Part 2—Caer Pelyn
Chapter 1
"…I yield," Lyon said. "The point is yours, Eirika." He placed his sword next to himself and sat down. "You're swift, aren't you? Compared to you, I'm—I've been bested at fencing by a woman. Pitiful crown prince, am I not?"
"That's not true…" Eirika said.
"Oh, no, Eirika. It is. The people need a strong ruler. They don't want a weakling like me. They want the strength you and Ephraim share. My body is frail. I prefer to spend my time locked away in the castle, reading… I think my father would be better served if someone else took my place. I'm sure all of our retainers feel the same…"
"You're wrong, Lyon. An emperor without compassion will never hold the people's love." "Or mine," she added to herself. "And one day," she said out loud, "your compassion will surely save us all. I believe that."
"Eirika… Thank you. Yes. I…I will do my best. Even though I lack your strength, there must be some good I can do."
"There is."
"By the way, Eirika… If it please you, would you accept this?" Lyon walked over to the small box he had brought and took out a silver necklace with a sapphire in it. His hands shook as he handed it to her.
"Lyon, it's beautiful." She put it on. The memory faded as she hugged him. A few seconds later, she woke up. Another memory had come, the third that week. She peered out the tent. Tiflis was fast asleep. The Stone was in the tent, hidden among her clothes.
"Did you always have this much difficulty sleeping?" Lyon asked from the Stone.
"Only recently," she said. "Ever since I argued with Ephraim on the anniversary of your death, my sleep has been haunted with dreams about you, usually about that terrible battle."
"I'm sorry to hear that. If I had known my death would bring you so much pain, I would have confessed to you far earlier."
"Don't be. I said nothing even as you lay dying right before me. If I had just said anything, maybe I wouldn't have these dreams. Everyone thought you were shy, yet I could say nothing as you suffered."
"It no longer matters. We're together now."
"Not completely. You're still trapped in the Stone. Does the Demon King still torment you?"
"Yes, but it is nothing compared to the torture I faced when I was alive. At least I cannot harm you without a body."
"That is true, but you can only talk to me in this form." She lay down on her cot. "Do you think Ephraim is worried about me?"
"Of course. Even if he realizes you stole the Stone, he will still worry about you. He is your brother, after all. Are you sure you need no more sleep?"
"You're right. I should sleep. Thank you for reminding me." Eirika lied back down on her cot. She began to think of her choice again. She was no longer Queen Eirika; she was just Eirika. It would surely take long for Lyon to be revived, if that was even possible. What would the people think of Lyon living again? Maybe they would think Lyon is a pretender to the throne, not the real Lyon, but a look-alike. Would they still think that if she were by his side? Maybe Lyon would be branded as Eirika's captor. After a few years of brainwashing, he had convinced Eirika that he really was Lyon, blinding her to the "truth" and making her love him. Or perhaps Lyon would be accepted as the true Lyon; he really had been revived. If that were the case, the priests would surely excommunicate Eirika, if not Lyon as well.
Either way, he was still really Lyon, regardless of whether Eirika was the only one who believed it. Either way, Lyon was determined to free Grado from Ephraim's neglectful rule. What if Lyon was being corrupted by the very same power Ephraim faced? Lyon might lose himself to the throne. Eirika might just be a tool for Lyon's new ambitions. "No," she thought. "Not Lyon. He closed a port to save the sailors from a hurricane. He used the Sacred Stone itself to save a mortally wounded child. Lyon could never fall to the throne's temptation." Perhaps it was really the Demon King who was speaking to her. Perhaps he was using her love for Lyon as a tool to control Grado again. He had used that love to destroy the Stone of Renais. He would have killed her at the Narube River had Lyon not interfered. Was it the Demon King? His deception was almost perfect when Lyon was alive. Could he mimic Lyon's very soul? Eirika felt her energy ebbing away as she lay awake pondering this until she finally drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 2
Two weeks had passed since that night. Eirika had passed through a town in Carcino disguised as a peasant. During the trip, she managed to acquire a box with a lock for the Stone that would better protect it. She took shelter a few nights later in an old fort on the path to Caer Pelyn. The fort was in even worse shape than when she fought the Demon King's forces in the war. The tower had collapsed, leaving an unpleasant chill blowing through the fort. She took out all of her spare clothes to serve as additional covers for when she slept. It was cold. Even thoughts of Lyon did not warm her up at that moment. Were the floor not made of wood, she would have made a fire.
