Anna
3 Months Later...

Ashie hugged me close, hiding us away from the world with the blanket. "Do you really have to leave tomorrow?"

I nodded sadly. "I'm sorry, Ashie... I don't wanna go..."

The fire caused the shadows to dance around the room. "I'm going to miss you so much, kiddo."

I turned around and looked up at her. "Promise me we'll see each other again?" I asked.

Ashie smiled. "Of course," she exhaled. "I know that our paths will cross once more, one day."

"Maybe you'll be Ylisse's Head Baker!" 

That made her laugh. "Maybe. But that's a long time from now." A strand of red hair fell in front of one of her eyes. "Tell you what: if we don't see each other again within...10 years, then the castle will be the place we meet once again."

"Ooh!" I nodded vigorously. "Ok! I promise that I'll visit you! No one will be able to stop me!"

Ashie sighed and leaned back. "I feel sorry for anyone in your way!" 

We didn't say anything for a few minutes.

"Hey, Anna?" Ashie suddenly spoke. "Have you ever thought of what you want to do when you grow up?"

I played with my fingers and puffed my cheeks. "Not really. I'm just gonna do what Mommy does!"

Ashie raised an eyebrow. "Really? You're going to stay with your mom your whole life?"

I nodded.

She sighed. "Anna, I know Eveline is very protective of you, but I know that she'll eventually want you to leave the nest." She began to play with my hair. "You can't stay with her forever."

Really? Do I have to leave Mommy someday? I don't ever want to leave her! But what if Ashie's right?! Will Mommy want to get rid of me?!

"Hey, that's a long time from now." Ashie read my scared expression. "You still have a lot of growing to do, and your mommy is going to be there for all of it."

I smiled at her. "Really?"

"Of course! It's what moms do!"

"Ok!" I yawned and rested my head on her knee. "I'm sleepy..."

Ashie stroked my hair and leaned against the pillows. "We should get some sleep, then."

"No!! Then tomorrow will come sooner and I'll have to leave you!" I tried sitting back up but my body wouldn't let me.

"Shhh...get some sleep..."

My eyes were too heavy to keep open. "I can stay awake..."

I couldn't.

...

Mommy was getting the rest of our things and saying goodbye to the innkeepers while Ashie and I stayed attached at the hip.

"I'll miss you every single day..." Ashie muttered, squeezing me tight.

"I promise that we'll see each other again!"

She looked up. "You better keep that promise!"

I laughed. "I will!"

"Alright, Ash, it's time to let Anna go. Her mother is ready," Ashie's mom said.

We reluctantly pulled away from each other. "Never forget what I taught you about baking, got it?"

I nodded. "I'll get even better at baking so we can bake together again!"

She pressed a kiss to my forehead and hugged me one last time. "I'll see you again, soon, Anna," she whispered.

"We will, Ashie," I said. "I know we will."

"Ready to go, Anna?" Mommy asked as I ran over to her.

I looked back at Ashie, who was crying but also smiling. "...Yeah. I'm ready." I wiped away my own tears with my arm and looked up at Mommy.

She smiled and took my hand. "Then let's go. There's a great big world for us to explore!"

"Yeah!" 

I promise that I'll see every inch of the world I can so I can tell you all about it when I see you again, Ashie! I won't ever forget you in a million trillion years!

*****

Y'all shouldn't have gotten attached to Ashie. You'll never see her again XD. So all of my life activities are over, so I should hopefully be able to write more! Thank you so much for reading and look forward to reading more!