Madelyn's Choice
By Becki ^___^
© Fire Emblem
All characters and ideas copyrighted to Nintendo and Intelligent Systems
Disclaimer: I do not own anybody except... except... hm! What do you know? I don't own anybody yet ^_^; Well.. maybe Hassar's sister, but she doesn't exactly exist in the fic -__o
Muahaha, you get to see what color Wallace's hair is before he went bald XP
Okay, this will be the first time I actually write thank-you's to all the very nice people who read my poorly-written fics! Thank you!
gentleness28: Arigatou gozaimasu! Thank you so much for reviewing almost all of my fics! You're a very talented writer yourself, I look forward to reading your works ^_^
hyliansage: Thank you as well for all the support you've given me since the beginning! As you were the first person to review Dark Flame, I'd like to thank you for your continuous, uplifting comments ^_^
Angel Nina: I am most definitely a bit better about my own confidence whenever you contradict my self-bashing statements ^_^ Thanks!
Itzel: Jaja, soy feliz que tú estás leyendo mi historias, ¡eres una persona muy simpática! ¡No puedo esperar conocerte más! (lo siento si hablo algo que no tiene razon ^^; )
Kiyoko-chan: O_o; I didn't think I could be anybody's rolemodel.. but I am very flattered that you'd think so, it does so much for my self-esteem ^__^ Thank you! *gives pocky*
Waffle Girl: I try to edit my works once or twice, but I still miss those little typos that appear here and there.. evil typo demons ^^; Thank you for your reviews, I really hope this can live up to any expectations ^_^
Alice Kaiba: I can't write humor fics, it's just not in my ability ^^; But I'm glad the seriousness in the stories is tolerable ^^
Dissonant Rhapsody: I hope I can get better at writing ^_^; It's amazing how quickly one improves in a matter of weeks! Arigatou!
Chapter Four: Knight of Caelin
So.. it was her. That mysterious woman who had the air of royalty and nature of a child. His hand remained closed over her mouth, but she stopped flailing as he spoke. Carefully whispering so nobody could hear, he leaned down close to her ear.
"I was told.. that I would meet someone that is to decide my future." She did not move, but he knew she was listening. Madelyn, she must have been family to the Lord of Caelin. After a few moments with the branches of the willow tickling the wind and moaning as it did so, Hassar released his hand. His face was emotionless.
"We meet again, Madelyn of Caelin." He said casually. She nodded slowly and speechlessly, dressed in the splendor of nobility.
"And you, Hassar of Sacae? What drove you to think that I was such a person?" She said with an obscure frown, biting her lip. It was strange that it didn't bother her that he knew she was noble. Why should she be ashamed anyway? Just like the Sacaens were proud of their ancestry, why shouldn't a Lycian noble be?
He was about to respond when a voice came from within.
"Lady Madelyn?" An unknown voice to Hassar, one that had a long drawl came from the castle. Madelyn seemed uncomfortable and wanted to leave. Hassar's firm gripped stopped her.
"You don't seem content. I can see that you're hurting." He asked firmly with a frown. She lowered her gaze. "What is it you want?" He turned his head as he asked. She stopped still, thinking it over before answering.
"Freedom." Her answer shocked him.
"What?"
"You live on the plains. Where freedom is at your grasp. I have never been taught to ride or allowed out of the castle walls. I am a noble's daughter who lives in the choking rooms and prepares for the wedding that has been made for her before she was even born. If I could leave Caelin now, I would. But, I am weak and afraid of what my peers would do or think."
"That was not an answer I had be expecting." Hassar said with an honest yet grim expression. "But are you willing to learn to walk towards your wish?"
"I.. am. My trails have not ended yet."
"Then, I will teach you."
"I beg your pardon?"
"In the tribe of the Lorca, a man is only fit to be independent after he learns the way of the sword or bow." Hassar knew she meant freedom from the political life, but, there was something she must learn.
