Note: Okay, sorry for the long wait on this! I was just finishing up another story, but anyway, here it is! A Seiftis/Queifer and Selphell/Zelphie story! Hope you like this chapter!
Chapter 7 - Last Good bye
There is a power within which cannot be removed. It is a force so powerful that only maybe a few thousand soldiers can fight against. Maybe no one at all.
It was seven days passed the night the King became well. He had recovered so soon and wished to fight again in battle against the Estharian troops. The Duke's men, as Zell finally explained, already made it pass the marshes and the King was afraid that if they make it pass the high hills, they could be crushed. It was not easy evacuating thousands of his people into their secret hiding place. It may not be enough time. He told the King of a woman in a red main enchanting the Duke. However, the King believed it to be a trick and put the Estharian soldier to prison.
Upon hearing of the news about the Estharian soldiers, the King removed his royal cloak and put on his armor for battle. The Queen watched in horror, wishing he would stay and not put himself in danger.
Once Seifer noticed this look on her face, he knew what he had to do. He approached the King immediately and bowed his head in respect to His Highness, while his servants helped the King put on his silver and gold armor. "Your Highness, if I may speak."
The King did not turn. He watched himself through the mirror, making sure his armor was put on tight. "Yes, go on." One of his servants fastened the belt at his back tightly, while another placed his metal gloves on his hands.
The blond Knight glanced at the Queen, who was watching him, wondering what it is that he may speak of. "I do not think it will be wise for you to fight in battle, sir," he said.
Irvine lifted a hand to stop his servants from armoring him and turned around, his golden cape flying around him. "Are you telling me what not to do, Sir Knight?"
Seifer nodded. "Yes sir, I am. It is best that you stay here with the Queen for safety sir, while I send myself and my men to drive off the Estharian soldiers."
The brunette watched him curiously. "I am a King, Seifer. I can not sit here and do nothing to help my men fight in battle."
"Yes, I understand that you wish to help, but the Queen can not help. I cannot watch you die, or the Queen. She has almost lost you once, she can not lose you again." He stared into the King's eyes.
Irvine furrowed his eyebrows in wonder. He glanced at the Queen, her blue eyes almost in tears as she gazed up at him. Sighing, he put his arm back down at his side and nodded. "Very well. You do what you must, but..." he paused and looked at the knight. "You must try your hardest to live for me, Seifer. You have been my friend since the day we were born and I wish nothing but your safe return."
Seifer acknowledged the speech of friendship from the King and with one fleeting expression towards the Queen he said, "With all my might, I will return to you."
The Balbadian King grinned, glancing at his servants as if to say to remove his armor and waved his hand at the blond knight. "You may leave tomorrow. I want you to get a good night's rest before you battle."
The blond bowed his head in agreement. "Yes, sir." He took another glance at the Queen, her eyes full of tears. She frowned at him, wishing he would not go in battle and, yet he smiled in return, before he turned and walked away to his quarters to rest.
The Queen watched him go, her heart felt like breaking in pieces for the man she loves. She could almost see him fading into the darkness and never return to her again.
**********
"How much longer?" He looked up at her as she fed him a fresh apple from the Queen's courtyard. She had asked the Queen if she could feed the Estharian soldier and the Queen kindly agreed.
"It will not be long, my love," she whispered, handing him the green apple.
He took it from her hand gently, while at the same time, stroked her hand. "I wish nothing more than to be with you, Selphie."
Selphie smiled. She grabbed the empty hand and brought it to her cheek, stroking the back of his hand against her face. "And I you, Zell."
The blond sighed, moving his hand so his palm was facing her and brushed it gently on her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin. Without a word, he gazed into her eyes and smiled.
The brunette put the tray down on the ground and grabbed his hand with both of her hands and closed her eyes. "I am sorry for not being there for you when you told him. I could not. The Queen needed me."
Zell nodded. "I understand. Do not be ashamed for me. I am an Estharian soldier, after all. I am the King's enemy and what else for me to do than rot in this prison."
Selphie shook her head. "You will not rot here. I will ask the Queen to speak to the King about pardoning you. Surely, he will listen. You have not done wrong."
The soldier looked away. "I have done many things wrong, Selphie. I am a soldier of Esthar, enemy of Balbadia. I am ordered to kill those in my way and not put any resistance to the orders given to me. If I return to Esthar, they will kill me for betraying the Duke. Where will I go then?"
