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‘Twas a few days before the Altean Winter Festival, and all the townsfolk were bustling about their vendors as they prepared for the coming days' events. Multiple shopkeepers were checking and rechecking all of their precious valuables up for the sale of a grand price. Villagers happily moseyed along and marveled at the decorations while a few others stepped in to help with the organization of the holiday festivities.
Just beyond this peaceful village, a young girl watched on quietly as a fond smile quirked at her lips. She always enjoyed this time of year, where the cool weather frosted away the heat as snow piled the grassy fields in a white haze. The plentiful amounts of evergreen that surrounded the province were now kindly draped in shimmering garland and ornaments, where the villagers would light up lanterns a safe distance away so the tree decorations could gleam brightly throughout the night.
Sighing softly, a small cloud of air slipped past the princess’ lips as her blue eyes admired the view just a little ways from the castle she lived in. Humming quietly to herself, she leaned forward and wiped away the snow flurries clinging to her white and red satin winter dress. Thankfully, the thickness and gentle fuzz of her attire was enough to keep her cozy and warm.
Unlike a certain someone who came bounding clumsily out through the east castle door entrance. However, instead of the simple shirt and pants he had previously been wearing, the child running towards her was now wrapped securely in a thick coat of red velvet.
“Elice! Please, stop your brother before he gets himself stuck in the—!”
THUMP!
“...snow.”
The twelve-year-old had just turned herself around at her mother’s call when her brother had fallen into the snow beside her. Elice giggled as Queen Liza rushed over before reaching into the newly formed hole in the ground. Giving a grunt of agitation, the older woman carefully plucked her son out from within the snow for what felt like the one-hundredth time this afternoon.
The boy was whimpering softly at the coldness, looking at his mother apologetically before he took notice of his older sister. He grinned happily before wiggling in his mother’s arms and reaching for the other bluenette sitting on the steps.
“Elice! I wanna play with Elice!”
Huffing in amusement, Liza gently placed her son at the top of the small stair platform as she allowed the boy to run over to his sibling, “Marth, dear, you must be more careful.”
Elice laughed as the toddler completely ignored their mother and crashed right into her, sending the two off the steps and back into the snow. Liza groaned, but could do nothing to stop her youngest child from the enjoyment of their recent snowfall.
Thankfully, her husband also chose this week to check the Altean border with his royal knights before more snow piled up. Therefore, in his absence, Queen Liza made sure nothing would stop her young children from having a joyous winter celebration this year. She watched fondly as Elice easily sat up with her brother in her lap, both of them now covered completely in snow.
Then, the four-year-old abruptly sneezed into Elice’s face.
Liza winced while attempting to bite back her mirth at the disgusted look her daughter was now wearing. However, the young princess slowly morphed the look into an amused one as she wiped Marth’s snot from herself with her sleeve before playfully smothering it onto the boy himself.
“Elice! No! I just had that coat made for him! Dear Naga...,” Liza groaned, shaking her head in disbelief. But, she couldn’t keep herself from smiling as she watched her son giggle his head off before his sister gently helped him through the snow. Clearing her throat, the queen watched them play for a moment longer before she backed up and grasped onto the handle of the fortress.
“Elice, please be careful with him and yourself. I don’t need either of you getting hurt...” Liza spoke firmly before she playfully looked over at Marth, “Especially before Mister Santa arrives. You two need to bake peppermint cookies for him in just a few short days. Remember that.”
Marth was playing happily by his sister’s boots when he popped his blue head up at what his mother had said. His sapphire eyes sparkled with glee as he watched the older woman laugh warmly at his reaction to the mention of Mister Santa. He was the renowned gift giver of their winter celebration, and specifically, the one in charge of giving the children of their home country all of their presents on Christmas Eve night.
“We will be good Momma! Me and Elice gonna make the best…bestest cookies!”
Elice giggled at her little brother as she kindly removed snow flurries from his mound of messy hair. The boy turned to look up at her as Queen Liza made her way back inside. His smile was bright and his innocence pure.
But, even at the young age of twelve, Elice could tell not everything was as perfect as her mother would like them to believe. Their father came home angry a lot, and she always noticed he wanted her younger brother to do things he really didn’t seem to like.
Brushing away those disturbing thoughts, the young girl looked down at her sibling once more as he continued to smile up at her in awe. His short attention, however, became drawn to the snowflakes drifting through the gentle breeze. The little prince became mesmerized by the small, intricately designed flurries as he carefully stuck out his gloved hands out to them.
