Disclaimer: Fire Emblem - The Sacred Stones is a belonging to his respective corporation and creator: Nintendo and Intelligent Systems. The following characters belong to the author.
Adrion: A recruit from Renais in training to become just like Seth.
Adam: A journeyman from Frelia in training to become Frelia's first hero.
Nicole: A young maiden from Rausten. The uptight best friend of L'Arachel.
Chi-Chi: The hairless cat who loves Eirika…but not really.
Mimi and Nana: Two maidens who helped L'Arachel prepare the wedding.
Celeste: A Valkyrie from Rausten who helped L'Arachel prepare the wedding.
Nitro: From Joshua's gambling posse, The Nitro Gang. Currently in jail.
Irene: A young citizen of Renais and mage-in-training. She's quite the character.
Dirk Lionheart: A young celebrity/pop-singer. He also appears in Disney/Nintendo/SquareSoft cross fic "Kingdom Blessings" written by El Xian as one of the main characters.
Baby Trek: Seth's baby nephew.
Guy and Lark: A duo of cheery and uptight announcers. Guy is a paladin and Lark is a Valkyrie.
Mace The Manakete: That's me, as a stuck-up Judge sitting in the High Seat of the Prime Judges of Renais at the Renais Assembly.
Special guest appearance(s) of: Sigurd, Oifaye, Vylon, Eltosian, and Eden from FE4: Genealogy of the Holy War, and Shinon from FE9: Path of Radiance
Ephraim and Eirika – The Sacred Twin Life
—The One with the Wedding (2/2)—
In our last chapter, Eirika was supposed to be married according to the Laws of Renais presented by the stuck-up High Judge Mace. Eirika was turning twenty and according to the Law, she was to be wed before her 20th birthday in order to keep her title as heir of the Renais Throne valid. Eirika felt at first that she wasn't ready, but then she decides to go on with the Law anyway. Fado, with the help of Seth, Adrion, Orson, and Monica formed up a Bachelor Ball, inviting over a million bachelors who may become Eirika's soul mate. Eirika was to dance with every one of them. The night was going to take hours but that stopped when she met Sigurd. Sigurd was a noble from another country who came to Magvel on vacation with his tactician Oifaye. Sigurd caught Eirika's attention. Eirika caught Sigurd's attention and the two fell in love. Although Ephraim still felt that the wedding was a bad idea, he went to speak to Eirika about whether she's truly happy or not. Eirika does tell him that she's happy and immediately suspects that Ephraim is trying to sabotage the wedding. The twins argued. After that same moment, Innes went to Eirika and share to her his feelings to her. Eirika felt frustrated and became sick in her body. Could she be developing a crush on Innes as well?
-Castle Renais-
It is the morning prior to Eirika's wedding day and Eirika was in her bedroom suite, still crying on her pillows. Tana, Nicole, Adrion, and Lyon were at the suite, consoling her. Adrion and Lyon were on their feet, while Tana and Nicole sat on the bed with Eirika.
"Oh, Eirika, honey, are you all right?" Tana asked.
"All right?" Eirika's tearful eyes stared at Tana, "How can I be all right? I thought I was in love."
"You are in love." Nicole reassured, "You told us that yesterday."
"I did. And I thought so too, until that Innes barge in on my happiness to tell me that he loves me!"
Tana, Nicole, Adrion, and Lyon's faces beamed with surprise. Lyon jumped, "What? What? What? What?"
"Did you just say that Innes told you he loves you?" Tana asked calmly.
Eirika nodded. Tana's mouth hung open. Nicole and Adrion looked at each other. Lyon burst out, "I KNEW IT!"
Eirika stared coldly at Lyon, "What? What do you mean, you knew it?"
Tana shook her head and waved to Lyon, signaling him to shut up. Nicole and Adrion quickly noticed. Eirika turned around to face Tana. Tana stopped her gesture.
"I think they know something." Adrion suspiciously said.
"Tana? Lyon? What's going on?" Eirika asked sincerely.
Tana admitted defeat, "Okay, but please don't be mad when you hear this."
"I won't be mad unless you don't tell me exactly what's going on?" Eirika said.
"Well…" Lyon began, "After you've decided to follow the Law, we confronted Innes and he… we kinda found out that he was developing some inner emotions on you."
Eirika's eyes dilated in anger, "YOU KNEW?"
"YOU KNEW!" Both Nicole and Adrion exclaimed as well.
"Yeah, but we didn't wanted you to get hurt or something." Tana quickly replied.
"REALLY? THEN HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL NOW?" Eirika jumped off her bed and walked around her suite, her face hung down, her hand on her forehead. Tana and Lyon quickly approached Eirika, "Eirika! We're really sorry!" Lyon said.
"Yeah, we really are. We knew that Innes was in love with you, but we didn't know if we were accurate enough." Tana said.
"I told you we should have told her earlier." Lyon snapped at Tana.
"What?" Tana snapped back, "You're the one who agreed to not tell her!"
"Okay, Eirika, forget what those two idiots did to you." Nicole came into the conversation, "What about you? What are you going to do?"
