Well, she supposed, if she was amusing him then he wasn't for the time being dead. The boy passes her an amused glance, it tilts his young, handsome features and reveals a glimmer of laughter. Who knew that mirth was hidden behind the grouchy, irritable and sullen gaze? Aelin does not mange to smile back, instead she breaks from his eyes. Turning to look down at her bruising shoulder the girl tenderly puts some weight on it. The pain has faded to a dull throb, he chill of the world soothes the ache. Turning away from her shoulder her gaze returns to the boy, wondering how he'd managed to endure so much pain. The ache of her shoulder was enough to make her want to head home and be cuddled by family. This boy was nearing death with each breath, yet his act of bravery had still held up. His tolerance of the pain admirable, in fact she wasn't sure how he was managing to hold a coherent conversation with her. In truth she was very impressed by the dark boy, not caring if he though less of her. She might not be an almighty warrior (like her father) or a respectable woman (like her mother) yet but she had a good heart. That, she believed, warranted some kindness and good thoughts on his part.

Her eyes narrow as he smiles, wondering what she'd said now that amused him. By the gods...sometimes so could be so stupid. No doubt she'd soon become the laughing stock of outcasts. Turning from the dark boy she's once again studying the raging storm outside, praying for it to stop. She'd never felt so useless in all her life, if only she'd been blessed with the ability to heal. Then she'd heal up this dark (grouchy) stranger and they'd be able to wait out the storm in a much more comfortable situation. Sighing she pondered the idea of settling on the cold ground. Scuffing her hoof against the rough ground she wondered if eventually she'd be warmer with her wings wrapped around her body. The feathers might be able to chase the chill away from her bones. Still pondering her options she looks to the boy, wondering if he'd be needing her heat to survive the night.

It was now that she truly looked at the boy, past the injuries and surly exterior. The difference between them was clear - he was built for this weather. Rugged in fur, strong and enduring. She was not - draped in silks, ornate and enduring of heat. The black coat is worn proudly, thickly and clearly held more warmth than hers. It must be luxurious to wear such apparel in this climate. It is decorated as well, the princess of the open skies eyes the gold. Barely visible she sees the adornment on his right rear leg and the gold strange marking under the boy's right eye. They too are gold, unnatural (yet wholly enchanting) compared to her earthly, emerald green and sapphire blue. These orbs wondered down to the boy's chin, eyeing the thick curl of bristles. It almost amused her to see a boy with a beard, she'd not begun to dress herself in her mother's finery yet. 'Yes, he definitely older and he belongs here.' The girl decided, then turned her curious eyes away from him.

Still, he will one day be a handsome beast. Should they never meet again after this encounter, the girl knew she would think of him, wondering how he had grown.
Would the scars on his body tingle whenever he thought of her? Or would they only serve as reminders of whom had place them there?

His grumbled question is still not enough to return her embarrassed gaze to his form. The sandy princess faltered in her response, her tongue tangled around her speech. She'd never been cursed with a man's ego. This was not about being the more cable or better being, this was about him needing her for support. Aelin wanted him to trust her and allow her to care for him, not make him feel as if she was another problem he had to think about. "I...yes." She'd not force him to hold her and share his warmth, or want to make him uncomfortable. Perhaps he was not a boy familiar with sharing affection, let alone touching another. "I'm more used to the temperatures of the southern lands." No doubt he had realised she inhabited The Throat at some point during her life, and quite possibility still lived there. "Don't trouble yourself." Her words weren't completely sure, her voice growing smaller. She didn't want him to move, not wanting to be any trouble. Besides if he moved then he risked opening his wounds again, Aelin would not know how to staunch the bleeding. It did not seem worth it, she wasn't the one dying after all.

His ears fall back and her demand for information, orbs flicking towards his tail swaying irritably behind him. Aelin could not help the smile that spread across her lips, so that was how she'd get a reaction out of him. It hadn't been intentional, she did desperately want this information from him but now she knew how to get under his skin. By being pushy, figures. Not a trait commonly associated with Aelin, she was generally a polite and placid soul. A shiver rolls down her spine, it rolls over her entire body, eyes still trained on the boy. The boy, after all, has been successful in permentaly burning himself into her memory. She'd never forget the bleeding, aristocratic boy she'd met in the frozen mountains.

This was one of the most horrible yet curious encounters she'd ever been involved in.

Aelin can't quite understand why he didn't think his name was important. A name was apart of your identity! How could he not want to share the very first thing that identified him as an individual? "I think it is." He voice was shy, this time a softer response. Not wanting to annoy him any further she decided not to push the subject. In the short silence that settled a sigh of relief is realised from the boy and she sees his eyes closing ever so slightly. A tiny smile pulls at the corner of her chops, perhaps sleep wasn't that far away after all.

When he offers his name the girl's smile widens. It didn't clear up anything, or help make a decision about where they should head next but it was certainly a start. The sandy princess doesn't want to rouse him, yet she can't quite fight the urge to speak. "Hello, Rikyn." Softly she repeats his name in greeting, having wanted to just whisper the word that labeled this mysterious being. Her tongue handles the unsusal name with little difficulty. Rikyn. She liked it and it suited him quite well. "My name is Aelin." He hadn't asked for it, but she thought it polite to share her own label. She continues to smile and watch him, wondering if he'd finally fall asleep. The girl can feel her magic awakening, alerted by the sight of his eyes drooping.

"Atthirarido, Rikyn." Not quite sure why she does it, but her vocals pick up the nursery rhyme that her mother would sing to her and Hawke. It's soft, her voice was not as gentle or as beautiful as her mothers but she feels calmer. It's been a while since she'd hummed the melody, yet she remembers each note. When the melody finished she returns her gaze to the storm outside. She'd protect his dreams and be here when he awoke.