Birthright

I wandered around the camp trying to ignore all of the conversations going on. All I wanted to notice was the red hair.

“Hey, Lyndis! Have you seen Eliwood anywhere?” I could tell by her reaction that she hadn’t even before she gave me an answer.

“No, I haven’t. But if I see him I’ll send him in your direction.” Judging by her expression, she is also worried about Eliwood. Hell, everyone is. We couldn’t even begin to imagine what he was going through.

Nodding my thanks, I continue my search. I was getting worried, no one had since him since we set up camp hours ago. There wasn’t too many places one could hide with so many companions toiling about.

Mark had suggested we leave him alone right now, but I can’t bear to see him this way. I wanted to comfort him, to tell him that it’s not his fault.

At least I don’t think it was…No, of course not.

We had always been there to protect each other, to fight the other’s battles. Even as children Eliwood would save me in a battle of the wits, while I could use my strength to help him.

~Flashback~

“Get out of here you Pherean brat!” Eliwood flinched as his back slammed into the base of the tree. Erik’s two friends lifted the boy to his feet, holding him still. His hand formed into a fist, and he drove it into Eliwood’s stomach.

A cry escaped his lips as he fell to the ground, doubled over. Erik grabbed him by the collar, lifting him off the ground.

“Just because your father dragged you along doesn’t mean you have the right to be here!” He smiled to himself. He found the fear in Eliwood’s eyes seemed to feed his very soul. He was enjoying the pain he caused.

“Bu-but Marquess Laus told me to! He told me I could look around the gardens while the grown-ups talk!” His voice was trembling as he tried to explain himself. Eliwood tried to pry himself loose, but Erik was stronger than him.

“How dare you lie about my father like that!” Erik slammed him into the tree once again, shifting his grip to Eliwood’s throat. A sly smile slid across Erik’s faced as Eliwood struggled against the tightening grip.

“Phil! Give me it!” Reluctantly, he moved towards Erik, unsheathing an old dagger. Erik took it with his free hand, running a finger over the blade. It was pretty dull, but it would still work. He didn’t wish to seriously harm the boy, merely teach him his place.

He moved the dagger to Eliwood’s upper left arm, running the blade along the skin. Eliwood cried out as the blood slowly trickled downward. Enjoying himself too much, he watched as his hand moved the blade towards the boy’s throat.

“Erik! Stop! You said you weren’t gonna hurt him!” The smaller boy cried out, hoping to bring his friend to his senses.

“Shut up! I know what I’m doing!” But really, he didn’t. Erik couldn’t control his actions, couldn’t control what he was doing with the blade. But then, he didn’t really want to…

“Get away from him!” I flung myself into Erik, causing him to drop Eliwood as he flew to the ground. I watched as he staggered to his feet, now without the weapon. I moved myself to stand directly in front of Eliwood, protecting him from any more attacks.

“This doesn’t involve you… It’s between me and the brat!” Erik spat. He looked ready to tremble as I glared down at him, a small smirk highlighting my features.

“That’s where you’re wrong. This ‘brat’ happens to be a close friend of mine. You got a problem with him, you got a problem with me.” I move slowly towards him, emphasizing my point. It obviously works, as the fear begins to show in his eyes, and he backs up with each of my steps.

“This isn’t over Eliwood!” He yells as he turns tail and runs, his lackeys following close behind. He’s the same coward I remember him to be.

Remembering about Eliwood, I move over to him, kneeling beside the redhead. Erik got him pretty good, he seems shaken up. As I make eye contact with him, I can see the tears welling up in his eyes. He’s trying so hard to prevent them from falling…

“Eliwood? Are you okay?” Before I even knew what happened, he threw his arms around my neck, letting the tears flow.

“…I was scared.” He finally managed to choke out. Wrapping my arms around him, I allowed the scared boy to bury his head in my shoulder.

“Shh…It’s okay, Eliwood. You’re safe now.” I held him close, stroking the back of his head. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally managed to calm down.

“Tell me…what happened?” Unsure of whether or not this would upset him again, I chose to chance it.

“…Marquess Laus told me I could look in the gardens, and then Erik came a-and…” I could tell he was getting upset again, so I tightened my grip on him.

