We do not own Fire Emblem or any of its characters. Our tactician name is Ada.
Love is always present, it is just a mater of feeling it or not.
-Kimberly Kirberg
By My Troth I Love Thee
Chapter I: All For Love
The flaming red haired girl sat silently under the deep moon, thinking to herself. Usually her parents wouldn't let her stay up this late, but they were really busy today. Her parents weren't exactly her biological parents, but they really do care for her and took care of her for all these years. That doesn't mean she can accept them as her real parents and forget her real ones. This certain girl is under the name of Priscilla.
It has been a nice year with Lord Hector and his group, in Priscilla's opinion. But it was time to move on and stop thinking of the past especially of her Lord Brother Raven. His actually name was Raymond, but he denied that name now and rather be called Raven. Priscilla had seen how Raven had changed and become more quiet and cold. But that still didn't change how she looks at him. There was still a Raymond inside him.
Now, though, she hasn't seen him for a while and it was clear that he was still mad at Ostia for ruining his life. Priscilla sighed to herself as she stood up and ran inside. All this thinking was not helping her one bit. It was making her feel sick inside and she knew she must at least find him and talk to him. Priscilla quickly packed her belongings really quickly and ran out the door.
Of course, she wouldn't leave her parents without any warning. So she quickly written a note explaining why she has to leave and please forgive her for not saying a word and that she is never coming back. Priscilla rode by herself through the night on her horse, carrying her staff and her tomes for protection. She lived in a quiet little town near Ostia ever since her parents move there. Ostia…maybe she should head there first. Priscilla made up her mind and rode towards Ostia. If she hurried, she could reach there before the first light of tomorrow.
Morning came too soon for Priscilla's taste as she barely made it to the edge of Ostia. She didn't feel really good right now, and kind of drowsy as well. Her horse, Princess, was her only companion as she fell asleep silently on its back. She was still holding onto the reins connected to the curb bit. Her horse was well trained under the hand of her new parents and been known as an excellent palfrey. Princess obediently brought Priscilla to the nearest inn and waited for someone to help its master.
Priscilla slowly opened her eyes and met face to face with a purple hair mage. At first, Priscilla cannot recognize her rescuer from her lack of strength left in her eyes. She was not the type of person used to different time of sleep. She was kind of like a princess herself, always relying on her parents all the time. It was a time to grow up from now on.
Erk gave Priscilla a warm smile. "Priscilla, haven't seen thee in a while now. Are ye ok?" Priscilla returned the smile. Erk had been her escort during her stay with Lord Hector. He wasn't the type that usually talk about his feelings out loud to just anyone. He was quite the opposite actually. He was uptight and usually kept his feelings inside.
"I'm fine, loss of sleep." Priscilla answered simply, leaving another little smile. Erk nodded to show his understanding. She found Erk very understanding most of the time and she absolutely adores him. She never mentions this however.
"Priscilla, what art thou hither in Ostia?" The question sounded more of a joke than a real determined question.
"Erk, what art thou hither in Ostia?" Priscilla mocked Erk as she raised her eyebrows quite a bit. It was always easy talking to Erk. He wasn't like Sain, who tries too hard to flirt with every girl he sees, and he wasn't like Raven, who never spoken a decent conversation with her. Erk listens and never once tries to know her past. She liked him for this.
"I am merely stopping by to get some supplies for Lady Louise. She is pregnant, thy know." Erk finally answered as he watched her from beside the bed. Priscilla can't stop looking at him for a moment until she felt a bit awkward for not answering him. She blushed slightly.
"Oh, nay, I know not that. Erk…" Priscilla knew she must ask, even if it didn't feel right to ask him this. She must know. "Have thee seen Raven?"
Erk froze. The question was so unexpected that it caught him off guard. Erk lost his voice to speak willingly to the girl in front of him. He didn't want to tell her, but he didn't want to lie to her either. Erk looked sadly into Priscilla's eyes as she waited for his answer. "Nay, I have not seen Raven. But…" Erk took his eyes off hers, looking away as if in shame. Priscilla was a bit confused now. "I know what happened to him."
