With the banquet nearing, I had finally decided I had no intentions of going. Ser Aymeric would understand. He seemed the most forgiving of my stoic nature out of anyone in Ishgard. After all, he knew of my losses better than most as he had been in Ul'dah when things went awry. I was looking forward to a quiet evening in House de Fortemps as everyone would be out for the evening.
"So what exceptional garment should we expect from the Warrior of Light?" Emmanellain asked me as I sat on a couch in the main room of the house reading a book. I tried to spend time in the common areas to show I was more than appreciative for our welcome even if I wasn't very talkative.
"I do not plan on attending. Social functions are not my forté," I replied without looking up.
"Oh, do not play coy with me, old girl," he said. I hated it when he called me that, but I felt as if it would disrupt his cheerful nature. "I know why you are not attending."
"And that would be exactly?" He had my attention.
A broad smile spread across his face. "You are embarrassed that you are without an escort. I bring great news though. I know it would be an honor to attend with me. What do you say, old girl?"
A voice responded before I could. "I am so sorry to disappoint, brother. Isolde will be attending the banquet with me."
"She just informed me she is not going!" Emmanellain argued.
"I had other engagements that came up, but I have now cleared my evening. Our plans can progress as planned." Haurchefant smiled down at me as he watched me visibly relax. He knew that I was unlikely to turn his younger brother down. I did not enjoy disappointing others. "And what is the 'old girl' you keep going on with? This woman is younger than you."
"Tis but a term of endearment."
"I must go and see about procuring something to wear now that our plans are back on, dear friend. We shall speak anon." I quickly left the room to save myself further discomfort. It looked as if I would be attending which meant speaking with Tataru.
My small friend was in her room humming away as she poured over some papers in front of her. She didn't hear me enter. She startled as I called out her name. "Oh, Isolde. I was but daydreaming of finding our comrades. What can I do for you?"
"It seems as if I will in fact be attending Ser Aymeric's banquet. I've nothing to wear!" I exclaimed. I did not care much for fashion, but I was not about to embarrass Haurchefant after all of the kindness he had extended us.
"Eek!" She began hopping up and down. "I was truly hoping you would reconsider! I have just the thing! How do you feel about pink?" She giggled at my disgusted face. "I am simply teasing. Here." She opened her wardrobe to present a beautiful gown. It was dark blue, almost black with intricate silver thread work. It would do perfectly.
The night of the banquet arrived before I could blink. Tataru finished the last wave in my dark hair. It was down with a braid on each side. It flowed down my back when not in my usual functional ponytail. She painted my lips red before leaving my room to change into her own attire. I shimmied into the gown. It rested off my shoulders and had long sleeves that flared at the wrists. It was more beautiful than anything I had ever worn. Tataru had outdone herself again. As I was about to go see if she or Alphinaud could assist me in lacing the back there was a knock on my door.
"Come in," I called assuming it was one of the two. The door opened to reveal Haurchefant. He was wearing a black jacket similar to that of his father and brothers rather than his usual chain mail. He had attempted to take his unruly, icy hued hair. "Well don't you look dashing." If I was not mistaken I could have sworn I saw a blush spread upon his cheeks. "Since you're early would you mind assisting me with this damned dress?" There was most definitely a blush as I turn my back to him.
"Uh. It would be my pleasure, friend." He crossed the room slowly toward me. I turned to look at him. It was the only time I had seen the friendly, brave man remotely hesitant. Due to the difference in our height, his assistance required he kneel on one knee to help me. He gently began lacing the corset back of my dress. "This is a rather large scar you have back here."
"Ah, yes. That would be from my brush with the primal Ifrit. I was not quite the Warrior then that I am now. There are many other scars from other battles, but that one is the largest," I laughed. A shiver ran up my spine as his fingers brushed the skin on my back. It almost caused me to lean into his touch. Had I rally gone so long without affection that I was nearly throwing myself at my friend?
After a few quiet moments he was done. I turned to look at the Elezen man. His face did not portray the humor I had expected from my small joke about my scar. I frowned. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Not at all. I was just admiring at how stunning you look. My father will be full glad when I enter the hall with you on my arm. He admires you greatly," he replied with a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. His cheeks still retained some of the pink from his blush.
"My lord, did I say something to upset you?" I asked. He was still kneeling before me, so I placed a hand upon his shoulder.
"No, no. I am just realizing you have lived a whole lifetime in a short span of time. Have you ever rested?" His hand was placed upon mine with the question. The chill ran through me again.
"Not nearly enough. My time here in Ishgard has had moments such as this evening." His eyes met mine with what looked like a bit of sorrow. "I've you to thank for finding me refuge for a bit of respite."
