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Marth sat outside the bakery, observing her ring in her hands. The other was still missing. Lost due to her carelessness. Her last memento of him. Just another thing she had failed to protect… She spent the last two years searching for her companions, only for her search to be fruitless. Now, she was just wandering about. But today, after seeing a calendar in a window, was a day she had almost forgotten about. And she hated herself for that. How could she forget such an important day? For two years, no less! At least now she could make up for lost time. “Here you are, miss.”
Marth looked up, seeing the kind baker handing her a small brown box as she took it in her hands, “Thank you. I apologize for inconveniencing you.”
“I love my job, so it’s not a problem at all. And even though I’m no warrior, I like to be able to help those in need. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s the occasion?”
“Oh, today is my little brother’s birthday.”
“Well, you must be a great big sister to get him a little something like this for him. Tell him I said ‘Happy birthday’, yeah?”
Marth nodded, “I’ll be sure to do that, thanks.” Marth then stood up and began walking away. Out of the town. Away from any prying eyes.
She wandered aimlessly for a while before finding a place to rest. A small forest clearing. Upon finding a tall tree, she sat beneath it, placing the box to her side. She slowly removed her mask and set it down. She felt all of her emotions boiling over as she opened the box, revealing a small blue cake and a single fork, “Happy birthday… It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
The trees began to softly rustle almost as if in response.
“Sorry I didn’t celebrate the last two years, I… I was busy. With a lot,” Marth’s breath became shakier as she continued, “I got to see our parents. They’re…doing well for the most part. It was before they… They were married. I was there for it. The wedding, I mean. I think you would’ve loved to see mother like that. One of the few times she didn’t have that coat. I even got to see Aunt Emm, too. I-I couldn’t save her. Perhaps there was more I could’ve done. More I should’ve done…” The tears were slowly beginning their descent as she tried wiping them away, “Gods, you… You deserve a sister who could’ve protected you better. Who never…never misses your birthday, no matter what! I’m such an-an awful big sister, aren’t I? I even-even lost y-your ring! I’m so…so sorry!” Marth buried her face in her elbow, barely able to catch her breath. No matter how hard she tried, how much she wished for it to stop, her emotions were still continuing their torrential onslaught. Two whole year’s worth of sorrow, guilt, and self-loathing had begun spilling out of her like a waterfall and crashing all around her like a storm.
When the tears no longer flowed and the dry heaving had finally died down, Marth simply stared at the cake as she took it into her hands and grabbed the fork, “You would’ve loved this. It’s your favorite. Chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. Not quite the same as Aunt Lissa’s, but it’s as close as I could get it.” Marth cut into the cake with the fork and ate it. It was good. Nostalgic even. As she ate, she could picture Morgan’s beaming face at both her and his aunt. And even though he could eat all of the cake himself, he would always ensure everyone who celebrated his birthday would get a slice. No matter what. She’d do the same, if not for the fact the others were still out there. Scattered to the winds.
When she finished, she began to feel tired from eating so much. Normally after consuming anything sweet like that, she would burn off the extra calories by practicing the blade. But she was exhausted, both in body and in spirit. As she lay there, pressed against that tree and drifted off, she found herself reminded of the last words she had ever heard him say to her. Did I do good?
Marth thought for a moment before finally succumbing to a dreamless slumber before she finally answered. You always did, MorMor. Always…