This is from Lucina's point of view. I hope it's enjoyable. If you like it, please R&R. I have another chapter waiting, but I'm not sure if I should post it, so I'm just going to wait to see how many views and stuff. Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, but I do own this story.
"There," I said cheerfully, giving the princess a gentle pat on her soft brown hair. "You look lovely."
The light blue eyes that stared back at me through the mirror looked troubled. "I don't think that's good enough. From what I've heard, the prince of Yuria is... The most handsome man in the land!"
"Then you should be happy you are going to be his wife," I answered, nodding in satisfaction at her reflection. Being cheerful was an attempt to alleviate her fears. I had a few of my own.
I didn't want Princess Zelda, my lady, to be unhappy in Yuri. And I knew that bordering country was rather different in culture from Gania. Much more refined, but also somewhat... Rough. It seemed an odd sort of country from what I had heard; backwards and intimidating. And if the meeting with Prince Marth worked out, both of us would be staying there for... The rest of our lives.
"I don't think I want to get married." Zelda's pitiful voice broke into my thoughts and I patted her shoulder, putting on my best smile.
"You're twenty one. You'd better get married now or you'll become an old maid like me."
"Lucina!" she ejaculated. "You are only a year older than I."
"I should have been married years ago," I parried, skipping over to her trunk to close it, glad how adeptly I had avoided the fact that whether Zelda wished it or not, she was getting married to the Prince of Yuria if all went well. Luigi, the now reigning king since the death of Mario, his brother; Zelda's father, had willed it, tribute to the dying 'Red King's' wish. He was usually weak minded, I knew, but in this alone he had been firm and unyielding.
"I don't know why you're getting all prissily dressed," came the familiar voice of Zelda's older sister, Peach.
The beautiful blonde swept into the room, her pink silk dress rustling across the floor.
"What's it to you, lucky!" Snapped Zelda, tapping her crown gently with her silk gloved fingers. Her eyes flashed at her sister as she watched her sit with a gentle thump on her bed.
"You know your hair will be frizzy and your dress wrinkled and sweaty by the time you arrive there," continued Peach, giggling haughtily.
"Spoiled," snapped Zelda. "You just be grateful you were papa's favorite and the oldest. Ugh! Lucina, help me with this crown."
I shot up from my seat on the trunk and dashed forward to gently adjust the golden headpiece with my quick delicate fingers. "There you are," I said sweetly.
"Princess Zelda!"
We all turned at the hard, deep voice of her bodyguard. Snake was the second best equipped guard in all of Gania. Captain Falcon was the lead palace guard and Peach's personal bodyguard. Both were very unpleasant men, as I had come to realize all guards were. Yet I knew Snake had a soft spot for his young brother, Lucas, the sweetest of boys and one who constantly caused trouble with Peach, always too sensitive. This had brought up many a conflict between Falcon, who guarded Peach, and Snake, who guarded his brother as well as Zelda.
"Yes, Snake? Please!" Begged Zelda. "I need a few more minutes."
"We're late as it is," was his gruff answer. His steely eyes swept the room and I was amazed at how often he always searched for danger, even in one of the safest places in the castle, Princess Zelda's very own room.
"Would you carry the trunk, please, Snake?" I asked, nodding to it with my head and raising a questioning eyebrow.
He glanced at me, nodded curtly, and hefted the trunk up onto his broad back. I smiled as he left the room and turned to Zelda. "Well, now, princess. I'll grab a few hot rolls to eat on the way, and we shall go."
Two hours later we were bumping through one of the many forests in Yuria, Zelda's head leaned against the sides of the golden coach, her eyes closed gently as she slept, her lips slightly parted. How could she think she was not good enough for Prince Marth? True, I had never seen him, but Zelda was the prettiest creature I knew.
Her hair, such a light walnut brown, was so shiny and soft. Her skin was baby smooth and almost an ivory, something very fashionable in Gania. Her nose and mouth were so small and perfect, and her large eyes would twinkle and shine, flash and storm, but were always so beautiful and blue.
Peach was considered 'the fairest of them all' in Gania, but my honest opinion, something I never hesitated to share with Zelda, was that it was the younger princess who should have borne that title of sorts. She would always laugh, that delicate laugh of hers, and say I flattered her too much, but I had always noticed it seemed to brighten her mood.
Snake sat across from us, arms folded tightly across his chest, muscles bulging. His strong bearded jaw was all that was visible of his face; his head hanging down as he dozed.
