A few days had past, and the day that Fratley would depart was drawing ever closer. Freya began insisting on seeing her love more and more often. Fratley relented to Freya's requests and met up with her more frequently. He wanted to share some peaceful moments with the one he loved before he left his home.
Fratley had been saving up his money earned from his duties and he finally decided he had enough to leave. He was going to leave Burmecia the following morning. This would be the last day in his home for a long while.
As he did not have any duties for the day, Fratley decided to arrange a meeting with Freya. She was conveniently off-duty until the afternoon.
After a hearty breakfast, Fratley began making his way to the old fountain, a favourite meeting place of the two Burmecians. He arrived to find Freya sitting quietly, smiling at her beloved with her gentle green eyes. She was wearing her favourite red raincoat and brown leggings, and had a beautiful red ribbon tied elegantly in her hair.
Fratley sat beside her, returning the smile and starting a conversation.
"Good morning Freya." He greeted.
"Good morning Fratley." Freya answered. "So what did you want to see me about?" She inquired keeping her pleasant smile.
"You know I have been planning on leaving Burmecia for some time now..." Fratley began, his smile faded and replaced with a look of seriousness. "And I feel I have saved enough gil, and I will be leaving promptly tomorrow morning."
Freya's heart sank. She was dreading this day, tomorrow the man she cared the most about would be leaving her to face untold danger.
"I wanted to give you something before I left." Fratley finished, struggling to maintain his serious look after seeing Freya's happy face fill with sorrow and her ears falling against her skull.
"What is it?" Freya asked, trying desperately to compose herself in front of Fratley.
Fratley fumbled into his pockets for a few moments before responding.
"This..." He replied, and he held out a small, brightly coloured yellow ribbon. "My father told me that Burmecian knights give their wives and girlfriends a ribbon to remember them by before they go out to war."
Freya frowned slightly. "Do you think I'm going to sit around mourning over a silly little ribbon?"
"Please Freya...for me?" Fratley asked whilst holding the ribbon against Freya's tender hands.
Freya sighed, and took the ribbon from Fratley. She then moved her tail in front of her.
"Okay Fratley, I'll wear your ribbon for you." She answered as she began tying the ribbon onto her tail. "But I want you to do something for me in return." She finished tying the ribbon, which had made a beautiful bow on her tail. She then started untying the red ribbon in her hair. Her white hair fell loosely onto her shoulders, and she handed the ribbon to Fratley.
"But men don't wear ribbons Freya." Fratley answered.
"Just like women don't join the Dragon Knights?" Freya responded.
Fratley sighed, he knew Freya well enough to know that he would not be able to convince her that he shouldn't wear the ribbon. That and he knew she had felt just as awkward putting on her ribbon as he did.
"Okay Freya, I'll wear your ribbon...just for you." Fratley said, admitting defeat as he tied the red ribbon onto his tail. It fitted rather neatly and suited him well.
Freya smiled as she watched Fratley put on the red ribbon. For her, this was just another sign that Fratley felt the same way as her about the roles of men and women. Now, both of them had a token of the one they loved, something that they would always keep. Something that would ensure that they would never be apart, and that they would never forget each other.
The day seemed to flutter away; Fratley's last moments in Burmecia were slowly ticking away. After spending the majority of the afternoon with Freya, Fratley managed to pull himself away to go home and spend some time with his family.
Fratley made his way to the garden, where sure enough he found his brother practising various motions with his lance. Ever since the tournament had ended, Frato spent practically all of his time off-duty training vigorously, either alone or with his father. Frato was driving himself to become stronger, his main goal being to defeat both Fratley and Lion-heart at the next tournament.
"Hello Frato." Fratley greeted his brother.
Frato stopped swinging his lance and turned towards his brother with a smile.
"Ah, Fratley. Nice to see you. Want to spar?" Frato offered.
"No thanks Frato, I just want to talk to you." Fratley answered politely.
Frato seemed a little hurt at Fratley's refusal to his offer, but replied positively. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Well, you know I have been planning to leave Burmecia for quite a while now, and I feel that I have enough gil and supplies to see me through on my journey." Fratley stated.
Frato's eyes widened and his ears dropped slightly. "No..." Frato stated. "Fratley, you can't leave...not now."
"Frato, I explained it to you before." Fratley answered. "I must leave, I must find out the dangers that may be awaiting our Kingdom, and I must know if I am strong enough to overcome them."
Frato sighed. "If we work together, we can overcome any danger that faces our kingdom. You alone may not."
"There are some dangers that must be faced alone." Fratley replied. "Some which would need me to be strong enough to overcome by myself."
"Like what?" Frato pressed.
"General Beatrix of Alexandria." Fratley answered. "It is said she slaughtered one-hundred knights by herself."
"That's just a rumour!" Frato growled. "No-one is that powerful!" Frato refused to believe there was any female in the world who could fight, let alone be far stronger than he was.
"Maybe so, but it is not one we should overlook." Fratley retorted. "When I finish my journey, we will at least know what we may be up against."
Frato hung his head. He knew he couldn't persuade Fratley to give up his ridiculous journey. His brother was leaving, whether he liked it or not.
