Departure

As the day of their departure finally arrived, Kaidën and Uriel stood tall, their armor glinting in the sunlight. The air was thick with emotion as their family members gathered to bid them farewell. Their parents, the king and queen, stood proudly, their eyes shining with a mix of sadness and pride. The king's strong jaw was set, his eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at his sons, while the queen's eyes sparkled with unshed tears.

After exchanging warm embraces with their parents, the princes made their way through the crowd, bidding farewell to their relatives and friends. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation, the weight of their mission settling upon them like a mantle. The sound of murmured well-wishes and soft sobs filled the air, punctuated by the occasional clang of armor as the soldiers prepared to depart.

As they approached their future wives, Elianora and Jædana, the princes' faces lit up with joy. The two women stood before them, their beauty radiant in the sunlight. They wore traditional yellow garments, adorned with intricate embroidery that sparkled like gold thread in the sunlight. Their long hair cascaded down their backs like golden waterfalls, with delicate strands framing their faces.

Delicate garlands made of fine flowers encircled their necks, adding a touch of elegance to their already-stunning appearance. The flowers were a vibrant mix of colors, with soft petals that seemed to glow in the sunlight. Despite the simplicity of their attire, Elianora and Jædana shone like stars, their femininity and beauty captivating all who beheld them.

The princes' eyes locked onto their beloved, their gazes burning with intensity. They were oblivious to the admiring glances of the other women present, their hearts belonging solely to Elianora and Jædana. The air was charged with emotion as the princes approached their future wives, their love and devotion palpable in the atmosphere. The moment was filled with a sense of longing and promise, as if the very fate of their kingdom depended on the success of their mission.

This sentimental ritual was an age-old tradition, one that the wives of soldiers or men embarking on perilous campaigns had observed for generations. It was deeply rooted in superstition, with the fervent belief that by donning specific attire and adornments, they could ensure their loved ones' safe return.

According to custom, wives wore yellow garments, symbolizing their marital status and the hope for their husbands' triumphant return. Sisters, on the other hand, donned pink attire, signifying their familial bond and the desire for their brothers' protection. Mothers wore green clothes, representing their maternal love and the longing for their children's safe passage.

A delicate crown of flowers on the head was a poignant symbol of love and devotion, shared by all the women participating in this ritual. The flowers, carefully selected and arranged, added a touch of elegance and fragility to the occasion. The absence of a floral crown, however, held a different significance – it marked an unmarried woman.

As Jædana and Elianora prepared to bid farewell to their beloved princes, they proudly wore their yellow garments and floral crowns, their hearts filled with hope and their spirits buoyed by the ancient tradition.

Prince Uriel quickly approached Jædana, a playful glint in his eye. "You must be thrilled!" he teased, his voice laced with amusement. "I'm off to the forest, and I'll start battling the Carnifex!" He knew Jædana was worried sick about him, but he wanted to lighten her mood.

"I'm sure you're thinking, 'Finally, I'm free from him for a year!'" Prince Uriel continued, his tone playful. "But after that, you'll be stuck with me for life! You'll have to follow me everywhere, and I won't let you ride horses or do whatever you please like a brother would. You'll be my wife, and I'll keep you safe at home." He smiled mischievously, trying to coax a smile from Jædana.

As Uriel attempted to lighten the mood, Eryandur remained stoic, her expression a mask of quiet resolve. Undeterred, Prince Uriel continued to tease her, his voice laced with playful amusement. "And if something happens to me while fighting in the Mystical Forest of Tenebrous, then you..." he joked, expecting a witty retort from his beloved.

However, his words struck a chord, and Jædana's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and sadness. Tears welled up, threatening to spill over, as she swiftly hugged Prince Uriel. Her head reached only up to his chest, and she buried her face in his armor, her body trembling with suppressed emotion.

Prince Uriel's expression softened, and he wrapped his arms around Jædana, holding her close. "Hey, Jædana, what's wrong?" he whispered, his voice filled with concern and tenderness. He felt a pang of regret for teasing her; he hadn't meant to upset her. He loved her dearly and didn't want to cause her any distress, especially not before he departed for battle.

Jædana remained silent, her eyes locked on Prince Uriel's. She reached into her fist and retrieved a delicate, special blue flower. With a gentle touch, she placed the flower in a small crack in Prince Uriel's armor. Then, she leaned forward and kissed his chest, leaving a subtle mark.

Prince Uriel's eyes widened in surprise. "I didn't know you would perform this ritual for me," he said, his voice filled with wonder.

Jædana still didn't speak. Instead, she took Prince Uriel's hand and placed it on her eyes. "Come back soon! I will be waiting!" she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. With that, she stepped back and returned to her family.

Prince Uriel felt a pang of regret for teasing Jædana earlier. He realized that she was worried about him and might have been trying to hold him back. Yet, she had given him the blue flower, a symbol of good luck. He recalled hearing from one of his soldiers about the significance of this flower. According to legend, receiving a blue flower before embarking on a campaign or expedition would minimize losses and increase the chances of success.

As Prince Uriel looked at the blue flower nestled in his armor, he felt a surge of gratitude and love for Jædana. He knew that he would carry her love and good wishes with him into the Mystical Forest of Tenebrous.

Elianora stood before Crown Prince, her eyes shining with a warm, radiant smile that illuminated her entire face. Her lips, curved upward in a gentle, encouraging arc, seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words of trust and devotion. Crown Prince Kaidën gazed down at her, his own face filled with affection and tenderness, and gently kissed her forehead. The soft, gentle pressure of his lips on her skin was a testament to the depth of his feelings for her.

As he pulled back, Elianora looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with admiration and faith. Her gaze was unwavering, her pupils shining with a deep understanding and conviction. "I know you're the best of all," she said, her voice filled with a quiet confidence and certainty. "You'll protect us better than anyone else. We'll support you from here and won't create any problems for you." Her words were laced with a deep emotional resonance, and Kaidën felt a surge of gratitude and love for her.

As Elianora Moonwhisper finished speaking, she handed Crown Prince Kaidën Darkhaven a delicate blue rose. Overjoyed, Crown Prince Kaidën swept her into a warm hug, but in the midst of their tender moment, the rose slipped from his armor and fell, unnoticed, into the mud.

Undeterred, Elianora leaned forward and kissed Crown Prince Kaidën's chest deeply, her lips a gentle whisper against his armor. As she pulled back, she made a subtle gesture, as if tracing a protective symbol in the air before him. Then, she took Crown Prince Kaidën's hands and placed them on her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper as she wished him all the best for the uncertain journey ahead.

Crown Prince Kaidën's heart swelled with emotion as he saw the effort Elianora was making to hold back her tears. She didn't want to weaken him, not now, when he needed all his strength and courage. He hugged her tightly, his voice filled with conviction. "I love you, and I always will."

Elianora's arms wrapped tightly around him, her voice a whispered promise. "I love you too, more than anything. Forever and always, my love." As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the weight of their love and the uncertainty of the future hung in the balance.

Finally, with a deep breath, they parted, and Crown Prince Kaidën turned to join his companions, ready to face whatever lay ahead. Elianora watched him go, her eyes shining with a mix of sadness and pride, her heart filled with the love they shared.