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Among the Ashes Chapter 56

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Among the Ashes


Like a gift from the heavens
It was easy to tell
It was love from above that could save me from hell
She had fire in her soul
It was easy to see
How the devil himself could be pulled out of me
There were drums in the air as she started to dance
Every soul in the room keeping time with their hands

Like a piece to the puzzle that falls into place
You could tell how we felt from the look on our faces
We was spinning in circles with the moon in our eyes
No room left to move in between you and I
We forgot where we were and we lost track of time
And we sang to the wind as we danced on into the night
~Santana and Chad Kroeger “Into the Night”

Chapter 56
The Storm



Cammie nearly screamed. A sense of weightlessness seized her, hurtling her forward as her eyes clenched shut. But as soon as it started, it was over. They stopped so suddenly that she lost her balance and stumbled forward, vaguely registering the unexpected sound of hollow wood clunking beneath her feet before something caught hold of her and held her still.

“Sorry,” Marth apologized.

The bizarre fact that she was wrapped in the arms of the prince coupled with the smell of salt in the air and a strange rocking beneath her feet made Cammie reluctant now to even open her eyes. But his arms loosened around her and he stepped back quickly, leaving her to stand under her own power. She swayed slightly but caught her feet and forced her eyes open.

“Where am – what?” she stuttered, her eyes darting about a dimly lit cabin. Sunlight peeked in through a small, circular window beside the bed, illuminating the room and a vast expanse of sparking blue water that stretched out into the distance.

“Where am I?” Her fingers dug into her bag and she stared, her jaw twitching up and down in silence again.

“I know this must be confusing, but I can’t exactly tell you,” Marth replied, his hand moving near the sheath on his belt. “Elice wouldn’t let me bring her back to the castle, but she needs someone to look her over. She wouldn’t see anyone but you.”

“Me?” Cammie asked again, pushing back the other, even more unfathomable, aspects of the situation in favor of one she could actually grasp.

“Yes.” Marth moved towards the door. “We knew we could trust you.”

Cammie took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “Where is she?”

Marth’s eyes brightened hopefully. “Right this way.”

The Prince led her down a narrow corridor, then stopped to knock at another door once before pushing his way in. Cammie followed behind him tentatively, then peeked around his broad shoulders to see the Princess lying in bed just feet away with Guardsman Roy sitting by her side.

“Cammie.” Elice’s half-shut eyes opened and she looked up at the Healer and pushed herself up into a sitting position.

Cammie searched for words through her dry throat. “You… wanted to see me, Princess?”

Elice nodded, her already red-tinged eyes scrunching with tears.

Cammie’s heart clenched and she moved forward immediately, fumbling with the latch on her bag.

“It’s all right, Elice,” Roy mumbled. He moved to embrace her, but she cringed away.

“Can you just go?” Elice’s eyes jumped to her brother’s face, then back down at her clenched hands. “Both of you.”

Marth nodded, glancing at Roy.

Roy caught his eye then turned back to Elice, hesitating before he touched her cheek, then left the room without a word.

“I’ll wait for you in the hall,” Marth said to Cammie.

“Yes, sir,” she replied, and the prince shut the door behind him. Cammie took a deep breath, then moved to Elice’s side.

Elice sat rigidly, with her tight shoulders pressed to the back of the bed, staring down where her hands lay twisting in her lap. Cammie glimpsed the rough, broken skin around her wrists, and her eyes darted back up to Elice’s face.

“Elice?” she said softly.

“Can you just heal me?” Elice begged in little more than a whisper.

“Can you tell me what happened?” Cammie asked.

Elice shook her head, keeping her head bowed so severely that her tears fell down straight into her lap as she cried.

“Lie down,” Cammie instructed, moving for her bag.

Elice scooted down and settled on her back, closing her eyes as Cammie moved forward and pressed her fingers to Elice’s temples. The Healer massaged gently, shutting her own eyes as she tuned into the energy flow of the Princess’ body. Cammie could feel the tension and fear running through every inch of Elice as she moved through the energy channels, scanning for the source of the problem.

Small pools of trauma dotted her body, covering her face and head, on her wrists and ankles, but try as she might she couldn’t lock on to a source of physical trauma.

Cammie pushed a little deeper, moving past physical injury and focusing instead just on Elice’s energy. Far more troublesome than the welts on her wrists or the faded bruises on her face were the dark, clouded pools of energy she could feel concentrated in two very specific areas – across her chest and along her inner thighs.

Cammie released her breath and opened her eyes to find Elice gazing back up at her through her tears.

“Check,” Elice whispered.

“Elice,” Cammie breathed out tremulously. Her heart clenched painfully as she realized what Elice was asking.

“I know he did.” Elice’s chin quivered as she shut her eyes again, forcing out more tears. “I know it’s too late, I just….” She cringed into herself with a quiet sob and Cammie slipped a comforting hand over her shoulder.

“I did something wrong,” Elice managed to speak so softly that Cammie could barely hear her.

“Elice, you know better than that,” Cammie replied, rubbing her shoulder lightly. “This isn’t your fault – ”

“I broke the oath.”

Elice’s small, broken voice froze Cammie in place.

“I used it to hurt.” Elice swallowed roughly. “He attacked, and I broke his arm. I shattered it… and I’m glad I did.” Her voice faded and she turned her face into the pillow to muffle her sobs.

“Elice.” Cammie touched her back lightly. “Princess, I’ve known you for what, since we were ten, twelve? I’ve been through the Healing Academy with you, trained with you, and Healed under your direction for almost ten years. I know you… and you never would have done it unless you had no other choice. This isn’t your fault.”

“It didn’t even work.” Elice slowly turned her tear-stained face to the side, looking up at Cammie from across her pillow. She drew her shoulders up with a shiver. “I didn’t even stop him.”

Cammie’s fingers trembled a little against Elice’s back, feeling every sob run through her body. She moved her hand to Elice’s shoulder and squeezed it gently.

“How can I ever Heal again?” Elice cried. “How can I go back to the hall? How can I face you and… Marie, and Jackie and Katherine and Amanda… they’ll know what I am. They’ll see how dirty and – ” she choked on her tears. “How can I ever face it again?”

“Because you’re a Healer,” Cammie answered.

