As the days passed, little by little, their conversations grew more personal, and the guarded walls they had each built around themselves began to crumble.
Without either of them quite realising it, the two strangers became good friends.
It was during one of their quiet evenings beneath Rhu's sprawling branches that Hera finally trusted him with her secrets.
Looking over the stream, she confessed softly, "I didn't just find Rhu… I grew her with my own powers."
Gavriel was not surprised, having long sensed her deep connection with the tree.
Resting his head against the trunk with his eyes closed, he murmured, "I figured."
Hera glanced at him and smiled before continuing, "Also… ever since I was a child, I could speak with plants and tame any beast I crossed paths with."
Gavriel responded with a quiet hum.
Hera leaned a little closer to him. "You don't find it strange?"
