Chapter Text
“Dandelion, come here before I go.” Renfri held out her arms, and Julian dashed forward, snuggling into her. She squeezed him. “I want you to make me a promise, okay?” Her voice was soft but raw. Julian frowned - this must be serious.
“What kind?” He asked, refusing to let go of her. She rested her chin on the top of his head.
Renfri sighed, tracing patterns on his back. “The kind that might be - trying. What I’m about to do...it might get me in trouble. I -“ Renfri hugged him tighter. “I might not be able to get back home.”
“What?” Julian’s voice went up. Renfri shushed him gently, kissing the top of his head.
“I want to. I’m going to try to. But this is dangerous, Dandelion. Even so, I have to take this chance. I’m so sorry.” Renfri took a breath. “But I need you to promise me, Julian, that if I don’t come home...you won’t do anything about it.” She squeezed him, so he didn’t shout like he wanted to. “No matter what you hear. No matter what Stregobor might do. That bastard cannot have you, do you understand?” Julian squirmed, and Renfri loosened up her hug with an apology, finally pulling back to look at him. “I don’t trust him not to use any excuse he can to hurt you, too. So we’re not going to give him an inch. Not a thing he can twist about you the way he did me. Alright?” She cupped his face, looking into his eyes. “So that’s the promise. No revenge. I don’t care what else you do, love - swordplay, or poetry, or -“ She grasped for a third option, shook her head when she couldn’t seem to find one. “Anything but revenge. Promise?”
“Promise, Mummy.” Julian saw her eyes go misty.
“That’s my boy.” Renfri hugged him once more. He held onto her tight. Before long, Nohorn murmured something to her. She gave Julian another squeeze before letting him go and standing up, stretching to rival an alley cat. “Be good for Gina, okay? She’ll have plenty to keep her hands full with the Academy students.”
“He’ll behave as well as his mother, I’m sure.” Gina grinned at Renfri. He looked up at her when her hand landed on his shoulder. Gina just squeezed, so his attention turned back to Renfri and the smile that had broken past the worried look on her face.
“Oxenfurt is doomed.” Gina laughed. Julian let himself smile a little.
“Alright. I really do have to go,” Renfri continued. “I’ll do my best to be home soon.” She bent to give Julian a kiss, then hugged Gina. “Farewell, you two.”
“Love you.” Renfri smiled.
“Love you, too.” Julian watched her mount her horse. He joined several of the other children of Oxenfurt in chasing after her and her men.
“Goodbye!” He hollered as they reached the edge of town. “Bye, Renfri! Bye!” He shouted and waved until their horses’ tails were lost to the dust of the road.