Tears started forming in Priscilla's eyes. She can tell what Erk was going to say, but she didn't want to believe it. She didn't want to believe her own thoughts. Surely, it must be something else. "Erk, is he…is he…" Priscilla lost her voice as well. Her thoughts when she left her parents, happy ones were now replaced with unhappy ones.
Erk didn't answer, he merely nodded in sadness as Priscilla looked down at her hands. Priscilla had this feeling whelming inside her, this deep feeling she never had in her life. No…that was a lie… She had endured this feeling before. Only once before. It was the time she spoken with Sir. Oswin about her biological parents. That feeling she thought she will never have to go through once again.
Priscilla didn't want to say anything anymore. She didn't even want to live anymore. She found herself on her feet in no time as she silently walked out the door, leaving Erk behind her. Erk ran out and stood by her side. Priscilla wiped some tears from her eyes as she slowly turned around to face Erk.
"Erk…what…should I do?" Her voice was shaky and hurt at the same time. Priscilla can see him looking at her with the saddest eyes she had ever seen. He wanted to share the same mood with her. He wanted to help her, but how? How could you help someone get away from a death such as this?
"Priscilla, thee can stay with me for now. I live not with Lord Pent and Lady Louise anymore, but I dost help out sometimes." Priscilla gave Erk a weird look as Erk sighed. "Actually, I might not live with them but I dost live with some other people. I am now studying in a school funded by Canas. After studying so much, maybe it is nice to show other people to love magic as much as I dost."
Erk tried to sound hopeful as Priscilla looked interested, but she was still sad. "Erk…grammarcy…"
Erk and Priscilla stopped by the stalls where they pick up Princess and walked together, despite the horse, to the Ostian castle. Priscilla looked at it with interest. Oswin had explained everything to her, about what become of her family and what they did. She didn't look at Ostia as an enemy but as a friend.
Erk greeted Canas as he walked through the hallways and towards the guardroom. "Canas, could Priscilla stay hither?" Erk asked as Canas examined Priscilla from top to bottom. He just shrugged and continue reading his book. He did not seem interested at all. Erk watched Canas go as he led Priscilla to her solar room. It was one tidy room with light green wallpaper as Priscilla sat down.
"Erk, shouldn't thee deliver the stuff for Lady Louise already?" Priscilla asked curiously as Erk just gave her a grin.
"Thou art right. It will take me awhile to return though. I am estimating about tomorrow morrow. I will see you anon, Priscilla." Erk grabbed his items and ran out the door without hesitation. Priscilla felt something inside exploding to see him go. Priscilla sat silently on her bed, leaving the door open.
Why was it so hard to be strong? She had been through so much as running around and healing members on Lord Hector's group. Surely it was much worst than this. But it wasn't. Priscilla rolled on her back now, staring at the blank wall. She hated this. She had to be strong in her life as she had faced far worst than this.
Maybe this was hard on her because she had so many close memories of him. If he was still alive, he would just love to know this. Priscilla sighed to herself. Not only was Raven on her mind, Erk was there as well. She felt like she had a new dependency on him. It didn't feel right to think of that since it's been awhile since they met again, but she always very fond of him from the beginning.
Priscilla couldn't think straight anymore. Her family was gone. All of her family was gone now from her parents to her brother. Her old life is forever gone. Never coming back again. Maybe this had to happen. Maybe fate wants her to go on with her life, maybe fate wants her to have a brighter future and forget her past. With these thoughts, Priscilla could finally have one long rest.
Priscilla woke up once again, but this time, it wasn't intended to happen. She had woken up because of some loud noises outside. Priscilla rubbed her aching head as she shakily walked outside her solar room. The noises were bugging her a lot and she just wanted to have some more sleeping time. Priscilla looked around the hallway to find out who or what made the noises.
Priscilla met a familiar face in the hallways. It was Matthew. Of course, Priscilla should have known she would meet Matthew here since he does belong in Ostia, working as a spy and all. Matthew caught sight of Priscilla and nodded out of politeness. "Lady Priscilla, what art thou hither?" Matthew asked quickly as if in a rush.
