I remained in the tent, not quite ready to get up yet. I must have fallen asleep while watching over Eliwood, for I was not in my bedroll.

Speaking of which, how was he?

Shifting my gaze towards his bedroll, I notice that it's empty. Well, that's definitely a good sign. Wanting nothing more than to be with him, I force myself to my feet, only to feel something slide off my shoulders and land at my feet…Eliwood's cape.

Bending down to retrieve it, I handle it carefully, not wanting it to receive any damage. It had once belonged to Lord Elbert, and it was all Eliwood had left of his departed father. Folding it, I leave it on his bedroll before looking for him.

Opening the flap of the tent, I am suddenly blinded by the light. Cursing under my breath, I shield my eyes, but it does no good.

"You never were much of a morning person, were you, Hector?" A calm, yet strong voice rings through the air. This followed by a wonderful melodious laugh.

Gods…I always did love that laugh. It always could lift my spirits, ruining even the worst of my foul moods.

My eyes had finally adjusted to the light, and I was greeted by the most beautiful view.

Eliwood was leaning against a cherry blossom, some of the petals resting atop his hair. A few more fell from the branches, and he was unconsciously brushing them away. He was watching the sunrise, as small smile etched across his face. A gentle breeze was blowing against him, making his hair more unruly than ever before.

"Where is everyone?" I stood, frozen by the beauty in front of me.

"They are still asleep." He turned towards me, gesturing for me to come and sit beside him.

"Then why in the hell are you up this early, El?"

"I'm up this early every morning to watch the sunrise. And stop calling me that." I smile, snickering to myself. He always did hate that name. " And why are you up? You're usually the last on awake."

"I'm not really sure. Couldn't sleep, I guess." We remain there, in silence. Wrapping my arm around him, I feel his head rest itself against my shoulder. I couldn't help but play with his hair, but he didn't seem to mind. We were to together, and I could ask him the question that had been nagging at my mind.

"How do you think the others will take this?" He lifted his head up, looking me straight in the eyes. I never realized just how blue his eyes were…

"They can't know…not yet." His eyes seem to hold remorse. "How well will it go over, for your brother, and my mother, learning that we will never be able to provide an heir?"

Damn…I hadn't thought of that.

"Don't worry, El. It'll all work out in the end." I held him closer, more for my sake than his. I had just got him…I didn't want to lose him now.

But he was right…

"The others will be up soon." Eliwood pulled away. Separating ourselves, we continued to sit in silence, waiting for the others to wake up.

"This is so boring, El!" How can you stand this every morning?"

"I find it peaceful, and am able to think without interruptions." He continued to stare off into the distance, the sun now shining on his features.

I had the desire to embrace him again, but a yawn and the shuffling of footsteps ended that hope.

"Good morning, Eliwood! And…Hector? You're up early."

"Morning, Lyndis." We said in unison. She came over to join us, resting herself on the ground.

"How are you feeling, Eliwood?" She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, turning her gaze towards him.

"Much better, thank you."

"You're lucky to have a friend like Hector. He spent the entire night watching over you." Eliwood looked at me, surprise etched across his face. All I could think to do was smile slightly, shrugging my shoulders.

"Well, I'm heading down to the stream. I'll see you two later." Watching her leave, I couldn't help but wonder just what made her so damn perky all the time.

"Is what she said true, Hector?" We look at each other, and my heart melts. I can't describe the look on his face, but it makes him look so young…so innocent.

"I…uh…that is…well…you see…" I struggle over each word, desperately trying to from a literate sentence.

"I don't think I've ever seen you at a loss of words before, Hector. Just tell me the answer." His voice is so calm, so gentle.

"I was worried! Okay!" I let the words quickly flow out, and I'm sure my face had reddened a few shades.

"I'll take that as a yes. Thank you, Hector."

"Yes, well, now it's my turn to ask a question. Why did you drape your cape over me?" Finally, I was given a chance to ask him.

"Well, you looked cold."

"And you do realize that there were two bedrolls in the tent, right?"

"Yes, but I didn't want to disturb you, and besides, you try dragging someone your size into their bedroll!" I hadn't thought of that…

"I see…by the way, I left your cape on your bedroll."

"Thank you." At this point, most of the camp was up, either having some breakfast, or preparing to leave. It seemed that Marcus and Oswin were already packing up our stuff, so we had some more time to kill.

We sat in silence, watching the hustle and bustle around us. I unconsciously began to stroke the scar on my right hand, which seemed to catch Eliwood's attention.

"Hector? What are you doing?"

"Just thinking about how we got the matching scars."

Flashback

I can't believe that another Lycian Council meeting has been called. Now I'd have to sit here with all the other kids. But this time would be better, for I had Eliwood.

I actually somewhat enjoy these things now. It gave the two of us a chance to catch up, since we didn't get to see each other too often.

Speaking of which, where was he? It wasn't like him to be late…

"Hector!" Great…Erik.

"I'm busy right now, Erik. Go harass someone else for awhile."

"You wound me! I-"

"Sorry I'm late, Hector." Finally, he made it. I hear Erik growl, then watch as he storms off. He seems to dislike Eliwood, and I can't for the life of me figure out why.

"About time you got here. If you had been a minute sooner, you could have saved me from Erik."

"So I noticed. Erik doesn't seem to like me too much." I can hear the pain in his voice. Can't imagine why though…

"Hey, don't let it worry you. Having Erik like you is not a pleasant experience, believe me."

"From what I've heard, no. But anyway, how've you been, Hector?"

"Oh, you mean other than being lectured by Uther all the time?" At this point, we had managed to move ourselves to a less crowded area of the room.

Before Eliwood could respond, our attention was drawn to the other end of the room, where Erik was making a commotion.

"All of us here! We are Lycia's future! For the greater good, we must make an alliance…a pact! Let us build a better tomorrow!" I watch as he slits his hand, running around, trying to get another to shake.

What an annoying jerk. Trying to seem all high and mighty. Have to give him credit though, the blood brothers is a good idea. I notice that everyone else seems to agree as they also slit their palms.

I do the same, as does Eliwood. Without a second thought, I grab his hand. Our blood runs together, becoming one and the same. For that one moment, the two of us were one entity.

Looking around, it appears that everyone has paired up, except for Erik. Stifling a laugh, the two of us pull our hands apart.

"There. The pact has been made. When one is in trouble, the other will be there to help." I stare at the mixed blood in my palm, then straight into Eliwood's eyes.

"Yes. And with it, we shall grow old together."

End Flashback

"You know, back then," he begins, looking at his scar. "I'm glad I took your hand."

"Same here, El. Same here." Just as I am about to speak again, a shout is directed towards us.

"Lord Eliwood! Lord Hector! We're all ready to go!" Mark waves us down, and we quickly join the others, more specifically, we join the tactician.

"Mark. Where exactly is our next destination?" I had forgotten that Eliwood didn't know. He was ill when the decision had been decided upon.

"Sorry to have made a decision without your input, Lord Eliwood, but there was little choice in the matter. We are heading to the Dread Isle, to Dragon's Gate. Nergal is waiting for us there."

"Yes…to Dread Isle." His eyes flash full of pain and remorse, and I recognize that look instantly…

He's thinking of Ninian…He still blames himself for her death.

I know it wasn't his fault, and I know the others feel the same way. If only I could make him see it also…

But how?

I've already tried talking to him, but that obviously didn't work. Maybe if I got Nils…

"Hector! Hurry up! You're falling behind!"

"Yes…I'm coming!" I'll have to think about that later. I catch back up to Eliwood, and we continue onwards.

To Dragon's Gate…