Another to Say its Name

Quirky pulled me aside last night, looking nervous and thoughtful. I was worried what could be on his mind, as he gets this special look on his face when he's about to say something particularly important. He looked me in the eye and asked "Badger, would you do something for me?" He told me he didn't want to be known as Quirky Timbers anymore. It was just a name that he'd made up as part of his ruse in the citadel. Beyond Quirky, he really had no name at all, only aliases. With all this in mind, he wanted me to give him a new name. Two new names, in fact. One that everyone could know him by, and then one just between the two of us.
Quirky took my hands in his and explained that he wanted a special name, like the one I had received when I reached adulthood. He wanted his to mark his passage from mysterious shadow to real person. I swallowed hard. The skin on his hands was impossibly soft and comforting, but I still felt panicked. Nicknames aside, real names are important business, and I couldn't believe he was trusting me to give him his.
After making sure this was what he wanted, I promised to do my best. I would readily dive straight into a dragon's mouth for Quirky, but I was heartily wishing I could back out of this challenge. I looked into his eyes again and saw how expectant he looked. I felt sick, so I got up and went to sit outside for a moment. This was what he wanted, and I was going to have to come up with something. There was no escaping it. Once my head had stopped swimming, I went back inside and laid down next to Quirky.
I lay awake for quite some time, listening to him breath, and looking him over. I wanted something that would represent how I felt everyone should know him, how he is. I also wanted something that would let him know how I felt about him. It couldn't be stupid! It had to be perfect and special, like him. Eventually I wore myself out with such thoughts, and fell asleep. As I dreamed, it seemed that my mind cleared. When I awoke the next morning, I felt I had made up my mind. When Quirky woke up, I told him I thought I had reached a decision. Digging my nails into my hands to keep me focused, I told him what I had thought of.
First, his common name. Audric, meaning "trusted," because if he is anything, he is that. It's also quite a handsome sounding name, I think, like Quirky. Blushing red-hot, I continued. "For your special name," I said, trying hard to still meet his eyes, "I think Lunavenn. It means "Beloved Companion," and has the same fragment as my Lunhedia."
There was a short pause while Quirky took this all in, and then in a flurry of sheets and kisses, he tackled me. I guess it is safe to say he liked my choices!
Feeling much relieved, we went out to join the others for breakfast. I noticed Grumble came in not from the hallway of the sleeping area, but from the front door of the common room! As it turns out, he never made it back to his own bed last night. He and Cora must have found they had some things in common. He was trying to disguise it, but I could see there was a bright happiness in Grumble's eyes that I don't believe I've ever seen there before. Whatever passed between the two of them must have done his heart a great service.
Quirky announced to the party that he would like to be known as Audric from now on. It feels weird to look at him and try not to think "Quirky" anymore, but I'm sure we'll all get used to it eventually. I just hope everyone else likes the name Audric as much as I do...
After breakfast, we set out again for Bridinsford. When we arrived, there was trouble at the gate. Two half-orcs were apparently grievously offended by the concept of peace bonding, and were letting the guards know it. As it looked like the guards were not going to be able to settle this alone, Grumble rushed into the fray, and I followed. We killed one, and knocked the other out. I wasn't much help at all, but Qui-Audric was able to heal the guards, and the rest of my companions were able to handle the orcs.
One of the guards told us as thanks that his brother would put us up in his inn for free. I can't imagine anyone actually honoring a promise like that during festival time, but here we are with three rooms! Three really, really nice rooms!
After settling the matter of lodging, we went to the barracks to tell Lieutenant Shella of our success with the Skull Tribe. When she was finally able to speak to us, we were thanked not only by her, but by the Barron's sister as well! She was so glad we had helped out the barony, that she doubled our reward. Looking at her, she seemed sincerely thankful, and I am frustrated to say that I still cannot decide who is behind the treachery with the orcs. Even Shella seemed grateful. I wonder if we will ever get to the bottom of this?
After completing our business at the barracks, we were all able to go our own way for a while, but before we split up, I made Rowan promise to meet me after dinner. Quirky and I went off in search of food and sights. It has been so long since I've been to a festival of any sort! I forgot how many delicious foods can be skewered on sticks! With Audric by my side, I thought I had temporarily died and gone to heaven. It was so nice to be able to forgot about being adventurers for a while, and just spend some honest time with him.
When dinner time came around, we met back up at our inn. Rowan told us she had run into a friend of her father's, who had invited us all for dinner. I rushed upstairs to try and get ready. I have this kirtle I have been carrying in the bottom of my pack since I left home. It was a parting gift from my friend, Effinia. She was always so good with clothes, and boys! She embroidered it with badgers and apples, to represent how I got the name Badger. Before I left, she told me that one never knows when one will meet a boy they'd like to impress, and at the time, I remember having a good laugh. Now, with my hair looking like an exploded pheasant, I was most certainly NOT laughing. I guess I should have asked her to show me how to illusion my hair into something nice, as well. However, with Rowan's help, I was able to put it back the way it was, except with ribbons instead of leather ties, and head downstairs with fingers crossed. I think I managed to sufficiently impress Quir-ack! Audric! Then we headed off to dinner with Rowan. Dinner was so nice! Bruge and his wife were such nice hosts, and they told us some stories from Rowan's past. Then, they gave her what is probably the most amazing sword I have ever seen in my short little life! It was supposed to go to Rowan's friend, but when she died, her parents thought it was fitting that Rowan have it in her stead.
It must have been so nice for Rowan to be at dinner with friends from her past. Listening to them talk made me miss my own family desperately. I wish I could see them again. I wonder what Malick would say if he ever met Audric? I can't decide if he would be impressed that I've managed to find someone, or if he would feel protective and concerned. I don't know if I'll ever find out. I wonder if Dad has forgiven me yet for running away and not becoming a locksmith? Malick had said Dad was so angry, he'd shouted that he was glad I was gone, and never wanted to see me again. I can't believe that would be true, but then again, he seemed so disappointed that I was picking locks instead of making them. I know I let him down, but I would hope he might want to see me again someday all the same. If I ever get the chance, that is. *sigh* At least I have Grumble, and Audric, and everyone else. They make a good substitute for a family in the meantime.