She got no sleep that night. She eventually lost consciousness from exhaustion. No thoughts flowed through her mind in that state until morning. When she did not wake up, Lyon called to her.
"Eirika, wake up," he said. "It's morning." No response. "No, please… Was it that cold? Eirika, please… don't die. You promised me we would be together again. I cannot be torn from you again. I love you too much for that."
"At last you suffer," said another voice. "This reminds me of when you were mine. Your poor, sweet Eirika froze to death during the night."
"NO! I still feel her soul in her. She is alive."
"But she will not live for long. The night has struck her too hard. By tomorrow, she will be dead."
"No… Eirika, wake up… Please… I have suffered enough. Please do not make me suffer more."
"Ha ha ha ha… It will end. You will endure a torment I never managed to create for you. Oh, how pleasing this is to see you cry out for your dying Eirika…"
"Eirika…" She regained consciousness at that last word. She noticed it was already light out. "Thank heaven; you're alive."
"Lyon?" she asked. "Who was that other…? The Demon King. I must have overslept. I'm sorry I made you worry." She tried to get up and instantly felt weak. "Oh…" she lied back down. "I guess I still need more sleep."
"You're sick," he said. "The cold was too much for you."
"What? Are you saying…?"
"I pray that you will live, but the Demon King believes you will die."
"No… Not now… Not after all I've done…"
"You should make your camp somewhere warmer, or at least somewhere you can build a fire." Eirika struggled to her feet and began moving her bags and clothes outside. It took an hour, but she finally managed to get everything outside and built a fire about a meter from her cot. "You promised me we would be together again. I will do everything in my power to see to it that that happens."
"Lyon, thank you."
"Queen Eirika, is that your voice?" asked a voice outside the fort.
"Oh, no…" She had been found. Was it a Renais soldier? No, they would not go this far.
"Where are you?" The figure of a man in dark robes appeared in the forest.
"Who…?"
"Your Majesty, it is me, Knoll."
"Knoll, I'm sick."
"Where are your guards?"
"I didn't bring any. I came alone."
"And now you're sick. I'll see if I can help you. Can you stand?"
"Barely."
"Knoll," Lyon said. "The Stone is in this box. Heal her with its power."
"That voice…" he said. "Prince Lyon? But you're dead."
"Yes, I know. My soul is in the Stone, as is that of the Demon King. Please, save her."
"What is happening here?"
"I love him," Eirika said. "Please do not inform my brother."
"What do you mean?"
"I love Lyon. When the priests refused to allow research to revive him, I stole the Stone and fled here. I thought someone in Caer Pelyn would know how to revive him."
Knoll was speechless. Lyon could be revived, but Eirika was a criminal.
"Please, help us," she said.
"I will heal you, but I need to think about reviving Prince Lyon. There are too many factors in that possibility; I need to sort them out."
"Knoll, thank you," Lyon said.
Chapter 3
A week later, Eirika was healed and in Caer Pelyn with Knoll. Saleh was the first to greet her.
"Queen Eirika, what are you doing without your guard?" he asked.
"It's just Eirika now," she responded. "I gave up the throne. There is someone more important."
"Someone?"
"Yes. I…" She paused. "Promise me you will not judge me too harshly."
"Queen Eirika!" yelled a young voice. It was Ewan.
"I've loved Lyon for a few years now, but I never had the courage to tell him. I almost begged my brother to ignore the priests' orders and allow the Stone to be used to revive Lyon. When he refused, I… stole… the Stone and fled here. I thought someone in Caer Pelyn would know how to revive Lyon."
"That's so romantic!" said Ewan, catching up. "You would break the law to revive Lyon! What can I do to help?"
"Ewan!" Saleh said. "This is a difficult choice. The Stones were not made for this. But if it's for love…"
"I have already decided I will help them," said Knoll. "Fate made a mistake. Lyon should have lived."
"Do you really intend to use the Stone for this?"
"Yes. You do not know all that has happened since the War of the Stones. Have you even once left Caer Pelyn since then?"
"No, so please tell me. What has given you cause to revive Prince Lyon? Surely Eirika's love for him is not a good enough reason."
