Madelyn's Choice
By Becki
© Fire Emblem
Characters and ideas copyrighted to Nintendo and Intelligent Systems
Chapter Seven: Forced Marriage
Madelyn looked up to see Hassar ready and waiting. He had the blunt training swords with him, and did not look her in the eye throughout this time.
He held one of the swords out to her, but she did not reach over to take it.
She unsheathed the sharp-bladed sword at her side.
And looked defiantly at him.
"No." She mouthed. "Let's see how gentle the men of Sacae can be." If he was surprised, he did a fine job of not revealing it. But he frowned as if suggesting such a thing was horrendous. But, he obeyed. Madelyn held up her blade, watching the light bend upon the metal surface. Hassar threw down the practice swords and drew his own sword.
Both swords glittered violently with the lust for blood. They threateningly boasted with dangerous points. Hassar watched as Madelyn stepped back and held her sword parallel to the ground.
"Begin." She started, and he saw her hands trembling on the hilt.
Putting her whole weight into the first lunge, she cleanly delivered a well-balanced blow. He countered it almost immediately, noticing the sudden intensity she fought with. Again she thrust the blade at him, and again he guarded against it. The swords gave a loud clang against each other, the sharp sides sliding with a shrill cry.
Her footwork was clumsy however, shaky and unstable. She felt herself trembling all over as she moved, trying to control herself. Pulling the blade towards Hassar again, he parried with a gentle stroke and finally delivered an offensive blow of his own. Ducking low, she forced a vertical cut above.
Hassar noticed her sudden enthusiasm. She was fighting harder than she had ever done before. And he realized that she was forcing him to do the same.
Making sure he had a good distance away from her, he had to be certain that he would not harm her. Disarming her in the same way he had did the night earlier would be the best bet.
He was not sure how long they had been fighting, but both of them were restless and ignorant to the time. It was dark, the lantern by the horse fed the grounds with an orange light, just enough for them to see each other.
Madelyn successfully hailed down on him a hurl of many blows, slicing horizontally with short angles but a decent amount of force. Hassar kept his sword upright to force her blade back. He was on the defensive, Madelyn was being aggressive this night.
Her eyes flickered with the candle, watching ever movement her opponent's sword made. Jabbing her blade radically to one side, it just made it against Hassar's arm, about a centimeter off.
The Sacaen moved to force it back, but Madelyn was prepared.
As Hassar rotated towards her, she twisted her hilt so the sword weaved in a cross against the inside of his blade. Bending the sword upwards, she had the sword at a sharp angle up just at Hassar's neck. His blade was helplessly at his side, blocked by the diagonal line of her sword.
Silence.
Madelyn released herself from the fighter stance, realizing that she had been victorious.
The sky was dark. An oblivion of black and starless darkness. They had been out longer than usual. There were voices beyond the gates..
She turned away lowering her sword, it was unbearable to look at him.
He was leaving.. and the chances were that she'd never see him again.
Hassar sensed her melancholy. He threw his free arm around her neck, grabbing her shoulders, leaning close to her ear. She tried to keep her head away, but he spoke to her one last time.
"You don't need me to be gentle on you." He said firmly. "You are well defended as you are."
"...." Madelyn lowered her eyes. "It is.. as I told you before." Her voice was shallow.
"I am naught, but a spoiled child."
"Ah.. dear Lady Madelyn. What are you doing up so late?" She looked distantly at a man standing by the windows with two guards waiting on him. His face was long, had possessed a high forehead and a cleft chin. His eyes were gray, and looked so cold.. Madelyn held her sword limply to one side, but did not seem to make eye contact with him.
"Nothing, dear uncle." She said instinctively and blankly to her Uncle Lundgren. She did not care whether he saw a sword in her possession, and saw that he was looking directly at the weapon.
"Hm." He said, face cold. She normally didn't speak to him often, but at this moment he seemed to be annoyed with her at the moment. "Your father wishes to speak to you."
"This late..?"
"It seems so. He claims that it is important business."
"Ah.."
"Good night fair niece." He turned away, snapping his fingers at the two guards.
"Hm." She nodded wearily. A spasm flitted across his face at her failure to show common respect towards her uncle. Yet, he trampled along the marble ground down the hall, his guards clanking behind him.
Well, it was at least nice to know that her father was still alive and well. It had been days since she had last heard of him and weeks since she had actually seen him. And now she regret not saying goodbye properly to Hassar and felt devoid of all emotions. She knew not what to feel. But it would be a good idea to make sure Lord Hausen did not see the sword in her hand.
