Hello, everyone. Hopefully you've all been well. Welcome to my first FE story of 2025 and my third Ike/Elincia story. Yes, for those of you who've seen my profile, you probably should have seen this coming. Let me get this out of the way: yes, another Ike/Elincia story, and this one's going to be a multi-chaptered one. So, if you don't have anything nice to say, please just move on.
This story takes my fondness for weapons, particularly swords, and puts it into a writing form, so I hope you all enjoy it. Do expect a lot of talk about swords, weaponry, and some parental issues. Shoutout and thanks to Falchion1984 for the help in editing. So, enjoy the story!
I do not own anything.
From the Hilt to the Heart
Chapter 1-A Guiding Hand
Ike truly wouldn't have minded if the skies were suddenly filled with wyvern riders descending upon them, spears in hand and howling for blood. While it would have been absolutely disastrous for the company - or what was left of it, anyway, desertions after his father's death had wreaked havoc on their numbers - Ike still would have welcomed it; it'd have been good for him. That just made a part of him more sickened at the thought, sickened at himself. It left him sighing in disgust and frustration for the fifth time in the last twenty minutes. Or was it thirty? Had it been an hour? There was honestly no way to tell the passage of time except by the drifting of the clouds.
The sky would turn red, eventually. Then it would turn varying shades of blue and purple, and then night would finally fall. It'd be dark, with only the stars and moon for illumination. Actually, that wouldn't be too bad a sight, it'd actually be pretty beautiful in its own right.
As splendid, and as peaceful as that would be, Ike didn't think he could linger on and wait for such a sight to materialize before his eyes. If Soren didn't come fetch him then Titania would. Alternatively, he could just get up and leave himself. He knew that was probably the best thing to do-it's what he felt like he needed to do. He was the leader of the Greil Mercenaries now, so he really had to start acting like it. And that included ceasing to sulk on things he couldn't change. It's the sort of behavior that drove those like Shinon and Gatrie away, amongst other things that Ike wasn't proud of either. He could just imagine what they'd have to say to him, sitting here amidst the ruins of Gebal Castle with such a pitiful look on his face. They might have even managed to outdo Soren in terms of a tongue lashing.
Footsteps against the stone immediately broke him out of his depressive musings. Sitting up, he turned toward the door to his right, fully expecting it to be his dark-haired tactician or his red-haired paladin. They'd have noticed his continued lingering around Gebal Castle first and been quick to drag him out. "My Lord Ike,"
Instead, it was neither. It was the last person he expected, yet he wasn't disappointed in the slightest. He was actually quite happy to see her, and she seemed happy to see him.
"Princess Elincia." He replied. As always, she stood out amidst her surroundings. Her cream-colored dress was a bright contrast to the dreary stone that made up the balcony, and indeed, the rest of the castle. "What are you doing here? You should be down at camp with the others."
"I was, but I decided to seek you out. I was…worried about you, as were several others." She answered while walking toward him. He'd stood up upon seeing her unexpectedly walk in on him, and now he saw the concern in her eyes. Ike heard it through her voice. She always seemed to be worrying about him, almost as much as he worried about her. "I am sorry if that seems-"
"It's fine." The reminder not to cut people, especially royalty, off before they finished speaking came too late. Luckily, Elincia didn't seem to mind. Her hazel eyes continued to look him over with concern, as if she were expecting to find some new injury. Or perhaps she was looking for signs of internal injury; she and everyone else knew he had one of those that was still fresh and bleeding; it was one that was shared amongst the Greil Mercenaries. "I just…needed some space to clear my head before we got moving. This seemed like a good place." Her worried expression didn't change, although she nodded in understanding.
"May I sit with you?"
He arched a brow, "Uh, not to be rude, Elincia, but this isn't exactly the best place to sit down, especially for what you're wearing. I could go fetch a chair."
Finally, she smiled. A small, rather cute smile, but the first brightened expression she'd had in what felt like hours. "I could end up waiting a while, my lord."
"I'll be quick about it. I'm sure I'll be able to find something." Ike insisted.
"And would that something be free of moss and mildew?" She jokingly pressed.
Ike frowned, realizing that the second condition would make his search much harder. Scratch that, it was probably doomed to fail.
He conceded defeat through his face giving her cause for her to laugh even more, not that Ike minded. "Worry not, My Lord Ike. Rough living has become something I've grown accustomed to; I've had to in order to make it this far. You know that, my lord."
Oh, he knew alright. Despite doing their best, they'd been on the road, as per usual that sometimes meant rough living. Things as simple as chairs and even footstools could be out of reach, leaving one no choice but to rest on the ground, no matter how dirty or uncomfortable it could be. Resting in the wild could easily turn into sleeping in the wild, and not even a bedroll could lessen the impact of that. To her credit, Elincia had handled it well. Or more accurately, she'd handled it downright spectacularly, barely complaining, if at all. No matter what, she simply pressed on with a silent determination-it was no doubt born of a desire not to be a burden to them all as much as to keep her head atop her shoulders. She was exceedingly self-conscious, though; she was a princess, a non-combatant in the company of mercenaries, not one of whom she'd even met until mere days ago. But which so happened to be her only means of survival, as Soren had so bluntly summarized.
So, once more he was lying against the wall, but now joined by the most unlikely of company. Personally, Ike was happy to have Elincia beside him. She'd been a surprisingly calm presence which he was happy to have around, now more so than ever.
"He wanted me to go to Gallia and live a peaceful life." He spoke. "My father," Ike clarified.
"You…you…can't do that, My Lord Ike, can you?" She quietly theorized. He shook his head.
"You don't sound surprised." He quipped.
She shook her head in an almost apologetic manner. "I am not saying that I doubt you can live a peaceful life, My Lord Ike. It's just…too much has happened for you to do so now." Her hands tightened atop her tucked in legs. With her legs pulled up almost to her chest she seemed so much smaller than usual. "Your father's murderer still roams the land."
"I'm going to find him. I will find him." His blood quickened in his veins and his fists tightened. The sorrow that had once ebbed within him like ocean waves had chilled into vengeful ice. His frigid gaze stretched out to the forests beyond the balcony, as if in search of the man in question. The continent was vast, but he would search it for the man known as the Black Knight. It'd take him far from this decrepit castle and to who knew where. Regardless, Ike would go where his search-his hunt-took him, however foreign or dangerous that place may be.
"I know you will, My Lord Ike." Elincia's voice was the warm wind that suddenly thawed him out. It was unexpected, so much that he looked at her with a bepuzzled expression. Was her calming effect on him really that potent? As he looked back at him, Ike realized it indeed was. The rage he felt was soothed, simply by looking into her warm eyes. Staring back at her, he felt his once balled fists unwinding until they were laying limply as they once were. "If there is a peaceful life waiting for you, I imagine it will only come after your father has been avenged, and I…I hope that you will be able to find it, my lord."
He'd tried to imagine what a peaceful life for him would even look like. No fighting as a mercenary, perhaps tending to a farm or herding livestock. All images failed to properly materialize, although Ike felt like he hadn't tried hard enough. Even trying to picture it felt almost disrespectful to his father's memory-the very man who implored him to try to live peacefully. He couldn't do it, not after what happened. The image of cradling his body in the forest as blood pooled beneath him rushed at Ike like a wild boar, goring at him with fresh anger. Watching the light fade from his eyes as he begged him not to die, and then screaming to the sky in heartbroken despair, memories that made it impossible for him to even entertain the thought for more than a fraction of a second. It only became more impossible remembering the process of burying him and marking his grave. And then there was Mist, hearing her crying as hard as he had, hugging her as she begged him to tell her it wasn't true or asking why it had to happen. Ike had wondered that himself.
