Sorry for the long waits but it'll probably happen again. I've got two or three weeks left in my fall semester so I'm really busy with class work. Not to mention I started my own story all by myself (like book length; all OC's and everything!) so I'm working on that too. Will it suck? Probably but I'm doing it for myself to better myself so…meh. I'm not sure it qualifies as fanfiction so it might not go up. So here is this short, probably unsatisfying chapter I'm writing at 2 am!
His first thought upon waking up was that they were under attack. Shadow bolted upright, grabbed the knife from it's strap on his thigh and raced for the tent flap. He was halfway out before he realized that the sounds were normal. The sun was halfway up the sky and soldiers were moving around grabbing food, setting up practice areas, and just being noisy. Can none of these people keep their voices down? he thought, irritated. A voice distracted him from his musings.
"Shadow! Good to see your awake. How do you feel?" Marth smiled as he strode over. The night seemed to have restored his strength, and his spirit.
"Sore," Shadow answered bluntly. "But I'll live."
"Good. You look better too. Perhaps you should sleep in an actual bed more often if it makes you like this, eh?"
"Never," he replied hastily. "It's harder to sleep being enclosed in a tent like that."
"Well you may need to get used to it. We'll probably be staying here a few days and I want you to keep using that bed. No wandering off by yourself, alright?"
"I'm not a child milord. I understand." Despite his somewhat pointed reply, Shadow gave a small smile. It felt good to be able to just speak with his lord, even if it was in the middle of another nation. Truth be told, he felt better than he had since the whole thing had started.
"Good. It's been one battle after another lately so I want to make sure you stay healthy. I've already checked on the others and they should be alright soon." Shadow nodded. "If you're alright I'm going to go spend some time with Caeda for a little while." Shadow nodded so they made their goodbyes and Marth started away. Feeling suddenly mischievous Shadow called out.
"Milord!" Marth stopped and turned around.
"Yes? Was there something else?"
"No sire. Just be careful. We need the queen on the battlefield for a little longer, not stuck in camp."
Marth's confused expression gave way to a loud laugh as comprehension dawned on him. "You truly are in a good mood today! Don't worry, I'll make sure to keep her fit for battle." Shaking his head, he waved as he turned and walked off.
Well now what? Shadow thought. He'd received no orders and wasn't hungry yet so he decided to walk around camp and make sure the defenses were sound. That job took him until the sun was directly overhead at which point he decided to eat lunch. He'd just finished when he heard a voice call his name. Turning, he saw his queen.
Standing from his seat on a log, he greeted her when she got closer. "Are you busy?" she asked him. Shadow shook his head. "Good, I've been meaning to talk to you."
"About what, milady?"
His queen pulled a face. "You know I don't want you calling me that." A small shrug was all she got. "Anyway, I wanted your opinion on something."
"What is it?" He was confused now. What could she want his opinion on? Normally, she asked Marth considering he wasn't exactly an expert on anything to do with being a noble. Unless it's about her weapons. But then she'd be better off asking-
"What woman do you find most attractive in our army?"
All thought immediately ceased at her question. It took him a second to remember how to speak properly. "W-what?" he managed to stammer out. His normally calm, collected look was completely gone. His face was red and he could barely speak as Caeda continued.
"Don't look at me like that. I know you're almost the same age as Marth so you must have thought about women." No sound came out of the poor boy so Caeda went on. "It wouldn't happen to be a young, unmarried pegasus knight would it?" Still nothing. All he could do was stare at the ground and wish for this to be over. "Oh honestly," she continued undeterred, "you and Marth are so alike. Neither of you know how to speak your heart."
"Milady," Shadow said, finally finding his voice, "I think you would be better off asking others. My life is your husband's and…" he stopped. It's not like it'll ever matter.
Caeda looked at him hard before sighing. "I had hoped you would get the hint if I confronted you head-on. But I suppose you I just frightened you off."
"What hint would that be?" Shadow had finally calmed down but he was still speaking cautiously.
"Nothing," Caeda said shaking her head. "I'm sorry for startling you but I couldn't let what you said to Marth go unanswered."
"What are you…You mean from earlier?" He was shocked but managed to contain it to nothing but a raised eyebrow and a slight hitch in his voice.
"Of course." She smiled at him as she walked away. "I couldn't just let you get away with that." Her voice held a hint of laughter in it.
"You know I was joking, don't you?"
"Of course," she answered brightly. "But Shadow? I was only half joking." With that she walked off.
Well at least she's in a good mood. Shadow though darkly. He immediately felt guilty. I can't fault her though. We should all enjoy it while it lasts.
Later
The sun had just set when he heard a shout. He'd been walking around the camp to keep loose when the yell rang out. He ran into the nearby stable in time to see Catria fall unceremoniously from a pegasus onto the solid earth floor. "Oof. Well that could've gone better," she said, rubbing her arm. "Well at least nobody saw that."
Shadow spoke up. "Are you alright?"
"Huh?!" Catria jumped at his voice. "Shadow? Have you been there the whole time?"
"Not quite," he said as he grabbed her hand to help her up. "It's not like you to fall off though. What happened?"
She blushed and looked away. "You saw that?" Shadow nodded. "Well, uh, I wasn't paying attention and something spooked him. Do you mind not telling Palla and Est?"
"Sure."
"Thanks." She smiled gently and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. A few awkward moments passed before she spoke again. "How are you feeling? After the battle and all…"
Now it was Shadow's turn to be embarrassed as the memory of his almost stabbing her came rushing back. "Um, better, I suppose. I've finally been able to sleep well so that helps." Another pause stretched out between them. "I'm sorry about…during the battle…when."
"Don't be." She laid a hand on his arm. "Ogma told me about how hard you've been working yourself. Combined with the battle, it's no wonder you didn't trust me."
"But I should have," he said and shook his head. "If serving Marth has taught me anything, it's to trust my friends, especially when-." He cut himself off.
"When what?" Catria asked, her head to one side.
"Nothing. I guess I'm still tired." Catria nodded and lowered her hand.
"Alright. I'll let you get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow Shadow." With that, she walked past him towards the stable's exit.
He wanted to say something else, anything else, so she wouldn't go quite yet but the only thing he said was a quiet "Goodnight Catria."
I am not only a fool, but a useless fool. Shadow could only shake his head as he berated himself mentally. Forget it. There are still battles to fight. With that thought, he went back to his shared tent and fell into a sleep filled with flashing swords and that could have been.
Done. I know it's not very good (it probably sucks) but I felt like I should at least upload something since I haven't in so long. In my defense, my cat seems to like it so that's good enough for me. The next chapter will hopefully be both better and more action-filled though I make no promises on a specific time.
