She offered a nod and a mumbled, " I am glad, " to his reassurance. It did help ease the weight on her heart, but the effect was minimal when the greater part of the burden lay in the guilt of her actions and the life she took. In the attempted coup, and the tragedy of an innocent girl losing her life in its wake. The concern for the Archdruid with an obviously kind heart returning to find those he led involved in some ritual meant to exacerbate the suffering of the refugees he himself offered sanctuary to. As a leader herself, she could imagine the complex storm of emotions creating turmoil within his mind.
And then there was the worm in her head...
Though they stepped into the sunlight of the day once more, the scene that unfolded before them offered little warmth to the cold settling deep in her bones. A mother's cries were nothing unfamiliar to her, the tiefling woman's wails awakening the deep-seated memories of Gerudo mothers mourning their fallen children of all ages. The insults and accusations of incompetence and broken promises spread among the crowd of refugees like wildfire and burned just as hot, and if Zevlor did not step in to calm his kin as he did, Nabooru very likely would fail to keep control of her sharp tongue in Halsin's defense. She may not know the entire situation, but she could see that he did not deserve the vitriol slung his way. And it seemed the other druids were too cowed by their own guilt and failure to stand up to Kagha to defend their actual leader.
It reminded her how lonely a position like his, like hers, could be...
Despite the solemn scene of the girl's burial, Nabooru was glad for the moment away from the fuss. Halsin chose a picturesque spot for Arabella's final resting place, with a stunning view of the forest and delicate blooms guarding the mound under which she rested. The Gerudo aided where Halsin allowed, but she mostly kept out of his way; she sensed he wanted to do this. That it was his duty. She would respect his wishes. Mostly.
When he completed his task, his attention returned to her. His hands glowed in a golden light to rival the sun overhead, but her muscles once more tensed, her eyes squeezing closed and she turned her face away from him, despite her understanding of what came next. She at least eased her discomfort, fended off the phantom burning and freezing sensation and the cackling, an instant quicker than before. She blew out a breath and relaxed just in time to process his hand grazing the arrow wound in her cheek and shifting any hair that stuck to it away from it, the skin knitting itself together beneath the warmth of the spell and his fingers. Tender. Likely the gentlest touch she experienced in longer than she could remember.
Though, he likely needed and deserved kindness in that moment more than her.
When he repeated himself again about her innocence in the Shadow Druid's death as he finished healing her, she half wondered if he were trying to convince himself rather than her. Still, she focused on the more important part of his statement, the one that deepened the frown on her full lips. Once more she found herself at odds with her outspoken, blunt nature, a silent suggestion to leave him to his thoughts, and respecting her position as a stranger to a situation that, all told, was not her business. But as she watched Halsin retreat to the hill's edge to seat himself upon it, the exhaustion in his slumped posture and the pain she caught in his visage more than once, she wanted to at least try to offer some comfort to him.
Weight shifted from foot to foot one more time before she padded over to where he sat, lowering herself next to him, sure to leave a respectful amount of space between her hip and his." No, this wasn't your fault. " Her own exhaustion seeped heavily into her tone, but it remained impossibly gentle but firm. " I have a feeling you won't believe that, but none of this, not what I did, what happened with Kagha and the girl, is your fault. "
She folded her arms, one atop the other, in her lap and leaned forward, gold eyes drifting along the swath of trees surrounding the area. More than she saw at one time on a usual day in her life. A truly beautiful region...
" I won't say much else on that. I just...I know what it's like to be in a position like yours at a moment when it feels not very many people like or support you or your decisions. You did the right thing helping those people. "
She hazarded a glance over at him again, fingers curling around her elbows to keep herself from brushing the stray chestnut hair from his cheek. Her mental and physical exhaustion blurred her judgement, had her ready to broach the lines of overly friendly physical contact with a stranger. An ally, and a kind one who would not bite her fingers off for it, she imagined, but it wasn't like she had the excuse of healing his wounds like he did.
Pulling her legs up over the ledge, she crossed them, resting her hands on her ankles. " Oh, and I don't think I need to tell you those wounds of yours will get worse before they get better. You should heal them, too. Or point me in the direction of some kind of first aid to do it for you. And... "
Trailing off, she dragged her fingers through her grimy hair, regretting the action instantly when they caught in the crimson locks. A flash of a grimace, then she managed the barest, tired smile. " If you need to talk, or vent while I just sit and listen, you're welcome to. I also know how lonely it is to lead, to feel like there's no one to talk to, express yourself genuinely to, when you're supposed to be who they look to for guidance. So, maybe a stranger will be easier to let it out to. Or I can just give you space. I'm sure someone capable will babysit me for a little while so you can have some time. If you would prefer. "