Love Thine Enemy

Chapter Nine

There was a knock at the door, causing Zelda to stir in her sleep. Her mind slowly drifted back to consciousness. The bed in which she lied felt soft against her; there was pleasant fragrance in her pillow that encouraged her mind to continue the cycle of sleep. She nuzzled it, the softness was still foreign to her. Zelda was accustomed to the cheap, scratchy fabric that the temple provided. Since when were they able to afford such a high tread count fabric?

The knocking continued. It must be time to rise and start the day with morning chores. What was she to do again? Help with breakfast or prepare the children for another day; she couldn't remember. Rolling onto her back, she opened her eyes and held her breath. Instead of being greeted with the bricked ceiling, she was greeted with a canopy. She sat up and studied her surroundings. The bed was closed off by a thin curtain. Through it, Zelda could see a vanity dresser sitting a corner and a desk right next to the bed. The rest of the room meant nothing her as she began to calm down. She had almost forgotten, she had returned to Begnion and now resided in her Uncle's Manor. Zelda had yet to complete the paper work to turn the property over to herself. She heard the door swing open. It didn't make any creaks like the doors in the temple, but the sound of it moving the air made enough noise.

"My Lady?" asked a timid voice.

"I am awake," Zelda responded, crawling over to the curtain. She reached out to push the thin wall of fabric aside only to have it done for her.

"There's no need, My Lady," said the maid, placing the light candles on the bed side table before, she walked over to the window. She yanked the curtains open. The once dark room was suddenly filled with early morning sunlight, Zelda had to cover her eyes. "Your breakfast had been prepared. This morning there is fresh eggs and fruit with a glass of milk."

That was a rather simple meal, Zelda had thought, however she preferred for it to be simple. She was not in the mood for dessert pastries in the morning because it was draining to the body. In the back of her mind, she wondered why would they do something out of the ordinary and prepare simple dishes?

"Duke Tanas had mentioned that you enjoyed simple meals. The kitchen staff is rather happy to take a break from cooking the food that takes most of the day to prepare." It was as if the maid read her mind. The maid worked on tying the curtains back as she spoke. "Would you like to eat in bed or in the dining room, my Lady?"

"The dining room is fine, thank you." Zelda left the bed, which was quite a chore. The mattress was so soft it sunk with her weight, causing her to lose her balance and nearly fall. Maybe she should try to be more graceful the next time she leaves the bed. She walked into her closet. The first time she was here, she was about to pass out. Her Uncle Oliver had wonderful taste in clothes, especially for her. His love of all things beautiful drove him to buy the clothes that complimented her best. There was plenty of pink, the color that looked best on her. Zelda was starting to feel a little knowing no matter what she chose to wear it will look great on her. She went from being a runaway priestess, working everyday on chores to being a noble having servants wait on her hand and foot. Shaking her head, Zelda made a promise to herself. She will not lose herself in this new but familiar life; she will remain true to who she was, free of corruption. With a great selection of clothes.

She flipped the switch to turn on the light. The lighting system in this room is done completely by magic. How it worked, she had no clue, but it allowed her to see all her clothes! She had difficulty choosing which house robe to where. Why was there even a choice! There was a variety of designs; if there was ever an important guest staying overnight she would have to out dress him, even in the morning. The robes also varied in thickness. "How cold is it?" Zelda called out into her room. She heard the maid rush to the closet. "No need to run, I'm in no hurry."

"But my Lady, you have two hours before you leave for Persis to meet with the Prime Minister."

Oh. Zelda had forgotten about. She had received the formal invitation late in the evening. What did the Prime Minister want, Zelda wondered. She had heard enough stories from her Uncle to know that he favored the Apostle's ideals, hence his position, while the rest of the Senate went against her. There were many Senators in Begnion, but the ones that held the most power were the Dukes. Why? Because the Goddess blessed them with the privileged life, clearly she favored them more the others and were allowed to speak with her messenger. Once she is Duchess Zelda will also be allowed to address the Apostle.

Green. Zelda chose the green housecoat. She looked over at the maid, whose hair and eyes were also green. She had a wonderful tan complexion and the thin figure. No wonder her Uncle has her working here. "What's your name?"

"Siara, my Lady," she answered with bow.

Zelda didn't offer her hand. There was difference in status and though Zelda may not care, it would make Siara uncomfortable. She settled for a nod. "Pleasure to meet you."

