It's Valentine's Day so here's the Christmas chapter. Yes, I know, I'm so logical :D I know there isn't much happening in this chapter, but it's about character/relationship building. I really hope I'm writing Nora okay, because I'm not so good writing children...
TAyukii: Again, THANK YOUUU :3 Decepticon-silverstreak: Ah, their relationship does nothing but grow! I can't wait until I get to much later in this story (I'm so impatient ) Thank you so much :) LurkingLady: Hesitant? How come? (Just curious). Somehow, I reckon he'd make a good vampire - someone needs to write a spin-off! XD Thank you so much for the compliment, I'm always scared to be ooc with him. He's too perfect to be changed!
20 followers now, it's unbelievable. Thank you to all of you! As always, hope you enjoy, and review pweaaaase!

For the next six months, my relationship with Haytham continued in much the same way. Once the Templar meeting was over, Haytham took me home and we slept in each other's arms until noon the next day. We were both exhausted and injured but we pushed through it, too proud to admit any form of pain to the other. We were like children, constantly trying to be better than the other, but we always laughed and mocked each other because of it. When he left to go back to the Fort, I went straight to see Achilles and told him everything I could remember. Thankfully he was too focused on the valuable information to question my story and so believed me without hesitation. I felt bad for lying to him but I hated myself for betraying the brotherhood enough as it were, I didn't need him to shout at me, or worse, banish me. And thanks to that information, the Assassins successfully eliminated seven Templars and their allies, two of which I did myself. Haytham knew about this but never said anything about it. In fact it became taboo to speak about the Templar and Assassin war, we just liked to pretend we were a normal couple instead of arch enemies.

But because the Templars knew who I was, I had to buy a new coat with a hood to hide my face when I was out on contracts. It was black with a band of red fabric running down the middle, around the bottom and around the sleeves, and came down to my knees. Haytham told me once that he told his men that I had kept their plans a secret even though I still carried out missions, so I was more or less safe from their blades. But I still didn't want to tempt any of them and kept myself hidden, especially the time that Benjamin Church appeared just after I had assassinated the second contract. It had been close, but I managed to escape the area without him realising who I was.

It was winter 1776 and I was to spend Christmas with Mary, Edmund and little Nora, who was now nearly two years old. She was growing so fast I couldn't believe it. She was going to be one of the most beautiful women in the world when she grew up, I just knew it. Her bright green eyes still shone with excitement at everything they saw and her laugh always made me smile. She also reminded me a little of me when I was younger because she hated to sit still long enough for Mary to brush her long golden locks and preferred to run around playing games. I adored the little girl like nothing else in the world and was prouder than words can describe to be her godmother. I would often spend the afternoon telling her stories and helping her learn to talk. She would run around me acting out the stories I would tell her and she insisted that one day I would tell stories about her. " I be best fighter! " she would exclaim. " I kill bad guys and everyone loves me! " I would try to tell her that it's better to be a princess, or at least someone who lived a peaceful life, but she wouldn't deter from the idea of becoming one of the heroes from my stories. I tried to tell her other stories, about women falling in love but Nora found them boring. " Dragons! " She would demand, pouting when I tried to tell her non-violent stories. Mary tried to help me, telling her that war isn't fun, but Nora just walked off in a sulk.

After one such afternoons I went back home to find Haytham awaiting me in the hallway with a smile on his face. " Ah there you are, I was beginning to wonder. "

I smiled back as I pulled my snow-covered boots off my feet, placing them in a corner to not make a mess. " Sorry, I was with Mary and Nora. " I explained as I took my scarf and coat off, standing on my tip toes to kiss him on the nose. " Why, did you miss me? " I winked.

" Of course, I cannot breath when you are not by my side. " Sarcasm rolled of his tongue as usual and I laughed, grabbing him by the hand and pulling him to the warm fire in the living room. " Remind me again who these women are? "

" Do you ever pay attention to what I tell you? " I asked, exasperated. I had already told him twice during the six months we had been together. Haytham smiled innocently and I rolled my eyes. " Mary and Edmund are married and live not far from here. We've known each other for five years and they know nothing about the Assassins and Templars. Edmund is a farmer and they both moved here from Ireland six years ago. And Nora is their daughter, and incidentally my god-daughter. " I explained. " And they've invited me to spend Christmas with them. "

Haytham raised an eyebrow at that. " And you accepted? " He inquired.

