#lunarbrace

It had become a rare occasion that both Ephraim and Eirika had even a free moment to spare. Even then, with Ephraim so often in Grado, it wasn't as if those moments often coincided in the same place.

So for Ephraim to come home to Renais after the long, rather unannounced trip back from Caer Pelyn to find his sister unoccupied in the castle garden was, to say the least, surprising.

At the sight of her, despite his exhaustion and the weight of the journey itself, he couldn't help but smile, even though given he'd disappeared with no notice, she'd likely be angry. 

Eirika, 

If I were a good king, I would fill this letter to you with everything you needed. I’d tell you all about the alliances to keep, the snakes to avoid, how to manage the kingdom’s finances, how to get along well in Grado. 

But my hands tire quickly and I have more important things to say to you. By the time you read this it will be too late to speak to me. Forgive me for that. I had hoped I would recover, but my strength was not enough and now you must pick up where I left off for Renais. 

This is written for you not by your predecessor to the throne, but by your brother. The time for talk of the crown is later. You are immensely strong, Eirika, and I know you will live well. I only regret that I’ve so forced you into this role through my own weakness. 

I’m sorry that I could not offer you more in return for all the strength you’ve offered me. I’ve kept so much from you these past few years, always thinking I would be there to keep you safe from the worst of it. It was terribly wrong of me to be so distant toward you, and selfish as it is, I wish now I had not, simply so that I might see you one last time. I miss you.

Your days as my twin end now. You must stand on your own. I know you have the strength. I just regret with all of my being that you must use it this way. We have always been together, but today, despite all my promises, our paths diverge.

May the crown be ever lighter on your head than it was on mine, and may the saints ever smile upon your rule. I will smile upon you no matter what.

Eliwood had promise to take Eirika back home to Renais safely, making sure no harm came to her. But despite the situation, he enjoyed her company. Their conversations came easy and their enemies were fended off quite quickly with their two blades.

“Eliwood?” Eirika began, lifting her gaze up at him, “What…scares you?” she then asked, bringing her eyes to the ground, “You seem so relaxed even during the most dangerous of situations, so, I’m just curious…what exactly do you fear?”

Eliwood stare curiously at the smaller girl for a moment before a smile touched his lips, “Well…” he started, “This might sound ridiculous, but I’m mostly afraid of failing my family and the people of Pherae really,” he told her, his tone now sullen, “My father was an honorable man and great marquess for our people. I know I could never be half the man he was. I'll try, I promise you that, but what if I fail?"

She’s happy. Ephraim knows she is. His sister is radiant as he hasn’t seen her in years, all smiles and warmth and absolute bliss. She wants this, and he cannot deny her. Not when she has this chance, the one he knows he’s never going to have. 

She doesn’t need to imagine that he can’t imagine mornings without knowing she’s just down another hall in the building, or that the thought of riding back from Grado and knowing she isn’t there makes him want to simply never leave again. She’s leaning in toward him, the man she loves, and Ephraim tries his best not to think of him as the man who’s taking her away from him. 

“I’ll visit often,” she says, grasping his hands briefly before moving for a full embrace. Part of her is sad, too. He can’t allow her to dwell on that; he'll bear that himself and leave her only with joy. He braces his hands on her shoulders and steps back, smiling down at her but staying the slightest bit distant. 

“I’m so happy for you, Eirika.”

I can hear your shouts, your cries, as if they are so very far away. The ground is swaying. Standing is so difficult. I don’t know why this is happening. What did I do? There has to be a reason I… Perhaps…

I’m not made for survival…No one taught me how to hunt. No one told me how to make fires, scavenge, sleep safely. I’m so very tired… when did I last eat? Maybe I’ll feel better if I just rest a little. I hope you don’t think me rude if I just lay down for a little while. My stomach is hurting. I probably won’t feel it if I’m dozing though.

What? Don’t die? I’m not dying, I’m just very tired, my legs hurt and I don’t think I could get up. I’m sorry for being so pathetic Eirika. Please let me rest a little while. I’ll sleep easier after seeing a familiar face. It means I haven’t travelled all this way for nothing. Seeing you will give me pleasant dreams, I’ll relive those blessed memories, memories of when we were all so happy.

EIRIKA?

lunarbrace said: “Because there is no point on staining my blade with the blood of someone so pathetic and despicable. But if you insist, then prepare yourself.”

You..you want to hug and snuggle with me? What…what does snuggle mean? I mean… I...