“I knew what I was doing,” Elice protested. “I could have stopped myself.” Her voice fell with a soft growl in the back of her throat. “But I wanted to hurt him. And now… I’ve lost everything…. I deserve what he - ”

Elice shivered again and curled in around herself.

“I’m proud of you,” Cammie said, her voice quiet, but strong. “Elice – ”

Elice turned her eyes up once more, blinking through her tears.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Cammie assured. “And not a single Healer in your hall would believe any different.”

Elice let out her breath and closed her eyes, crying silently now. “Thank you,” she whispered.

A small smile twitched through Cammie’s lips, and she moved her hand across Elice’s back.

“Ready?” she asked.

Elice nodded and rolled onto her back, settling as Cammie returned to her position beside Elice’s head. She pressed her fingers to Elice’s temples, closed her eyes, and started Healing.

Neither moved for nearly half an hour, until Cammie slowly released Elice’s temples and let out her breath.

“Elice?” She squeezed Elice’s shoulder again with a slightly shaky hand. “I need to tell you something.”

Elice blinked her eyes open sleepily and took a deep, filling breath.

“Thank you,” she sighed, and shut her eyes, already looking more peaceful.

“Elice,” Cammie said again.

Elice opened her eyes, searching Cammie’s face.

“He didn’t,” the Healer replied. “Elice… you’re still a virgin.”

Elice’s jaw dropped, then her entire face went stiff, staring in disbelief.

“He didn’t – you-you’re sure?” she stammered.

“You know there’s no mistaking it. And I would never lie to you.” Cammie squeezed Elice’s hand bracingly.

“No, I – I – ” Elice blinked, her chin trembling as soft tears fell from her eyes. “I just can’t – ”

Her shoulders shook and she leaned forward into Cammie’s waiting arms. Cammie held Elice tightly while she cried, feeling the release of tension and fear that no amount of Healing could have brought.

“He saved me,” Elice wept, rocking gently with the motion of her tears. “I should have known – he’d never let – ” she choked on her words. “He promised….”

Her shaky whispered faded into nothing and she held Cammie in silence, crying until her tears ran dry. Even after Elice fell still, Cammie waited. She sat back slowly, giving Elice’s shoulders a final squeeze before she let go.

“Thank you,” Elice said again, drying her eyes with a trembling hand. “For coming. I didn’t know if you would….”

“Of course I came,” Cammie replied. “We’ve all been worried about you, anyway. Being gone so long. We miss you.”

“Me?” Elice gave a soft, incredulous laugh that broke, threatening more tears.

“Yes, you. So much has happened since you’ve been gone,” Cammie went on, her expression brightening. Then her eyes flew wide open. “Oh, Elice! I have to tell you! Lord Jeigan fired Krantz!

“Krantz?” Elice perked up. “Really?”

“Yes! It was amazing!” Cammie extolled. “He told her it was an order from Prince Marth. She left the castle in a storm. We were laughing for days.”

Elice smiled despite herself. “Marth will be happy to hear about that. I never had the guts to do it. I was afraid she’d poison my food or put a hex on me on her way out.”

“I think we all were,” Cammie replied, still smiling.

“Now who will keep the potion bottles obsessively tidy order?” Elice asked.

“It’s been an awful struggle,” Cammie sighed heavily.

They looked at each other, and both laughed quietly, thought Elice’s faded quickly.

“I should let you get back, shouldn’t I?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Cammie looked to the door, but didn’t get up. “This has… been – ” she laughed breathlessly in a burst of nerves. “I’m on a ship…. In the middle of the ocean. And I have no clue how I got here.”

Elice’s mouth tugged with a sympathetic smile. “You can just pretend this was all a dream.”

Cammie laughed softly and tucked her long hair behind her ear. “I might have to. No one would believe me if I told them anyway,” he gave another nervous laugh.

“You won’t… tell anyone,” Elice looked up sharply. “Will you?”

“No, Elice.” Cammie paused. “You know I would never.”

“I know.” Elice shut her eyes and settled back down on her pillow. “That’s why I asked for you.”

Cammie’s eyes softened and she smiled again. “I’m glad you did.”

Elice met her smile, then slowly closed her eyes. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Cammie touched her shoulder, then stood up. “I’ll be praying for you.”

Elice’s eyes opened again and she watched silently as Cammie lifted her bag, and moved away.

“Good luck.” Cammie stopped at the door.

“Bye,” Elice replied softly.

“Bye.” Cammie lingered a moment, then stepped out into the hall.

She shut the door behind her and leaned her back against it, letting out her breath as the floor rocked strangely beneath her.

“Cammie.” Marth hurried over. “How is she?”

“Much better, I think,” Cammie replied. “She’s strong. She’ll make it through this.”

“Can I see her?” Roy reappeared, opening the door to the room before Cammie even answered.

“Yes, but I – ” Roy shut the door firmly behind him, and Cammie turned to Marth. “I think you should talk to her.”

Marth nodded. “Thank you.” He paused, staring at Elice’s door. “Ready to go home?”

“Yes, sir.” Cammie shut her eyes in anticipation and braced herself this time. She thought she heard a quiet chuckle just before the whoosh as he caught her up, and her feet left the floor.





*****




Link pounded up the steps from the galley and hurried across the deck of the ship, bowing his head against the rain. A clap of thunder crashed overhead, momentarily flashing white across the darkened sky. The ship rolled and a wave crashed up over the side, spilling water into his boots and nearly knocking him off of his feet.

He slid across the slick deck, and crashed into the side railing, holding on tight. The ship bobbed, then righted itself, still rocking precariously atop the heaving sea.

The shouts from the crewmen working furiously to secure the rigging overhead melded with the wind and the rain into a muddled din. Here and there Link made out a sharp order as he struggled across the deck towards the stairwell, carrying his precious cargo.

“Hey, you!” A sharp voice caught his attention above the gale and he turned, squinting through the hazy torrent.

“All passengers below deck!” the sailor ordered, whipping his sodden hair out of his face as he struggled with a knot at the base of the mast. “What’re you doing up here anyway? You tryin’ to get yourself killed?”

“No, sir,” Link shouted back over the wind. “Trying to stay alive!” He lifted a small parcel wrapped in paper.

The sailor looked up with a scowl, but a fresh gust of wind tore across the deck, rattling through the half-tied sails. Another wave slammed into the hull, shaking the entire ship beneath their feet as it rolled once more to the side.

