Secret Santa fic for blankspectrum on lj. Happy Holidays everyone 8D
The night was surprisingly clammy (which didn't keep the celebrating masses from the streets) so Asthor pulled his cloak tighter around himself and hastened his steps. He whistled a happy little melody as he sneaked through the darker and seedier parts of Ostia. A tavern with questionable if excellent reputation was his destination. Gold coins jingled lowly every time he took a step.
When he turned around a corner, avoiding a lighter street, he suddenly heard footsteps behind him. Without missing a beat of his melody, one hand sneaked to the long knife hidden under his cloak. The footsteps came from the street he had just passed; maybe a drunk who was lost or someone looking for an easy victim in the dark? Asthor slowly backed into the shadows.
"... Asthor?" An electric jolt running up his spine made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
"Igraine," he said casually and let go of his knife. He turned to her. "Oh, are you gettin' ready for a journey?" She was wearing a traveller´s coat, carried a rather large sac over her shoulder and her quiver was full with new arrows. She inclined her head lightly and walked closer. Asthor smiled at her. "Isn't it a bit late to leave? You'll barely see the road."
"I can find my way regardless." Asthor blinked slowly and his smile almost faltered. She sounded so very serious.
"That's good." Asthor suppressed the urge to shift under her unnerving stare. "So you came all the way to say goodbye? I hope nobody will be jealous of me!" He laughed, but quickly sobered when Igraine didn't join him. "Well, I hope you have a good and safe journey," he said with a respectful nod of the head.
Igraine suddenly shifted and pulled a little round thing from deep within her cloak. "Here." She extended her hand and Asthor hesitated for only a second before he took it.
"That's the emblem you showed to me..." Surprised and confused his gaze flew up to her. She had knitted her brow and ever so slightly stuck out her chin. Asthor was speechless.
"You were right. You said I should move on and... let go of my husband." Asthor´s hand around the emblem twitched. "Meeting you broke my spell. I've clutched at the thought that my husband was still alive but had to leave me for some reason, because it gave me hope when I was desperate. My daughter-" She faltered and swallowed hard. "Without my daughter I felt so alone but the thought that Gorlois was still... there..." She shook her head. Asthor swallowed lightly and tried to keep his expression neutral. "Your presence destroyed my delusion and it hurt. But I am thankful for it." Asthor could barely utter more than a confused "Huh?" before she continued. "In a way my live stopped moving after it happened. Now I can continue living." A tiny smile appeared on her face; to Asthor it looked only pained.
"I see," he finally said. "Well, I'll keep this, then."
"Thank you." She nodded to him once and turned, walking back to the better lit street.
"Fare well," he called after her. She smiled one last time over her shoulder and then she was gone. Asthor stood there for a moment and let the loud noise of the still celebrating Ostians wash over him. When he finally set into motion again, he gently pocketed the emblem, squared his shoulders and continued his way to the tavern with his gaze glued to the ground.