And, in that moment, Elice took in a deep breath and let herself become entranced by the snowflakes, too, as she took a seat in the snow beside her younger brother. Marth giggled, happily reaching up to the various snowflakes beginning to surround them. The young princess smiled softly at him before she gently raised her own gloved hand to catch a snowflake.
The minuscule feather of ice crystal landed silently on the light blue, knitted wool of Elice’s glove. Slowly, she brought her hand down in front of Marth, the toddler’s eyes widening as he looked down at the snowflake.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Elice asked softly, admiration in her voice.
Marth nodded in agreement, scooting his body closer to his sister’s for warmth, “Mhmm!” However, he held his breath as he leaned in close, his eyes squinting while he tilted his head in curiosity.
“But, um...what is it?”
Elice chuckled as she kindly wrapped her arm around her little brother when he leaned against her. She then brought her other hand closer, where the four-year-old grabbed it with both of his smaller ones and tugged it into his chest as he stared down at it. Elice laughed at his childish antics before pressing a sweet kiss to the younger boy’s hair.
“It’s a snowflake.”
Marth scrunched his nose up at her, “Sn...Snow...ffff?”
The twelve-year-old giggled with delight as she repeated the word to him. The young prince scrunched up his nose before he looked down at the tiny snow crystal again.
“S...Snow...fl...fla...ke... Snowflake?”
Elice nodded happily, giving her sibling a tight hug against her side as he giggled quietly. Marth then watched as his older sister twisted her hand so her palm was facing down to let the ice flurry fall into the snow below. However, his bright smile from a moment ago vanished immediately as he stared at the ground. He was no longer able to distinguish the snowflake from the whiteness surrounding it.
But, the young princess beside him knew better.
She nudged him gently before poking at his pouting lip that was beginning to quiver. Sad blue eyes met Elice’s passionate ones before she looked up to the sky above. Marth sniffled sadly, wiping at his nose as he followed his sister’s line of sight.
Before gasping loudly and jumping to his feet.
More snowflakes continued to fall all around them from the fluff of the nimbus clouds above. The boy was all smiles once again as he bounced up and down with glee, his small, gloved hands reaching for the sky.
“Snowflake! Snowflake!”
Elice giggled fondly at the sight before her. The little boy she cared for so deeply was pouncing about in the snow like a new born fawn. Marth was squealing with delight as he ran around, tripped, ran around some more, and face-planted back into the snow.
It was the most heart-warming and humorous sight that Elice cherished to remember forever...
...
With a soft sigh, Elice let the fond memory fade from her mind as she rested her head against the cold window, her warm breath fogging up the glass.
“Oh the years that have passed since then...when he was just a child and not the man burdened with the darkness of war… And Mother was still…”
However, the princess’ grief was short-lived. For her younger brother may have dealt with such burdens, possibly for years after the battles he endured. But the spirit of the saccharine child he once was still remained within him. A part of him. The hope and wonder and beauty of his curiosity had never left. His faith in his allies and in those he loved most is a gift not many hard warriors share. Let alone a king.
And, to even be in the presence of her younger sibling as the Hero-King himself...
Was quite the awry of what Elice was in for when arriving to this foreign land known as Askr. Yet, here she rests in her own housing chambers she now shares with Merric, her beloved who is currently out helping set up the winter event festivities along with the other mages for the Glorious Gifts celebration.
Looking down, Elice nervously picked at the beautifully sewn, pearl white winter gown she was adorned in. The thick, faux fur glistened proudly with its shine of white sparkle about her wrists. It was soft and quite cozy, but a complete surprise in her provided wardrobe when she arrived here.
She trailed her thin fingers along the plaid patterned scarf of red and deep blue satin wrapped about her person. Its golden stars shimmered gently as she pulled and kneaded at the fabric. She couldn’t help the anxiety she was feeling, for this truly still was all new to her.
Marth and Merric were more than willing when they gave Elice their very own tour of Castle Askr—even after her overwhelming introduction into such a place from those two kind-hearted siblings she had become briefly acquainted with. Letting out another sigh, the bluenette had to smile regardless of all the sudden happenings around her.
The winter celebration in this world was about to begin, and she was able to take her own part in it with her little brother.
And, the various versions of him, as well.
Elice giggled at the thought, for it was quite ridiculous that they all existed here together. But, as Merric loves to remind her, “The more the merrier.”
Letting out a tired sigh, Elice’s eyes continued to follow the trail of falling snow flurries outside her living room window for a quiet five minutes more until she heard footsteps rushing towards her front door. The princess stiffened, unable to recognize who they belonged to. They stomped heavily through the halls as they came closer before she saw their shadow slipping beneath her front door.