It didn't take too long for the "why" part to disappear. His father was dead, and as Elincia had said, the bastard responsible was still alive out there. Ike didn't care what the Black Knight's motives or goals were, he would find him, and he would have his revenge.
But…would I be alive afterward? It was the first time he seriously considered the possibility. His father was the strongest man he'd known, and yet he fell to the Black Knight. The distance between him and his father was already akin to the lowlands and bottom of the sea to the summit of a towering mountain. With that in mind, what hope did he have against someone even higher than his father's level? Could he train hard enough, could he close the gap? And, even if he did, would it be enough to allow him to walk away with his life, or would he end up losing that in exchange for killing the Black Knight? A mutual kill between two bitter enemies? It certainly sounded romantic, like something out of the many stories he'd read and heard growing up, although Ike was now mature enough to realize that that wasn't an ending to strive for. Sadness would follow in the battle's aftermath, and it would fall upon the people he cared about-the people he loved. Mist, Soren, Boyd, Oscar, Rolf, Titania, and lastly, the girl beside him-Elincia.
Gazing into her eyes made that realization hit all the harder. Her and the others, crying as hard as he had when his father died, except it'd be over his body. That wasn't what he wanted; it'd be a regret he'd carry with him into the afterlife.
Still, Ike felt that burning need to find the Black Knight eating at him. Even if it ended in his death, he knew he had to face him in battle.
Ike bumped his head against the wall. Is this what they call the crossroad of fate? Are those my options? His gaze focused on the broad sky. Even with his position on the balcony, it was still so far out of reach, just like the answers he now found himself searching for.
"My Lord Ike?" Elincia rang, her voice still draped in concern. Now likely more so, considering she'd had a front row seat to his smacking his head against solid stone.
"Just thinking," he answered, mentally kicking himself for such a display in front of Elincia. "Just…thinking about the Black Knight. About what we're going to do from now on."
"I am sorry, My Lord Ike. Daein has ordered I be slain on sight, so I-"
"I'm not going to abandon you, and neither is anyone else." Suddenly, the fire was back in him. "I made a promise that I'd get you to Gallia where you'd be safe, and I'm going to fulfill it, no matter what. Even if we run into the Black Knight, I'll…I'll put you first, I won't let him hurt you, Elincia." Ike sat up, looking at her with a newfound intensity. Thoughts of revenge were blown from the forefront of his mind-all he thought about was her.
"M-My L-Lord Ike, I…" She trailed off, seemingly losing herself in the smoldering heat of his gaze. Even Ike knew he was staring at her with a stunning intensity. It wasn't something he could quell, though. He wanted her to know he would put himself between her and danger, and that meant putting his revenge to the side. There was no way he'd sacrifice her for it, the very thought sickened him despite it being the primary source of his inability to follow his father's last wishes. Although Ike knew he'd also told him to get Elincia to safety, it wasn't just that final order that drove him. He personally wanted to see to Elincia's safety, now more so than ever as he looked into her wide eyes. Slowly, they filled with admiration and something else he couldn't quite place. "My Lord Ike, I…thank you, but please, promise me that you will value your life. For Mist's sake, and…for my own."
"I will, I promise."
The wind that blew across the surrounding forests created a natural hum that seemed to ironically hammer the promise in. It also created a sort of tranquil cocoon around the two of them, just them atop the balcony. Just him and her and his released feelings, practically a caged bird, and set free to the blue sky.
The same strange energy Elincia's presence had infused him with led him to standing straight up and offering her his hand. "Come on, I've wasted enough time in getting you to safety."
"Y-Yes, n-no, w-w-what I mean is you weren't wasting my time, or anyone else's." Her cheeks took on a light pink tinge as she took his hand and allowed herself to be pulled up by him. She had the softest hands of anyone he'd ever met, although he hadn't met too many princesses. It made the calluses he'd developed on his sword hand all the clearer to him. Elincia slowly withdrew it, although she didn't meet Ike's eye. At least not immediately. Even when she did, he felt something was off. "Come then, let us go meet with the others."
His boots and her shoes were quiet against the stone floor as they made their way to the door. They left the blue skies behind for a temporary journey through darkness. It was only for an instant, but he felt Elincia's hand tighten around his as they passed inside the stairway-it reminded him they were still holding hands. They'd break that off before they ran into the others, but Ike couldn't help but feel a certain sadness in that inevitability. Quietly, he wondered if Elincia felt the same. The urge to ask her died in the sunlit hallways and staircases they traveled until they passed through the castle's front entrance. By then, their hands had separated. The goddess only knew when they'd next find one another, and if anyone would notice them.
As the saying went, one journey ended and another one began. Somewhere in his gut Ike knew reaching Gallia wouldn't mark the end of this adventure, but it did mark the end of what had been a rough stretch of it. They'd been on the run, hounded by Daein's forces, who'd squarely had the advantage. He'd heard several times that it was a miracle they'd managed to fend them off, albeit others had been more charitable in saying they'd managed to hold them off by their own merit. That was good to hear, but Ike knew not to let it go to his head. Looking at the uncertain road before them, he had realized making it to Gallia had been the easy part.
Now, they were tasked with taking back an entire country. Elincia's country.
"Hah!" His battle cry was accented by the sound of his sword slicing through air. A moment later it was eclipsed as his singular slash was followed up by another. The space in front of him was torn apart by his blade. Sweat rolled down his brow and his muscles roared like a beast awakening from its slumber. Given his surroundings, it was rather fitting.
The Gallian royal palace had quite an expansive outdoor training field, or several. Ike and the others were more than happy to take advantage of it. Everyone knew they were going to need all the training they could squeeze in; although he didn't know what lay ahead of them, Ike knew it was going to involve a lot of fighting. Including enemies who had ten to perhaps twenty years more experience than him. The Black Knight had flashed in his mind like a bolt of lightning. Despite the vow he'd made, Ike blotted him out to focus solely on the clarity that helped him focus better in battle. The results were evident in his rapid swings. They'd been enough to fend off the enemies that'd hounded them this far, but he needed more. More strength. More speed. More stamina. More techniques. Everything he already had, everything he could do, he needed to be better at.
Daein had pursued them far into Gallia-he'd already realized that meant it was only a matter of time before they invaded outright. Soren seemed briefly surprised when he cut him off during his rundown of the situation at their last war council. Ike remembered Titania looking at him with slight, almost maternal approval. He knew he wasn't the brightest candle, but he was no idiot (contrary to what some said), Ike knew a war was brewing. A potential continent-wide war; if they made it to Begnion and succeeded in getting their help, that was the only way things would unfold.
He didn't relish it, but he'd fight it. Ike would fight it to the bitter end to-
"My Lord Ike."
His muscles froze mid-swing while his heart continued to drum in his chest. Its now frenetic beating continued as he turned to his left, finding Elincia entering the training field. "Hey, Elincia. What is it? Do you need something?"
Her hands were laced together and her eyes downcast, all telltale signs of nervousness, and all signs he'd seen from her before. "Yes, well, I…My Lord Ike, I have a request."
"What is it?" He asked, giving her his undivided attention.
Her hands tightened, then broke apart in tandem with her lifting her head to face him. Ever since their arrival in Gallia proper, he'd noticed how she seemed to gain a little more strength. It was to be expected given they were finally safe…well, safe as they were likely to get after the events of Fort Tatana, and what they portended. The second greatest relief for them came when King Caineghis had given them some much needed direction. Even if the laguz royal hadn't been able to give them direct assistance, he'd still been able to give them support and a clear goal. Or a way to reach the broader goal they already had an inkling of. For Elincia, it was the dawn of hope.
Now, with all that accumulated strength, she spoke. "My Lord Ike, I would like you to teach me how to wield a sword."
He nearly dropped his. "Huh?"
