Gareth smiled faintly, mostly because it was what seemed to be right. He felt a little sad, a little empty, but it didn't last too long. As soon as she said those words, I hope the same, he grinned just about as broad as he could. What did he have to be disappointed about? And if anything had been sinking his heart like a lead weight, well, it was gone now.
"Good," he said, and it was just about all he could muster. Again his eyes were getting misty.

After a moment, and one last squeeze, he took the hand away from Winter's shoulder. Inside his clasped hand he could still feel the cool of her skin, the smoothness of her icy scales.

"I suppose we'd better get some rest before we have to move on," he said reluctantly. "Shall we head back?"
He didn't want to--but he knew they had to. Whatever was coming next, it was big.