( How about a little love, a little fighting, and a little suspense? )
We'll Meet Again
Chapter 7: We Won't Make It, Will We?
Silence. Ike couldn't stand the silence. When the two of them left Melior through the secret exit, they had both been completely silent. Marth was brooding over the questions that were constantly forming, one after another. Ike just didn't know what to say, he simply kept his eyes on the road that would eventually take them to Delbray. No doubt Lucia had taken a horse but no such luxury was available to them, they would have to walk and it would take at least a full days walk to reach there, if not more. With the sun setting fast, that would mean walking all day tomorrow and they still might not reach it until the morning.
"I'm sorry I got you caught up in all this," Marth started to speak, breaking the silence, as he came to a sudden and unexpected stop. "I just.. If I had know all this would have happened I wouldn't have come now. I would have come later.. Or not at all." Sighing, he looked down to the floor, studying his boots with feigned interest.
"Marth.." Ike stopped and turned around, taking a few steps back to return to him. "It's fine, really.. This would have happened if you came or not.. Just something else would have been the cause." Ike tried to smile, but it came out weak and tired, no doubt the day had gotten the better of him. Reaching out, he put a hand on Marth's shoulder and gave him a little shake to get him to look up. "And hey.. I'm glad you decided to come. So don't even say that."
Marth looked up and returned the weak smile when he heard his words. Silence overcame them for a moment until the Prince tried to stifle a yawn and failed miserably. Ike gave a good, albeit soft, laugh and pushed his hand around the back of Marth's shoulder and pushed him forward in a guiding motion. "All right, I'd say it's about time we rest anyway. There's a little village just ahead.. We can stay at the inn for the night."
"Oh, a real bed? What a treat." Ike laughed even louder as hey walked into town and Marth was caught up in the charm of it all. Ike seemed to know right where to go and wasted no time getting the two of them there for a warm meal and a couple of beds. Heading inside, the in keeper seemed to recognize him right away. Flustered, she instantly got up from the fireplace she was lighting to great him while she attempted to pat the ash from her clothes with little luck. "Lord Ike, oh my, it's an honor sir! What can I do for you?"
"Just Ike, please." He smiled, though you could only slightly tell that he felt annoyed by such formality and reference to his formal title. But he did his best to hide it well and Marth had to give him credit for it. Silently he waited behind him, almost not used to being forgotten in the background. "And my friend and I would like a hot meal and some beds for the night."
"Of course, of course! Head on into the kitchen, dears, there should be something ready in a minute. I'll go and get you a nice room ready." Motioning the way to the kitchen she headed off up the stairs to make sure their room would be fit for Ike. Marth gave a small stifled laugh before following him into the kitchen for a meal.
It didn't take long for the kitchen to produce two bowls of hot stew for them both and again Ike ate quickly with Marth taking a slightly slower pace. They didn't talk much, for fear someone would catch wind of who Marth was. Once done the two retired to their room with the inn keeper leading them there. Once inside, Ike gave a loud sigh and fell face first onto one of the two matching beds, not even bothering to remove anything.
"And here I was the one yawning!" Marth approached the second bed and removed his sword from his side and rest it against the night stand. Sitting down next, he slipped off his boots and placed the crown on the nightstand. Satisfied he relaxed back and laid down nicely, compared to the mess Ike was still. Finally, though, he got up and took off his sword, armor, and boots as well and mimicked Marth and laid down nice as well.
"We should get some sleep.." Ike finally spoke after a few minutes. When he got no response he rolled onto his side, facing Marth, and smiled when he noticed that he had already fallen asleep. Nestling his head further into the pillow he closed his eyes as well, trying to fall asleep. "Good night, Marth."
Ike opened his eyes and looked around, his head hurting for some reason. Pulling a hand up he inadvertently woke up Marth who had been sleeping in a chair next to his bed and resting his head on the side of the bed next to where his arm had been. Marth shot up and smiled to him, Ike completely confused as to what was going on. "Ike, you're all right! Captain Falcon hit you when you weren't looking, you took such a bad fall, you wouldn't wake up.. Dr. Mario said you should be all right but I was still so worried!"
