The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the land as Valeron and Tyris walked together through the quiet paths of the enchanted forest outside the capital. The trees, ancient and towering, whispered with the wind, their leaves shimmering like the stars above.
Tyris, usually fierce and unyielding, was dressed in a simple yet elegant dark blue gown, the fabric flowing around her as they walked. The color reflected the peacefulness of the night—a stark contrast to the storm of emotions that often surrounded her. Her silver hair, normally tied up in a tight braid for battle, flowed freely around her shoulders, catching the light in a cascade of moonlit waves.
Beside her, Valeron wore his usual attire: a tailored tunic, his deep emerald cloak billowing slightly in the cool night breeze. His calm demeanor matched the quiet serenity of the surroundings, yet his eyes held an unspoken intensity that only Tyris could truly understand.
As they walked, there was no need for words at first. The quiet companionship they shared spoke volumes more than anything that could be said aloud.
Finally, it was Tyris who broke the silence, her voice soft but laced with a teasing warmth. "You've become more sentimental in your old age, Valeron."
Valeron glanced at her with a raised eyebrow, his lips curling into a rare smile. "Is that so?" He slowed his pace, letting her walk beside him. "Perhaps it's because I've found something worth cherishing, something more than just duty."
Tyris chuckled, her eyes narrowing playfully. "You always were good with words. But what exactly are you cherishing now?"
Without missing a beat, Valeron reached into his cloak and pulled out a small wooden box, intricately carved with runes and patterns that only the two of them recognized. The box had been with him for years, a memento of an old promise.
"A small token of what we've both been through," he said, his tone softening. "It was a gift from you to me... all those years ago."
Tyris' heart skipped a beat as she recognized the box. Her smile softened, and she stepped closer to him. "You still carry it with you?"
"Always," Valeron said, his voice a little more serious now. He opened the box carefully, revealing a pair of matching rings, forged from a rare metal that glowed faintly in the moonlight.
Tyris' eyes widened slightly, and her lips parted in surprise. "I thought we had left that part behind."
Valeron turned to her, holding out one of the rings in his palm. "Perhaps we did, but not everything is meant to be forgotten. Not everything fades with time."
Tyris looked at the ring, the weight of their shared history sinking in. She could feel the memories of their past battles, their struggles, and their fleeting moments of peace flooding back. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, before reaching out to take the ring.
"You always know how to catch me off guard."
Valeron smiled again, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "It's not the first time, and it certainly won't be the last."
With the rings in hand, the two of them sat down on a nearby stone bench, surrounded by the soft light of the lanterns hanging from the trees. The sound of distant birds and rustling leaves was the only noise that accompanied them.
Tyris held the ring up to the light, turning it slowly in her hand. "I never thought we'd end up here. After all we've been through, all the wars and loss…"
Valeron's voice was quiet as he responded. "Sometimes the path is unexpected. But it's ours to walk together, no matter where it leads."
There was a moment of silence, and then Tyris slid the ring onto her finger. She leaned back against the bench, her gaze turned upward to the stars. "I don't know what the future holds, Valeron, but I think… we've earned the right to find out."
Valeron slid his ring onto his own finger, his gaze never leaving hers. "I couldn't agree more."
They sat in quiet contentment for a while, the soft warmth of their bond enveloping them. It wasn't a perfect night. There were still battles to be fought, wars yet to come, but for this one moment, all of that seemed far away.
It was just the two of them. Tyris and Valeron. And for now, that was enough.