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“A magic academy… Is that right?”
Merric nodded, the jade of his eyes soft in the evening sunlight as he watched his wife tend to the wound on his shoulder, one of the fire arrows from their latest battle having snuck itself in between the vulnerable flaps of his robe, searing his skin underneath.
“It was quite…the unexpected proposal, although of course, a marvelous endeavor for Askr. To have so many heroes from so many worlds coming together to study magic under one castle roof…” Merric trailed off with a wince as Elice began to rub soothing ointment into the burn marks on his skin.
Said princess glanced up, taking notice of her husband’s look of discomfort. And uncertainty. “Something is troubling you.”
Merric sighed, choosing to look towards the horizon. The two of them were currently resting on a wooden bench outside the Askran stable, with Merric’s new equine companion grazing within the paddock in front of them. The brown horse huffed softly, her walnut-colored tail swishing at pestering flies as she continued munching on her hay, bits of it becoming mingled with the wildflowers popping up from the grass.
“I wouldn’t say troubled…” Merric began as a cool, spring breeze picked up around them, wisps of his hair obscuring his vision for a moment. “More so surprised. Me, of all the talented mages that reside here, to take up such a significant task… It seems silly, does it not?”
Wiping her hands with a small wash cloth, Elice reached for the bandaging in her lap before tenderly pressing a kiss to Merric’s good shoulder. “You are much too humble. I don’t find Princess Sharena’s decision silly at all. …This isn’t the first magic academy you have established, you know.”
Merric smiled softly upon hearing that, turning his head to look back at Elice. The blue of her eyes shimmered with a quiet fondness as the wind pontifex leaned down and kissed her. “But I did not build it alone.”
Elice’s own smile traced Merric’s lips as they pulled apart, noses brushing. “Well, no one said you had to this time, either.” Elice then gingerly glided her hand down Merric’s arm and intertwined their fingers. “Aside from my own aid, I assume the Askran royal family has their own expectations in mind for how they’d like to construct and manage a large enough academy here. …Their library alone is much larger than our magic academy back in Pales.”
Merric rested his head atop Elice’s own. “That’s what I worry about. I still have so much to learn from Askr, that them placing me at the head of this project is…rather unnerving. I was near blushing with how highly both Princess Sharena and Prince Alfonse spoke of me. But…compared to Master Wendell, I am a mere fledgling, Elice…” With a soft sigh, Merric squeezed Elice’s hand. “Of course, I am more than honored to help establish such an academy for the Order of Heroes… But one day, we will return home. What if my efforts and studies are not enough to aid the heroes that follow after us?”
Elice’s eyes were gentle as she lifted her other hand and pressed her fingertips against the bottom of Merric’s chin, encouraging him to lift his downcast eyes. “Fledgling or not, you should know better than I that what you choose to share and leave behind here will most certainly provide meaningful lessons for potentially…hundreds of more heroes to come, maybe even thousands.” Fondly, Elice reached her hand up to tuck some of Merric’s messy green strands of hair behind his ear. “Imagine, students, just as you once were, scouring the library shelves, grateful to just get a glimpse into your mind. Study your notes. Find the intellect and compassion that went into each rushed scribble of ink-quill to paper…”
Elice let out a quiet chuckle then, and kissed Merric’s cheek soothingly. “Perhaps they may even return home, books in hand, cuddle up beside a loved one and ramble on and on to themselves, too enthralled in their excitement…so much so, they forget their own bedtime.”
Merric blushed sheepishly at Elice’s tender, yet teasing tone, knowing she was speaking of his own study habits.
Elice giggled at Merric’s pink cheeks. Playfully, she shared another kiss with him. “You are adorable when you study in the evenings, my love.”
Although shy, Merric’s heart was warmed by the sound of his wife’s laughter and the way her eyes lit up alongside her beautiful smile. How he loved her so. And how grateful he was to be sharing a life with her in the world of Askr.
Gently, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Alright, alright… I’m convinced, I suppose.”
Elice let her smile linger for a while longer as she nestled her head onto Merric's good shoulder. Silence fell between them for a while as they continued watching Merric's horse roam around her pasture. The young mare lifted her head for a moment, ears perked as she heard several other horses whinnying within the stable as their evening feeding time was nearing soon. She whinnied in return and trotted along the corral fence a few paces before slowing and sniffing the grass, finding her hay again.
“What do you think you’ll name her?”
Merric furrowed his brows upon Elice’s sudden question. “I…haven’t considered that. Should she have a name?”
