A/N: MarMarBinks has arrived :DD yeah, sorry it took so long; I've been kinda stressed and sick lately. Soooooo, I iz back and healthy and hyper as ever! ...I'm going to shut up now...

Disclaimer: If I owned Ike&Marth, there would be some...changes *evil, creeper grin* - Oh my gosh, TaimingThyDragon, DO YOU SEE WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME? ...it's okay, though :)

Ship: The wonderful bluenettes

A gentle knocking on his door broke Ike from his brooding thoughts. Turning, he saw Hoshi, a young worker in the castle. Bowing respectively - how he hated that gesture - her feeble voice somehow found it's way through her usually shut mouth. "Master Ike, breakfast is ready." He nodded curtly and she exited his room. Casting one last glance at the rising sun, Ike turned from the scenery and left his spacious quarters.

As the bluenette swept down the wide wooden staircase, he looked at the royal tapestries hanging from the walls. If a stranger entered the castle, he would have not been aware that such a hell was raging through the kingdom. The queen insisted that they keep the castle presentable, though it made no sense to Ike. Hardly anyone ever saw the insides of the castle besides the royal family and, of course, the workers, though if they said a negative word it could mean death; times were harsh. As the royal child entered the elegant dining room, he was met by his mother's sweetly flowing voice, "Ah, Prince Ike. I'm glad you could join us." Though he hated to do things traditionally, he didn't feel like being reprimanded by father, so he dipped his head slightly and responded, "Good morning, Mother. I hope you slept well." She smiled and said, "Quite well, dear." Not replying, he took his seat in the middle of the insanely long table while his parents watched him from either end. Ike didn't understand why they had to be so far apart. Nothing in the royal system made sense to him.

As the waiters began to bring in breakfast - warm ham with eggs, toast, biscuits, and green herbal tea - the king called down to his wife. "Anastas, darling, how are you enjoying the mare I retrieved for you? How does she ride?"

"Oh, Sadon, she is magnificent! A beauty, she is! Rides as smoothly as Gypsy used to, if not more, bless her buried soul."

"Have you decided what you would like to name her?"

"After much thought and elimination, yes. Morningstar is what I'll call her for she is as white as any star I've ever seen."

"Wonderful, my love. I'm glad you like her."

As the family silenced their talk so that they could delicately place small portions of food in their mouths (another thing Ike didn't understand. Why couldn't they just stuff it?), the prince looked at his father. His blue hair was longer than his son's, flopping across his forehead. His faded gray eyes showed no emotion, no indication that he even had emotions. He was tall, muscular, and handsome. Ike had to be stupid not to know that many women were willing to marry him, if not for his status, for his body and looks. The young man then turned his piercing blue eyes to his mother. She was quite the opposite of her husband. She was shorter than both her husband and son, coming only to the king's chest and prince's neck. Her long blonde hair was normally in a tight bun, keeping it out of her eyes. Her eyes were blue, though not as piercing or ocean-y as Ike's. Those blue orbs were like the portal to her soul, showing everything against her will. The queen was normally bubbly and cheery, completely opposite of her husband. Ike would always wonder how they had gotten together, but they seemed to be happy, so he was content. Love meant a lot to him and if his parents didn't love each other, he didn't know if he'd be sane.

Right as Ike placed a forkful of eggs into his mouth, King Sadon addressed him, "Prince Ike, Zelda will be coming by later. I suggest you take her down by the lake, spend some time with her. I would think a man would like to know his bride before he married her."

The prince could have groaned out of complete resentment to the idea, but, swallowing his remorse, he nodded. "Yes, father."

Standing from the table, the king wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I will be in my library. Try not to disturb me unless necessary."

"Of course, my love."

"Yes, father."

Kissing his now standing wife, King Sadon left the dining room. Smiling sweetly at her son, Queen Anastas asked, "Are you finished with your food, Ike? Would you like me to call in the waiters?"

"Almost, actually." Placing a piece of ham into his mouth, chewing and swallowing, Ike stood. "I'm finished now, Mother." Waving her hand, she ushered the two servants standing by the door. Instantly getting to work, they piled the dishes on top of each other before rushing them into the kitchen to be cleaned. As mother and son turned toward the door, a young woman clad in maiden clothing rushed into the room. "My Queen, your sister and nephew have arrived in the main hall."

"Peach and Pit? Oh dear, I completely forgot that they were arriving today!" Turning hurriedly toward her son, her worried eyes looked down at her outfit. "Do I look presentable, my son?" Ike's eyes observed her satin blue dress embedded with white beads along the seams. A white cloth was wrapped around her waist, making her bosom bust out. Her eyes were really brought out by the color of her dress. "You look dashing, Mother." Smiling pleasantly, the queen kissed her son's cheek briefly before rushing towards the main hall, maid trailing behind.

Ike looked after her for a moment before walking throughout the castle expertly and exiting out one of the side doors. Walking across the short expanse of grass, he entered the stable. The smell of horses instantly hit him, but it was a comforting smell. As he traipsed down the long aisle, past many resting war horses, he stopped in front of a stall and looked up at a familiar face. A soft nicker escaped from the stallion in front of him. The dappled gray body twitched with pleasure when Ike brushed his hands along it's back after entering the stall. "How ya doin', Shadowsmear?" Ike murmured lovingly. The horse twisted his head around to look at his owner, his gray eyes begging for but one thing. The prince chuckled lightly. "Alright, alright," pulling the hidden apple from his pocket, Ike held it out for his companion to munch on. With his other hand, he rubbed his horse's forehead, tracing it's white blaze.

The bluenette spent quite a time in the stall, just like he normally did. Horses had always been his only friends having grown up in a spacious castle with no siblings. He had come to understand them considerably, practically knowing their language. He could tell how one was feeling by the way it held it's body and what they wanted by a simple look in their eyes. He had deciphered their tone and could understand one's urgency or ease just by the way it sounded. Hell, he could be a horse himself.

As he leaned against his best friend's shoulder, twirling Shadowsmear's hair absentmindedly with his fingers, a male servant rushed into the stable. "Your highness, Lady Zelda has arrived." Sighing, Ike straightened his posture and turned towards the man. "Thank you." Giving his horse a farewell pat, he exited the stable and followed the servant up to the main entrance to the castle where her carriage was waiting.

Watching Zelda exit her wooden escort, he found her beauty almost revolting now that he knew what was on the inside. Taking a deep breath, he dismissed his accompanist and prepared himself for the agonizing experiences ahead.

A/N: Well, that took forever! Well, I hope you liked it, soooooooooo

REVIEW OR I WILL MAKE IKE TALK TO THE HORSES AND MAKE THEM EAT YOU ALIVE!...love you?