Chapter 31

When Altair had returned to Masyaf, Franchesca was never able to catch him alone to tell him the news of the miscarriage because not only was he preoccupied within the sparring ring showing Novices the ways of the blade, but her father had also returned and took almost every opportunity he had free to visit her.

The raven haired young woman (although still grieving the loss of the child), was otherwise happy to spend some time with her family. Cameron's visits had lessened as of late, not only because the blonde had been spending more time with Siobhan, but because Altair was now back to keep an eye on Franchesca.

Demetri and Max had both been to see her that afternoon to see how she was feeling, for she had told them that she had been unwell (her grandfather she had informed of her miscarriage a day or two after it had happened).

"I spoke with Altair, Franchesca." Her father had stated that afternoon over his cup of water. "Whilst we had been travelling along the road, before we separated ways. I asked him if you had spoken of the dagger any further, he said you 'may have mentioned it'?"

Max was intrigued by the knowledge Demetri had on the matter, "You know of her feelings?"

Demetri nodded, "I didn't until Altair informed me on his last visit to Jerusalem. I was a little surprised."

"You and me both." Max chuckled, "I am surprised to hear you say that it was Altair who informed you, and not Chesca."

Demetri nodded, once more, in agreement, "That is what surprised me. Not the proposal of the dagger, but Altair telling me about it himself."

Max nodded, but then turned to his granddaughter, "So you 'may have mentioned it' a second time?"

Franchesca blushed, but nodded shyly, "Yes. It was a week ago. I believed I had caused him offence by offering it to him, and asked if he wanted me to put it away but," She cleared her throat. "He didn't want me to do so. I said that it would remain there for him, if he wanted it."

"And what was his response?" Max asked then.

Franchesca shrugged, "He didn't say anything. I don't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing."

"A good thing." Demetri stated, "For Altair wouldn't have told you to keep it out, if he did not return your affections, Franchesca. He is trying to understand himself before he decides on what he wants. Which, I am sure, will be in your favor."

Demetri wasn't there for very much longer before he had to return to the citadel, however, Max had remained behind to speak to his granddaughter in private.

"Have you managed to speak with Altair about losing the child?"

Franchesca shook her head, "No." She replied, "I haven't managed to catch him alone, or be alone myself. But as soon as I have the chance, I will let him know."

Max nodded, "Perhaps it is for the best, Chesca." He stated sadly, "We all know Altair isn't so easily read, he is very much a closed man. It may take him months before he decides on how he feels, but from what I can understand from everything that has happened – and how softly you say he speaks to you – I believe the wait may be worthwhile."

"Thank you." Franchesca smiled, but it slowly dropped from her face. "But perhaps, if he did feel the same way that I do, maybe it was just for the sake of the child we were to have-"

"-Franchesca," Max cut her off with a shake of his head. "You are a beautiful young lady. Any man would be lucky to have you as their wife, I can assure you. You're smart too, and let us not forget your bravery!" He smiled, "You have the advances of both Sphen and Abbas to show you that, Altair would be a fool not to have noticed."

Franchesca couldn't help the small smile that made its way onto her face, "I think he noticed, grandfather." She stated, "For it was Altair that put Sphen into the infirmary, and warned me against Abbas."

"If that man does not love you Franchesca, he would not have done those things." The old man finished his glass of water before getting to his feet, "Now, I must take my leave. It is starting to get dark out, and I must be back to give your grandmother her medicine."

As Franchesca opened the door and Max stepped out into the cool evening air, he turned back to face her with a smile on her face, "I believe you may be expecting a visitor tonight." The raven haired young woman peered over his shoulder in curiosity, squinting into the distance where she could make out the form of a white robed assassin making their way down the hill, "I believe it is Altair."

Franchesca smiled as she bid her grandfather a good night, and when she realised that the assassin was in fact, making his way towards her house, the raven haired young woman stood by the door to await his imminent arrival.

She opened the door wider and stood to the side to allow him entrance into her house, and once he was inside, Franchesca closed the door slowly; nervously.

"I apologise for not visiting you sooner," Altair began, turning to face her once she had closed the door. "I have been busy training the new recruits, and any free time I have had…you have had visitors."

Franchesca smiled, "It's alright," She began. "I didn't mind waiting. It's nice to see you now."

They stood in silence for a short moment before Altair turned on his heel once more and made his way towards the dining table, where he sat down – his hooded head positioned downwards to look at the pine table set before him.

Franchesca swallowed nervously at his silence, and unfocused gaze, "Is there something troubling you?" She asked. The assassin's shoulder merely heaved a sigh in response, and Franchesca frowned, "Altair?"

