They walked back from the training grounds. Often they had sparred together, and they had shown to be about eachothers equals in battle.
But this time was different, this was the last time before he would leave the castle, leave HER, in order to join the Grey Wardens. "Something wrong Mylady?"
She looked up turned her gaze to him. "No, not really Ser... I just dread the idea that you're leaving this soon. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you, it's a great honour, but..." She turned her eyes back on her shoes again and blinked rapidly. 'Don't cry, don't cry'. Ser Gilmore halted and lay a gloved hand on her shoulder.
"Mylady... I think I know what you mean, but maybe it is better for both of us. But I'll take you with me, Mylady, in my heart and in my memories." He grabbed the necklace that was hanging around his neck, and looked at her with eyes which seemed to be showing a bittersweet feeling.
The ivory pendant showed a flower, Andraste's Grace. It was a birthday present from her for his twentieth birthday and he has cherished it since then. They have been friends for a long time, since Roland Gilmore joined the castle as a young squire. Slowly their friendship had turned into more, as the two grew up together. Her mother caught them when they shared a kiss, their first kiss, only two years ago and has been warned her after that: 'Experiment as you like, but know that he won't be more for you. Don't forget you're the daughter of a teyrn.' Two years, but the words were still stinging like it was yesterday.
She dropped her sword and shield on the ground and wrapped her arms around his neck. She laid her head against his shoulder and smiled as he embraced her. "I'll miss you Roland", she whispered.
"I'll miss you too, Andra." His voice was unsteady, making her gulp and close her eyes, fighting against the tears. "Promise me you'll take of yourself... and find yourself a good husband. I want to hear about Teyrna Andra, no less." He planted a kiss on her hair after saying this and slowly moved one hand to the back of her head. "Just hurry up and become a teyrn then, slacker! I don't know how long I can fend mother off with her list of candidates." Andra looked up into his bright green eyes and couldn't help but smile at him.
'Oh, those eyes. I just wish things were different, sweet Roland...' He smiled back at her, and as like he could read her thoughts he whispered: "If only things were different for us."
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Later at dinner she had to put up effort to be polite to the guests. Her stomach felt like it could turn upside down any moment, but she ate a bit nonetheless, if only to have something to do. In fact she didn't mind that the time seemed to go slow, since they would leave shortly after dinner: Fergus, the Grey Warden and Roland. She knew that the Grey Wardens were highly respected, and the man made a nice impression on her. He seemed to be kind and wise. But he was recruiting for war, and she couldn't deny that that fact bothered her. Her father and his friend, Arl Howe, would leave tomorrow. Howes troops were late or something. "Ferelden to Andra. You can drop that fork now, cause your plate is really empty." She looked up from her thoughts, right into the broadly smiling face of Fergus, who was sitting in front of her. "Eh, sorry?" Fergus pointed at her plate: "You've been picking at some invisible food for like five minutes now."
She blinked and stared at her plate, which was indeed empty. Her cheeks started to glow as she dropped her fork and tried to hide behind her napkin. She caught some glares from her mother, but most of the guests seemed to see the humor of it, as she heard quite a few stiffled laughs. Andra mumbled an "Excuse me" and hurried her way out of the dining room. 'Oh great, embarrassing myself and everyone for such a lot of guests...' She decided to go for a walk to clear her mind a bit.
A window welcomed her with a few rays of sunshine. Outside she could see the village of Highever as it lay
down the hill. "There you are" said a familiar voice. Roland walked up to stand beside her and share the view. "I'm glad to see you, before I leave..." He scratched his cheek and turned towards her.
"I... wanted to give you something, please." The nervous voice made her raise an eyebrow as she turned towards him. "I'm always open for a goodbye-kiss, you know." He chuckled a bit: "I won't doubt that, but I meant something different. He put his hand in his pouch and produced a small package, which he handed to Andra. She blinked as she took the package from him. It was covered with a blue cloth. "At least the colour matches your dress..." She opened the package with trembling hands, carefully removing the ribbon that held it together. Inside she found a bracelet from woven chainmail, with small seashells as decoration.
Although it was made from mail, it still seemed delicate. "It's beautiful, you made it yourself?" He nodded in return: "Yes... glad you like it." She leaned in and kissed him softly on his mouth. "I do, I really do."
He blushed a bit when he softly replied: "Better not to displease such a beautiful lady" and leaned in to return her kiss. "Will you accompany me back to the hall Mylady?" She nodded and walked back, in order to say
her formal farewells.
The teyrn and teyrna stood beside her when they waved their farewells to the departing crowd. Roland looked over his shoulder and winked at her. Fergus waved enthousiastly at his wife and son, who had followed into the yard.
Andra couldn't stop the tears in her eyes and wiped them away with her hand. "Don't worry pup, Fergus is a skilled swordsman. And word has that the darkspawn are already almost defeated." Her father wrapped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed her softly. She nodded softly, but her tears weren't for her brother, for he would return shortly, if the Maker wants it...
Modifié par Mahumia, 20 janvier 2010 - 10:32 .
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