Elice, however, remained still and vigilant as she waited for her unknown visitor to knock respectfully. But they never did. As someone as careful as she was, Elice had forgotten to lock the door.
She startled badly as she became blinded by the plentiful amount of red that barged into her private chambers. Her blue eyes flashed with fear before they hardened over in infuriation as she glared at her unexpected intruder.
But they softened immediately as they rested upon a familiar pair of gleeful sapphire.
“Look, Elice! The snow is falling!”
It took a moment for the older woman to find her voice before she glanced out the window again, “Yes...how beautiful.”
Marth tilted his head in concern upon hearing the slight sadness in his sister’s voice. He then began making his way over to her, pulling over a small ottoman as he did so.
Upon hearing the pull of the stumpy, clay leg along the carpet, Elice turned around with a fond smile. However, she bit back a laugh when the foot of the ottoman caught onto the fringe of the rug, causing her younger brother to stumble unexpectedly.
With a small yelp, Marth caught his footing before giving Elice a sheepish smile. Tugging the ottoman free, he finally placed it beside Elice’s own seat before he sat himself upon it. The older woman was still giving him a teasing smile before the two looked out the window together.
“You really must be more careful, Marth. Mother was always right to admonish you on that.”
Marth blushed lightly before giving his older sibling a playful bump to her shoulder, “Oh hush. You’re one to talk. Or may I remind you how you nearly tripped over yourself at my thirteenth birthday celebration?”
Elice scoffed with a playful roll to her eyes before she looked at her brother, “It is not every day you get to celebrate your little brother coming of age. I found it my duty to make sure everything was perfect as could be. So, don’t blame me for losing myself briefly when the chef messed up your specialty dessert.”
Marth chuckled at his sister’s pink cheeks and the fond memory of her almost face-planting into the polished floor of the ball room in their castle back home.
With a fond smile, the younger swordsman rested his head atop his sister’s shoulder as he let out a quiet sigh. Elice smiled softly, for Marth tended to do this a lot whenever he missed being around her. She brought a hand up to comb it gently through his hair as she pressed a kiss to it.
“What brings you here, anyway? Especially, without those manners I taught you.”
Marth blushed sheepishly as he cleared his throat, “U-Uh well...it’s snowing...and Merric says you’ve been in here all day. So, I wanted to know if you’d like to...um...”
Elice couldn’t help but giggle at what her brother was suggesting, “Frolic in the snow?”
Marth picked up his head at his older sister’s teasing tone and crossed his arms over his chest in a pout. Elice continued to snicker as she wrapped an arm around her younger brother’s side.
“Oh, don’t be like that. I would be more than happy to, Marth. But, first...,” Elice trailed off as she looked over her sibling’s attire, doing her best to calm her mirth, “What, may I ask, are you wearing? You look like Mister Santa without his gifts.”
Marth grumbled bashfully, appreciating his sister’s warm hug but annoyed at her obvious amusement. He was actually quite fond of the outfit, and by Naga did it keep him warm. The thick red coat of fuzz was quite comfortable, and he had to admit, the small wreath clipping his new white cape together was—
“And, this is adorable!” Elice exclaimed as she poked at the small, glistening ornaments about the miniature wreath on her brother’s person. Marth blushed darkly at the endearment, despite being in silent agreement. But once Elice began jingling the small bell in the center, the prince stood up abruptly in humiliation.
“G-Gah! Okay! That’s enough! L-Let’s uh... Let’s go..!”
Elice couldn’t help but laugh at her flustered sibling as she watched Marth scramble towards the front door. He nearly tripped over those heavy black boots he was wearing as he finally grasped onto the door handle. Elice slowly got up, shaking her head in amusement as Marth patiently waited for her to follow, his cheeks glowing red in the dim light of the castle hallway.
Elice simply patted his cheek as she walked passed him, “You are being ridiculous. I love your outfit! Now, shall we, Marth? At least you can’t be forgotten in those clothes.”
Shutting his sister’s door quietly, Marth stilled at what she had just said, “…What are you talking about?”
Elice giggled quietly as she turned towards her brother. The prince raised a curious brow at her as he slowly walked up beside her, “Elice?”
Wrapping a gentle arm around his own, said woman pulled her brother along through the corridor as she smiled wistfully, “Do you remember when we went to our very first winter festival together? Back home?”
Marth scrunched up his nose, trying to jog his memory from such a long time ago, "Um... Maybe? I only recall us playing together in the snow...”
The princess smiled fondly at that, her blue eyes sparkling up into her brother’s own, “Hmm... As I expected. You don’t remember almost being left behind, do you?”