I smiled suddenly, remembering when he had first arrived at the castle as a bodyguard for the royal family and Zelda's fearful murmur that he was scary. I had agreed until the next day, when I had caught sight of him scooping up the little blonde haired boy, Lucas, and swinging him onto his shoulders, laughing as if he were the happiest of men. He was still a mystery, but my former fears had instantly been alleviated.
There was a jolt as the wheels bumped over some sort of obstacle and suddenly the former rumbling of wheels on gravel gave way to the bump and rattle of wood rolling underneath the royal carriage. I sat bolt upright at the same time as Snake.
Then his body relaxed and his lids returned to half open. "We're on the drawbridge."
"We're almost there?" I exclaimed, trying to keep the squeal of excitement from my voice.
His eyes flicked over to Zelda, who straightened, rubbing her eyes and stifling a yawn. "Tell me we're not in Yuri yet."
"We're at the castle itself," I answered, patting her arm. "Don't worry. You look lovely."
"Liar!" She exclaimed, horrified. "I've been sleeping, which means I have puffy eyes and my dress is wrinkled and sweaty as Peach said it would be! And my hair is slightly frizzy as well!"
I saw Snake give a quick smirk out of the corner of my eye and tossed him a disapproving glance in return, giving Zelda a comforting hug. "You can't see yourself. Besides, I'm sure when the carriage stops we'll have time to freshen up before you actually meet your future husband."
"Don't say those words," answered Zelda.
I glanced at Snake again and saw he was staring seriously at me and slightly shook his head. I quirked a questioning eyebrow and he glanced sideways as the carriage slowly rolled to a stop.
Zelda's hands clutched my arm and I gave her a reassuring squeeze as the door opened.
Snake leapt, almost slipped out, first and stood ramrod straight just outside the door, whole body braced to react to anything that might occur.
I took a deep breath, pried my arm from Zelda's fingers, and stepped out into the sunlight.
I squinted, blinded by the bright sun. From the faint sounds of birds and shuffling feet I decided that there were not that many people present. My eyes adjusted just as Zelda stepped down from the carriage, her legs slightly wobbling on the cobblestones. Her eyebrows were finely arched and her lips were firm. I was proud at how she had transformed into a cool and composed royal princess in one moment.
I gave her a quick smile that she did not return. There was an awkward moment of silence as we stood there, waiting for something to happen. I glanced around briefly, noticing how nice the courtyard was, and how few people there were present, only nobles and a knight or so, it seemed.
A door at the far end opened, slamming back against the wall with a crash that caused my to jump. Zelda flinched, but remained frozen in place, although her eyes actively watched for the first person to step out of the door.
It was the prince himself. I was sure of it. His beauty, per se, took my breath away. All the rumors had been true.
Shiny dark blue hair spilled over his forehead and in front of his ears, a bright gold crown, resting like a head band of sorts atop his head. His clothing accentuated his thin waist and his perfect bodily proportions. His cape, a royal blue on the outside and a deep reddish gray within, billowed slightly in a sudden breeze.
He spotted us and started forward with a quick steady stride. As he neared I saw that his face matched his perfect body, smooth and almost boyish, but with a strong chin, gently curved nose, and piercing eyes. He would be a dream for any girl.
Yet I noticed one aspect with a tinge of foreboding. His chin was held slightly higher than need be and his eyes were not warm or even friendly. They were cool and calculating, similar to a shrewd buyer looking over something he prepares to purchase. With Zelda's sweet and normally unassuming character, she would not do well with a proud and haughty prince.
"Greetings to you, Princess Zelda of Gania." Marth's voice was perfectly toned to match is looks, deep enough for a man, but with not a hint of scratchiness or a stutter.
His swept a deep bow and straightened, watching coolly as she returned his formality with her own curtsy.
"Greetings Prince Marth of Yuria."
"Your journey was pleasant I hope?"
I ceased to listen to the troublesome formalities I knew Zelda hated and suddenly realized Snake looked tense. His knees and elbows were slightly bent, showing he was somehow preparing himself for any required action.
I followed his gaze to a man who stood behind and to the right of Marth. He was taller than the prince by a full six inches and his muscles were even larger than Snake's, all to clearly shown by his lack of sleeves. His eyes were just barely visible in the shadows his glaring brows cast on them. His hair was... Purple.
My own hair was a blue slightly lighter than Marth's, but, though I knew there were those with even pink hair, I had never seen someone with purple hair. Least of all a man as intimidating as this one. He seemed to be the bodyguard of Prince Marth and my eyes swept down to see the huge doubled handled sword he held in his right hand. It was unsheathed and glinting dangerously in the sun. No wonder Snake was tensed.
He stepped forward, placing a hand heavily on Zelda's shoulder. "The princess is tired, sir. Permit us to be led to our rooms."