"Surely not a woman?"
"Women are no different."
"Do you believe that?" She asked cautiously, unsure whether this is what she wanted.
"...Once I didn't. And because of it, I have lost one in my kin." That one earring dangled mischievously to remind him. Madelyn avoided eye contact with him. But she answered clearly.
"Then teach me. Teach me how to fight."
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"Lady Madelyn!" The noble daughter waved her hands in a downward motion, silencing the loud caller. The man was silenced instantly, his brow obscure. The sun was bright in the summer sky, and she dressed for the weather with a gentle cream colored blouse and yellow tunic lined with gold.
"Sir Wallace! I beg that you keep your voice down!" She said in a half-whisper. The knight decorated in silver armor lowered his lance, the black-gray hair matting his head.
"Lady Madelyn, what are you doing out here, sneaking around like this?" With a gloved hand on his thick weapon he leaned upon it with his large frame.
"I.. am to meet someone. Ah.."
"Yes, Lady?"
"Did.. where there any new recruits that had joined the Caelin ranks recently?" She asked, trying to be as subtle as possible.
"Well.." Wallace frowned in an attempt to bring up his memory. "As a matter of fact, yes. A Sacaen horseman. He offered his services this morning, but said he may not stay long."
"Really?"
"...Forgive me for asking, but is there any particular reason why you ask?"
"Oh! No, not at all, I was just curious." She said, dismissing it with a simple wave of the hand. "Thank you Wallace, I shall retreat to the palace." Wallace bowed respectfully and Madelyn turned.
Wallace must have felt a bit of suspicion. There was not a single way she could have prevented it. She hardly ever neared the Knight's quarters, and it was her luck that Wallace had been on duty outside.
He was hardly a friend, but knew her well.. almost better than anybody else. She remembered those days she pitied him, when he was alone and the nervous squire of an experienced Caelin knight. When the trainees would poke fun at his once small figure, calling him names a man would not usually ever have to bear.
But those days were over. Madelyn grew up to be a fitting heir to the throne, Wallace to a full-bred knight among Caelin's bravest.
Sneaking along the edge of the trees, she ducked below the branches. Deciding that she would circle around the Knight's quarters, she tried to navigate herself to the abandoned training grounds. The place where she promised to meet him.
Not a single memory of the feast earlier had came back into her mind since she made her wish to learn how to fight quite clear. All morning she was anxious for her first lesson-or whatever they called it in Sacae- she had asked her tutors to excuse her from class that morning.
They had been appalled, never once had she ever missed class.
Finally making it out of the hedge, she saw the huge walls around a small area of land. A smile came upon her. It never changed, the branches of cracks on the sun bleached walls, or the sea of ivy snaking up the sides. This was the place she played at as a girl, the old training grounds for the knights. The vision of herself fourteen years ago, being greeted by the friendly servants and visiting the stables. After the new one had been built and secured, this place was hardly ever tread upon anymore.
She approached the rotting doors, and gingerly pushed them open. They creaked, a joyous sound that had not touched her ears in so long. Sunlight spilled over her shoulders and fell upon the dirt ground. She guided her eyes around the grounds, catching the glimpses of shards on broken swords and snapped arrows.
She was early. Not unexpected, she couldn't wait too much longer.
Stepping inside after the moment of stillness and silence, she saw that a pool leaked through the corners where the yellow-brick walls met, swirling with dust and silt. Grass sprang up near the edges of the walls, lush yet sharp.
"Lady Madelyn." She turned abruptly to see him tipping the doors aside with his hands, leading in a gorgeous amber colored mare that she had never seen before. The horse blinked with deep eyes and seemed to raise her brows. Hassar had his grasp lightly on the reins, the other hand occupied with a quiver of arrows.
Madelyn, caught in fascination stared at the mare, watching as the tall ears twitched under the thick brown mane. Touching the horse's chin, her own eyes lit up.