Marth smiled and leapt forward, pushing the chair away from the bed and hugging Ike as tight as he could. He buried his face into his shoulder and almost started to cry before Ike brought his hand down from his head and wrapped it around him, pulling him in closer. "Yeah.. Yes, I'm fine. Please don't cry."
Marth finally pulled away a little and smiled, his tears staying just at the edges of his eyes. Reaching up, Ike gently brushed them away and smiled when no new ones formed in their place. Leaning down, Marth gently kissed Ike and tried his best to cuddle up next to him, resting into one of Ike's arms and placing his head on the area between his chest and shoulder. "I'll be more careful next time, Ike, I promise."
"You'd better, my head is killing me."
Ike snapped awake and looked around the room, unsure of what was going on. Rolling back onto his side he saw Marth still asleep in his bed and he slowly laid back down and let his heart begin to calm down. What a dream! It had been so real that he could have sworn he had felt Marth's lips upon his own. Bringing a hand up his gently touched his bottom lip, tracing his fingers over it as he thought about his recent dreams.. He had tried hard not to let them affect how he acted around Marth but if they kept up it would become harder and eventually impossible.
Sitting up, he once again faced Marth's bed and he watched him as he slept. The morning sun was just starting to filter through the curtains and blanket him in a soft glow. Ike was practically mesmerized by the Altean. His desperate desire to protect him without any need for repayment, these dreams, everything was drawing him to him with no explanation why. Taking a deep breath he tried to clear his mind to no avail, the blue haired noble simply wouldn't leave his mind.
"What am I going to do?" He whispered to himself, secretly hoping there would be an answer. But all he received was Marth starting to toss and turn and begin to wake. Averting his gaze he stood up and once again began to get ready to go. "Morning sleepy head."
"Did I over sleep again..?" Marth yawned and propped himself up on his side with one arm. When Ike shook his head as he strapped on the armor to his boots Marth smiled and slowly began to slide out of bed himself and get ready for the day. Taking longer then usual, his hair just not agreeing with him, he was finally ready to go and he sat back down on the edge of the bed, avoiding looking to Ike.
"Hey, what's wrong? Didn't sleep good?" Ike sat down opposite him on his own respective bed. He forced himself to look at Marth, though he inwardly fought with himself whether he should or not. Marth's idle hands gripped at the edge of his tunic, playing with the corners of it. The Prince just had to know, he couldn't take it any longer. "Ike.. Have you.. Been having 'strange' dreams?"
Ike didn't know how to answer. By the time he had thought to lie about it and say no too much time had passed to make a lie even remotely plausible. No, he would have to tell him he was. But what kind? Certainly not the truth. He would have to come up with something and fast. In the meantime, his silence offered a small answer. "You have, haven't you?"
"..yes, I guess you could say that.. You have too?" Ike didn't have to worry about looking at Marth, the other's head was kept down at all times. Ike shifted his gaze from object to object, unable to stay focused for very long on one thing. When all Marth could do for an answer was a slight nod, Ike suddenly wondered if.. If they could possibly be having the same dream?
No, he thought. It's just not possible.. Is it?
"Marth, in your dream.. Did I, uh.. Hurt my head? By someone called Captain Falcon?" Marth's head shot up and he looked to Ike for the first time that morning. Had he just heard him correctly? This wasn't really happening, Ike and him were having the same memory like dreams? He didn't need to speak a word, Ike knew the answer without him even needing to say it. "Y-yes!"
While Marth began to blush, Ike managed to keep a straight face. Silence fell over the room as both of the men collected their thoughts about what was going on between them. Surprisingly Marth was the one to break the silence between them. "I, uhm.. What do you think this means, Ike?"
