6 months previously, before the Temujai attempted to invade Skandia, Will and Evanlyn sat together in the shade of a willow tree by the river. It was a warm day, warm by Skandian standards anyway and so the two had decided to escape from the hustle and bustle of Hallasholm and war preparations to spend the afternoon catching up and generally slacking off. Evanlyn had invited Horace but the burly warrior apprentice had said he'd had other things to do.
So Will and Evalyn sat, Will slightly uncomfortable, cross legged while Evanlyn lay stretched out in the afternoon sun, propped up on her elbows. For hours they talked of their home, Araluen of the times they had enjoyed and the people they spent their days with. Will did most of the talking as Evanyl tried to avoid straining the conversation by leaving out all her stories of Royalty and all, as she had a hunch that Will was still uncomfortable to think of her as anyone but Evayln.
After a particularly long pause in the conversation, Will asked suddenly, 'Evayln? Um.. Well, you know this kind of thing?' he said extremely unhelpfully, looking down at the floor, she gave him an amused smile, 'Reckon you could narrow it down slightly for me Will?' she asked, chuckling. Will didn't appear to share her bemused attitude for once as he continued on seriously, 'Well, I mean, if we ever make it back home, will things be the same?' he asked a worried expression on his face. Evanlyn took his hand, making him look up. 'We'll make it home Will, with that bow of yours.' She gestured to his bow and quiver that lay feet away, 'The Temujai wont stand a chance.' She said squeezing his hand reassuringly. The mischievous smile that had been missing from his face for the past minute now returned. 'You avoided my question.' He said simply forcing her to continue, 'Okay, well simple answer is I don't know' she said somewhat regrettably, 'I mean I miss you whenever your practicing, imagine not seeing you for months on end.'
He smiled sadly, 'I know, but.. I'm sorry but I'm an apprentice Ranger, and you're a Princess..' he trailed off not knowing how to finish the statement, he substituted with a joke, 'I mean, I don't even know how I'm supposed to refer to you!' Instead of laughing she just frowned, "You just call me by my name?' she half asked, half answered. Will laughed openly briefly, "Ha no, I don't mean out here, I mean when we get back home and your no longer just Evayln. She let go of his hand and dropped her gaze, 'You know I'm still the same person right? Its not like I suddenly change, this is who I am!' she said a little disappointed in how Will thought she would change completely upon setting foot in Araluen. Now he grasped her hand, making HER look up, 'I know that' he smiled. 'It's your station that changes, not your personality' She looked out to the river, seemingly searching for the answer.
The Sun began setting in front of them, illiminating the trees beautifully. 'Why is everything so complicated Will?' she asked with a sigh leaning her head on his shoulder. Will put an arm around her shoulder, pulling her slightly closer to him. 'I don't know Evayln…' With the Sun gone the temperature dropped swiftly, Evanlyn using this as an excuse, snuggled further into Wills chest, enjoying the warmth that his embrace provided.
After a time, Will broke the comfortable silence 'in Castle Araluen… Do you.. like, are you constantly followed around by a troupe of people?' he asked honestly curious. She looked him at him and for the first time Evanlyn opened up about her life as Princess Cassandra. They talked until midnight that night, Will asking questions about her life and Evanlyn answering them in full.
All that night Will had nightmares about how he couldn't possibly fit into her life…
Hello Readers! (If there are any of you out there!) Do you want more or Will and Evalyn in Skandia? or current day Will and Cassandra? private message/review letting me know! (Or i wont post anything :3 )