Hello everybody! Since I didn't got to school I used my beloved free time to write this. I had a day off, don't think I skipped it, I'm a responsible person... that's always been my problem :P

So, without further ado here's chapter 13 (1,780 words... I tried to make it longer, but I just could't)

Anyhow, enjoy!

Chapter 13

"Farewell"

The moon was still shining up in the sky when the prince walked out of his chambers, silently, trying not to make a sound as he closed the thick wooden door. Fevian was careful not make a sound as he walked before his parent's room, tiptoeing and holding his sheathed sword very tight against him. If it clanked against the quarry wall or marble the floor, it would be the kiss of death. Fevian knew the sound of it would wake his parents up. Or at least just his mother, who was an incredible light sleeper. Just that simple clank and in just a few seconds Fevian would have the queen raging in front of him, upset because he had disobeyed his parents orders.

The king and the queen were reluctant to let their son leave with Bridget when he told them he would do so. Queen Alva was outraged that her son intended to depart with the girl just a day after he got engaged to be married with Lady Isicara.

"What does this have to do with Cara, Mother?" had been the prince's reply.

"It has everything to do with it, Fevian! You just announced yesterday at the ball that you would marry her and now a day later you want to run off with that girl!"

"My dear, do calm down. Let the boy explain his reasons" King Tavian spoke, taking his wife's hand and giving her a gentle smile.

Fevian was thankful for his father's ability to calm his mother down. It appeared that just seconds ago the queen wanted to cut off his head and now she was more at ease, not entirely, but at least she was willing to listen to what her son wanted to say.

"I made a promise to help Bridget return home"

"Is that so?" Queen Alva said with disdain.

"Yes, I gave her my word and I will keep it" her son answered sternly.

"My boy, you are aware that you cannot leave immediately. You also gave Isicara your word"

"I know, Father"

"As long as she or her family stay in Cair Paravel, you will not leave. Once they go we will speak of this matter again"

"Yes, Father. Thank you"

The problem was when they spoke of the matter again. That day both monarchs gave a resounding no to their son. They didn't allow him to leave and their reasons were unknown to the prince but still he was leaving.

Fevian descended the stairs that led him to the stables where he readied both horses he and Bridget would take: his strong black stallion, and a brown mare. He strapped the bag he had to his mount as well as the sheath with his sword. The prince tightened the reins and the seats. Both horses were now ready to ride. Now Fevian had to wait for Bridget to show up.

After Bridget finished readying herself for the journey she immediately went straight to the kitchen to take some provisions to put in her satchel along with the change of clothes she had already packed.

She was surprised to find Dina there even though it was still very early in the morning.

"Dina. Why are you up so early?"

"There will be a banquet today. The men from Calormen leave in the afternoon and their Majesties have ordered there to be a farewell feast"

"I didn't know they would leave today"

"Yes" the girl spoke as she began to take out some vegetables from a sack that later would be washed and minced "But why are you up so early?"

"I'm leaving too. I'm going home" she explained.

Dina and Bridget said farewell to each other. The Archenlander was sad that she would no longer see her friend and Bridget felt terrible for not being able to tell Dina they would see each other soon, because she knew they probably wouldn't.

The young servant helped Bridget pack a few apples and gave her a couple loaves of bread. They hugged and said goodbye to each other.

As Bridget walked out of the kitchen she saw in the dim light a man a few some meters ahead of her who was walking down the hall and in direction to the main courtyard. She was also going in the same direction because from the courtyard she would go to the nearby stables, where the prince said he would be waiting for her. At first she supposed he was Fevian, but when they were both crossing the courtyard, she got a better look of him and realized he was somebody else.

"Ardavan"

The Calormene turned around and was surprised to see her there, so early in the morning and dressed almost as a man, because she was wearing riding boots, with some brown trousers and a nice shirt and vest. It was quite a change because until that moment Ardavan had always seen her wearing dresses, from the beautiful dress she had wore at the ball, to the dirty one she wore when they met or even the simple one she used when they practiced archery.

"Bridget" he sounded surprised and even confused to see the girl.

"I'm glad I found you here, otherwise I wouldn't have had the chance to say goodbye"

"To say… why would you have to say goodbye?" the young man gave her a puzzled look "You are leaving?"