The handmaiden put his hand down. "You will come live with me here as one of Sir Seifer's men. I know he will agree."
Zell frowned. "Become a Balbadian?" He shook his head. "I wish nothing more than to agree to that proposition, but I was born to be an Estharian. I have learned the ways of Balbadia and their errors. I know of Balbadia's secret plot to destroy the Duke so they can take over and become an even greater power."
Selphie stood up, pushing his hand away from her in anger. She planted both her fists on her hips and frowned at the soldier. "Why do you say that we Balbadians are plotting to take over the world? Are Estharians not the ones attacking us? We are defending ourselves!"
The blond stood up, staring eye to eye with his loved one. "Estharians are too, defending themselves! They plan to take action first before the Balbadian soldiers make a move towards the mountains that leads to Esthar."
"What soldiers? They are still here. Sir Seifer and his men are planning to drive off the Estharian soldiers making their way at the top of the hill," Selphie countered.
Zell shook his head. "You know nothing, Selphie. When the King came back from battle, there were still some men left, alive and well. I know, because I was one of those men who fought against them. I heard the King order the men, before they took plight in the battle that whomever survives, will continue on to the mountains in hiding and do as best as they can to reach Esthar."
Selphie was on a verge of tears. She knows nothing? "How dare you say I know nothing? I know that my King would never do such a thing. He would never do such a thing! He is a good King and would never surrender to any woman that has enchanted your so-called Duke."
"The woman is not of your concern, Selphie! She has done nothing to make orders to the Duke. She merely pushed him to become someone else I do not remember him to be!" Zell yelled.
Selphie said nothing.
The blond stared at her, frowning. He knew what he had done. He had hurt the only girl he ever loved and for the second time as well. Why do they end up like this, arguing and spitting hurtful words to each other? He watched her turn and leave without another word to him.
**********
The night was full of stars, as if it was a sign of his last night on earth. He could not sleep, knowing that the battle tomorrow was going to be his last. He had time to rest, but only for a couple of hours, then decided to roam around the castle, to remember its beauty and magnificence. The castle was divided in two. One, a Galbadia descent, where the King had his quarters, while the other, a Balamb descent, where the Queen had hers. The Queen's handmaidens slept on the Balamb descent, while the soldiers and stable boys slept on the other side. He slept at the Balamb descent. The King ordered him to be there so he could watch over the Queen. He could not blame him, after all, he was the only Knight left in the castle, because the rest of the knights the King took with him during the last battle, had all died. The King had a choice and he decided quickly, because the King knew how to defend himself. The Queen did not know how too.
Seifer snorted at that thought. The last time she ever held a sword was when she tried to escape the castle. Irvine still did not know the Queen very well.
Soon, he found himself walking around the courtyard on the Balamb area, watching the moon up above staring at him with its bright eyes. Seifer sighed, sitting down on the ceramic fountain in the middle of the courtyard with little cherub angels spitting out water.
"Seifer," someone whispered from afar. Alarmed, Seifer unsheathed his sword and looked around the halls of the courtyard, where darkness usually surrounded it.
"Who goes there?" He noticed a shadow move to his right. The blond Knight slowly crouched into a defensive position, ready to strike the intruder with his weapon. The figure moved close to the light where the moon was shining so he could see whom it be.
"Do you always alarm yourself every moment I am near?" the Queen spoke, with a smile on her face.
Seifer's eyes glowed in surprise. He put his weapon back in its sheath and stared at the Queen. She approached him slowly, her hands clasped in front of her. "Your Highness? Why do you still walk awake?"
When she neared him, her smile faded into a frown. "Do you wish to punish me, Seifer?"
The blond Knight stared at her. "What do you mean?"
Quistis took a deep breath and took a couple more steps before finally making it near him. "Why do you insist on taking this task? You know that this battle will even be more dangerous than the first! Is this your way or running from your problems?" Tears fell from her eyes.
Seifer shook his head. "You know that is not what I wish. I do not intend to punish you. I only intend to protect you."
"Protect me? From what?" She looked at him curiously.
"Protect you from the loneliness in your heart," he answered. "I would rather be the one to die so you can have someone to love, rather than choose for the King to fight with me and lose us both."
