A/N: How many months has it been since an update? I have no idea, and I'm sorry. I'm bad. I still have other fanfics, too. Oh, man, am I lazy! Hmm, how about some more (mild) shounen-ai implications? Will that make it up to you? I can't promise it for this chapter, but maybe the next if I don't.

Disclaimer update: Marth, Ellis, and Jeigan are Fire Emblem characters. I'm just borrowing them for this fanfic.

*****

After Ellis arrived home safely, the mood at the castle became noticeably lighter. By the next afternoon, a banquet had been planned to celebrate her return. Even Marth looked happy, smiling more than anyone had seen since the war. Now, he was practicing swordplay with one of his knights.

"Are you sure you feel up to this?" Kyree called to him from the place she'd picked to plant her garden.

"I'm fine! Don't worry about me. I might even have the strength to help you train later on," he responded, unsheathing his sword.

"Not today, thank you. I'm busy with these cursed weeds!" Marth nodded to her comment and began his mock duel. Kyree couldn't help but be distracted from her weed-yanking. He was the most magnificent swordsman she'd ever seen, even though he'd surely not practiced in quite some time. The metallic clang of steel meeting steel rang in her ears, thrilling her thoroughly. More than once, she nearly jumped.

Surprisingly, she felt little fear that Marth would be hurt. Even a beginner at swordplay could tell Marth's skill was far superior to that of his opponent. Nevertheless, each strike, each parry, caused her to gasp inwardly. The fight might have been one-sided, but Kyree something about it still excited Kyree.

When Marth succeeded in disarming his opponent, he gave his friend an encouraging slap on the back. "You're improving, there's no doubt about that, but your response time is still slow. If this had been a real fight, you'd likely be dead." The other man nodded and headed off. Meanwhile, Marth approached Kyree. "What happened to weed disposal?" he grinned. "You're sitting there with your mouth wide open."

Kyree flushed slightly. "I'm sorry. I was just so impressed by your fighting technique that I....I guess couldn't help myself."

"No harm done," Marth reassured. "By the way, Kyree, there's a banquet tonight. I would be pleased to see you there."

"I know about it, but I don't think I should go. I don't think I would fit in with the other guests, and besides, I have nothing appropriate to wear."

"Nonsense. You're such a sweet woman, who couldn't like you? As for clothing, I'm sure we can find something. Please come. I wish to recognize you publicly for all you've done for me." His eyes betrayed a sincere expression of hopefulness.

Kyree sighed. "I would like to attend, so if it means that much to you, I will. But please, don't make a show about me saving your life. I don't want the attention."

"Wonderful! I'm so glad you agreed. Tell your brother he's invited as well. I think we should both go inside and get ready." As he turned away, Marth added, "Save a dance for me."

Once inside, Kyree met Ellis in the hall. "Ah, Kyree, I've been looking for you," the princess said warmly. "My brother told me how good you've been to him, and I wanted to thank you." She pulled a small emerald pendant from her pocket. "Take this as a token of my friendship. I think it would go nicely with your eyes."

Kyree was nearly speechless. "Thank you, Princess. You are very kind," she murmured.

Ellis smiled at her kindly. "You're more than welcome. And please, call me Ellis."

_______

That evening, a lively party was underway in the castle's dining hall. Though it was nowhere near as grand as royal banquets of the past, no one minded. The joyful atmosphere more than made up for the comparative simplicity.

Marth was behaving more like his old self. Seated between Kyree and Ellis, he was laughing, talking, and mocking his stuffier guests behind their backs as if he'd never been depressed at all. Throughout the meal, Kyree felt someone's leg rubbing against her own, and she was certain it didn't belong to the fat nobleman seated across from her. Marth insisted on toasting not only to his sister, but to Kyree as well. The shy healer was somewhat embarrassed, but her mood was too cheerful to let it bother her.

As soon as they'd both finished eating, Marth tapped Kyree's shoulder. "Would you care to dance? I cannot stand another second of Jeigan's war stories." Jeigan, Marth's bodyguard, was boring everyone with uninteresting tales of army life.

Kyree's lips curled into a wide smile. "Of course. I am honored. And I agree with you, your bodyguard is about to put me to sleep."

Marth led a Kyree to the dance floor, both of them beaming. "You look lovely this evening," he complimented, kissing her hand. Kyree indeed looked radiant in green silk and her newly acquired necklace. Both flattered her green eyes and auburn hair.

"Thank you," she blushed. "You appear even more handsome than usual yourself."

Before Marth could respond, the music began, so he wrapped an arm around Kyree's waist. Just as the dancing began, Kyree confessed,"There's a bit of a problem. I can't dance."

"It's easy," Marth assured. "Just follow my lead and act like you know what you're doing. No one will notice."

As the dance went on, the two said little. The more they stared into each other's eyes, the more the attraction grew. Marth could scarcely believe this was happening. Not long ago, he would have thought it impossible he would ever love again, yet it seemed he was well on his way.

