The time for members of the local company to return to the Middle East was swiftly drawing near.

Nervous and perhaps a little anxious, Leon felt very conflicted about his expected duties. He had just gotten himself used to being at home and could relax his guard. Being at battle made sure for always watching one's back and never acting without considering every possible reaction. Naturally he would miss spending time with what was left of his family. He also didn't want to miss out on getting to know Sara better.

Sara...

He knew what he had to do about his feelings for her, but he wasn't sure if he should pursue it right away. And what if her father, Lord Trantoul, didn't consent? The idea tore him up inside.
The young knight sighted heavily to himself and he sat on his horse that was trotting over to the Cronqvist residence. To make matters more emotionally difficult, Elizabetha had fallen terribly ill.

Mathias was a wreck when he stopped by to wish her well. His dark-haired tactician friend sat in the main hall all by his lonesome, brooding sadly. He had an arm propped up on the table to his left and was resting his forehead against his hand. Quietly, Leon moved to crouch before his friend. With a mix of calmness and worry, he looked up into a pair of dark, hollow eyes.

"Leon," Mathias whispered in a barely audible voice. His tone was hoarse. "She's so weak... And I can't be excused from this accursed campaign duty to nurse her and be here for her... until she..."

Nodding in understanding, Leon gently cut him off. "There is always hope. She has a fighting chance before you can resign her memory to the afterlife. Be strong for her. She's in our prayers, my friend."

Mathias sat up properly, a small fire alit his eyes. "You have not seen her condition! She can barely move her head without overexerting herself!"

"Time, friend. Give it time." The other stood, a little put off by the outburst.

"Yes, of course." He returned to his position of brooding, lowering the level of his voice. "Though I fear the 'good lord' is using time against me."

"Mathias!" Aghast, his friend raised both eyebrows and moved to put a hand on his shoulder.

The tactician smacked his hand aside and glared at him. "Good day, Baron Belmont. I shall tell my wife you were here and I shall send her your regards."

Though he quietly left the manor without another word, Leon was fuming mad. Of course it had not helped matters that his 'dear friend' had slammed the door behind him in a childish huff. Wrinkled brow and all, he fetched and led Valiant from off the Cronqvist estate. Just as they rounded the gates, they nearly collided into Lord Trantoul and Sara who were in a small wagon.

"Ah, young Lord Belmont!" The elder man exclaimed, raising a hand in greeting.

Leon returned the gesture, as he watched Sara hop from the wagon on her own and approach him. Not saying a thing, he automatically took and kissed her hand. Only doing so because she wasn't a fan of it.
Sara smiled and raised an eyebrow. She'd get him back later. But for now she quietly asked what was bothering him. Leon replied that he'd explain later. In the meanwhile, Lord Trantoul chuckled to himself as he observed the two whispering lovebirds.

"I heard about Elizabetha," Sara mumbled, audible enough so her father could hear. "Poor thing."

"We have arrived to wish her well. However it seems that you beat us to it, right, Baron?"

"It seems so, Lord Trantoul. Although I don't know if now is the best time. Mathias has worried himself... Silly."

"I think I can handle a tactician. Thank you for the kind warning, however." The elder Lord smiled, but was now concerned for Mathias. "Say, would you like to join us later for dinner at our home?"

Sara looked discreetly estatic at her father's suggestion. Upon seeing her expression, Leon couldn't help but reply with, "How could I refuse?"

Later that evening, Leon nervously struck up the fated conversation with Lord Trantoul after dinner. Naturally he waited until Sara had excused herself from their company for a moment.

"Lord Trantoul, I was wondering if I may be so bold…"

The older man smiled, looking at his very shy company who had just trailed off into silence. With a nod, he raised his after-dinner aile and took a shorg swig. "Go on, my boy. Do not be so timid. We are friend, after all."

"Well…" The young Belmont rubbed the back of his neck as he looked at the floor. "I really adore your daughter, my Lord. She's a wonderful person. ...Would you object to me... asking for Sara's hand?"

Leon winced after he finished speaking. Silence followed and when he finally opened one eye, he saw before him a positively beaming elder gentleman.

"No objections, Baron! She has such fondness for you after all."

Leon blinked. "Really, my Lord?"

"I even give you my blessing."

"Thank you. But it is up to her if she wants to be married."

"Ever the idealist."

"Sorry, I get that from my father."

"Naturally." Lord Trantoul smiled again, glancing at his daughter as she returned to the room. She seemed oblivious to their conversation. "But he was a good man, so there is nothing to fret over."

Sara, pretending not to pay attention to their conversation, stood next to Leon and discreetly squeezed his hand. Due to her small gesture of affection, a smile formed on Leon's face that stayed put the rest of the evening.

Later in the week, the day finally came when the company had to leave. In a slight panic Leon urgently requested of Sara to meet him at their quiet place.
He waited under the tree, his polished silver armor shining in the early morning sun. His blue tabard fluttered slightly, sending the embroidered silver dragon upon it into mock flight.
When Sara appeared, she looked simply divine in her simple ivory dress accented with a blue waistcoat. Interestingly, she had willow branches woven tastefully into her hairstyle. It was a symbol to represent that someone they loved was off and away at war.

"Be brave... and wise. Like you have always been before." She said, sadly. She stepped ever closer, practically gliding over to him.

"I shall. Thank you." A long pause and a longing look followed from the knight. Now or never, he figured. "I have something I have to ask before I leave."

His companion smiled slyly. "Ah you do not wish to be distracted by my impending answer to this question while out on the field, do you?"

Too clever she was. That was right on the mark. Nonetheless, Leon nodded and gulped as he took one of her hands and got on one knee before her.

"I know this is terribly unfair of me to ask such a thing before leaving to do dangerous 'work' in God's name. I also condone making you worry. Though, my Lady Trantoul, I truly love you and cherish what we have shared together. I humbly ask you for your hand in marriage."

Unladylike in all aspects, she yanked back her hand only to put both of them to her face to hide the quickly reddening color of her cheeks. Shy and silent, all she could do was cast her gaze to the ground, back to him and then repeat the cycle.

Holding his breath, Leon felt a sickening wave of nausea wash over him.

Finally, she took his hands in hers and gently tugged on them in indication that she wished for him to stand up. When he did, she positively beamed at him. "...I shall wait," She breathed anxiously, her breath a little short due to her newfound nervousness. "and I shall pray for your safe return. And when you return, I would be honored to be your wife."

Her newly instated fiancé had wanted to reply, but she shyly pressed her hands upon his breastplate for leverage as she leaned up to give him a soft, chaste kiss. The gleaming knight smiled at her afterwards, his face now a-flush as well. A row of trumpets sounded off in the distance. The sound came from in the direction of the castle. His smile faded a little at the meaning of it.

"My lady, I must go. I will be thinking of you."

"And I of you, my... love. Please come back to me alive."

He nodded, but wished to stay realistic. "I shall do what I can. It's always up to the master of life, is it not?"

"Indeed." Sara nodded, looking down for a moment. "Write to me! I do not care what about. Just keep me informed. I shall even take them to Elizabetha and share them with her. She and I will also keep you and Mathias updated on what is happening here."

"I shall write when I can. I swear to you."

Hugging each other tightly, they stayed like that for a short while before Leon gathered up the will to tear himself away from her. Placing his hands on either side of her face, he looked upon her with a sad smile, before whispering his final farewell.
Sara walked with him in silence to where his horse awaited. Waving them off with a 'take care', she then returned to the riverside and suddenly collapsed into a heap on the ground. She cried to herself, her emotions finally boiling over from being bottled up for so long.