The sailor lurched to the side and lost his footing, cursing as the thick, wet rope slipped through his fingers. A beam swung down from overhead, threatening to smash through the deck.

He screamed and jerked forward, but Link leapt first, catching the rope as it whizzed through the tie-up. Planting his foot against the mast, Link hauled back, pulling the rope taut and catching the beam before it hit.

The sailor caught his breath, staring at Link in momentary shock before he shouldered him away.

“Out of the way!” he snapped.

Link backed up, retrieving his sodden parcel from the ground.

“Sir?” Another sailor hurried up, drawn by the commotion.

“Tie this down!” The first man twisted the rope around the tie-down, then thrust the end into his mate’s hands. “We’ve gotta get those sails up or we’ll be paddling to Elibe!”

“Yes, sir!” The man scurried to the task.

“Below deck!” The sailor shoved Link towards the stairwell, glowering at him until Link turned away.

“You’re welcome,” Link muttered, shaking the water from his hair as he stomped down the darkened stairwell and back to his cabin.

“Zel?” He knocked once in warning then stepped inside, dripping a pool of on the floor as he stood in the doorway. “I got it! Zel?”

Zelda sat cross-legged in the center of the bed with a colorful array yarn balls strewn all around her. At the sound of his voice she looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Aw, Zel, what’s wrong?” Link hurried forward.

“I can’t do it!” Zelda cried, chucking her pair of knitting needles across the room.

“Whoa!” Link dodge to the side as one hurtled past him and stuck, tip fist, in the door.

“Wow.” He stared for a moment as an impressed smile crossed his face. “You have quite an arm.”

“I do not! I can’t do anything! Look at this!” She thrust a bit of cloth into his hands.

Link looked down at the lopsided triangle in his hands, and his stomach sank. Even he could tell that the stitches were uneven, and loose, showing holes through the cloth big enough for his fingers to go through.

“Well, that’s good!” He looked up with a forced smile. “You made a triangle.”

“Yes, a triangle!” The ship lurched and she fell forward, planting her hands into the mattress. She caught her balance and threw her arms out, gathering a handful of scraps from across the bed.

“Triangles, triangles!” She dropped them one by one into a pile for Link to see. “All I can make is triangles!”

She stared down at the multi-colored scrap-heap, seething through her teeth as she bit back tears.

“Well,” Link said slowly. “What were you trying to make?”

“Squares!” she wailed. “I was going to make different colored squares then sew them together into a quilt! And after fifteen days on this ship, I still can’t make anything but triangles!”

The floor jerked beneath their feet and the ship groaned as lightning boomed overhead. The entire room tilted, and a rainbow of yarn balls rolled from the bed and bounced across the floor to Link’s feet. The crash lurched Zelda to the side so violently she toppled over and fell face first into her pillow.

Link staggered over, fighting uphill against the tilt of the ship, and sat down beside her, but she didn’t get up. She simply clutched her pillow more tightly to her face and sobbed into it.

“I can’t do anything! I’m going to be the worst mother in the world!” She shuddered and clenched her fists into the pillow.

“No, you’re not.” Link rubbed her back. “So you’re… not the best knitter in the world. Nobody’s perfect.”

Zelda wracked with a fresh sob, and Link recoiled, knowing it was better to wait it out a while before trying again. Finally, Zelda sniffed, and turned her head a little to look at him from across the pillow.

“I tried so hard,” she wept softly.

“I know,” he soothed.

“It was going to be so pretty….”

“Zel, you tried your best.” He rubbed her back. “He’ll appreciate the effort.”

“He’ll never know, because I’m not giving him a pile of triangles,” she replied ruefully. “They’re not even pretty triangles. I fail. Completely.”

“No, you don’t. I still love you. I love your triangles, too.”

“You’re just saying that,” she mumbled into the pillow.

Link let out his breath quietly, and waited again.

“I liked knitting,” she said after a moment. “It made me feel like a mommy. Not just a mother….” Her eyes scrunched and she pressed them back into the pillow, crying softly.

Link rubbed her back in silence, trying to think of something to say. His eyes fell down to the pile of triangles at the foot of the bed, and he leaned over, gathering a few into his hands. He hesitated a moment, not sure whether showing her now would help or just make things worse.

Willing to risk it, he got up and fetched something from his bag then sat back down beside her.

“Zel?” he called. “Look.”

Zelda stirred slowly and lifted her face from the pillow, drying her eyes.

Link smiled bracingly, then spread a small, green pair of sleepers on the blanket beside her. As he watched her looking at it, he didn’t need to read her mind to know what she was thinking.

“You bought this?” Zelda asked, her brow knitting tightly.

“Yes, but – don’t take it the wrong way,” he rushed to his own defense. “I just saw it and I got excited. It’s green.” He lifted the tiny sleeve. “You know I love green. I couldn’t resist.”

Zelda’s eyes welled, and he braced himself.

Then, she smiled. “That’s adorable.”

“It is?” Link’s heart unclenched.

“Yes.” She shifted and laid her head in his lap. “That you would see it and be so excited that you just had to buy it.”

Zelda beamed up at him, and he settled his arm around her shoulder.

“You already love him so much,” she said tenderly. “You’re going to be a wonderful father.”

Link grinned down at her, his heart melting warmly within him. A lump lodged in his throat and he looked down. He picked up three yellow triangles and laid them across the front of the baby sleepers.

“Look,” he said, nudging Zelda. “Family crest.”

Zelda looked down at the Triforce Link had arranged, then up at him with a smile.

“Maybe you could sew them on,” he suggested.

“You’re amazing.” Zelda cupped his cheeks in her hands and kissed him deeply.

Link pulled her closer against his chest, kissing her tenderly. The ship pitched to the side and their lips parted, though Link’s arms tightened around her. They waited a moment for the rumbling to pass, then he leaned back.

“And you haven’t even heard about my latest adventure yet.” He tipped his chin with a smile.

“Adventure?” she asked curiously.

“Yes.” He straightened his back and lifted his head. “I braved the storm in search of the galley. I nearly drowned along the way, but I knew my mission was too important to give up. Nothing could stand in my way. I fought off the winds, and the rain, and an ill-tempered sailor, all for you. And this.”

