Eva Kasumi 09/01/05
Fire Emblem and its characters belong to Nintendo and, um, Intelligent Systems? Whatever, they're not mine.
Warning: This story will contain both shounen-ai (slash, m/m, what-you-will) and het couples. If either of these offend you, please leave now. You have been warned. Past this point, I have the right to say "I told you so."
Huge thanks and muchos love to Amethyst Bubble and Empress Dotdotdot for being my betas.

Lead Me Not Into Temptation

Part One : Monochrome

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It was the stuff of legends. The War of the Stones, as it came to be known, when the heirs to four of Magvel's royal families united and, with the help of their colorful army of friends, came up against the fifth. Together, they overcame him and destroyed of the cause of his corruption, the Demon King of old. Under the command of the royal twins of Renais, the continent was freed from the drawing darkness and, with their hard work and patronage, spurred forward into a new Age. It was not long before the people had christened it the Age of Glory.

But there was a young mage, who had been among the party that saved the world from its fate, who had his own name for it. He called it the Age of Hope.

--- Ten Years Later ---

"Ewan? Did you hang out the rosemary I brought in to dry?"

Ewan grinned to himself as his mentor's voice floated in from the other room. "Yes, Teacher," he called back, without looking up from his task, "And the vervain." He paused and counted to three, opening his mouth to continue just when he knew the next question was coming. "And I collected the melted candle wax. And I brought in the washing. And I practiced Valega."

His last statement was met by Saleh's appearance in the doorway. The man paused as he realized that Ewan was chopping vegetables at the table and shook his head, slate-colored ponytail waving gently. "And you've started supper. I really don't give you enough credit, do I?"

Ewan smiled at him and shrugged amiably. "Can't say I blame you, with all you've put up with to get me this far."

"You have always deserved more credit than I have given you, Ewan. I couldn't ask for a more dedicated, talented student."

"That's not what you used to say about that Lute girl," the red-head teased, wagging his knife at his teacher.

"While Miss Lute was exceptionally talented, she lacked a certain… propriety that her personality couldn't do without," Saleh replied, collecting the plates from the cupboard. "Besides, I don't think she would have wanted a teacher nor appreciated the insinuation that she needed one."

"'Maturity comes with age,'" recited Ewan, "You taught me that, Saleh."

"I repeated it to myself as a mantra when you were being particularly excitable, is more like," the sage grumbled, but he returned his smile nonetheless.

"Still, I'm sure Lute is a lovely young lady by now, with an equally lovely disposition. Who knows, she may even be married!" He slid the vegetable slices onto skewers, along with some meat he had diced earlier, and placed them on the grate positioned over the fire for just that purpose.

Saleh made a noncommittal noise as he watched from his place at the table. A thoughtful silence reigned as the skewers sizzled away merrily, and after a few minutes Ewan removed them and divided them between their two plates.

"I wonder what she's up to," mused Ewan as they ate. "I wonder what all of them are doing now, don't you?"

"Occasionally."

Years of being in Saleh's company had taught Ewan not to take his brusqueness to heart. The sage had been raised rather remotely from other people, and he was not adept at light conversation or at bringing himself to voice his feelings on matters. He was a spectacular teacher, a thoughtful listener, and, Ewan had come to find, he was the most interesting person to talk to when in the mood to do so. Even when he wasn't, Ewan enjoyed simply being in his company, and had learned to speak for the both of them – something he had seemed apt to do from the start.

Ewan was washing the dishes in a bucket of heated water and Saleh was standing by the window watching the light fade when the silence was finally broken again.

"Do you miss them, Saleh?" Ewan asked quietly.

For a long moment the sage did not reply.

"Saleh?"

"…Yes. I miss them."

Ewan stopped scrubbing and looked up at his friend and teacher with a searching gaze. There was a pause.

"But, you know," Ewan ventured, "I can't think of any other way I would rather live. Here, I mean. With you."

Their eyes locked for a minute, and there was a different energy there than what they usually shared, one that seemed to carry a meaning that got lost in the distance between them. Saleh looked away first, returning to his silent vigil of the dusk, and the red-head repressed a sigh as he resumed his chore.