Elincia's eyes widened, perhaps realizing she'd been a bit too blunt. "I…I want you to teach me how to wield a sword, my lord. I want you to teach me how to fight." She repeated, albeit a little more slowly. "Please, I wish to learn how to use a sword so that I can be of use to you."
"Elincia," he started.
"Please!" The insistence in her voice startled him. This was the most forceful he'd ever seen her, although Ike also noted there was an air of desperation to her as well. "I know we are facing a long and arduous journey, one that will…likely see many, many more battles. I want to be able to participate in them. I want to be able to fight for my country just as you are fighting for it! Fighting…for me. My Lord Ike, I…I…" The strength he'd seen before transformed into frustration just barely contained, only to be released as a gale-like sigh. It was like the fortitude he'd seen before had been a bandage that'd suddenly come free. Although his first instinct was to move to tend to her, something stopped him. Perhaps it was her eyes, staring at him with a mix of sadness, desperation, and a remaining sliver of determination. "I can't…stand by while you and the rest of the Greil Mercenaries fight for my country while I do nothing."
"Elincia," Ike spoke. "We're mercenaries, I'm a mercenary. Fighting is what we do."
She shook her head in defiance. "Even so. I…I know I won't be able to fight as well as any of you, but I still want to be able to do something. Anything other than just stand by while people are fighting, bleeding, and…potentially dying for my sake. I want-"
"Don't say you have to put your life on the line, Elincia." He swiftly intervened.
"It's my country, My Lord Ike. I have to do something. No, I want to do something, however small it may be. Just as importantly, I don't want to be a burden to anyone. I know that, as we go forward, I will remain a high-priority target, no, the primary target of Daein forces. So at the very least I want to be able to defend myself when they inevitably come after me."
Ike could say nothing as he knew she was right on that count. As much as he tried to block it out, there was a part of him that knew she was especially right about her being Daein's primary target. At every battle where she was sighted, Elincia was going to be pursued for either capture or to be killed. Either idea incited pure rage and horror within him; Elincia had more than likely envisioned both, and they rightfully left her just as terrified as him, no, more so. Perhaps, just as important, she was picturing herself being made a hostage, a situation Soren and Titania had discussed with him. Such a scenario would be a nightmare and potentially spell the end of them as well. No matter how much Ike told himself he wouldn't let that happen, even he knew deep down he couldn't make that an absolute certainty…and so did Elincia. She'd never forgive herself if anything happened to them on account of her.
Just as important as all that, she didn't want to feel helpless. Ike realized that after gazing deeper into her eyes. The pain and determination that lay at the heart of the trembling. He knew that feeling all too well.
But can you do it? Fired back an inner voice at the far reaches of his mind. Cynicism lined its every word. You're not some great swordsman yourself. Can you really keep her alive?
Titania definitely could have taught her something, but Ike had a hard time envisioning Elincia wielding an axe, or a spear for that matter. They simply didn't seem like suitable weapons for her. An axe would be far too heavy and a lance perhaps a tad too unwieldy. Now, a sword on the other hand, his weapon, might be a different story.
His eyes drifted to her hands, and he pictured them wrapped around a sword's hilt. They were so small and gentle, especially compared to those he'd known. Most recently, Mia flashed in his mind. As amazing as it would have been, he severely doubted Elincia could reach Mia's level in such a short span of time. However, this wasn't about turning her into a master. It was about teaching her how to survive, something Ike believed he could do. Looking between her hands and pleading eyes, Ike affirmed that it was something he was going to do. He'd made a promise to the girl in front of him, after all.
"Alright, I'll teach you, Elincia." The words finally passed from his lips after what seemed like hours of silence, at least to the green-haired princess.
Her face blossomed into a smile that made Ike's heart beat a tick faster. "Oh, thank you, My Lord Ike! Thank you so much!" In retrospect, he probably should have seen the hug coming. If he had, he might have asked her if it was okay to hug him longer than a few seconds-he'd have enjoyed it a whole lot more. As she pulled away, she eyed the sword he'd been practicing with before. "I…suppose I should find my own sword to practice with." Elincia's voice dripped with self-conscious embarrassment born of their short embrace.
Again, he wanted to tell her he hadn't minded, but his mind turned to her statement. "Wait right here." In just a few short paces he was at the weapons rack, grabbing another sword and walking back to her with the weapon in hand. It was a simple blade with no ornamentation or noticeable imperfections, a perfect weapon for a beginner like her. "Here," he spoke while offering her the handle.
It showed this was her first time picking up a sword. Clear-eyed shock overcame her expression as she lifted the weapon up. "I-It's…heavier t-than I thought it would be." Her voice was a strained whisper that carried the stone-like weight of her realization. Ike watched the blade tremble in her grasp; she gripped it with both hands, such a weakened grip that stood out to him like a cloud in a clear sky. Before he knew it, his hand was reaching forward, falling on hers and helping steady the blade. "M-My Lord Ike," Elincia gasped. Her cheeks gained a pink undertone that deepened as he planted his sword in the ground and added his other hand.
She was a complete novice in how to wield a sword. "They can get heavier, but I don't think you're suited for wielding a heavier sword." Their eyes met. "A lighter and sharp blade will do just fine."
"B-B-But perhaps I-I should p-practice w-w-with one just in case. A-And to build up my arm strength. T-That is important in wielding a sword, too, yes?"
"Yes, it is; but, like I said, you're better off with small and sharp blades. Especially if you're going to keep on wearing dresses." He hadn't meant it as any sort of insult, but it got Elincia to look at her outfit in newfound consideration. Ike looked at it too, not for the first time considering the possibility of an enemy grabbing her skirt to pull her in. It'd be preferable if she wore pants, but such wasn't in her wardrobe as far as he was able to tell.
"Um, My Lord Ike? Is there something wrong?" Came Elincia's shy voice. It made him realize he'd been staring too long, and perhaps a bit inappropriately at her dress. "
Looking back at her, he immediately answered, "Well, sort of. Your dress isn't the most suitable for battle. If anything, it'll be more of a hindrance than anything. It's something enemies will grab onto, and moving in it won't be as easy as if you were wearing pants."
"W-Would ripping my dress help?" Her offer was rooted in pragmatism, but that wasn't what drove Ike's thoughts. It was something…dirtier. He pictured a tear in the dresses she usually wore revealing her legs, either naked or protected by stockings, but arousing all the same.
Arousing to him, as he felt in his heated cheeks. "It might," his face forced such salacious thoughts away for more logical consequences that would follow from her doing so. "But I don't know if we'd have enough sewing needles to repair it every time you did that. So, let's just focus on teaching you how to fight wearing the sort of dress you're wearing now. Raise your sword. Oh, and take this to heart, a real opponent probably won't give you warning like I just did. Or wait for you to change clothes, for that matter."
Those last bits seemed to rattle her, but she seemingly absorbed the information quickly and quietly. She did exactly that, and he immediately spotted the flaws in her stance. With his own still stabbed in the ground, he walked over and gripped Elincia's hands, moving them into position on the hilt. Her hands were squeezed too tightly together; even as he slid them apart, Ike took note of how soft they felt. They reminded him of Mist, soft and gentle, not at all suited for wielding a sword in battle. When he looked back in her eyes, he saw nervousness, but which was couched in steadily deepening determination, much like what his sister had gained. As he did before, he felt a surging desire to protect her so that she wouldn't have to fight, but Ike knew he wouldn't be able to completely keep that promise. Also worth noting was how he found something admirable, likable, in the way she looked back at him. He took a second longer to admire it before moving her arms into position. She knew how to hold a sword, now she had to know how to hold a stance, the right stance.
That came to her surprisingly fast, or maybe not. He remembered how she'd watched him and the others training, particularly him and Mia, who was proving to be the second-best swordfighter in the company. Or on her way to potentially being the best in general, as a few such as Boyd joked.
