( You know, after all this time, I think I might have put the Easter egg in another draft and dropped it. Oh well, I'll look for it later. Been a few months and can't remember everything! So here we go, chapter 10. Any future updates will be spaced out like this as I have a killer job that keeps me busy. But I will finish this story. And start some new ones I've been thinking of! )

We'll Meet Again

Chapter 10: Assault on Felirae

"Is there nothing I can do to convince you to stay here?" Ike's voice was on the verge of pleading, but he didn't cross the line. He only starred up to Marth who was now on horseback, a beautiful brown horse Elincia had given him to ride, although the Prince knew the instant Cain was free he would turn the steed over to him. This ride was merely to conserve what little strength he had gained since his was rescued. "No, I'm sorry Ike.. I have to go. These are my people, my friends."

"I understand.." He was defeated and finally took his hand off the neck of the horse so they could begin their small journey north to Felirae. While Ike had been offered a ride with Marth and even his own horse he had declined them all in order to walk.

The journey itself was quiet and uneventful despite what awaited them in Felirae. Everyone already had their orders and Janaff and Ulki saw and heard nothing as they scouted above for the small make shift army that had formed from all the nations of Tellius. Marth still marveled at how fast everyone had come to the aid of Ike and Queen Elincia. Their bonds were strong and he almost envied them, but he knew that the jealous feelings would fade as soon as he saw Cain. And despite how he may have been feeling at that moment, deep down he knew he wasn't alone. Glancing to the back of Ike's head he forced a small smile.

Ranulf was making his was backwards through the line of troops and too Ike, a grin still managing to form even on his feline features. Shifting back up in a warm glow of blue he rolled his neck back and looked to the fell blue haired men. "Good news, we're almost there.. 'bad' news.. They're waiting for us."

"Well that's hardly bad." Ike was a little gruffer then normal and Marth felt a little guilty. He knew it was only because Ike was worried about him and had protested all morning for him not to go along. He promised that he would bring Cain and the others back to him but Marth would have none of it, not only did he refuse to be treated like glass but these were his friends, his people, Cain was like a brother to him. He had to go, even if it hurt Ike to let him.

"There.. I see the castle. That's it all right." Marth looked off into the near distance and Ike took in a deep breath, inwardly fighting with his conflicting emotions. The line of men and woman came to a halt and Marth dismounted from the chestnut stallion, seemingly more sure on his feet then he had been in the morning. Making his way to the front of the line, Ike tailed behind him as they both got a better look. Ranulf joined them, placing his hands on his hips. "So, we're keeping with the same strategy?"

"Of course, Ranulf. I expected this already." Soren was the next one to make it to their side, a few others joined in and they all looked to one another. Marth looked up to Ike and the two stared at one another for a few moments longer then was need before Ike turned and motioned with one sweep of his arm for the assault to begin, no words were needed. Everyone knew what to do.

The battle would go in their favor, it was easy to see that while these men had seen them coming, they had only had a few minutes notice to prepare for the attack. They had not received any warning and it was clear then that they had either killed or captured everyone from the execution. Shinon and Rolf were once again raining arrows down upon their enemies. Gatrie was a force to be reckoned with as he let none pass him to the weaker fighters and mages. Soren single handedly took out an entire wave of lance wielding footmen with a single spell that sent them blowing back into a hill, all while Mia was watching his back, as she happily reminded him.

"Is that.. Your sister, Ike?" Ike swung his blade back to knock another man down, and he looked up to see his sister of all people cut down an enemy archer, a clean motion with skill he could only smile at, before she returned to the back line to tend to the wounded, her still relatively new horse no longer giving her trouble. "I can't tell if I'm proud or mad at her. What is it with everyone? I tell them..-" He swung his blade around again and both Ike and Marth sunk their blade into the same knight, looking to each other. "-.. no and they still do whatever they want. I'm losing my touch as commander."

Marth grinned sheepishly and they both pulled their weapons from his limp body and returned to the fight. Taking notice of one fleeing solider, he watched as he opened a small and almost hidden door into the side of the castle. One of Shinon or Rolf's arrows pierced the mans' chest and caused him to fall to the ground, his body propping the door open. Wordlessly the Prince took off for the door, knowing that just inside he could find and set free Cain. "Marth.. Wait!"