Elice chuckled as she lifted her head and slowly began to unravel the medical bandaging. “Well, she is now part of our family, is she not? Surely, she must be given a proper name. …And while you think on it, I’m going to wrap up your shoulder. The ointment has had enough time to absorb through your skin.” With that, the princess delicately began to wrap the soft bandages around Merric’s bare chest and shoulder, being sure to compress the area within and around his wound.
Merric scrunched up his nose. “I’ve barely begun learning how to battle on horseback… Now, I must name her?”
Elice raised a brow at him. “Is it too much trouble to give your new friend a name?”
Merric stuttered. “W-Well, no… I just…um…”
Elice kept a silent eye on her husband as she continued caring for his wound, noticing his hesitance.
“…What if she were to come to great harm?” Merric questioned in a hushed tone.
Elice paused, her fingers stilling against Merric’s chest.
Merric gulped back the unexpected lump in his throat as he chose to look away from both Elice and his horse. “Putting a living being in harm’s way for the sake of a war that shouldn’t even exist… It seems reckless and unforgiving. I can place myself on the battlefield. But I cannot… I cannot give name nor companionship to an animal I would subject to…to such tragedy.”
Calmly, Elice resumed her wrapping, now chest-to-chest with Merric as she leaned forward to wrap and clip the final end of the bandaging into place against her husband’s back, being careful not to pinch his skin underneath. “Under your care and guidance, I would assume she’d fare just fine. But I suppose your perspective is also…sound…”
Elice fell silent with a frown when Merric suddenly wrapped his arms around her. With a soft sigh, she pressed a kiss into his neck. “…You’re afraid you’ll lose her…aren’t you?”
Merric didn’t respond. He only hugged Elice tighter.
The princess allowed it, relaxing in her husband’s embrace. But his tension didn’t go unnoticed. “Merric, darling… You should have much more faith in yourself.” Then, pulling away slightly, Elice held a hand to Merric’s cheek, saddened to see the pained gaze that replaced the shine in his green eyes from a moment ago. “…I’m still here, aren’t I?”
Merric cleared his throat, trying to compose himself. But Elice knew him better as she brushed her thumb beneath his watery eyes.
“…I’d rather both of you off the battlefield.” Merric whispered, pressing his lips into the palm of Elice’s hand.
Elice smiled woefully. “No matter how many times you push, my answer will always be no. My duty is to protect both you and Marth…and anyone else who needs healing. Whether it be a spring hay fever…” Tenderly, she stroked her fingertips along Merric’s bandaged shoulder. “Or an arrow to the shoulder. …If you are meant to be by my side, then I am meant to be by yours. You cannot change that, Merric.”
Merric shut his eyes. And Elice kissed the lone tear that trailed down his cheek.
“You are stubborn, Princess.” He whispered.
Cheeks dusting pink at the old formality, Elice smirked softly at her husband as his eyes once more met her own. “Oh, am I? May I remind you who refused to let me do any housework when we first became wed? Or even as far back to when we began building the magic academy together… How I could not be left alone for a moment. Someone being much too worried a book or two falling on my head would lead to my demise.”
Merric’s ears reddened. “E-Elice!”
The princess laughed. “Why so fretful? You know I’m right.”
Merric huffed, embarrassed as he looked away from his wife. “…I just want you to be safe.”
The sapphire sparkle in Elice’s eyes softened. She kissed Merric’s cheek again. “And I you.”
Merric couldn’t help but look back at her, his eyes holding both tenderness and concern as he brought his hand up to hold her cheek. He admired the way Elice’s blue bangs danced across her nose, the tips of them brushing along the edges of her rosy cheeks. Silently, Merric leaned forward and enveloped her lips with his own. Elice pressed herself into it, curling her fingers in between the tangles of her husband’s green hair as she pulled him closer. They each smiled into the kiss, their breath hot and their faces warm from the sun and their love.
“I love you.” Merric whispered.
“I love you.” Elice breathed out, their foreheads touching as they pulled apart.
Merric continued to hold her close, his green eyes filled with longing as he looked into her own.
Elice pecked his parted lips. “…Would you like to continue this at home?”
Merric cleared his throat with a nod, his face flushed as he hesitantly checked their surroundings.
Elice chuckled. “We’re alone, dear. Relax.”
Merric looked bashful, knowing he could be rather shy whenever he and Elice openly displayed affection, so used to having kept his love for her locked away in his heart for so many years.
“Although… I do need to check in with you about something.” Elice whispered.
Merric frowned, taken aback by his wife’s sudden look of distress. “What is it?”
“Arlen.”
Merric sighed. “Elice… We’ve spoken about this.”
Elice remained skeptical. “Have we? Back home, I understand, given Arlen returned to Khadein after the wars to aid in the city’s restoration. …But now we reside in the same castle as him.”
