Chapter 14

We arrived at the castle two days later and were stopped at the gates by the guards. Though once Ike had been recognized they immediately began to apologize. One of the soldiers escorted us all to the queen's throne room. When we arrived however it didn't seem like she was too happy. Elincia stood from seat on her throne with furrowing eyebrows.

"What is the meaning of this?" She demanded more or less shocked by Greil rather than Cyrus. I vaguely remembered Cyrus' story about being the teacher of the queen and her milk sister Lucia. Lucia who was standing beside her let out a gasp realizing as well. Ike stepped forward to Elincia with a small bow.

"I think you already know why we are here." He stated calmly. Elincia gave him a puzzled look. "We're here to help fight against the rebels and join the Crimean army." Elincia went to speak but was interrupted by an older man's calling. Two older men walked in though the side hall and over to Elincia. Everyone just watched as he noticed us.

"Oh, who are our guests?" One man asks. A small smile sat sweetly on his lips as he pale green eyes ran over us all. Elincia distracted me however by smiling and motioning to the kinder green eyed man.

"Everyone I'd like to introduce to you Chief Minister Alduin." We all gave a small bow in respect for them. Alduin's eyebrows furrowed as he scanned me.

"You there, you aren't from this land. Might I ask your name?" He asked with a small smile. I stepped forward with a bow.

"I am Zelda, Princess of the Kingdom of Hyrule." His smile grew at my words.

"A princess? My what a wonderful discovery." Alduin laughed. "You all must be exhausted from your trip. The guards will show you to your rooms. After you all get a short period of relaxation, you must come down for the feast. We will discuss everything then." Elincia followed after him like a little puppy leaving Lucia behind with a grimace. The guards went to approach us but Lucia waved them away.

"It's alright I will escort them." She merely stated with a small grin. The guards then backed away with the nod of their heads. Lucia began leading us down the halls of the castle, the entire time she wore a frown.

"Um, Lucia, may I ask you a question?" I started slowly. Lucia turned her head with a small smile.

"Of course." I nodded my head and began to continue.

"Queen Elincia, that day when you both came with army, she seemed rather, rude shall I say." Lucia nodded her head in agreement.

"You see it to? Well, let me explain." She stopped as everyone gathered around to hear. "It was a while back, just before this war started, Elincia wasn't acting like herself. Gradually over time it seemed to worsen. She began to snap at people who brought up that we weren't fighting this war like we should be, even I myself. I have the feeling that Alduin has something to do with it since she follows him around where ever he goes. I just can't see how though, he's one of the kindest men we have around here." She sighed heavily and shook her head. Titus however nodded his head slowly.

"So then you think someone is influencing Elincia from the shadows?" I asked slowly. Lucia nodded her head.

"Yes that's exactly it. Only one problem about this theory of mine, she's always in someone's sight. There's no one she meets with besides Alduin and they discuss nothing over the war. Even at night I will do a silent patrol around the castle for anything suspicious, nothing ever turns up." Lucia turned her gaze out the window with an irritated look.

"Well," Ike let out a small chuckle. "Now that we are here we can keep a closer eye on things." Lucia looked back at us with a small grin.

"Yes, that is true. I don't recall you ever letting us down." With a content smile she motioned for us to follow. "Come, I must show you to your rooms before dinner arrives." Everyone began following Lucia again she led us each to our individual rooms, well besides Ike and I anyway. Soon after, dinner was soon to be served.

The table was filled with a variety of meats and vegetables along with deserts and different wines and just too much to even describe. Though I was quite mad not being able to taste the fine Crimean wines. Samus sat next to Martellus as they both ate slowly as well as Cyrus watching exactly what I was with wide eyes. Greil and Ike seemed to be having a 'how much meat can you eat' contest, scarfing down plate after plate. I couldn't keep up with them, but I damn well surprised them having three plates full of food. My excuse: the baby was hungry. Greil merely laughed and patted Ike on the back, a little bit harder than Ike was expecting. Greil the obvious winner of the contest leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh. It was then that another man entered the room. His cold eyes almost colder than Ike's first time I saw him. Elincia smiled and bowed her head in welcome.

"Ah yes, everyone, I would like to introduce to you our Honorary Chancellor Eliphas Grant." We all gave a small bow of our heads in respect. Though Titus and Eliphas made a strange contact for a brief moment in time. Titus looked at him though narrow and angered eyes. Eliphas did the same as Titus stood slowly.

"You... you were there... you where the one..."

Eliphas stood with an eyebrow raised. "What are you talking about?"