"Yes, I'm going home, Ardavan"

"I always assumed you lived here. How stupid of me never to ask about your home"

"Don't worry. There's not much to know about it. Just that I miss my mother and my sisters. Terribly"

There was actually a lot she had wanted to share with him about her home all those times they had been together, but she had never wanted to get into the complications of explaining him that she came from another world. Bridget had no idea how he would react, but she was sure Fevian's incredibly good reaction to her story wasn't something to be expected every time she told her story to other people. But she really had wanted to share that part of her with Ardavan.

Instead she had just shared some fragments of her life, mentioning only that she had two sisters, that her mother was a widow, that really enjoyed reading and that sort of details that didn't need to be told along with the word England.

In change Ardavan had opened to her about more parts of life. His childhood, his four brothers, his deceased parents or how he became Captain of the guard and a personal protector for the Tisroc. He really had a talent with words, he was an extraordinary storyteller and Bridget had been submerged in his story only a few days ago. And now, she would no longer hear stories from him. Ever.

"Well, then I am glad for you" Ardavan's words made her trail off from her thoughts and she remembered the conversation they were having "You will see Caroline, Alice and your mother in no time" he said with an encouraging smile. That smile. "I depart today as well, the Tisroc, may he live forever, and I return to Tashbaan. I hope we will meet again, Bridget. Soon, I hope"

Bridget felt as if she was melting with his words. The young captain seemed as if he was trying to maintain composure but in reality was having some troubled feelings inside, having the "politeness" façade on. She also was wearing the same mask, one that allowed her to pretend everything was alright, that it didn't affect her to leave. Bridget too, was having troubled feelings. She wanted to return home so badly, but Ardavan was a reason why she wanted to stay.

They were both unsure of what they had to do next and the only thing Ardavan could think of was to smile, but it was kind of a sad smile. Bridget's response to his smile was to hug him. Her arms slid around his neck and she had to stand on her toes to be able to do so, for the Calormene was taller than her. Ardavan's arms reacted almost in synchrony with Bridget's, embracing her and pulling her closer. They held each other and stood like that for a moment.

As they separated, they stared into each other's eyes, emerald meeting sapphire. There was something to that moment that they both realized they would never see each other again.

Ardavan's hand caressed her cheek gently "I will miss you, Bridget"

Bridget intended to answer she would miss him too, but she found it hard to speak. There was a knot in her throat, coiling more and more. No words came out from her mouth, but she placed hers on top of his, closing the space between them.

That was the first time Bridget and Ardavan kissed and it was also going to be the last.

Fevian and Bridget left Cair Paravel shortly before the sun was beginning to arise from behind the horizon, showering with light all Narnia. They rode away just as two thieves escape in dead of night trying not to be heard and hoping not to get caught.

It was around midday when they reached the village Bridget already knew: Tediaren. There they bought two wineskins to fill with water and be able to carry something to drink with them. They didn't stay for long, but they took the chance to eat something there, something substantial because they would eat nothing more than fruits and bread for the rest of the journey. Or at least until they reached the next village which was near Cauldron Pool.

As they were sitting in the inn where they bought their meals, Fevian spread the map he was carrying on the table to showed Bridget the route he planned on taking to reach the lamppost, which laid on the far northwest end of parchment chart.

"Tomorrow we will ride near the Dancing Lawn to cross here, in the Fords of Beruna" the prince spoke as he was tracing the way over the map with his finger "It will take us around two days to ride to the bridge of the Great River, here" he pointed a place near a waterfall "We will have to camp maybe one night or two in the Shuddering Woods. We will cross Telmar River and when we reach this village, Glivard, we can stay in an inn. Then we cross near Cauldron Pool, ride through the Western Wood and in no time we will get to the lamppost"

"All right"

"Are you done eating, because we have a long way to go"

How was it?

I honestly like the fact that Bee and Ardavan kiss in this chapter, but I was really unsure whether they should or not. Then I remembered Bee's mother did take a chance to kiss a certain someone when she realized she wouldn't see him again (yes, I'm talking about Caspian). That's why the kiss is in this chapter (for those who liked it, thank Susan and the fact that she and her daughter think in a very similar way).

And this chapter is a Farewell to Ardavan (hence the title), a character I didn't think I would come to like so much :) (Honestly he just came up a filler character, but I really like him now)

Please leave me some reviews, I love them! Please tell me what you think. What you loved. What you hated. Ideas. Whatever, just comment! Peace!