"Fratley, I want you to promise me two things." Frato asked, whilst lifting his head back up. "First, I want you to come back, as soon as possible. Second, I want you to become stronger on your journey, and provide me with a worthy challenge when you get back. I want a rematch from our tournament bout." Frato finished.
Fratley smiled at Frato's comments. "I promise."
The day had finally arrived. The rain was heavy, and the streets were bare of any early-morning bustle. Everything was set; Fratley had gathered together some food, water, medical supplies, money, clothes and his trusty spear. The majority of his travel gear was safely packed into a small leather backpack.
It was early in the morning, the sun had barely risen. Fratley was planning on waking early so he could get a good start on his journey. He had planned to get to Gizamaluke's grotto before the day ended.
Fratley quickly dressed himself into a black vest with a brown leather travel jacket and some brown leather trousers with several pockets. He put on his backpack and made his way downstairs.
Upon getting to the bottom of the stairs Fratley found a surprise waiting for him. Lion-heart, April and Frato were all stood fully dressed in front of the door waiting for him.
"You never were good at getting up early." Lion-heart said with a smile. "You weren't thinking of leaving us without saying goodbye now, were you?"
"Fratley, every time you went to the Dragon Academy, every time you left to attend your duties as a Dragon Knight, I always worried about you. Now, you're leaving Burmecia and journeying to foreign lands. I don't think I can take it!" April said, trying to keep a brave face, but with the sadness and worry breaking through her expression.
"Mother..." Fratley began, "You don't have to worry about me. I always came back in one piece, I always came back with a smile, and it will be no different with this journey. I'm a grown man."
"And not just any man, the strongest warrior in Burmecia today." Lion-heart added.
Fratley smiled, feeling slightly more secure with his father's backing. He turned and looked at Frato, who took a step closer to him.
"Fratley, you've stuck up for me and looked after me all through my life. You've always been there for me when I needed it and now you're leaving us." Frato said, looking slightly dejected. "I'm going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss you too, but we should have faith in our inner strength." Fratley answered.
Frato gave a slight smile before stepping back. Lion-heart decided to speak.
"I'm proud of you son. Not only have you excelled your father in strength but you show courage which I never knew was in you. When you return, I hope you will have even more wonders to amaze me." Lion-heart spoke warmly.
"Thank-you father. I must take my leave now. Farewell to all of you." Fratley replied, making his way to the door of the house.
His family began saying their goodbyes as he finally made his way onto the street. He marched forward towards the southern gate of Burmecia without looking back. He continued to walk, and as he was only a stone's throw away from the gate, he heard someone's voice calling his name.
"Fratley! Please don't leave!"
Fratley turned to see the owner of the voice, who turned out to be none other than Freya. She had rushed to the gate in a desperate attempt to try and talk to him.
"You don't have to do this Fratley! What is there outside of these gates that is concerning you so much?" Freya asked him, eyes filled with concern.
Fratley sighed before replying to his love. "Beatrix..." he said with a solemn breath.
"Beatrix?" Freya answered, confused with the unknown name.
"Yes...Beatrix." Fratley repeated. "I hear there are many fierce warriors out in the world, some more powerful than even I... Beatrix of Alexandria, in particular. They say her swordsmanship is the best in the land."
"Sir Fratley, do you still insist on going on your journey?" Freya asked, her eyes pleading him to reconsider staying home, staying with her.
"Yes... Please understand, Freya." Fratley began to explain. "Right now, Burmecia is at peace, while other nations are slowly but surely gaining power. I don't know if my spear alone is enough to protect Burmecia..." Fratley cast a glance at his formidable weapon. "...which is precisely why I must go out into the world."
"Sir Fratley...I don't think I can live on my own... not without you." Freya stated, looking defeated.
"Freya, you're going to be fine." Fratley said reassuringly. "Trust your strength... and have faith in your destiny. Once I complete my journey around the world, I will return to Burmecia."
"Then promise me, one more time, that you will return." Freya insisted.
"I promise." Fratley gave his word once again.
With that, Fratley turned away and made his way to the castle gates. As he walked away, his sensitive ears heard Freya sniffing, and then sobbing, before he could hear her break down in a flood of tears. His heart ached, and he dare not look back, for he knew his heart would not let him leave if he did. He showed the guards the King's written permission and they opened the gate for him slowly. Before he went through, Fratley called out to Freya in a soft voice.
"Farewell Freya, you will always be with me in my heart."
Disclaimer: Why do I bother with these? Who in their right mind would sue me for writing something that makes me a total profit of sod all? I don't own Final Fantasy IX or anything in it. Frato and Redwind are mine, but that's it.
Author's Rants: Sorry about the long update, but I am getting lazy at writing at the moment. That, plus every time I think there is no worthwhile stories to read, someone updates! Oh well, guess I can't use a lame excuse like that. One good thing though is that the next few chapters should be a lot more interesting to write.
Saffire Raynius: Thanks for all the reviews, although it took me a good long while to read them... OO I'm glad you are enjoying it, but I am afraid the story is about to take a strong turn to Fratley as I will write about his journey. Don't worry though, Frato and Freya will return in the story. Keep reading!