"You were there, you killed my uncle!" Titus hissed. Eliphas gave everyone a look of disbelief.

"I assure you I have no idea what you are talking about young man."

Titus muttered a word in a language I have not heard before, and the rune carved into the back of his right hand flared an ethereal blue. He blinked forward, slamming his shoulder into the gut of the Chancellor. The old man let out a scream of surprise and pain, and landed harshly on the ground away from Lucia, Elincia, and the Chief Minister. I was about to act, but I felt Ike's hand on my shoulder, holding me back. His eyes told me not to intervene.

"What is the meaning of this?" Elincia asked, about ready to draw her spear. I turned swiftly to the sound of a bow string being drawn back. Cyrus gritted his teeth with two arrows notched ready to fire if need be.

"Let it be, you two." His voice was firm, the tone of an old teacher evident there. The sound of the voice caused them to stop where they where, the minister seemed to object but kept silent. I looked back to Titus, who pulled back his hood and I gazed upon his face for the first time. I saw Tarkus for a moment, head bald and the eyes speak of sympathy and knowledge, but as I focused back, I saw the wrinkles are scars, both carved into his skin and those received from the latch.

"Fifteen years. Fifteen years you stole from me you old bastard." Titus spat on the fallen chancellor, who flinched. This seemed to infuriate Titus all the more and he brought down Tarkus' mace on the knee cap, which shattered like a dry stick. "Fifteen years I stole, murdered for you. How many times did I feel the touch of your whip!? How many of these scars did you give me for no reasons? How many bones did you break for your pleasure!?"

"I saved you ungrateful wench." Eliphas shot back. "I clothed you, I fed you, I saved you when by all rights you should have perished for you uncle's sins. I made you into a phantom, you powers were needed. I made you who you were." I inhaled and placed my free hands over my mouth. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I could clearly see them in Titus' eyes as well.

"Well..." His voice broke, emotionally clear. "Do you like what you see?" He didn't want an answer and brought the mace down again and again, Eliphas screamed louder as ribs shattered, blood flew all around, and skin wedged itself between the teeth of the mace. Titus screamed in rage and pain, emotions bottled up for longer then I could believe. I bury my eyes in Ike's shoulder, praying for it to end soon.
Eventually he stopped, and Eliphas still breathed. It seemed Titus sensed the senselessness of his act, but then he rolled up one of his sleeves and revealed one rune that worked around his entire arm. "You made me who I am, now suffer for it." He uttered a loud chant in the same language and the rune flared to life. Soon a swarm of hungry rats appeared and finished what Titus stopped. Soon, only a pool of blood was all that was left of Eliphas, Grandmaster of the Phantoms. Elincia's eyes were wide with horror witnessing what had just happened. She quickly excused herself from the table and ran off down the halls, her sobbing was heard trailing off as she ran. Titus still stood in his very spot, unmoving and uncaring of the others who watched. Everyone else took the moment to sneak away and escape back to their rooms, including Ike and I.

Cyrus found himself in the royal library reading through many books he randomly picked up. Though most of them where filled uninteresting historical tales he'd rather not remember. There was one book however buried behind the others. It was newer looking yet covered in dust from being hidden. Cyrus flipped open the cover to a mostly blank page. The only thing there was a small signature and date at the very bottom. Lucia was the name, the book was dated a mere five years ago. Cyrus' interest being spark, he flipped to the next page and began to read the first journal entry. His eyebrows furrowed however by the message the book held.

It's almost time for our next lesson, boy am I excited. I was never the best at archery, it was only an excuse to stay with Elincia. But the first time I met our teacher, there was just something about him that made me want to stay. Even after we're done for the day. Sometimes I just wish I could have a private lesson with him. Just once. Some alone time to practice. And possibly even going to watch the sunset together. Well, might as well just keep quiet about it, he's to old for me anyway.

Cyrus cocked his head to the side in wonder. Flipping through another few pages, the date was now three months later.

I can't believe it, he's gone. He's really actually gone. I finally find someone again who I put my trust in and he's gone. Now I'll never see him again. Why does this always happen to me? He didn't even say goodbye. I thought I could have at least told him, I planned on it today. Why Cyrus, why did you have go? Why couldn't you let me tell you? I love you. I wish I could have told you. Maybe then you could have stayed. But now my hope is lost, I don't know what to do anymore. I knew I should have stayed away the first time I realized it but I was to blinded to see this coming.