Two hours later, Zelda was once again in a carriage with a different destination, the House of Persis. She had met Duke Persis once before many years ago. She had attended a party as child when she was still living with her father. She had not wanted to go, but the night of her Uncle sent a dress for her to wear to the engagement. At least there would be some form of protection. It was soon after they arrived that her father started talking to other men about marrying her. He talked to each to see what they had to offer, what power he could be connected to and how much of it. Zelda stood there listening. The dress she had worn pink with purple designs and gold trimming. She didn't want to think about marriage at that age, yet her father discussed it in front of her. A chuckle escaped her. She had been glaring at her father throughout the party not bothering to hide her disdain.

Her father approached the Prime Minister, Sephiran. He was more cautious with him, first introducing Zelda as his precious little girl while she still was glaring. He then went to say something about how he would be worried about her wellbeing once he was gone and he hoped that he could find a good man to take care of her. The Prime Minister saw right through him and bluntly declined. He mentioned the many times that she had ran away from home and to her Uncle's manor.

"If you cannot take care of her, then Duke Tanas will. I have been hearing she preferred to be there."

Her father was humiliated that night and it didn't help that she had went home with her Uncle. He never did send a carriage to pick her up, so Zelda lived with her Uncle until she decided to leave at thirteen. She had grown tired of the parties and gossip. Her Uncle saw that she was unhappy and let her go, but not without a promise of a visit every now and again. A smile crossed her face as she thought of that day.

"You no longer smile my dear. You do not emit beauty as you use to. Are you unhappy? If you must leave, then do so. I refuse to see your beauty be taken away from you because you are unhappy."

Zelda had never hugged her Uncle so tightly. He truly wanted her to be happy and was willing to let her go. That and he didn't want her to start having wrinkles so early on in her life.

The carriage stopped and the door was opened. She accepted the helping hand from the driver and stepped out. She had decided to wear red today, it was a bold and strong color. Servants greeted her outside and opened the huge double doors. She stepped inside and looked around. Not as extravagant as her Uncle's manor but was still well decorated. There were no risky colors or paintings and sculptures. He must not spend much time home or he rather live in a more simple home.

A servant approached her. "My Lady, Duke Persis will be seeing you shortly. Please follow me."

Zelda trailed the servant down a hall and to a sitting room. There was more color in this room and suddenly Zelda had wished she wore a different color. The furniture was red and she had wanted to stand out and impress the Prime Minister. She held no ill feelings against him, bedsides he was the only Senator welcoming her into the political group. Not that she had met any of the others, but if her father knew any of them…

Sighing, Zelda sat on one of the couches and looked over at the wall when something caught her eye. It was a painting of a woman. She dressed in regal clothing, sat with her back straight in wonderful garden environment. The one thing that stuck out to Zelda was the woman's silver hair, such an odd color.

"That is the late Apostle." A low and gentle voice broke Zelda away from the painting. Standing near the door was a tall man. His raven colored was straight and long, Zelda couldn't see where it stopped. His pale skin was smooth, holding no signs of wrinkles, he stood straight with no sign of hunching. He didn't look a day older since Zelda last saw him. She stood to greet him, holding out her hand for a shake. He accepted her hand and brought to his lips. This action shocked Zelda, then she remembered.

"This is how we greet a lady," he told her. "I know you haven't been in Begnion for a long time. You must become use to formal life style if you are to be Duchess."

"I remember many things, I just never practiced them." Zelda withdrew her hand. "You have called me here, Duke Persis. May we start?"

Sephiran smiled. Straight to the point, though she was being a little too forward. Judging solely on the way she carried herself, Zelda of Gaddos was a strong young woman who wouldn't be coerced into anything. She will stand by her ideals. "Of course." Sephiran gestured for Zelda to sit. He sat across from her. "If you are to join the Senate as Duchess of Tanas, we must get your name changed. In Begnion, you are still Zelda of Gaddos."

Zelda felt her brows frowns. "Can that not be changed?" she asked. This shouldn't be an issue. She was related to both houses by blood and should be able to pick one. Now that she was eighteen she was considered to be a woman. Then again that could be the problem. She was woman and this society women were forced into marriages by their father's to be controlled by their husbands. Woman had little to no power, unless you were the Apostle. How ironic. In a society that is devoted to a Goddess, woman are not equal to men with the men having the upper hand.

"It can be changed, but you must have resided within the house for at least five years before that can be done.