Ike's nose wrinkled at the thought. Perhaps a bit of competitiveness was there, but not too big that he couldn't brush it aside. More so when he had an unlikely student patiently awaiting his next set of instructions.
Nodding now that she was in proper position, sword held at an even level and her legs spaced apart as far as she could manage in her dress, he spoke to Elincia, "Now, give me your best swing."
"O-Okay." She raised the sword, trembling as she did so, something that cost her when she brought the sword down. "Hyaah!" Ike would say it's a strike that would have felled a bound boar, but that was it. Elincia's sword bounced off the ground causing her to stumble back, her equilibrium off. Her breathing was hard as she looked from the sword up to him, to his disapproving frown. "I'm…I'm so sorry." She looked away with shame exploding across her cheeks.
"Elincia," he called. "Don't be sorry. You're a beginner, it's fine. It's just…I've been training in the art of battle, in swordsmanship, since I could walk. For me, every flaw really sticks out and I…just can't help myself."
"That is one reason why I sought you out as my teacher, My Lord Ike. If there was anyone who could pinpoint what I was doing wrong and correct me, I believe it would be you." There was that little flutter in his chest with the way she smiled at him. "Alright, what did I do wrong?"
"You put too much force into your swing, and your hand was trembling as you brought it down. Any half decent warrior could, and would, have parried your attack, probably knocking your sword aside, and then you'd be completely defenseless." At the end of his lecture, he strode forth and lifted her sword up by the side of the blade. Elincia raised it the rest of the way and reassumed her previous stance. "When you bring the sword down, be firm. Focus on your target, but be ready to spontaneously react to their defense. We're going to practice that basic swing until you get it right, and in doing so, you should be able to wield a sword without trembling. Are you ready?"
"Yes!" The fire was in her voice. She raised the sword and brought it down with the same subpar speed as before, but with a little less wobbling. Just a little less.
"Again!" Ike shouted. He worried his voice might have sounded too harsh, but Elincia quickly obeyed, raising her sword and then repeating the forward slash a second time. More of the same. "Again!" he yelled.
That became the most spoken word out of Ike's mouth for what felt like the next half-hour. His eyes never strayed from Elincia, watching every inch of her along with her weapon. Time after time, her sword trembled as she raised it, but slowly, the blade grew steadier in her grasp. In tandem, her slashes picked up in speed. The iron sword fell into a repeated pattern, rising only to hit the ground and then rising once more to repeat the cycle. Every time its tip hit the stone ground, the training yard rang with the impact, although it was at times lost to the blowing of the wind around them. Clouds drifted over their heads, at times obscuring the sun and bathing the yard in darkness. Regardless, Elincia continued to follow his instructions, and taking his tips to heart. Sweat glistened upon her brow as the time passed and she put in more physical exercise than Ike believed she ever had. She gripped a sword more in that time than she probably ever believed she would.
Growing up, Ike had been told to see his sword, or any weapon, as a part of himself. It was hard to tell when he'd begun doing so, but watching Elincia, he felt like he was reawakening the memories. A younger him, wielding a sword half as big as he was, and just as heavy. It was far too much for him, yet Ike insisted, just as Elincia insisted on hearing his continued critiques.
Her sword eventually stopped hitting the ground, stopping at what was almost level with her waist. The speed of her swings had grown as well-it was sufficient, at least in his eyes. Still, that wasn't enough. Not even close for her to be ready for a full-on battle. So, he told her to keep practicing, and she did. One swing repeated well over a hundred times, yet not once did she complain. Sure, there were breaks, but not a word of complaint ever left her lips, nor did the fire in her eyes dim. She'd wipe the sweat from her brow, not caring about how grimy her sleeve became. Ike knew beneath the now much-dirtied fabric her muscles were starting to ache, a sensation he and those who'd trained under his father could all attest to, yet like them she went on. Her sword rose and fell in that repeated arc, the attack having grown from novice-like to something a little more commendable, something that was more refined.
"Elincia," Ike called following what might as well have been the two-hundredth slash. "That's enough for now. Let's take a break."
"B-But there's still daylight, My Lord Ike!" she huffed.
"I mean for the time being, we're not done with the whole day's training. I'm going to teach you how to block and parry. For that, we should probably use practice swords." Using real swords to start her off had hopefully built up her muscle strength and given her an idea of what it felt like to wield a sword. They'd train with practice swords for a little bit and then go back to the real thing. He had a feeling Elincia would remember the feeling; he wasn't counting on her being eager to take hold of a sword again. Even now, he realized she wasn't a person who'd develop a taste for fighting, not like he had.
They sat beside each other on the bench, a sense of calmness settling over them. For her part, she allowed the afternoon wind to help cool her down. Although she tried to turn down the offer, Ike was more than happy to share with her the water he'd brought with him for his training-she needed the canteen far more than him. She was almost greedy in guzzling its contents. In a little while, she'd no doubt be hungry, as training tended to build thirst and hunger-more so with those who'd never done so before. At least they wouldn't have to worry about rations, and not for a while thanks to the generosity of King Caineghis.
"I-It's…quite a feeling." The canteen lay in between her hands atop her lap as Elincia's gaze was directed out toward the courtyard. She almost seemed to be seeing a phantom of herself from a little while ago, still practicing her swordsmanship under Ike's supervision. There was neither longing nor fear in her voice, only a tightness that he couldn't quite identify. "Swinging it over and over, even if only to repeat the same attack. I…I never knew swinging a sword could feel that way. It's…it's…I don't think I know how to describe it."
Watching her closely, Ike gave his opinion. "You'll get used to it, at least I think you will. Elincia, you…you don't have to like swinging a sword like I do. You're not a mercenary."
Her hands tightened around the canteen as her eyes grew shadowed. "I know that, but I also don't want to dread it, either. Dread it to the point I can't even lift a sword to defend myself. That said, while I was practicing, I…I thought about what if it were real. I was really in danger, and I was swinging to save my life. If I did, if I succeeded then…I'd be killing someone. Their blood would be…" Her eyes closed as a shudder ran through her, this one constituted fear and unease.
Sympathy shone in Ike's eyes as he found himself able to understand her anxiety. There was one thing no amount of training could prepare one for-the moment when real battle came, and when a life potentially had to be taken. That would be the defining moment for everyone. Just as defining as how one handled the blood, quite literally. Ike knew that fights could get messy, at least the kind of fighting that he and his comrades were heading into. Weapons weren't the only things that needed to be cleaned, so too did armor and clothing…and faces. The feeling of another person's blood on you, the smell, it could take some getting used to. On the flipside, Ike knew there were plenty of those who simply couldn't handle it. He also knew that he, and to an extent Mist, were lucky, their start had come early, despite their father's protectiveness toward them. Although it wasn't his intent to turn every battle into a bloodbath, he knew it was always a possibility. Sometimes winning meant walking away covered from head to toe in blood, either yours or your opponent's. And your opponent's blood was always preferable to your own.
Could a person as kind-hearted as Elincia live with that? As she confessed, that's what she was imagining while practicing, cutting a person down and having their blood on her, metaphorically and physically. His gut tightened at the thought of her coated in blood; it just seemed so wrong, too wrong to be real, and yet a sneaking voice told him it might one day be real, especially now that she'd taken up swordsmanship. Ike knew that, and so did Elincia, or at least she was grappling with it.