"We have a visitor," said Saleh suddenly, indicating the window. A moment later Ewan caught the lilting strains of a voice lifted in song.

"Afternoon is hazy, river flowing, all around the sounds moving closer to them…"º

"Tethys!" he shouted, leaping to his feet and knocking over the bucket of dishes and dirty water. "Oh, for crying out loud!" He set the bucket upright and muttered a spell under his breath, waving a hand over the spilled puddle. It vanished instantly, and he raced out the door, vaguely registering Saleh chuckling from the window.

"…dreams they never knew–"

"Tethys!"

"Brother!"

Upon reaching her, he grabbed her by the waist and swung her around, laughing heartily. "Ewan!" she cried when he set her down, "I swear you get taller every time I see you! Aren't you done growing yet?"

"I've been done for years, sister-mine," he grinned, "you're just getting shorter."

She smacked his shoulder and grinned right back. "Come on, invite me in, you lout. I've been traveling all day. Offer a lady some food, won't you?"

"Of course. If you see one, let me know."

"I swear, I don't know how Saleh's put up with you for so long."

"He's not related to me."

"Ah yes, that was it." She regarded him with a raised eyebrow, tapping her foot.

"All right, all right," he grinned, ushering her towards the house. "I'll fix something up for you. Gods, but it's good to see you again." He turned and hugged her abruptly. "It's been nearly six months since your last visit. I never know where you are; always off on missions with Gerik and the crew. I worry about you, you know."

"Oh, don't fret so much. I can take care of myself, you know that, and I'm in good hands with the Guild. Besides, Marisa's been teaching me to hold my own in a fight, should it come to that. Dancing isn't the only thing I'm good for."

"Marisa's been teaching you?" gaped Ewan.

"Her social skills have gotten much better over the past few years," Tethys replied, "though she's still not much for casual conversation. But she's a sweetheart, even if it isn't always obvious."

"But what about, you know…?"

"I wouldn't hold that against her. I'm over it, anyway," she said simply. Ewan wasn't convinced, but he wisely held his tongue.

Saleh met them at the front door and greeted Tethys cordially, giving her a quick embrace, while Ewan moved inside and set about preparing a repeat of their supper for her. Tethys and Saleh followed him in, his sister settling herself gracefully at the table while his teacher claimed the cushioned armchair by the fire, which was arguably the most comfortable furnishing in their modest house.

"How long will you be staying with us this time, Tethys?" Saleh asked.

"Just tonight, I'm afraid," she began, but was cut off by her brother's dismayed shout of "What? Why?"

"Hear me out, Ewan," she chided, "I'm here with an invitation." She straightened her shoulders and cleared her throat dramatically. "On behalf of His Majesty King Ephraim of Renais, you are cordially invited to his palace for a festival in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the victory at Darkling Woods and the end of the War of the Stones, and for a, ehm," she raised her eyebrows meaningfully at them, "Reunion of Friends."

"A reunion?" breathed Ewan. "That's wonderful! The anniversary, that's next month, isn't it?"

"The festival begins in two weeks, but Ephraim said to tell you he would be delighted to see you yesterday if that were possible."

Ewan nearly bounced with excitement and came precariously close to losing Tethys' supper to the fire. "Saleh, let's leave tomorrow!"

Tethys laughed. "I knew you'd say that. I am sure," she added, winking at her brother, "that there will be all manner of young ladies eager to meet the heroes of the War. Not to mention I hear that Amelia friend of yours has grown into quite the woman."

"Tethys!"

The dancer laughed at her brother's red face and accepted the plate of food he handed to her.

"You're coming with us, aren't you, Teth?" he asked.

"Thank you. No, actually. I'm traveling to Jehanna to inform Joshua and the others, although I'm sure Josh has already received a formal invitation from a runner. I'll be traveling back with them, so I'll be a few days behind you."

"Aw…" Ewan's disappointment was quickly overcome. "Still, this will be fantastic. I can't wait to see everyone again! Are we leaving tomorrow, Saleh?"

The siblings watched him expectantly as he turned and fixed his pupil with a carefully neutral gaze. "Myrrh can't leave," he said quietly, and Ewan's eyes widened in realization.

