Melee Academy of Higher Learning for Boys

Year Three

-Epilogue-

Author's Note: There was only supposed to be twelve chapters originally. However, my subconscious thought I could do a better ending, hence why there's an epilogue here.

This is the real end of Year Three.

Thank you guys so much for your support through the year this story's been going on. Thank you to all the people who've stuck with me since Year Two, or even before that with Melee School Boys. Though I may not reply to your reviews, I read every single one and they always put a smile on my face. This is where I thank everyone, reviewers and readers alike.

Thank you all so much!

Jayden

-x-

Roy rarely received any mail during his stay at The Manse. Sure, he got the occasional "WE WANT YOU FOR THE ARMY" mail, or even companies giving him free credit cards and money providing he sign his life away and vow to be their bitch. Sometimes he even received something from Lilina, his best friend back home, containing gifts that could only be found in Lycia, like certain fruits he enjoyed.

Roy was not prepared to receive a scarlet coloured envelope on this lovely August morning, where everyone was bright and cheerful for Zelda and Ganondorf's wedding later on in the day.

"What's that?" Marth asked when Roy returned to their bed. He leaned over the general's shoulder so he could have a closer look.

Roy turned the envelope over in his hands so he could see the seal. It was of a lighter red, almost like a crimson colour, and on it was his family's coat of arms.

"It's a letter from my father," Roy answered, and he cut the seal. "I wonder what this could be about?"

Marth encircled his arms around Roy's waist and murmured in his ear, "He probably misses you and wants to know how you're doing."

Roy pulled the folded letter out of the envelope and opened it so he could read it.

"But he knows that I'll be leaving in two days to visit. He couldn't've waited until then?"

Marth kissed Roy's jawline and pulled him closer. "Just read it, Roy. I'm sure there's an explanation in there."

Lord Roy,

It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you of your father's passing. Due to his deteriorating condition, no letter or messenger on the fastest Pegasus would have been able to send for you in time.

Marth felt the muscles in Roy's shoulders and back tense ever so subtly, and knew that was a cause for concern; Roy was normally relaxed and quite laid back after all. That and Marth was very good at reading people – that part of his job as a king, after all – and he had been around Roy long enough to know when something was bothering him.

"Love?" When Roy didn't answer, Marth tried again with a more softer, "Roy?"

Roy swallowed hard as the news from the letter finally hit him. It hit him like a tidal wave would hit the shore during a storm, with the impact hard and unforgiving, with salt stinging his eyes and living a bitter taste in his mouth, and when the wave would recede, the sudden coldness left behind.

"My father… He died last night." He felt the tears stinging at his eyes, threatening to fall if he wasn't too careful.

Marth wasn't sure what to say except for a whispered, "I'm sorry."

Roy sniffled. "He was…ill for a long time. He… He deserves to rest… peacefully."

Marth hugged him tighter now – it was all he could really do.

"You don't have to be strong all the time, you know," Marth whispered. "You need to grieve instead of setting it aside."

"But I should have expected this—"

"I expected my father to die as well, eventually, in the heat of a battle… And I still wasn't prepared for the news of his death, either."

"But—"

"Roy… I'll be strong enough for the both of us. You don't have to hold it in anymore. It will drive you to the edge if you don't let it out."

When Marth felt the trembling and Roy clutching to him for dear life, he held him even closer than before.

I'll be strong enough for the both of us.

-x-

Dear Zelda and Ganondorf,

It is with my deepest regret that I must inform you that Marth and I will not be able to come to your wedding. There has been a death in my family, and as a result, I will not be able to make it. Since Marth is coming with me, he will not be able to attend, either.

Apologies for any inconvenience we have caused. I know this is short notice, and I am sorry for that as well.

