"I should like to save the Shire, if I could - though there have been times when I thought the inhabitants too stupid and dull for words, and have felt that an earthquake or an invasion of dragons might be good for them. But I don't feel like that now. I feel that as long as the Shire lies behind, safe and comfortable, I shall find wandering more bearable: I shall know that somewhere there is a firm foothold, even if my feet cannot stand there again."

carrying the world around his neck

"I see no hope of it now. But I've got to do the best I can."

“Hey, are you alright?” A boy, late teens, began jogging over in an all white attire. His hair was wayward and unkempt, eyes a striking pair of blue and violet. 

He knelt down almost immediately, extending a sword-calloused hand towards the person in question.

“Take it easy, okay? Can you stand? Or do you need some help? It’s okay to get help if you can’t, you know? I’ll help walk you back to town. “

I’ll protect you, I’ll look after you, was unspoken. This teenager, with the kind smile and the messy hair, had an unhealthy habit when it came to caring for others, protecting others. But even if that were true..it didn’t stop him from being that way. 

It was his way of life. An oath to uphold as one who would preserve the lives of people in front of him, friends and family, who weren’t really that different, for as long as he lived. 

Slinging the townsperson’s arm over his shoulder, his smile was gentle, eyes crinkling.

“See? We’ll take it nice and slow. We’ll get home in no time, okay? I know you, I think, too! You’re one of the farmers, right? You should take a bit of a break after getting this kind of injury.”

The farmer in question protested to his Lord that he wouldn’t be helping Lhant if he were down. Everyone lately was working just as hard as the young noble to protect their little town.

“Don’t worry about that. Leave it to me, okay? When you’re ready to get back into it, whenever that is, we’ll be ready for your help, okay? Let’s just go home for now.” With those words, Asbel gently guided one of his people back home, striking up friendly and informal conversation all the while. 

After all, these were the people he cherished the most — that he once had not appreciated as he should. Their happiness..meant everything to him.

—

Asbel Lhant from Tales of Graces f. My main muse actually, and my url is p much based on him …he’s actually my spirit animal so I get associated with him a lot. Hell, my nickname is Lizbel. So yes he is my perfect baby. uwu