From the night he fell for Anoxia, he knew it would end like this. Deep in his heart, he'd ignore the sadness that came from loving a troll so low. But here they were, at the end.
Captain of the royal guard to the Empress Vedene or not, he couldn't stop time. He couldn't keep her by his side forever. Such a thought broke his heart, and now he was truly torn apart.
And oh, he wept as he sat at her coonside. Holding her close as he had done so many times before. This softness, this weakness was for her and her alone. His fair maiden was fading fast, and there was not much time. "Anoxia." He whispered.
"I gass... thisss... iss goodbye..." Anoxia reached up, gently placing a hand on the wet cheek of her matesprit. Gently, she wiped away a tear, a smile on her face. "Actaeo." A whisper, to get him to look at her. Her smile was to reassure him, her beloved.
He responded, blinding a few more tears. "Yes?"
"Promissse me..." A cough interrupted.
"A-anything. Anything, Anoxia. A-anything." A sob broke his words.
"T-that you'll... be happy..."
He couldn't speak, but merely nod. For her, for her he'd be happy--happy for the both of them.
"Good." Another cough sputtered, her brown hue dribbled down her chin. Actaeo was quick to wipe it away... Oh no, no.
"Clossser." She whispered, and he leaned as ordered. She gave him a soft kiss goodbye, a silent, sweet 'I love you' for a final time.
He held her close, and rocked her through her final night. Whispering soft words of what she meant to him. Telling her stories of all their good times. Making sure that even now, she knew that she was the most wonderful troll he had ever met.
He cried for so long that night.
Anoxia passed loved, adored by her one true matesprit. And was always remembered and held dear to him in his heart.
And never would he break a promise to his fair maiden. One night they'd meet again.