" Of course! " I exclaimed. " Why wouldn't I? "

" Can a man not ask about his lover's activities? " He said, feigning innocence as he leant over and kissed me lightly on the lips.

" A normal man can, yes. But you're not normal. " I teased him. " Are you jealous? "

" I am never jealous. " He retorted immediately.

" Liar. You can come as well if you like. " I told him. " Mary keeps asking me to bring you. "

" I have other things to do than waste my time with such frivolities. " He replied uncaringly.

And that's how, on Christmas day 1756, I found myself knocking on Mary and Edmund's door, standing outside in the snow next to a complaining Haytham. " Stupid continent, why does it have to be so cold this time of year? " He kept mumbling under his breath. " And the summers are so hot and humid… The weather is terrible, honestly… "

The door opened to reveal Edmund wearing his best red and brown suit, his brown hair brushed to one side and his green eyes looking tired but delighted. " Eleanor, merry Christmas! " He exclaimed, wrapping his arms around me.

" Merry Christmas Ed! " I laughed as I hugged him back. " This is Haytham Kenway. " I added, introducing the Templar to my friend.

" It's nice to finally meet you, and merry Christmas! My name is Edmund Moore." Edmund greeted, a large smile on his face as he shook hands with Haytham, who returned the greetings. Edmund then lead us inside where the wonderful smell of Mary's cooking was overwhelming and before we could even take our coats off, Nora was running towards me.

" Ella! " She screamed as she opened her arms wide so that I could pick her up. " Merry Christmas! " She kissed me on the cheek happily.

" Merry Christmas sweetie! " I replied, kissing her back. I noticed she was looking over my shoulder and I turned around to see Haytham looking at the blonde girl with the most amusing look on his face I'd ever seen. It was a mix between shock, interest, disgust and amusement. " Nora, this is Haytham. Haytham this is my little warrior princess. "

Haytham raised an eyebrow. " Warrior… Princess? " He questioned, a laugh tugging on his lips as he tried to stay serious.

" I'll be hero when I'm bigger! " Nora explained. " You'll see! "

I grinned and put Nora down and she ran off into her bedroom. " So that's the sort of influence you have on young children? " Haytham asked quietly as we made our way into the kitchen.

" Of course not, I keep trying to make her want to become something innocent. " I hissed.

Haytham chuckled. " Like what, a farmer's wife? How fun that is. "

Before I could counter his sarcasm, I found myself wrapped tightly in Mary's arms. " Merry Christmas Ella! I'm so glad you could make it! "

" Wouldn't miss it for the world. " I answered, pulling away from her. " This is - "

" Haytham Kenway. " Mary finished, putting her arms on her hips as she inspected the man with a firm look in her eyes. " Well sir, you certainly look good enough for our Ella. " She decided with a nod and broke out into a smile. " My name is Mary, welcome to our home and merry Christmas! " She flung herself at Haytham before he could react and she gave him a quick hug. " Let's bring out the wine! " She grinned and rushed back into the kitchen, from where Edmund appeared again, looking flustered at his wife's over excitement and Haytham had a look of shock on his face. I could only laugh.

A couple of hours later we were sat at the dinner table. Edmund at the end with his wife on his right. I was sat in front of her with Haytham to my left and Nora was in front of him, looking at her father in anticipation as she watched him carve the large turkey he had spent a lot of money on.

" So Haytham, what line of work are you in? " Edmund asked once we were all served. I raised my head quickly, worried about what he might say. What could he say exactly?

" I'm in trading. My father was a successful businessman and I came here to further expand his company by owning fields in the New World and trading back in England. " Haytham replied calmly, not seeming bothered at all by the question.

" Oh? What kind of produce do you sell? " Edmund asked, his interest spiked.

" Mainly fish and wheat. " Haytham explained. " But also some more exotic products like tobacco and chocolate. "

" Chocolate! " Nora exclaimed happily with her mouth full of food.

