Math
Author's note: This is a story that my sister (2BangsAndAKick) and I worked on. I don't own Zelda or Fire Emblem, Nintendo does. Enjoy :) PS: Don't be mad if you like Marth and hate Ilia.
Chapter 1- Link's Cousin
"Let's see...pour the mixture in and stir it the 'sum of three and two' times," Ilia read. In one hand was a wooden bowl of rubbery dough and in the other was a mathematical cookbook. "The number that's the sum of three and two....sum means minus...." she did some calculated before she concluded, "twenty-three! And really fast I see," she commented, reading the book. "Okay, here I go!" she exclaimed. She started vigorously spinning the wooden spoon around in the bowl, sending the rubber dough flying haphazardly, covering the kitchen. Ilia stepped back to admire her work. "Link will love his birthday cake!"
"No he won't," a voice remarked. Ilia looked out the window, only to find herself facing a dashing young man with dark blue hair.
"Huh?" Ilia asked stupidly.
"I said," the man repeated, leaning in closer, "Link won't like his birthday cake."
Ilia blinked. The young man was so distractingly handsome it literally took her six seconds to realize what he had said. "WHY NOT!?" she fumed.
"Because he doesn't like you," the man replied.
"How do you know?!" Ilia exclaimed, stomping her bare foot.
"Cause he's my cousin," he answered simply.
"C-c-cousin?" Ilia stuttered. Nervously wringing her hands together she said, "I didn't know Link had a cousin."
"Why shouldn't he?" the young man asked, casually resting a gloved arm on the windowsill.
"No reason," Ilia realized thoughtfully. "But still! You have no right to say that my Link won't like my birthday cake! I'm the only one giving him a present!" she declared proudly.
"Well, if you don't mind," the man said, looking amused, "I'd like to give him one too."
Ilia looked defeated. She was so sure that being the only person thoughtful enough to remember Link's birthday would have scored major points with him, but this stranger was too special to refuse... "No, I don't mind," she muttered.
"Don't look sad," the young man comforted. He lifted up Ilia's chin with a bandaged hand, surprising her a little. "Link's not the guy for you."
Ilia stared into the stranger's eyes. His hand under her chin, his heartwarming smile, his caring eyes - everything about him felt so... right. "Maybe he's right..." Ilia thought. "Maybe Link's not the man for me... Maybe this guy is-"
"Ilia! I'm home!" Her father's voice interrupted the romantic moment. The young man quickly withdrew his hand and looked somewhat ashamed.
"Sorry," he apologized. He started to leave.
"Wait!" Ilia called frantically, sticking her head out the window. She couldn't just let the stranger disappear. "Sorry for what? And don't leave!"
The young man turned around and smiled at her. "She's so kind..." he thought. "I'm sorry for touching you," he explained.
"Oh, that," Ilia said, dismissing it with a wave of her hand. "It's fine. I mean, it was just my chin..."
"Ilia, who are you talking to?" Mayor Bo asked, walking up to the window.
"I don't know!" Ilia replied honestly.
The young man smiled. "She's funny too..." he thought.
"How is that possible?" Bo asked as he came in sight. When he saw the stranger he was little bit surprised.
"It's my fault, good sir," the young man said, stepping closer. "I forgot to introduce myself to your lovely daughter here." Ilia blushed. "My name is Marth," the stranger finished.
"Marth," Ilia repeated dreamily. Then she remembered something. "Oh! My name is Ilia! And this is my father, Bo. He's the mayor."
"Pleasure to meet you both," Marth said, shaking the mayor's hand.
"How much money do you make, boy?" Bo asked suddenly.
Marth was surprised by the question. So was Ilia.
"Daddy!" Ilia complained. Turning to Marth she apologized, "I'm sorry about my father."
"No; it's fine," Marth replied, smiling. Then, addressing Bo he said, "I'm not currently making any money but I have-" he chose his words carefully, "-some left."
"How much is some?" Bo asked.
Ilia had had enough. "DADDY!" she scolded, "Stop being so nosey! Money's not important!"
"Yes, you're right," Bo chuckled, patting Ilia's head. Turning to Marth he said, "Please accept my apologies."
"Apology accepted," Marth said, bowing out of sincerity. He glanced at the afternoon sky. "Oh," he realized, "I must be on my way. My cousin is expecting me."
"His cousin?" Bo asked Ilia.
"Link," Ilia explained. Addressing Marth she asked, "Are you staying with him?"
"Yes; for a few weeks," Marth replied.
Ilia was gladdened to hear this. "Great!" she exclaimed. "Maybe I can cook you some cookies or something while you're here!"
