It was the evening of the third day when he finally arrived and entered the cabin as quietly as possible. His first glance went to the door at the back. He couldn't help the gnawing fear that she would have decided to leave him. He wouldnt be able to take that if she did. It would kill him. though she had hurt him so deeply, he still loved her. He couldn't lose her. When he saw the door was still as he'd left it, he sighed with relief.<br/><br/>This trip up the mountain, hauling so much weight in food and supplies had exhausted him. His muscles burned, and he was hot and sweaty. He yearned to just curl up with his love and drift off to sleep before the fire. But he couldn't do that. She needed to be taught. he needed to know he could trust her.<br/><br/>As quietly as possible to avoid alerting her of his return, he deposited the gear he carried and groaned with relief as he shed the weight and strain. Stooping, he pulled a few things from the bags, then went back outside. He didn't want her to hear him yet. He wanted to hear her call for him. So he found a rock beside the river that ran close to the cabin, and sat to wait. Munching on the food he'd carried, he relaxed beside the river. The sounds of the wildlife in the woods, insects, birds, critters... the gurgling of the brook the sighing of the wind in the trees, the wonderful cool air on his skin... it was a wonderful night. He gazed up at the stars, listenning for any sound from her.