There was a pulling sensation and then Julian was standing with Gerda in a wood and stone cottage kitchen.

Gerda stared intently at their entwined fingers. He squeezed them once before releasing her and taking a step back.

“Grab a seat, and I'll make us some tea.” She pointed at the table. If he were entering from the front door, the kitchen was on the right, the table directly ahead, and a cozy seating area with a fireplace and small library stretched off to the right. Gerda walked into the kitchen. “Don’t mind me if I pop out to deal with a bridge - now that I’m back, I should start doing my actual job again.”

“I understand.” Julian did as he was told, taking a seat at the table nearby and using the opportunity to openly inspect her dwelling place.

The walls were a collection of painted flower motif, hanging herbs and a cascading mushroom display. Bright sun filtered in from a variety of windows in all different size and shapes. The largest window was above the sink, overlooking a field of wildflowers.

Each window out on a different place. Three small round ones stacked beside the mushrooms overlooked a trickling stream in a dark forest, another with a warped shape oval had a clear view of the ocean with towering cliffs in the distance and seabirds flying overhead.

The kitchen had a wrap around counter with a collection of knicknacks and potted herbs. Gerda put on water to boil and then proceeded to water all of the plants in the kitchen before moving onto the dining area and the living room. There were plants, vines, healing herbs and even moss growing all over the place. Gerda watered each diligently, speaking softly to the plants as she did so. One didn't survive her absence, and she scooped it into a small bin.

There was only one exit or entrance - an intricate carved wooden door painted with the same flower motif as on the walls.

“Is it magic?” He asked, nodding at the door.

Gerda looked up from where she was tending a collection of glowing mushrooms that grew in a tall tiered cylinder tucked between her couch and the wall. “Yes. We are currently connected to,” She glanced at the kitchen window, “the west bridge on the Great Road in Nilheim.”

They lapsed into silence while she wandered back to the kitchen to grab the water. She had an impressive collection of tea set out on top of a glass cabinet filled with types of mugs and cups. There were decorative tea spoons hanging on the wall above.

She grabbed two large mugs and a glass pitcher and a white teapot with painted green vines. Into the teapot she poured hot water and some loose tea leaves. It smelled bitter. Then she pulled out a jar of honey and drizzled two wands worth into the tea itself, stirring to mix. Unusual, but he waited.

He enjoyed watching her work.

While the tea steeped, she went into a cupboard in her kitchen and grabbed a plate. She pulled out of her storage ring two each of three types of baked treat and set them on a tray. Soft gingerbread cookies, hard cinnamon biscuits, and a slices of dale nut loaf.

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She took a small bottle down from the tea shelf and popped open the stopper. Even from the table, Julian could smell the scent of freshly baked cookies coming from the vial. With a flick, three drops landed in the pitcher. Next came a glass of cold milk from her storage ring .

She carefully strained her hot tea into the pitcher, stirring it until the milk became a warm light brown brew. She nodded once in satisfaction.

“Perfect for a hot summer's day.” Gerda said, bringing the tray over and placing it down in front of him. It had a small bowl of sugar and two small tea spoons. She sat corner to him at the tables edge.

He took a sip. It was cold and just lightly sweet. “What is it?”

“As close to a London Fog as I can make in this world.” She said, taking a sip for herself. “Some people like to add lavender, but I am not one of those people. You can make it sweeter, if you like.”

Her odd word choice strucked him, but it could be a troll thing.

“It’s good.” Julian took another sip then set his mug down on the table. “Gerda.”

“Yes?” She asked, looking up from appreciating her own sip of tea.

“I have something I would like to tell you.” Julian broached.

“Okay?” Her relaxed expression stiffened and she sounded unsure.

“I…” Julian stared at the troll, enjoying a peaceful cup of tea in her cozy cottage in the Dark Enchanted Forest.

What could he tell her? That he liked her? That he wanted to kiss her? That he couldn't stop thinking about her night and day to the point that it was driving him to distraction?

He knew he wanted something… but what?

“I never heard your full escort request.” Julian leaned back in his chair.

He wasn't a coward, he was just taking time to find the right words. It wasn't fair or polite to express interest in someone if he didn't know his own mind.

Gerda let out a breath. “Ah. Well, I'm on a quest to the Ice Fields. I was hoping you could bring me as far North as you're able and then I'll take it from there.”

“Alone?” Julian frowned. The Northern Ice Fields were home to untold monsters, and not the friendly kind who would invite her in for tea.

There was an unclaimed Dungeon in the north, and monsters afflicted with dungeon madness regularly broke out in swarms.

He was still looking for the dungeon.

“I have a quest.” She said, as if that settled it. “To find a bridge. It's about as north as you can go, so I don't expect you to escort me the whole way - just as far as you can.”

He could have told her it was a fool's errand, a death wish… but instead he replied, “I'll take you the whole way.”

Gerda's brows knit together and she looked like she might protest, but then her head turned to look at a notification tab. Her eyes darted as she read. “Oh, I should probably get this. Are you alright if I leave you here for a bit or–”

“I'll wait.”

“Okay. One second.”

She vanished.

Suddenly, there was the long distorted shadow of a troll on the field of wildflowers in the kitchen window.

Julian kicked himself.