The party walked along the bright town, the snow lightly falling on the ground beneath them with every step they took. It's only served to make the capital kingdom of [Geonosia] even richer in beauty then it already was. The little shops which harbored pumpkins and kids who ran around the store to their hearts content, and the smiles of citizens pleased to be apart of their kingdom worked to soothe the party's heart. But the plight of the [Weapon Holder],of Rowan Agoul,had needless to say put a damper on the small buildings, lessening their superb architecture with each step they took.
The party who, was well respected in the capital took the praise and laughter they'd received as well as any heroes should. The smell of steamed foods and s'mores making their way into their nose and in their hands as shopkeepers stuffed them in their baskets which they'd gotten for free. The capital practically came alive as the party arrived though the plight of the [Weapon Holder] still held them back.
"Leo: Man I'm worried about Rowan he held up pretty well but I could definitely tell he was about to break. Think we did the wrong thing leaving him behind?"
At this Mika, the [Arch Priest] gaze became downcast and the smile she'd flashed at the citizens simply tip toed off her face. She thought about Rowan's face as she'd left the cabin and couldn't help but feel a bit withdrawn, closing herself off to the citizens affections. This reaction hadn't been limited to her however as the young man with a chiseled jawline found his mouth curving in a more than unpleasant way. The fate of the [Weapon Holder] has disturbed him and his stoic look faltered at the mere thought of this.
Matthew: "Nah it was for the best, I mean—-imagine him seeing Elara with the prince it wouldn't exactly have been fun for him."
The stoic young man, Terran twitched.
Terran:"Yes, but perhaps we shouldn't have left him behind he is our friend after all. Shouldn't we be there for him at this critical time?"
Leo: "Yeah I agree we should go back and get him."
As the decision already seemed done the young girl whose demeanor had changed quickly turned towards the bulk of the men. As she positioned herself in front of her party members and drove her feet into the ground as to reaffirm herself in her purpose. Truthfully she didn't know if this was the right choice though she thought about the face of the [Weapon Holder] before she'd left and knew her answer.
Mika:"Hold it you three!"
Terran: "What are you doing? We need to get back to Rowan as soon as we can!"
Leo:"Yeah, why are you in the way?!"
Mika: Think about what you're doing!,if Rowan has to see Elara right now do you really think he could handle it?"
It was a thought that permeated Mika's mind perhaps as strong as the [Weapon Holder] himself, Rowan Agoul. How could one whose heart had been broken, stand in front of the one responsible for that anguish? At that moment the [Hero's Party's] jokes and declarations suddenly became hollow as they thought about the feelings of their Weapon Hold———no their friend Rowan Agoul who'd been along for the ride on every journey. How long did her harbor those feelings for Elara? How long did he contemplate and agonize over how to express that? And how long had it been until [Rowan Agoul] had swallowed the courage to confess to the [Hero.] Elara fey, whose voice was paramount in the role of the [Weapon Holder's] confidence. Truthfully none of the [Hero's Party] knew those answers, all they knew was the anguish it had caused the man known as Rowan Agoul.
"The best thing for him to do right now is to stay at the cabin and think. I doubt seeing him now, would do any favors for Elara as well."
At that silence struck the men in front of her and their hearts were convinced of the words she'd just spoke. Truthfully how hard had the situation been on Elara as well, she was the [Hero] after all. More than that Rowan Agoul and Elara Fey had a special bond———a special friendship, one that had caused her to provide him the role of [Weapon Holder] in the first place. A bond that was forged on the nights she'd felt she couldn't do it and Rowan Agoul comforted her, the days she'd had a hard fight and her [Weapon Holder] always came in with her trusty sword giving her words of encouragement as she slayed the Hellspawns. The man who always managed to make her laugh at that campfire and miraculously put up her tent when she failed. How hard had it been on Elara Fey? The [Hero] of [Geonosia.]
Mika:"We'll just have to let him get through this on his own for now."