Link presented her with the sodden parcel. The weight fell into Zelda’s hands and the parchment crinkled loudly against her tightened grasp.

“What is it?” she asked, her eyes sparkling up at him.

“Open it,” he directed. “The fruits of my noble quest.”

“Link, you didn’t!” Zelda scrunched her nose with a smile and drew up her shoulders, giggling as she pulled off the paper. “Pickles and honey!” She squealed with delight and clutched the jar of pickles and the little amber bottle of honey to her.

“I know you were hungry,” Link chuckled fondly. “And a little frustrated,” he added with a tip of his head to the yarn balls bouncing and rolling around on the floor with the rocking of the ship.

“My hero!” Zelda threw her arms around him and kissed him again. “What would I do without you?”

Link considered for a moment. “Make a mountain of triangles?”

Zelda laughed and playfully pushed his shoulder.

“Would you like a pickle?” she offered.

“Love one.” Link twisted the jar open and fetched one for both of them, but left the honey for Zelda.

She smiled as she dipped her pickled into the sweet, golden substance, and took a big bite. Link shook his head a little with a laugh, but she just scrunched her nose at him again and went on eating.

“Link?” Zelda spoke up after a minute.

“Hm?”

“Maybe they would make good baby training swords.” She glanced at the knitting needle stuck in the door, and they both burst into laughter.

Zelda snuggled under his arm and they sat side by side on the bed, crunching their pickles loudly over the sounds of the storm still raging outside.

***

Marth glanced up from his book, unsure whether he’d heard a knock at the door, or just another rattle through the ship. But the noise came again, louder this time, and he sat up on the side of his bed. He set his book aside and stood up, steadying himself against the bedpost as the ship rolled beneath him.

The door shook again with another succession of heavy poundings, and he hurried forward.

“Yes?” He pulled it open, then gasped as something hurtled into his stomach.

A glimpse of pale blonde hair caught his eye and he staggered back a little as Ciara wrapped her arms around him.

“Mana- ” He cut off the word too late. “Are you oka- ”

A clasp of thunder shuddered through the sky, rumbling all the way through the ship and up their feet as the floor shook. Manasa screamed and clutched him tighter.

“Shut the door!” she begged.

Marth turned to shut the door, but the momentum of the ship’s rocking caught it and pulled. The knob slipped from his fingers and the door slammed with a crash.

Manasa gasped loudly and Ciara’s body vanished, leaving her small, shivering form locked around his waist.

“What’s wrong?” Marth asked, wrapping his arms around her trembling shoulders. “Are you all right?”

“Can I just – ” Manasa panted, and swallowed, her voice shaking. “Stay with you for a while?”

Marth’s brow knitted as he pulled her closer. He opened his mouth to respond, but another clap of thunder roared overhead and echoed through the bowls of the ship. Manasa jumped, then clutched him again with a frightened whimper.

“Shh, it’s all right,” he soothed, rubbing her shoulders. “Just a little storm.”

“Feels like the ship’s going to fall apart,” she said, then turned her face to hide against his torso. “Or tip over. Or – ” She cut off, her voice quivering into silence.

Marth tried to think of something to reassure her, but the ship pitched again, nearly knocking him off his feet. Manasa cried out, knotting her fists in his shirt to steady herself.

The ship tipped back and forth a few times before it righted itself, but Manasa didn’t let go. Marth could feel her heartbeat pounding against him, and her sharp, shallow breathing that matched the trembling of her shoulders.

“I can’t swim,” she whispered tightly.

“Manasa – ”

The sky rumbled overhead and she squinched her eyes shut, trying to block out the sudden memory of the bridge exploding beneath her feet. The weightless sensation of falling, then the cold, still silence of the river closing over her head. Suffocating. Black. Like death.

His body was somewhere down there, rotting on the floor of the ocean.

“I don’t want to go down there,” she burst, clenching Marth desperately. “Don’t let me – don’t make me go down there!”

“Manasa,” Marth said loudly enough to snap her out of her hysteria, and gently caught her face in his hands. “It’s okay. I’m right here.”

She nodded against his hands, and let out her breath. “Okay.”

“It’s just a little rain,” he went on calmly. “It’ll pass.”

“It’s been going on since last night.” Manasa closed her eyes and leaned into him. “I want it to stop.”

“I know.” He pulled his arms around her again.

“Can I stay with you?” she asked again in a whisper.

“Come here.” He squeezed her once more, then took his now familiar position, sitting with his back to the side of his bed.

“You feeling any better?” she asked as she settled beside him and snuggled under his arm.

“I think I’m almost over it,” Marth replied. “I wasn’t planning on bringing the flu back with me from the castle. Thanks, Jeigan.” He smiled ruefully.

“Aww.” She reached up and brushed his hair back a little, looking into his eyes. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“Yeah,” he said quietly, leaning down a little. Manasa’s lips parted softly. He lingered a moment, his heart racing, then he cleared his throat and turned away. “I was… just reading.” He reached back and pulled a book down from the bed.

“Yeah?” She sighed and pressed her cheek to his warm chest, letting his heartbeat drown out the sound of the wind outside.

“Yeah.” He slipped the book into her hands.

Manasa glossed over the title and instead settled her eyes on the faded, cracked painting on the cover of a knight and a wyvern flying majestically over a castle tower.

“What is it?” she asked, tracing her finger over the weathered fabric, then looking up at Marth curiously. “It looks really old.”

“It is,” Marth replied, carefully taking the book from her hands and opening it to the first stiff, yellowed page. “It was my grandfather’s. He read it to my father when he was a boy.”

Manasa smiled a little. “And your father read it to you?”

“No.” Marth smiled back, but it didn’t carry to his eyes. He sat for a moment, flicking the book back and forth with a twitch of his wrist. “My mother did.”

“Oh.” Manasa nodded, and pulled the book closer again to study the picture. “Hey!” She perked up. “Look!”

She indicated the sword the little knight had raised in his hand, shining under the sun. It looked familiar, from its golden hilt to the large, red stone set about the base of the blade.

“It’s yours.” She smiled up at him.

“The Falchion.” His eyes brightened. “This is where I first heard the legend of it.”

“So it’s a collection of stories about Anri.” Manasa flipped through the pages, stopping on the ones with illustrations.

