Panting as she entered, Ariel walked into her grandmothers tent, a clearly worried expression covering her face.
She usually was able to keep a look of clarity on her face, but she seemed to almost feel sick or drowsy her eyes carried a weight that made her grandmother pause, despite knowing why she came.
"Oh goodness. Are you alright dear?"
She looked to her grandmother. The hood was covering her eye area, so she was unable to see
What her face looked like.
"Grandma…" her voice had a small twinge of hope. "Is he here?"
Annalise dropped her head down before slowly nodding her head. "He was."
She almost dropped, but Annalise went closer and wrapped her arms around Her. "It's okay my girl. I patched him up as best I could, even tried to argue with that bastard Caspien…But he stopped it and said that he was fine."
She then looked down at her granddaughter. "I wondered why he didn't go for you. He said he might actually try and fight everyone trying to take him away."
Ariel closed her eyes and looked away. It was because he would have to go to her for protection. Any doubts that they were close would go out the window. Now he might be someone to target if someone wanted to get to her.
'I should have done something.'
Tears streamed for her eyes. "I should have been there. If I had just met him halfway…"
Analise put a hand over her head. "It was not your fault."
"Alright. But if I had just been there even an hour before… I could have cut them off."
"That was not your mistake!"
"Depending on how many breaks they took, maybe I still can." Ariel said, almost preparing to free herself from Annalise's grasp.
"Enough of this nonsense!" Annalise roared.
Her. Brows furrowed as her irises became smaller.
"Pick yourself up girl. He is gone, but you must have faith in him. Was the training you two did for nothing? Were your feelings for him truly so fickle that you believe he will die just like that?l"
Ariel was stumped. "W-well no."
"Good! Now what will you do in the meantime?"
It took her a few moments to answer, but after taking some breaths she readjusted herself.
"My father might plan to introduce me to a rather large collection of suitors. It would be best to avoid most of them and kill the ones who are persistent."
Annalise looked down at the young girl wrapped within her arms. "And?
Ariel looked up with a cheeky expression. "I also have a vast amount of things I can to to help him. Even though it means that I have to somewhat ally with that bastard Caspien."
"That's my granddaughter. His time will come, but for now I simply wish to secure the legacy of my granddaughter."
Ariel continued. "And then I will claim him, take him from Caspiens clutches. End the whole damn war if I must."
She wanted to argue with Ariel, but seeing the determined look in her eyes, Annalise dropped it.
"I believe in you. Never doubt yourself again, it scares me."
"What do you mean?"
"Why, a bright you and powerful girl like yourself is having doubts, what hope is there for the rest of us? You have to be considerate you know?"
Ariel could help it as a smile formed on her face.
"Thanks grandma"
She nodded. "Any time my dear. And I was joking about the confidence. If you ever need anyone to confide in, you're grandmother is always here."
After a long pause, Ariel simply replied: "I know. Thank you." As she exited, pushing the exit aside.