With a nod of his head he stood and extended his arm to me. I latched my hand onto the crook of his arm and we made our way downstairs where the others were waiting for us. Emmanellain's jaw dropped at the sight of the two of us arm in arm. Artoirel offered a smile and a small nod.
Count Edmont sauntered over. He exclaimed, "Well don't the two of you look just the picture. Mistress Storme, you are a true beauty. My son is very lucky to be escorting you this evening."
"She surely would've made Lady Laniaitte jealous if she were on my arm," Emmanellain quietly grumbled. This earned a jab of the elbow from his eldest brother.
Count Edmont dropped a warm, winter cloak around my shoulders and delicately tied it. I bowed my head in thanks. I was not used to being dressed in such finery, but I knew I would surely freeze if it were not for this kind gesture. We all made our way out the front door of the manor to the banquet hall. The Elezen men slowed their pace to accommodate Tatarus stride with her tiny legs. She looked like an angel with her lilac hair intricately braided and the pink cloak tied over her equally intricate pink gown.
"You look lovely, Lady Tataru. You must save me a dance!" Haurchefant complimented the small woman. He was met with a very embarrassed giggle.
The hall was adorned in banners, candles, and a string quartet and pianist playing cheerful music. We were met by servants taking our winter cloaks. All eyes were on our group. More specifically me which made me more than uncomfortable. I shifted slightly behind Haurchefant. His hand found mine and squeezed it in comfort.
"This is embarrassing. I shouldn't have come here," I hissed.
"You are an outsider, the champion of Eorzea, and very likely the most stunning creature in this room," he whispered while stifling a laugh. I gently kicked his calf which only served to make him laugh more. "Come on, let us move to the back of the crowd if that will make you feel more content."
He began pulling me behind him. Seeing us hand in hand earned more than a fair share of looks. It wasn't every day that Ishgard witnessed an Elezen man from a noble family accompanied by a Hyur woman who erred on the side of very small for her race. He suddenly halted and I ran into his back.
"Mistress Storme, you look lovely this evening. I'm so glad you could make it," Ser Aymeric said cheerfully. Given his elevated station one would expect him to be cold, but he was just as warm to me and my comrades as the Fortemps family. I was truly grateful for the hospitality they had all shown me.
"As do you, my lord," I replied. He was wearing a dress coat of his signature blue and gold in lieu of his armor. "I mean handsome of course. Not lovely."
His laugh rang out. "I will gladly take lovely as a compliment from a hero like yourself." He offered his hand to me while turning in Haurchefant's direction. "Would you do me the honor of a dance? If your escort does not mind me stealing you for a few moments."
I silently begged Haurchefant to decline, but his lips turned up into a mischievous smile. "I am most sure the lady would love a dance with our host." I would get him back for this!
Ser Aymeric took my hand in his own while leading me to the dance floor where other couples twirled. He grasped one hand in his own while the other anchored firmly around my waist.
"I am not much of a dancer," I confessed.
He smiled warmly, "Well I am, so just follow my lead as we dazzle the crowd." Then we were off!
The music was an upbeat, cheery waltz. I fumbled at first, but Aymeric was a brilliant teacher. Before long he had me twirling around the floor. It was a delightful surprise at the fun I found myself having. My giggles bubbled up uncontrollably.
"See there, my friend. You are a natural!" he told me cheerfully.
"I have a good teacher," I responded playfully.
"We've only a few moments longer. I spy a certain knight looking a bit jealous. He must be ready for a turn with his date." Surely enough I spotted Haurchefant not looking nearly as amused as I was. "He's a good man, Isolde."
"I know that in my very core. Never have I known such a friendship," I said.
"I feel there will be more to your story," he said just above a whisper.
Before I could enquire as to his meaning, the aforementioned friend asked to cut in. His arm slid around my waist to pull me much closer than my former partner had held me. He grasped my other hand with a feather-light touch as the music slowed to a much softer tune. I lifted my face to look up at him. His eyes were boring down upon me. His lips were upturned in his always warm smile. He looked beautiful. How had I never stopped to notice before? How much was I missing in the world being so focused on every task, every mission?
"What thoughts are running wild through the hero's head?" He asked.
"Just thinking of how many things I miss out on around me because I only focus on goals," I admitted.
"Now you've piqued my interest. Please do tell me more."
"This is so silly but… you are so very handsome yet I never paid much attention until this moment. How are you without a wife?"
"Not many want to wed a noble's bastard. Not that I feel like I bastard child. The count has been a marvelous father in spite of his late wife's grudge against me." My heart ached at hearing that. "Worry not. I am very handsome after all. Am I not?"
