As the sun began its descent, Leonidas made to take his leave of Elysia. But as they stood, her brother Deimos came bursting from the house, eyes bright with curiosity. "Sister, who is this stranger you've been entertaining?" he asked impishly.

Elysia laid a gentle hand on her brother's arm. "This is Leonidas, captain of the Spartan garrison. Leonidas, my brother Deimos." The young man's smile did not fade as he greeted Leonidas, full of enthusiasm. Seeing a chance at new friendship, Elysia said softly, "Leonidas' patrol often passes our lands. He and his men work hard to keep us all safe. Perhaps you'd like to meet them?"

Deimos readily agreed, and so the next evening found the three of them walking the familiar path to the patrol camp at the edge of the forest. Leonidas introduced Deimos to his second-in-command, Menalaus, and the two seemed to hit it off at once. As the soldiers broke bread and shared tales by the fire, Elysia watched Deimos' eyes shine with admiration for these warriors. A pang of sadness struck her then, that the enmity of their city-states kept brother from befriending brother.

In time their visits grew longer, their conversations more open. Leonidas proved a keen listener, and Elysia found solace in sharing her hopes and dreams with one who seemed to understand. Through it all, Deimos and Menalaus' friendship blossomed, heartening Elysia to see new bonds form despite the conflict around them.

One harvest moon, as Elysia and Deimos made their way home after another supper by the campfire, her brother surprised her. "You care for the captain, don't you sister?" He smiled knowingly when she coloured. "Fear not, your secret is safe with me. I've never seen you so happy. And he looks at you the same way." Warmth bloomed in Elysia's heart at the thought. Could it be true, that this man from her enemy's ranks had come to care for her as deeply as she did for him?

A few evenings later found the brothers-in-arms deep in their cups, regaling each other with tales of past victories. A lull fell as Leonidas went to refill his cup, and Elysia rose to follow, concerned for the melancholy she glimpsed behind his smiling facade. Outside by the stream, she laid a gentle hand on his arm. "Your thoughts trouble you, Leonidas. Share your burden and lighten your heart."  

He sighed heavily. "The war...it asks much of us. Too often I see the cost up close. Families torn apart, livelihoods destroyed, all in the name of some politicians' quarrel. And yet I remain powerless to stop the cycle of vengeance. It weighs heavily, Elysia, knowing the pain my actions cause others."

Elysia's heart went out to this man who suffered silently for his duty. Reaching up, she turned his face to meet her gaze. "You cannot shoulder all the world's sorrows alone. But you do not walk that path solitary either. I am here for you, my friend." Her words seemed to lift some invisible burden from his brow, and the light returned to his eyes. Leonidas covered her hands with his own, larger ones. "Thank you, Elysia. Your care means more to me than you know."

In that quiet moment by the stream, a new understanding passed between them. Their eyes said all that needed saying, and Leonidas bent to kiss her hands gently in a gesture of tenderness she had not expected from this hardened soldier. But in that kiss she felt not only his gratitude, but the first stirrings of a deeper affection that took root in both their hearts that night and blossomed in the nights to come.