A/N- This was actually supposed to be Chapter 43, but I realized I got extremely sidetracked, not to mention did a little too much of the romantic wibble-wabble and so I cut it out. These happen during the year leading up to the wedding, after the Apple was stolen. Be prepared for a lot of fluff.

Of Peasants and Wedding Talk

"...apparently, they developed some sort of movable printing thingy," I finished up, barely even listening to what I was even saying. Routine work, and nothing more... though it was much more pleasant to be occupied with it sitting on the roof and looking up at the stars rather than in a dusty office that was still being cleaned out for Ezio.

"Mhmm," he sleepily confirmed that he didn't forget about me or my report.

"Oh, and Queen Catherine Cornaro sold her land to Venice."

"The queen of Cyprus?" he made sure, and I jerked my chin slightly.

"Actually, she did it almost a year ago, but I only found out now. Oh, about things that happened in the past few years- do you remember that boy, Piero?"

"There's a lot of people by that name..."

"You're just too lazy to remember. We were at his wedding, how can you forget?"

"Oh, Lorenzo's son?"

"Yes. Lorenzo writes that he is unsure that the boy can keep a grip on Florence after his death, and hopes that-"

"Death?" Ezio's eyes snapped open. "Is he intending to die some times soon?"

"I don't know... He might just be paranoid, but considering that those lunatics and the possibility of Savonarola's influence..." I rolled my shoulders. "It wouldn't be the first time someone attempted to assassinate him, and he is only worried of what will happen to Firenze if his number is up."

"Hm." Ezio looked troubled for a moment. "We should visit him in the next month, and discuss it properly. Did anyone else die recently?"

"Why yes, some guy in Russia, I believe and some other guy in Cyprus, again."

"Those events fall onto the Templar expedition almost too close for comfort," he noted, lifting himself up on his elbows and looking into my face. I glanced at him too, and then the endless sea of stars drew my eyes back, refusing to release the spell.

"They might have had something to do with it," I nodded, yawning. It was already around midnight, though the town was still bright, thanks to Leonardo- his oil-lamps could be left across the streets overnight.

The reason we were still up at this point talking about gossip that I got from a passing messenger was Claudia.

Why, you may ask?

Because she was out of her freaking mind.

For months, she would not leave either of us alone about the god damned wedding that I was seriously regretting ever agreeing on. Who knew that there were so many preparations? I was used to assassinations, where the key points were the skill and blade, not the colors of fabric of curtains! Ezio was having just as much trouble dealing with his sister, so soon we learned to jump into the nearest haystack or bush any time we felt her approaching. Once, I even dove right into the blacksmith's shop, who was watching the events with amusement, much like the rest of town. The only way to get rid of Claudia was to hide somewhere like the rooftops and towers, where she could not reach...

Which was what we were doing up on the villa roof at that moment, waiting until she finally calmed down for the day and fell asleep. Then perhaps we could actually sneak inside and get a bit of sleep... Technically, I didn't mind sleeping on the roofs, either, but unfortunately it was not a midsummer night, but the middle of March. This winter was particularly cold for some reason, we even saw some snow in Monteriggioni, though Ezio claimed that he has rarely ever seen it this far south.

"You know, stars are fun," I stated tiredly, looking up to the skies, folding my arms behind my head. Ezio hummed in either question or sleep. "They tell stories."

"I've heard that somewhere before..."

"Wake up and sing, Ezio, you haven't heard this one yet," I grinned. "It's about a peasant."

"A strange choice of hero."

"Pfft, that really depends. There's plenty of peasants that become kings... at least, in stories. But this was a special peasant."

"A special peasant?"

"Yes. A special peasant. He had a farm. With cows."

"And chickens?"

"What's a farm without those? Anyway, he loved them cows."

"Really?"

"Yes, they make delicious snacks, haven't you heard?"

"What does that have to do with stars?"

"Nothing aside from the fact that our peasant liked them cows."

"You said that already."

"I can say it again."

"Please don't," he murmured.

"Okay, so the farmer lived peacefully at first. He got himself a wife and she gave him many children. They also liked to eat cows."

