Finally XD after who knows how long; here's final chapter of "Trading love for freedom"

Warning: Yaoi pretty much ahead. Not in this chapter...sort of

Disclaimer: I do not own LoZ or FE characters. The only character that belongs to me is Rezo 3 I love that guy

Read and review please. Comments are welcome

Trading love for freedom

A happy ending for everyone

Ike sighed, finally feeling free from a weird situation that had happened just moments ago. He had just got back into the castle, went with Soren so he could fill him in with the reports –that didn't even pay attention that moment- and back to the fountain when someone dragged him to the other side.

"Hey! What's…" but the person pressed his hand firmly against Ike's mouth. Ike couldn't see with the darkness starting to take cover of the place.

"Don't get mad at me!" the man started to say "I'm getting desperate here and I don't really know what to do"

Ike blinked confused, focusing his eyes and shoving the hand away from his mouth "Geoffrey? What are you doing?"

The knight quieted him down, looking a bit frantically around him before talking in a low voice "You have to leave, immediately"

"Why? What did I do?" the mercenary replied, getting silenced again, talking now in a low tone "What's going on?"

"It's this wedding thing" Geoffrey said "It's wrong, totally wrong!"

Ike wanted to reply sarcastically but kept the comment inside, obviously Geoffrey wasn't in any mood for jokes "What's wrong with it?" he tried to sound concerned.

"Well…you see" the paladin gulped "Lady Elincia…I mean the Queen… she doesn't love you that way"

"That I already know" Ike sighed "I've been trying to talk with her about it like forever" he then glanced at Geoffrey and smiled "But you do love her in that way"

Geoffrey jumped back in surprise, trying to regain back his control "What? That's nonsense Ike, how could I ever? I mean she's beautiful and smart and kind but I would never…" he stopped talking once he noticed Ike's smirking and glare towards him "All right I do love her… But she has to marry you because…"

"Oh screw that!" Ike finally snapped "Who says I have to? I'm not royal blood, so I saved Tellius, it wasn't only me, my friends were there too, you were there too, and we all saved Tellius!"

"But you are acknowledged as…" Geoffrey tried to say, getting another rant of the mercenary.

"I don't care right now about that! Geoffrey I don't want to marry the queen, you should do that if you love her, and of course if she loves you back"

"She does…otherwise we wouldn't…" Geoffrey covered his mouth in shock, ashamed of letting that information spill out of him.

"You wouldn't…?" Ike blinked, slowly realizing about it "You mean you and her have… done it?"

Geoffrey nodded, embarrassed and looking to other sides instead of Ike "I'm so sorry Ike…"

"Why would you?" Ike smiled "I'm happy for both of you! You are the one who should marry her, not me Geoffrey"

"I thought that you felt…"

"Trapped? Without an exit? Unable to escape? That's how I've been feeling for the last months! And then I got a beautiful feeling growing inside but not for the queen but for someone else, who opened his heart for me"

"His heart?" the paladin blinked "Ike have you fallen for a man?"

"So what about it?" Ike scoffed "You don't choose who to love, do you?"

Geoffrey nodded, apologizing, but now Ike had a more serious expression "What matters now is that we solve this problem before things get too late for everyone"

"But how will we do that?"

Ike grinned "I have a good strategist in mind that we can ask help for" he looked around but found nobody, his eyes fell a little; maybe he was called out… well he could come later "Let's go ask him right away"

…

"Let me review this situation" Soren sighed, closing his book "Geoffrey comes to you, demanding to call the wedding off because he loves the Queen and now you want a solution for them?"

Ike nodded, swinging back and forth on the chair, while Geoffrey remained still behind him "Could you help us Soren? Please? It'd be the best for everyone, you can see that"

The strategist gave him a soft glare before turning back to his book "As far as it's the best, changing places at this time would mean such disadvantages and complications"

"But Soren…"

"Unless" Soren interrupted Ike, turning his head at Geoffrey "That a third would interfere"

"A…third?"

"The queen had been awfully quiet for the past weeks, noticeable of something going on with her"

"Elincia is sick?" Ike asked, sitting up straight "Why hasn't anyone said…"

"The queen is not sick, at least not in that way" Soren interrupted him again "If it's true what you've come to said and those situations, I'd prefer saying that the queen is pregnant"

Geoffrey's face went pale and his knees lose support and his body gave in to the floor, only to fall on a chair that Ike placed quickly "Hey, you didn't tell me that"

The paladin looked at him, then at Soren and then to Ike again "Because I didn't…I couldn't… how I was going to…?"

"Natural commotion" Soren said "Nevertheless we can use this to our advantage, I can start thinking of something right now"

"Good!" Ike smiled, patting Geoffrey's shoulder "Congratulations! Now, if you excuse me I have to get going" and he dashed outside of the room.

"Quite a rush he had" Soren sighed, returning to his room "I suggest you go back to rest"

…

Ike wandered around the gardens, smiling because the rush of good news, still unable to believe all his good luck. However, time kept running and his smile started to fade, as no sign of the blonde man appeared.

The mercenary let out a small sigh, maybe someone held him from going out and he was at his dorm. If he could get a way to sneak inside he could…

"Oh well, it's worth the risk" he muttered to himself, entering back into the castle and down the corridors, moving into a new area. It wasn't as illuminated as the other hallways, his steps echoing with the solid rock floor and his skin starting to feel the difference of the temperature.

"Feels like if I'm in a dungeon" he sighed, taking another turn, hoping that his instinct would tell him the right way to go.

"Close… but we aren't that low" a voice came from behind, startling Ike and making him jump, cursing to himself he didn't have a weapon for defense, but the thought disappeared when he saw the one who talked was no other than Link; but something was different in him. His usual bright eyes were hazy and red, trails of tears highly noticeable on his cheeks, and a gaze that threatened with bursting in crying once again.

