It wasn't above Noah to lie, that much she knew and had correct. Unless it was innocent, or he felt trapped, he wouldn't lie to her on a serious note. He was genuine here, not thinking he was lying, unsure if push would shove him in some other direction once time passed. For now, he was utterly truthful. He had his thoughts in mind, but they didn't diminish his want for forgiveness from her, for their bond to be mended, and for their relationship to be repaired. While the bond was all too important to him, a facet of his very biological being, the repaired relationship with Elann meant more, he realized. Without the initial relationship they would not have a bond, as much he understood now.

The moment residing between his apology and her forgiveness was tense for him, like it was when he was waiting for her to say she would or wouldn't walk with him. She moved, closing the gap between them and reaching out for his arm. He saw her hand grasp at him through her peripheral, giving him pause in the walk as he turned about to face her. Her words were more relieving than she may have thought. He was contemplating what he would do if she didn't forgive him in that moment, and was torn between two very different choices. One may have well spelled disaster for the them while the other was murky and uncertain.

At the offerance of a kiss Noah bent down to meet her lips for a moment. Though it was a small and quick enough for them to continue walking without falling behind, he was filled with bittersweet emotions that were more sweet than bitter. The new love in their bond, though he knew it was still injured, was felt again and it was warming to his soul. It would have been unrealistic to expect her to be immediately over it, even if she did forgive him. He knew himself and knew he would not be immediately mended and didn't expect her to be either. All he could ask for was what she gave him, and she broke his expectations with the kiss.

In their new closeness, he draped his arm across her back and shoulder, rubbing her there over the shoulder in appreciation. He didn't need her to speak anymore. She broke her silence and had forgiven him, or so he honestly believed.

After a moment Noah tapped her shoulder and rose his other hand to point towards the visible mountain range. There were specks in the sky, birds flying in the distance. He didn't say anything to go along with the gesture, letting her think what she wanted about the range. He was simply indicating they were almost to Zeltiva, soon to be passed the seemingly impassable mountain range.