Alennia and Tristan travelled together for the better part of the day. They went through the mountain pass, and down towards the valleys below the mountain range. Both became completely at ease with the other's company. Tristan was amazed at how much he enjoyed Alennia's company. He was usually a solitary man: riding alone into enemy territory and spending days with no human contact, but there was something about Alennia that drew him towards her.
Alennia, for her part, no longer cared that he was a Sarmatian and a knight. It was enough that he was kind and caring. That he teased her and made her laugh, and yet treated her with respect and put her at her ease. More than once during the journey, Alennia found herself speculating on what it would be like to live with him always.
But no matter how much the two companions wanted the journey to last forever, they reached the foothills a few hours past midday, and their journey together had to end. Alennia dismounted from the mare, and scratched her ears in thanks for the ride.
"It seems you have lost your fear of her," Tristan commented dryly.
Alennia laughed. "Yes. Perhaps I will learn to ride."
"Then I am glad one good thing came of our meeting."
Alennia turned to him and spoke in a serious voice. "Many good things came of our meeting," she said sincerely.
Tristan nodded slowly, trying not to let his face betray the unexpected pain he felt at parting. Suddenly he pulled his cloak off his shoulders and wrapped it around hers.
Alennia fingered the warm material wondrously.
"Keep it," Tristan said firmly.
"I couldn't!" Alennia protested.
"You have farther to go than I," Tristan said. "You need it more than me."
"But I have already had so much from you," Alennia objected.
"And it has all been my pleasure to give it to you," Tristan said with a small smile.
Alennia gave in, pulling the warm material tighter around her slender frame. "Thank you," she whispered.
Tristan swung himself up onto the mare, and looked down at her with a curious expression on his face. Alennia went to stand next to the horse, one hand smoothing the mare's hair down. She looked up at Tristan, and for a moment could not hide the sorrow in her eyes.
"I'll miss you," she said softly.
"And I you," he said sincerely, his face unusually thoughtful, before grinning in his normal teasing way once more.
With a flirtatious wink at the surprised Alennia, he pushed the mare forwards into a strong canter, and a moment later he was gone, leaving Alennia with nothing but a cloak and a memory.
A/N - Sorry it's such a short chapter! I'm swamped with coursework etc right now, but hopefully it won't be too long before I update.