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Essie stepped closer to Farrendel and brushed at his hair herself. “Sorry, but I don’t have the skills myself. Would you be comfortable with my sister-in-law Paige trimming your hair? She used to cut her father’s hair before she married Averett, and she still trims Avie’s hair whenever he doesn’t have time to call in a barber to do it for him. If you would like her to help, I can ask her when she’s here.”

Farrendel shuddered as he released a long breath, but he nodded.

“All right.” Essie stood on her tiptoes and kissed Farrendel’s cheek. This would be hard for him, but hopefully it would help if he didn’t have to look at such a visible reminder of what that troll king had done to him.

“Just sit down righthere.” Paige waved to the chair set on the brick patio just outside the doors of Buckmore Cottage. It was a thankfully mild autumn day, mild enough that none of them would get too chilly during a haircut outside.

Bertie and Finn both sat on the patio, playing with their wooden elf warriors that they had been given last time Farrendel and Essie were there. Essie sat on a bench near them, gripping the wooden versions of herself as she attempted to keep the nephews busy and keep an eye on Farrendel.

Farrendel edged toward the chair as if it were a device of torture. He perched on it, his back as straight as his sword. He flinched as Paige flung an oilcloth cloak around him.

Paige snugged the cloak tight, then wrapped a cloth around Farrendel’s neck. “Don’t worry. This won’t hurt. I cut Averett’s, Bertie’s, and Finn’s hair all the time. Did you have any thoughts on how you want it to look?”

“I do not know.” Farrendel’s eyes were wide, and he glanced at Essie.

Essie set down the wooden figurines since both of the nephews had been distracted by the hair cut and turned back to Paige and Farrendel. “Something like how you usually cut Averett’s hair, I would think. Longer at the top and shorter at the sides, trying to keep it as long as possible while still getting it even.”

Paige nodded. “I can do that.” She pulled a comb and a small, silver pair of scissors from a pocket. She gently pushed on the back of Farrendel’s head. “Tilt your head forward.”

He did as instructed, though Essie could see his hands were clenched on the armrests of the chair with a white-knuckled grip.

Bertie scrambled to his feet and shuffled across the bricks before he stopped a few feet in front of Farrendel. He glanced from Paige to Farrendel, still hugging his wooden elf warrior. “Farrendel getting a haircut?”

“That’s Uncle Farrendel, and, yes, he’s getting a haircut. Just like I give to you boys.” Paige combed the hair at the back of Farrendel’s head, then she snipped the ends with the scissors.

Farrendel’s breath caught, but he did not flinch away even as Paige kept combing and cutting. Essie could not imagine how hard that must be for him to sit still for this.

Bertie regarded Farrendel with a rather grave expression for a three-year-old. “Mama says we gotta sit still or she’ll cut our ears off.”

Farrendel went rigid, his gaze snapping first to Bertie, then to Essie. Something almost like terror flashed in his eyes, as if he really believed his ears were in danger of being sliced off with Paige’s scissors if he so much as breathed too deeply.

“Don’t worry. I only tell that to the boys to stop them from squirming.” Paige combed another section of Farrendel’s hair, her gaze never wavering from her work. “Your ears are safe.”

Farrendel’s shoulders didn’t exactly relax, but he didn’t look about ready to snap from tension either. After a few more moments, he squeezed his eyes shut, and his breathing returned to that rhythmic, too steady pace that told Essie he was struggling to remain calm.

Paige halted and gestured with the scissors. “Here, Essie. Why don’t I show you what I’m doing? That way, you can trim his hair in the future as it grows out.”

Essie wasn’t sure his hair would need more trimming. With the magical elven conditioner, it wouldn’t get split ends. But it might grow out uneven or need a trim to keep it looking nice at various lengths. Essie stood and joined Paige. “Sounds good.”

While Paige worked, she explained what she was doing. Essie did her best to memorize the instructions, and she could see by the set to Farrendel’s shoulders that hearing what was going on was helping him as well.

Paige eventually handed over the comb and scissors to Essie and observed while Essie took over. Essie’s stomach was tight, nervous that she would mess everything up. But Paige’s voice remained calm as she talked Essie through each snip of the scissors.

After a few more minutes, Paige took the scissors back, finished the last few cuts, and tipped his head back and forth. Finally, she stepped aside and turned to Essie. “See anything I missed?”

Essie cradled Farrendel’s face in her hands. When she tilted his chin up, his eyes were wide, almost pleading. She could feel the slight tremble to him, as if he was barely holding it together.

A quick inspection of Farrendel showed that Paige’s haircut was impeccable, as always. “Looks good to me. Very good.” Essie pressed a kiss to Farrendel’s forehead, hoping that would help him remain calm.

When she straightened and rested a hand on Farrendel’s shoulder, he was still trembling. It was too small to be noticeable, but he was so tense he was about ready to break. Essie faced Paige, forcing a smile. “Thanks for your help and for doing such a good job.”

“You’re both welcome. Will you be coming to supper tonight?” Paige gathered her supplies, whipping the canvas off Farrendel quickly enough to send the cut hair flying off to the side so that it didn’t land on him.

“Maybe.” Essie wanted to spend the time with her family, but she wasn’t sure if Farrendel would be all right after this experience.

“Hopefully we’ll see you then. I’m sure Averett and Julien will be eager to see the new haircut.” Paige’s smile didn’t slip, though her eyes seemed knowing as she glanced at Essie. She rounded up Bertie and Finn, then herded them down the path headed for Winstead Palace.

When they were out of sight and earshot, Farrendel shot to his feet. He managed to take one step, his breathing going from ragged to hyperventilating. “Essie...Essie...I...” He sank to the ground, wrapping his arms around his knees and resting his head on his arms.