"Is the wedding still on?" Adrion asked.
Eirika faced the four friends and it took her a minute to answer, "Yes. The wedding is still on. I love Sigurd and he loves me. Whatever Innes or Ephraim thinks—"
"Wait a minute… Ephraim?" Lyon winced.
"Ephraim doesn't want to see me married." Eirika said, "I understand he still hates the fact that this is an arranged marriage but I'm happy to have found true love that soon. He made up some lies that Sigurd doesn't love me. That he's putting up some act to wed me because this is an arranged marriage."
"That's absurd! Sigurd loves you to death." Tana frowned.
"I know! That's what I just said." Eirika said.
"Maybe Ephraim is jealous." Adrion said.
Eirika gloated, "Please, Adrion. Ephraim is not jealous. The only jealousy that he holds on about me is that I'm much more beautiful than he is."
Seth entered the room, carrying his nephew, the baby Trek, in his arms, "Err…Princess Eirika. King Fado's calling on a meeting downstairs."
"Okay, Seth." Eirika responded then noticed Baby Trek, "Oh, you brought your nephew here?"
Baby Trek cooed and smiled at Eirika.
"Yeah. I'm babysitting once again…" Seth then asked Eirika with concern, "…but Princess, are you sure you're going to be all right with this whole situation?"
Eirika gave Seth a light smile, "yes, I'll be. Thank you."
Seth and Baby Trek left the room. Eirika took a deep breath before facing her friends, "Shall we get ready?"
The four friends left the room. Tana, being the last one to leave, faced Eirika again, "Will you be all right? I mean this whole wedding arrangement is so sudden, it's still not right for me."
"I'll be all right, Tana." Eirika smiled to her friend, "I have found my soul mate in Sigurd and like Father, I'm lucky. I'll be married to him very soon."
Tana smiled back, but she still sounded worried, "Okay, honey. I'll see you downstairs."
"Will do."
Tana closed the door behind her. Eirika stopped smiling. She walked up to her balcony and looked up to the morning sun rising. She sighed, "Am I doing the right thing? I mean, I love Sigurd and he loves me."
Reow! A noise sounded. Eirika looked around, "Huh?"
Suddenly, a shaved cat jumped on Eirika's back. Eirika freaked out, "EEK! Get off, get off, get off!"
The cat got off Eirika, and Eirika quickly recognized the bare animal, "Oh my! Chi-Chi? Is that you?"
The cat hissed in response. Eirika released a tear of joy and hugged the cat, "Oh, Chi-Chi! That's so sweet…you came to wish me good luck at my upcoming wedding, no?"
The cat hissed again. Eirika cooed, "Aw, that's the answer I was hoping for."
Inside the Private Conference Center, Fado and the rest of the monarchs and heirs gathered around the rich solid oak table. Apparently, they heard the shocking news about Eirika's marriage.
"I can't believe High Judge Mace would do that." Hayden commented.
"Is it true? That he moved up the date of the wedding to be two days?" Vigarde exclaimed.
"Actually, because he told me that on short notice last night, the wedding will be on tomorrow instead." Fado replied.
"That's absurd!" Ismaire exclaimed, "What could we do to repair this? Should we persuade him?"
"I believe we should." The King of Jehanna agreed with Ismaire, "How about we turned this wedding into a prenup party or something?"
"We can't. He's a High Judge. He establishes the laws and sticks with them like glue." Fado said, "There's nothing to reason with him."
"Then are we forced to stick with his arrangement?" Mansel said, "Princess Eirika hasn't found a suitable mate yet."
"Actually, she did." Fado replied, "Lord Sigurd of Grandbell. She seems very happy with him and he too looks happy as well."
Eirika entered the conference room, carrying Chi-Chi around her arms, "Father. You wanted to see me?"
The monarchs shrieked in horror and backed away from Eirika. Fado rose from his seat and boomed, "Eirika! How many times have I told you NOT to bring a demonic animal in the castle?"
"Father, that's Chi-Chi." Eirika replied, "Don't you recognize her?"
The monarchs slowly came back to their seats, "That's the cat?" Hayden pointed.
"Oh please, don't tell me you're still mistaking her as a snake. Snakes have no legs if you didn't know that." Eirika protested.
"Not according to the Ancient Magvel Bestiary." Vigarde objected, waving in the air a huge book that looks like a dictionary.
"Anyway," Eirika changed subjects, "What was it you wanted to tell me Father?"
"Oh, Eirika, it's a debacle here." Fado sighed, "High Judge Mace has now moved the wedding up to tomorrow."
Eirika's eyes widen, "What? Tomorrow? I…Sigurd and I haven't even got to know each other much! We didn't get engaged yet!"
"I suggest you should get engaged right now." Fado said, "but then again, we have to be prepared for the big event.
"We haven't even done the Bridal Shower yet, or we haven't even established a place for where the wedding will take place." Ismaire pointed.
Eirika shook her head, "No, no, no, no, Father. Now there's no way that I'm going to put up with his stuffs. I'm going to go down to his office and demand a change and I shall show him no mercy on my face!"