She said that but the green-haired girl averted her gaze at the moment she did almost as if she didn't want anyone to see her face. This action could only have meant one thing but no one made any move to acknowledge it they just sat there as the snow piled on top of them. The loveliness of the capital didn't seem to even exist anymore as, the laughs and smiles that surrounded the party seemed to be under a blanket that smothered the energy underneath it. And the shops that were decorated with streamers and small lanterns that hung off the roof didn't seem to attract their gaze anymore.
But that wasn't the case was it? In fact it seemed as if the laughter and yells from the capital only got louder and the party members could've been imaging it but a crowd started to form. Suddenly the [Hero's Party] found themselves squished between the rapid bodies moving around the capital though this excessive movement had been entirely different from the ecstatic citizens earlier. As they wondered why this could have been the answer was suddenly thrust in front of their face as what could have been the only answer. What reason would the people have for being more excited than they perviously were the answer was simple.
???: "Why do you guys look so sad? Cheer up! Today's our big day after all!"
It was a cheery voice one that the [Hero's Party] had recognized immediately as they heard it. And apparently the rest of the world had recognized it as well and it started to move at a faster rate than it usually had.
"Oh! It's really her! It's really the Hero of Geonosia!"
Elara: "Or are you guys nervous about meeting the king again?"
"It's her! The Hero of Geonosia!Elara Fey!"
Elara Fey the hero of Geonosia———no the leader of the [Hero's party] had stood in front of them draped in flowers from head to toe. She held plenty of baskets in her hand which seemed to contain sweets and delicacies only the elite of this world could surely afford. Her slender figure was encased in a light blue armor which rubbed against her silky white hair, her blue eyes shining as the sunlight set its sights on her. Her sword shined in the rays of the sun as well though perhaps the most defining feature of this girl was the warm smile which she'd displayed as her hands rested on her hips. Her blue skirt coming out of the breastplate of her armor, as her slender legs peeked slightly out of it. Her very presence was indeed that of a [Hero] and no presence of the girl who'd denied Rowan Agoul the [Weapon Holder] could ever be seen.
Everyone: "Elara!"
Elara: "Sorry I'm late I got kinda held up in some traffic! I always forget the people in the capital are so nice! Thank you again for the food by the way I really appreciate it!"
Young man: "U-Uh it's no problem!"
The girl flashed a smile that only a [Hero] could throw and the young man who'd given her the sweets cheeks flushed as he struggled to give the girl a smile. Her aura had seemed to attract positivity as a little girl held one of her hands and all manner of kids hung off the cusp of her skirt. If one hadn't been paying attention they still would've been able to notice that the entirety of the capital seemed to converge around this girl, the [Hero] who'd lead the charge against the Hellspawns forces and dared to challenge The Devil's Spawn himself.
Her being beloved was a given though the reality at which she was loved was an entirely different story. While being the [Hero] was definitely a great starting point with the view the public bestowed on her, such high esteem could only have come from her own behavior. Of course the woman known as the [Hero] would've had to be of great heart or else she wouldn't regarded a hero. Needles to say the woman known as [Elara Fey] was one who needed no introduction to Geonosia.
Mika: "I see you're angel-esque as ever, we were wondering if you'd gone on without us."
Elara: "If I did that what kind of hero would I be? Besides the king asked for us all, it's not just me who's defeated the Hellspawns ya know?
The young woman flashed a smile at her party members as she gave each of them a hug. It wasn't as if she needed to greet them this way, but it wasn't as if it wasn't expected from a girl who acted this way. If one had to give a description of her it'd be as Mika said an "Angel" would be the only thing that would even come close to the being that was Elara Fey. if you could even call a woman of her stature a human being. After giving her last hug the girl paused as if looking for something that'd she expected to have been there.
Elara: "Speaking of I take it Rowan's not coming? He'd usually be trying to be the first one getting a hug from me right now."
Matthew: "That's right, the guys all broken up about you rejecting him, if I was him i honestly don't know if it'd be taking it better. Though I wouldn't have been rejected in the first place."