Merric looked towards the Askran castle. Although alone, they could easily spot heroes wandering in the garden courtyard alongside the outside castle corridors and the field training grounds that resided about one acre north from the blooming yellow tulips and hickory picnic tables. The restful chatter of evening conversation and the clinking of swords could still be picked up by the wind that swirled around the two of them.
“I trust him.”
Elice frowned. “He nearly killed you, Merric.”
Merric calmly kissed her hair in reassurance, understanding her apprehension. “I know Arlen’s…envy towards me still persists, even in another world. But Master Wendell did well to redirect Arlen’s focus during the War of Heroes, and for that reason, Arlen chose to be an aid to Altea in the end. …I believe here in Askr, Arlen may find other talented heroes that hold both tenderness and sternness in their teachings, enough to match Master Wendell’s. …To help guide him so he may overcome the darkness that still lurks in his heart.”
Elice continued watching Merric. Although she trusted her husband, she couldn’t help the worry that clung to her own heart. Gently, she took his hand into her own.
Merric squeezed it. “…I befriended him once, Elice. There is no harm in trying to rekindle a time long past.”
Elice shut her eyes with a shake of her head. “Like my brother, you are far too trusting.”
Merric frowned and looked down at her. “Honey…”
Elice turned away from him, ignoring the stinging in her eyes.
Merric released their hands and brought his arm around her, pulling her close to his side. He pressed another, soft kiss to her hair, just above her ear. “You know I will remain vigilant. I have learned my lesson, but that should not stop me from giving others a second chance…even Arlen.”
Elice met his eyes once again. “I love you, Merric. And your tender heart even more… But I fear your unwavering kindness may still…”
Merric hushed her soothingly, gently bringing his thumb up to meet her lips to stop her from nibbling at them. “I know… But it is best you keep in mind that Arlen, no matter his feelings towards me, must also keep in contract with the Order of Heroes. He cannot cause me harm. …Just the same as Gharnef.”
Elice gulped upon hearing the last words her husband spoke.
Merric wrapped both of his arms around her again, kissing her shoulder. “…And I have held to my promise to not let him near you.”
The princess could feel the tension returning to her husband as he held her. Quietly, she kissed his arm, feeling the tiny hairs rising on end beneath her lips. “I know you have… Calm yourself, Merric. You will work yourself into a state if you let your mind wander farther.”
Merric rested his chin on her head as he looked towards the paddock. His eyes followed along with his horse as she knelt downward and laid herself above the grass. “…Then I don’t want you fretting over Arlen, either.”
Elice slumped against Merric’s chest. “Funny how the two of us struggle to see eye-to-eye when it comes to our safety.”
Merric chuckled. “If we aren’t careful, we may one day find ourselves bickering persistently, nearly to the extent of Marth and Caeda.”
Elice playfully rolled her eyes. “My little brother is stubborn.”
Merric looked down at her, a glint in his green eyes as he leaned his head downward and kissed her. “You both are.”
Elice arched her neck upward and smirked into the kiss. “You make three, you know.”
Merric blushed, but his following words fell silent as Elice pulled him in, her hands once more in his hair as her lips met his. Merric moaned softly into the fervent kiss, his heart fluttering when Elice sucked on his bottom lip, encouraging him to bite on hers. Delicately, he held her chin. Her cheeks were soft and pink beneath his fingertips, like the petals of a peony.
Eventually pulling away, Elice lowered her hand to Merric’s own cheek, wisps of his hair tickling her palm as she continued looking up at him, simply enjoying the moment.
“Iris.”
Elice furrowed her brows in confusion.
Merric smiled, kissing her again. “I think that’s what I’ll name her.”
Lifting up her head, Elice leaned against Merric again as the two looked towards the pasture together. The horse remained laying in the grass, her head downward as she groomed and nipped at her belly. “I think it’s a lovely name… Why choose it?”
Merric’s green eyes once more fell on Elice. He silently watched her observing the young mare, noticing the small smile that pulled at his wife’s lips. “Well…the iris is not only known for its medicinal properties in healing inflammation, but it can also be a symbol of faith, hope, and courage.” He paused then, pressing a warm kiss to Elice’s cheek. “…And I am lucky enough to have my blue iris by my side, always. And she is more beautiful than any other flower.”
Elice blushed deeply as her husband wrapped his arms around her waist. “I felt my new companion could use your strength and gentleness while aiding me on the battlefield.”
Elice melted further into Merric’s embrace, comforted by the way each soft-spoken word slipped from his lips, echoing his tender heart. Nestling closer, the princess rested her head on his shoulder and looked back up at him.
Sapphire met jade as the setting sun warmed the two into a lasting kiss.