-Renais Assembly High Judge Bureau-
Eirika was practically begging on both knees crying to Mace, "Oh please, oh please, oh pleaaaase, High Judge Mace. I'm begging you! Move the wedding date! At least show some mercy!"
Mace had his arms crossed and was floating in front of Eirika. He seemed to be enjoying this torture, "Now, why would I do that? Tell me a good reason?"
Eirika looked into Mace's eyes. Mace continued, "Do you not love Lord Grandbell?"
Eirika got up her knees, her mouth hanging open, "I do so love him! What gives you the right to tell me how I should manipulate my love life?"
"I don't have any rights. But, my reason why I'm sticking with you getting married tomorrow is the fact that you have two suitors to choose from. Two perfect suitors."
Sigurd burst inside the bureau, "High Judge Mace, we need to tal…ah, Eirika, you're here."
"Oh, well, here comes your first suitor." Mace smiled at Sigurd's arrival.
Sigurd raised an eyebrow, "What's he talking about, Eirika?"
Eirika hesitated. She knew exactly what Mace was talking about, "Oh…tee-hee, he's just being a cuckoo."
"Cuckoo?" Mace gasped, "How dare you defiling me, the High Judge."
Eirika faced Mace, "and how dare you to move my wedding date to tomorrow. You forced me to this Law, but I won't allow you to mess me up and the love of my life!" with that, she stormed off. Sigurd followed. Mace squawked as he floated to his table, "You still understand that I didn't move your wedding date right?"
Chi-Chi jumped on Mace's table and hissed so loudly, he blew away Mace to a window.
"Sigurd, I don't know what to say about this whole…"
Sigurd interrupted Eirika, "I know what you mean, Eirika. I'm willing to go on with the wedding anyway. I don't care about this whole thing, as long as I love you, which is an eternity."
Eirika smiled slightly. Sigurd pulled from his pocket a gorgeous ring and slipped it into Eirika's mid finger. Eirika took a sharp breath at the sight of the ring's appearance. "Diamond." She said, "That's so…"
"There." Sigurd smiled, "Now, we're officially engaged."
Eirika hugged Sigurd. Sigurd hugged her back. Ephraim was passing by when he saw his sister with her fiancé. Ephraim couldn't help but smile at this sight.
"Ephraim." The voice of Innes shook Ephraim. Ephraim turned around and saw the Frelian prince giving him a face, "You seem to be enjoying this torment, no?"
"Oh, Innes. I didn't see you there. Is something amiss?"
"No, but I see that something is missing in your teensy weenie brain of yours."
Ephraim cocked his head on one side, "What are you talking about?"
"Aren't you supposed to be totally against this whole wedding thing?" Innes argued, "I'm certain you will be again once you heard that High Judge Mace moved the date to tomorrow."
Ephraim's eyes dilated, "What?"
"That's right."
Ephraim looked back at Eirika and Sigurd, still hugging. Innes went on, "I don't know what the matter with this Manakete is, but he's a nutso when you think about it."
"A nutso for love." Ephraim muttered.
Innes now cocked his head on one side, "What did you say?"
Ephraim noticed Innes again, "Oh, nothing. Excuse me." He left.
-- -- --
-Rausten Court-
Rausten Court, both inside and outside, was overwhelmed of people, people of various social statuses, all excited about the big event. As it turns out, Pontifex Mansel has volunteered to use the Rausten Court as the official wedding ceremony for Eirika and Sigurd. L'Arachel, excited about this, decided to be the wedding coordinator. Helping her were Dozla, Rennac, Nicole, and few more Rausten maidens. Tana, being Eirika's best friend since the day they met, helped Eirika out on finding the perfect accessories and wedding dress. She was also in charge of creating the perfect fashion and style, making sure that Eirika will be the talk of the wedding event when she walks down the aisle. Grado and Frelia were in charge of the wedding arrangement as well. Vigarde and Lyon would make sure that every guest will get an invitation and will find the perfect place to park their mode of transportation when they get to the wedding. Frelia was busy with its own mode of transportation. Because Sigurd came from another continent, they were obliged to invite some of his closest friends and family members to the event, including Sigurd's father, Lord Vylon of Chalphy, King Eltosian and Lady Eden. Oifaye was glad to be helping Frelia in this matter.
There could be no excitement in this world other than seeing two people getting married the day of their wedding. As we are already aware, Eirika was to be married before her Twentieth Annual Coronation in order to keep her status as Princess of Renais intact, because of the so-called Law High Judge Mace the Manakete focused most of his attention upon. But it seems that both Eirika and Sigurd did not mind because they were in love.
L'Arachel traveled down the court's immense throne room, seeing everyone was working hard on the wedding preparations. The throne room was where the wedding will be held. She started to see things. Missing things, "Okay people. Where are the bouquets that adorned both sides of the aisle?"
"It's coming, Your Highness!" Mimi, one of the maidens exclaimed.
"What about the glass statue? I don't see any glass statue at the end there? I still see the throne!" L'Arachel said.
"It's on its way, your Highness." Nana, another one of the maidens replied, "But we have a problem."
"Oh no, did it melted again?" L'Arachel whined.