More tears fell from her eyes. Without warning, she collapsed in her arms and cried in his chest. "No! I do not want to lose you! I do not care what people say! I love you! I love you most of all! I love you more than the King!" She wrapped her arms around his waist and moved her head to cry on his shoulders.
The blond knight pulled her away from him and stared into her teary eyes. "You do not know how much it means to me for you to say that! I love you as well, but I cannot live in this lie forever. I cannot! When I see you with the King, I see how much he loves you. I have betrayed the King! I have betrayed my best friend..." he paused and looked down on the ground in shame. He was afraid to look into her eyes again and see the sadness.
Quistis stared at him. The words he spoke were like a curse. "What do you mean? Is this the end? Are those words your last good bye?"
Seifer shook his head. "No..."
"Then what is it?!" She pulled her arms away from him and looked at him. "What are these words you spoke to me of? Are they words of good bye or just words to hurt me?"
"You know I do not wish to hurt you. I..." He closed his eyes. "I must go." He turned to leave.
"Seifer!" She ran to him and wrapped his arms around his waist, her hands reaching his chest. She rested her head against his back and cried. "I do not wish for you to go. Please," she whispered. "I wish for us to make love one last time."
"Quisti-"
"Please," she pleaded.
The blond closed his eyes. He turned around slowly and looked into the beautiful ocean blue colour of the Queen's eyes. He could not resist her. He loved her too much to let her go. He leaned over and kissed her with all the love he can give and wrapped his arms around her waist, to pull her closer to him. She kissed back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Seifer removed his lips from hers and kissed her neck. Quistis closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his lips against her skin. Before he could kiss the other side of her neck, Quistis pulled away and looked into his eyes.
"Seifer," she whispered, placing a finger on his lips.
The blond looked at her. "Yes?"
"Come with me to my quarters," she replied. "Let us be together." She took his hand and together they walked out of the courtyard towards her bedroom.
GoodGurl: sniff! This was sooo sad! I know, I know, I always have Zell and Selphie fight, but what can I say? Their differences are the only thing that's keeping them apart. After all, Zell is an Estharian soldier, born to be an Estharian, while Selphie was raised to be a Balamb, which turned into Balbadia castle. Anyway, poor Quisty and Seifer! I hope I get more reviews for this chapter! Ciao!
Chapter 7 - Last Good bye
There is a power within which cannot be removed. It is a force so powerful that only maybe a few thousand soldiers can fight against. Maybe no one at all.
It was seven days passed the night the King became well. He had recovered so soon and wished to fight again in battle against the Estharian troops. The Duke's men, as Zell finally explained, already made it pass the marshes and the King was afraid that if they make it pass the high hills, they could be crushed. It was not easy evacuating thousands of his people into their secret hiding place. It may not be enough time. He told the King of a woman in a red main enchanting the Duke. However, the King believed it to be a trick and put the Estharian soldier to prison.
Upon hearing of the news about the Estharian soldiers, the King removed his royal cloak and put on his armor for battle. The Queen watched in horror, wishing he would stay and not put himself in danger.
Once Seifer noticed this look on her face, he knew what he had to do. He approached the King immediately and bowed his head in respect to His Highness, while his servants helped the King put on his silver and gold armor. "Your Highness, if I may speak."
The King did not turn. He watched himself through the mirror, making sure his armor was put on tight. "Yes, go on." One of his servants fastened the belt at his back tightly, while another placed his metal gloves on his hands.
The blond Knight glanced at the Queen, who was watching him, wondering what it is that he may speak of. "I do not think it will be wise for you to fight in battle, sir," he said.
Irvine lifted a hand to stop his servants from armoring him and turned around, his golden cape flying around him. "Are you telling me what not to do, Sir Knight?"
Seifer nodded. "Yes sir, I am. It is best that you stay here with the Queen for safety sir, while I send myself and my men to drive off the Estharian soldiers."
The brunette watched him curiously. "I am a King, Seifer. I can not sit here and do nothing to help my men fight in battle."
"Yes, I understand that you wish to help, but the Queen can not help. I cannot watch you die, or the Queen. She has almost lost you once, she can not lose you again." He stared into the King's eyes.
Irvine furrowed his eyebrows in wonder. He glanced at the Queen, her blue eyes almost in tears as she gazed up at him. Sighing, he put his arm back down at his side and nodded. "Very well. You do what you must, but..." he paused and looked at the knight. "You must try your hardest to live for me, Seifer. You have been my friend since the day we were born and I wish nothing but your safe return."
