Fated to rule

The morning after

Gelerion's eyes slowly opened. "Eww, where am I?" 

A tender voice answered. "You are in my father's tavern." 

Hearing the voice, the boy narrowed his eyes and looked around the room. A small lady was standing near the entrance, ready to leave. "Hey." Smirked at her Gellerion. "What's your name?" 

"Chloé." Said the girl, opened the door, but before she could leave, Gellerion noticed he is lying naked in the bed, and therefore shouted: "Chloé. Wait!" She stopped in the middle of the exit and leaned back a little. 

"Yes?" 

"Did we...? Together...?" Gellerion blushed.

"No, don't worry." Chloé smiled at him. "You were just too cute and didn't want to be alone. Almost like a baby. However... I had to undress you." She grinned, and with that, left the room. The boy leaned his head back on the pillow. 

"This is even worse feeling than the exhaustion after the battle with Gormogh. Why is my head spinning so much?" He placed his hand on his forehead and rested for a while. 

Gellerion woke up after several hours. I have to get up now, he thought. He managed to get out of the bed with significant difficulty and searched for his clothes. They were all fold and placed on the table. He has never seen it before. Neither Norrick nor Dendrick folded the clothes. When he got dressed up, he left the room. 

Loud steps could be heard as Gellerion walked down. 

"Good morning!" Said the tavernkeeper. 

"Aww... please, don´t speak so loudly. My head is killing me." 

"Here, drink this." The publican put a filled cup in front of him. 

"I hope it's not another ale." 

"No worries. Just water. You must be thirsty." Gellerion nodded and drank the whole cup. When preparing the second one, the rounded man started a conversation with a theme, Gellerion didn't expect. 

"I could use such a strong young man around my tavern." The boy just kept drinking and let him continue. "There is an issue in this village, and we have to protect our houses on our own. Unfortunately, there are no men who can fight left. Do you know how to use that sword?" The man pointed in the direction where the blade was. His finger was slightly shuddering, and Gellerion noticed it. 

"I do, and in my opinion, pretty well." 

"Good." Rejoiced the man and prepared to continue in his offer when the boy stopped him with his hand. 

"What happened to the fighting men?" Asked curiously. 

The tavernkeeper was silent for a while. Rubbing his hands, he answered. "There are two fortresses on the north which we are supplying. Everyone who knew how to fight went there." The man's forehead was sweaty now, and during the explanation, his voice changed sometimes. 

"Is that it?" Questioned Gellerion the man with suspicion. 

"It is." Nodded the man a few times. "So..." continued "I would give you the room, proper meals, and something to drink every day, and you would protect my house in exchange. What are you saying?" 

"Well, it seems like a good offer to me, but I have one more question. Who am I going to face? Who or what is it that you need to be protected from?" 

"There are several groups of thieves, and we are all farmers here." Blurted the man out so fast, almost like he was prepared for this one. "Good. Some thieves shouldn't be a problem." Winked.  "Yes, yes. I am pretty sure they will run immediately after they spot you." "Well..." The man stretched out his hand. "Do we have a deal?" Gellerion stared at his hand for a minute and then took it and shook it together. 

"Alright!" Smiled at him and slapped him on the back. "Go! Have a seat. I will bring you breakfast as fast as possible." He sounded much happier, and in a moment disappeared into the kitchen.