Fighting A Broken Heart

She sat as Elmyra threw the stones, the day's events running through her mind. It had taken all her willpower not to cry when Cloud had hardly spoken to her. Elmyra sat straight suddenly, alerting the Queen's attention.

"Look here." She whispered, moving the stones around. "This means a mask or something hidden." She explained, pointing to a stone lying on top of the other. Aerith sat on her knees and bit her fingernail as she took in the information.

"Is that why Cloud doesn't recognise me?" She asked eventually, her desperation evident in her voice. Elmyra sighed and looked over the stones again.

"There is nothing here." She replied sadly.

Cloud smiled as Rufus handed him a cup of wine. They were sitting with Vincent in the cabin with Sephiroth outside as Rufus wanted to speak to the two other men alone. He put down his cup and grinned at Cloud.

"I want to thank you for helping me get Aerith." He explained. Cloud held up his hand to stop him and slowly shook his head.

"Don't worry about it." He replied.

"Listen to me." The Midgar King continued. "Vincent is my brother by natural blood but it would honour me if you became our blood brother." Cloud seemed surprised at the suggestion.

He watched as Rufus took a knife and made a gentle clean cut across his palm. He held his wounded hand above the cup and squeezed some blood into it. Vincent did the same with his own blade and both looked at Cloud expectantly. He sighed as Rufus handed him a clean knife and he cut across his palm. However, no blood appeared. The Midgar brothers stared in confusion.

"The dragon's blood made my skin impenetrable." He explained before he looked at each of the royals in turn. "But I guess tonight is a night for trust right?" He added as he reached over his shoulder to where he couldn't reach on that day.

"Well, the only place I can be wounded is here." He continued as he made a small cut and removed the blade to let the blood drip into the cup. Rufus lifted it slowly.

"This cup contains the blood of brothers, the trust of brotherhood. May any man who breaks that trust die dishonoured and cursed." He took a sip and passed it to Cloud, who did the same before passing to Vincent. Nobody noticed that Sephiroth had witnessed the whole thing.

The sun's little warmth did nothing to comfort Tifa as she sat by the Palace window, waiting of any news of Rufus, Vincent and Cloud's return. She wondered whether her brother had even managed to win his Queen or not but she prayed that he had for she knew what happened to the suitors that lost. She sighed softly as she glanced out at the glistening ocean. Immediately, she got to her feet, her eyes wide and mouth open in a gasp of happiness. The three ships were returning at last.

She raced through the crowded streets, struggling through the gathering crowds as she made her way to the harbour where the ships were coming in. Rufus was standing in a victory stance and she felt her breath exhale in relief. He waved at his cheering crowd as he stepped onto land. Cloud and Vincent following close behind. Cloud smiled at her as he walked past, letting her know she could greet her brother before him.

Her eyes turned to the other boat, finally falling on Queen Aerith and she had to admit that she was beautiful. Her long chestnut hair was down and cascading down her slender figure. She could see the slight fear in the Queen's eyes but she reckoned in a new place, she would be frightened too.

Rufus took Aerith's hand and guided her down the path with a look of utter adoration and pride on his face. He stopped halfway with a large grin and held up their entwined hands.

"People of Midgar, I give you your Queen!" he cried. The cheers got louder, if possible and Tifa took her chance to move to the front. She threw her arms around her brother and Rufus laughed as he hugged her back. She smiled at Aerith as she pulled away.

"This is my sister, Tifa." He introduced. She put her arms around Aerith's shoulders in a small hug.

"I'll be a sister to you as well." She smiled when she pulled away and noticed Aerith was looking ahead. She turned and saw Cloud waiting by the steps. Without a word, she ran to him where he greeted her with a passionate kiss. Aerith blinked as she watched the whole scenario. Her eyes followed the two young lovers as they walked up the stairs with starry-eyes and loving smiles. She didn't even think she noticed when Rufus guided her to the castle.

The cool winter breeze was refreshing as Cloud leaned on the wall. The winter sunlight streaming over the Kingdom caused a sort of relaxing atmosphere as he stared across the land. He did not notice Aerith appear at the door above and stop at the sight of him.

She seemed to hesitate for a moment before she slowly made her way down the stone steps towards him. As she reached the long stone corridor, he heard her footsteps and looked up. He smiled slightly in politeness but he seemed a little puzzled to her presence.

"Queen Aerith, can I help you?" He asked, turning to face her.

"I waited for you…as I said I would." She replied though her voice held no anger or hate, it was only confusion and hurt. He frowned as he saw tears appearing in her eyes.

"What happened Cloud?" She asked desperately. "Did you find you could not love a Queen as you could a passing stranger?" She tilted her head as she watched his facial expressions show his confusion as he tried to think about it.

"Or was it the materia? It has turned many hearts cold before." She continued. She needed an answer. She needed to know. He looked down at the ground and then back at her.

"I don't know." He replied softly.

"Who will I ask?" She cried. "Why you loved me then and don't love me now?"

"I didn't." He answered simply, thinking of the simplest answer. Aerith was silent for a moment before she shook her head.

"Do not lie to me! You cannot claim that you didn't love me." She said softly as she took a step closer to him. "It was your first time blacksmith, mine as well. Does that mean nothing to you?" Cloud glanced nervously around him.

"I was a boy then…I've matured over the last few months." He explained. Why couldn't she understand that he didn't love her?

"This is what manhood brings?" She sneered as the wind blew her hair back and her eyes narrowed as they looked down at him. "I only wish I had learned this lesson sooner. For hopefully someday I too will remember our love as so little because I will never know joy again until I forget." She said in a broken tone. "Or you remember." She turned on her heel, leaving him in his confusion.

The church bells rang out across the Kingdom as people gathered for the double royal wedding. Tifa followed Aerith as the Queen was of higher status. As Aerith reached the stairs she stopped, staring at the two grooms standing there. But she couldn't go back on her word and she knew people were getting nervous and staring at her. Slowly she lifted her dress off the ground and climbed the stairs to Rufus.

"King Rufus, do you take Queen Aerith of the Northern Continent to be your wife?" The priest asked. Rufus smiled at the woman next to him.

"I do."

"Do you Queen Aerith of the Northern continent take my King as your husband?" Aerith took a breath as she looked up at the priest. Behind her, Elmyra shook her head slowly, wishing the Queen could see it and take the hint. Cloud and Tifa stared at her, waiting for her response. She brushed a strand of her hair out of her face and opened her mouth to speak.

"I do." She whispered, barely audible. Elmyra sighed and closed her eyes at the answer.

"Do you Cloud, King of Nibelheim take Tifa to be your wife?"

"I do." He answered, smiling at her.

"Do you Tifa take Cloud to be your husband?"

"I do."

"Husbands, you may kiss your brides." The priest declared. Aerith glanced at how immediately, Cloud and Tifa embraced before she turned to Rufus. She didn't even respond as he pressed his lips against hers. The cheers erupted as the Kingdom embraced their new royalties.

But all Aerith could see was Cloud and Tifa together. She could not understand what had happened to him.