Raising her head allowed their eyes to meet, and it caused Ike to blurt out the first thing that came to his mind. "I was about seven when I saw my father covered in the blood of an enemy. It was…it was my first time ever seeing someone covered in blood, the blood of an enemy. Although I was happy my father was alive, I was still…stunned. The way it clung to him, the way it smelled…I just…I just struggled to wrap my mind around it. Suddenly, all the training I'd gone through, all the hopes I had at succeeding my father, seeing him covered in blood, suddenly made me question all that. After the battle was over, and he'd cleaned himself off, he sat me down and we had probably one of the most important talks ever. This was what real combat was like. Even when you're the victor, you can walk away with blood on you-it's just preferable to be your enemy's than yours. You have to accept that and move onward. I took that lesson to heart as best I could."
"Then it is time I learned the same, as well. On this path I've chosen to walk, that is something I will have to learn how to do, and I intend to do it. I will do it, for Crimea's sake." Her emerald hair still clung to her face despite the sweat having ceased falling from her brow. The signs of physical exhaustion were replaced by a restored vitality. Staring at her, Ike wondered if his story had played any part in that. Had Elincia derived strength from his tale? "Please, I'm ready to continue, and I…I look forward to your continued mentoring, My Lord Ike." Something about the way she smiled with that slight eagerness made that fluttering feeling in his chest return.
"Right, I'll go get the practice swords. This should only take a second." He was surprised at how comfortable he'd become while sitting down. It's because of her. Clarified his inner voice on the walk to the small armory that sat at one corner of the training yard. The sudden dimness of the shed was a stark contrast to the brightness of the outside, almost making Ike long for it. Likewise, the feel of the wooden swords differed greatly from the real blades he and Elincia had been practicing with. It was a downgrade, but far safer, and more routine practice for a beginning swordswoman. Swordswoman, he thought to himself. A princess turned swordswoman, and I'll be the one to thank for that. That feeling came with a touch of pride in addition to the bewilderment. How had he landed in this position? Strange twist of fate? Will of the goddess? Ike mused over the possibilities as he stepped out of the shed and back into the daylight.
The first thing he saw was Elincia, back on her feet and glancing at the sky, likely trying to deduce how much sunlight they still had left. Briefly, he entertained the thought of training through the night, something he'd done before, but the idea perished as he found himself simply captivated by the sight of her. On the barren training ground used by laguz and now beorc, she stood alone, a tree in a field. No, a flower in a field, a beautiful flower, much like the one that graced Crimea's national flag. Her bright tawny dress and green hair which swayed in the soft breeze that blew across the land made her almost look like something pulled from a painting. Sensing his presence, she looked back at him, and in doing so Ike saw the sweat that had stained the front portion of her chest. Suddenly, he remembered watching it rise and fall in succession with her exhausted breathing from before. Now that she was calm, its rhythmic fall was much easier, although Ike found he couldn't look away. Not immediately.
Maybe it was five heartbeats later, perhaps six or seven, but he eventually did look back up at her face. Elincia hadn't seemed to notice his staring, which he thanked the goddess for. Putting on a mask of stoic indifference, he walked toward Elincia and handed her the wooden sword she'd be using for the next phase of her training. He made a mental note to take great care so as not to injure her hands.
"Defense is just as important as offense. In fact, some fighters build their entire fighting style around countering their opponent's. It's not easy to do, as it requires being able to read your opponent's moves and react in an instant. Even I've tripped up a few times." That last admission was meant to boost her confidence, although it was also something he just felt like letting her know. Despite the teaching role he'd assumed, Ike knew he was far from being a master.
Despite that, Elincia still treated him as such, readily absorbing his words and once again falling back into her proper stance. Her hazel eyes narrowed in surprising focus. They actually seemed to trace his sword when he made his first attack, although Elincia didn't quite put up enough force to counter his swing. She stumbled to the side but quickly moved back into position and asked for him to come at her again. He did, several more times, his sword impacting hers each time, and each time she struggled to keep her balance. That said, she did grow a little better, inch by inch. Her parries grew quicker and more solid to match his blows, although Ike wasn't using anywhere near his full strength. A time for that might come sometime in the future, when she'd grown more adept. For now, this less than half pace was sufficient to serve as a learning experience for her, as well as a challenge for her to overcome.
While their focus was on blocking and parrying, dodging inevitably came up. For every living creature in a fight, dodging was an instinctive tactic anyone could do, provided one wasn't paralyzed by fear. That said, fear could sometimes spur one into the act. Elincia's eyes occasionally widened when his sword drifted too close, and that was when her own survival instinct kicked in. As best she could, she stumbled away, narrowly evading the attack, but only because Ike was rarely interested in seriously trying. He made another mental note to teach her how to properly dodge so as not to leave herself off-balance.
Some of his strikes sent her sword flying off to the side. She squeaked a few times as the wooden sword sailed through the air before hitting the ground. Ike told her even disarmed she needed to be willing to continue fighting if need be. The thought of giving her a dagger of some sort crossed his mind-he'd revisit it somewhere down the line.
"Say I go in for an attack, what would you do?" He questioned her keeping his sword at the ready.
Elincia searched him over, struggling to formulate an answer. Even though it was only a training session, she was likely envisioning what the real thing would be like. She needed to be able to think of something, or else it was going to mean her life. "I would need to find some opening to stun you while I made for my sword or escaped. I…I…" Her cheeks flushed a light pink as she looked away, something she shouldn't have done in a real fight. "I could…attack your…groin."
"Then do that. I can tell you if you're up against a man, that'll really hurt." Withdrawing his sword, he shot her a corny smile. "If it's all the same to you, let's not practice that one this time, huh?"
She looked incredibly cute when she smiled back. "Agreed."
Upon retrieving her sword, they picked up where they'd left off, her learning how to hold her defense against an attacker. The loud crack of wood against wood rolled over the yard, still deserted save for the two of them. Ike didn't think too hard about how his absence was being taken, and maybe Elincia wasn't either-he hoped so, anyway. He was enjoying this alone time between them. Luckily, it wasn't without its benefits, for Elincia.
Her sword began meeting his in firmer, more effective parries. She predicted the path of his sword as well as the timing and raised hers to meet it. Her footwork began to improve as well, moving in tandem with the situation, such as to move her out of the way of an attack.
Several steps back in rapid succession allowed her to evade the series of slashes he launched at her, each one faster than the previous one. "You're keeping one foot held back." She'd learned how to make the most of the limited mobility her dress saddled her with.
"I…heard it is beneficial to keep one foot back when on the defensive, opposite of leading with one foot when attacking. It allows one to take a step back to avoid an enemy's attack in rapid succession." Her voice was tight, and her eyes focused on him, watching his every move. If he listened hard enough, Ike swore he could hear her very heart beating in her chest. Her grip on her sword was ironclad.
"Here I come." He meant it. In less time than it took to breathe, he closed the distance between them. Despite her preparation, Elincia was still caught off-guard. She'd blinked twice before she realized his sword was at her throat. Shock and shame spread across her face and remained there even as Ike withdrew his weapon. He simply stared back at her, silently telling her to pull it together and prepare herself for the next attack. She did, nodding in firm commitment. Ike stepped back, putting a good seven feet between them, which he closed with the same speed as before. Except instead of going for Elincia's right as he did before, he swung to her left. Her reaction was spontaneous, but it was there, even if it failed to properly divert his sword. She'd at least been able to track it, somewhat. It pained him to watch her stumble aside, but she quickly righted herself and returned to her previous stance. If she could just barely track his movements, then if they kept at it, she'd eventually be able to fully anticipate him and react accordingly.
So, that's what they did. He continued his assault, and she did her best to weather it, taking the tips he passed along the way such as watching her opponent's eyes and their weapon. Both could be indicators of one's next move. And, she slowly gained the reflexes needed to respond to them.
