Heart Over Sword-Chapter 330: Farewells (2)

At the palace, Ronan and Axel led Evanna away from the dining hall. George and William followed her after she heard Ger would be arriving in his dragon form. She knew the day he left the palace to see his mother that he’d intended to go without saying goodbye, but this was a pleasant surprise, and one she knew was because the guys spoke to him. Walking out into the gardens, the sounds of Ger’s wings shook the walls, causing air to rush through the grass and make everyone’s hair blow back.

The white dragon landed, and before Ger could transform back into a man, William and George rushed forward, excited at seeing the dragon. Their guards rushed towards them, slowing down when they saw the beast, fear taking over them.

"He will not hurt you," Evanna explained to the guards, then added in a sharper tone. "If you ever hesitate to protect my brothers again, I will ensure you never set foot in this kingdom again and have to fend for yourselves in the Hatherland Empire."

A noticeable shiver ran through them. "Yes, Your Highness. It will never happen again, Your Highness." Their heads were bowed, gulping before rushing to guard the princes, gaping at the dragon and hesitating to touch his scales.

Evanna approached their side. For the first time in days, they didn’t shy away from her; the sheer delight of being in the presence of a genuine dragon overshadowed any inclination to avoid their former half-sister. "This is Ger. He will not hurt you. You can touch his claw if you want." She watched Ger with a small smile as she took each of the prince’s hands and placed them on Ger’s claw and scales.

"Woah!"

"This is Ger?!"

Evanna nodded, then became serious again. "Remember this, though. Other dragons are not safe. Never run up to them like you did just now. They will not hesitate to kill."

"Yes, Evanna," they replied in unison.

"Good. Run along now."

The princes ran off pretending to fly and fight dragons, exclaiming about their future adventures. The guards bowed again at Evanna and chased after them. Since they fought the Faceless, the guards at the palace were mainly used to the white dragon. They knew he wouldn’t hurt them, but it didn’t stop them from fearing a mighty beast.

Once the children were gone, the dragon’s scales vibrated and rippled until he transformed into Ger. Strolling forward, he inhaled sharply to Axel, bringing him into a big hug and squeezing. Evanna giggled, stepping back into Arawn’s arms as she watched the men from afar saying their farewells. Or so she thought.

Once Ger extricated himself from Axel’s bear hug, it was Ronan’s turn. Evanna hadn’t noticed earlier, as she was joyfully walking beside her cousins, but Ronan was adorned in a cloak and had placed a bag by his feet. "No," Ger asserted firmly before Ronan could utter a word.

"I’m coming with you," Ronan replied simply, ignoring Ger’s initial response.

"You’re not coming with me," Ger hissed back.

"Whose going to keep you out of trouble if not for me?" Ronan turned back to face him, the wind sweeping across them in an almost loud roar. They stared at each other, Ger glaring at his friend, not wanting this life for him. "Besides, you plan to travel across the sea, right?"

Ger narrowed his eyes in response.

"I’ve always wanted to see what was on the other side..." He trailed off, then smirked. "I’m not taking no for an answer, Ger. Take me with you. You’ll be lonely without your cuddle buddy!"

"That is precisely the reason he does not want you to go," Axel murmured, watching the pair in amusement.

Ronan frowned at the giant, but his eyes fell on Ger. "I’m serious, Ger. You need someone by your side."

Ger paused for a moment, contemplating his words. Ronan was right. He didn’t know what the future held, but it would be nice to have a friend by his side. Yet... "I cannot guarantee your safety-"

"Where’s the fun in that?!" Ronan exclaimed, picking up his bag again. "Seriously though... safety has never been guaranteed. Stop acting like a concerned parent." He smacked Ger’s back, not taking no for an answer. Ger caved with a long sigh, one the group knew was his sign that he accepted.

"You’re staying, right?" Ger looked to Axel, feeling more emotional now that the group of monster slayers was going to be split apart.

