A/N: I added a little more to the previous chapter.

Bitter, horrid thoughts ran through his head as they rode back to the chateau.

Élise was in back, probably to keep an eye on him. Or maybe not. They had rode the way to Paris this way too, but certainly she recognized that utility. At least they had not brought their guns, else he would worry about her shooting him in the back.

Whatever story Timothee spun, what are the odds he would believe it? He felt sick and sad and furious all at once. Just when his life was starting to show rays of hope and beauty, just when he had confessed his love -

"Arno, stop," she said.

Those were the first words she had said since they mounted their horses. He slowed to a stop.

She pulled up by his side. "I...I can't pretend I don't know what's on your mind."

Arno slowed his horse to a stop and stared. To his shame, he could feel tears starting to well up.

"You're thinking about murder, defection. It's not safe to bring you back to the mansion. For you, or the people inside."

He objected to the word 'murder', he would call it 'assassination', but she was smarter than he gave her credit for.

"I'm willing to hear Timothee's side of the story," he said. It was not a lie, he just doubted it would make any difference.

"And then perhaps slit his throat in his sleep. I know how you think, how Assassins think: how I would be thinking if..."

Those words got stuck in her throat. This was painful for her too, clearly. She dropped them and continued:

"I believe in the Templars. I believe in their cause even if...maybe...Look, Arno...I...Let's get away from all this."

"You already gave me time to clear my head."

"No. Let's get away from all this forever. One less Assassin for one less Templar."

"What?" his eyes went wide with intrigue.

"We'll sell these steeds, sell our weapons, start a new life together. And Chobat won't know any of our plans until we're gone."

Arno was shocked. The devout Templar...But her plan made sense, a way to settle their difference, trade one Templar for one Assassin, and still have each other.

She spoke again, "I love you, Arno. Let's leave this awful war behind."