“Much more than that,” Marth explained, buoyed by her interest. “There are a few about Anri, but none on the Scourging,” he added quickly. “They’re mostly fairy tales, and retellings of ancient Aritian myths and legends.” He reached over and thumbed through the pages. “See?”

He stopped on an intricate ink drawing of a princess standing in the middle of a lake surrounded by glowing lights which, when Manasa looked closely, she could tell had tiny wings.

“Fairies.” She smiled down at the page, then glanced up at Marth with a mischievous grin.

“Boo!” Manasa jerked the book up close to his face and he flinched back slightly, much to her delight.

“Ha ha ha,” Marth replied while she giggled, but he smiled all the same.

Manasa shot him an affectionate glance then looked back down at the story. The picture was beautiful. Even without color, she could see the moonlight reflecting on the maiden’s dark, curly hair. The water rippled under her feet, and Manasa suddenly realized that the girl wasn’t standing in the water, she was walking on top of it.

“I thought you’d like that one,” Marth said softly, watching her.

Manasa glanced up at him. “Really?”

He nodded with a smile. “I was reading it before you came in. It made me think of you.”

Manasa had no idea why that would be, but it made her heart patter warmly.

“Here.” She offered the book back to him.

“Oh, no. You can read that one. I’ll grab another.” Marth started to stand up but Manasa held to his arm.

“No, you take it back,” she insisted, the heat from her heart rising uncomfortably to her face. “I can’t.”

“It’s no problem,” Marth replied. “I have plenty. I’ve been sleeping so much lately I haven’t made it through half the ones I brought back from the castle. See – ” He tried to stand up again, but Manasa held tight.

“No, Marth,” she said firmly, pressing the book back into his hands. “I mean I can’t.

Manasa released the book into his hands and looked down at the floor.

Marth set the book down and put his arm around her. “What’s wrong?”

She hesitated a long while before answering. The thought of telling him, scared her. But the idea of sitting here trying to fake it and then having to explain herself afterwards was even worse.

“I can’t read very well,” she mumbled. She kept her eyes fixed to the floor and picked at a knot in the floorboard, trying to ignore the queasy knots in the pit of her stomach.

Marth sat back down beside her, going silent for a moment. “That’s all right.”

“It’s embarrassing,” she replied, running her finger under her wet eyes.

“No it’s not.” He lifted her chin and turned her face to look into her eyes.

“But you’re so smart.” She cringed and tried to look away.

“Reading has nothing to do with intelligence,” Marth replied. “I know a lot of idiots who can read. Some of them being my friends.” He smiled a little. “And one of my closest friends, one of the smartest men I know, can’t read either.”

“Really?” Manasa glanced up.

“One of my Elite,” Marth replied, running his thumb across her damp cheek. “Never got the chance as a child. He’s learning now, though.”

Manasa leaned a little closer to Marth, but didn’t reply.

“I can read it out loud, if you’d like,” he offered. “Keep our minds off the storm.”

“Okay.” Manasa smiled softly and snuggled back against his chest.

Marth shifted to make her more comfortable and slipped his arm more closely around her shoulder as he opened the book again.

“‘Simion and the Water Lady’,” Marth read aloud.

The sky rumbled overhead, shaking through the ship. Manasa shivered and cuddled closer.

Marth raised his voice a little. “Deep in the woods, south of the village of Gnarr, on the banks of the river, where the flowers bloomed and the reeds grew tall, lived a young knight named Simion, who every morning awoke to the sounds of singing on the water.”

Manasa sighed, drinking in his voice and the clear, precise way he formed the words on the tip of his tongue as he read. She closed her eyes and let the story carry her away from the endless rolling of the ship, and the raging storm.




*****




“A party?” Zelda looked up curiously from the wrinkled parchment in Link’s hand, blinking under the bright morning sunshine. “Seriously?”

“That’s what it says.” Link shrugged, passing the announcement to her as they walked hand in hand down the still damp planks of the deck. Blue sky shone overhead, quickly drying the up the puddles and residual water left over by the storm.

“Tonight in the galley,” Zelda commented, reading over the announcement. “Everyone’s invited. Minstrels… food. This looks fun!”

“Dancing…” Link added apprehensively.

“Oh, come on.” Zelda bumped her hip against his as he opened the door to the galley. “You’re a great dancer.”

“Can’t lie to me, remember?” Link tapped his temple.

“Oh, hush.” Zelda giggled and pushed him playfully through the door.

They weaved through the crowded galley, pushing towards their normal table near the back. Elice, Roy, Marth and Ciara were already seated there. Roy’s boisterous voice rose above the din as they approached.

“Hey!” he called, waving Link and Zelda over with a wide, open grin. “You got my flier!”

Your flier?” Zelda asked as Link helped her to her seat, pulling the bench out a little to accommodate her rounded stomach. “Good morning,” Zelda looked around the table, giving Elice an extra, buoying smile.

Elice met her eyes and returned the smile before settling back with her breakfast, taking small, careful bites.

“Yup!” Roy put his arm around Elice’s shoulder. “In honor of surviving the storm. And the fact that I’m bored out of my mind,” he added, rolling his eyes up to the ceiling.

“Well, it looks fun,” Zelda laughed. “I’m excited!”

“Yeah, should be good.” Roy leaned back. “I got the minstrel group to agree to play, and I think there’s a couple of bards around, too. I should check on that.”

“Hey!” A tall, thick-shouldered man with sleeveless, burly arms walked by and punched Roy in the back.

“Hey, Ike!” Roy swung around and slapped his hand into a shake.

“Heard about the shin-dig you’re throwing tonight!” Ike replied. “Very nice.”

“Did you get permission for this?” Marth asked, setting down his cup. “I don’t want to end up thrown off the ship.”

“Thrown off the – Marth, we’re in the middle of the ocean, they’re not going to throw us off the ship,” Roy scoffed. “And, besides, yes, I asked permission. The Captain’s an awesome guy. But if he asks you if you want a ‘Falcon Punch’, don’t say yes.”

“You fell for that?” Ike laughed. “Man, you small town travelers.” He pounded Roy on the shoulder and Roy raised his eyebrows at Marth, laughing at their own private joke.

“So he’s signed off on this?” Marth asked again.

“Yes,” Roy sighed.