I laughed loudly, "You will never let me forget speaking those words, will you?"
"Never, ever. A man holds onto the compliments from a beautiful woman." He pulled me closer. The air between us felt thick. Things felt as if they shifted on that dance floor. His look turned from cheerful to one that was holding a flame at bay.
We ate, drank, and danced much more, but the strange feeling only grew. After dancing with Count Edmont, Emmanellain, and once more with Aymeric, Haurchefant and I quietly gathered our cloaks and slipped out of the banquet into the cold night. We were both a slightly inebriated from all of the wine we consumed. For Haurchefant I was sure it was because he had a night off, but for me it was because of my nerves. The bite of the air helped sober me a bit. We slowly meandered to a plaza with benches and a view of the empty that lie beyond the city. I climbed up and sat upon a retaining wall in order to be eye level with my very tall friend.
"Now I am your equal," I teased.
"You have surpassed me in many other ways, so why can't you just allow me to stand a bit closer to the stars than you?" he teased back. He gently brushed a strand of stray hair out of my face. My eyes fluttered closed as he did so. "I apologize. That was a bit too familiar of me."
"It was nice," I whispered while bringing his hand back to my face. "It has been some time since anyone has tended to anything having to do with me aside from wounds."
The air felt still as I sat and he stood cradling the my face in his hand. We just gazed upon one another in silence. He brought my other hands to his lips. A gentlemanly kiss was placed upon my knuckles. I suddenly felt like electricity had jolted through me. Never had someone been so gentle, so kind to me without expecting a thing from me.
"May I… um… uh…" he stuttered.
"Just kiss me already." I demanded.
His lips pulled into a smile. He cupped both sides of my face, leaned in, and brushed his lips against mine. It felt as if the stars had fallen from the heavens right where we were. It had been so long since I had been kissed. I responded more fervently by pulling him closer to me. When we finally broke apart we were both breathing heavily.
"Earlier you asked why I have not married. It is because until this moment I have never known a feeling such as this," he said quietly.
My stomach rolled from nerves. Neither had I. I was always in the present trying to solve a problem at hand. It was rare I ever saw ahead to the future, but in that moment I was picturing a life with the person standing in front of me. Days by a fire waiting out the harshest of winters. Waking next to him in the mornings. How had I fallen without noticing?
"I do not know or understand what I am feeling right now. This is almost as scary as fighting primals," I confessed.
He barked out a loud laugh. "This is unfamiliar to me as well. One thing is certain. I have fallen in love with the Warrior of Light. I am unsure how she feels for me." Instead of answering I simply kissed him again. "How will we even move forward? Our lives take us in very different directions."
"I will be here for the foreseeable future. We will find a way. Together. After these conflicts have come to a close we can make the necessary plans. Until then, I must get out of this cold. I am not made for such weather. And I must figure out how to find my way out of this dress." I hastily hopped from my perch.
"Would it be a bit presumptuous for me to offer my assistance? After all, my father and brothers will surely be away for a few more hours." He looked at the ground as he made the offer, but a sly smile tugged the corners of his lips.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and met his eyes. "Would it be a bit presumptuous of me to say yes?" Without hesitation he scooped me up into his arms like I weighed no more than a feather. He gave me a very fiery kiss before marching in the direction of his family home with much haste. My laugh rang out into the night at his fervent enthusiasm.
We spent the night together. We kissed, made love, laughed, whispered about our future, napped, and made love again. When the morning came he snuck out of my window after giving me a quick kiss goodbye. My heart was bursting with the excitement of first love. The future seemed hopeful. I would forge ahead with him and possibly have a family for the first time in my life. Our possibilities were endless as long as we were together.
Within days my excitement gave way to sorrow that I had never known. After rescuing Ser Aymeric, Haurchefant saved my life after Ser Zephirin threw a spear of light at me with intent to end me. At the last moment, Haurchefant jumped in the way to block me with his shield. The shield was not meant to withstand such a blow and it gave way. The spear impaled my savior through the heart.
As I stood over him tears flowed down my cheeks. We had just made a pact. I had allowed myself to love. Now he was leaving me. He offered me one last soft smile and the parting words, "Oh, do not look at me so. A smile better suits a hero…" I then offered him one last smile hoping he was also thinking of the brief time we shared as he gave his last breath.
In the aftermath of such a great loss I built the highest fortress around my heart. It threatened to crumble many times. I did not wish to endure this pain again. He showed up in all that I did. His smile and welcoming nature helping push me through hardships I thought I could never endure. Even in death he was a beacon of light. A hero.