" Nora, manners! " Mary scolded her. " Don't speak with your mouth full of food! "

" Sorry. " Nora blushed and looked ashamed, but I noticed Haytham wink at her and she smiled back at him. I shot him a questioning look about the interaction but he only smiled innocently. I certainly never thought he would be the sort of person to like children.

After dinner, Nora was happily playing with her new doll and the rest of us were sitting around the half cleared table talking and laughing. " I must admit Haytham, I never imagined Eleanor would fall in love with someone so proud and posh. " Mary suddenly said, and Edmund scolded her for being rude.

" It is nothing. " Haytham smiled. " I must admit I never thought I would enjoy the company of someone so… " He paused, frowning as he looked at me. " Unusual. " He decided, smirking.

Mary and Edmund laughed. " That's one way to describe the girl! " Mary giggled. She was not used to drinking alcohol and the three glasses she had already drunk were showing. " She needs to start wearing dresses and looking like a lady. She would be so beautiful! "

" Yes, she would. " Haytham agreed, lifting his glass at her words. " I'll drink to that! "

" As will I! " Edmund laughed, raising his glass to meet Haytham's.

" So that's it? I bring someone here and you all gang up on me? " I feigned outrage as I stood from the table. " Well that's it, I'm going to play with Nora, at least she likes me the way I am! " I stuck my tongue out at them all and went to sit on the floor with my goddaughter.

" Ella, outside! " Nora clapped her hands together as she ran towards the door to their small garden. " Snowman! "

I laughed and agreed. I wrapped her up in her coat and my scarf, and put my own coat on before leading her outside into the thickening afternoon snow. Everything was white: the sky, the ground, the rooftops and the walls. It was beautiful. Nora started running around, the snow coming up to her knees and she picked up a load in her hands and threw it in the air, giggling as it fell down on top of her. It was one of the sweetest little things I had ever seen and couldn't help but grin.

It took us an hour but we managed to make a snow man that came up to my shoulders. Nora was ecstatic even though she was freezing cold and pointed at a tree. I reached up and broke of some twigs and gave them to her so that she could push them into the snowman's sides to create arms. Nora then dug a hole in the remaining snow to find the stones that were underneath and I picked her up in my arms so she could make a face. We stood back and admired our work and Nora ran indoors.

" Mummy! " She shouted. " Daddy! Snowman! " I looked in through the door to see the huge footprints she had left inside and hoped Mary wouldn't mind too much. Nora pulled her parents outside and Haytham followed, raising an eyebrow at me as he looked out the door to see the snowman.

" That is why you spent an hour in the snow? " He asked, appalled.

" It was fun. " I retorted, hitting him on the arm slightly.

Haytham wasn't convinced and went back inside. I joined him, glad to find some warmth again and shut the door leaving the happy family outside for a while. I coughed slightly, and went to sit next to Haytham in front of the fire.

" They are rather nice people. " He said. " Even though they obviously lack in correct manners and their house is in a rather poor state of affairs. "

" They're only farmers! " I defended them. " Not everyone has the amount of money you have. And anyway, they're doing very well. "

Haytham snorted and we left it at that. We spent another couple of hours with the Moores until we all grew tired. Haytham and Edmund seemed to get along well together, though I could tell they would never be best friends but it was good enough for me. They laughed together and Mary whispered into my ear how good-looking Haytham was, to which I only winked and nodded. You'd have to be a fool not to know Haytham was ridiculously handsome. Nora fell asleep soon after coming indoors from the snowman and Mary ended up falling asleep at the table because of the mixture of alcohol and stress. Haytham and I left soon afterwards, wishing Edmund a good evening and asking him to say goodbye to the women for us.

It was still snowing as we made our way back to my house and we walked hand in hand. " See, it wasn't that bad. " I smirked up at the Templar as he watched the snow fall in the sky.

" Hmm? Yes it was alright. " He shrugged. I laughed and nudged him in the ribs and raced him back home. I was in front of Haytham because he wasn't entirely happy about running on snow where I had spent every winter since arriving in America doing so. When I arrived at my door, I went to lean against it to show off to Haytham but the door swung open and I fell inside, landing on my backside and was greeted by a hearty laugh.

Haytham pulled out his pistol as he looked at the person behind me and I looked behind me to see Khan laughing at my stupidity. " Am I glad I saw that! " He laughed, not noticing Haytham as he approached us from outside.