"Erk invited me. How fare thee?" Matthew merely gave a questioning look.
"Naught much. Adieu, my good lady." With those last lines, Matthew rushed off into another solar room not far away from Priscilla's. Curiosity followed as Priscilla trailed Matthew into the solar room.
Inside, Priscilla caught sight of Serra, another member from Lord Hector's group as far as she can remember. Serra was really sensitive and loud, but Priscilla found this really unique. Serra was on top of her table, shaking in her bishop's clothing.
"Wherefore art thou scared?" Matthew inquired in a teasing voice from beside the door.
Serra shot Matthew a dirty look. "Shut up Matthew! By my troth! Just come and help me! There is a nest of cockroaches under my boxes!"
"Methinks thee lie, Serra." Matthew shot another teasing line at Serra, who could have jump him any second. Priscilla looked at the mountain of boxes near Serra's bed. If Matthew is not going to help, then she should at least do something to help poor Serra out.
"Perchance I should help." Priscilla offered and walked over by the mountain of boxes. She did not believe that there was a nest of cockroaches under the boxes and thought that maybe Serra did made the whole thing up for attention. But no matter, Priscilla picked up one of the boxes for Serra to see that there was no cockroach hiding. Little did Priscilla know, two of them were already on her shoulder.
"Lady Priscilla…" Matthew mumbled all scared, pointing at her shoulder.
When Priscilla looked at where he was pointing, the cockroaches were gone. They were now on the floor near her foot.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!" The next moment Priscilla found herself on the same table with Serra, hugging each other to death. Both were shaking in fear.
Matthew decided to take action now as he stepped on one with his boots and then the other with his other boot. Both girls scream to see this right in front of their eyes. Matthew gave them a smirk before kicking the dead cockroaches out the open door. "I saved thee most beauteous maidens from those horrible things." Matthew said in a dramatic hero-sort of voice before giving a little bow.
The two shaking girls let out a sign of relief. But now there was another problem, they couldn't get down from the table. Serra couldn't get down from the table because she's afraid of any more cockroaches running around her room. Priscilla couldn't get down from the table because she's afraid of heights especially without Erk around. Matthew chuckled when he discovered this and walked in front of the two young ladies in front of him.
"Serra, let me rescue thee from this table right." Matthew commented as he spread his arms out to Serra, who stared at them blankly.
"Methinks not! Make your leave, Matthew! Ye a coward, waiting for me fright to death!" With that last remark, Serra looked away from Matthew with disgust.
"Suit yourself." Matthew said as he started taking a step away.
Serra looked at the floor, and then at the boxes, and then at Matthew. "Fine! Matthew, ye win!" Matthew gave a satisfying smile at Serra before she jumped into his arms. He walked out the door with her in his arms before dropping her to her feet. Now, there was only Priscilla left to deal with.
At the same time, Oswin came running in and stared at Serra and then at Matthew and then at Priscilla on top of the table. Oswin rushed over and helped Priscilla down from her place. He had known Priscilla quite well and knew she was afraid of heights. Oswin placed her on her feet and examined her quickly. "It's been a good length in times past when we last met."
Priscilla nodded. "Grammarcy, Sir Oswin. I am staying here from now on."
"That is well!" Oswin replied happily as he walked on continuing his business when Serra stopped him in his tracks.
"Sir Oswin, I need a new solar room! Mine is filled with cockroaches!" Serra nearly demanded as Oswin's eyebrow rise. He merely pointed at the mountain of boxes.
"Get rid of that and there will be no problem." Oswin gave the last bit of advice before he left. Serra was now really mad and stamping her foot.
"But I need my shoes! I couldn't get rid of them!" Serra shouted after Oswin as Matthew placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Serra, never heard of a closet?" Matthew teased as he left a hot angry Serra. Serra stomp her foot once again until she noticed Priscilla in front of her, staring.
"Priscilla? Let's go to the kitchen! I was planning to meet Florina and Farina thither." Serra invited as the two girls walked through the long hallway with beautiful tapestries hanging on every wall. After a long walk, they walk through the large bailey and into another room. There was the kitchen.