"I'm not sure," He began, still studying Marth's reaction to the revelation of it all. "My mother used to say that a dream is a wish the heart makes.. But these feel more like memories, wouldn't you agree?" Only nodding for his answer, Marth stayed silent as Ike continued on. "Besides, we're sharing these 'dreams' and that's not normal at all.."
Marth couldn't look up, he just couldn't. Ike was right, these dreams were not normal at all, they felt real to him, as real as any memory. He had hit the nail on the head with his speculation. Biting down on his lip, he remained silent until he saw Ike move from under his blue bangs. Lifting his head up only a bit he soon found himself resting against Ike's chest as he was pulled into an embrace. Stunned at first, all he could so was sit there for a few seconds until he finally reacted and brought his own arms up to rest around Ike's sides. Ike rest his head on top of Marth's and held him close. "It's okay, you know.. We'll figure this out too, just like everything else."
"You're right," he mumbled against his chest, just loud enough that he could hear. "I'm sorry, I just.. I'm not sure how to react to all this. These 'dreams' are quite real, like you said.. You'd think I'd met you before."
"Met? I'd say a lot more then met." Ike gave a small laugh as he pulled away from him and Marth blushed a little deeper pink. Smiling in satisfaction, he held his hand out to lift him off the bed. He was eager to get the day started, although he lingered a few extra moments before letting go of his hand, which did not go unnoticed.
Breakfast was quick, despite how much the inn keeper would have liked for Ike to stay longer. It wasn't even an hour before the two blunettes were back on the road for Delbray. Conversation was strained slightly, still tense from the revelation upon waking up, but neither one would remain silent for too long. Silence would be worse.
Then Ike came to a sudden stop, putting his arm out to block Marth from going further and keeping him safely behind him.
"Ike, wha..?" Marth looked around Ike's larger form and saw what had caused him to stop. Just ahead in the middle of the road was a blockade and it didn't seem like it was Queen Elincia's guard, although the colors were correct. No, even from here it was obvious they were the soldiers of the traitorous nobles. In the center, surrounded by dozens of men sat a man in dark green armor perched atop a deep brown horse. Their leader, by the looks of him, spoke out. "Well if it isn't General Ike.. Oh right, you gave that all up to go back to being a sell sword, I forgot."
"I'd watch your tongue, traitor." Ike drew his blade, pointing it to the formation of soldiers that were raising their own weapons in defense. Marth kept his hand on the hilt of his replacement blade but didn't draw just yet. There were so many of them, they were out numbered by the looks of it, unless they could claim superior skill. "I'd watch yours, mercenary filth. I'll make this easy for you, had over the Altean and I might just be forgiving enough to let you leave here alive."
"Not a chance, you'll have to kill me if you want him." Marth shot a look to the back of Ike's head and back to the soldiers ahead of them. Finally resolving himself to draw his blade he stepped out from behind Ike much to his surprise. "Marth, step back."
"No, you'll need all the help you can get. We're out numbered. You can't possibly think you can truly fight them all?" Ike began to grind his teeth in frustration. He was right, there were just too many of them. Normally he'd have Soren, Boyd.. Even Mist there to help him. He had always relied on other's for strength. To fight alone would be suicide. "..I.. ugh, you're right. But.."
"Remember those stories I told you Ike? I wasn't lying.." Marth moved fluidly, without Ike being able to follow. It was a quick and clean motion and Marth instantly cut down an arrow meant to strike them. The wooden pieces fell to the ground with no sound and Marth looked to the archers behind the charging footmen. "We have no time to argue, go, I'll take the archers! Behind me!"
Marth took off ahead of Ike, cutting down all arrows that were fired at them. Ike hesitated only a moment before following up behind him. With precision the prince cut down one axeman in his path and kept going past their front lines and headed straight for the archers to take them out. Ike remained in the heat of battle, taking on the first charge of soldiers. Once the archers had been taken out, Marth made his way back towards the main part of the battle to help Ike.