Cyrus stopped reading unable to finish the entry. He closed the journal with a heart filled with sorrow. It wasn't his fault he had to leave. It was only for the safety and protection of Lucia. The truth was, he loved her too. He looked forward to all of their lessons. Never did he think that leaving would hurt her the way it did. With a small sigh he sat down in the chair and opened the book again scanning over the pages.

"Well, no doubt you've already read the important parts." Lucia's voice came from the library door which she shut quietly behind her. Cyrus' head snapped up as he closed the book and stood up meeting Lucia's soft eyes.

"Lucia, I-I never meant-" She placed a single finger over his lips with a small smile.

"It's alright, Cyrus, I forgive you." As she removed her finger from his lips a small smile took place on both of their faces.

"Lucia," he started looking her directly in the eyes. Her smile widened slightly as her eyes asked for her. "I want you to know, that it really did hurt the both of us when I was forced to leave. And like you said in that journal, I didn't get the chance to tell you how I felt either."

Lucia's heart picked up at his words. "So then?" Cyrus took a deep breath and lowered his head closer to hers.

"I love you Lucia, I always have." Tears almost escaped Lucia's eyes but she blinked them back and threw her arms around his neck.

"Please don't ever leave again. I can't lose you." Lucia buried her face in his shoulder. Cyrus merely hugged her tighter and let his fingers play around in her soft light blue hair. Shortly after, Lucia pulled back and reached to kiss him forcing his body closer to her's. He went along willingly knowing it was the least he could do after leaving her for so long. After parting, Lucia pulled away and looked out the window at the now setting sun. Her face clearly showed an idea going off in her head. Quickly she grabbed Cyrus' arm and pulled him off out of the library.

"Where are we going?" He asked with a slight chuckle. Lucia continued to pull him along with a giant grin.

"We're going to watch the sunset." She replied. Cyrus shook his head with a grin. It was perfect for some time together.

Samus laid on her back on her bed staring at the back of her eyelids. Sleep for some reason wasn't coming for her. With an irritated grunt, she stood up and walked over to her mirror to fix her ponytail pulling on one of the short night gown that was stocked in the dresser. As she was wrapping it back around her hair, suddenly it snapped. Samus cursed under her breath. That was her last one. With a sigh, she walked over to the double doors and opened them to stand on the balcony looking off at the land. Martellus was on her mind ever since the events at dinner. He as well as her didn't say a word to each other while they made their way back to their rooms. Samus didn't like being separated from him even for the shortest of times. She shivered slightly as a gust of cool wind blew by. It was what happened after that surprised her. Martellus' arms wrapped themselves around her waist and pulled her body against his. With a small gasp, she turned her head to look at his smile contented smile.

"Warm now?" He asked softly. Samus nodded her head slowly and turned around to look back to the land, the back of her head rested lightly on his shoulder. They stood in silence for a long while, both only gazing out at the night sky.

"Martellus?" She started slowly. She then lost her desire to continue her thoughts.

"Yes, Samus?" She shook her head. Martellus pulled away and gave her a serious look. "There's something and I wanna know what it is." Samus paused for a short while and sighed.

"Can I..." She let her sentence trail off with a blush.

"Can you what?"

"Can I... show you something?" Martellus cocked his head to the side in question. Samus merely shook her head furiously and looked away blushing. "Never mind, forget I said anything."

"No, please, I want to know." Martellus grabbed her chin gently and raised her blushing face. He lowered his lips to hers for a kiss that she gladly returned. The thoughts began to surface again. Samus again lowered her eyes and smiled, this time grabbing his hand and slowly leading him inside. She moved to her bed and sat him down backing slightly away. Martellus' cheeks grew bright red as she had begun to remove his shirt and tossed it to the floor beside her. It was obvious to Martellus now what she wanted to show him. With his adrenaline now rushing through his body, her started to play with the bottom of her night gown and raised it up as he stood, tossing it to the floor as well. Once all other clothing was removed Martellus carried Samus to the top of the bed and laid her head against the pillows, climbing under the covers with her. Samus took action and began to kiss him furiously moving to climb on top of him deepening the kiss. She felt surges of both pain and pleasure course through her body as she was now as close to Martellus as she could possibly be. Their moment grew and grew until now they were both exhausted and cuddled up underneath the covers in their own new bliss. Martellus' face was still red as Samus gave him a goodnight kiss on the cheek and laid her head gently on his chest. Both drifted off to sleep shortly after exchanging a few words that they already knew.

Sorry again for the late update guys but wow, what a chapter. Took me longer than I expected. I hope you all like the rise in romance this chapter had to offer. You know the drill, please review. Thanks for reading!