Disclaimer: I do not own FFXIV nor Heavensward, or several of the characters mentioned in this story, or the FC featured.


Ragnar rushed through the hallways, he entered the lounge where he and Aisling spoke immensely the other day. It was void of anyone, he thought quickly and concluded that they could be in Aisling's room. It was across the manor from where he was, he bit as his lip as he tore through once more.

Some servants lunged out of the way as he sprinted, breath catching in his throat as he wheeled around a corner and barreled across the great main hall. He headed up some flight of stairs once again and grew to a walk, his lungs burning slightly. He huffed as he went to the last door on the right, his hand reaching for the knob but he heard raised voices.

"...why not!?" He heard Lauren persisting.

He pressed his ear against the door, their voices were less muffled as he listened further into their argument.

"Why not?" Aisling asked as though mocking her. "You're place is here, in Ishgard, protecting its people!"

"It is your place here as well! Yet here you are, getting packed to go off and fight someone else's battle when we are in need of you the most! Do you think we can fare well without Eistinien? You're just as strong as he is and battle-tested to be here! We need you here with us fighting the Horde!"

"I did not leave out of personal preference, it is to repay a debt to a Rhel'ir..."

"And you have repaid him well enough...for five years! Five years, I've waited for you to come back, and then you stay for a day last time you were here and then leave again!"

It was quiet for a moment, there was a heavy sigh from Aisling, he seemed to have gotten up from wherever he was sitting as Ragnar heard a chair scrape against the floor. "Is it the city that needs me here or you?"

"...it's the city!"

"You're a horrid liar."

Their voices became softer as he heard her ask weakly,"Why do you not stay, Aisling?"

"I have been fighting the same battle for years, ever since we were children. I grew weary from this war, every day I had to keep vigil over this city, to play the part of both a nobleman and a soldier, to be held high by few and be seen lowly by most. Is it not natural for one to seek out another life? A new one without this war?"

"Had you ever thought that I had grown tired as well? Ever? Did it ever occur to you how many times I stare at the Gates of Judgement and await for any sign of you coming? You're the reason I hadn't jumped into the maws of a beast, it is because I waited."

It was silent between the two.

Ragnar's hand was still on the knob, he debated whether or not to open it now.

"I wanted to get away from this war without betraying anyone," he said softly. "...and it seems I have failed at that with you."

"Aisling, please, just send two out into Eorzea and stay here."

"I can't...not yet."

"And why is that?"

"Rhel'ir, he's ill, asleep for the most part. His...Aether was taken from him by one of my comrades but we have remedied the situation- I need to return to him and give him back what he needs to live."

"When he awakens, will you come back? The is a debt repaid considering you're saving his life."

"No, I have one more task afterwards for the woman you saw today. I wish to see it through to the end for her, and after that, I will...leave their Company and return."

"Is that the truth?"

"...yes. My obligations will be fulfilled and I will have no choice but to return."

"Then let me come with you," she insisted.

"No, you never had experience with Allagan technology-"

"Neither do your men. Stop making an excuse and allow me to come with you. I want to make sure you return and hold up to the promise."

"...fine, you can come with us," he finally said, though his tone was insincere, it was enough to convince her he was telling the truth. Following this, the clank of armor touched the wooden floor. He was stripping her of her armor, there was a soft sigh from within- Ragnar released the knob and headed back down the hallway.

In the great, main hall was one of Aisling's men, Sebastian, as he was debriefed by Disco as Pax stood beside her. "...an assault from three sides should throw it off. My best guess is that it had never encountered a Dragoon. A thousand years it had spent alone, I doubt the- Ragnar, what happened?"

"I wasn't able to tell them, it was enough I was eavesdropping," he confessed. She gave him an expectant look. "Aisling is allowing Lauren to come but they are...preoccupied with one another at the moment."

She frowned and shook her head. "I already sent word to Wolfie and Kagami, Maxwell as well, and to Bach should she be willing to release another member for us. We're expected to meet in Gridania by five days. Sebastian, the other person who was near Lauren from what I seen, Gregor I believe? I want him to come along."

"A fine choice," Sebastian agreed,"I shall tell him tonight. If nothing else is needed of me, I must take my leave and prepare. Good day, ma'am, Master Ragnar."

Ragnar nodded and bid him farewell, he folded his arms and clicked his tongue. "...tonight I shall tell him."

"Whatever you do, let him know as soon as you can," she said. "For now, I need to get ready. Can you stay with Pax?"

Ragnar hesitated for a moment, at this Pax teased him,"I won't bite."

"Too soon for you to jest," he chided him,"I shall watch him. Come, Pax, let us share drinks."

He led him with the escort of guards following closely. They entered the lounge and took seats as a main came to them with drinks. He reached into his coat and pulled out a pipe and fogweed, he easily lit it with the tip of his staff and began to smoke.

"Been a while since I had good wine," Pax sighed as he drank, he wiped his mouth as he rested well in his set. He looked more comfortable and much more in control of himself. "Ah, I'd like to thank you, Ragnar, and deeply apologize for what I've done."

"You were not in the right state of mind, what attacked me was not Pax," Ragnar said between puffs. "Though the one you must do so is Rhel'ir, then again, you were not yourself. It was power beyond our imagination, sort of like when Thancred was possessed. We are damned lucky that you were not taken by an Ascian. A long pain that will be to deal with it."

"For now, all we need to do is return the Aether to Rhel'ir, yes?"

"Aye."

"...I doubt he will be able to travel with us," Pax said, slightly crestfallen,"that young Au'ra, Honora, she seems to be a capable healer. Where is she?"

"Still grieving for her friend, she has been in her room for quite a while," he replied. "From what I can tell, she is a hunter and a wanderer, no obligations to an organization. I will ask of her to come tonight as well."

