Upon hearing the order Conall was the first to move towards the seathing form of Eleanor. As he moved closer he had a sad look on his face that only she could see that easily showed how much he hated what he was doing. When he reached her he quietly whispered “Im sorry Lady Eleanor.” before he gently grabbed her arm using hardly any force. Nodding to the other guard they slowly escorted her out of the room either daring to look back when they heard the king and his son begin to argue. As they reached the door Conall turned to the other guard motioning for him to stop.
“I'll take her to her room and see to it she is safe you stay here and make sure nothing worse happens.” after seeing the guard begin to protest Conall cut him off.
“I am perfectly capable of watching her myself.” he finished without letting the man argue as he was already walking away with Eleanor. As they drew just slightly farther Conall let go of Eleanors arm when he saw tears begin to roll down her face. Without thinking Conall placed a hand on her shoulder as he continued to lead her away from the hall.
She was so lost in her own emotions and mind that she didn’t realize only Conall was escorting her now. Nor did Eleanor realize he had released his grip on her until she felt his hand on her shoulder. She turned her head up at the tall man and gave him a small smile through the tears before looking forward again. She let out a shaky breath as she wiped tried wiping the tears from her eyes.
She didn’t want to look weak, it wasn’t like she was too afraid to die. But the heartbreak Eleanor felt at the loss of Fenros was overwhelming. It made her whole body heavy and it felt like everything good she had left in her life was gone. He had been her rock through so much since he became her bodyguard twelve years ago. All twelve years were seemingly torn and broken with the simple uttering of his death. But at the same time, she found solace in the memories of their years spent together. What she wouldn’t give to go back to when they had visited Fenros’ home. The ocean breeze and the feeling of healing during the trip. All thanks to Fenros.
She’d long taken him for granted as a friend and a man. Eleanor had scolded her own childlike crush on him when she first had him as a bodyguard, she thought it was nothing more than just a childlike crush. Of course, her naivety in dealing with romance allowed it to stay that way as year passed. But recently, she’d been going back over past events shared between the two, words spoken and unspoken alike. And she fell for him, she had a long time ago if only she could have seen the signs herself. But time had a way of playing games and now it was too late to do anything about it. Even if a relationship with him would have been inappropriate. She didn’t care, not after all she’d been through. He was her only constant and he would have been worth it.
Eleanor’s heart seemingly broke all over again at her thoughts but this time no more tears fell. She’d be strong, no more tears. She’d face whatever was to come no matter what the evil king planned for her.
“Conall, ignore me if you like. I know I must look like a traitor in your eyes. I just wanted to commend your loyalty to my fath- the king. But do make sure you take care of yourself and live your own fulfilling life.” Eleanor grew silent mulling over a thought before looking to make sure no one else was around before continuing to speak,
“And if you could… you don’t have to, but there is a family in the town. The baker’s family. They can’t afford medicine for the mother who is currently pregnant with their second child, I have it in my room and was going to deliver it to them. Under guise of course. But I can’t anymore and if you could just do this one thing for me. I did so wish to help make sure the mother and baby survive. I understand if you don’t want to do anything of the sort or even talk to me right now. I thought it was worth trying.” Conall felt a massive pain in his heart at hearing Eleanors words. Even in the face of certain death or worse if the king had his way Eleanor was still putting others over her own self. She wasn't begging or praying for her life to be saved, no she was willing to accept fate and that he could respect most of all. What hurt most however was even with him taking her to be locked away in her room she was still acting kind to him. One of maybe four people who treated him as a friend within these castle walls. When he heard her tell him to Live his own life he could see a flash of snow and many people dancing around a large bonfire as people clicked mugs together singing loudly into the night sky. Shaking his head Conall forced those thoughts away from his mind for the time being.
“I will if i am able to.” he paused for a second not really sure how to talk to her in this instance. After hearing her second request Conall knew there was nothing he could do but to fulfill her request.
“It would be an honor to make sure they get the medicine they need.” After another short pause Conall began to speak again
“As much as it would make it easier to hate your very existence right now I can't seem to bring myself to do that. I'm not sure what that means about me.” He let out a small laugh barely audible.
“It feels like I should want to see you and Fenros both hung by the gallows for treason but I just can't. I can't seem to bring myself to want to see you and my brother like that. And I know I should but i just can't.” Conall stopped for a moment. [color=007236][b]“If it helps any, I know how close you and Fenros where. He was like a brother to me.” he paused making sure that no one else was around.