Marth's mind immediately wandered back to Ilia's cooking conversation he had overheard, but, instead of declining he laughed fondly. "I'd like that," he said sincerely.
"No, you wou-" Bo started to object, but Ilia covered his mouth.
"Great!" Ilia told Marth quickly. "I'll have them ready for you tomorrow morning! See you then?" She looked hopeful.
Marth smiled kindly. "See you then," he confirmed. He gently took Ilia's free hand and kissed it. With that, he walked away.
Ilia sighed dreamily.
"Link gets more money than him," Bo remarked. That shook Ilia out of dream land. "You should still go after him."
"Daddy, I never said I liked Marth," Ilia stated. "But how can you be so sure Link has more money? Link doesn't even have a job! Just that wealthy Zelda friend..." she muttered the last part.
"I'm sorry," Bo apologized. "I just want you to be happy."
"I'd be happy with the poorest man on earth if he was the one for me," Ilia explained.
"That's my girl," Bo said, patting Ilia on the back. Sitting down at the dinner table he asked, "So are you finally over Link?"
"I don't know," Ilia replied truthfully. She returned to her cooking. "I've been chasing Link for so long... but Marth... Marth is different than any man I've ever met..."
"Yeah, he actually might like you," Bo snickered.
"What was that, Sofee?" Ilia asked, hands on her hips.
"Sofee?" Bo asked, laughing.
"Oh, never mind," Ilia said, dismissing it with a wave of her spoon.
"So, Daddy, who brought us dinner today?" Ilia inquired, her stomach growling.
Bo chuckled. "Brought? What do you mean brought? I cooked!" He struck a pose with a wooden spoon.
"Oh, no!" Ilia groaned. Her father took the large pot from the stove and set in on the table.
"Dig in!" Bo exclaimed merrily.
Ilia peered into the pot. Inside was chunky green liquid that was blooping. She had to think quickly. "Wait!"
Bo looked surprised. "Huh?"
"We....we can't have this meal without cornbread!" she came up with.
The mayor slapped his forehead. "Of course! How could I be so foolish?"
"Well, you go make some while I....go play outside!" With that, Ilia raced out the door into the village.
"Hey Ilia!" a voice called out, stopping the bum dead in her nutty tracks.
"Front and center, Colin!" Ilia replied bossily. The boy quickly complied.
Saluting, he stated, "Private Colin, reporting for duty, ma'am!"
"At ease," Ilia dismissed. "What brings you here?"
"I just wanted to know if you knew about Link's cousin," Colin explained.
Ilia started to sweat. "Um...why would you wanna know about Marthypoo-I MEAN MARTH!" she asked nervously.
"Marth? Is that his name?" Colin inquired. "Cool."
"Isn't it, though?" Ilia asked dreamily.
"Huh?" Colin was confused. "I thought you said that 'Link' was the coolest name..."
"I did?" Ilia asked regretfully. "Well I was... um... drunk!"
Colin gasped, looking appalled. "Ilia! You don't drink! Do you?"
"Of course not!" Ilia replied. "But something made me crazy enough to say that Link's name is cool! I think I might be allergic to corn..."
"Then why did you tell your father to make corn bread?" Colin inquired.
"You heard me? And ACK! I can't eat that cornbread!" Ilia exclaimed in horror. "If I do, I'll go crazy again and I might be mean to Marth!"
"I think you're crazy already..." Colin muttered and he walked away.
"Great. Now what?" Ilia said to herself. "Maybe...hmm..."suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, only to see Marth standing there.
"Hi again, Ilia," he said.
"ACK! MARTH! How long were you standing there?" Ilia asked nervously.
"Oh, only for a second. Why?" Marth asked.
"No reason!" Ilia fibbed. "So... um... how's Link's house doing for you?"
"It's fine. Not outstanding, but I've stayed in worse," Marth replied.
Ilia chuckled. "Yeah, it is pretty plain," she remarked. "By the way, where is Link?" Ilia didn't want to see Link; she just wanted to make conversation with the dashing man.
"Oh, he went to visit Hyrule Castle again. But he'll be back tomorrow. Think you can wait that long?" he asked chuckling.
"What do you mean?" Ilia asked, getting somewhat angry. But never before had she been this fired up to deny that she liked Link. "He's just my friend."
"Right," Marth acknowledged, bowing politely. "Well I was just heading to the ranch to pick up my horse."
"Can I come with you?" Ilia asked eagerly. "I-I mean...to show you the ropes! You know, like a tour..."
Marth smiled. "I'd like that." So he and Ilia went off into the sunset...