Bearclaw Valley If I was born a blackthorn tree

Mastering fear was something Arielle still struggled with. She never feared for herself, only for those she cared for most. The thought of losing Aves or Merrick made her heart race and panic pool in her stomach. She did everything for the bear or with the bear in mind, but this one thing was hard to let go of. She wasn't sure she could ever conquer that particular fear and she worried the bear would find some way to punish her for it. 

She drew in a deep breath and pushed the thoughts away; they were not helpful. I think mastering fear is very difficult, she told him. She trusted him in a way she trusted no one else; she knew he would not hold these words against her. Merrick has suffered a great deal; I think that is why he is so immune to being afraid. And losing Astara had likely left him with not much to fear anyway. 

Arielle placed the moss down, her expression solemn. She reached over and picked up two different plants and began to chew them. She began to carefully place them on each of his wounds, trying her best not to cause more pain than was necessary.