h1][color=royalblue][center][img]http://t02.deviantart.net/22Rgt0gblSi_IukwT9Ahe-p82zg=/fit-in/700x350/filters:fixed_height(100,100):origin()/pre15/600e/th/pre/i/2014/201/a/2/giacomo_crescentii_by_kazuyalord-d7rhlf9.jpg[/img]
Elias[/center][/color][/h1][hr]
Elias didn't bother going back to the mansion. He needed time to himself.

The man set off through the woods, steering away from the wilds where the Sweden lurked and directed himself into the hilly countryside the peasants populated. His many years as a hunter has given him an impeccable sense of direction, allowing him to wander for hours on end and still be able to find his way back home.

The Grimm walked through fields of grain and other crops, allowing his feet to wander down trodden dirt paths and forgotten trails through the trees, eventually bringing his lost path back home.

Elias quietly snuck into the house through the back door and stole up the stairwell, returning to his room as the sun disappeared behind the trees.

The following hours consisted of fevered consciousness and uncomfortable twisting in bed, attempting to fall asleep. Every time blissful release approached, the thought of Taric's death, Alexis' love, or his own guilt would bring him back into the land of wakefulness.

The moon was well past its midpoint whenever Elias wrapped his cloak around his shoulders and left his room, stealing away to the stables where he quietly slid into Hundar's stall and curled up next to the beast's warm body, gently snuggling into his side until the comfort of an old friend allowed Elias to slip into darkness. As he fell asleep, the stable door slid open as Alexis quietly led Merle inside, undetected by Elias.