Kyree had to constantly remind herself she wasn't dreaming and that this man truly cared for her.

When the dance ended, their trancelike state faded with it. Kyree excused herself, wanting to rest. She sat down in a convenient chair to catch her breath, surveying the scene. Marth's valets, Koryth and Shondar, were apparently drunk and singing rather loudly. An older couple was arguing about something, and Marth now danced with Ellis. A snippet of conversation among several nearby ladies caught her attention.

"I don't know where she came from, but she's certainly of low breeding," one of them commented.

"He says she's apprenticed to the royal physician, but I don't believe it," replied another. Shock hit Kyree like a heart attack. They were talking about her!

"I've seen her around, so it might be true," a third woman added. "Yet, she certainly didn't seem to be working. What is she really doing here?"

"Whether or not that's true, I think there's another reason for her presence," said the first. "It's been quite some time since Prince Marth had any female company. Perhaps he brought her here for...pleasure purposes."

Kyree gasped. Had this woman just suggested that....?

"I suppose there's nothing we can do about it. It's his business, not ours. He'll tire of her and send her away, I'm certain. That's how it often works with whores."

"Yes, yes, of course. What else could she be but the prince's whore?"

Kyree let out an involuntary cry. Did these women not know she could hear them, or did they not care? They had called her a whore right in front of her!

One of the women smirked maliciously. "Ah, Kyree is it? Good evening," she said with false kindness.

"Why don't you run along, now, dear?" asked another, an equally false smile on her face. "I'm sure the prince requires your company tonight. Why not go warm his bed?" All three began cackled at this remark.

Kyree said nothing. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she fled. As she dashed off, she heard one of the ladies say, " So the little hussy can't be face with the truth, can she? Unless that fool of a girl thinks he actually cares about her."

Kyree didn't stop until she reached the gardens. Practically throwing herself on a bench, she began sobbing hysterically. Why had she agreed to go to this banquet? She should have known these aristocrats would never accept her. But to accuse her of being a prostitute? That was far worse than she imagined.

How long she cried, Kyree didn't know. A voice caused her to raise her head. "Kyree, is that you?" It was Marth.

"Marth? Yes, it's me."

"Kyree, why are you out here? I've been looking all over for you. I wanted to dance with you again, but couldn't find you."

She tried to respond, but only succeeded in bursting into more tears.

Marth sat beside her on the bench, placing a hand on her shoulder. Though it wasn't visible in the twilight, he wore a look of extreme concern. "What happened? Are you all right?"

"T-they said....they...c-called me a..." she stammered between sobs.

"Who?"

"Those ladies...called me a..." she began weeping even more.

"What ladies? What did they call you?" Marth asked.

"I don't know," she said, trying to fight her tears. "A whore. They said you only brought me here to use for your pleasure."

"They accused you of being a whore?" Marth spat disgustedly. "Kyree, surely you don't think my intentions for you were so dishonorable?"

"No, I think better of you than that. But still....right in front of me...I knew I'd never belong among such high-ranking people, but did why were they so cruel?"

"If it's the little group I suspect it is, the reason is because that's the way they are. Tell me, were you insulted by three young women, all about twenty or so?"

"Yes. One had light blond hair, another was unusually tall for a woman, and the third had a mole on her left cheek."

"I thought so. Those three are well-known for malicious gossip." He embraced her tightly, dabbing her tears with a handkerchief. "I'll speak with them, though this won't be the first time I've confronted them about nasty rumors. But as for everyone else, were they not pleasant to you?"

Kyree nodded, pressing as close to Marth as she could.

"Good. Then don't give this another thought. If you don't want to rejoin the celebration, I understand. You are excused." He kissed her tenderly. "Now, do you think you can smile for me, just once?"

Kyree gave him a slightly lopsided grin. "I think so."

____

Late that night, if anyone was not in bed, they might have seen Koryth wandering the halls. Whether it was his recent confused emotions or something else, he was not sure. Whatever the cause, he had resumed his bad childhood habit of sleepwalking. The first few nights it happened, Koryth did not leave his own room. Tonight was different, perhaps due to the alcohol. He traversed this familiar portion of the castle as easily as if he were awake. Had he awakened, Koryth would have found himself in Marth's chambers. He wandered the rooms, fumbling about in his sleep. Possibly subconsciously, he found himself beside Marth's bed within minutes. He proceeded to climb up and snuggle close to the sleeping prince. He wrapped his arms around Marth's waist, head resting against the prince's chest. Koryth let out a contented sigh, still not waking.

The next morning, Marth awoke to a strange sight. Someone was in his bed, cuddling him like a child's toy. "What the hell...?!" he yelled, finding himself face to face with an equally surprised-looking Koryth.

________

Nyah, I'm leaving it here. Cliffhanger! Cliffhanger! Aren't I evil?