Marth’s eyes widened, “W-What?!”
Elice laughed out loud before she reached up and closed the other’s gaping mouth, “Oh, don’t you look all surprised. You’re the one who managed to cover himself all over in snow. Mother and I had thought you were inside the carriage before we realized you had fallen down and became stuck again. We could hardly see the redness of your coat then! But now, I can hear you if you get lost.”
The younger swordsman groaned into his hands, full blown embarrassment never wavering from him as Elice gleefully led the two of them out into the snow-filled courtyard of Castle Askr. She smiled happily, her own winter attire flapping gently in the cool breeze as she looked out to the other heroes in the distance.
Most were gathered by the training grounds, where they were putting their skills to the test in the new winter terrain. Elice glanced over a little ways from where her and Marth were standing, watching fondly as some of the heroic children were out to play, as well, with Peony keeping an eye over them.
The princess then nudged her younger brother, causing Marth to finally pick up his head and look around. Elice smirked as she watched his pouting face morph into one of merriment the moment he realized they were outside. She then yelped in surprise as Marth took the lead, grabbing her hand and running the two of them into the snow together.
“Ah—Marth, slow down!” Elice gasped.
With her brother no longer the four-year-old he once was, Elice realized she had no way of keeping up with him. But, she needn’t worry for a moment longer, for the tight hold on her arm was abruptly released when Marth lost his footing and fell right into the snow. Gasping quietly, the princess quickly trudged herself through it before bending down next to her sibling.
“El’ce!” Came a muffled call.
The older woman laughed as she reached down and tugged on Marth’s upper body, “I’m here, Marth.”
With another pull, Elice was able to free her brother from the snow as Marth sat up and spat out the flurries trapped in his mouth. Then, he shook his head to free more of them from his hair before he sheepishly looked up at his older sister. Elice just giggled before gently brushing away the remaining snow in his hair, “You seem excited. Perhaps, a bit...too excited?”
The younger swordsman bit his lip, his cheeks bright pink once again before he looked up. Elice watched him fondly for a moment before she followed his line of sight.
Above them, snow silently began to fall. The children close by were now squealing with delight, and even Peony herself as they all started running around. Those out fighting in the training grounds stopped clanking their weaponry to gaze up at the flurries coming down around them, as well.
It was a calm, serene moment between brother and sister, however. Marth was smiling in awe as he took notice of the various snowflakes dancing in between the snow flurries. Carefully, he reached up with his gloved hand to catch one. Elice shuffled closer to his side, kindly resting her arm behind her brother’s back as they admired the snowflake together.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
The princess smiled at the soft spoken question as she felt herself swell with pride. It was years ago when the man beside her now had been the little boy of curiosity back then. It warmed her heart to see her younger brother still enchanted by the beauty of nature, especially that of the delicacy of a snowflake.
“I’m happy you’re finally here, Elice...not only to spend the winter festival with me, but...”
The older woman smiled as she fondly ruffled his snowy head, “I know, Marth... I had my reservations when I first came to this world, but...they’ve all fallen away with you here. I’ve missed you, too.”
Marth smiled softly as he cuddled into her side. He then turned his hand over to let the snowflake fall into the never ending whiteness surrounding them before he reached up to the falling flurries again.
Elice smirked playfully as she watched him, “You seem to have matured quite a bit. No more crying whenever you lose sight of a snowflake, I see.”
The younger swordsman blushed pink. He then gave his sister a playful glare in return before he buried his gloved hand into the snow and smooshed a clump of it into her face.
Elice gasped in surprise, quickly wiping off the snow before taking the remnants of it and rubbing it all over Marth’s coat.
Marth yelped, “Gah! My clothes! Elice!”
He abruptly made to stand, with Elice scurrying herself back up to her feet, as well. However, just as Marth went to take a step forward towards his sister, there must have been a hollow space in the snow because he fell right through it. Again.
“Ah—!”
Elice fell into another fit of laughter as she looked down at her brother. Marth’s bottom lip was sticking out in a pout as he was once more covered in snow.
The princess then raised a brow when Marth looked up at her with doe-eyes, “Oh, don’t you give me that look. You’re stuck down there, whether you like it or not.”
Marth’s frown deepened as he watched his older sister walk around him playfully. She then paused, her eyes focused on something as she slowly bent down in front of him. Marth furrowed his brows, confused and annoyed before he felt something land on his nose.
It was a snowflake.
Elice giggled as she watched her brother’s scrunched up face light up once again.
She then leaned forward and blew a puff of air into it, startling him.
“Merry Christmas, little brother.”
