The next morning, Aveline awakened to a cleared yet cloudy day. Connor was still asleep, his chest rising steadily up and down. She lightly brushed a braided strand of his hair from the side of his face. She's never seen him look so peaceful. The letter she sent to Jacques' manor came to her thoughts:

Jacques my dearest friend,

I need to be honest and clear with you. You have proposed for my hand in marriage, but I can not accept for my heart belongs to someone else. I love him and I want to spend the rest of my life with him. You and I have been companions throughout our whole lives, and I don't want to risk our friendship with something more that could either make us complete or break us. You are a good man Jacques and I know you will soon find a woman that you truly deserve. One who would love you till death does you apart, but that woman can not be me. I promise you no matter what I will always be there for you as I have been. And I will always love you, but as your friend.

Love now and forever,

Aveline

Connor was the man her heart belonged to. Because of that, where he came from could never matter to anyone.