"Eden!" he looked at me with amused sternness.

"Alright, alright I won't mention the cows again. Anyway, the farmer lived poorly, but he didn't need anything beyond what he already had."

"Sounds like a happy man."

"He was. At first..." I suddenly sighed. "Then his father died."

"Hm?"

"And left him only one piece of heirloom that he treasured more than his own life. It was the only thing that was worth anything in his entire house, actually, but he never even thought of selling it. And then, they carried on living. Until a knight came around the lands, and stopped at their farm house."

"A knight?" He raised an eyebrow, now listening with interest. I played with my hair, shivering slightly in the cold night air, despite the fact that Ezio's cloak was already around my shoulders.

"Yes, the peasant and his family were surprised, too. The knight stopped, and demanded them to pay up the supposed tribute to the knights of his order. Now, as I already mentioned, the peasant didn't have anything aside from his family and farmland, they were just barely getting by, and he could not pay up this supposed tribute.

The knight was a cold man, a veteran, and the war has completely taken away his sense of honor, mercy or any other weak emotion... he laughed, and asked what the glittering thing around his neck was."

There was a short pause. Then Ezio asked, "The heirloom was a necklace?"

"Yes, didn't I mention that? Now, the peasant was smart enough to lie. He claimed that it was just clutter that he painted gold just to make it look pretty."

"Did the knight believe him?"

I stayed silent for a little bit more, and then shook my head. "He didn't. He forcefully took it away from their family. He didn't sell it like he was planning on, but kept it instead, safely on his neck.

But the peasant couldn't live without it. He felt like a piece of him was ripped out and now wailing to him for help from a distance. So he followed the knight."

"Did he kill him?"

"No." I simply replied. "He failed, and was punished and tortured, and then locked away. They brought his family to him, too, and killed them in front of his eyes..."

"What kind of story is that?" Ezio furrowed his eyebrows. I shrugged.

"A realistic one? Listen further. What the knight didn't know was that the necklace was magical, and it appeared on the broken peasant's neck once again in just a few days... with it's help, he managed to revive one of his youngest sons, who was left to bleed out slowly in front of him. It was too late for his wife and other children, but he entrusted the necklace to the one remaining son, told him how it was possible to get out of the dungeon with the necklace's help, and then asked him to end his suffering and kill him."

"Are you talking about the-"

"Yes, I think so... but the strangest thing is, every time a life to pass on the Talisman, a new star forms. It's been like that since the very first Guardian that found the Piece of Eden and passed it onto a successor. There is a star up there for that peasant that died, and his son... just as one appeared for Tyler Beck, and as one should have lit if Eve died to pass on the artifact... it's as if someone is lighting them up there to honor the sacrifice. Gods, or perhaps the universe is responding to it somehow, or maybe it's just a silly legend that no one ever found out about but those who had the artifact... See, if you look over there..." I squinted into the night's sky, and then pointed up. "That bright one was the Peasant. And there, is the one for Elizabeth Hessler."

Ezio looked up with the stars with reinforced curiosity and interest, and smiled slightly. "I like that story," he suddenly declared. I looked at him sideways with a look questioning his sanity. "I don't know... I think that the realism of it is... enchanting, somehow."

"How so?"

"Well, if you think about it," he sat up with some effort, looking directly into my eyes. "There's balance in almost every aspect of it. A peasant that has nothing but needs nothing... a knight that went through war and became an emotionless and greedy... and even though the man and his family died, he managed to save his son and the artifact... And the Talisman which gave him so much grief was the one to save his son."

"Yes, I suppose you're right..." I nodded thoughtfully. "It's almost ironic. The universe likes irony, don't you find?"

"We're living proof of that," he smirked, laying back down to look at the stars. "You are even more than me."

"Why is that?"

"You name signifies a perfect place... a paradise. But instead, you've been through hell."

I thought about it for a moment, and then nodded with a smile. "You're right. But I hope I make up for it?"

He laughed, and the sound echoed through the sleeping town. "Most definitely, angelo..."

After a short pause, I asked, "Do you think Claudia is finally asleep?"