Marth's eyes tossed Snake a glance saying he was a mere bodyguard and could not order him around. "What does the princess say?"
"It would please me well to be able to rest." Her voice was stiff and void of any fear or giddiness; emotion of any kind.
"Very well. I will personally show you your quarters."
I knew Zelda did not want the prince to show us our quarters, she wanted to be left alone. I heartily agreed with that unspoken thought.
The prince led the way, cape rustling softly as he walked, feet making a soft padding noise as they touched the ground with each step. He said nothing. Zelda followed directly behind him, hands clenched into fists at her sides, her gait unnaturally stiff, causing her shoes to make a crunching sound on the stones.
Snake walked beside her, hands open and ready to pull his daggers out and attack any threat, and I followed them, hands clasped together, trying to ignore the fact that Marth's giant of a bodyguard was walking directly behind me, his heavy boots making a terrifying crunching sound as they hit the ground with thuds. If I knew anything about bodyguards, which I did, this man was probably just as tense as Snake, ready to attack anyone that threatened his prince. And I felt ill at ease knowing his eyes were probably watching Snake. One faulty move by Zelda's guard that seemed slightly threatening and he might be dead or seriously wounded.
"Lucina," said Zelda, her voice floating over to me from her huge bed.
"Yes?" I answered, slightly groggy. I opened my eyes, but it was too dark to see anything.
"Can you light a candle?"
I complied, bringing the flame over to her and sitting at the foot of her bed, cocking my head. "What are your thoughts on Marth?"
Zelda swallowed. "He's handsome."
"Yes. Almost as handsome as you are pretty."
"I suppose I don't know him well enough to say he's... But really, Luci, I don't need to know him at all to see that he's proud! His haughtiness shines forth from his eyes, superiority emanating from every way he holds himself, how he talks and stands and... Oh, Luci, I can't abide that!" She was desperate and her voice was choked now.
"Zelda, please," I soothed, scooting over to pat her back. "It's not all that bad."
"It is, Lucina. And you know it as well as I do."
"Remember how you said Snake was scary in the beginning. And now you know that he is actually a wonderful protector."
"Snake is still scary," argued Zelda. "That frightening appearance is just well suited for his occupation. Prince Marth's spoiled pride is not a good... Anything, for being a husband or father."
"Zelda, look at his good traits," I insisted, deciding not to lead her back to Snake and explain he was actually rather nice. After all,the bodyguard himself was somewhere in the room, probably listening to our conversation.
"I haven't seen any," she answered, folding her arms.
"You've seen him once," I retorted
"Are you so anxious to see me married to him? Or have you only resigned yourself to our fate?"
The look of betrayal in her eyes was hard to see and I shook my head, blue whisks of hair blowing across my face. I wiped them away.
"I'd never betray you, Zelda," I insisted, pleading with her to believe me. "I want to help you out of a bad situation if I can, but I think you should slow down in your judgments and... Try to resign yourself. To be quite frank, there's not that much you can do about it unless Marth falls in love with someone else and chooses not to marry you."
I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. Zelda's eyes had lit up with flames of mischief that never usually meant something good. "Oh, Luci, I've got it! I'll write a letter. To Peach. And I'll give her glowing accounts of Marth's handsomeness and how great it is here, and then she'll get jealous and come and she's so pretty and almost just like Marth in actions, I'm sure he'll fall for her and I'll be saved!" The last word was a crow of triumph and she gave a giggled of glee as she leapt from beneath the covers to twirl around in her white nightgown.
"Hooray!"
I had to laugh as well as I pictured Marth, nose in the air, holding Peach's hand in his, as they stood before the alter and were declared man and wife. But I grew sober a moment after. "Zelda, princess, dear, opposites are usually what attract."
Zelda's mirth could not be quelled. "Oh, I'm sure there are exceptions. Especially among royalty." She chuckled to herself as she bowed before me, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, my fair princess! You look lovely! Please, I ask you to be my wife and do not refuse me this honor!"
I giggled and put my nose in the air. "Not on your life, fair prince!"
Zelda collapsed on the floor in a gale of laughter at the tone of my voice. She rolled over on her back to stare up at me in rapture. "Oh, Lucina, I'm so glad we have a plan." She stood and took both my hands in hers, looking into my eyes with forced seriousness. "Now I know you don't think my plan will work, but you have to agree to help me craft my letters and don't reveal anything. All right?"
"You have my word," I answered, smirking. "Now get in bed, please. I'm going to blow out the light."
So there is the first chapter. If you like it and want more, please R&R. Thanks!
