Her ears slant back, allowing his hand to glide over her hair smoothly. After a moment, she admits, "Yes... I would also prefer that. I don't think you'd truly be you anymore if you were weary of the world the way he is."

Hythlodaeus is special in the way Haurchefant was special, in personality alone. In fact, there's some similarities she can draw between them, the constant hammy innuendo from Haurchefant aside.

Irhya doesn't have Haurchefant anymore; he's long past lost to her. But Hythlodaeus is here, hale and whole, and needs a far sight more protecting than a knight would. It's more than just love or attraction, it's...

"I've never met anyone quite like you in my travels, and I probably never will again. So I'd like to leave you as whole as possible when we have to eventually part. And maybe, if I'm being selfish, to say I did something good for you as well while we were here."