"Y-you're fast, aren't you?!" Ike spoke only after he threw another spearman to the ground and looked up to see that he had already dispatched the archers in the back lines and had made his way back to join him. Marth smirked as her ran another one through with his blade. "So they say."
"Duck!" Marth came down on his knees as fast as he could before he felt the massive swing above his head from Ike's blade as he swung with such strength to knock down three men that had surrounded them. Marth took back off to attack as many soldiers as he could, hoping to dwindle the numbers and prevent them from being overwhelmed.
Ike was awestruck for only moment, it was if he was dancing. He was so agile that most of them men didn't even know what had happened to them as they fell to the earth. But in that very moment of watching Marth, one of the wounded archers had managed to raise themselves up and fire off a single shot aimed for Ike. Noticing it at the last second, Marth left his blade which was lodged into an enemy and took off for Ike, leaping to push him out of the way as soon as he saw the archer move. The sound of the arrow finding it's target rung out as the two heroes came crashing down to the ground. Marth rolled a few feet away from Ike and onto his back where he clutched his now wounded leg to his chest, hissing in pain. Ike quickly looked up to see what had happened and cursed himself for being so foolish. "Marth! MARTH!"
Seeing the pain on his face, Ike's face hardened as he took off from the ground running right at the wounded archer. Impaling him on the large sword, he let his now limp body slide off from the blade as he turned to the mounted leader. "You! Who are you!"
"I'll be the new General of Crimea, once that weak placeholder Queen is finally removed." The false general smirked, as he turned his attention to the fallen prince. Motioning for his remaining men to advance upon them, he laughed gleefully. "Touching really, but it makes you so much easier to catch now that you can't run."
"Ike!" Marth hissed out, despite the pain he felt. "You have to get out of here, go!" Ike didn't even turn to look at him, all he did was ready his blade for the impending fight. "No, I won't leave you."
"Then you will DIE!" The general swung his hand out and the slowly advancing troops changed into an all out attack. Ike fought to the best of his ability but even he couldn't last forever against so many attacks. As he cut down the last remaining footman, Ike came crashing down to the ground on one knee, unable to fight any longer from exhaustion. Looking up from his sweat drenched bangs, he saw the general dismount and begin to approach them.
Meanwhile, Marth had been pulling himself closer to Ike and had finally made his way to him. Resting on his good leg and leaving the injured one out stretched and lax he wrapped his arms around Ike and leaned into his back. One of Ike's hands came up over his own shoulder and rest on top of one of Marth's.
"Ike.. I'm sorry.. But I have to do this.." Before he could even question what he meant, Marth kissed the side of Ike's forehead gently before he brought a rock down on the back of Ike's head, causing him to black out and slide down the earth. Gently caressing where he had hit him, Marth held back any tears that formed as he painfully brought himself up to his feet and turned to face their attacker. "I'll go with you.. But leave him here."
"He's as good as dead anyway," the vile man looked over Ike's wounds and shrugged it off. Without anyone finding him, Ike would succumb to his wounds in little time. Plus it was less work for him. He wouldn't have to worry about dragging him along as well, since all of his men had perished in the onslaught. "Now then, up in front Prince Marth."
Marth limped forward, ahead of the man, towards the horse. He looked back only once to the fallen Ike as the commander mounted his horse. A single tear escaped from his corner eye as he held back what could have easily been more. "I'm sorry Ike.. Just please.. Live. Don't die here.."
Turning away from his savior, Marth began to walk ahead of the horse as he felt a lance being jabbed painfully against his back. Taking a deep breath, Marth could only wonder what awaited him now. It was all he could do not to think of Ike and what could have been.
( Marth's such a martyr, isn't he? Ah well, hopefully he can finally get some answers as to what's going on! I also can't believe I used a small Disney reference, haha! Oh well, it seemed like a cute nod to one of my favorite things. )