"I was there for six years before I left." Zelda figured there was some law in Begnion that allowed servants to change their names. It will not raise their status, but it will show some type of ownership of that servant, like some form of slavery.

"Then I shall receive the necessary paper work." Sephiran exited the room, leaving Zelda to wonder why she had to be invited to get this done. He could have sent a letter with the paperwork. He must have wanted to meet her, maybe to see if she wasn't corrupted like her father. With every passing minute she knew she was closer to seeing his face again. Zelda wasn't looking forward to it.

/…/

During the few days of travel, the weather had changed considerably. It was clear that the army was moving away from the cold weather. They were going south, Link figured. He knew that Gallia was to the south, but what will he do once he got there? What if what the mage said was true? The King may not even acknowledge his existence. Heck the only time the laguz may acknowledge him would be to deny him from seeing the King.

Link looked off at the setting sun. The camp was already set for the night and dinner was being made. He knew Mist loved to help out with the cooking. It was one of things he learned about her as they talked. She also helped out tending to the wounded soldiers, sewed patches into clothes and practiced the sword when she had time. Link worked with her one day; she was rusty of course but she could be great with more training.

Right now, Link was doing nothing. He sat in a tree looking off at the sky, being absolutely lazy. He had let Epona wander around the wooded area to tend to her needs. He will call her back when it got dark. It was rather boring doing nothing. He heard a chirp from his head. As promised, Yune was tagging along with him. "Don't you want to fly around to eat something?" Yune chirped again. "Yes I'm kicking you off my head, now go." Yune remained seated for a few second then flew away, blending in with the orange horizon.

Someone was approaching, Link could hear the footsteps. They were light and quick, the steps of an experienced swordsman. Link's chest seized up as one possibility crossed his mind. He wasn't ready to face Ike, not after the… incident. How could that have happened? Usually when he puts one to sleep after the healing, the attraction would be gone. But it had stayed with Ike. He felt his face grow hot as remembered that morning. Ike was so bold, ready to just dive in. If Link hadn't kept his mind clear or hadn't said something, he wouldn't have escape.

He wouldn't want to escape.

Ike was strong, Link could tell from the battle at the temple. When they had crossed blades, Link could feel the pressure coming from the General. He had to put maybe all of his body weight just to match up and he knew Ike didn't use his full strength. He was being compassionate, giving whoever faced him one final chance to drop the weapon and run. If they did not, Ike was not going to let them live. He was confident in his ability to give his opponents that much lead way, knowing that he will strike them down if they ever tried to attack anyway. This confidence gave the General an air of arrogance and rudeness. Ike had some traits that Link wished he had as a man. He also had traits that Link wanted in a man.

"Hello?"

Link jumped nearly losing his balance. He quickly straightened himself and took few breaths to calm his beating heart. It wasn't Ike, but Link couldn't recognize the voice.

"Are you having some sort of dilemma?"

Link shook his head, maybe a bit too vigorously. "No." He prepared himself to climb down, allowing him to talk to the man. He caught a glimpse of him. Green wild hair with a sword hanging at his hip. So he was a swordsman. "Can I help you?" Link asked after he landed. He wasn't sure why anyone would come up and just start talking to him for conversation sake, unless the said person was Mist, Mordecai or even the mage.

"How long do you plan on blending in?" The question was short and concise, clearly was meant to be direct. But it was open enough to pertain to anything.

"What?" Link asked, confused.

The man smirked as if he was expecting that response. "The beroc are not stupid enough to not notice how differently you age."

"Wha…?" It took a second for the meaning of that statement to sink in. Link stared at the man. How could he have known? He had not said anything strange to anyone. He finally got the growth sprout which made him look more his age. Had he revealed his Brand? No, he was careful of that. Maybe the mage talked, but would he? "I don't know what you're talking about." Simple denial was best he had.

"There are others," the man said, "located in the Grann Desert. Hundreds just like you and I." The man moved his hair away from his forehead and there it was. The mark proving that he too had both laguz and beorc blood in his veins.

Link felt more comfortable. It was strange how a simple movement caused him to relax around a stranger. When Link had first met Zelda, he wasn't willing to open up and share his life experiences with her. Slowly over time, Zelda had earned his trust and vice versa. There were many more just like him. He wouldn't have to be careful on what he said and he could show his Brand without worry. The idea was nice, but he had yet to confront Reyson and the King of Gallia. He was not sure of what to say to them, but he felt that it must be done. It was his Mother's final wish.