Florina and Farina were already there, sitting on different chairs talking among themselves. Florina, from what Priscilla remembered, was married to Lord Hector or Marquess Ostia and Farina decided to look after her sister. But Farina would never change and sometimes leave to work as a merchant for gold. The staff of women was cooking without giving a glance at the two who barely come. The room was filled with the smell of honey butterscotch.
"Priscilla? How fare thee?" Farina asked casually, taking a little sip from her wine. There were already three glasses of wine, waiting to be drink. Farina poured another one and offered it to Priscilla.
Priscilla gave the glass an odd look as Farina raised her eyebrow at the poor girl. "Ye never had any wine?"
"Urm, nay. Never. My parents wilt not allow me to do that."
Farina laughed as she took another little sip from her glass of wine. "Wine is an essential drink around hither. Men usually drink ale, which I tried before. I hate the taste of ale, but women need to keep up with the men right?"
Priscilla had a sudden urge to drink it now as she grabbed the wine from Farina's hand and took a long sip before she placed the empty glass down. She made a face and asked, "How dost thee beak this well?"
Florina and Farina shrugged in unison. Florina looked around carefully, noticing that there were no men in the room before she spoke. "I would…usually…drink…w-wine, but…I'm…pregnant…could not…drink…" Serra laughed now.
"Me neither. My vow of chastity to Saint Elimine includes no drinking." Farina was the one to make a face now.
"Serra! Come on. Ye have been missing out! One sip won't hurt." Serra took that as an insult and grabbed another glass of wine from the table and took a little sip.
"This is naught like water!" Serra exclaimed as she took another sip.
Farina laughed, pouring herself some more wine. "Ye hate it now, but if ye live in Ilia where Florina and I grew up, this stuff is like gold! Ilia is always freezing cold all year round!"
Serra took another sip. "Wait, Farina, ye drink ale? Wow, a side I never knew thee had. I could barely drink wine. And Florina? Ye drink wine often. This is something I never thought I would hear." Serra quickly wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as a hiccup came next.
Everyone laughed at this hiccup when something got into Priscilla. "I remember something. He used to drink."
Serra looked at Priscilla. "Who?"
"Raven, he always used to drink. I never noticed before since I am always looking up to him, always admiring him, always adoring him." This comment caught Serra off guard. Serra used to have a crush on Erk, but Erk only adores Priscilla. Serra was not mad at Erk for liking Priscilla, but she was mad at Priscilla for talking about Raven when he is her own brother. What is Priscilla thinking? There is a good guy in front of her and she couldn't even see it.
"Priscilla, me thought Raven was your brother, not your lover." Serra said in an accusing voice. She couldn't hide her anger any longer as she glared at Priscilla.
Priscilla knew what Serra must have been thinking but that was not what she meant at all. Now Farina and Florina was staring at Priscilla with curiosity. Priscilla sighed. "Serra, if I said that I never like Raven, that is a lie." Now, anger was really getting to Serra. "But if ye call it love, then that would be a lie."
With that satisfying answer, Serra calm down and continue sipping her wine. Florina was feeling a bit left out for not drinking, but she was pregnant and she shouldn't. Farina was giving Priscilla happy glances and suspicious smiles. "So, if is it not Raven, then who's the lucky guy?"
Priscilla froze. She could tell them she has feelings for Erk now, but what if Serra wasn't over Erk yet? What if she hurt Serra? She didn't want to lose her friendship with Serra over a guy. Serra was a good friend of hers and she wouldn't trade it for love. Priscilla was now confused as Serra read her silently. Farina and Florina were just there, staring at the nervous Priscilla now.
Serra took a deep breath and announced. "Priscilla, by my troth, I do not love Erk anymore. Like ye with Raven, there is a big difference between love and like. I discovered that thee have to go through a period of like, before thee can tell what right love really is. Now I know better."
Florina gave a little giggle. "Aye, Serra found her love for Saint Elimine once more."