“Aw, c’mon. Lighten up, Blue.” Ike gripped Marth’s shoulder, and Marth cringed against the unwanted nickname.

“I’m completely light, as long as we don’t end up swabbing the decks or something,” Marth replied.

Ciara snorted her juice through her nose and leaned forward, choking on her laughter.

Marth looked at her curiously, but she just kept giggling.

“Yeah,” Ike said slowly, looking between them.

“Ike?”

A large shadow fell over the table and Roy cringed, drawing in his shoulders and shrinking over his plate. He turned slowly, and waved up at the towering woman behind him. She stared down at him, and brushed her long, red braid behind her shoulder.

“Hey, Titania.” Roy’s mouth twitched with a frightened smile, and he turned back to lean over his food.

“Hello, Roy,” she replied, watching him for a moment before she turned to Ike. “We’re going back to the cabins.”

“All right. Hey, nice meeting you all.” Ike waved. “See you tonight.”

“See ya,” Roy mumbled.

Ike followed Titania up the stair and the shadow slipped from Roy.

He let out his breath with a muffled curse - “she scares me!”

“Hard to tell from the way you were cowering,” Link commented as he returned with a plate in each hand. He set one down for Zelda and took a seat beside her.

“I think she’s nice,” Zelda replied with a distant smile. “She reminds me of Impa.”

“Heh. Well, she scared me too.” Roy glanced around nervously. “So! You all coming tonight?”

“Yes!” Zelda agreed readily.

“Well, with no Maddox and Hayden around, it can’t be as much trouble as you normally cause,” Marth replied. “What do you think?” He turned to Manasa.

“Sounds fun.” She smiled, catching Marth’s eye before looking back down at her breakfast.

Roy smirked at the pair of them. “Looks like this won’t have to be like all those balls I used to throw back home, huh?”

“Shut up, Roy,” Marth muttered, skewering a bit of sausage with his fork.

“Like what?” Manasa asked.

Roy leaned forward, as though on cue, speaking quietly. “I used to throw balls at the castle every month, trying to find him a girlfriend.” He tipped back in his chair with a smile. “Didn’t work.”

Marth glanced around the table with his jaw clenched. “Can you drop this, please?”

“What?” Roy shrugged. “I’m just saying with as many girls as you had hanging around, falling all over you, trying to get your attention, I thought you’d at least show enough interest to take someone out on a second date. You went on enough first ones.” He took a massive bite of his sweet roll. “Aritian girls are never good enough for you, huh?”

Marth slammed his fork back onto the table, seething, but it was already too late. Manasa held her ground for a moment, staring down at her lap with her hands twisting and her shoulders shaking. Hot pools of blood glowed on her cheeks, and she took a deep breath, holding it in. Before Marth could open his mouth to speak, she jumped out of her seat and ran up the stairs.

Marth looked after her then spun on Roy, his face contorting with anger that he couldn’t seem to put words to. He threw his napkin to the table and turned in silent fury, following Manasa’s tracks up the stairs.

Roy stared after them long after they vanished. He finally looked back down, poking his food around with his fork, trying not to meet anyone’s eye.

Link and Zelda went back to eating in awkward silence, but Roy could feel Elice’s eyes on him, burning a hole in the side of his head.

Finally, he glanced up, unable to take it anymore.

“Licey,” he said quietly, shifting his shoulders. “You’re not eating….”

Elice’s eyes narrowed, and he could see tears beading in the corners as she glared.

“I’m not hungry,” she muttered, tossing her own napkin as she pushed up from the table, then stormed from the room.

“Wai- Elice!” Roy called. He stood up halfway, and hesitated only a second before shooting up the stairs after her.

“Elice, wait!” Roy finally caught up with her halfway down the hallway to her cabin. He caught her by the wrist but she pulled away.

“Licey, please,” he begged.

“Don’t ‘Licey’ me now, Roy. I – I can’t believe you said that!” she cried, her voice falling breathless with her indignation.

“I was joking,” Roy protested weakly, his creasing his brow over his eyes. “Come on, Elice, you know – ”

“I do know,” she said quietly. “I know you know what you were doing and you were just being mean. And dragging her into this?”

Roy cringed and looked down at the floor.

“You… don’t even like her,” he muttered.

“So what? I mean… haven’t you seen him?” Her eyes pleaded. “He’s – ” Her voice caught, then went soft. “He’s happy again.”

She paused, and Roy swallowed tightly.

“I’m not taking that away from him,” she said firmly. “And I don’t understand why you want to.”

Roy’s jaw pumped noiselessly for a moment. He looked up, meeting Elice’s eyes, and she turned away.

“Elice, wait,” he grabbed her hand again. This time, she stopped. “I’m sorry, okay? But you’re still… you’re still coming tonight, right?”

Elice hesitated.

Roy’s eyes scrunched under his brow and he watched her, like a begging child.

“I’m doing this for you.” He kissed her hand.

Elice sighed. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m coming.” She smiled a little. “Just be nice, okay?”

She reached out and stroked his cheek with her thumb.

“Okay,” he agreed.

“ ‘Kay,” she said softly. “I’m gonna go lie down for a while.”

“All right. I’ve got some more party prep to take care of,” he replied. “I’ll come see you later?”

“Yeah.” She leaned in and kissed him lightly, shocking them both. She hadn’t touched his lips in weeks. Not since the warehouse.

Elice leaned back slowly, smiling as she opened her eyes. Roy let out his breath with a dazed grin, and squeezed her hand.

“Later,” he whispered.

“Love you.” She squeezed his hand back, and went inside her cabin.





*****




“Hurry, Marth!” Manasa tugged on his hand and pulled him up the stairs to the deck.

Ciara’s white-blonde hair shone like silver under the moonlight, bouncing with her gait. Her high, tightly curled ponytail looked somehow more elegant this evening, piled up on her head and pinned carefully in place.

“C’mon!” She turned around with a smile, and gave him another nudge.

“We’re already so late, it’s probably over,” he sighed, dragging his feet.

They turned the corner, hit with a blast of music and voices pouring up the stairs from the galley.

Manasa pulled a crooked smile and drew him closer, taking his arm.

“All right,” he conceded. He let out his breath, but smiled as he tightened his arm around hers and lead her down the stairs.