Seifer acknowledged the speech of friendship from the King and with one fleeting expression towards the Queen he said, "With all my might, I will return to you."
The Balbadian King grinned, glancing at his servants as if to say to remove his armor and waved his hand at the blond knight. "You may leave tomorrow. I want you to get a good night's rest before you battle."
The blond bowed his head in agreement. "Yes, sir." He took another glance at the Queen, her eyes full of tears. She frowned at him, wishing he would not go in battle and, yet he smiled in return, before he turned and walked away to his quarters to rest.
The Queen watched him go, her heart felt like breaking in pieces for the man she loves. She could almost see him fading into the darkness and never return to her again.
**********
"How much longer?" He looked up at her as she fed him a fresh apple from the Queen's courtyard. She had asked the Queen if she could feed the Estharian soldier and the Queen kindly agreed.
"It will not be long, my love," she whispered, handing him the green apple.
He took it from her hand gently, while at the same time, stroked her hand. "I wish nothing more than to be with you, Selphie."
Selphie smiled. She grabbed the empty hand and brought it to her cheek, stroking the back of his hand against her face. "And I you, Zell."
The blond sighed, moving his hand so his palm was facing her and brushed it gently on her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin. Without a word, he gazed into her eyes and smiled.
The brunette put the tray down on the ground and grabbed his hand with both of her hands and closed her eyes. "I am sorry for not being there for you when you told him. I could not. The Queen needed me."
Zell nodded. "I understand. Do not be ashamed for me. I am an Estharian soldier, after all. I am the King's enemy and what else for me to do than rot in this prison."
Selphie shook her head. "You will not rot here. I will ask the Queen to speak to the King about pardoning you. Surely, he will listen. You have not done wrong."
The soldier looked away. "I have done many things wrong, Selphie. I am a soldier of Esthar, enemy of Balbadia. I am ordered to kill those in my way and not put any resistance to the orders given to me. If I return to Esthar, they will kill me for betraying the Duke. Where will I go then?"
The handmaiden put his hand down. "You will come live with me here as one of Sir Seifer's men. I know he will agree."
Zell frowned. "Become a Balbadian?" He shook his head. "I wish nothing more than to agree to that proposition, but I was born to be an Estharian. I have learned the ways of Balbadia and their errors. I know of Balbadia's secret plot to destroy the Duke so they can take over and become an even greater power."
Selphie stood up, pushing his hand away from her in anger. She planted both her fists on her hips and frowned at the soldier. "Why do you say that we Balbadians are plotting to take over the world? Are Estharians not the ones attacking us? We are defending ourselves!"
The blond stood up, staring eye to eye with his loved one. "Estharians are too, defending themselves! They plan to take action first before the Balbadian soldiers make a move towards the mountains that leads to Esthar."
"What soldiers? They are still here. Sir Seifer and his men are planning to drive off the Estharian soldiers making their way at the top of the hill," Selphie countered.
Zell shook his head. "You know nothing, Selphie. When the King came back from battle, there were still some men left, alive and well. I know, because I was one of those men who fought against them. I heard the King order the men, before they took plight in the battle that whomever survives, will continue on to the mountains in hiding and do as best as they can to reach Esthar."
Selphie was on a verge of tears. She knows nothing? "How dare you say I know nothing? I know that my King would never do such a thing. He would never do such a thing! He is a good King and would never surrender to any woman that has enchanted your so-called Duke."
"The woman is not of your concern, Selphie! She has done nothing to make orders to the Duke. She merely pushed him to become someone else I do not remember him to be!" Zell yelled.
Selphie said nothing.
The blond stared at her, frowning. He knew what he had done. He had hurt the only girl he ever loved and for the second time as well. Why do they end up like this, arguing and spitting hurtful words to each other? He watched her turn and leave without another word to him.