" You bastard! " I cried, laughing as well. " Haytham this is Khan. Please put that gun away. And Khan, this is Haytham. " I said quickly, waving my arms around and pushing past Khan into my warm house to get away from the cold. I went straight into my living room and when neither man followed, I peered out into the hallway to see them standing face to face eyeing each other menacingly.

I rolled my eyes. " Please, it's Christmas. Be friends. " I sighed from the doorway. " And shut the god damned door! " I added sternly, shivering as the cold air blew in from the empty street.

" So you're the templar. " Khan groaned. " I expected someone taller. "

Haytham scoffed. " Am I supposed to be intimidated by some poor Mohawk? "

" You should be. " Khan hissed. " No one protects Ella better than me. "

" Like I said, I am unimpressed. Eleanor can handle herself. " Haytham replied, pronouncing my full name clearly to point out that he didn't like my name shortened. Haytham puffed his chest out to attempt to reach Khan's height but failed. Khan was tall, muscular and scruffy, his shirt untucked, his feet bare on the wooden floor and his waist length black hair messy as it hang around his face. Haytham was muscular as well, but his appearance was well kept, his hair brushed back into it's usual pony tail, his shirt, waistcoat and coat making him look as rich and proper as he was. They were complete opposites, in every aspect of the matter.

" That's enough! " I shouted, putting myself between the two. " Honestly, you're worse than children! " I scolded them. " Khan, make us all some tea. Haytham, go and sit down. " I ordered them around and oddly enough, after sending each other a final glare, they both obeyed me. I was left standing in the hallway and I sighed. Here I was thinking Christmas was going to go by without any problems at all.

First I joined Khan in the kitchen. He was muttering under his breath when I joined him as he boiled some water. " What was that about? " I asked, my hands on my hips.

" He started it. " He whined, immediately realising how childish he sounded. " Sorry Ella. It's just… I don't know. He's a Templar. The Templar grand master at that and you know how I feel about them. I don't trust him. "

" I know you don't but haven't I told you enough about him for you to give him a change? " I pleaded, putting a hand on his shoulder to try to soften him up.

Khan sighed. " But you're my little sister. I'm supposed to hate the men you like. " He insisted, pouting playfully so that I laughed. I left him to finish up and went to speak with Haytham, who was pulling his boots off and making himself perfectly at home, his coat and cape draped over the sofa behind him.

" Be nice to Khan, he's done nothing wrong. " I started, trying to hide a smile as he struggled to undo the massive knot in his shoe laces.

" He's an assassin. " He shrugged. " A Mohawk. And clueless. "

I sighed heavily. Haytham would be harder to convince. " One: I'm an assassin yet you don't hate me. Two: I remember you freeing Mohawk prisoners two years ago when we first met. And he's only half Mohawk. Three: What makes him clueless? "

Haytham stared at me for a while before answering, noticing the harsh look on my face as I dared him to insult my best friend. " He hates me simply because you are in love with me. That makes him stupid. "

I raised an eyebrow. " When have I said that I'm in love with you? " I teased. He replied by kissing me passionately before pulling away, a smirk on his face telling me all I needed to know. " Okay, but still. He's not stupid just because he's defending me against someone who technically should be my enemy. "

Haytham shrugged and said nothing, and before I could argue Khan arrived with our tea which he placed on a small table in front of us. We sipped our drinks in silence, all three of us on the same sofa, me in between the two sulky men.

Eventually I sighed heavily. " Can you at least pretend to be friends? It's Christmas. " Silence. " Please? " I begged.

" How do you feel knowing your order will be brought down soon? " Khan asked.

" I would not know. Care to enlighten me from your rich experience? " Haytham retorted uncaringly, putting his empty cup down.

