Chapter Text
Once upon a time, in a house out in the countryside and relatively close to a few other houses and a forest scattered around, there lived a man who had three sons.
This man’s name was Rodrigue, and he loved his sons very much. When the three of them had come of age and it was high time for them to marry, he mulled over the issue of their betrothals for some time. He wanted them to be happy, though of course they lived in an isolated enough region that it might be difficult for them to find good wives.
Eventually Rodrigue came up with an idea, and he gathered his sons and explained that he hoped for them to find wives for themselves. Then he shared his plan.
“Tomorrow, each of you in turn will go out into the field,” said Rodrigue. “The other two will blindfold you and turn you around a few times, and then they will run a safe distance away while you fire an arrow. I am certain that each of you will find your destined wife by following the arrow and finding where it lands.”
“Understood, Father,” said the oldest son, Glenn. “We’ll carry it out tomorrow.”
“Sure thing,” said the middle son, Sylvain. “I just hope my arrow lands in front of someone beautiful!”
“I’m not doing it,” said the youngest son, Felix. “I don’t even want to get married.”
It was true. He didn’t. And even if he actually wanted to get married, this plan of their father’s seemed like a bad idea. The arrows could land anywhere.
But Rodrigue, who wanted his sons to find happy marriages and was also hoping for grandchildren, insisted. And so Glenn and Sylvain dragged Felix outside with them the next day, with a blindfold, a bow, and three arrows at the ready.
As the eldest, Glenn went first. He put on the blindfold, made sure it was secure, and asked Felix to hand him the bow and one of the arrows. Felix acquiesced.
“And here’s where we give you a good spin,” said Sylvain. With a mischievous grin on his face, he grabbed Glenn by the shoulders and spun him around quite vigorously.
Glenn made a startled sound and then said, “Ugh, Sylvain, now I’m dizzy. I don’t know what direction I’m facing.”
“Hey, isn’t that the point?” Sylvain replied. “Anyway, if you think I overdid it, you can spin me when it’s my turn.”
“I might do that,” said Glenn. “Are both of you out of the way?”
“You’re not facing either of us,” said Felix.
“Good,” said Glenn, and he fired his arrow.
The arrow arced through the air and hit a tree that the brothers had always considered a good landmark leading to a particular family friend’s house.
“Hey, looks like you’re marrying Ingrid!” Sylvain said as Glenn removed the blindfold. “Nice aim.”
“Did it land in the direction of Ingrid’s house?” Glenn asked, smiling as he saw where his arrow had hit.
“Well, I know you like Ingrid,” said Felix. “Congratulations.” Still, it was weird to picture his older brother getting married, no matter how long they’d known Ingrid and her family.
Glenn was still smiling as he handed the bow and blindfold over to Sylvain and made the necessary preparations.
“All clear,” Felix called once he and Glenn were out of the way.
Sylvain fired his arrow, and it hit a signpost. Specifically, it was the signpost that pointed the way to the church.
“So?” he said, pulling off the blindfold. “Where’d it land?”
“It’s pointing you toward the church,” said Glenn. “Isn’t the church the home of the girl you often flirt with?”
Sylvain saw his arrow and grinned. “Of course I flirt with her,” he said. “She’s the best. Ah, Mercedes, I can see your beautiful face already.”
Felix made a sound of contempt. Still, at least Sylvain would probably stop flirting with Mercedes all the time if they were married.
“And now it’s your turn, Felix,” said Glenn.
“I’m not getting married,” said Felix, folding his arms.
“I know you don’t like interacting with people, Felix, but I can tell our father wants you to at least try,” said Glenn. “You don’t have to marry anyone for a while if you don’t want to. And for all we know, you might find someone you like.”
Felix sighed. Glenn was much harder to say no to than their father.
“Fine,” he said. “Give me that bow, Sylvain.”
Felix was quickly blindfolded, spun around, and given the bow and arrow. Glenn gave the all-clear that he and Sylvain were safely out of the way, and Felix fired his arrow straight ahead.
Felix was the best archer in his family. That wasn’t bragging. It was just the truth. Of course, this time he couldn’t see what he was aiming at. But as he gave the arrow a few moments to land, he heard some things from his brothers.
Glenn said, “Hm.” Sylvain let out a low whistle.
“What?” said Felix, yanking off the blindfold. “Where’d it land?”
He looked around, even directly behind where he’d fired, and couldn’t see the arrow anywhere. Then he turned to look at Glenn and Sylvain, who exchanged a look.
“Well?” said Felix. “I don’t see it.”
“I…don’t know how we should break this to you, Felix,” said Glenn.
“Yeah, that was surprising,” said Sylvain. “Good luck finding a girl there.”
“Where did it land?” Felix pressed.
His brothers exchanged another look.
“No idea how it happened,” said Sylvain. “The thing is, you weren’t even facing it, but your arrow kind of caught the wind, and, well…”
“It landed right in the forest,” finished Glenn. “It’s like the wind changed the arrow’s direction somehow.”
“What?” said Felix.
“The arrow landed in the forest,” said Sylvain. “I…don’t think you’re going to find anyone in there. Unless you think girl wild animals are cute.”
Felix narrowed his eyes and looked at each of his brothers.
“I’m sure Father will understand if we just explain,” said Glenn. “You don’t have to go into the forest and find your arrow.”
“I’ll take my chances,” said Felix, turning toward the forest. “You go talk to Ingrid and Mercedes. I’ll be back before dinner.”
He said it with enough finality that he knew Glenn wouldn’t protest anymore, and sure enough, Glenn didn’t.
Felix was willing to take his chances. He wasn’t afraid of the forest. Besides, it was better than firing another arrow somewhere else and trying to court someone.
Little knowing what he would find inside, Felix kept walking forward, and finally stepped into the forest.