A/N: That was a sad chapter last time. Don't worry, happy stuff might be coming up…maybe. XD Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 9: The Woods
Dorian and Ardyn finally made it out of the desert, and carefully laid Gladio down on the hard earth. "I feel bad leaving him here," Dorian said.
"We have to. Scavengers already followed us through the desert, we never know what could follow us once we continue through the woods. We can bury him of course. If we can figure out what to use. He was an honorable man," Ardyn replied.
Dorian let out a sad sigh, and gently touched Gladio's cheek. Tears soon began streaming down her face. "He's cold. Why is he cold?" she said, quietly. Ardyn quietly sat beside her. He touched her shoulder gently. "Go away! Just go away!" Dorian snapped quietly. Ardyn nodded, and stood up.
He walked further into the woods. He wanted to at least see what they would be facing. A moose stormed by him, followed by a pack of wolves. They were so focused on their hunt that they didn't notice Ardyn. The moose did though. It let out a fearful noise, and ran towards the wolves. The wolves all prepared to spring. Ardyn watched as they pounced on the moose and killed it.
They looked up at him, a grateful look in their eyes. He nodded, and the wolves ran off. Three stayed behind to grab the moose. They then followed their pack. "So, there are wolves here? Interesting, we never see wolves in the desert, not unless you count coyotes," Ardyn whispered to himself when the wolves were out of sight.
He then turned around, and walked back the way he had come. Dorian would need to know what he had seen. When he made it, he saw Dorian asleep with Gladio's head in her lap. Ardyn sighed, and laid down beside her. He gently kissed he head, and went to sleep himself.
(The next morning)
Ardyn woke up to see Dorian fast asleep. She let out a small whimper in her sleep. Ardyn gently touched Dorian's hand. She stirred, and woke up. Ardyn could see the grief in her eyes crystal clear.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"There's nothing to be sorry about. You are fine. I understand why you are upset. But, we must get moving," Ardyn said gently.
Dorian nodded, and gently placed Gladio's head on the ground. She then stood up, and brushed dirt off her clothes. Ardyn nodded, and led her to the place where he had seen the wolves, gently murmuring encouragement. When they finally made it, Dorian sat down with a thump.
"This is where I saw the wolves, we can take a nap if you want," Ardyn said.
Dorian nodded, and laid down, not even noticing the dirt that now clogged her hair. Ardyn left to try to find them some food. He saw the remains of the moose that the wolves had caught. He quietly entered their clearing, and took some of the moose. When he made it back to the clearing, he saw that Dorian was awake.
"You're awake?" Ardyn asked in surprise.
"Yeah, I couldn't stop thinking about Gladio. About how he would give me guidance…about how he would sing me lullabies. His voice would crack, but it was still…soothing. Now he can't do any of that. He isn't here to make me laugh. Now he's just in a random clearing outside of the desert waiting for the scavengers to eat him. Now…he's gone," Dorian said, tears streaming down her face and into her matted hair.
"You don't know this, but when you were sleeping, I went to get meat, yes, but I also gave him a proper burial. Do you want to say your goodbyes properly, or keep going? He would want you to keep going. He would want you to be happy," Ardyn said gently.
"You don't know what he thinks! You don't know how much he means to me! You don't know how much I wish he was standing right here next to me! Get out of my sight! I want to say goodbye to my friend by myself! Go away!" Dorian nearly shouted.
Ardyn nodded, and left the clearing. She didn't know how much he cared about her. But, Ardyn understood. He had felt this pain when Aera had died right in front of him.
(Back in the clearing, Dorian POV)
Gladio! Gladio, please come back! I need you! I can't stand losing you! I already lost my father! Come back to me! Dorian thought, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm still here. I couldn't help but notice that you were upset. Noctis is here as well," a familiar voice said.
"Hi, my baby. You've grown so much," her father's voice said.
Dorian turned around, and saw two figures standing in front of her. One had Kingsglaive armor, the other had…her father's robes. Dorian cried out, and ran up to her father, and Gladio.
"Gladio! Father!" Dorian said, hugging her father, tears streaming down her face.
A/N: That hit me right in the feels, anyway, please review!