"Actually, Your Highness," Celeste the Valkyrie said, "it's heavy."
"Yeah! Way heavy!" Dozla entered inside the throne chamber as he and Rennac were carrying a familiar ice statue, "Why on earth would you order a five foot statue of you to place at the altar?"
L'Arachel smiled while adjusting her head, "I just like myself as someone who will bless these people in holy matrimony."
"Actually, your Craziness," Rennac gloated, "It's Pontifex Mansel who will greet them people in holy matrimony. We're greeting you in painful matrimony."
Rennac and Dozla placed the ice statue of L'Arachel. L'Arachel huffed, "Fine, wedding arrangement saboteur! Take the statue elsewhere!"
Dozla exclaimed, "But where?"
"Anywhere that is not in this place!" L'Arachel exclaimed, "Now hurrying it up and at it."
"Oy…" Rennac whined. Dozla stared coldly at Rennac, "Nice move, Rennac."
Wyvern knights and lords stationed at the entrance of the Rausten Court. Few more hours left until the ceremony starts. Selena, Glen, Cormag, and Duessel were among the wyvern crowd and were saluting guests of the wedding inside. Approaching the entrance were hilarious reporting duo Guy and Lark.
"This must be the place here." Guy told Lark.
"Excuse me? Do you have an invitation?" Selena asked the duo.
Lark flashed her business card to Selena, "Name's Lark, at your service, and he's Guy."
"You probably won't recognize us anyway, 'cause we reported the Sacred Soccer not long ago." Guy said.
"Oh yeah…" Selena nodded understandably.
Lark beamed, "So you do recognize us?"
Selena shook her head, "No."
Guy and Lark's mouths hanged open. Duessel approached them, "I'm sorry, but as long as you don't hold an invitation, we can't allow you inside."
"Wedding policy from Lady L'Arachel, the coordinator." Glen said.
"L'Arachel is here?" Lark gasped.
"Let's go in!" Guy proposed and both reporters zoomed past the Imperial Three.
"Hey! You can't go in there!" Glen yelled and went to chase after the duo. Cormag flew down to take Glen's place, "Wedding crashers again?"
"Yeah." Duessel sighed.
"I ain't a crasher." A familiar voice called in front of the Imperial Three. The three faced Dirk Lionheart and his bodyguards. Dirk flashed his invitation to their faces, "I got my invitation here and I can't wait to see Eirika getting married."
Ephraim popped his head out and noticed Dirk. He angrily pointed at him, "Now he is bad news, people! I suggest you throw him out before he does or say something stupid."
"Oh, Ephraim." Dirk smiled haughtily as he removed his shaded glasses, "Didn't see you there. Must be the shades."
Selena opened her palm, blew on it, and gestured a slap toward Dirk and the bodyguards' feet, sending sparks.
"Yowl!" the trio yelled.
"Okay, we're leaving, sheesh!" Dirk said.
Sigurd was down the hallways with his folks from home: Lord Vylon, King Eltosian, Lady Eden, and Oifaye.
"I can't believe you're getting married, Sigurd." Lord Vylon said, "You know you should have called or send me a mail and tell me that in advance."
"I know. I apologize for the short notice. But something was loony about their High Judge here; I got caught up in their mess." Sigurd said.
"At least you're in love." Eltosian said then faced Oifaye, "Now, imagine if you, Oifaye, were the one who was getting married."
"Hey!" Oifaye exclaimed, "you know I'm not into all of that love mush! It's scares me!"
"Scares you or embarrasses you?" Lady Eden giggled and everyone in the group laughed. Oifaye chuckled nervously, "Oh, you people…"
"Anyway, are you sure you're going to be all right?" Lord Vylon asked Sigurd.
"I'm totally fine, father." Sigurd replied, "And thanks you guys for coming here. I thought you wouldn't make it."
"Oh, Sigurd, we wouldn't miss this for the world." Eden smiled.
The conversation ended shortly and Sigurd penetrated inside the Chamber of Prayer. He slowly approached the Altar, where nailed there was the Sacred Stone of Rausten. Next to the Stone were two locked treasure chests, perhaps each chest were containing two powerful and vital relics belonging to the monarchy. Sigurd approached the Sacred Stone Altar, kneeled before it and closed his eyes for a good while.
"Sigurd." Sigurd heard his voice called to him. He rose from his knees to face the source of the voice. It was Ephraim. The Renais Prince approached him, "I went up to your room and I didn't see you. I thought you ditched my sister."
"What? No. I…you didn't see the note on the table? I left a note on the table saying that I would be back." Sigurd exclaimed.
Ephraim shook his head, "No, I didn't see a note." He then looked up in thought, "But then again, maybe I did…"
"So what is it you wanted to ask of me?" Sigurd asked Ephraim.
"Oh yes. Earlier, I didn't give you my blessing to marry my sister because of the whole High Judge Mace thing, you know… but I saw from your eyes that you love her with your whole heart and I saw that Eirika was at peace in your arms, because she loves you too."