She has such sharp eyes when she focuses. The thought passed through his mind like a bird in flight while his body continued to go through the motions of the training. It was an odd feeling, a part of himself detaching to simply observe the woman in front of him. In just a few short hours, she'd gained a rudimentary understanding of the art of sword fighting. She'd made better progress than some new recruits had; not bad for a princess who'd been hidden away for most of her life. Then again, she'd been on the sidelines of weeks of fierce fighting-Elincia had studied what she could, and now she put it to the test.
She beat back his sword, her eyes flashing as she suddenly lunged forward, her blade raised for the attack.
Thunk!
"Argh!"
Ike gasped, then cursed, "Dammit, Elincia, I'm sor-"
"Don't apologize, My Lord Ike! This is preparation for a real battle! An enemy will not apologize for disarming me! Tell me what to do next!" Her voice startled him, so much he could only stare at her in slightly gaping shock.
He recovered quickly enough and set about answering her. "First and foremost, you'll have to be extremely careful. You're unarmed and more than likely going to be physically weaker than your opponent, but you'll still have options. Like I told you, the groin is an obvious weak point, one that won't be covered, unless you're facing an armored knight. In that case, your best bet is to simply run away. Speaking of which, an enemy wearing a helmet eliminates the other weak points such as the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth, but that still leaves the throat and neck. A strong blow to those areas will disorient a foe. In the event your enemy's not wearing a helmet, all those areas I previously listed should be your target, especially the eyes." He pointed at his own right eye with his thumb. "Dig your fingers into the eye, especially the thumb. Do it as hard as you can and don't hesitate. That'll give you a few seconds to get away, and if you can, follow it up with another attack, probably a hit to the groin. Especially if…" he stopped short as his mind conjured a horrid image he vowed he wouldn't let happen.
Despite not saying it, Elincia knew what he was thinking. "Yes, if an attacker is…on top of me. As hard as I can."
Slowly, he nodded, trying hard to banish the image from his mind and bury it as deep as he could. "Yeah, that. Once you get him off you, run, either to your weapon or away. Don't stop for anything."
"And if someone grabs my skirt?" She asked with a self-conscious glance at her own. It was the most obvious thing an attacker would do.
"Kick at them." His eyes couldn't help but shift to her skirt, and once again his mind went off in imagining the deplorable.
"D-Do it, s-so I'll have a better idea." Her voice was much less confident than she probably wanted it to sound. Elincia mustered up another one of those hard, demanding stares that had Ike summiting.
Even as he told himself it was only training, he still felt wrong in making such a move. It probably contributed to Ike taking it slow and his hand fidgeting nonstop. Ike felt something incredibly wrong in clenching her skirt between his fingers, but he finally did it. He shot a quick glance upward at Elincia, finding her nodding despite the clear discomfort she too was feeling at the moment; it made him want to pull away and even bow his head in apology.
"W-What now?" She asked, looking him right in the eye.
"Like I said, kick me. I'm holding your skirt, leaving myself vulnerable on my left side, although there's a chance I could grab your leg, so you've got to be quick about it. Alternatively, you can try to hit me in the face. If you do that, I, or anyone else, will use my other hand to stop you. Again, that leaves you the chance to use your legs. Kick at the sides or the groin. Or if you can manage it, a kick to the face." With the scenario stuck in his mind, he thought a little more about what Elincia could do. For whatever reason, the discomfort on her face had lessened, even though his grip on her skirt remained. "In getting away, you should also be prepared to rip your dress. Perhaps twist your body around while running to increase tension on the fabric so it'll tear, letting you get away."
"Could we try that now?" she questioned.
"Elincia, it could ruin your dress, and mending it could take time."
"I have others, and I wouldn't mind at least trying to sew it back together. What's important is that I learn what I must, allowing me to avoid something worse than merely torn clothing." Ike couldn't quite argue with that, and he was somewhat happy to hear it. She was willing to go the full mile, which was impressive for a woman of her position. Not to mention one who'd been sheltered most of her life. "I promise, I'll make up a story regarding how my dress ended up torn if it comes to it." The hasty statement came with a cute smile that had him chuckling in amusement.
"Alright, if you say so. I'm going to pull, so give it your best shot." Contrary to what he just told her, he didn't. That didn't mean to say he had a light grip-he just didn't hold on as tightly as he could have.
Elincia, on the other hand, gave it everything she had in stepping aside and spinning in place, even pulling at her skirt. Ike's eyes briefly widened in bewilderment at how she was making good on her word to take this seriously. Her green hair swayed in front of him, a sight that almost made him relax his grip because he was so awestruck by the sight. The next time he saw her face, it was contorted in effort as she tried to pull at her dress-she was intentionally trying to tear it in half to free herself. Even then, Ike would say there was something…attractive in her determination.
The sound of fabric tearing roused him from his reverie and made him realize they were actually about to realize the scenario of a torn dress. Suddenly, he let go, and with his release Elincia lost her balance.
"O-Oh!" She cried, suddenly realizing the opposing hold on her skirt was now gone, and with her pulling in one direction without any equilibrium, gravity took over.
It would have, if Ike hadn't moved. "Elincia!" Grabbing her wrist, he pulled her back upright. He didn't count on the act bringing them close together, close enough their breaths were practically intermingling with each other. Blue eyes and her hazel eyes stared back at one another, but now closer than before.
"I…suppose this is another potential scenario." Her voice was quiet and her cheeks flushed, but her gaze was unwavering.
"Yeah, I'd say it is. There's a…chance some jerk will probably try to kiss you. Remember what I said before when the face isn't covered?" Ike asked, remaining surprisingly clear-eyed and focused despite the slight uptick in his heartbeat. Not to mention their distinctively compromising position.
"Go for the eyes." She answered.
He moved his right hand up, so he was grasping her wrist. As with her skirt, his grip wasn't too strong, it was actually quite soft despite the scenario they were training for. "And if the enemy's holding both your hands, go for a headbutt. Again-"
"Hard as I can." She cut off with a smile. "I…believe that would require a hard head, and I'm not sure I have that."
"Just give it your best. The nose is actually pretty fragile, so a sudden whack to it like a headbutt will hurt your assailant. You'd be surprised how far you can get using your head. Even Mist can hit pretty hard, and if she can do it, I'm sure you can, too." He offered. Her smile brightened, quickening his heartbeat. "If the headbutt works, follow it up with a kick to the groin or stomping on their foot, even if they're wearing boots."
"I believe, for that, I may need to change my footwear" She had a point there, although Ike could only bring himself to nod in agreement. "Is there anything else I should know about freeing myself?"
"Actually, there is one move I think might help you. You can try breaking their nose with a well-placed palm strike in addition to a headbutt. I read about it once and I've seen it executed a few times." His right hand moved up to her left, shaping it into a flat palm with her fingers tucked in, Ike then angled it toward his nose at a diagonal angle. "Use the heel of your palm to strike at the nose; with enough force, you can break it. But, in general the sheer pain will stun a person badly enough they'll loosen whatever hold they have on you."
"A palm strike," she repeated.
"Using the heel of your palm. Remember that part. It doesn't have to be diagonal, but it's best if you strike with the heel of your palm with all the force you can. You might hear a crunch when you do." He held up his bandage-covered hands as demonstration for his next piece of advice. "You're better off going for a palm strike because with a punch you'll risk breaking your fingers, especially if you're not wearing any protection like gloves."
"Noted." Her smile remained, although Ike could tell she wasn't looking forward to hearing the sound. He chuckled at that; the sound of a broken nose could be amongst the least grotesque sounds one could hear in a fight. "Have you ever done that, My Lord Ike?"
"Nope, I've always preferred just punching people in the face. It's worked pretty well for me. I could teach you how to do that, if you want."
