Chapter 4: Goodbye Is No Farewell

Eight days pass by quickly. Before Ailith knew it her betrothed was already preparing for the long way back South. Ailith had the loved the past days, but she was well aware both her father as Queen Amelia had been keeping a close eye on Rowan and her. Autumn had begun friendly and Rowan and Ailith had done all sorts of things: walk around, ride through the hills, visit some small towns around Winterfell, search the library for ancient books, look at the stars, sneak in and out of the kitchen. When Ailith thought of it, it seemed strange to her that two people can fall in love so quickly. Perhaps they were to idealistic about the whole marriage thing. On the other hand, she had had a crush on Rowan since she was a small girl, and he had been the first boy she had kissed. Who knows how they would turn out if they would truly live together. But Ailith realized she had made a vow, and she would keep it.

Ailith knocked on the door where Rowan was sleeping. A servant opened it and she stepped in. Three of his servants were packing his things. Rowan fastened his sword to his side and looked up. He smiled when he saw her and walked up to her.
'You shaved?' was the first thing Ailith said when Rowan stood before her. He laughed and nodded. He looked different with out his stubbles, but it looked good. Ailith stroked his cheek and smiled. She heard some servant girl giggle behind her back, but paid no attention to it, Rowan on the other hand did.
'Let's go for a walk,' he said. He took her by the hand and walked with her through the halls. On a small balcony they stopped. Ailith looked over the gates and to the godswood. Unlike all the trees around it, the godswood had still trees with leaves on it. With all the other trees, the leaves had almost completely changed their colors and some had already begun with dropping leaves. In the North the changes of the Seasons were quickly visible. It struck Ailith that soon she would be praying to another heart tree. She would see another face carved into the tree. The only thing that would be there that she knew would be snow. Suddenly Ailith felt grateful that a long Winter was expected.
'You're gonna miss it, don't you?' Rowan asked. Suddenly Ailiths eyes filled with tears, she bend her head and covered it with one hand. Rowan wanted to step closer and reached his arm, but Ailith raised her hand to stop him. She took a deep breath and straightened her back, again looking at him.
'I'll be just fine,' she said with a fake smile. Rowan frowned.
'What was that?' he said.
'What was what?'
'What you just did,' he said, still frowning and obviously upset, 'You just –blocked me.'
'I didn't block you.'
'You did, Ailith,' he looked straight into her eyes, 'Look, I want this to work , I really do. But you'll have to tell me everything.'
'What? You mean I have to-' she said, her eyes shooting fire. The first raindrops began to fall and the grey sky roared. If there had been someone the last days who did not want to talk about 'feelings' or even something close, it had been Rowan!
'No, wait,' Rowan stopped her and stepped closer, taking her hands, 'I didn't mean it like that. Its just-'
'You want us to be completely honest,' she completed him.
'Yes,' he said with a sigh, his wet hair sticking to his head. The sky was getting darker and darker.
'But why do you put so much pressure on me about being honest?' she asked, blinking her eyes three times as much to keep the raindrops out her eyes. Why were they even still outside?
'Don't get me wrong, but my lady mother was never honest to my father,' Rowan explained, 'And I don't want to end up like my father in his marriage!'
'Rowan,' Ailith smiled, she stepped closer and laid her hand on his cheek, 'I will love you until my dying day and beyond, I will. And I promise to you now, I will be honest to you with everything. And I can only pray that you will be too.'
'I will,' he said and kissed. He smiled at her, than looked to the sky, 'Now lets get inside, before we get sick!'