**********
The night was full of stars, as if it was a sign of his last night on earth. He could not sleep, knowing that the battle tomorrow was going to be his last. He had time to rest, but only for a couple of hours, then decided to roam around the castle, to remember its beauty and magnificence. The castle was divided in two. One, a Galbadia descent, where the King had his quarters, while the other, a Balamb descent, where the Queen had hers. The Queen's handmaidens slept on the Balamb descent, while the soldiers and stable boys slept on the other side. He slept at the Balamb descent. The King ordered him to be there so he could watch over the Queen. He could not blame him, after all, he was the only Knight left in the castle, because the rest of the knights the King took with him during the last battle, had all died. The King had a choice and he decided quickly, because the King knew how to defend himself. The Queen did not know how too.
Seifer snorted at that thought. The last time she ever held a sword was when she tried to escape the castle. Irvine still did not know the Queen very well.
Soon, he found himself walking around the courtyard on the Balamb area, watching the moon up above staring at him with its bright eyes. Seifer sighed, sitting down on the ceramic fountain in the middle of the courtyard with little cherub angels spitting out water.
"Seifer," someone whispered from afar. Alarmed, Seifer unsheathed his sword and looked around the halls of the courtyard, where darkness usually surrounded it.
"Who goes there?" He noticed a shadow move to his right. The blond Knight slowly crouched into a defensive position, ready to strike the intruder with his weapon. The figure moved close to the light where the moon was shining so he could see whom it be.
"Do you always alarm yourself every moment I am near?" the Queen spoke, with a smile on her face.
Seifer's eyes glowed in surprise. He put his weapon back in its sheath and stared at the Queen. She approached him slowly, her hands clasped in front of her. "Your Highness? Why do you still walk awake?"
When she neared him, her smile faded into a frown. "Do you wish to punish me, Seifer?"
The blond Knight stared at her. "What do you mean?"
Quistis took a deep breath and took a couple more steps before finally making it near him. "Why do you insist on taking this task? You know that this battle will even be more dangerous than the first! Is this your way or running from your problems?" Tears fell from her eyes.
Seifer shook his head. "You know that is not what I wish. I do not intend to punish you. I only intend to protect you."
"Protect me? From what?" She looked at him curiously.
"Protect you from the loneliness in your heart," he answered. "I would rather be the one to die so you can have someone to love, rather than choose for the King to fight with me and lose us both."
More tears fell from her eyes. Without warning, she collapsed in her arms and cried in his chest. "No! I do not want to lose you! I do not care what people say! I love you! I love you most of all! I love you more than the King!" She wrapped her arms around his waist and moved her head to cry on his shoulders.
The blond knight pulled her away from him and stared into her teary eyes. "You do not know how much it means to me for you to say that! I love you as well, but I cannot live in this lie forever. I cannot! When I see you with the King, I see how much he loves you. I have betrayed the King! I have betrayed my best friend..." he paused and looked down on the ground in shame. He was afraid to look into her eyes again and see the sadness.
Quistis stared at him. The words he spoke were like a curse. "What do you mean? Is this the end? Are those words your last good bye?"
Seifer shook his head. "No..."
"Then what is it?!" She pulled her arms away from him and looked at him. "What are these words you spoke to me of? Are they words of good bye or just words to hurt me?"
"You know I do not wish to hurt you. I..." He closed his eyes. "I must go." He turned to leave.
"Seifer!" She ran to him and wrapped his arms around his waist, her hands reaching his chest. She rested her head against his back and cried. "I do not wish for you to go. Please," she whispered. "I wish for us to make love one last time."
"Quisti-"
"Please," she pleaded.
The blond closed his eyes. He turned around slowly and looked into the beautiful ocean blue colour of the Queen's eyes. He could not resist her. He loved her too much to let her go. He leaned over and kissed her with all the love he can give and wrapped his arms around her waist, to pull her closer to him. She kissed back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Seifer removed his lips from hers and kissed her neck. Quistis closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his lips against her skin. Before he could kiss the other side of her neck, Quistis pulled away and looked into his eyes.
"Seifer," she whispered, placing a finger on his lips.
The blond looked at her. "Yes?"
"Come with me to my quarters," she replied. "Let us be together." She took his hand and together they walked out of the courtyard towards her bedroom.
GoodGurl: sniff! This was sooo sad! I know, I know, I always have Zell and Selphie fight, but what can I say? Their differences are the only thing that's keeping them apart. After all, Zell is an Estharian soldier, born to be an Estharian, while Selphie was raised to be a Balamb, which turned into Balbadia castle. Anyway, poor Quisty and Seifer! I hope I get more reviews for this chapter! Ciao!