" You think you have the answer to everything don't you? "

" No, I simply search for a better world. "

" One where we are all sheep and obey your every order? "

" No, one where peace reigns and everyone is equal. "

" I hardly think control is the answer. "

" Because chaos is? "

" No, freedom is. "

" Like I said, chaos. "

I started laughing at the exchange, partly because it reminded me of when Haytham explained his point of view to me, partly because they were both speaking like children trying to outdo each other. " Can't you see you both want the same thing? " I said, still laughing. " We all want peace and equality. The Templars want it through order, the Assassins want it through freedom. That's it. The only difference. " My voice was getting colder as I realized what I was saying. " A war that's been going on for centuries because of what? Surely at some point someone could have found a way to cooperate and find a way to achieve the ultimate goals. It's pathetic. "

I stood up and looked at the two men as they gawked at me like I was mad. " It's true though isn't it? This war is pointless. We would be so strong if we pulled together, we'd be able to make global peace! But instead we're squabbling like children, picking each other off one by one and rendering everyone's effort completely useless. It's folly! "

" I've already told you Eleanor, it is a good idea but no one would agree to it. " Haytham replied calmly.

" We're too different to be able to work together. " Khan confirmed. " It's not a pointless war, we're fighting for justice against those who seek their own. "

Haytham's jaw tightened but he restrained from answering and I sighed. My dream was definitely out of question and I would always be in the limbo between the Assassins and the Templars I so desperately wanted to reunite. But in the end I suppose one person cannot simply cease an age old war with nothing but words. I was simply too naïve to see it.

Luckily after my outburst the two men seemed to accept each other's presence and though they obviously didn't like each other, they remained polite as we all shared a slice of Khan's homemade cake and shared a few jokes. Eventually, Khan made his way home through the thick snow and Haytham and I snuggled into my warm bed.

Two weeks later, I arrived home to find a hot meal waiting for me, all prepared by Haytham. It was the first time he had ever done this, and though I greatly appreciated it, I couldn't help but wonder what the catch was. " Is there something wrong? " I asked him as I sat down.

" I need to talk to you, yes. " He confirmed unhappily. " I don't know how you are going to react to the news though. "

" Which explains all of this. " I was growing incredibly nervous and dozens of scenarios were playing through my mind. Was he leaving me? Had he done something horrible? Like kill Khan? No he wouldn't do that. Who had he killed? No, surely he's not done anything wrong.

" Do you remember when I told you about the night my father was murdered? " He asked, confusing me. When I nodded, unsure of where this was leading, he continued. " My half-sister Jenny was taken, as you remember. Well, before I came to America, I left my friend James Holden to look for information about her, among other things. "

I nodded. " What does this have to do with anything? " I asked.

" He has found her. " Haytham spoke quietly, searching my face for reaction.

" So you're going to find her? " I asked, still not fully understanding.

Haytham nodded. " Her exact location is yet to be defined but we know she is in the hands of slavers somewhere in the Ottoman Empire. I'm to travel to London to meet up with Holden and then we travel to Asia Minor to find her and free her. " He explained.

I gawked at him for a long few seconds then started thinking aloud. " The Ottoman Empire? That's on the other side of the world! You'll gone for months, possibly for years! What about your duties as Templar Master? Are you stepping down? Who's going to be in charge? "

" Slow down. " He chuckled, coming over to me, taking my face in his hands. " I am not stepping down as Grand Master, merely taking leave while I avenge my father's death and free my sister. Charles Lee will be left in charge during my absence, and I have informed him that if any of them lay a finger on you, they will suffer my wrath. " He spoke softly, his eyes full of pity and sadness. " But yes. I'm afraid I will be away for at least six months, if not longer. I am sorry. "

I swallowed, my heart telling me to keep him near me, to tell him not to go because I needed him by my side. But I knew he had to go. " I understand. Your family comes first, as it should. "

" Thank you. " He purred, kissing me passionately.

And that's how, on the 15th of January 1757, I watched his handsome figure become smaller and smaller in the distance as his ship left America. I felt lost, as if a chapter of my life had ended. I knew he would come back as soon as he could, and he had promised to write to me as soon as he arrived in London, and then as soon as he arrived in the Ottoman Empire. But a few letters wouldn't fill the gaping hole he had left in my life. I knew it would be a long time until I could hold him again, until I could tease him and mock him, until I could fall asleep listening to his slow, deep breathing.

I turned around, tears blurring my vision, and attempted to smile at Khan, who smiled sadly back to me. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and we went home in silence. Silence is definitely the word to describe my house now, empty and cold without Haytham's presence.