His head snapped up suddenly, as if he hadn't heard her question the first time, "I'm fine." He replied a little shortly. It was as though the Master Assassin had wanted to say more, but was unsure as to what he should say, or ask. The features that Franchesca could see had her believing the man to have something on his mind, and the raven haired young woman hadn't seen him look so…so worn before. He didn't look aged, he just looked very stressed.

"Would you like to stay here?" She asked softly, taking a seat in the chair to his right, placing her hands upon the table in front of her.

"Franchesca…" He trailed off what he was about to say, and turned his head upwards in her direction. "I came here to talk to you."

She nodded, "Ok." Franchesca was suddenly nervous. His tone was one that she was unsure about – but it made her believe that he was there to tell her that it was best that he didn't visit her anymore. She felt a lump forming in her throat at the mere thought of being rejected once more, and for the final time. She wasn't ready to deal with it so soon after losing the baby, so soon after her father and grandfather had visited her – reassuring her that they believed wholeheartedly that Altair returned her feelings.

Perhaps it would have been best if the raven haired young woman had expected this from the beginning. If she knew the outcome of Altair's decision about his feelings for her was to end in her heart being broken, she would never had offered him the dagger in the first place – nipped all of this in the bud right then! Perhaps it hadn't been the first time they had had sex that caused her to fall pregnant, and if that was the case then she wouldn't have invited him to stay with her.

She knew she loved him, and she couldn't help the fact that she did. But now knowing that he wasn't going to return her feelings…she could feel the lump in her throat growing even more by the second, the longer she thought about it, the worse she felt. But the words which eventually came out of his enchanting lips were what she was least expecting…but greatly hoping for.

"Will you be my wife?"

She was stunned to say the least, and she so desperately wanted to say yes but… she thought that he should know about the miscarriage before the conversation went any further. Franchesca stood up and stepped away from the table, crossing her arms over her torso to keep herself warm from the slight chill that had suddenly settled around them. "I am no longer pregnant, Altair." She informed him sadly.

The Master Assassin felt a little awkward in the silence, embarrassed because his question had been ignored after he had managed to will himself to let the words slip past his stubborn lips, "You lost it?"

"I did, I'm sorry." She felt the tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, and willed them away before he could see them.

He looked towards the window, "Do not apologise, it is for the best, I suppose."

"You wanted to do the right thing, I understand that." Her eyes had finally dried, and she found the courage to turn around to face him, "But I do not wish for you to do this if there is no longer any need."

Altair frowned as he turned back to face the raven haired young woman, "You think I am asking for the sole purpose that you were having my child?"

It was her turn to look away, trying not to let him see the hurt in her eyes, "I do not have any reason to believe otherwise." She whispered sadly, despite what her father and grandfather had told her.

Altair stood up from the table and boldly made his way towards her, "Franchesca," His hand took a gentle hold on her wrist, causing the raven haired young woman to slowly look up at him. She could no longer hide her emotions from the man she loved - who knew she loved him - but she believed did not return her feelings. He wiped a tear from her cheek, but knowing that the action was futile in the waves that he knew were to come - that he did not intentionally cause - made him stop. "I still wish to marry you."

She frowned, "Why? I annoy you with my attitude and frustrate you with my lack of manners."

The corners of his scarred lips lifted into the smallest of smiles, "Yes." He replied honestly, "But I appreciate the challenge of your personality, and you know I enjoy challenges." The raven haired young woman couldn't help the blush that appeared on her face. "I told your father that you had gifted me with the dagger - I asked him what he thought."

She nodded, "He said that you'd told him about it. He said that he wasn't going to tell Cameron."

Again, Altair looked away once more for a short moment before his gaze returned to her, "I regret not accepting it, and using it to take Dominic's life."

She looked over towards the box on the side, where Altair had told her to keep it – where his gaze had momentarily been directed. "It is still there." She whispered, "You know it is for you."

"I asked your father for your hand." He suddenly stated. "My offer is sincere, and he told me that it is only you who can give me an answer."

"It is only you who can have my dagger."

Altair knew the raven haired young woman merely wanted to hear the words that his pride would not allow him to say. She had already told him and shown him the feelings that she held for him, and she just wanted to hear his words in return.

"I will accept your dagger, if you will accept my proposal."

"I will accept your proposal if you accept my dagger." He raised an eyebrow at her, yet she merely smiled in response, "I believed you to enjoy challenges?"

He smirked before finally, he willed his pride away, "It would be an honour to accept the dagger, Franchesca."

She smiled up at him, a smile that warmed him. "Then I will happily accept your proposal."

A/N: So there we have it, the final chapter of this story! I would just like to thank everyone who has read, fav'd, followed and reviewed :) I am currently writing a few more Assassin's Creed stories, all have different OCs to mix up my stories a bit :) I will only upload them when I have pre-written at least 5 chapters, and I hope you will take the time to read them!

Anyways, I hope you've all enjoyed this story :) Please review xx