A/N: I recently saw the Fire Emblem anime (wow, can't believe WordPerfect actually recognizes the word 'anime'.) I will try to incorporate the information I learned from there, as well as various sites on the 'net into this fic. Hey, Empress, you know you read my mind? And don't worry, Lito, Koryth is not an old guy. He's around 19. Blah blah blah, disclaimer's the same as it's always been, now maybe I should shut up and get on with it. One more thing: Ellis is Marth's older sister. Don't ask me why, I know that sounds like a boy's name.
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Koryth couldn't sleep. Guilt racked the young man's mind unmercifully. He longed to confess what he'd done, but to whom? Marth? That wasn't a good idea. Though known to be gentle and understanding, the prince also had a bad temper at times. Koryth didn't know how he'd react to the news, and preferred not to find out. Who else would listen? Shondar was his closest friend besides Marth, but confessing everything to him might be an even worse idea. Shondar was one of Marth's oldest friends and most loyal servants. He would probably become enraged and attack Koryth if he knew his friend had been taken advantage of. Koryth wanted nothing more at that moment to turn back time and erase his deeds of those few minutes.
An idea suddenly struck him. Maybe if he apologized, the incident would be forgotten and his mind would finally be at peace. The thought of telling Marth frightened him so much, he couldn't possibly say anything while he was awake. Since I kissed him while he slept, Koryth tried to reason, it's only appropriate I apologize while he's asleep.
He crept into Marth's bedchamber, as quietly as he had before. The prince still slept, curled on his side. To Koryth, he appeared almost angelic, so innocent and unaware of what had happened to him. Koryth approached the side of the bed cautiously. He waited a moment, nervously awaiting Marth to hear him and wake. After what seemed like an eternity had passed, the whispered softly, "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have done that." As he was about to leave, Koryth turned back, realizing that Marth's blankets still only covered his lower legs. Koryth gently pulled them to the prince's chest, saying softly, " I don't want you to catch a chill." Resisting the urge to touch Marth again, he exited the room, still fearful someone would notice.
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The next afternoon, rain poured from the sky in seemingly endless torrents. Marth didn't seem to notice as he sat in a corner of his balcony, watching silently. Rainy days seemed the best for thinking. Marth found the soft patter of the raindrops comforting somehow as the familiar subjects that plagued his life daily returned. He wrapped his cloak around himself tightly, ignoring the cold dampness of the rain.
His thoughts drifted to his family. They were all dead now, his mother, his father, and older sister. All victims of war, all taken from him forever.
"Mama....Papa....Ellis.....why?" he whispered to himself, fighting the tears welling up in his eyes.
Marth let the memories come freely. Unfortunately, what came to his mind was not the most pleasant of memories. He thought of his father and all the disagreements they'd had. If only he'd been able to reach an understanding with him. That is, if it was even possible for his stubborn father to listen.
Marth's father, Cornelius, had a fixed idea of what he thought his son should be like-tough, strong,...... and merciless. The gentle young prince didn't quite fit that profile, however, angering his father greatly. Marth remembered numerous arguments between his parents regarding his upbringing. Cornelius believed his son weak and effeminate, and blamed his wife and daughter for making him "soft". Sometimes, he was even physically violent. Marth well remembered his father's jeering: "Weakling...fool....pushover....disgrace...coward. Compassion is for the weak. If you don't learn to be a man, you'll be a pathetic ruler indeed!" He often followed these rants with a smack or a shove. Hero though he'd become, Marth still wondered if his father would be disappointed in him were he alive.
Luckily, Marth had his mother and sister to comfort him. They were as loving as he was, and disapproved of Cornelius's cruelty. If it weren't for them, Marth might have let his father's taunts break his spirit.
The rain beat down even harder now, covering the sounds of the approaching footsteps. Marth nearly jumped when a hand was placed on his shoulder, then relaxed when he saw it was only Shondar, accompanied by Koryth. He smiled at the two servants, relieved. Had battle made him paranoid?
Shondar spoke. "Highness, why are you out here in the rain?"
"You might catch cold," Koryth added.
"I was just....thinking," Marth answered, not wanting to say what he'd been thinking about. The two servants helped Marth to his feet, and he followed them inside. He shivered slightly once out of the rain, dripping a bit.
This was not unnoticed by either servant. "You look cold, my prince," Shondar commented. Marth merely shook his head, though it was obviously a lie.
"Would you care for a hot bath to warm you?" Koryth inquired.
"No, I'm all right, but I thank you for your concern," Marth said softly. "I'll be all right."
The two serving men proceeded to help Marth out of his wet clothes and into a soft velvet robe, then left him to himself. Marth sighed softly, grateful at least to be warm and dry. He then flopped down on his bed for a nap, exhausted and depressed. The sound of the rain soon lulled the distressed prince to sleep.
He awoke with the sudden urge to leave the castle.
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I'm going to leave it at that for now, as I don't know if I have time to type any more. What will Marth find when he leaves the castle? BWAHAHA, semi-cliffhanger. Expect more within the next day or so. You know you love being kept waiting, right? Yes, Marth's father is a big, mean jerk in the anime. (Gave me nightmares, *shudders*) I wasn't too serious when I said I'd take this down. I got reviews anyway, so it doesn't matter.