Sigurd didn't say anything. Innes peeked inside the Chamber of Prayer and started to hear Ephraim speaking to Sigurd. Ephraim went on, "I apologize for not trusting you earlier and I apologize for doing the same to my sister. And so I would like to give you my blessing. Take care of Eirika for me, and for Father, the King Fado. Do her no harm and make sure that no other human being asunder your marriage."
Innes bit his lips. He rather saw himself marrying Eirika than seeing some guy from another continent marrying her. Ephraim continued, "Now, I hope that my speech had made you strong and comfortable enough for your wedding day."
"I guess so." Sigurd smiled, "Thank you, Prince Ephraim."
"Please, call me Ephraim."
"What are you doing?" the voice of Nicole spooked Innes. Innes looked to Nicole and sighed, "Ooh…you had the scare me, did you?"
Nicole was dressed in a silk lime mermaid dress and her hair, accentuating her look, was tied in a bun, adorned in various golden hair pins resembling tiaras and jewels. "I have to, since you're spying. Aren't you supposed to be waiting at the throne room for the ceremony to start?" Nicole asked.
"I rather spy than do that."
Nicole rolled her eyes and began to walk away, "Suit yourself. But, if you're in love with Princess Eirika…and I know you're going to say that you're not…It's best that you go spy on her than Lord Sigurd and Prince Ephraim."
Innes looked at Nicole.
Back at the court entrance, more guests came into the wedding. Some even tried to bribe the Imperial Three, like Joshua for example.
"Aw, come on! Head again." Joshua stomped his feet after seeing that he lost to a bet. His so-called lucky coin was on the ground, facing head.
"That's three heads. Now leave." Cormag ordered him.
Joshua pointed, "Nope, wait." He picked up the coin and saw he held a two-headed coin. He bit his lip, slipped in the coin to his pocket and pulled out another coin, a two-tailed one.
"Okay, last chance."
"What did you do?" Selena asked suspiciously.
"Just call!" Joshua flipped the coin up in the air. Duessel called, "Heads."
Cormag's wyvern caught the coin with his tongue. Joshua exclaimed, "HEY!"
Cormag picked the coin from out of his wyvern's mouth and looked at it, "That's a two-tailed coin!"
Duessel, Selena, and Cormag all stare coldly at Joshua. Joshua stood still for a moment then ran inside the court.
"HEY! COME BACK HERE, YOU!" Duessel called.
"WE HAVE ANOTHER CRASHER!" Selena yelled, "REPEAT! WE HAVE ANOTHER CRASHER!"
Joshua entered the crowded throne room and bumped into Seth, causing him to let go of Baby Trek. The baby flew up. Seth panicked, "Ahh! The baby!"
Everyone began to panic and all attempt to catch the baby in the air. Baby Trek giggled, enjoying his flight. The baby landed on the arms of Grandmother, who just entered the throne room with Saleh. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Whoa! nice catch, Grandmother." Saleh complimented, his eyes were wide open. Grandmother stared at him, her eyes were wide open as well.
Seth ran to Grandmother, "Oh, Grandmother. Thank you."
"Young man, you shouldn't throw your baby up in the air like that! He ain't a toy, you know?" Grandmother argued. Baby Trek giggled some more. He seems to be enjoying this.
"I'm sorry, Grandmother, but apparently," he faced Joshua angrily; "I got bumped!"
Joshua shook his head and began to run. "Oh no, you don't." Seth chased after him, "COME BACK HERE, YOU!"
"Ooh, this is rather juicier than Sacred Soccer." Guy commented as he saw Joshua running for his life and Seth chasing him.
"Err, Guy. Aren't we supposed to run?" Lark said and pointed Guy the wyvern lord Glen still tracking them.
"Oh, not again." Guy and Lark took off. Glen spotted them and flew down into the chase.
Back at the entrance, Lyon, Vigarde, Ismaire and the King of Jehanna came into the scene. The emperor wasn't happy to see this brouhaha happening.
"How many crashers are we going to have here?" Vigarde snapped.
"You know you're not doing such a good job!" Lyon said.
"Apparently, they're not." Dirk came into view. He smiled, still haughtily, at the monarch and flashed his invitation to the Imperial Three. The Imperial Three, in shame, allowed him and his bodyguards inside.
"Maybe I should help out." The king of Jehanna proposed.
"I'm not so sure honey." Ismaire told her husband, "would it be strange for wedding guests to do this job?"
"It's okay, Your Majesties." Lyon said, "Orson and Monica should be on their way."
"And they better do a good job." Vigarde muttered.
At the same time, Orson and Monica came into the scene, "We're here." Monica said.
"Good. And we're going." Vigarde said and the monarchs entered inside. Monica and Orson looked at Duessel, Selena, and Glen. "Is something amiss?" Orson asked.
Eirika was inside one of the guest rooms, drowned in a gorgeous pearl white bridal gown, with spiral ruffles and a long tail end on the dress. Eirika's hair was curly and wavy and she wore a circlet with a stone similar to the Sacred Stone on it. Tana was in the room with her, along with Adrion, Adam, Nicole, and Chi-Chi. Tana, like Nicole, was also dressed in a silk lime mermaid dress and her hair was tied in a bun, adorned in various golden hair pins resembling tiaras and jewels.