Leo: You realize Mika rejected you before too, right?
While they joked about the situation the dilemma of Rowan Agoul was certainly a peculiar one. Not only was he the [Weapon Holder] of the [Hero's Party] he was also one of [Elara Fey's] most trusted companions. Even more than that though Elara Fey was the [Hero] of [Geonosia] and the leader of the party the two occupied. Renowned around the world as one of the greatest swordsman in history and the strongest [Hero] in Geonosian history. In comparison to that who was Rowan Agoul? Who was simply the [Weapon Holder] for the party which she led. Who was that man in comparison to the beautiful ocean-blue eyed girl who's smile cast peace over all of [Geonosia.] Who was [Rowan Agoul] to [Elara Fey?]
Mika:"Rowan decided to stay behind, he'd said he'd catch up with us later so he'll probably bring our weapons soon though i don't know when that'll be."
At Mika's downcast gaze Elara found herself clutching the hem of her skirt as she thought about her friend Rowan Agoul. She'd rejected him but hoped he'd still be here at their critical juncture, though of course she didn't blame him for not showing up something in heart fluttered at that prospect.
Tarran: "I wouldn't expect him soon Rowan seemed deep in thought before we left. It's rough but maybe he does need his space right now."
Elara:"Still I'm worried he took what happened pretty hard, do you think I should go talk to him?"
At her insistence the group felt a slight twinge of annoyance, l
Particularly Tarran who'd gritted his teeth but quickly shut that gesture down as the others gave him a look. Wasn't as if Elara had done this on purpose, it was simply her nature she was so blinded by her kindness that sometimes she didn't see that very facet had made her appear in a negative light. Elara Fey was simply that pure, a woman void of all malice and faults at least thats the answer you'd get from those who knew her well. [The Hero's Party] was no exception as one could say they knew her the best.
Matthew: "No, the best thing to do Is leave Rowan alone for now. He'll be fine I promise so we should start making our way to the king, right Mika?"
Matthew turned to Mika who met his gaze and relied with "right" as she turned back to Elara who was sitting there with her trademark smile. Tarran and Leo paused at this, as they compared it back to the [Weapon Holder] Rowan Agoul who'd they'd left in the cabin. His face was hardly what you'd call happy and to see Elara's face have such a display of joy while his was in such dismay was enough to bring the men distress.
Mika: "But first...…these sweets are delicious!"
Mika grabbed the sweets that were sitting in Elara's hands swiftly opening them up to see macarons greeting her. They varied in color and on the front of them had Elara's likeness painted onto them, though much to the party's dismay none of them were present on it.
Elara: "I know right, I almost ate them all on the way here it took everything I had just to stop!"
Mika: "Hey how come your face is the only one painted on!"
Leo: "Yeah what about us?!"
Tarran:"I have to say I am a bit disappointed."
Elara: "Come on guys cheer up I'm sure your faces will get painted on eventually!"
The three of them: "THAT'S NOT THE POINT!"
The only one who didn't indulge in this was Matthew who found himself watching as the snowflakes fell feeling the cold of the substance drip down his face as the snowflakes hit him. Thought that wasn't presently what was on his mind as his status in the [Hero's Party] took a back seat to what he was feeling presently and his mind shifted to his friend Rowan Agoul. He didn't know why he didn't say these words to Rowan before he'd left but found them sitting at the forefront of his mind even after the encounter.
Matthew: "It'll be okay Rowan just hang in there as long as you can, I know you can do this."
Matthew lets his thoughts fall into the universe praying to the God of this world that his words reach him——and not only that but that spirit of his words reach him as well. That he's able to discern that these words weren't aimed at the [Weapon Holder] of the [Hero's Party] or to the man who'd been rejected by the [Hero.] these words were meant for the man who'd been rejected by a woman he longed for the entirety of his life, these words were meant for [Rowna Agoul] the man who'd fallen in love with [Elara Fey.]
The party headed off into the capital, no longer contemplating———at least for now the dilemma of Rowan Agoul.