"Yes... Actually, she's been asleep for hours now." I looked at him sharply, witnessing a sly smirk on his lips.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? We could have gone to sleep!"

"We rarely get time together now," he told me seriously. "And when we do, it's all reports, rumors and gossips..."

I closed my mouth against the irritated retort, because he was right. We've been in the villa all through fall, and then winter. All that time has passed in sending out search parties and orders to the surrounding towns, combing them for any trace of Savonarola. Ezio was nose-deep in maps, documents and reports almost at all times. I helped in any way I could, at the same time helping the ladies around town with all their broken furniture and repairs. Their husbands were the dispatched mercenaries, so they didn't get many chances to upkeep a house, and the only decent carpenter in town was currently in San Gimignano on business, so I had plenty to do. So both Ezio and I rarely actually got a moment to relax in the past few months, considering when we finally got to sleeping, we simply fell down onto the bed, and passed out.

We still occasionally put a stop to all this chaos and went out to get some action, but sadly, aside from a rare contract, there was not much in those cities. Firenze was kept in check by Machiavelli and Lorenzo (for all the good that did..), Venice was flourishing with the Assassins there overseeing things, Leonardo reported nothing particularly strange happening in Milano... there remained a few major cities to be scoured through, but most of the happenings there were petty crimes and small, irrelevant conspiracies that drew no attention.

"You really know how to pick a date with a girl, Ezio," I laughed lightly. "On the cold rooftop under the stars, hungry and tired as hell. Now I see how you got all those girls to sleep with you."

He joined in the laughter at the completely ridiculous situation. Then it was cut off by a huge yawn. "Well, alright. Let's go to bed... We still have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

"Why can't we take a break?" I whined. "We've been doing this almost nonstop!"

"Throw your hopes away, you vessel of temptation and sin! The world depends on us!" he proclaimed loudly, and I narrowed my eyes.

"I'll give you temptation and sin, you bastard-" I growled, pouncing on him. We rolled a bit across the roof, and then I pinned him down, digging my elbows into his shoulders and glaring down. He looked at me with a light, pleased and self-satisfied smirk.

"Well, this is very tempting, and most sinful, don't you find?" he raised an eyebrow, and I melted, bending down to place a kiss on his lips, and then pressed my forehead to his, staring him in the eyes.

"I love you," I spoke very lowly and sincerely. I didn't say those words often, because I felt as if they would lose their value. I said it only when I truly felt it, and each time, he'd drop the flirting and arrogant act, and look at me with wide eyes, suddenly appearing to be much younger and less deadly than he truly was.

Ezio just quietly sat up, completely disregarding my weight on him, and caught my lips with his. After a moment, I melted against him, and slowly wrapped my arms around his neck, while his slid over my waist, holding me intimately close.

He, unlike me, always replied to my words with actions that spoke more clearly than his voice could ever.

I think it were those moments that I stopped being terrified of the wedding and began to look forward becoming his wife.

Not much has happened during March. It finished quickly and the cool weather finally let up, and April and May took the stage, calling the flowers to attention and gave the cue to the birds. Life in the villa eased up a bit as we finished combing through a lot of the Tuscany country side, and allowed the mercenaries to finally relax.

The cannons that Mario ordered were finally installed, and the guard towers were once again occupied, and the torches could be seen up on the walls day and night now. They also put the old wells to use, creating catacombs under the town leading away from it, though we did not advertise the fact, instead hoping we'd have the opportunity to instruct the citizens if the town was ever attacked.

There was still plenty to do, of course, but Claudia, who jumped so eagerly at the temporarily quiet to set the date for the wedding, left us alone. The next real mention of it was one rather warm, sunny day in the beginning of May when I just finished up with another small job.

"Oh, thank you so much!" The woman examined the doors of the wardrobe closely, opening and closing them. They made no sound, the hinges smoothly working as they were supposed to. "I kept trying to get my husband to fix them..."

"Happy to help," I smiled cheerfully. It was true- I was in an amazing mood, and had no problem walking traveling around Monteriggioni helping fix cabinets, nail in shelves and repair furniture.

