Sparring Partners
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and all that jazz.
NOTE: So here's the penultimate chapter of this story. We're near the end but these two are still struggling to admit their feelings to one another. And while Étoile may have reluctantly admitted hers to herself, confessing to Arslan is another matter entirely. So that's what made this chapter fun to write. A bit of angst but still fun, I hope.
This is a two-parter so the last chapter will continue directly from this one. And I will post that in the next few days so don't worry. You won't have too long to wait and I assure you that there will be closure so please don't be too frustrated with me.
Anyway, we're so close to the end now and I hope you like this chapter. Please let me know what you think. Enjoy.
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Arslan had been getting worried about Étoile after not seeing her for several days. He knew that she was avoiding him and avoiding talking about what had happened with the assassins. But he wanted to show his gratitude for her saving his life. He wanted to finally tell her how much she meant to him. There was so much he needed to say to her.
So he felt slightly dismayed when she finally approached him and wordlessly handed him a wooden sword.
The prince had been discussing something with Elam but the moment he noticed Étoile come near, he became completely distracted. The archer understood and threw the prince a nod of understanding before taking his leave. He knew very well that the prince would be safe and that he and the knight would have much to discuss with one another.
Étoile had her own sword at the ready and got into a fighting stance, as she had done on countless training sessions. Arslan knew what to do although he was not particularly in the mood for it. But he also knew that it was probably one of the only ways he would be able to talk to Étoile again.
A soldier to the core, Étoile's way of effective communicating would always something to do with combat. And Arslan was determined to spend some time with her, even in this way. He hoped that this duel would somehow lead to a proper conversation with her.
The knight looked as serious as she always did, her expression not betraying any other intention than that of sparring practice. But Arslan hoped that there was more to this than that. He sighed and raised his wooden sword while also getting into a fighting stance.
Étoile immediately launched into an aggressive attack but one that Arslan was adequately familiar with and that he parried skillfully. For the next few minutes, wooden swords clashed as the two warriors showcased their skills. Arslan in particular had come a long way in the last few months and had proven to be a worthy adversary.
They exchanged blows in quick succession but for a while, neither of them managed to land any on the other. They had grown so accustomed to the rhythm of the other's fighting that they could practically anticipate the other's movements. But there was a certain comfort in familiarity and all this slightly lessened the tension between them, one that was no longer borne of any hostility.
It was growing apparent that both of them were stalling, putting off a crucial discussion that they both desperately needed to have. Arslan was more eager about talking but as they practiced, he was unsure of how to bring anything up. He also wondered, at certain points, if Étoile was expecting him to make the first move. It was all too confusing and he wished that she gave him some kind of sign, any indication of her own intentions. They had been dancing around the issue for months and given their current circumstances, there really was no time to waste.
For her part, Étoile was also trying to find the right moment to express what she wanted to express, and even now, facing the prince himself, she was unsure of how exactly to do it. She had spent nights deliberating and planning her approach but when it came down to it, all she could think of was having another sparring session with him.
He was calm and collected, as he always was, and he was not even flustered by fighting anymore. Their practice was becoming too predictable, too safe. In an instant, Étoile knew what to do.
She feigned stumbling on something and fell the ground clumsily, allowing for her opponent to point his sword at her. Arslan was taken aback by this since Étoile usually had such good balance. He instinctively extended his hand to help her up and was even more surprised when the knight looked at him with exasperation.
"Is that really what you would have done in such a situation?" Étoile asked angrily.
Realizing that this was a test, Arslan pointed his wooden sword at her, albeit halfheartedly. But he was glad that she had finally begun to speak to him. Étoile looked at him expectantly.
"I'm giving you a chance to surrender," the prince said simply but was surprised again when Étoile shook her head.
"You don't sound very convincing," she scolded, getting back on her feet, "and besides, not everyone deserves such a chance."
"I disagree," Arslan replied, "everyone deserves another chance."
Étoile sighed, expecting such an answer from him. He looked at her in concern, waiting in suspense for what she would say next.
"You still don't understand, do you?," she said sternly,"Your hesitation is going to get you killed!"
Arslan looked at her gravely. "I know what you are referring to," he replied, "and I know you are right. That was a grave miscalculation on my part and I should have been paying more attention."
"Surely you've seen enough of this world to know that there are many evil people in it," Étoile said passionately, "people who mean to do you harm, and who will never hesitate to kill you if you so much as show the slightest doubt as you did back then. I know that you take no pleasure in killing, but you must know that sometimes it is necessary."
Arslan nodded gravely. Étoile knew that he understood but she had wanted to drive her point home forcefully. A few moments passed in tense silence.
"Sometimes you are too compassionate for your own good," Étoile broke the silence, speaking in a gentler tone.
She could not bring herself to add that this was one of the traits she admired about the young prince. She was still afraid of revealing too much, even as she knew that this was the time for them to be more open to each other.
The knight said nothing more so Arslan spoke. "You have taught me so much and I already owe you everything. Please allow me now to express my deepest gratitude for your saving my life several days ago. I do not know how I can ever repay you for what you have done."
Étoile had expected this but still could not help blushing at the earnestness of Arslan's words. She also found that she could not hold his gaze so she looked away abruptly, and struggled to compose an appropriate response.
"You owe me nothing," she replied softly, "But you have a duty to your people. It would be irresponsible of you to die when so many people still need you."
"You're right, of course, I will try to be more careful" Arslan replied, a bit thrown by the gentleness in Étoile's manner , "And I will endeavor not to disappoint you in the future."
"You're the prince of Pars and I'm a Lusitanian knight," Étoile said matter of fact-ly, raising an eyebrow, "Why should it matter what I think of you?"
Arslan decided that this was as good a moment as any to speak the truth. And he would not waste this opportunity.
"It matters a great deal to me," he said, plucking up his courage and taking Étoile's hand in his, "In fact, it is the only thing that matters."
