Chapter Text
Can one truly know love like this? To be intertwined in such profound ways? To feel the very fabric of your soul become knit to another? Many seek this and yet find themselves barren at their lives’ end… their graves sing the melancholy tune of a life unfulfilled, overshadowed by the lingering sense of want. Of need and wishes whispered across the night sky…. A prayer that may never be answered, a hope that will always betray. Such is the price one pays for love so deep.
It had started young…. word of Umar’s betrayal and death had spread quickly across the brotherhood, the news shocking and disturbing. Yet none outside his family despaired more than a young girl no more than eight as she scaled the walls of Masyaf.
Her keen eyes searched both crevice and height for her quarry. Upon spotting the target of her outing, her nimble feet carried her swiftly across beams and up the side of a tower overlooking the canyon below. There….. On the edge of the platform sat a boy two years her senior, his golden eyes shining with unshed tears. Between his strong sense of pride and his stubbornness, the girl knew he would not cry. He had always hated crying, yet the occasional sniffle could be heard as the young girl approached him.
Wordlessly, she sat beside him, placing her hands in her lap, fingers tracing over the embroidery on her robes, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say. And as children often do, she offered her parents as the unsuspecting sacrifice. Stating them as a potential source of stability for the young boy.
“You could stay with us…. Abū won’t mind….”
The boy's golden eyes stared down at the girl beside him, his gaze hollow, his mind still in shock. This was an event that happened to children often, yet he never thought he’d be unfortunate enough for it to befall him. The boy merely turned his gaze back to the canyon below, the breeze ruffling his dark hair. The girl’s brow furrowed, her nose scrunching ever so slightly as she thought until she remembered one of the reasons she’d sought him out, to begin with. Reaching into her robes’ side pocket, a roll, still warm from the oven, was presented to the boy.
“Al’umu (Mother) made it.” She stated, a faint smile on her face as she placed it in his lap, laying her smaller hand atop his thigh. The gesture was seemingly insignificant, yet to the broken, grieving boy, it was a great comfort, assuring him that no matter what may come… he would have you by his side.
~~~~~~~
“Altair!” A voice quietly exclaimed, stirring the young assassin from his troubled sleep. Rubbing his eyes, the boy sat up, his eyes flashing a rich gold as colors bled from around the gray and black colors of the dungeon. A figure stood in front of his cell, emanating brilliant depths of gold and blue as the figure seemed to appear in front of him magically—the inky depths fading from around him to reveal a familiar face.
“You're alright!” The girl enthusiastically rejoiced, quickly drawing Altair into a tight embrace. Though her sudden act of affection caught him off guard, his mind welcomed the warmth of her body as the nights were cold… and the dungeon colder.
“Are you hurt? Did Abbas wound you?” She questioned, pulling back looking him over for any injuries,
“What are you doing here (Y/N)?” Altair inquired, causing the young girl to stop her worrisome prodding,
“What do you mean, Altair? I was worried for you.”
“And it’s caused you to risk your imprisonment!” Altair reprimanded, “If the master knew of this, he’d–
“No one saw me, Altair,” (Y/N) pouted, releasing Altair from her embrace, “You didn’t even see me coming.”
“It’s dark (Y/N).” Altair deadpanned, quieting her with a finger to her lips as the door to the dungeon opened,
“Hide!” Altair hissed, pushing (Y/N) out of his cell, pointing to a pile of hay in a nearby, opened cell. (Y/N) silently followed his command, concealing herself in the pile of straw as a guard walked past, glancing at Altair.
“Shouldn’t you be asleep, boy?”
“I should, except these beds seem to be made of stone slabs, so I am awake.”
The guard grumbled a response of a kind before continuing on his patrol: “The insolence of youth these days.” Or something to that measure. Once he was a good ways from her, (Y/N) emerged from the hay pile, plucking strands from her hair.
“You should go (Y/N)...” Altair remarked, sitting back against the bars of his cell, “Unless you want to join me down here.”
(Y/N) huffed in defeat, knowing he was right, but she worried for him, having just lost his father, had his best friend turn against him, and now made to sit alone in the dungeon for who knows how long.
“Fine…. I take my leave then….” She declared, turning on her heel to begin sneaking her way back to her home when she remembered the very reason she came here. Spinning around, she dashed back to Altair, who glanced at her in confusion as she crammed a small parcel through the bars—locking eyes with him briefly before turning, dashing off into the night. Altair waited till she’d gone to inspect what she left, and what he found nearly caused a mirthful chuckle to escape him. It was another roll, this time, the dough tasting faintly sweeter.
~~~~~~
Years passed, and before you knew it, the two of you had grown into adults. Altair, having gone from a troublesome, quiet youth to a stoic, accomplished assassin. And you from a mere eavesdropping, mischievous novice to one of the most dependable, deadly women in the brotherhood. It was matched only by Altair’s sense of duty and ferociousness on the battlefield. The two of you were always together, partners in every aspect. And what began with childhood bonds and innocent friendship blossomed into the arduous passions of lingering touches and sensual kisses in the night. Everyone within the castle knew that the two of you shared something far beyond what they could describe with words. It was….. It was a rarity to find two people so synchronized with one another, so intertwined that it baffled most who witnessed it.