Priscilla felt relaxed now, but she still didn't want to tell them her love for Erk yet. "I do not know about me yet. I hath not found that love yet." Everyone seemed satisfied at Priscilla's answer as everyone loosen up a bit.
"Let us talk about other stuff. Like why Farina love gold so much." Priscilla suggested as all three girls turn their attention to Farina now. Farina blushed slightly.
"I just dost! No particular reason." Farina tried to look innocent but couldn't get away from her younger sister, Florina.
"Ye hiding…it…from…us."
Farina sighed to herself. She couldn't ignore her younger sister even if she wanted to. Farina leaned closer to the other three while all of them came closer together. Farina looked around to see if any of the cooks were listening as she took a deep breath. "The truth is ever since I was young, I wanted to be a Pegasus knight and that was all I wanted to dream of becoming of. But then, one day while I was walking off in the streets by myself, disobeying Fiora's orders, I met an older richer man abusing a little girl on the streets the same age as me. I did not know what become of me, but all I wanted to do was become richer than that man. I wanted to be richer than all men."
The other three looked at Farina in a different way now. They never had seen this side of her. She always wanted to be rich, and she always wanted to be better than men. But they would never imagine why she was like this. Florina was in tears now and hugged her sister tight. Farina did not cry as she patted Florina's back gently.
Florina finally got back to normal as Farina took a long sip from her wine. "Priscilla, you know what? I believe that Raven is still not dead yet." Farina decided to mention this as Priscilla's eyes widened.
"But me thought Raven…"
"Priscilla, that is the rumor going around. He might still be alive. Do not worry." Priscilla nodded in understanding. Her mind was foggy and sad when she heard what happened to him. Now, it feels like a new light opened up inside her soul, taking her back to this world again. He might still be alive…
"On the brighter note…" Serra interrupted Priscilla's thoughts. "Ostia is planning a reunion party tomorrow for our old group. That's why the cooks are so busy."
Priscilla's face lightened up. If there was a reunion party, then that must mean that Raven might come, and Erk as well since he will be going with Lady Louise and Lord Pent. Priscilla already longed to see Erk again ever since he left a few hours ago. She wanted to see him so badly that it even scared her. It must be love.
Florina was the person to interrupt Priscilla's thoughts this time. "Urm… should…we…decorate…and stuff?" Farina and Serra's face brighten up at the same time.
"'Tis most splendid! I take the halls!" cry out Farina as she ran off, dropping her glass of wine on the floor. One of the cooks scowled and started cleaning up the mess.
"I take the bailey!" shouted Serra as she also ran off to start decorating. She also dropped her glass of wine on the table, though.
Florina gave Priscilla one last look before she headed towards the courtroom to decorate as well. Priscilla looked up at the ceiling with high hope of seeing Raven and Erk again. Raven was her past, Erk is now her present, and maybe her future as well. Priscilla pick up her pace and left for the dining room and balcony. The party was tomorrow and she must hurry to help out as much as she can. Her new adaptation in Ostia.
Potter29vo: Here's the end of our first chapter of "By My Troth I Love Thee". Even though I don't like this pairing, I am willingly to give it a try. I thought it makes the story more interesting when I mixed the element of Medieval and Modern. In other words, the dialogue is part medieval while the situations are modern. For example, situations like Serra and Priscilla afraid of cockroaches. Lol. Also, we are planning to answer any information the game didn't give us about the characters like why Farina loves gold so much (answered). So please tell us any questions about any characters that are unanswered and we might answer them throughout the story. I am credited for writing this piece of text. The ideas are Michelle's, however. Thanks and love you all.
Michelle of the Night: Thanks a lot, MPV. You took everything I was about to say. I love this pairing and I haven't found many stories about it so I decided we write about these two. Of course, this story has to have some element of "Michelle" so I will give you a chance to join this story. Only two females and two males are available for now as Erk's magic students. We choose the most supportive (from our other individual stories) and persuading ones first, and then signed reviews, and lastly anonymous reviews. Don't worry if you don't get pick because there are other chances later in the story such as pagers for Lord Hector or something. Thank you, and R &R.