"With no emperor, Grado was in danger of a power struggle between the nobles. With that in mind, King Ephraim annexed Grado to prevent that struggle from breaking out. However, he is using the taxes from Grado's people to rebuild Renais while Grado suffers from poverty and disrepair. The people resent his rule and could rebel at any time. I left Grado after a skirmish between angered civilians and Renais soldiers. It is no longer safe there. Lyon's compassion for the people would see to it that Grado is restored to her former power and stability. Should Prince Lyon be revived, he will take over rule of Grado; he has promised this."
"Promises are easily made," Saleh started, "but one of such a great degree is just as easily broken."
"Do you truly think I would refuse to save my home from a neglectful ruler?" Lyon asked. "Had that cursed war never started, I would be emperor right now."
"And yet it is your desire to help people that started the war in the first place. What makes you certain your compassion will not simply exacerbate the disastrous condition your home is in?"
"I am not certain. However, Ephraim takes no action at all. Grado will collapse entirely if nothing is done."
"Eirika, were you thinking about Grado when you stole the Stone, or did you simply think about Lyon?"
"It does not matter," Eirika answered. "I think of both now, and Lyon's revival will make both me and Grado happy."
"…I see. This is a difficult task. I believe the Demon King's soul is also in the Stone. It will not be easy to revive Lyon without also reviving the Demon King."
"So… you will help?"
"Yes. I do not know how many people will approve of it, but I trust you."
Eirika was led to a small house on the outside of the village. She spent her nights there, offering suggestions for the research on occasion during the day. Mostly, though, she went on walks through the local trails on the mountains. The walks proved just how much she had neglected to exercise. On occasion, other villagers would accompany her on the walks, usually Ewan. He was very happy to listen to her stories about Lyon during those walks. He was also nice to have along. One time, when showing off his skill with magic, Ewan messed up on a Bolting spell and got a minor shock when he struck his target. His hair remained on end for the rest of the day.
"Did he ever tell you how much that necklace cost?" Ewan asked Eirika, referring to the necklace she had received after the fencing match a few years ago.
"No, but I imagine it was expensive," she said, looking at the sapphire. "I'm amazed we both remained silent for so long… I think others noticed our love before we did."
"Was he really that bad at fencing?"
"I had been learning the sword for a while before the match. It was really a one-sided match. He always favored magic. I recall him saying that swords and other weapons can only kill, but magic can both hurt and heal. He said that is why he chose magic."
"He sounds like a very nice guy. How that heart fit inside his body is beyond me. I think he and I will become good friends."
"It's no wonder I love him. I really want him back."
"After what you've said about him, so do I."
"Have Saleh and Knoll made any progress?"
"Not that I know of," Ewan said. "I think they're still stuck on how to revive Lyon without also reviving the Demon King. It's certainly not easy. I haven't been able to do much, so that's why I usually go with you on these walks."
"Thank you. It's nice to have someone to talk to."
Around nightfall, Eirika and Ewan returned to Caer Pelyn. Saleh was waiting outside to give the box to Eirika.
"Still no luck," he said. "Lyon wanted to spend the night with you." Eirika took the box and went into her house. She then went back to Saleh.
"I don't think I can ever thank you enough for doing this," she said to him. "Lyon really means a lot to me."
"If Lyon is as good a person as you say, then it is a pleasure to revive him. I look forward to meeting him. In fact, he is offering as much help as possible during the research. He always talks about you during breaks. The two of you seem meant for each other. As Knoll said, 'Fate made a mistake.'"
When she was back in her house, she sat down in a chair next to the table she had placed Lyon's box on.
"Your soul is even more beautiful than your body," Lyon said. "You have done so much for me when you could have just as easily left me in the Stone. How does your heart fit inside your body? I would think your body could burst from pressure at any moment."
"Ewan said something similar about you. Your kindness always amazed me. Do you remember that time we went to Taizel? When I tripped and sprained my ankle, you carried me throughout the city, still showing me every sight I had wanted to see. When we stopped for lunch, you had another chair brought over for my leg. You were so exhausted, yet you carried on after that and brought me all the way back to the coach.
"I remember that. I believe Ephraim was being held at the temple for a long scolding from Father MacGregor."
