Kate's heat sank as the elf in her arms was flooded with emotions. She knew he needed to pour out his soul, pent up emotions from trappings of being a slave. She did not know the extent of his burden. His body show the sighs of terrible abuse that the young man endured. The horrible nightmare of a life at the mercy and punishment of Malora. In time she would know the young man and the hidden darkness that only a slave endures. Kate had never been this close to a grown male. Not even her brother or her father ever cried in front of her. He moved his cheek to her neck. She softly smoothed his hair as he let go of his emotions. Kate reached over him and held the mug of cider, "Drink this. You are the bravest man I have ever met. I know your afraid. All that you know has been taken from you. You bore more than any one. This is part of healing. You can always come to me. I will never starve or harm you. I will do my best to protect you. I will keep you out my aunt's reach."<br/><br/>Kate takes a clean cloth from the cabinet near the bed and hands it to him. "You have done well, Na'el. Your name I will change you are more  than nothingness. I will call you Treyan'dahan. Trey for short. It means one who bears one's soul."<br/><br/>Kate takes a deep sniff and closes her eyes as she holds him to her. "You scent is like a Springfest, filled with sweet spices and fragments of jasmine, gardenia, and musk that is very male." Kate nuzzles his cheek and lightly strokes his arms. "I am going to hold you for as long as you want." Kate wipes his tears and hold it to his nose as he kept his from using his hands. "I want you to let me care for you. There will come a time when I will let you do for yourself. Blow your noise. Do not speak, your body needs rest, ...calm your mind. I will keep the nightmares at bay." Kate kisses his bruised cheek. She places the back of her hand on his jaw. "My hands will not strike you. Take a few deep deep breaths.  She gently dabs his bruised nose with the cloth. "Drink some more cider." Kate smiles at him. "Close your eyes and breath easy." Kate sets the mug on the stand and places her hand over his forehead. He dreams he is a field of lilacs, there a large lake with a stream behind him. It is a bright summer day and there are deer feeding near him. Kate is with him she in a white cotton dress and he is dressed in tunic and loose fitting pants. They share picnic of fresh caught catfish and apple cider. Kate removes her dress undresses him. She takes him by the hand and leads him into the  lake. She hugs and kisses him. His naked body is muscled and scare free. He is free of the collar and his past.<br/><br/>Next morning Kate awakens to rain softly falling. A few sailors shout to take down the main sail. She had changed into her fox form in her sleep. She feels being hugged. The vixen gives Trey a few licks on his swollen hands. She nuzzles his arms that hold her. It has been ages since was snuggled by anyone. She gives Trey a few sniffs and lays her tail over his waist protectively.