They pushed through the doors, releasing a thick burst of noise and the welcoming smell of ale and sizzling meat. Manasa’s wide eyes roved over the crowded room, taking in the array of bright colors, swirling and swaying to the music.

A group of minstrels stood gathered in the far corner of the room, filling the hall with the reedy sound of a hornpipe, the fast-paced plucking of lute strings and the rhythmic beating of drums. The floor shook joyously with the sound and the pounding of feet as they circled and danced in time.

Manasa tapped her foot to the beat as she twisted her neck from side to side, taking it all in. She squeezed Marth’s arm and looked up at him with a beaming grin.

“Can we – ”

“Let’s sit down for a while,” Marth interrupted. “Look, there’s seats over here.” He led her to a back corner and sat down, away from the dance floor.

Manasa hesitated, then sat down beside him, clearly disappointed. But, she drew up her chair beside his and turned it out to watch the dancing, still tapping her toes and swinging her shoulders a little to the beat.

Through the bubbling, ebullient chaos, she could make out Link and Zelda, dancing among the crowd. Manasa laughed. Zelda had her arms up around Link’s neck, and he kept craning his neck around her stomach to look at his feet. But they looked happy.

Everyone looked happy. She even spotted Roy and Elice dancing, one of the most animated couples on the floor.

“C’mon, Licey!” Manasa picked Roy’s voice out of the crowd as he called above the ruckus. “Like we used to!”

“Roy, no!” She giggled as he took her hands and pulled back, extending both their arms out between them.

“C’mon!” he prodded with a laugh in his voice.

Elice squealed as Roy jerked to the side and started spinning. They whirled, hand in hand across the dance floor, scattering couples as they went until they crashed headlong into the trio of bards preparing in the corner. A few screams, a crash and one man sent sailing into the banquet table later, the band struck up again and a new song filled the air.

Just like we used to!” Elice collapsed into Roy arms, giggling.

He stared down at her, smiling blissfully at the sound of her laughter. “I’d say you’ve had too much,” he laughed. “But I know that’s not true.”

“Oh, you.” Elice pushed him away with a laugh. “You haven’t had any either,” she said a little more softly, with a warm smile. She turned his chin towards her and kissed him. “Thank you.”

“What?” he shrugged, but looked rather pleased with himself. “No big deal. Hey! They came!” He pointed over to Marth and Ciara, sitting at a table in the back, nearly hidden by the shadows. “See?”

“Oh, good,” Elice replied, letting out her breath softly. She took Roy’s hand. “Come on.”

She pulled him through the crowd towards her brother’s table. Marth stiffened and sat up straight as they approached.

“Hi.” Elice smiled. “You going to dance?” She jerked her head towards the dance floor.

Manasa perked up beside him.

“Not sure,” Marth replied with a tight shrug.

“Aw, Marth, come on.” Elice nudged. “You love dancing.”

“We’ll see,” he answered, picking at a pile of nuts he had on the table in front of him.

“Okay,” Elice said, unable to hide her disappointment.

Roy glanced between the pair of them as the hope faded from Ciara’s eyes and she looked back down. He hesitated a moment, then lead Elice away with his arm around her shoulder.

“Watch this,” he whispered in her ear.

“Hm?” Elice furrowed her brow. “What – ”

“Hey, Ike!” Roy called, breaking up a circle of conversation to pull Ike away.

“Yeah?” he asked, smiling at Elice as he moved over.

“Do me a favor?” Roy asked. “See that girl up with Blue?” He pointed discreetly at Marth and Ciara across the hall. “Ask her to dance?”

“Okay,” Ike replied slowly. “Why?”

“Because my brother’s being dumb,” Elice replied.

“Got it.” Ike grinned, and pushed through the crowd.

Roy and Elice watched as Ike approached Ciara. Marth’s head shot up and he stared as Ike leaned over the table, chatting for a moment before he held out his hand to her.

Ciara glanced at Marth nervously, then back up, and took Ike’s hand. Marth craned his neck forward, his mouth gaping open in horror as Ike pulled her from her seat, and escorted her to the dance floor.

“Shall we?” Roy smirked as he pulled his arms around Elice and moved to the floor.

Ike and Ciara spun by, her face beet-red, but grinning as they twirled.

“I’m a mercenary, you know.” They heard Ike coming up beside them, spinning across the floor.

“Really?” Ciara’s voice swirled past them in response.

“Three. Two. One,” Roy counted.

“May I cut in?” Marth cleared his throat loudly and tapped Ike’s shoulder.

“Jackpot.” Roy whispered, chuckling in Elice’s ear as she giggled.

“Sure.” Ike shrugged and moved away, not in time to avoid Marth bumping roughly into his shoulder as he spun away with Ciara in his arms.

Ike shot Roy a grin, then turned back to the dance floor.

“Elincia!” he called cheerily, and moved off through the crowd.

Roy chuckled, and Elice leaned her head on his shoulder as they swayed. The song ended and Elice took his hand, leading him from the floor.

“Hey, look!” Roy pointed across the room.

Link had pulled out his Ocarina and now stood with the minstrels, playing along to an upbeat tune as Zelda watched from a seat on the sidelines, clapping to the beat with a beaming smile.

“They’re cute.” Elice smiled and leaned her back against the wall with a contented smile.

“I can’t tell you how much I missed that.” Roy touched the corner of her mouth lightly. Elice’s smile twitched, and spread even wider.

“Thank you,” she whispered, playing with the short hairs at the base of his neck.

“For what?” She pulled him forward a little and he settled with his hands on her hips, his legs slightly spread on either side of hers.

“For this,” she replied. “All of this. This whole night.” She lifted her head with a gentle smile. “And for being nice,” she added, kissing him softly on the lips.

“Mm….” Roy closed his eyes, and leaned his brow against hers. “I can be nice….”

“I know you can.” Elice nuzzled her nose against his, then kissed him again.

“For you.” He tilted his chin and leaned into her lips.

“Mm,” she sighed, tugging back and forth on his collar. His lips pressed to hers and they moved together in the darkened corner, to the fading, distant sound of the music.

The last, upbeat strains of the song fell to a close, and the crowd stopped to applaud. Sweating slightly and glowing from the heat of the dance, Manasa glanced up at Marth and took his hand again.

“One more?” she asked hopefully, squeezing his warm fingers in hers.