Ike followed after him as best he could, though he just couldn't match his speed and elegance. Sliding on the ground he forced his way into the door and looked down a hall and saw the walls splattered with the blood of the fallen soldiers which lay crumpled on the floor. Ike stood stunned a moment before he followed the wake of battle further into the dungeons below the castle where he finally caught up to Marth who was cutting down the last guard in his path. Ike gasped for air for only a moment, placing his free hand on a wall. "This morning you could barely stand up!"

"Don't be so surprised, I'll regret this tonight when the rush of it all wear off." Marth pushed his bangs from his eyes so he could see clearly once again. Looked to the door he saw the large iron lock barring him entrance to the hall which housed the cells he had been kept in.. falling to his knees he began to search the pockets of the fallen men.

"No need." Ike walked forward and brought the hilt of his massive sword up and he brought itdown with such force that the metal began to twist under such force. Three more strikes from Ike and it finally cracked from pressure and he pulled it off the door, pushing it open and holding his arm out for Marth to take the lead. His smile growing, the young Prince took off through the door and down the hall. "Cain, CAIN! Answer me, damn it, that's an order!"

"M-Marth!?" Cain leaped up and gripped the bars to the small window of his cell. He pressed his face so deep into the bars it began to hurt and all so he could catch a glimpse of his Prince making his way down the hall. Ike was still at the beginning of the hall and unlocking the cells which held everyone else. Marth grasped at the bar the held the door in place and threw it up and out of the way, pushing in on the door. Cain backed away as the door swung open and he instantly leapt for Marth, the stood hugging each other so tightly. "I thought.. I thought you were dead!"

"Ahh.. So did I." Marth was grinning ear to ear when he finally let go of his friend, the two looking at each other when Ike finally arrived. Leaning in the door way he just watched with a smile. They had their moment and it was time to remember what was going on just outside. "Cain, is Ludveck still here?"

"No, sir, he's not. When you were taken he made his way elsewhere.. All the soliders and guards have been worried for the past week, they've had no orders." Cain looked to Ike and then back to Marth. "That's Ike, Cain, remember I told you about him?"

"I suppose I don't need to find him anymore, do I?" They both laughed and Ike's face contorted in confusion. Shrugging off for later, he stepped out of the door and looked to the large group of men and women in the hall. They had nothing but clothes or rags on and nothing to defend themselves with. Ike crossed his arms in concentration and it seemed that once Marth and Cain stepped out from the cell they shared the same worried expression. "Let's see if we can find your armor and weapons."

"Oh, that's right, Prince Marth.. Falchion, I saw it!" Marth snapped back to look at Cain with such attention and urgency, he gripped his shoulders and looked directly at him. "W-Where is it!? We may need it!"

"Come, this way!" Cain lead them back out of the door that Ike had broken the lock on and made his way down another hall and into a store like room that held most of their possessions. Cain looked to an empty mount on the wall and shook his head before he picked up his glistening red armor and began to strap it back on. "It's not here anymore.. I caught a glimpse of it just a few days ago, they had the door propped open as they were talking between rooms and I saw it on that rack."

"..He must have taken it." Marth sighed and pounded his fist into the wall. The rest of Marth's men began to find their armor and weapons and the regular citizens simply stood around, still visibly shaken by everything that was happening. Once everyone was ready, Marth took a deep breath, trying to figure out what to do next. No doubt the rest of Crimea's forces would be making their way inside soon and he didn't want any of his people hurt. "Cain, can you follow this way out and lead everyone to safety?"

"Not a chance," Marth looked stunned, it was unlike Cain to refuse anything he said. "I'm staying with you, Prince, the soldiers can lead the citizens out. They're good men." Marth blinked for a moment and slowly nodded. Cain gave the order to a higher ranking solider to take everyone back the way Ike and Marth had come in. Once they had their orders they began to make their way outside. "Ike.. So this how it felt when I said I was coming here?"