"You have golden hands, honey, the young master is very lucky to have found you," she complimented me and I laughed.

"Well, it's still a question as to who found whom..."

After a warm goodbye and an enthusiastic offer of first money, and then at least dinner, I walked out onto the street again, wondering what to do next.

I thought first about Ezio, but then remembered that he was still sleeping, and would likely continue with that until evening, as he stayed up for almost two days straight the night before. There was a disturbance only a mile away from Monteriggioni, and he lead it for no other reason than boredom. It turned out to be nothing, just a few hooligans vandalizing and beating around the peasants, and the guards of San Gimignano arrived there just an hour before Ezio, finishing everything quickly. Nonetheless, though, he took the chance to finish up an assassination for Lorenzo in the city, and was now sleeping like a log in our room.

Adel was busy too, as strange as that sounded. Mario, who really liked the girl (though I don't think it was possible not become charmed by the wide blue eyes that she so skillfully used), agreed to train her and put her to use, and was currently teaching her how to ride a horse just outside the town gates. Considering the fact that any of the boys or mercenaries could have done the job, I suspected he simply wanted to spend some time with the girl and assess what she already knew. Winter didn't allow many such chances, and we were all busy for most of it, anyway.

I continued to go through the list of things to do, walking towards the villa and managing not to run into someone in the boiling crowds by miracle. I visited the blacksmith, avoided the excited tailor, and then sat down on the bench in a small shaded garden, absently watching the sparkling water of the fountain. A few birds, quickly accustoming to my presence, came back to finish their baths.

"I don't get it! Look at her- no figure, no beauty... why did he have to pick her?"

My ears perked up, but I did not give away my awareness in any way.

"Gloria, calm down-"

"But this is so unfair! Marrying someone like... like... her, when there are girls like us to chose from!"

"Girls like you, you mean?"

"Well, at least!"

"Be careful with what you say. Remember Lars? And Mustavo?"

"They said those were accidents..."

"Only because they're too proud to admit they've been bested by a woman! The whole town knows she messed them up!"

"Maybe he just likes exotic looks."

The girls had a point. My skin was infinitely more pale, despite the light tan that was stopped by my robes, and lighter eyes and hair. It fit into my story of England with only a slight stretch, but in comparison to the native women...

"It's fine. He won't be satisfied with her, anyway, and when he starts looking for something else..."

I tuned it out at that. I didn't even feel anger or irritation at that- I felt secure in my position now, as even as the god damned wedding date grew closer, Ezio showed no signs of cold feet or regret. The poor girls were charmed by him, like so many others. Young, inexperienced, likely bored with the men here, despite the now wide selection... They'd grow out of it, and lose their sweetened illusions soon enough.

I wondered briefly if they truly knew who they were pining after. I was an assassin that could keep up with him and the rest of the Brotherhood. There was no need for him to protect me or find me a burden in any way. Any one of those girls, even if the impossible happened and he fell in love with one of them, it could only end in heartbreak. And if by some miracle I agreed to one of the normal men around Monteriggioni or Florence, it would likely end up the same way. Or we'd just get bored.

I suppose it's almost cheaply romantic. It's like we're made for each other and no one else.

Terrifying thought.

Now, about the wedding...

The wedding.

The wedding.

The Wedding.

Yeah, I still shuddered at the word. I must be a sight to see when I randomly break out in spasms...

"Let's just elope," I thumped my head onto the desk, sounding desperate even to myself.

Ezio looked tempted for a moment, but then, much to my displeasure, shook his head. "I think Claudia has the right for this. And so does Mario... and Mother. They are my family, Eden."

"I have nothing against your family," I gritted out. "Except I do have a problem with you sister inviting all the people we know to something that is just an official statement. Not to mention I have to wear a wedding dress!"

"Bella mia, you can walk down that isle in your Assassin robes, fully armed and covered in blood, and I wouldn't care," Ezio attempted to cheer me up. The image that my mind summoned up did make me laugh, though...