"You seem to have much to tell others tonight. I think it best for Disco to talk to her, they are the same people, it will help bring her over to us."

He gave an approving nod. "Yes, that will be better."

-...-

Dinner came though Aisling did not, and so afterwards, Ragnar approached the door of his room. He found it silent, in turn, he knocked softly. A moment passed and the door opened just slightly. Looking up at Aisling, Ragnar gestured him to come out, and so he did.

He wore slacks and a button-down shirt that was left open. Aisling closed the door behind him- the more he was in the light, the more Ragnar could see the bites across his his neck and chest, the dark circles, and his disheveled hair. "What is it, Ragnar?"

"There is something I must discuss with you," Ragnar began, Aisling remained quiet. "Lauren, she...she is with child."

Aisling's mouth immediately opened, though no sound came from him.

"My best guess...a few weeks, given you were back here around the time of conception."

"Yes, yes, I was there with her while we stayed in Ishgard," he said, his words were quick as he ruffled his hair and paced around a bit. "Now what to do? She's with child but now I cannot leave, what if she needs me? I have-"

"This mission will be done within a month," Ragnar said calmly,"what I suggest is to take her with us to Gridania and leave her under the care of the healers there. Rhel'ir can watch over her. Does that seem reasonable?"

To that, Aisling nodded,"That could work, she gets to travel with me, but will she trust me is the question. She demanded that she stay with me until I return to Ishgard."

"Then tell her this, we will have to return to Gridania anyway to hopefully bring Rhel'ir home with us."

"...yes, thank you for telling me this, Ragnar."

"Also, Disco had decided to bring Gregor with us."

"He is a strong person, again, thank you."

And so he returned to his room.

Ragnar let out a sigh of relief, it was one personal issue dealt with.

-...-

Morning came when they were assembled in the main hall.

The doors opened when a servant allowed two of Aisling's men to enter, they were dressed for travel rather than war. Without their helms, Ragnar could see that they were young men, their faces strong and silent, just as the true soldiers they were. Gregor, on the other hand, had a long scar reaching across his face diagonally.

"The mounts are ready, Master Aisling," a servant said as two others were carrying a large, leather case outside.

"Pray tell, where is Honora?" Ragnar asked.

"Outside already, she had agreed to help us for a price," Disco said. "A million Gil, a reasonable amount."

"Will the Company cover it or-"

"I will. Trust me, I have more than you see me to have."

"Suppose that is true, you're full of surprises."

She smirked. "More to come, just wait."

For themselves, they were dressed and ready, Pax was allowed his freedom and greatsword now but in exchange, Disco carried his knives. Ragnar was putting on his coat as another person entered the manor- he looked ahead to see a white, haired Elezen approaching him with a bundle of wine red cloth in his arms. He stayed still as the room grew quiet.

"Ragnar," Alphinaud began,"I heard of your departure."

"What do you want, boy?" Ragnar said, his voice nearing a growl as his ears were pinned back.

"Here, your old outfit," he said, offering the bundle to him. "I kept it."

Ragnar grudgingly reached out to him and lifted the cloth a bit to find several jewelry- he had abandoned these when he left Ishgard. He began to place them on, then snatched the clothes from him. "...get out."

"Ragnar," he repeated,"please, before you go, I just-"

"Out!" He barked, Alphinaud did not flinch.

"I know that you are angered but-"

He felt his rage boiling, without thinking he dropped the bundle and reached for his staff and immediately aimed it at Alphinaud. He readied a spell as Disco stood in between the two, shielding Alphinaud- Aisling and Sebastian were close enough to grab Ragnar by the shoulders and hold him back. Pax, in turn, grabbed his staff, as Aisling shouted,"I understand that you hate him but you are in my home and I will not allow violence in here!"

"Alphinaud, just leave, please," Disco pleaded,"now is not the time."

"Yes, you're correct," he said weakly, he headed for the door quickly. "My apologies, Sir Aisling, I did not mean to disrupt you."

"Get out," Ragnar snarled, the young boy was gone and so they released him, dropping him to the floor. "...I need to be alone for a moment."

"Take your time, we're waiting for Lauren," Disco said, he was gone within a second and she relaxed. "Goodness..."

"He's still in pain," Pax commented,"his eyes say it."

"Right you are," Aisling huffed, he was given the staff to hold. "He won't let go of the hatred until the day he dies, much like Nidhogg. Pray, the two of you, I take it you know?" They both nodded. "Let us keep it between one another. Never speak to him about it. I doubt losing a child like how he had will leave anyone healing for years."

"And it's not what you wish for yourself?" Disco inquired, before he could retort, she continued. "Do not bother to hide it, I was a healer once as well. What have she said?"

"Lauren was shocked at this, but I managed to talk her into staying in Gridania for the meantime," he relayed. "I cannot leave her again her unknowing of it. At times, I am jealous of Ragnar."

"Your people live longer than ours," Pax interjected,"we have less time than Elezen to continue our lives."

A half hour had went on, from the stairs they saw Lauren descend. She wore a dress this time, a noble attire to an extent though it was designed for long journeys. She looked more fitting in it as she went to Aisling's side to kiss him upon the cheek. "I am grateful that you told me when you are leaving, even more for letting me accompany you part way."

"I feel much more comfortable knowing you're safe," he said with a slight smile.

Shortly after, Ragnar came down- Disco giggled at the sight of him. He donned a red silk of cloth, wrappings draped around his left below his waist, he held something in his hand before slipping it on. It was a silk hood that was adorned with golden chains and links, just like the rest of his outfit. Aisling handed him back his staff.

"Let us get going,"