Fallen Kingdoms And The Ones Left Behind

Chapter Five

"Api! Are you okay?? Wake up!"
I open my eyes in surprise, and find myself looking up at the branch I had been sitting on. I groan and sit up, rubbing my head. A hand rests on my shoulder, and I jerk around.
"Are you okay?" It's Orin; I relax.
"Yeah..." I rub my head again. "I must have fallen from the tree."
"What were you doing up there?" Orin asks. It's only a few moments before his eyes drift to a peice of parchment laying in a pile of leaves, tearstained.
"Api," He pulls me into his arms. "He's going to be okay."
I start crying, and my eyes get red and puffy. Orin just holds me, and rocks back and forth. Eventually I get a grip and calm down a little. 
"We're not supposed to see each other until next week," I say.
Orin chuckles. "Do I want you to freeze to death before our wedding?"
"Oh," I counter, laughing. "So you would be fine if I froze to death after the wedding?"
He shakes his head, smiling. "Let's get you home."

* * * * * * * * * *

Orin helps me off of his horse, and down into my yard. I smile up at him as he mounts his horse again.
"See you later." I say.
"See you." Orin leans down and kisses my cheek.
He sits back up and rides out of the yard, and waves to me before he is out of sight.
"Goodbye!" I call after him.
I stand there for a moment; the wind blowing through my hair. I pull my shawl around my shoulders.
Finally, I sigh and turn toward the house. It's a cottage, really. Dark wood walls, a thatched roof, very small.
I open the door's handle, the carved one Gari made. It's chilly inside the house, and I have to light the fire.  
As light fills the room, my attention is turned toward a long white dress draped over a chair.
I pick it up gently by the shoulders. It's the wedding dress I've been lovingly sewing for months. It has long sleeves, and is plain white, with no decoration other than delicate white silk Fruya petals wrapping around the belt.
Orin bought me the silk for the petals a few months ago, from his father. The rest of my dress is a cotton, as Orin couldn't afford any more silk.
I smile and lay the dress back down. I finished it yesterday; now all that's left is to wear it next week.