After a year of war out in the cold, snowy plains of the north, Ian returned as a victorious knight in the guard of honour's armor. Riding a mighty, white horse that was given to him in return for his services in the king's army. He had sent Nadia a letter that he would meet her by the old oak tree on the hill where they had first kissed. As he arrived she stood there under it's orange leaves, her black hair swaying in the wind, even more now that her hair had grown. Other than that, she was still absolutely the same, beautiful and lovely. But Ian couldn't make out the heart pendant he had given to her a year ago when he left.

Arriving on the hill, he dismounted his horse and walked up to the vixen in big steps, opening his arms as he arrived next to her. But she still stood there, her hands folded in front of her. She looked up at the tall fox, her eyes gleaming. Not on joy. They were wet with tears. Ian froze as she turned away, sobbing softly. "What's wrong, Nadia?" He asked, his arms still open for her. "I....It's been to long, Ian...It's been too long since you left me here. Take it..." She moved her hands but kept her position, not looking him in the eyes, putting the pendant in his hands. "I tried, Ian, but I couldn't stay all alone for a year...I'm sorry...I..." another sob came from the small vixen and her shoulders twitched violently with it. "...All I have left to tell you is: Congratulations on your victory and farewell..." With these simple words, she turned and walked down the hill to dissapear in the forest that lead to the village in the distance. Ian watched after her and then looked at the heartlocked that appeared in his thick gloves as his fist uncramped. He stood there like this for several minutes, just looking at the pendant. THen, without a single word, he put it on, hiding it well under his scarf which he pulled up to cover his muzzle. He then mounted his horse again, riding off, away from the village and all he knew as fast as he could. This wasn't his home anymore, he had nothing left there. All he had now was himself, his hands, his sword, the horse and his armor. The things of a knight, a knight with a broken heart.

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Ian returns to his loved one after a year of war, only to be rejected and hurt as bad as anyone could imagine.

I started this as I heard the song "Melancholie" from In Extremo, and also tried to accept some of what I experienced with my ex-girlfriend in the progress of drawing this. I won't color it, but if you want to, you can. Just give me credit when uploading it and send me a link so I can have a look at your masterpiece. :)