Ike really has not thought of Mist, and I'm sorry for that. It should be something that crosses his mind more than once or twice. She's in good hands, of course, but nothing beats having a loving sibling.

I feel like this kind of leads to the second half of the story, even if it might not be as long as the first half. Consider it a time jump/set up.

The time had come, but Selyne was not fully prepared for it. "I hate to see you go again." Weeks had passed, the port had returned almost to its former glory, and Prince Erian was ready to move out.

"We'll be back," Ike promised. He and Soren had come to an agreement with Erian. They would travel with him, and act as mercenaries of sorts, as long as he did not ask Ike to command and Soren to strategize. He was, at first, disappointed, but he accepted the terms.

They had also agreed that, when the troops returned to the area, Ike could see Selyne.

She was not fully on board with the plan, but she knew Ike would grow listless just staying at the inn. Lena was glad to see them go.

Selyne spotted Soren over Ike's shoulder. "Take care, Soren," she called. A surprised look flitted across his face for a mere second. He nodded. She and Ike exchanged a smile, then she squeezed his hand and watched them go.

Weeks or months would pass with no word from Erian's group, then they would show at the door unannounced. The prince was always polite and proper, even bringing vegetables and wild game they had found along the way. And, as a bonus to the youngest prince of the royal family, the smallfolk were growing to see him as their prince. His presence and kindness was starting to earn him a name to himself.

It lifted his spirits.

Ike was mostly content with the lifestyle. He did not have the pressures of command, and though he had fallen somewhat into his old life, there was something different about it. He thought Soren would have something smart to say about becoming, for all intents, a mercenary again, but the mage's thoughts were not spoken.

Soren himself might not admit it aloud, but it felt like Selyne had offered something Ike needed. He just wasn't certain how to act around her. Especially when Ike mentioned she had developed a soft spot for him.

But Selyne was thankfully nowhere near as vicious as a lion laguz.

For a long time, she kept her distance, and he kept his.

Rainstorms became snowstorms, which later gave away to warmer weather and budding plants. Everything was in full bloom as the prince and his soldiers made another return.

As she had been the first time Ike and Soren had arrived alone, Lena was busy with mending. This time she offered no proper greeting. She dropped her needle in her basket and hurried out the back door. "Selyne!" they could hear her call.

Prince Erian followed the young woman outside for a word with Selyne. Soren slipped away to the library. After a moment, Ike followed.

Soren had splurged a few weeks prior, purchasing a thick leather ledger to keep his papers in. Ike had not said anything, he was pleased Soren had found something other than a tome that he wanted. And he was a little thankful that Soren had chose to take it upon himself to keep track of their journey.

The ledger was sitting on the desk unopened. Soren was staring at it pensively. He looked up as Ike opened the door. "Do you think I can leave this here?"

"Why?"

With a sigh, Soren mumbled something about nearly dropping it during a sudden storm a few days ago. "I can write it all again, but if I don't have to..."

Ike thought for a moment. "There's a safe in Selyne's room. I can ask her."

Soren nodded. He flipped open the ledger and opened the desk drawer as Ike walked around the room browsing the shelves. "There's no organization," Soren called to him. "I've thought about it, but that would be overstepping."

Ike chuckled and said, "Well, she's practically given you free run of the room, I'm sure she wouldn't mind you sorting through her books."

"Later." He felt the books would be a treasure, once properly sorted. The history, lore, religion, many of these things were lost to him. He wanted to speak to Erian about then, but chances to speak to the prince were few and far between. Caspian filled him in a little, but only when he had the chance. He and Ike mostly stuck to themselves.

They could hear voices outside. Erian and the rest made their trips upstairs to their rooms. "She'll never deny him room," Soren muttered.

"He pays her well, and people tend to come in droves if they know he's here. Let me go find her."

Ike left Soren to his work and almost knocked into Lena as he cut the corner. The water in the basin she had been carrying splashed all over her. She spluttered and glared at him. "I'm sorry, I had no idea you were there, Lena."

"Well you aren't the only one," she said in a huff. She brushed past him and down the hall. "Well," he mouthed. He followed her, certain she was going to Selyne. "I didn't think you needed a bath," Selyne said with a laugh.

"It's not funny," Lena protested. "It's - " she stopped as Ike entered Selyne's room. Selyne waved her away. She scowled and pushed past Ike on the way out, slamming the door behind her as she exited.

"I bumped into her," Ike admitted. He felt suddenly shy.

Selyne smiled at him as she dipped a cloth in the water. She was smudged with dirt from her face to her hands to her dress. "That's not why she's mad," she said, "but don't worry about her."

"You often tell me that."

"She's doing nothing more than behaving like a child because she cannot have what she wants." She began to scrub the dirt from her cheeks. "I'm glad you're back, I missed you. Though Erian says it's not for long. If I had known you were coming, I would have waited to fix the fence."

"I missed you, too." Despite her filthy state, he pulled her close. With a sigh, she rested her head against his shoulder. "I would like to stay," he began.

"But it's not in you. You seem to have difficulty sitting down for more than a few minutes."

He laughed, it was true. She knew it and so did Soren.

"I've often thought of selling this place and coming with you," she admitted. She pulled away from him reluctantly and frowned at the dirt she had transferred to his clothes. "But I don't have much in the way to offer."

"Nonsense, you cook excellently, you can read and write, you do laundry - "

"So I'd be a travelling maid?" They shared a laugh as she began to scrub her hands. "I'll think about it," she said.

"Hey..." Ike began, "Soren wanted to ask if he could leave something here."

"Why?" She looked over to her wardrobe. "Never mind," she said softly. Her hands and face were clean. "Bring him here."

Ike left and returned with Soren in tow. Selyne had flung open her wardrobe, a clean dress was tossed onto her bed, but she was looking at the bottom. She felt terribly for asking Ike to bring Soren, he did appear comfortable to be in her bedroom. But the urge to show them had struck her. She knelt down with the two men leaning over her and showed them how to open the false bottom of the wardrobe. A panel slid open to reveal the hidden safe. She made certain to show Soren the combination. "In case I'm not here and you need to get to it," she told him. He looked floored at her comment but said nothing.

Inside were a few sheets of paper, deeds, she had explained, an a small assortment of jewelry. The ledger fit perfectly inside.

"Thank you."

"Think nothing of it, there's plenty of room." She repressed the urge to shudder over a sudden chill. She adopted a cheerful tone and said, "Let me change and I'll have you two fed and taken care of."

Soren was more than happy to leave. "He likes to stay by himself, doesn't she?" she said distractedly.

"That's Soren for you." She brushed a quick kiss against his check before he left her to change dresses. She sat down on the edge of the bed and wondered why Soren would ever need her safe.