"What a beautiful horse.. Is she Sacaen?" Hassar's face did not change, but he dropped the bridle and took a sword which was strapped to the saddle.
"A mare of the plains, yes. Bred to be faster than other steeds." Unlatching the straps he held up a sheathed sword to her. She dropped her touch from the horse and took it, a bit surprised. Gently she lifted the hilt from the scabbard and saw the thin steel.
"This sword.. it seems.. different.." She stared at her distorted reflection on the bright surface, turning the blade to see the flat sides.
"How so?"
"It's.. thin. Not like the rapiers or wider swords that I have seen." Hassar turned and looked at the sword in her hands.
"It was Sacaen crafted. The thin sides are for quick trusts and easy maneuverability." He took his own sword, one that looked identical to the one she had, but it was longer and the hilt was shorter. Completely withdrawing the blade from the scabbard, he touched the flat surface and spoke as he did so.
"Which is your sword hand?"
"My sword hand?"
"The hand you are most accustomed to using."
"Oh! My left." She slid the sword out, her left hand tight against the hilt. It was a light sword. True to Hassar's word, it would be easy to maneuver. Hassar had the point of his sword at the ground, fingering the blade.
"First lesson. Are you ready?"
"Only whenever you are."
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"Have you ever taught anybody before?" Madelyn held her sword up, hands alien to its feel. Hassar was polishing the sides of his sword as she practiced getting used to the blade's touch.
"No." She stopped, lowered her arm and turned her head towards him.
"Who was your teacher?"
"My father. Because of his great skill, they say he makes the strongest chieftain." Madelyn sheathed his sort with quick precision.
"You're the chieftain's son?"
"...yes." He kept his head down, the damp cloth fighting against the vivid scratches.
"Do.. you have an older brother to take your father's place?"
"No."
"Then.. what are you doing here, in Caelin? Shouldn't you.."
"I felt it best to travel the lands of all the Generals, I wanted to open my eyes to others, learn their ways." Hassar wiped the blade one last time before sheathing it as well. "I have time."
"Oh.." Madelyn lowered her eyes. "So.. you'll be leaving shortly."
"Yes."
Madelyn unsheathed her sword.
"Then teach me all you can before the knowledge I can learn be lost."
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Night was drawing quickly. Wallace feeling a bit more aggressive than usual decided that he would stand guard all night as well. Perhaps normally he wouldn't have done it, but there were still rumors surrounding him and his questionable ability to bear the burden of being a night.
The knights were coming in from their training, the seniors from their travels and day out with the Marquess. Wallace still found it a bit strange that Madelyn had stopped by. Without escorts, no less. She was a clever girl, he knew, she could elude many people.
As he was attempting to amuse himself by thinking, he saw a mounted figure approaching.
"Good Eve, who goes there?" He said in a pleasant yet strong tone, raising his torch.
"Hassar of Sacae, I applied as a mercenary of Caelin this morn." The light flickered upon his hard face, that one earring catching the light fondly.
"Of course.. Out training all day?" Wallace asked in a friendly manner. "It's an impressive first impression."
"I have my own ways." The Sacaen replied as the mare flicked her head. "I will not be staying terribly long, I may as well leave with no regrets."
"That is positive thinking my friend." Wallace said heartily and bowed gently. "My name is Wallace. I would be honored to fight alongside with you."
"Let's just hope there's nothing serious to fight for." Hassar said with a gentle grin. "Are you to stay out all night? You were here all of today as well."
"Ah, but yes. I may as well wait for my armor to cool down. It was rather too bright a day to be on sentry." Wallace spun his lance around in his giant palm for the millionth time.
"Agreed. But you need not stay alone. Two guards are better than one, are they not?" Hassar swerved the mare aside and dismounted, keeping his sword at his side.
"They are." Wallace said with a deep chuckle. "Let's see if both of us warriors can tackle the spell of sleep!"
"Because that is the worst spell to be cast upon."
"Aye!"
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