The sounds of wild life is what’s heard in the forest, a constant reminder that no matter what time in my life, life continues to strive. The fish swim together in groups, letting the movement ripple the water surface and letting themselves be known.

As I continue to embrace the sound of Mother Nature herself, the faint sound of a knock reaches my door frame.

I don’t need to know who it was, the significant knock gave it away.

“You really need to do something about hiding in places like these Pagodas. As easy it is to find you, they aren’t the best with protecting you.”

I laugh as I turn around to see a man much taller than me, having to crouch under the door frame to come inside. His sigh is heard through his transmitter, removing the helmet to let himself breathe in the fresh, cool air.

“I’ll make sure to find a place that can accommodate to your needs, your highness.”

“Har, har.”

It takes him about two steps before he sits himself down on my left side, placing his helmet down beside him as he takes in the view. The stillness in nature is prominent again, the sounds of animal life and the rippling in the water. At first he doesn’t say much, but the addition to his rhythmic breathing as put a sense of ease into the mix.

Something else was heard, however, something unpleasant and sharper than the rest. Even if it was faint.

“When will be the time, Djarin?”

“..tonight.”

I close my eyes, absorbing the information despite not wanting to. My posture starts to falter as I lean closer to the door frame, letting my head rest against it while my heart feels heavier than usual. The man turns to look at me, resisting the urge to look back at him.

“Put your helmet back on, Djarin.”

“I will not.”

“It’s an order, please.”

His silence pokes at my heart painfully as his armor shifts while he moves. He’s moving closer now, feeling the brush of his hand on top of mine as I refuse to acknowledge the family tradition that was made eons and eons ago.

“Once this helmet is removed, the person you reveal your identity to is who you’re meant to be with.”

His voice doesn’t speak louder than a whisper, but it spoke volumes for me. His voice didn’t waver and my vision was starting to blur just from him alone. He whispers my name, his touch was warm without his armored glove and the tears just kept wanting to burst past.

After taking a deep breath, I slowly turn my head to look at him with my heart peeking from my sleeves. His brown eyes look at my own with the same warmth like his hand, a smile gracing his lips. I shake my head slowly, resisting a sob to leave mine as he engulfs me whole into his arms.

“I’m so glad I found you..”

He holds me close as I start to silently cry, my hands reaching to the back of his armor as he strokes the back of my head with care.

“I wish for there to be another way out of this..”

“You and I both..” He chuckles, trying to lighten the mood. Annoyed with the answer, I tried to push him away but his arms only tighten around me. Before I could even protest, he whispers a promise into my ear, stopping any actions.

“Once the war is gone, we will come back to this place. I promise you, my lily.”

Listening to his wish, I run my fingers into his hair as I rest my head on the base of his neck and close my eyes. He holds me a bit longer after that, the sound of animal life ceasing to exist and the rings in the water growing larger and larger.

War is amongst us and all I could imagine was staying in his arms longer before he had to leave forever.

“I’ll hold you to that, my warrior.”