"That's right," she said while laughing. "When he came out, he looked just as tired as you did."
"The difference is I took pride in my exhaustion. I went to bed early that night and slept the next morning until noon. Were I confident enough with staves, I would have just healed your ankle. Still, what I did instead satisfied me much more."
"I had never realized you could carry so much weight until that day. I think that was when I first realized that I love you. I don't know how long I had felt that way before then, but that incident rid me of any doubt."
"It was a very satisfying exhaustion. I still remember the look of concern on your face when we had lunch and you saw how exhausted I was."
"How could I not be concerned?" she said. "Your face was as red as my dress, your hair was messier than Ephraim's room, your clothes were so covered in sweat you looked as if you had fallen off the docks, and you ate enough at that restaurant to feed a wyvern. I feared you would faint from having to carry me all day."
"If I truly thought I was going to faint," Lyon started, "I would have set you down and caught my breath. Besides, at your insistence, I waited an hour after lunch before setting out again. If I had had to walk all the way back to the capital, I am certain I would have fainted. I was very relieved to place you in the coach."
"You made me lie down on the seat while you knelt on the floor and held my leg still with one arm and the rest of my body with the other. You called a healer the instant we reached the Keep. To make sure I didn't sprain my ankle again while it healed, you accompanied me everywhere until dinner. Your father didn't even scold you for taking that risk. He just smiled as he listened to our story. Directly after I was done with dinner, you had two servants escort me for the rest of the day while you went to bed. …I hope you're back soon."
"Me too."
Chapter 4
Almost a year had passed since Eirika had left Renais. The people had lost any hope that their queen would return. Renais was prospering under King Ephraim; cities flourished, farms produced more food than ever, even the poor were enjoying some degree of prosperity. The landlocked kingdom of Renais had become the greatest economic power in Magvel. Franz, who had been stationed in Grado, returned seeking a private audience with the king. He walked into the throne room and bowed form the waist.
"Your Majesty, I bring dreadful news," he said.
"What has happened?" Ephraim asked of him.
"Riots broke out in Bethroen, where we were stationed. Ships were sunk, buildings were burned, and innocent people mistaken for rioters were killed by my comrades. I am… the only survivor. The citizens swarmed us; they pulled riders off their horses and slaughtered them like livestock. I witnessed the death of almost everyone I cared for. At least a hundred bodies, mostly rioters, lay in the streets by the time Amelia and I fled. I would estimate several more have died from wounds. On the way to Renais, Amelia…" he choked on the words. "…died from her wounds. I am here to ask that you calm the people, and to tend my resignation."
Ephraim sat there, looking as if he had witnessed Eirika's death. "You were with General Seth's battalion, were you not?"
"Yes, and so were Kyle and Forde."
"I will allow your resignation. You have suffered enough."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I beg your leave." Ephraim motioned for Franz to go.
"Eirika was right," Ephraim thought. "Grado's people are on the verge of rebellion. What am I to do? The people do not trust me. It is too late; Grado will never survive at this rate. Perhaps it is time for me to appoint an emperor for Grado." It was easier said than done; even Grado's nobility opposed Ephraim's rule. If he appointed an emperor, that emperor would likely sever any past alliances with Renais. Would he simply abandon Grado? "No," he thought. "Leaving Grado would give rise to a power struggle. Even more would suffer if that happened."
"Ephraim?" Tana called as she came in. "What's wrong?"
"Riots have broken out," he said sadly. "Seth… is dead. Grado is doomed to suffer. If I abandon Grado, violence will reign in a war between the nobles. If I stay, riots will continue to kill our soldiers and the citizens. Either way, Grado's people will be in trouble."
"Then help them."
"Would they accept my help? At this point, I think they would sooner die than accept help from a neglectful king. I annexed Grado and left her to die." Ephraim placed his chin is his hands as Tana tried futilely to comfort him.
Chapter 5
There was still no progress after nearly a year. Eirika was still in Caer Pelyn, hoping that her beloved Lyon would someday be revived. Myrrh had visited last week and left yesterday. Fearing she would visit Ephraim and tell him what had happened, Eirika insisted that no one tell Myrrh about the research. The citizens reluctantly agreed to say nothing. Grandmother did not like keeping a secret from the Great Dragon, but agreed nonetheless. Gerik's mercenaries occasionally visited. They agreed not to tell anyone about Lyon. They would never have found out in the first place, but Ewan had trouble keeping the secret.