~~~~~~~
The morning had started normally. The sun rose in the same spot it always did, its rays creeping up the sides of the cold stones of the castle with grace unknown to man. The light slowly making its way to your room, peering through your curtains and bringing to life that which slumbered.
“Mmm…. sabah alkhayr (Good morning) my love….”
Warm, gentle kisses to your shoulders and neck were your reply as Altair showered your body with affection, his arms wound tightly around your bare waist as you turned to face him, wrapping your arms around his neck. Your eyes locked with his as if you were in a trance, memorizing every inch of his face for the umpteenth time, from the curve of his brow to the bridge of his nose, down to the scar that crossed his lips. He was perfect, beautiful in every way. What had you done that made you worthy of having him? Little did you know he thought the same as he took in your features, everything about you stunning and precious to him as if you were an angel sent from the heavens. Altair couldn’t help himself as he captured your lips with his own, shifting himself to hover above you with one arm still secured around your waist. Loving, languid kisses pressed anywhere you’d allow, a nearly incoherent groan escaping him as your lips pressed against his throat, trailing to that one spot on the side of his neck that made him shiver with delight.
“Ya zahrat alsahra…'” (My desert flower) He crooned, hiding his face in the crook of your neck,
“nasrati aldhahabiu…” (My golden eagle) You whispered, carding your fingers through his dark hair, “We should get up and prepare.”
“The mission can wait habibi, (My love). Let me lay with you a while longer.”
You should’ve stayed in bed.
‘It’s raining……. How fitting… for it to be raining….’
The mission had been a trap. The Templars had known your every move down to where you’d be the most exposed and vulnerable. Despite the combined force of yourself, Altair, Malik, and a handful of others, the Templars had a clear advantage.
“(Y/N)!!”
You barely registered Malik’s voice or his sudden appearance at your side until you felt an uncomfortable pressure on your abdomen, your eyes focused on his sleeve.
“The-the oth-others?”
“They are fine (Y/N).” Malik assured, “We managed to route the Templars, but we need to go!”
“The-then go…” You coughed, the sickening taste of iron on your tongue, “I’ll only slo-slow you dow–
Your chest clenched tightly as a fit of coughs overtook you, causing you to curl in on yourself to lessen the pain. Though tears blurred your vision, you didn’t need your sight to know who was running towards you.
“(Y/N)!!”
The pain in your chest was too great for you to speak. You barely managed to gasp out his name before another fit overtook you. Only this time, you found yourself curling into Altair’s chest rather than the wet, muddied ground.
“You-you’re alri-alright….” You stated more than asked, scanning him for any injuries as best you could,
“I’m fine, my love, but we must go. We must get you to a doctor.”
A sharp yelp escaped your lips as Altair swiftly lifted you from the ground, barely making it to the woods before the city gates. You began to convulse, blood and bile spewing from your lips, your body desperate for rest,
“Al-Altair….. Sto-sto-p here a moment.”
“We cannot stop (Y/N). If you are to be saved, then we–
“Altair….”
There it was…. The finality in your tone caused Altair to pause, his strength failing him as he slumped to the ground. The massive lump in his throat threatened to strangle him as he cradled you in his arms. Weeping softly as your fingers carded through his messy hair, though you wanted to…. You simply couldn’t find the words to say to him. How does one console the person most precious to them in their last moments? Words do not halt grief nor stay the hand of death.
“Qua habibi (Strength my love قوة حبيبي)... I’m so-so sor-sorry I canno-cannot stay longer-longer wit-with you.”
Altair merely clung to you in response, feeling as if he’d be sick as he pulled away, mere inches from your face.
“Safety and peace, my love….” He whispered, his bloodied hand stroking your face tenderly, “Rest safely until I join you….”
Silent tears slipped from your eyes, watering the earth beneath you as you used the last of your strength to caress Altair’s cheek, wiping his tears a final time.
“I’ll-I’ll be wait-waiting…..”
As your last words echoed in his ears, a cry of agony escaped Altair’s lips, curling around your still form as violent sobs wracked his body. His chest heaving as he gasped for breath, fighting the violent wrenching of his stomach as his trembling fingers slid over your face, closing your eyes one last time. His heart crying out to any deity that would listen in a desperate plea to return you to him. Yet…. his wish remained as that…. Merely a wish, several days later, he buried you, wandering around in what could only be described as a daze for months on end.
The mood of the castle was grim and desolate as the days crept by, the warmth of summer soon giving way to the cold of winter and winter melting away into spring, yet Altair was hardly seen or heard from by any in the brotherhood, trapped behind a wall of grief and anger as he worked to avenge your death. The Templar order would know his wrath and their families his grief.
~~~~~~
So much time had passed, and the life Altair thought he’d once have turned out to be very different, and strangely, as he fumbled in the dark, grasping for the chair that would serve as his resting place, he felt…. Content. His life had been full of hardships, loss, and the pursuit of things that some would say are beyond him, yet he played his part. He was finally ready to rest and let the passage of time blur him from memory. As he sat, taking the last of the keys in his hand, in the cold, dark of the library, he felt….. Warm. The breeze blowing across his skin no longer held the harsh, bitter edge but carried the memories of younger days. Of hiding in hay stacks and sweet rolls gifted in apologies and greetings. Of warm smiles and angelic laughter…. Of you.
“I’ll be waiting…….”