"Oh my goodness Eirika, you look gorgeous." Tana complimented.
"Why thank you." Eirika said, "I like that one too. As long as Chi-Chi doesn't tore it like she did to the last seven dresses."
Chi-Chi hissed. Adrion and Adam jumped on Chi-Chi to grab her before she got the chance to get her claws on Eirika's gown.
"Aw, man. I can't believe you're getting married Eirika." Nicole exclaimed.
"I know. I wanted to get married first." Tana said, feeling a little jealous.
"Oh, your time will come, Princess Tana." Adrion told Tana while still holding Chi-Chi.
"When you're thirty, that is." Adam gloated. Tana's mouth hung open. Eirika shook her head, "Come on, boys. That wasn't nice."
Tana cracked her knuckles and went after Adrion and Adam, "Oh, they'll understand the meaning of nice. Come back here, you!"
"Chi-Chi! Help us!" Adam called and Adrion aimed Chi-Chi to Tana. Chi-Chi hissed. Tana jumped back, "Eek!" Adrion and Adam ran off the room. Tana went after them, "Come back here! And don't you dare throw me that snake to me, pals!"
Eirika rolled her eyes as she heard Adrion and Adam yelled, "It's a shaved cat!"
"Excuse me, Eirika, while I go down there and settle them down." Nicole said.
"OK then."
Nicole left. Eirika turned to face her mirror and stared at herself in the gown, "Man, I do look beautiful."
The door suddenly swung open and there stood Innes. Eirika saw Innes through the mirror and froze. Innes slowly approached her, "Err…Eirika."
Eirika closed her eyes for a second and doesn't say a word. Innes continued, "…listen, about last night…"
Eirika turned around and went to sit at a chair to comb her hair and adjust her veil, "Not now, Innes. I have big plans to pursue in about ten minutes!"
"I know, but I just… I just wanted to apologize for what happened. You see, what I said to you, these words were just… talk of fears."
Eirika laid her comb on the table and looked at Innes strangely, "What do you mean?"
Innes kneeled to her, "Listen, I was all worked up about this whole situation with High Judge Mace. Seriously, no jokes… I didn't want to see you make the biggest mistake of your life. When I heard that Mace moved up the wedding date, I burst into a great fury. But then, when I saw you with Sigurd, I saw it. I saw that you found true happiness in him."
Eirika and Innes stared into each other's eyes.
"Innelicious is right, you know?" a familiar voice sent chills down Innes's spines. Eirika looked up and Innes rose up. They saw Irene enter the room, "He was worried about you, you know?"
"Irene!" Innes exclaimed.
"Irene, hi. I didn't see you there." Eirika greeted her. Irene was still gorgeous on her sage dress.
"WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Innes exclaimed.
"I was invited, duh!" Irene snorted, "And here I thought I fell in love with a prince. It turns out, I fell in love with a fool."
"You know we're not getting back together." Innes reminded Irene.
"I know. What, you think I came back here to haunt you again?" Irene asked.
"I invited her, Innes." Eirika told Innes. Innes looked back at Eirika as if she has been taking medications, "You invited her?"
"Just wanted to be a good friend." Eirika said, "Tana told me that you needed a date for the wedding ceremony."
Innes bit his lips, "Darn you Tana." He muttered.
"Listen, Innes." Eirika rose from her seat, "I understand that you were worried about me and all, but I'm going to be fine. This wedding may be arranged, but no one put a weapon to my head."
Irene choked with laughter, "Oh-Oh-Oh, that's rich!"
Eirika looked at Irene offended. Irene stopped laughing, "Not that it was rich."
A minute was all there was left before the start of the ceremony, and after losing Glen, Guy and Lark have stationed themselves at the throne room's balcony to start their reports.
"We are now live at Rausten Court's throne room and already the throne room is crowded with people, anticipating the wedding of Princess Eirika of Renais and Lord Sigurd of Grandbell to start at any minute now." Guy commented.
"That's right, Guy. And look, we are seeing new faces and old ones coming inside the throne room, now a wedding chapel." Lark commented as the reporters spotted Marisa, Natasha, and Amelia entering the throne room together with the three masseurs from the Frelian Spa as their wedding dates.
"Ooh, this place looks gorgeous." Amelia stared at the adorned throne room.
"I know." Marisa said dully.
"It feels just like home." Natasha said.
"Isn't that girl Eirika the one who's getting married?" the blond guy, Mark, ask.
Marisa stared coldly at him, "You better not be in love with her."
"I'm just saying."
"He sure does." The redhead masseur said.
"I'm still offended with the fact that she didn't like our massage during their last visit." The blue-haired masseur said.
"I don't blame them." Amelia muttered. The three guys glared coldly at her. She simply shrugged and giggled. The six went to take a sit. Following them was Father Macgregor. He saw Ephraim and went to him, "Ah, Ephraim."
"Father Macgregor."
"Why aren't you married, must I ask?"
Ephraim shrugged, "Long story I guess."