"Yup." Ike simply smirked, his arms still crossed over his chest. He was feeling a little more smug then he should have and Marth almost felt like pouting, but quickly regained his composure from his comical outburst. "Well, since there's no arguing with you right now, Cain.. Let us investigate further inside."

The three men made their way further into the castle, dispatching any enemies in their way. They covered almost the entire grounds before finally making their way to the throne room and Marth's breath seized at the sight. The temporary leader of the forces here was sitting in the throne with such a dark expression on his face. But that wasn't what caught Marth, no, it was the fact that resting at his side was his sword. Ludveck hadn't taken it after all but it seemed that this fill in had taken it upon himself to use it He doubted he even knew what the sword could do. "In case you hadn't heard, " Ike began. "There's a battle going on outside."

"Oh, I'm fully aware Lord Ike." The man brought himself up to his feet, the Falchion now in hand. Marth eyes the blade and wondered why this man wasn't outside fighting nor running for his life. "Will you draw your blade, Hero of Tellius?"

"That blade you hold is mine, you will fight me and me alone." Marth drew his replacement blade up and pointed it at the man. Ike took in a deep breath, once again arguing with himself internally. He was so used to being the hero, protecting those he loved, that to sit back and watch was painful. He wondered if this is how Mist felt when he always made her sit back and watch. This is why she fought so adamantly about joining him in battle.

"Ahh, I see.. This blade is befitting a prince. My brother is a fool if he believes he carries the real sword with him.." The man lowered Falchion to the floor and gently slid it across the floor to stop and Marth's feet. "I have no desire to share in my brother's bloodshed and his senseless desire to be king. If you would do me the favor of letting me borrow your replacement? I would simply like to have a friendly duel with Lord Ike.. Win or lose, I shall accept my fate of being the younger brother unable to say no to his family." Marth was stunned beyond words. He slowly knelt down and grasped his blade's hilt. Sure enough, it was his, he could feel it's power in his hand. Looking back up slowly he studied the strangely passive man.. He had to thank him.

"You took it from him and left him a copy?" The brother nodded and once again looked to Ike. "I see that it may not be wise for us to duel here but could you give me your word we may have one later?"

"Yes, we can. I give you my word. My thanks for keeping his sword safe." The man smiled for the first time allowing himself to show emotion on his dark and gloomy face. He approached slowly and cautiously so as not to lose his own life by any wrong moves. "I believe I know where he is going, if you'll lead the way, I'll provide what information I can to your armies. I apologize but these men will not stand down, even with my orders. I don't believe my brother trusted me fully.. And with good reason."

Ike nodded and the three men began to awkwardly lead their willing prisoner out into the corridors and to the front of the fort. A strange feeling hung in the air like a fog. It was so anticlimactic, no final confrontation with Ludveck. He had fled, no doubt to where the ceremony was being held. And hopefully this traitor knew where that was and they could get there in time..

"Sleep."

"No, I can't.. I'm too worried. What if it's all a trap?" Marth rolled onto his side, looking up to Ike who sat up on his side of the bed. Gripping the pillow tightly his buried his face into it for a moment, wanting to scream, but resisted the urge and pulled his tired head back from it's softness.

"I know, but what else can we do? Soren's a good tactician, he'll have a backup plan just in case." Marth relaxed a little but still his tired eyes wouldn't close. It hadn't felt right, brother betraying brother, even if it was for a noble cause of stopping this senseless war. It still left him on edge, no matter how much his tried to reason with himself.

"I know you're right, I just.. My mind won't let me forget it for now." Ike smirked at that, and brought one arm down and around the prince and pushed him into him so that he was now Marth's pillow. Keeping his arm wrapped around him he brought his head down and kissed the top of his head. "Better?"

"…yes." He admitted, adjusting himself so he was perfectly comfortable. Feeling safe in his arms, he relished the fact that he could fall asleep in his arms for what was probably not the first time for them, if their dreams were not real dreams. But his eyes gaves up, his mind deciding not to open that door again, and he drifted off asleep listening to the beat of Ike's heart.

( Short, I know, but it was hard picking back up where I left off. I'll get back into it next chapter, promise! I'd expect a month or two, at worst. )