You really didn’t want to see him take leave. He already wore himself out caring for the people afflicted with the taint of the scourge and although you loved the man he is, it seems only you had reason enough to know limitations. He was only mortal, afterall.
Still, he insisted. He said he had a duty as a king of a land founded by himself and his beloved brother.
Ardyn: “The Crystal chose me.”
Often he would say this, as if it would ease you, but you knew Ardyn as the stubborn sort. He takes great pride as a leader, as an example of hope and courage to others, and this quality made you proud…and frightened. You watched him furnish himself with his armor hidden beneath his surcote and cloak, his signature patterned red scarf wrapped around his neck as the finishing touch. You smiled slightly, always taking great care in his looks.
Ardyn: “If I cannot protect my home, how can I expect to protect my people? My family?”
He steps closer to you, the intensity of his words were held in his eyes as he looked at you.
Ardyn: “The love of my life?”
There was a sinking anguish brewing within your chest. You knew him to be more than capable of taking care of himself, the Astrals assured that much when granting him the blessing of their divine strength, but still…
You: “I…do not want you to go.”
Ardyn pulls you close to him and touches his forehead to yours. Both of your eyes close, feeling nothing but affection and adoration pouring from this small gesture. Whenever he held you like this, it was his unspoken way of expressing how much he cared about you, how much he trusted you, and how much he asked you to have faith in him. However, every time he did this, it only further pained the ache in your chest. To you, every time felt like it would be…the last time.
Ardyn: “When I rise victorious, meet me at our spot. Do you remember?”
You: “The cliff overlooking the sea?”
Ardyn: “The very same. We will settle there and start anew.”
You: “Have you forgotten that you’re king?”
Ardyn: “I’m certain Somnus wouldn’t mind keeping the throne warm every now and then.”
You: “Your poor brother.”
It was meant as a joke, one he smiled at, relishing in this fleeting moment of joy. His expression then turns somber.
Ardyn: “…I love you.”
Those three words that held such heavy weight made way to your ears in the lightest whisper. Tears began to fall down your cheeks. With a slight of hand, he wipes them away before holding your face tenderly in his warm, calloused touch and pulls you into a sweet kiss. The emotion pouring from his lips left you shaking and breathless. You did not want it to end, but as all things do, it did. You look at Ardyn who gazed back at you for the longest time once he pulled away, his eyes raking over your face and form as if imprinting it all into memory. With a heavy sigh, he dons his hat and turns his body the opposite way. He steals one last glance at you over his shoulder.
Ardyn: “I will return to you…”
And just like that, you watched him put distance between you two in great strides. His head held high and his back towards you. There he goes again and you prayed to the Draconian that he will keep his word.
You: “For you, I shall wait an eternity and more…”
.
.
.
.
.
He shuffles across the sands of a dusty beach, the rays from the burning sun shining atop his hat, casting a shadow over his face. From a distance, Ardyn hears the sounds of the seagulls cawing at one another and the distinctive sound of water crashing against the surface of the rock bed below. Purposefully, the trek was long and stretched, but eventually he reaches his destination and releases a long awaited breath.
The man walks closer to the edge and kneels down. Before him, a small mound of gathered dirt surrounded by carefully laid stone. At the very top of the mound sat another stone, carved with runes of a language long forgotten by all…except him. It has been ages… He reads the runes aloud before dipping his head low.
Ardyn: “I have returned, my heart… Forgive me for taking so long…”
~My Tumblr Back-Up And Stuffs~ 