"If we truly are to save Grado," Eirika thought, "I suppose we will eventually have to reveal the secret. After a whole year, what will Ephraim think of what I have done? Have things improved in Grado? Have they worsened? What will he do when Lyon asks him for the imperial throne? What will he do when I side with Lyon?" Eirika thought about this during her walk. Ewan was in Jehanna, so Eirika was alone. It was cloudy, but the lack of light told her the sun would be setting soon.
More of her memory of that meeting three and a half years ago surfaced. "Lyon…" she thought. She had been in Grado for a long time and was to return home the next day. The incident in Taizel had happened two days earlier. She went to the garden where Lyon would most likely be. Sure enough, he was there.
"How is your ankle?" he asked upon noticing her.
"Just fine," she said with a laugh. "You've greeted me with those words all the time since that incident."
"I'm sorry. It's just because I care." He looked up at the tree he was seated in the shade of then looked back at Eirika. "When tomorrow comes… You have to go home, don't you?"
"Yes…" she said a little sadly. "Thank you for everything, Lyon. I'll never forget the time I spent here."
"Do you think we'll see each other again?"
"Yes, of course. My brother and you and me. We are friends, after all. Aren't we?"
"Eirika… Yep, you're right."
"I hope your study of the Sacred Stones is fruitful. I know you'll use the wisdom you glean to make your people happy."
"Thank you, Eirika," he said. "You know, you're the only reason I was able to save that girl. There were times when I wanted to give up, to admit failure. But you were always there. You were always encouraging me to succeed. That's what kept me going. I just thought of you."
"Lyon…" Thinking back, she felt like an idiot for not noticing his feelings for her right then.
"Eirika… I… I've always…" he hesitated. "I'm sorry… Forget what I was saying. I could never be like Ephraim…"
"Lyon, what do you—"
"I guess this is it, Eirika. Hope to see you again someday. I'm going to focus on my work and do my best until that day. My research will progress, and my discoveries will benefit us all. One day, I will be a prince worthy of you, and I will see you again." He kissed her hand before going to his chambers.
"How could I have not seen it?" Eirika cried in the present. "I should have told you right then." She sat down and cried softly in the shade of a tree. "Lyon…" She quickly calmed herself and continued her walk. She decided it was time to go back to the village. On the way, however, she saw someone approach her in the shadow of the cliffs. As the silhouette became more vivid, she identified him. She did not need to think at all; she just ran toward him. "Lyon!" The two embraced under the clouds. It had been done; Lyon was alive.
"Eirika…" he let his words drift as he did what he had wanted to do for four years. The sun had set before their lips separated again. He had not cried when his father died, he had not cried when he confessed his love to Eirika, but tears had slowly flowed down his cheeks since the moment he saw her under the tree. He could think of no words to say to her. They remained silent for a few minutes until Eirika finally spoke.
"I've been waiting for so long," she said. "It's… so wonderful to see you again. I've been dreaming of this for almost a year now, and now, I'm finally in your arms."
"Eirika… I could not find anything to give you to commemorate this moment, but… Will you grant me the pleasure of your hand in marriage?"
She gasped, but was quick to respond. "Of course," she said. "I cannot think of anything more wonderful." She kissed him again before they went back to the village, hand in hand.
"We shall make arrangements for the most fabulous wedding this village can muster," Lyon said. "As long as we live, in the secluded peace of Caer Pelyn, the unsettling prestige of Renais, or the dangerous poverty of Grado, I will stay by your side."
"Never leave me to suffer again."
"Not even in my worst nightmares would I do that."
They were married a month later. While quite eager to return to Grado, Lyon lived happily with Eirika in Caer Pelyn for the next two months before finally setting off with his beloved for Renais Castle and the man he would have to confront. He and Eirika prayed every night that Ephraim would not judge them harshly. Eirika would return the Stone and apologize for disobeying the priests, and Lyon would request being given rule of Grado. Neither feared Ephraim or whatever judgment he might pass on them, for they had promised to stand by each other's side before him; love could not relieve them of their brands as criminals, but it would alleviate whatever pain returning home might bring.