Remaining that way, I allowed him to regain his composure. Ripping a strip of cloth off of my shirt, I wrap it around the cut on Eliwood’s arm. It will have to do until I can get him to a cleric.

Pulling his arm around my shoulder, I stood up, supporting most of his weight for him.

“Come on, let’s get you inside.”

“…Thank you.”

~End Flashback~

Thinking back on that, I remembered how right it had felt to hold Eliwood like that. I really couldn’t understand or explain it, just that I had the most wonderful feeling penetrate him as I comforted him.

I felt that we were more than friends, but how far did it really go?

Hearing Merlinus yelling at Matthew, I couldn’t help but break my train of thought. He was just so loud…

“Matthew! I’m missing a dagger!”

“So. What does that have to do with me?”

“You’re the thief, you took it!”

“Could it be that you misplaced it?”

“What? Me misplace something? Never!”

Sighing, I decide to ignore the situation. I’m not really in the mood to deal with this, besides, companion disputes was Eliwood’s category.

Finally confident with the idea that Eliwood wasn’t in camp, I begin my search in the forest.

“Lord Hector, where are you off to at this hour?” Turning around, I come face to face with our mage, Erk.
“Oh, Erk. Where did you come from.”

“Just…around.”

“Right, fine. Be mysterious.” Rolling my eyes slightly, I quickly remember my task at hand. “Hey, you haven’t seen Eliwood lately, have you?”

“Lord Eliwood? Well, yes, actually. He passed this way about an hour ago.” He replied, having pondered the question.

“Really? Thank you, Erk.” Without waiting for a response, I take off in the direction the mage told me. I couldn’t help it, but I was feeling more worried about him than I should have been.

Just what was I feeling?

Hurrying my pace, I eventually find my way through the maze of trees. Stepping out, I notice that it had begun to rain, and judging by the ground, it had been raining for a while. Letting the rain cool down my face, I look around at the new surroundings.

I have found my way to a cliff, which hangs over the ocean. Any other time, I would sit and marvel at its beauty, but right now, my gaze is fixed on another setting. Eliwood…

And he’s got a dagger pointing towards his wrist.

“Eliwood!” Running towards him, I hit his hand just as the dagger tries to pierce the skin. I watch in shock as the weapon flies from his hand, beginning its descent into the rolling waves.

“Just what the hell do you think you are doing?!” I can’t help but scream at him, seeing him ready to end his own life so easily.

“…I took her life. This is the only way that I can make it up to her…” I hear him whisper. Looking at his face is upsetting. I’ve never seen him look so sad before, ever.

“What?! Ending your own?! What will that accomplish?! Is this really what you think Ninian would want?! To kill yourself!?”

“…It’s the only way. I’m going to end this!” As he says this, I can see the determination rising in his eyes. Seeing no other way to snap him from this, I slap him…hard.

Watching as he falls back, I get a clear glimpse of his face. His hair is wetted down against his head, making him seem years younger. His eyes are red, and are shut slowly. His face is wet, from both the rain and the tears. It hurt to see him like this.

And finally, I understand this feeling. The reason why it felt so right being with him. I…I love him. There’s no other explanation. Oh, but if only it could work out between us.

This relationship would never be accepted, what with our birthright. And even if it would be, he could never feel the same about me. It’s obvious his heart will always belong to Ninian.

Hearing a sniffle, I look down at the redhead. He’s trying so hard to keep from crying, not that I could really blame him. Having lost the one he loved, and having lost control of himself.

Screw birthright, he needed someone. I could be his shoulder to cry on. Dropping to my knees, I embrace him, feeling his arms wrap around my neck lightly. He buries his head in my shoulder, and lets the tears flow…

Just like last time…

Stroking his hair, I don’t bother to press him for questions. I can understand why…

He lost control of himself. Almost ended his life. He was scared. But this time, he was unable to stop the tears. Overjoyed with the fact that he was in my arms again, I did the only thing that was on my mind.

Taking his chin in my hand, I slowly lifted it upwards, and pressed my lips against his. I selfishly didn’t care what he thought…I was doing this for me. I watched as his eyes flared up in shock, waited for him to punch me, but it never came.

I was surprised by the fact that he didn’t pull away, and even more surprised when his eyes slowly closed themselves. Finally ending the sweet kiss, he looked up right at me.

“Did you ever notice how it feels so right when we’re together, Hector?”