A week passed, and news of the ex-rival country romance spread enough through Elicoor. Both Romeria and Arzei seemed not at all surprised, and Woltar had chuckled to himself when he heard the rumors. Old age signified his wisdom and he had already predicted this more than a year earlier. It was all just up to time.
Clair was more than overjoyed to see her friend finally decide to settle down, since she had heard enough from Nel herself about the former captain of the Black Brigade. Unfortunately for her, that also mean more pestering from Adray, who was now prodding her with talk about her best-friend's relations and her own. To quote, "If Nel can get settled with a man, so can you!"
To which Clair just shook her head in utter annoyance and shot back a few haughty remarks which did not suit her professional disposition.
---
Albel Nox eyed the stone which marked the passing of his father. It had been set for a decade now, and parts of it were chipping slightly. With a sigh, he moved forward, running one hand down the name etched so many years back. When he was younger, he had hated the graveyards, figuring that it was a waste of space. Too many dead bodies could be found in the world, and if each and every one was marked, well, how were the living to have their own space? He slowly came to understand why there was such an importance, though, and he came to visit his father's grave quite a few times before and after his travels with Fayt Leingod and co. He never brought anything with him, as to keep people from thinking he had particular attachment to his father, though Woltar and a few others had caught him there before. It was only when he was visiting that he had been able to calm down since a year ago. It was as if he was a changed person when he visited, his features softening slightly and his gaze lowered as if he was keeping wary of the spirits which lingered. He gave nothing to his father's grave but his heart, which he spilled on a regular basis when he snuck a chance.
He took in a deep breath, his eyes still scanning the two words on the gravestone. Glou Nox. The man whose life had been sacrificed for the sake of Albel's weakness. Instinctively, he clenched his fist, pausing and shifting his gaze when he heard the harsh crunch of leaves from behind him. Someone was coming. His whole expression shifted to nothingness for a moment before he spotted the redhead, then returned, with slight relief to boot. His hand moved subconsciously from his sword.
"Why are you here, wench? I thought you were going to be busy packing today."
Nel shook her head. "I took a break, and I heard from Woltar that you would be around here."
That old man and his good senses! Albel's eyes went toward the bouquet of flowers that the woman held in her arms. "What's that?" he started, stepping away when she moved to look at the gravestone. His first instinct was to push her aside, but instead he let her examine it carefully before speaking again. "I didn't think you knew anyone who's been buried here."
"I don't." To his surprise, she leaned down, placing the flowers upon his father's grave. She dipped her head down in respect, shutting her eyes and seeming to be offering a silent prayer. Albel blinked, watching as she reopened her eyes and turned to look toward him. "What's wrong?"
He shook his head. "What did you--"
"I brought flowers for you, since Woltar said that you never bring them yourself. And as for what I prayed.." she spoke as she stood up, her eyes on the grave until she had fully risen, to which she glanced toward him. "I thanked him for his generosity-- and how he had given his life for his son's sake. Otherwise, I would have never met you, nor would anything been as it had been before. Your father has my upmost respect."
Albel was quiet for a long time, allowing the words to sink in. He hadn't given permission for her to speak much about his father before, and he hadn't been planning on it, but this he could forgive. He turned toward the grave, lowering his gaze once before raising it once more. His father would understand who this woman was, he figured. It wasn't the first time he had brought her up in his thoughts there to his father. A faint smile played on his lips for the first time in months. "Foolish woman." he muttered, though his tone was warm.
"Are you done here?"
The man nodded after a moment. He could always return when he had to think. Nel dipped her head once more in the direction of the grave, truly looking grateful --goodness bless the wench-- and he followed her. His strides were larger than hers and he caught up to her quickly enough, quietly moving so he could wrap his right arm around her. As always, she leaned up against him, gracing him with the scent of strawberries and perfume. He paused a moment to allow his words to form in his mind before he spoke them, leaning in to whisper, "Thank you."
The woman smiled, shifting her stance so she could look up toward him. "Anytime."
He pulled her a little closer as they kept walking, their pace going considerably slower. "Just don't sneak up on me like that again, maggot."
Nel's smile widened faintly. "How many times do I have to say that's not my name again, Albel?" Before he could respond, she added in, "And you can't say that I don't get special treatment anymore."
"Bah." They reached the entrance of the graveyard and he took a moment to glance back before shifting her form into his arms. She looked up toward him expectantly, the smile not fading from her lips. "Alright," he finally stated. "You win." The redhead looked triumphant enough, and he muttered, "For now."
"Mm." the woman nodded a bit. The response was good enough for her. When he pulled her closer, he could sense her gaze going toward the graveyard once more and he guided her head down to his shoulder, tilting his own so he could bury his face in her red locks.
"Nel......."
Fin
Author's Note: Hasty end, much? Actually it's to keep moiself from writing 2,000 chapters, which I'm more used to doing than short stuffies. Heehee. But really..it's kinda hard to write IC for these two. X.x!