Marth’s eyes sparked and he grinned. “Come here.” He tugged her forward.

“What?” she asked excitedly.

“Follow me.” His whole face shone as he jerked his head towards the stairwell.

“But I want to dance again!” she protested, laughing all the same as she planted her feet.

Marth turned around and took both her hands. “Trust me?” he asked, tilting his head to the side to let his long bangs fall across his eyes.

“ ‘Kay.” She giggled weakly, and flew up the stairs beside him.

***

“Up here?” Manasa called, looking down as Marth followed her up the swinging rope ladder to the crow’s nest.

“Mhmm!” He held her steady as she pulled herself up onto the platform.

“What’s up here?” she asked, glancing out over the view from all sides.

Marth pulled himself up behind her and rested his hands on her waist.

“You,” he answered. “Manasa.”

Manasa looked at him for a moment, her mind drawing it together. She looked down over the ledge at the deck, far below. They were alone – with nothing but the stars overhead and the soft sound of music wafting up from below decks.

“May I have this dance?” Marth held out his hand.

“I thought you’d never ask.” Manasa’s eyes crinkled with a smile and she placed her hand in his, letting the façade of Ciara quickly slip away. His hand closed over hers, and she craned her neck up to look into his eyes.

Marth smiled and slipped his hand over her small waist, swaying gently to the music below. Manasa closed her eyes and sighed with the wind against her face. She leaned her cheek to his stomach, and squeezed her arms around him, dancing close under the night sky.

When the last notes faded on the wind, they fell still, wrapped in each others arms in silence. Manasa breathed in tremulously against him, and looked up into his eyes.

“Marth?” She spoke, her voice quivering on her lips.

“Yes?” he asked softly, reaching down to brush her hair behind her ear.

She closed her eyes and sighed, “Why?”

“Why, what?” he asked, watching her closely.

“It’s been nineteen days,” she swallowed, and her voice fell to less than a whisper. “Why won’t you kiss me?”

Marth stared down at her, and his breath tightened in his chest. His finger grazed the dark skin of her cheek and she closed her eyes, breathless with anticipation.

But his arms loosened and he stepped back with a shuddering sigh.

“I’m sorry, I – ” He stepped away, gripping his hands on the railing, staring out over the distant, moon-lit waves.

“What?” Manasa lifted herself up onto the railing beside him, her legs dangling down over the platform.

Marth looked at her, then back down at the extensive drop to the deck below, and moved towards her. He put his hands on her waist and held her steady as he went silent with thought.

“I shouldn’t have kissed you like that,” he said finally, looking into her eyes.

Manasa’s brow furrowed and her stomach knotted. “W-why?”

“Because,” he rushed. “I didn’t know it was you. I still can’t believe you aren’t furious at me for it.” He stopped, pleading with his eyes beneath his tightly knit brow. “It wasn’t right for me to have kissed you like that, then.”

“Oh,” she said softly, looking down.

“These last nineteen days have been…” he paused, then smiled. “The most amazing of my life.”

He touched her cheek again, stroking her rich, beautiful skin with his thumb as he let out a quivering breath.

“I just wanted to show you that that’s not why I’m here. That’s not why I spend time with you, or love being around you. That’s not why, no matter what’s going on, I see your face and the whole world glows brighter around me.”

Marth held his breath, leaning down closer to her with every beat of his heart.

“I shouldn’t have done that to you,” he said softly. “And I’m sorry.”

“Marth, don’t,” she pleaded, searching his eyes as he drew closer.

He stopped, inches from her and she closed her eyes, feeling his warm breath on her face.

“I’m sorry,” he said again.

Marth started to pull back, but her hands reached up for his face, holding him still.

“Don’t,” she whispered, searching his eyes. “Don’t apologize for the best moment of my life.”

Her fingers stroked the sides of his face, slowly drawing him in. Marth exhaled deeply against her and her heart leapt with joy as his lips closed softly over hers. She drank it in, savoring the long-lost taste before he pulled gently back.

“Mana,” he sighed, leaning in again with greater need.

Her hands clenched around his jaw, then slid back, wrapping her arms fully around his neck. His own arms closed around her waist and he bent over her, straining to be close as she clutched him to her, burying her hands in the depths of his hair.

Their lips wound together in quiet unison, melding into each others every touch. Manasa sighed against his lips, then pulled him ever closer, drawing in the tender affection of his every kiss as he held her, up, above the world, sailing under the moonlight.




*****
*Among the Ashes*

Author: *CallistoHime
Editor and Jr. Developer: *WishIWould

So many things! First off Cammie PWNS! I love her from RP! She's such a sweetie X3 and if you want more info on who KRANTZ is ~~> [link] Good Ol' world of Diem! We have ~Savvy23 to thank for that character XD~

It's so interesting to think of Elice back home, like we've never really seen here @_@ She's head of the castle healing hall and PWNS!

Speaking of PWNING... I'm so proud of her ;_;<3333 She really came out of this a better person - the kind of person she always had in her but was too childish and selfish to let out >.o

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY LICEY! X3 She wins! :heart:

Sadly... Roy does NOT atm -.-*** C'mon, Bucko....

ZELINK! X3 knitting disasters XD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This were based on real life events, cuz I tried to learn knitting once and all I could make were triangles >.> It happens, people! :omfg: Zelda chucking the needle XD AND Link telling her adventure stories like when they were little! GEEHEE!!!!!!!! They be so CUTE!

Triforce jammies for bebe :love:

What else, what else - IKE!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, disclaimer. I KNOW I slaughtered him XD~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And I don't care. <.< I've never played his game but I've watched my brother play enough to know that what I wrote is a travesty LOLOLOL The only other thing I had to go off of was this ~~> [link] So don't blame me :rofl:

The Elroy dance! ~~> :iconspinplz:

Enough of that madness, send your letters of complaint elsewhere XD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And MAAAAAAAAAAAARNASA! Man, they been waiting to kiss each other again for 8 chapters @_____________@ dag, yo. Oh, they so sweet :heart:

AND he called her MANA on PURPOSE! NICKNAME OF LUUUUUUURVE!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUGGHHHHHHHHHH *fizzle*

I think I'm done =3
© 2009 - 2024 CallistoHime
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BlackAlbatross1's avatar
Did I say Zelda cry too many times?
Seriously, I couldn't believe that.