King Elk Forest Salt and Pepper

a soft voice cut through the chilly evening air and hung there for brienne to see plainly — this was not the silvery prince she had hoped (and dreaded) it would be.  instead, it was the woman who had witnessed her at the borders being so cruel to another at the borders.  because of course it was, right?

she fumbled with a response, but nothing seemed appropriate.  it was easy to see at first glance that brienne was decidedly not okay.  the limp in her hind leg had persisted and the wounds that scraped deep into her sides oozed with each breath even with zada's secret care.  her hips were easily visible even underneath her sparse winter pelt.  she looked terrible, and she felt terrible, too.

but she couldn't just _tell everyone_ that it was their leader who had turned her into whatever creature she was now.

no.  it was the only thing that she could bring herself to say.  i'm not.  but i'm not sure if it's appropriate.  please give me permission.