Mace stood at the entrance of the throne room. He spread a small smile, not a haughty one or a sly one. Just a small smile. He turned around and noticed a very special guest entering inside. He was one of the guests too.
"Oh so you must be Shinon." High Judge Mace greeted him.
Shinon huffed, "I am missing my boat back to Tellius for this?" He was about to go take his seat, but then he stopped to face Mace and pointed, "I'm warning you, it better be a good show."
"Meh, sure whatever."
As soon as Shinon took his seat, a serene song started to play. It was the instrumental version of "I've Had the Time of my Life" and playing it was Adrion. Chi-Chi was on the piano, sleeping.
"All right, people. It's showtime." L'Arachel spoke softly to the people who were about to walk down the aisle. Sigurd was the first to enter, escorted by Eden. Eltosian, Oifaye, and Vylon walked in front. Sigurd reached the altar and the other went to take their seats, without forgetting to give Sigurd their compliments. Following were Tana and Nicole, each carrying a bouquet of Eirika's favorite flowers: lilies and enchanting white roses. Innes and Ephraim were next, both were escorting Irene. Innes was impressed to see Irene behaving formally. Perhaps it was because it is a regal wedding. Following was Seth and Baby Trek, both escorted by the peg knights Syrene and Vanessa. Baby Trek was in charge of throwing the petals on the ground. King Hayden was last to enter the aisle.
"It is time." Fado told Gilliam. Gilliam bowed and allowed Fado and Eirika to face the altar. The music immediately switched to the tune we all know and love: "Here Comes the Bride"
Everyone rose from their seat and turned their attention towards Eirika and King Fado, escorting her. Everyone in the room smiled. Tana smiled, Nicole smiled, Adrion and Adam smiled, Innes smiled, Ephraim smiled, Seth smiled and Baby Trek smiled, the monarch smiled, everyone. Fado smiled at her daughter, and Eirika and Sigurd smiled at each other. Pontifex Mansel stood at the center of the altar along with those who went up the altar earlier at his left and right.
The wedding broadcasted everywhere in Magvel, even at the Magvel Jailhouse where Nitro and his gang, and Valter and his gang were.
"That Eirika is getting married huh?" Nitro huffed, "I despise her. She and her brother. They ruined my life."
"Tell me about it." Valter huffed.
One of the soldiers played the harmonica and singing with him was one of Nitro's brigands.
BA-BAA-BA-BA!
"We got the blues!"
BA-BAA-BA-BA!
Nitro snatched the harmonica from the soldier, threw it on the floor, and like what Valter did to the banjo, he smashed it and flung it through the jail bars.
"OW!" A guard yelled in pain at a distance.
Fado and Eirika stopped at the altar. Fado gave Eirika a kiss on the cheek, "I love you, my daughter."
"Love you too, father." Eirika replied.
"Remember, follow your heart."
Eirika nodded. Fado went to his seat and Eirika approached Sigurd. The two smiled at each other. Mansel began, "Dearly beloved…"
"Uncle." L'Arachel whispered to him. Mansel stared annoyingly at his niece who sat up front. L'Arachel gestured him to wrap it up. Mansel rolled his eyes and went on with the ceremony, ignoring her, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to…"
"I'm sorry." L'Arachel interrupted as she came to the altar and toward Mansel. She giggled, "…you see, our Pontifex here is messing things up, so I'm going to have to repair his damage."
"My dama—" Mansel cleared his throat and angrily snapped at L'Arachel in a low tone, "I'm not…you're not suppose to tell me what I should do and what I shouldn't, L'Arachel. Your job as coordinator is done, the wedding is in progress, so gait!"
L'Arachel rolled her eyes and still was smiling, "Oh, uncle. Just let me do it." She pushed Mansel off the altar and took his place. She cleared her throat, "All right, people. Listen up!"
Murmurs occurred in the room. Eirika and Sigurd glanced at L'Arachel strangely, then at each other. L'Arachel went on; "We are gathered here today to join Lord Sigurd of…" she stopped and looked at Sigurd.
"Grandbell." Sigurd told her.
"…Grandbell" L'Arachel quickly said, "and …this Princess…" she glanced to Eirika.
Eirika blinked before saying her name, "Eirika of Renais."
"Princess Eirika of Renais!" L'Arachel quickly said, then cleared her throat, "All right I think I'll start again."
Mansel slapped his face in embarrassment, "Oh, for crying out loud."
"Looks like this is going to be a comical wedding." Lark told Guy.
"I know." Guy replied.
Suddenly, the reporters' feet were up in the air. "HEY!" they yelled.
"Hey indeed." The voice of Glen spooked them. They turned around and saw that Glen was grasping them by their shirts, "Looks like you'll be taking a short trip. To the outside."
"Ooh, not now!" Lark said excitedly, "It looks like the wedding is still on."
"We are gathered here today to join…" L'Arachel paused again. Mansel stepped back into the altar, "Here, let me do it."
"Aw, come on, Uncle!" L'Arachel argued.