"And I don't even know anything about weddings! Considering I was too drunk to actually remember anything the first time, all I know is the the bride gets to wear white and there's lots of flowers, but-"

"Not necessarily white, by the by," he noted. I raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Maybe the ceremony changes in the future, but I doubt it's by much. Though our case isn't exactly normal..."

"In what way?"

"Well, usually the men of both families would get together to discuss and work out all the documents and agreements," he leaned back in his chair, looking up to the ceiling with interest. I looked up too, but didn't find anything but a wet patch from the earlier rain. "But considering my male line was cut out, and your family isn't even born yet..."

"Not to mention there are no documents and no agreements past "I do," I added. "What happens afterward, then? We gather guests in a church like cattle, get the head bu- I mean, priest to read a passage from the Bible, ask us for vows, and then we exchange rings, make out in the middle of the chapel and BAM! We're married?"

"...yes." He didn't look like he understood a word I said, but I think he already learned how to catch the gist of my speeches. "And of course, the marriage isn't fulfilled until we... ah, consummate it."

"A tad late on that part, but I'll keep it in mind," I snorted. "So I don't have to wear white?"

"No... I don't think there is anything specific, though you should ask Claudia, she'd know more of this than me." He laughed at my visible shudder.

"Then- urg. I don't know..." Suddenly, I broke out in loud laughter that was only reinforced by Ezio's incredulous look. When I finally calmed down, I explained, stuttering slightly as I tries to push the laughter back. "I'm just- thinking, here we are in the middle of an Assassin-Templar war, and I'm thinking about the colors I could wear to my wedding... Speaking of which, how are the codex pages going?"

"So far, La Volpe pin-pointed two in Firenze, and Sister Teodora another one in Venice. I broke into a bank in San Gimignano and collected another..." he listed off thoughtfully, as he got the scroll from one of his drawers and pushed it towards me.

I opened it curiously, but as I expected, didn't understand even a single word of it. No matter how many times I listened to the jumbled lectures from Leonardo on decoding those documents, I did not yet manage to make the gibberish take up any sort of form. Except for, maybe a few simple words, which I quickly trotted down on a separate page. They did not make the meaning of Altair's writing any clearer...

Leonardo was back in Milan for a few months, so we couldn't simply ask him to decipher them for us. He still had commissions to get to, as Ludovico Sforza still remained his patron. The artist promised to be back in time for the wedding, but that was really not as important as those codex pages...

I thoughtfully looked up to the large map of Italy that Ezio hung up on the wall, transferring the supposed locations from Riario's map to a larger scale with pins. Beside the map there hung no decorations except for the portraits of Uberto, de'Pazzi family and the conspirators, the Barbarigo cousins and Dante Moro... Basically every important Templar target that was on the path of Ezio's revenge.

"What are you thinking?" Ezio wondered after a long silence, staring at me with his fist under his chin.

"You have creepy decorations," I replied truthfully. "Geez, do you really want to see the dead men staring at you all the time?"

He chuckled, throwing a glance around the room. "I don't know why I keep them here. I suppose they are something like trophies."

"Lies." I threw him a grin. "You just like to look at them and once again be reminded of the satisfaction you got when you killed them."

Silence. His smile was gone, and I realized exactly what I just said.

"Ezio-"

He stopped me with the gesture of his hand, his eyes melting. "No, you're right. I suppose there is some satisfaction." He paused for a moment, and then sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Eden, when you say it like that it almost sounds like I'm some sort of simple, common killer who likes to cut off his enemies heads, shrink them, and wear on my belt."

"They would certainly add a bit to your image," I allowed myself the joke. "Stop talking nonsense, Ezio, I'm not judging you. Those people deserved to die just as much as you deserved to be the one to kill them. And if you want to keep moments, hey, let's just be thankful they really aren't shrunken heads- Hey!" I dodged an inkwell, taking cover behind my chair. "I'm just saying... would you stop throwing stuff?"

"You are going to get it," he growled, making a grab for me over the chair. I laughed, rolling out of his reach.

Well, three broken inkwells, two broken chairs, a ripped curtain and five dropped paintings later, we finally calmed down our "scandal", and I stopped laughing long enough for us to somehow end up on the bed and finally use it for it's other purpose.