Sincerely,

Roy (and Marth)

Zelda quietly pocketed the note just as the wedding guests began to arrive. Samus was scowling as she munched on hors d'oeuvres. Zelda had had a little pre-wedding party just to calm everyone's nerves, and of course the best thing to calm people's nerves was food. Peach was happy as could be in her gown of light blue and ivory with gold trim, admiring the flowers adorning the pews, the red carpet runner that carved a straight path right to the altar, and how tastefully dressed everyone was. She remembered Luigi and Daisy's wedding, where most of the guests looked like they had just woken up and stepped out of the house. She shook her head, ridding negative thoughts from her head. This was Zelda's special day! No need to remember horrid wedding disasters now…

"You're acting like this is just a regular day," Peach remarked as she toyed with her bouquet.

Zelda shrugged. "Just because I'm getting married, doesn't mean this day can't be a normal one."

Link shot Ganondorf a glare as he went past to get to Zelda.

"Zelda, I need the rings."

Zelda flushed as she retrieved them. "…Almost forgot."

Link took them and placed them in his tuxedo jacket's pocket.

"Hey, Peach, where're Roy and Marth? Shouldn't they be here by now?"

Peach shrugged. "Why would I know where they are? I'm not in charge of that."

"They're not coming."

Everyone looked at Zelda then. She didn't look perturbed in the least by this fact.

"But they're like, the only groomsmen you have!" Link said, unaware of the acoustics amplifying his voice so everyone could hear.

Peach motioned with her hands for him to quiet down. "Link, we're in a church. Please calm down."

"Peach and Samus were going to walk down by themselves anyway, so why is it such a big deal?"

Link stood there with a blank look on his face. "See, Zelda, this is a sign you shouldn't've married Ganondorf. Marth and Roy deserted you."

Link didn't see the death glare Ganondorf gave him.

"That's not the reason in the least," Zelda replied, still calm as ever.

"Then what?"

"There has been a death in Roy's family, and Marth went with him for support."

No one spoke for a moment. Peach bit her lip and wondered if he was all right; Link still had that blank stare on his face, which quickly turned into one of disbelief; and both Zelda and Ganondorf remained stoic.

"Now if the interrogation is over, I'd like to get this wedding started," Zelda stated, just as the music changed.

-x-

"…If anyone objects to this union, please speak now or forever be silent."

"Until there's a divorce," Young Link muttered to Popo, who started laughing. Ike smacked Young Link upside his head.

"Shut up you two."

"I have an objection or five."

Everyone in the church faced Link then, who had his hand held in the air.

"What are you talking about, Link?" Zelda asked, an annoyed look on her face.

"You can't marry him, Zelda," Link said. "I won't let you screw Hyrule over. You may not give a damn, but I do."

Zelda scoffed. "My father knows what he's doing—"

"No offence, Zelda, but I think your father's a senile old man who doesn't remember the fact that Ganondorf almost destroyed Hyrule."

Someone in the congregation coughed, and Young Link raised his hand too.

"Normally my older self is an utter moron, but…" He stood then. "He's right. Maybe not necessarily about your father, but about Hyrule. If you really don't care that much about Hyrule, you can go ahead and get married to the very man who tried to destroy it and take the Triforce for himself. But if you do care, walk away now before it's too late."

The pastor looked confused.

"Just continue with the ceremony and pretend they said nothing," Ganondorf growled.

Zelda looked rather uncomfortable at all the accusative stares people were shooting her.

"If there are no objections, then—"

"Zelda, you're a smart young woman," Link continued, interrupting the pastor. "You don't want this either."

"You know nothing about royalty, Link," Zelda said. "I'm not meant to marry for love. We never marry for love."

Link scoffed. "Is that why Marth's engaged to Roy? Because they don't really love each other?"

"Marth is a man and can do whatever he pleases," Zelda spat. "Princesses conform to different standards. I'm sorry, Link, but it's out of my hands."

Link fished for the rings in his pocket. "In that case… I refuse to watch Hyrule go to Hell." He threw the rings onto the ground.

"Link, what are you—"

Link walked down the steps leading up to the altar. "You can go down with your kingdom, but I won't follow you."

Everyone assembled in the church watched the Hero of Time walk back up the aisle and out the doors.

-x-

Author's Note: And that's the end of Year Three. Once again, thank you for sticking with me all the way till the end! I'll see you all in Year Four - The Last Year... At least, I hope I'll see you in Year Four.