The sun seemed to shine just a bit brighter as she laughed. Its enhanced radiance persisted as Elincia's face took on a thoughtful air. Even before she spoke, he knew what she was going to say. "Actually, My Lord Ike, I…" She briefly glanced at her hands in thought of his warning. Broken fingers were something she couldn't' afford in a fight, even with the prospect of medical attention afterward. Watching her weigh his words, Ike realized he'd spoken to Elincia with the intention of building up her brawling ability as he'd done his. His eyes widened in horror at the words he was about to take back. "I believe I would like to know that, but please, may we continue our sword practice?"
"Sure!" Internally sighing in relief at his lucky break, he released his hold on her. The loss of contact between their hands was immediately noticeable. Had he been holding onto her hands for that long? Ike shook the questions and lingering sensations off as he picked up the practice sword and returned it to Elincia. "Back to parrying and dodging, or do you want to learn more ways to attack?"
She thought it over before answering, "Defense. I want to learn just a little more about that. My Lord Ike, please, you can…stop holding back as much. I'm ready for more."
A spark of joy was ignited within him. "Since you say so, here I come, Elincia!"
The sound of wood smacking together returned, louder than earlier thanks to the restraints Elincia herself had undone. That said, Ike still didn't use his full strength; she was still too green for that. In the same dark corner, where so many more unspoken thoughts had originated, a new one formed-would she one day be able to handle his full strength? That was immediately countered by the recollection of who he would be training to defeat. That was an impossibly high summit that Elincia might not be able to reach, and might not even want to. Her goal was to reclaim her country and defend her people. It was a noble goal, one that he actually believed to be more noble than his own.
Elincia was a kind person, one who didn't deserve the sort of fate that'd befallen her. But even if she shuddered under it, she didn't break. Ike had promised he'd be there to lend her whatever strength he could to ensure she didn't. As they practiced, he quietly contemplated how he seemed to be helping build up her own strength.
Her determination remained practically unbroken throughout the rest of their sparring. Even if her guard was broken (which happened quite a bit), she didn't falter in righting herself and getting back at it. Fear might have been there, such as when his sword passed dangerously close to her face, but it was as brief as lightning. At times, she responded with the force of thunder in her swings. Ike's surprise didn't weaken his defense, but his eyes did widen in surprise-he could have also sworn he felt his lips curling into a smile.
Sweat began to glisten on her brow again, but as it trickled down, she smiled. Strands of her vibrant green hair had fallen into her face and clung there, and yet Ike would say without a shadow of a doubt she looked pretty, cute, even beautiful. His opinion remained unchanged as the minutes turned into what were likely hours. The world around them gradually took on an orange hue with their shadows elongating. They continued to train, exchanging blows and words, mainly over what to do in a fight and what not to do.
Light gave way to darkness, drastically reducing their visibility. A couple of torches would have fixed the problem, but Ike realized it was perhaps time they considered stopping for today. He hadn't known when they'd started the training, but the fact that the moon and stars were out meant they'd been going at it for quite a while. Another indicator of how much time had passed lay in Elincia herself.
Sweat coursed down her brow and had seeped into her clothes, again. Ike couldn't say the same about himself-if he was sweating, it'd been brief and it'd gone entirely unnoticed. Compared to her heavy breathing, his was just fine.
"Elincia, I think we should wrap up our training session." He declared.
It took her a moment to catch her breath, and then another to formulate words. "I…I agree. Shall we pick things up tomorrow?"
He nodded, knowing they would still have a little bit of time. Although it was urgent they enlisted Begnion's help in driving out Daein, they still needed a few days of rest and recuperation. In a lot of ways, they really needed a few days to catch their breath and prepare themselves for the long haul ahead. It was only going to get harder, and there was a very real possibility some of them wouldn't make it through alive. Ike had wrestled with that same possibility in the time after their meeting King Caineghis. He'd told them to make the most of the time they had before they set out again.
Elincia had certainly done that, and Ike would confidently say he'd done the same.
All the weapons were returned to the armory save for his personal sword, which he wound up sheathing after leaving it stabbed in the ground for hours. He'd totally forgotten about it until he was practically cleaning up the yard.
Looking at Elincia, he noticed how she was feeling up her hands. "Quite an experience, huh?"
"Oh, yes, quite so. Even with the practice sword, I don't think I've ever held something so tightly before. My palms hurt more than I thought they would." She whispered whilst staring at them in slight bafflement.
Casually, as if she were a new recruit, Ike reached over and curled her hands into a fist, showing the blue gloves that covered his hands. "It helps to wear gloves, or wrappings of some sort. We could get those for you tomorrow, especially if you want to practice your hand-to-hand skills."
"That too is something I would appreciate and will consider, My Lord Ike." She immediately shifted her gaze back to his hands, watching as he withdrew them. "Thank you for all the training, I know there is still much for me to learn, but I feel much better now."
"Going forward…or are you thinking about potentially joining the battle one day?" Ike asked. Her upbeat expression crumbled as she considered how to answer him. "Elincia, I'll say it as many times as needed, you don't have to step out there on the battlefield with us."
"I know that, but I…I still have to be ready in case there comes a time I must join the battlefield. War can be a chaotic thing, and no one, not even the wisest strategist, will be able to predict how it will unfold down to the last detail. Besides, there have been times in history when even monarchs have been forced onto the battlefield. Given our current situation, there is a chance I may be forced to do as likewise, and…perhaps before I can even claim my throne." Elincia let loose a sigh filled with frustration and anxiety, the latter colored her face as she looked toward the sky. Gone was the baby blue and puffy white clouds, but most importantly the shining sun was absent. If one saw it as an omen for the future, it wasn't a good one. At least if one didn't account for the numerous stars in the sky, as well as the crescent moon limply hanging in the heavens. However, even taken together, their light was a pale substitute for the sun. "When I think about it, about returning home, I feel…scared. What will my people think of me? Will they even accept me? Most don't even know I exist."
"They'll know when we get you there, and they'll come to know the most important thing about you-that you care for your country and you're willing to fight for it. For them. That's what'll matter." Ike had a feeling it probably wouldn't be that simple, but he knew-he hoped-Elincia's willingness to return and fight to retake her country would resonate with her people. As would her near unending kindness. In his opinion, that was something any good ruler should have. That was something Ike hoped would survive his war, and she would keep through her reign.
Relief, hope, colored her face. Ike felt happy that it did, and maybe a tiny amount of pride that he'd been the one to ignite such a spark of determination in her. That pride became soft astonishment as she bowed her head with pink beginning to adorn her cheeks. "Thank you, again, My Lord Ike. I…do hope that I won't be requiring you to constantly lift my spirit at every turn. I know it will get tiring quite fast."
"Hey, I'll do it as many times as I have to. After all, Elincia, I'm…we're…friends, aren't we?"
She looked straight at him with eyes that seemed to reflect the starlight above their heads. His patience for an answer was indefinitely extended-he could spend the rest of the night just staring at her. The way her verdant strands still clung to her face, the pinkness of her lips, the sweat-lit sheen of her cheeks, and the serenity of her eyes all came together to form a portrait he could gaze upon until the sun rose. More so when those lips curved into a smile that caused an odd thumping in his chest. "Yes, My Lord Ike, friends indeed. On top of being teacher and student."
They laughed together like friends, as they'd done several times before. It was a reason why Ike had finally voiced what he now knew they'd both been thinking.
"My Lord Ike," although she still insisted on calling him by an honorary title he wasn't quite entitled to. "If I may, before we leave Gallia, will you be visiting your birth village? I believe Mist has been waiting for you to have some free time so you can do it together."
Ah, yes, that. Ike had a feeling Mist herself had told Elincia; the two had struck up a good friendship, one that'd helped both girls. He didn't find it too strange that the two most important girls in his life had become close, they were rather alike in personality. "I…think I should try to."
"You speak of it as an obligation rather than an actual desire." Elincia pointed out.