So wisely so, she opened the door to her own room and fit the sword in against the wall. She unclasped her dark cloak and covered the sword with it. Closing the door softly, she locked it. Then she made her way to her father's chambers.
The castle of Caelin was not all that complicated. The halls were designed in one big circle in the lodging wing, the smaller halls parallel to the cords connecting the arcs. It was the same on every floor. The halls were dark at this time, but since she had been a child, Madelyn knew her way through ever door, every corridor with her eyes closed.
The trek to her father's room seemed blank and mindless, she had no thoughts or memories of it. But when she did reach his dormitory, it would be the worst memory of Caelin she would ever have.
She knocked thrice against the door, her knuckles cold. The door gently opened and a the Steward poked his head out.
"Lady Madelyn!" He said, quickly executing a bow. She nodded her head, eyes dim.
"I was told that my father wished to see me.." Her voice was void of emotion, deep in tiredness. Chancellor Reissmann nodded his head and stifled a yawn to his great embarrassment and distress. As he excused himself, he answered quickly.
"Yes, Lord Hausen is inside at his desk." He pushed the door open further to let her enter. Once both of her feet touched the soft carpeted room, the door shut softly quietly behind her.
It was a finely furnished room. The fireless fireplace by the window seemed black with soot, the rug at the ground shining with each thread. She looked over at the empty white bed, fresh sheets applied and warm irons already slipped under the mattress.
She turned right and entered the second room, where paintings and trappings hung, closing the door behind her. Marquess Caelin sat at his desk, scribbling away, dabbing his pen into the tab of ink. He did not notice that she had entered, his head low and candle flickering. Madelyn looked to see a painting of herself on the desk. It was a recently painted picture by a talented artist, she remembered the long process of providing the living reference.
"That picture, father?" She said suddenly, her interest caught. Startled, Lord Hausen lifted his head to see his daughter waiting. His face broke into a smile as he dipped the pen into the bottle and left it there.
"Madelyn, you gave me a fright."
"I'm sorry father." She said lightly. "But that portrait.."
"Yes, Marquess Araphen has requested it." Madelyn felt that feeling of sudden dread when she remembered. How could she forget in the first place?
"Marquess... Marquess Araphen?"
"Yes, but by now you should know." He replied pleasantly, once again oblivious to her obvious distaste.
"...know what, father..?"
"What's gotten into you, girl?" He said, suddenly concerned and stern at the same time. "Why is your face so pale? You gave him his answer after all."
"My answer? Father, I haven't the slightest idea of what you speak of.."
"To his proposal."
"Yes, I said that I wasn't ready." She said, recalling that dinner by the garden, but she felt that she was forgetting something. "You said that you'd tell him so.."
"No, I told you that you could answer him yourself. And you did, did you not? I knew that you would change your mind." He said, standing up and clapping his hands together. She felt her face flush with sudden warmth and dilemma. She tried to recall his words and the banquet, had he ever asked about her answer to his proposal..?
"I wish.. no, I yearn for your acceptance" And.. what was her answer..?
"But I do accept you, my lord." Madelyn remembered. It was just all a misunderstanding..
"Father.." She said sharply. "I did not accept his marriage.. I just told him that he was tolerable."
At least.. that's what I thought I was implying.. Madelyn thought, her head spinning.
"What is that supposed to imply?" He said, his voice raised a bit. "Your marriage has already been arranged."
"What!" Madelyn was taken by surprise, although she had felt this was the answer she was to get. "You.. hadn't confirmed it with me.. it is all just a misunderstanding.. I can't.."
"You had confirmed it with Lord Araphen, it had seemed." He asked gently, and sat down. "Why are you flustered so? He is a fine man with good morals. Araphen's prowess is second to Ostia, and it is a smart match. You know that I only mean you the best, don't you, Madelyn?"
"Yes, but.." She started exasperated, but he cut her off.
"Enough of this talk. The wedding will be held a moon from now. The invitations have already been stamped and Marquess Araphen has been planning for this since the banquet now. You are dismissed." He bent down to start writing again, but she placed a hand down on her desk, her shadow blocking the candlelight.
"Father.. what about Caelin? I have no siblings to take Caelin's throne, and my child would go to Araphen.. surely you do not plan in setting Uncle Lundgren on throne? He is not but three years your junior and cannot hail a long reign.." She said, knowing that it was a weak argument.