"Oh," he said dejectedly.

"You can still go," Saleh told him, "But I feel I should stay with Myrrh. She will be disheartened that she can't be there, and I ought to provide her with company."

"No," the young man shook his head and looked at his sister apologetically. "I'll stay, too. It's not fair that I should get to go when Saleh and Myrrh cannot."

"Oh, Ewan…" Tethys sighed, fiddling with one of her bracelets. She looked as if she wanted to say more, but didn't.

All of a sudden, Saleh rose from his chair and nodded stiffly at them. "Excuse me," he said, and marched out the door. Ewan watched him go with a pained expression.

"Ewan…" Tethys repeated. She stood and led him to the chair Saleh had just vacated, settling herself into it and sitting Ewan on the floor in front of her, his back leaning against the chair. She began to stroke his hair gently, a maternal gesture she had adopted when they were children.

"I take it you've had no luck, have you?" she asked after a moment.

He sighed heavily, spine slumped against her calves. "None. I'm beginning to think it's a lost cause. He just doesn't want to see it."

"Are you sure he isn't simply missing it because he's not looking for it?"

"Saleh is the most perceptive, observant, and thoughtful person I know. He couldn't miss this unless he were trying." Ewan twisted his head around and glared at his sister. "And your little comment back there didn't help matters any!"

"I was just trying to inspire a little jealousy on his part!" she retorted, her voice more teasing than defensive. When he didn't reply, she sighed and wrapped her arms around his chest, giving him a little hug. "Oh, Ewan…" she said again, hurting for his sake. "I know exactly how you feel."

He nodded mutely, because she did know, and he knew in his heart that she was worse off than he. He felt guilty for making her suffer with him, but she had always insisted on being the stronger of the two, on being there even when he didn't need her. In the ten years since the War, he had only comforted her once. They both preferred not to talk about that day.

The candles had burned another half-notch down by the time Saleh returned. Tethys and Ewan hadn't moved or spoken in that time, although now Ewan disentangled himself from his sister and began organizing a bed for her in the common room. The only other rooms the house contained were the bedroom, with two quilted pallets for Saleh and himself, and Saleh's workroom, which was strictly off-limits to guests. Ewan had been several years into his training before Saleh had allowed even him into his workroom.

Saleh watched him work for several minutes before he spoke. "Don't forget to pack anything you might need before you go to bed. We leave first thing in the morning."

Ewan's head shot up and he stared at his teacher, daring to hope. "You're coming?"

"There's no point in my staying," Saleh replied, running a hand through his hair – a motion Ewan recognized as his rare gesture of defeat. "Myrrh absolutely refuses to talk to me if I do. She wants to know how everyone's doing, too, you know. We've been charged with bringing back stories for her."

Ewan exchanged glances with Tethys, who ventured what was on both their minds. "Are you sorry, Saleh?"

The gray eyes met hers for a minute, then locked with Ewan's. There was a pause, and then a soft smile spread across his face. "No," he said, "No. I feel guilty for saying it, but I must admit that I'm rather relieved."

Ewan grinned hugely at this statement and Tethys began to laugh. "Saleh," she said, shaking her head, "You're far too nice. When will you ever do anything for yourself?"

"Duty comes before personal pleasure," Saleh said serenely.

"But duty doesn't always call," Tethys reminded him. "The world won't come to an end if you enjoy yourself now and again."

"Hn," said Saleh, but he was smiling.

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ºEnya's "Flora's Secret," because I'm too lame to write my own lyrics.

Reviews are very much appreciated! I'm afraid chapters will be rather slow in coming and generally not much longer than this one, as I'm currently in the fall of my senior year and have a great many college application essays to write, in addition to CAS hours and extended essay and everything for my IB diploma and the normal homework load. Joy of joys. But I promise you, this fic will be finished, just have patience, please. For those of you who remember Shattered Dreams and are looking at me skeptically, I have two points to make. One, this story is plotted out from beginning to end. There's plenty of room for change, but I'm not going to hit a plothole halfway through. Two, SD is not dead. It's just… in a coma.

Review and I'll love you forever (note: the degree of love is exponentially proportional to the coherency and thoughtfulness of the review).