"Think on it," The man turned to leave, but Link was curious about something. His sword was lying against the tree. He reached for it as he heard the man's retreating footsteps. Attacking someone when their back is turned was not something Link would normally do. But this man moved with a grace of experienced swordsman and had a confident air about him and Link wanted to test him. He unsheathed his sword and charged.

One counter and a swift kick to the gut was all it took. Link was his back, staring up at the sky and feeling the chilled point of the sword at his throat.

"You hesitated," The man noted. "And you're slightly clumsy on your charge." He moved sword away from the blonde. "If I were a solider or a thief you would be dead. Get up and do it again."

Link quickly obeyed. He prepared for another charge.

"Stop."

"But I didn't move."

"Your stance is wrong for the kind of fighting that you should be doing. Your sword must be too heavy for you to hold in one hand. If you wish to depend on your speed then you must wield your sword with one hand. Work on lighter weight swords until you can wield your own."

Link nodded. To be honest, he wasn't expecting to get a lesson. Maybe tip here or there, but this was more what he wanted. "My name is Link."

The man raised an eyebrow. That introduction seemed out of place. Right in the middle of training. "My name is Stefan." He would start to train the boy. In case he decided to fend for himself in world, Stefan was going to do what he could to make sure he wouldn't die. He had been protective of his own for a long time. There are not many and he felt that they all should stay in one place, free from the prejudiced of both races. However, he would never stop anyone from doing what they wanted, even if there was a possibility of harm. It would be their own choice. "I'm going to get an iron sword. You will do push-ups until I return."

Link stared at Stefan's retreating form, blinking. Push-ups? He hadn't done those in a while…

/…/

A night of restless sleep did not make the days travel easy on Ike. All day he was approached by the members of the Greil Mercenaries, who expressed their concern. He even caught a few worried glimpses from the soldiers. Did he look that bad? It's true that he hasn't been sleeping well since his Father's murder. His dreams are haunted by images of that night. He was constantly reminded how weak he was, unable to do anything as his Father lay dying.

That night happened many months ago, he was much stronger now. He had decided to ignore his Father's wishes and seek revenge. The decision was made on an impulse but plenty of time had passed for him to change his mind. As he pursued his revenge, and continues to do so, he began to learn things about and his Father. His Father had many secrets, some which were related to the war that Ike fought.

Greil was the name that Ike had known his Father by; the name he had before that was Gawain, one of the Four Riders of Daein, their most powerful warriors. He had abandoned that name and title to protect Ike's Mother, Elena. She was the only the human who touch the medallion and not be possessed by the chaotic energy within it. The medallion, also known as the Fire Emblem, was the reason behind this war. For the longest time, the medallion was under his sister's care until it was stolen by someone Ike thought was a friend and ally.

Ike groaned and rubbed his head. He was thinking too much and it was draining him mentally. But he couldn't sleep, the images of his Father's murder will haunt him prevent him from getting any rest. The only time he was able to rest was the night he went into the medical tent… Ike groaned again.

What had happened that morning? Ike was not going to deny his attraction to the blonde, but to lose his control and act? Link might not have control over his Heron abilities, whatever they maybe. According to Reyson, Herons can see inside one's heart and could use that to manipulate a person, but because of their peaceful nature that has never been practiced. Or something like that.

Enough thinking, it wasn't doing him any good. Ike shook his head and tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. Not really his sword, just some random silver blade he was able to get his hands on for some late night training. Maybe if he got tired enough he'll be able to sleep without dreaming.

/…/

Lied again. This is just going on seven pages. Sorry for the wait guys. I'm having trouble going beyond this page limit. Next time, I'll try my best to get at least ten pages, but you guys will have to be willing to wait. Cookies if can do that.

I'm having trouble writing Ike's character… In his position he would have a lot on his mind, which is the hard part. I need to write more characters. Fire emblem has so many… Who to start with?

Special shot out to Fayhra! I had already sent a message to her, but she gets special attention here too. Let me put it to you guys straight; someone copied me. Not the fic word for word, but certain ideas of mine were taken. It's fine if one general idea was taken and put into a different fic. But when it's certain tiny details that shape a character and a situation, and a lot of them (more than three) I see that as copying. Fayhra had told the author about the similarities and the said author changed the fic.

Thank you Fayhra! You get chocolate cream pie for that. And cookies.