"Your second child will go to Caelin. It has already been discussed." Her father said, his voice with an edge to it. But this made her angry. Her philosophy was correct. Marriage was only to breed nobility to set on the throne. She was no better than an experiment, an instrument to carry on the noble legacy. Marriage.. it was such a disgusting, cruel word with an even crueler meaning.
"Father! You cannot force me to do so!" She cried out, her once emotionless mask now pleading and begging. Lord Hausen pushed back his chair and slowly stood up.
"I said enough! The matter is already closed, we have already made the agreement!"
"Then.. am I only the spoils in a compromise? Am I to be sold over an agreement?" She said, breathing quickly, her heart racing.
"How could you say that..?!" His voice raised, out of the gentle tone she had known all her life. This was the first time he had ever yelled at her. "Marquess Araphen could give you better luxury than Caelin ever could! And now that I offer you something better for the benefit of Caelin as well as yourself, you are not even thankful? What do you plan to do, lose this chance stay a spoiled child forever?!"
How cruel the twists of irony could be that he had used this name that she had used on herself for so long. Her cheek was wet with the bitter tears as she remembered..
"My lord!" She bowed her head and clasped her hands together. "Please, call off this wedding, I will do anything of your bidding!" Lord Hausen had on a deep frown, of complete contempt and disbelief. She had never seen this side of him before, it made her frightened.
"No." He said, so shallow and brittle that it made her flinch. "No. I am a man of my word. I will not withdraw for the sake of one foolish girl. Now..." He slowly sat down, his face pale and cold. "Leave my sight."
"Lady Madelyn! What in Roland's name are you doing here?" A gruff soldier asked as she appeared at the knights' quarters late in the night. Her face was red and eyes cold. Her mind was racing with things, confusion and the lack of knowing what to do taking over. The very thing she had dreaded most was becoming real.
The soldier was in front of the door of the dormitories. He held his lance in his hands, and he looked at her, his face unsure and confused.
"Move aside." She commanded, and was still trembling all over. "Please."
"I have strict orders lady.." He said. "Only the knights are to enter. This area is also completely men's. A woman has no place in this building, it is inappropriate for especially a lady."
"Move aside." She ordered again.
"Milady.." He hesitated.
"Do as I say or you shall face the dire consequences for disobeying your liege!" This was the first actual threat she had ever made, but she was too confused to do anything else. The man stuttered for a moment before shifting a side. Without any second thoughts, she ran inside.
The room was completely empty. His roommate was out, most likely gambling or drinking at the tavern late at this time. It was growing late, or rather early, Hassar thought, it was nearly morning. It had taken longer to withdraw his name from Caelin's ranks than he had thought. Official paperwork had been out of order, and they would not let him leave until it was over. But it had been completed. He could finally leave. Leave.. for home.
He looked at the his sword which had been tossed upon his bed. His quiver and bow was leaning against the bedpost as well. It seemed so short, but a month and so weeks had already passed. But it was satisfying. He had successfully learned the ways of the western people, their fighting styles and so on. He also knew that the stereotypes had been greatly exaggerated.
And now to retrieve his horse and make his final foreign journey home.
Outside his door, he heard pounding footsteps. It was slightly unusual because most of the men had left their quarters and were in town. They had decided to enjoy themselves with the successes they had made through the years. Hassar was the last to stay, wanting to pack up before he left.
And it could only be imagined the surprised face he had when he saw Madelyn standing before him in a men's dormitory. But he knew something was wrong. Her face was pale, eyes red and eyebrows in a troubled crease.
"My lady, you.." He began and came towards her. But she looked so tired, too tired to move on. She fell toward him slowly and painfully.
Without thinking he caught her, realizing how frail and light she was. She kept her eyes closed, but was silently crying. Not knowing what had caused her grief or what to do at this time, he fell silent and let her lean on him. She reached up and held his shoulder, trying to balance and stop herself from another fall.
"I.. I couldn't..." She said, her words just barely detected. She rested her forehead on his chest, her shoulders were trembling so. "You.. ..."
Each second seemed so short. Madelyn had never imagined that this could ever happen. Her naive ness towards love and everything about men was completely washed aside. He was being merciful and had said nothing. She just wanted everything to melt away to nothing. She wanted him to hold her forever.
A raindrop pattered against the window. The wind shuttered. Then everything was silent again.
::bangs head on the keyboard:: .a,..xjkl;;ij weo;i jdsfj.,cxbn!!!! That was terrible! -- I did say I was terrible at romance, but this is p-a-t-h-e-t-i-c..... Yeah, I'm definitely expecting flamers now --;