Saying goodbye to her betrothed seemed harder than Ailith had expected it to be. Because it had started to rain pretty hard, the Stark family stood underneath the large balcony which was normally used for speeches. Since it covered the front door, it was also a perfect place to bid your goodbyes to visitors. Queen Amelia quickly bid her goodbyes and stepped into her carriage. Rowan and his brothers took their time to say goodbyes to their friends. Rowan kissed Ailith and held her close in her arms, and for a second Ailith decided never to let him go, but she still did. She refused to cry, but it was getting harder and harder for her. As thunderclouds gathered, raindrops dripped on Rowans armor. Rowan checked his saddle once more and looked back. Ailith could not hold herself back and ran to him. Her brother Benjen tried to stop her, but was too late. Rowan dropped his helmet and caught her in his arms. He kissed her cheek as she moved her hands through his hair. Rowan's squire picked up his helmet, but stood aside not saying a word. For the last time Ailith kissed her betrothed and when he hugged her, she pressed herself close to him. Rowan kissed her forehead and gently stroke her cheek. Then he mounted his horse and put on his helmet.
'I look forward to meet you at my castle, my lady,' he said.
'I will count the days,' she said again. He saluted her and rode away. Ailith watched him go, until she the gates were closed and all she saw was metal. Suddenly she felt something warm and dry around her. She looked up and saw her brother.
'He'll wait for you,' he smiled and put her arm around her as he stood next to her.
'I know,' she said, and then tears flowed over her cheeks. She pressed her face against her brothers chest and cried. Benjen hushed her and slowly rocked her.

Ailith had five weeks to say her goodbyes. After that she would pack and leave for the Reach, for good. Since Winter was coming, neither her father nor her brothers could come with her. Ailith did not like to think of that. She would go to the Reach, for good. She would probably not see them until the wedding. And who knew how much she would see them when she was married. Ailith prayed to the gods that King Alexander would be blessed with a long live, so she could stay princess for along time. As soon as she turned Queen, it would be a lot harder to just go and visit her family. After Rowan had left, Ailith wanted to start packing immediately. But not until the day before she would leave she had actually told the servants to begin. Perhaps she was still a child deep inside, who just wanted to stay with her father. Yet on the other hand, she could not wait for the moment she would hold Rowan again. Five weeks were a long time not to see her, and not a Raven had reached her with news. Not that she had send him a Raven, but still. It would take about two weeks for Ailith to reach Highgarden. She already wished the journey was over. When she was in Highgarden they would ask the gods when Rowan and she should get married. Which mend that it could happen two weeks after her arrival, or two years. Either way, she would have to accept it.
Right now, Ailith was just waiting. She sat in her room and looked around. Her closet was almost completely empty and some of the paintings, carpets and other small decorations were also packed to go with her. rain was ticking hard against her windows. Again, she looked around, making sure she did not leave one thing behind. As she turned her head and looked out the window, Ailith said her silent goodbye to the godswood. She had gone there this morning, vowing to the gods that she would still go to the godswood in Highgarden. Still, the godswood in Winterfell would be the true place of meditation for her. Softly someone knocked on her half open door. Her father entered.
'Are you ready?' he asked.
'Almost,' she said and stood up. There was one person who she still had to go to. It was the last one to say goodbye to, even though she had said farewell a long time ago. The entire day, Ailith had spend to bid her goodbyes to the personal of Winterfell, delaying her last goodbye. But now, it was time.
Ailith walked down the stairs, straight to her mothers tomb. There was no statue for her, only an engraving. Ailith did not wish to say any words. She just touched the engraving of her mothers name and listened to the silence. This was growing up. Ailith stepped back and took a deep breath.
'Goodbye, mother,' she whispered and walked back.

At her departure, not many words were spoken. Starks were no speakers. King Benjen hugged his daughter and kissed her goodbye. Her brothers lifted her one by one as they hugged her and told her they would see each other soon enough. Ailith gave each of the five men two kisses on their cheeks and told them she loved them. Soft raindrops fell on Ailiths hood as she mounted her majestic black horse, Thunder. She smiled once more and her father gave her an encouraging nod.
'For Winterfell!' she said loud and proud. The people around them cheered and Ailith made Thunder gallop away. She lead the 'parade' through the gates. Myshac, the head of her group of soldiers, rode next to her.
'Don't look back,' he said, 'Your father will see if you do.'

Well, that's done! Though, I can't upload til tuesday, sorry!
Tell me what you think of it !