The Pherean general and Altean king were both feeling excited and worried about their boys camping. Corneilius was feeling more worry than excitement because of the fact that Marth never ventured outside the castle grounds without Jeigan or any other adult. Also, it was the first time the Altean prince has ever been camping.
"What kinda clothes do I take?" asked Marth.
"Let's see... your pajamas, unless you don't mind sleeping in your day clothes, and something that you don't mind getting wet," Roy answered back. He shoved some clothing into a knapsack and came into Marth's room.
"Bu... But... But what about for tomorrow? I can't wear the same clothes twice in a row! I just can't!" cried Marth.
"I guess you could pack some extra clothes... Just don't bring your whole closet", said Roy while he narrowed his eyes at Marth.
Ellis helped out by packing some food and supplies for the boys. She packed a first aid kit, just in case they needed it. Also, she packed enough sandwiches, snacks, and bottles of soda pop to last the boys a few days. Although she was happy that her little brother finally has a friend, Ellis felt a bit sad and even a little jealous because she doesn't get to play with him as often anymore.
Marth and Roy came to the door, ready to head out for their camping trip. They both had a knapsack full of their clothing and a fishing pole for each person. They also had their sleeping bags and the tent, which were rolled up very tightly. Roy was talking excitedly about how much fun it'd be while Marth was asking about every little thing he could come up with.
"Have fun, guys!" said Eliwood. He hugged Roy tightly and gave him a pat on the back.
Corneilius took Marth aside to give him some last-minute reassurance, just like any other parent would when their child is going out into the outside world on their own for the first time. "Listen, Marth. I know that you've never done this before, but... please be careful. If you need anything, let Roy know. He'll help you out. And if you feel scared, you can come back home. Just be sure to tell Roy that you'll be coming back here so that he doesn't think that you got lost or anything, ok? Do you know your way back to the castle? Maybe I should go get a map for you... Do you know all the directions? North, south, east, west? Oh! And remember to brush your teeth and--"
"Whoa, there! Relax! Marth's in good hands! He'll be fine, buddy. Trust me, Roy knows what he's doing so he can take care of Marth. They're just camping for the day, not moving out", said Eliwood. He smiled at Corneilius, attempting to make the king's anxiety cease. Unfortunately, that failed.
"But... But... You don't understand! Marth's never been on his own before! What if he and Roy get seriously injured?! And what if--"
"I'll be ok, Daddy! Trust me! I'll be extra, extra careful so you don't have to worry at all!" chirped Marth. He wrapped his small skinny arms around his father's waist and gave him a tight hug. Corneilius patted Marth's head, stroking his hair a bit.
"Have fun, guys", he said calmly as Marth and Roy headed out the door.
Once the boys came outside, the fierce summer sun began to beat down on their faces. Even Marth didn't complain once about the heat because he was just too excited. He and Roy began to walk down the dirt road, looking for a spot to set up camp. While walking, Roy was singing at the top of his lungs a tune that he picked up from a certain cavalier, whom he met once back in Pherae.
"...Ninety-six bottles of beer on the wall! Ninety-six bottles of beer! You take one down, pass it around, ninety-five bottles of beer on the wall! Ninety-five bottles of beer on the wall...!"
"Roy! You can't sing that song! We're not old enough to drink beer yet! Also, you're a bad singer. Now, please stop singing!!!" shouted Marth. He had the misfortune of walking alongside the squawking pyromaniac, so he had his ears covered for the last few minutes.
"That's the only song I know! I learned it from Sain when he and Kent had to watch me once", said Roy.
"Uh-oh. That doesn't sound too good", joked Marth. "Whatcha do to them? Did they like having to watch you?"
"Kent tried to get Sain to stop being an idiot and help, but that didn't work. They learned that giving a half-dragon kid a gallon of coffee ice cream was a baaaad idea! Oh, and Sain kept singing that song the whole time. Kent told him that he'd end up 'corrupting' me, whatever that means."
"Man, I wish I coulda seen the looks on their faces when they gave you coffee-- Wait, you're half-dragon?!" exclaimed Marth. He stopped dead in his tracks and looked over at Roy. He looks like any other kid... How can he be half-dragon? He must be making that up or something! Marth thought to himself.
"Yep! It's kinda neat being half-dragon! I eat a lot more than other kids because dragons get hungrier more than people, so I like to snack on lots of sweets like chocolate! And I get hyper a lot more than other kids because of that! That's just some of the cool things!" said Roy.
"Wow, you're so lucky! It must be real good to be half-dragon", Marth grumbled.
"There are a few bad things, too. I get very cold a lot because dragons are cold-blooded. They need to be warm and they get really slow and tired when it's cold. During the winter, I feel so cold that I need to wear three, sometimes four layers of clothing! Plus, my whole body hurts, as if I'm an old geezer. Cold-blooded animals sleep throughout winter, so I end up sleeping a lot."
"How can you be half-dragon, unless..." Marth's voice trailed off as a thought came to his mind. "Is... Is... Is Lord Eliwood a half-dragon too?!"
"Nope, he's a person like you! My mom can turn into a dragon, so that's why I'm half-dragon!" Roy answered back.
"Oh. Is it scary to have a full dragon for a parent?" Marth asked timidly.
"My mom doesn't stay as a dragon forever! Actually..., I've never see her turn into one before. I guess she only does to protect us..." He looked ahead and spotted a lake nearby. "I think we can camp over there, Marth", said Roy.
"Oh, good! We might have lots of shade because of all those trees!" Marth chirped happily.
Roy let out a sigh of relief, thankful to have dropped the subject of his rather unusual mixed ethnicity. He and Marth resumed walking, now in silence. Marth was starting to skip happily before breaking into song.
"A hundred bottles of beer on the wall! A hundred bottles of beer! You take one down, pass it around--"
"No, no. You start at ninety-nine bottles, not a hundred", Roy chuckled.
"Oh, I see. Anyways, ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall! Ninety-nine bottles of beer! You take one down, pass it around..."
Roy started chuckling loudly as they headed over to the lake, ready to begin the camping trip.