Axel hesitated; he wanted to go, yet at the same time, there was a part of him already calling him back to Direwood forest. He’d already agreed to be Evanna’s guard, and there was one other reason besides staying by his friend’s side: the possibility of making a certain brunette she-elf his bride.

His thoughts turned to Nariel and the dance they shared under the moonlight at Evanna and Arawn’s wedding. The dance led to a tender kiss before Nariel smiled and left, leaving him yearning after her, especially when he hadn’t seen her since.

"It’s okay," Ger said soothingly, eyes crinkling slightly from the small smile. He knew where his friend’s thoughts went to. "Return to her." Axel already had a future setting out before him.

Axel gripped Ger’s shirt, eyes locking as he asked the following question with a serious expression. "If she agrees to be my wife, will you return for the wedding?"

Ger’s shoulders relaxed. "Of course I will." He was still alive, but he didn’t add that part. His thoughts also started waking up the beast inside of him. The dragon found his pathetic way of thinking infuriating.

Axel grinned, acting more confident than he felt. "Then this is not a long farewell."

Ger smirked, liking this version of Axel. Maybe the she-elf was good for him. He remembered she had a little spark, getting Axel out of his shell more.

"No, it is not."

Now, it was Evanna’s turn to say goodbye to her lifelong friend. Before words left their lips, Evanna was already teary. She’d just got Ger back, and already he was going. He’d been away years to fight monsters, then they parted on her quest, and he died and returned as a dragon. It was surreal.

"Come on now. Why are you crying?" Ger asked, feeling his throat tight as he tugged Evanna into a hug, ignoring Arawn’s slight glare. The icy prince, the soon-to-be King, remained silent, though his glacial eyes shot daggers at Ger’s hands on his wife’s back. Arawn understood their relationship, and he was not jealous. He just couldn’t stop himself from feeling protective and a little possessive of Evanna.

"N-no, I’m not," Evanna stuttered, sniffling as she clutched onto her friend.

Ger rested the side of his head against the top of Evanna’s head, his voice low as he spoke to her. "You have nothing to be sad about, Evanna. We are only parting ways, which is only natural, especially now that you are married. I already know you will be absolutely fine-"

"It’s not me. I’m worried about you, Wally. You’re going across the oceans..."

"I’m much stronger now," Ger murmured. "If you ever need me, I will come if I can."

Evanna nodded, sniffing again. "I know," she whispered. "I’m still going to be sad. You both better look after yourselves." She glanced at Ronan, her hand reaching out to him as well. He took it and raised it to his lips, snorting when he felt an icy stare digging into the side of his face.

"Write to me." Evanna pulled back to look at them before Axel lifted them all up again in a big bear hug.

"We will write," Ronan replied, almost coughing from the lack of air after Axel’s hug. "Wait! We’re missing one more person!"

"Huh? Who?" Ger frowned; he didn’t like the crushing feeling of Axel’s bear hugs that seemed to be turning into a regular thing now for this group.

Axel grabbed the icy prince and tugged him into the bear hug. "How ridiculous," Arawn muttered, but he didn’t pull away. This caused all of them to smile, including Ger.

"Alright, alright. That’s enough!" Ger was the one to break it up with his sheer strength, causing the others to burst into laughter. Arawn was among them, though he was smirking, followed by a light chuckle.

"Promise to write to me," Evanna urged again, holding both Ger and Ronan’s hands.

"We promise," their words were synched, reminding Evanna of the young princes.

"Alright, good."

Backing away, Ger transformed into his dragon form again, a light growl vibrating through his being as Ronan struggled to climb on top of him.

"You know we really need to get a saddle or something!" His words died with the light screech Ger responded with.

Arawn’s arms wrapped around Evanna from behind once again as they watched the pair, smiling at their typical humorous friendship. Axel sniffled on the side, making the princess reach out to him, her hand holding onto the side of his shirt, comforting him. All of them watched as the dragon hopped off from the ground and spread its large wings before flapping them up and down, causing the cold wind to make them shiver, their eyes teary until Ger flew away. Ronan’s screams of adventure echoed behind them, causing Axel and Evanna to burst into tearful laughter.

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