"Just let me." Mansel shoved L'Arachel off the altar and faced the crowded room again. He cleared his throat, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Lord Sigurd of Grandbell and Princess Eirika of Renais in the bonds of holy matrimony. Lord Sigurd and Princess Eirika found each other in the Kingdom of Love and this wedding signifies their destiny to become one."
Eirika and Sigurd smiled. Mansel continued, "Let us proceed with the ring exchange."
Both Eirika and Sigurd turned around to get their rings. They faced each other again. Mansel faced Sigurd and nodded, "Sigurd."
It took Sigurd a moment to begin, "Eirika of Renais. You are my love. You are my life. You are my everything. Before I met you, a part of me was missing. A part of Unity, a part of Joy; a part of my life. Eirika, you are that part, that will fit into me like a last piece of puzzle. Let us unite. Let us spend every second of everyday together in every status. My love. My princess."
Eirika smiled. Tears began to flow down her cheek as Sigurd slipped the ring into her forefinger. Mansel then faced Eirika, "Eirika."
It also took Eirika a moment to begin, "Sigurd." She spoke tearfully, "They say a picture worth a thousand words, right? Well, from… what I see in you, I see many doubts."
Sigurd stopped smiling. What could Eirika be talking about? Eirika went on, "Sigurd, you may tell me all of those beautiful words to me, but truthfully, I can't be your everything."
Everyone began murmuring. Eirika continued, "Sigurd. I'm not your true love. And you're not my true love."
"Eirika…" Sigurd's voice trembled.
Eirika stared at the floor for a second. She couldn't bear looking into Sigurd's eyes, "Sigurd." She continued, "My heart is telling me something, that your true love is somewhere that is not here. My true love is in my place too. Right here in Magvel. I don't know who my true love is, but he's waiting."
Sigurd didn't say anything. Everyone was still murmuring. Eirika gently removed the ring from her finger and along with Sigurd's ring; she handed it to him and gently closed his hand. Sigurd looked confused but Eirika continued, "Sigurd…Lord Sigurd of Grandbell…I rather have a wedding like this with the love of my life. And I rather walk down the aisle only this once. This, to me, will be a real wedding. My wedding. This is not a wedding to me. This is just, a requirement for me to keep my princess title. I'm sorry, Sigurd. I hope you can forgive me."
Sigurd smiled and nodded, "I understand, Eirika…no…Princess Eirika of Renais. We may be apart, but you will always be my first love."
"And you shall too, always be my first love."
Sigurd and Eirika hugged. Everyone in the room looked puzzled. Tana, Nicole, Adrion and Adam, Innes, Ephraim, Seth and Baby Trek, the monarchs, yes, everyone looked lost.
"What's going on?" Guy asked Lark.
"I don't know. They looked happy a second ago." Lark said.
"Is this fate?" Glen murmured.
Eirika handed the rings to Mansel, "I'm sorry, Pontifex Mansel."
Mansel looked confused. Eirika faced the crowd, "I'm sorry, everyone. I can't do this. Not… …not like this." With these words, she left the altar and went for the exit as the song, "1000 words" from Final Fantasy X-2 began playing in the background.
The crowd's murmuring turned into a debacle of questions and confusions. Fado rose from his seat and watched Eirika leaving the place, "Eirika…" he thought. Ephraim looked bleak, but he felt that she did the right thing. Mace abruptly entered the room.
"What's going on here? How come the wedding is off?" Mace boomed.
"I warned you." An angry Shinon approached Mace.
"Eirika!" Tana and Nicole went after their friends. Innes was about to go after her too but Hayden stopped him, "Let her go." He said.
"I think she needs some time." Irene said.
L'Arachel approached Mansel, "Smooth moves, Uncle. If you had let me do the thing, this wouldn't have happened."
-Castle Renais-
Fado, Ephraim, Seth, Orson, and Monica entered the castle. Baby Trek wasn't with Seth anymore and Chi-Chi was gone as well. Two soldiers approached Fado and Ephraim in panic. One of them carried a letter, "King Fado! Prince Ephraim! This is bad!"
Fado froze, "What is it?"
"It's Princess Eirika. She left the castle. She's gone."
"What?" Ephraim exclaimed.
The second soldier handed Fado the letter, "She left this."
Fado read the letter. Ephraim, Seth, Orson and Monica looked over to read the letter as well. Their faces sank. Fado looked up. Ephraim stared at Fado who returned the stare. Seth, Orson, and Monica also stared at each other. They all remained very, very quiet.
END OF EPHRAIM AND EIRIKA
Author's Note: I'm going to take this time to give my deepest gratitude to all of the readers, writers, and fans of "Fire Emblem – The Sacred Stones" for reading, reviewing, and all around enjoying this fic Ephraim and Eirika. A year has passed since I started this fic and thanks to all of you, I have enjoyed every chapter of it and you've made my moment of it be everlasting. This story is my second fiction to be completed, but the first full-length one to be finished. As you can see, the story is not done yet. A sequel is on its way. Good news and bad news on the sequel: Bad news, my original characters will only appear on one chapter and no more. Good news…I can't tell you the good news, it's a surprise. So stay tuned for Ephraim and Eirika 2. Until then, see ya. :)