“He did love you. And would have gladly died for you. And not like a normal guard would, but as a man for the women he loves.” Some relief was felt as Conall informed her that he would get the medicine to the family. Eleanor was glad that even in her death she could help one more. Eleanor listened as he spoke, she wasn’t sure how to reply to his confession on how he feels about the two in regards to their ‘treason’ but then he said something that surprised Eleanor and shattered what was left of her heart.
“I don’t know if you are right or not in what you say of Fenros. But I wish to believe it is true and will take it with me to my own grave. Knowing that there was a possibility that the man I loved felt the same brings me comfort. Thank you Conall.” She was sincere in her thanks to the man. It hurt her but comforted her all in the same.
“Though it may seem the opposite. Know Fenros was no traitor. He never did anything wrong, my words at dinner were enough to make me treasonous though so I will not try and change that thought about me. But I know how close you and Fenros were and since he is gone and cannot convince you himself, I hope I can convince you that he is innocent. He had nothing to do with the assassination attempt today, nor did I. I can tell you that for sure. So please try to find solace knowing your brother is innocent and that if you need someone to blame for his death. Let it be me. His loyalty to me is what hurt him so I take full responsibility for the fate that has befallen him. If it is easier to mourn his loss thinking he is a traitor then think as you wish. I just wanted to make sure you knew the truth.” Eleanor didn’t care about her own image in Conall’s eyes. She knew the words she said at dinner condemned her and there was no changing that. But the relationship Conall and Fenros shared, she didn’t want memories spoiled by falsities. She could only hope that the Allaway’s would be able to figure it out on their own that their son was no traitor no matter what is said. The family didn’t deserve that. As they continued walking, she let silence fall having nothing else to say at the time.
“I hope for nothing more than the fact that Fenros was not a traitor as he is accused of being. I would have trusted that man with my life and i have many a times before.” he paused for a moment thinking over everything that they were talking about.
“As kind as you are trying to be, don't take on the brunt of what has happened to him on you. It not what he would have wanted.” Conall took another moment to mourn the life of his best friend.
“Regardless of his actions or his acustions he deserved better then to be killed in the dungeons like a common thief. A warrior such as he should have met the end of a blade on the battlefield. Though i suppose if he died trying to keep you out of this whole shite storm of a mess then he died as honorable as any man can ever hope to.” He paused for a second before looking down to her once more.
“If you could do something for me and for Fenros I would greatly appreciate it.” he paused again looking up for a brief second before looking back down.
“Remember him for his sacrifice and for all he has done. Do not mourn his death as a sad event, though i know it seems that way. But be glad that in his final moments he was doing the one thing he wanted to do most of all… Protecting you.” Eleanor bowed her head as he spoke, listening to his words. She knew they were true and that he was right. She’d remember him for the rest of her time as the brave man he was and try not to let too much of it feel like it was her fault. She stopped walking as they reached her chambers. The door was open and Eleanor briefly walked in before grabbing something from her dresser. A small bag containing the medicine the family needed. She returned to Conall and looked up at him, holding the bag out.
“Here is the medicine. Thank you Conall. For everything. You’ve been a good friend and you are a great man. You are sure to have great things awaiting you. Just please live a good life and in the event of a rebellion, try not to get caught on the wrong side. I want to watch you live a long happy life, I’m sure Fenros would say the same. Take care of yourself now.” A small smile made its way to Eleanor’s face as she looked up at the man, she was grateful to have one last pleasant experience before she faced her punishment and to see one last friendly face before hand too. It helped her strengthen her courage to face whatever is to come with her head held high. She would do it for the people of the kingdom, for Fenros, and now for Conall as well.
Conall took the bag of medicine with a small smile on his face that held a bit of sadness in it knowing that this could the last time he saw her.
“I appreciate your kind words lady Eleanor. I am sorry that this is how our story will end but I assure you I will never forget the kindness you have shown me in the time I have known you.” he smiled a full smile at hearing himself say that.
“And I will always remember that you were the first person to look at me without hate in your eyes when I first moved here to serve your father. And i want to thank you for that.” looking around one last time he saw that there was still no one near her chambers as he begin to leave. Just as they were about to part ways for most likely the last time he turned one last time.
“It has been an honor lady Eleanor.”