Of course, he'd noticed she was noticeably more perceptive than his sister. "I can't say you're wrong there. Even though I now know the truth, I…I still have a hard time seeing Gallia as my home. To be honest, Crimea's closer to me, and just the general concept of the road. Still, this is where my father came to live a peaceful life with my mother, where me and Mist-"
"Mist and I," She giggled at his blinking stare, and then later at his apologetic smile. "Perhaps as thanks for all you've taught me, I can say I've taught you something, My Lord Ike."
She certainly had, and reminded him of her proper education, a feature of hers he liked. More so when it came up in little moments like this. "Where Mist and I were born." His chuckling partnered with her wily giggles. "So, I guess I do feel like it's an obligation for me to visit it. I still want to make time for our training sessions, though." She laughed, filling the still night with her melodious voice. "You could come with us, you know."
"I can?" She questioned with genuine shock.
"Sure. I don't think Mist would mind, and I sure as hell wouldn't."
They held each other's gaze, Elincia's eyes filling up with intrigue at the thought. As for Ike, he knew Elincia would probably try to be as quiet as possible even if she came with them.
"That is a tempting offer, but…I believe it would be better if it were a truly private trip for you and Mist, My Lord Ike. As for me, it might be for the best if I continue my training, even in your absence. Mia would make for a suitable training partner."
"Uh, I'm not so sure about that." Ike groaned.
"Is it because you don't believe she's as good with a sword as you, my lord?" He arched a brow at her teasing tone. Elincia smiled back at him with unapologetic joy at her little swipe.
He eventually laughed, too. "Make sure you're there next time I prove I am. You'll learn a few things."
"I shall endeavor to do so, my lord."
"Okay, I think we've spent enough time out here. Let's head back; somehow, I've got a feeling they're going to be wondering where we've been all day." He declared.
"My Lord Ike, I would prefer it if we told them the truth. I don't…I don't mind people knowing that I'm learning how to fight. Some will patronize me for it-"
"They shouldn't." he immediately retorted. "I mean, it's not wrong for you to learn how to fight. I'm pretty sure people will actually praise you since you're in the company of a band of mercenaries fighting to retake your country. Anyone who tries to make fun of you for fighting is being an ass, and I won't stand for it."
"Once again, my lord, thank you." She earnestly replied.
As they predicted, people had questions about their whereabouts, and as Elincia requested, they were honest in answering them. Eyebrows were indeed raised at the thought of her learning swordsmanship from Ike, although it was a development that many welcomed. Including Soren, surprisingly enough. Ike counted his stoic approval as a major victory. Inevitably, there was also Titania's approval as well, although Ike could have sworn he saw her gaze turn worrisome when she shifted her eyes toward Elincia and then back to him. Did she think he'd hurt her by accident? That the training might be too harsh? The questions piled up on the basis of one unspoken assumption-she must have seen the two of them training out in the yard earlier.
Concluding that he'd ask her about it the next morning, Ike focused on getting ready for bed. Or, he would have if one thing hadn't crossed his mind. An urge that led him to making one quick trip to the Greil Mercenaries' storehouse, allotted to them out of Gallia's continued generosity. There was something he needed to retrieve.
Finally back in his room, he unwrapped the cloth around the bat-like weapon and held it up to the candlelight by the bed. The cloth had done its job in keeping it clean. Grasping the handle unleashed a tidal wave of familiar sensations that swept him from the present and dropped him into the past.
It wasn't a room in Castle Gallia, it was the forests of the Crimean countryside. Serene with no looming shadows, the feeling that there was all the time in the world to be spent in preparation for an actual battle. Constantly training in preparation for an actual battle and his official start as a mercenary soldier. His father, alive and well. Tall and strong, stern yet encouraging as he always was. He was holding the other trainer sword ordering him to come at him as if it was a real battle. Ike did, his battle cry rustling the leaves and his booted feet pounding along the grass. His father was smiling all the way, his grin reaching its zenith as their training swords clashed, the resulting echo ringing through the trees.
And then it was all gone. Candlelight replaced sunlight, stonewalls loomed all around him where once the forest seemingly stretched onward into infinity. Him and him alone, no one else.
He stared at his blurred reflection in the metal. "Bet you never thought I'd be using these things to train a princess, did you? Or, maybe you did. Maybe you would have been onboard with training Elincia, too." Despite the axe being his preferred weapon Ike was sure his father would have been better than him.
Before he knew it, his grip on the trainer sword had become as tight as a vice. Upon realizing that, he relaxed his grip and hung his head. After several minutes of silent mourning, he finally lifted it. A murky but stern reflection stared back at him.
This has to stop. He's not here anymore, it's just you. Your responsibility. Everyone, including Elincia. Especially Elincia. She's your student, your charge. Your…your friend. It was earlier than he'd expected, far earlier, but he was going to get some use out of these trainer swords his father had made specifically for practicing. Speaking of swords…what about that one. Unlike the faux sword in his hands, the other one lying in storage, tightly wrapped and secure, was very much meant for combat. It was apparently supposed to have seen use on that fateful night, but his father had forgone it in favor of his personal axe. Ike didn't know why, but he was certain he'd discover the answer. Perhaps if, or when, he took up the sword himself. There was something about it that was…different. Even his mundane eyes could tell the golden sword was a mystical weapon of some sort. Surely it held great power within it, and perhaps that power would give him an edge in defeating the Black Knight. Not to mention it might better aid him in protecting Elincia.
His mind was strewn with thoughts as he laid down, not expecting sleep to come easily to him, if not be downright impossible. So, Ike was utterly amazed when he found his eyelids growing heavier by the second. The complete darkness from the snuffed-out candles was bearing down on him, yet he put up a miniscule resistance. There was one last thing he thought about.
Elincia. Her unwavering determination and her slowly, but steadily, improving abilities. Ike wasn't one for romantic language, but he'd say it was like watching a flower blossom right before his eyes. It hadn't quite finished; in fact, its full blossoming was still a way's off, but what he saw was already impressive. Amazing. Attractive, even. Or rather, more attractive. If he were honest with himself, he had considered Elincia a pretty girl when he first laid eyes on her.
After seeing her in sweat and gripping a sword, Ike quietly admitted that he found her even more attractive, possessing a sort of radiance about her. It made him look forward to their sparring session tomorrow even more. With that thought, he closed his eyes and allowed sleep to take him, a light smile that no one, least of all the girl in question, could see.
So, I had to do some quick searching for how to fight in a dress given Elincia's clothing. She doesn't get pants until she promotes to Princess Crimea, which is still a way's off. Looking at PoR's chapter listing left me realizing just how far away that was, along with Ike confronting the Black Knight, especially since I really got into the training scene between the two of them. So, the bulk of the game's events, namely Ike and Elincia using their personal swords, has been moved to the next chapter.
Like practically all FE games, Path of Radiance starts with the protagonists fighting an uphill battle, something I hoped I got through without going overboard on it between Ike and Elincia. Making it to Gallia and meeting Caineghis was really the first breather they'd had, especially since Greil died. His death was another looming specter I wanted to write Ike dealing with. He's past the grieving stage, mostly, but he still feels his father's ghost looming over him, especially as he's taken up his positions, leader and teacher.
Regarding Elincia's progress, she's a beginner, but I wanted to show her determination and some keen observation. In the game, Elincia doesn't become a playable unit until Chapter 26, practically the last stretch of Path of Radiance. I don't think it's too hard to imagine she's been training on how to use a sword in the leadup to that moment, even though her personal class is more suited to support. Although her training in this chapter was focused on her being in a bad situation, her actually joining the battle was a running theme I wanted to keep with her so when that moment arrives, it's a little more meaningful. That moment, along with a few others, will be depicted next chapter, so, until then! I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter and are looking forward to the second one!