"Link! I was just looking for you" Ike said, getting closer to him, only to get steps back for answer "What…what's wrong?"

"Did you have fun?" Link asked, trying to control his shaky voice "Did you have fun in playing with my feelings? Who would care of that, I'm only a servant, a freaking slave"

"What are you talking about…" the mercenary tried to understand but Link glared angrily at him.

"I saw you! At the gardens hours ago! You were…you were… with that person" he sobbed, feeling the tears forming again "I trusted you, I gave my… my feelings for you and you go and make out with …"

"What? I didn't do that" Ike gasped, Link saw how Geoffrey jumped on him, but he misunderstood! "It wasn't like that Link; Geoffrey just wanted to tell…"

"To tell what? And that close? I'm not a fool Ik…" Link fixed his gaze, losing all emotion "I'm not a fool sir"

Ike's heart cringed "I'm saying the truth Link… he…he told me that he wants to marry the Queen"

"That's your duty…now if you excuse me, I have to wake up early for my labors, have a good night" Link said, passing by Ike and opening the door of his room, only to be stopped by Ike's grip, making him to turn quickly and receiving a kiss. Link's eyes blinked in surprise and sadness, tears flowing again.

"I'm saying the truth" Ike said after pulling away "I would never play with you and less with your feelings…and I hope that was proof enough" he let go of the hylian, walking away "Good night…Link"

…

The next day came and passed with different paces for everyone. Ike barely understanding how he managed to wake up and notice it was already past noon…oh yeah, was probably because the news Soren gave him.

"What!" Ike slammed his hands against the table; his eyes were puffy and reddish, proof that he barely got some sleep "What do you mean the wedding will be tomorrow?"

"Just as you heard" Soren sighed, rubbing his ears from the sound "Seems that the senators agreed to it, because of Elincia's 'situation'"

"But…" Ike walked front and back on the room "How…"

"In my opinion this is a great opportunity" Soren said, standing up and motioning Ike to follow him "Would save us some explanations as well as further demands"

"I don't follow" Ike replied, walking asides with Soren "How is this going to help us?"

"I suggest we start by calling Geoffrey and the others, so all of you can hear what I'll say"

…

Link felt that day as the slowest one he could ever think of, his arms already exhausted from all the work he had. He was glad that the sky was getting orange, product of the sunset.

It's been a long time since he felt so tired; well of course, because before he could do all the works with someone besides giving him a good smile or company.

The blonde cleaned away his eyes that were threatening to cry again and regained his composure, fixing the room designated for the wedding ceremony.

It had been a commotion to him that the wedding was going to be the next day, but since he was so happy with Ike he forgot all related to it. Link shook his head again, trying to think of other things that weren't related to Ike.

But, last night he could see that Ike wasn't lying…then why his mind was playing tricks with him? Wasn't it obvious that Ike was telling the truth?

Nevertheless, he didn't have enough time to think of an answer, as all were called to finish quickly, since the sunlight was already fading away.

…

The wedding day finally arrived, people from high class and some villagers gathering around the rebuilt church, whisperings surrounding the place. The reserved seats were already taken by the royalties of the other countries, with guards at the doors just for mere policy.

"Ike will you please hold still?" Mist scolded him while trying to fix her brother's hair "Everything is going to be al right"

Ike looked at her and went to tap his fingers anxiously against his lap. In just a few hours his freedom was pending from a thin line, not only his freedom as a man but the freedom of his heart as well.

"I can't do this" Ike sighed "It's wrong in so many ways, why nobody can see that?"

"They can see it, but they are too afraid to speak up" Titania said "Isn't that why we are going to interfere? For that we need you to do your part perfectly"

The blue haired nodded, getting scold again by his little sister and getting his hair fixed again.

"How is the groom doing?" Shinon asked from the door, with his arms folded "Or the soon to be ex-groom?"

"Don't you have some girls to flirt with?" Mist looked at him while Ike just rested his face in his hands.

"In the meantime" the sniper replied "Just came to say we are all ready out there" and he walked away.

"We are ready too" Titania patted Ike's shoulder "Come on Ike, time to solve this"

"I hope so…" Ike sighed, nearly dragging his feet to the ceremony.

"Straight up groom" Shinon said before leaving "Don't give us a bad presentation"

Ike walked ahead of them, getting ready for his position, knots forming already in his throat, who to blame for that? The senators of course. But everything was going to be over now, hopefully for the best.

The room went into silence when he walked in, all eyes focusing on the blue haired mercenary, wearing formal garments instead of his usual clothes. Ike's eyebrows kept twitching in frustration with each step until he got to the altar, waiting for the bride.

The music started to play, the doors opening and letting the Queen to enter the room, her white dress standing out with the glimmering sun, her hair neatly fixed in a braid, and her expression showing the same nervous gaze that Ike possessed. She stepped besides Ike and barely gave him a look, but it took Ike more than enough to know what the Queen was thinking 'Please, I don't want this'

…

"Dear beloved, we are gathered here today for the union of…" the minister started to talk, everyone in silent, but outside of the room, the poor Link was trying to get a glimpse of the situation through the small gap left from the doors.

"You won't get any good sight from there" a voice said from behind, startling the blonde and making him turn "You could've just entered the room"

Link identified the person as Ike's strategist Soren, his eyes staring firmly against Link's.

"It…wouldn't be a good idea for me to be there…sir" the hylian excused himself, hopefully getting away, but it didn't work.

"I suppose you must be the person that had been drifting Ike's attention from his works" Soren stated "If it's like that then it's a good timing you are here"

Link blinked "I…I don't understand"

"Just follow me" Soren said, walking to the other side "And you'll see what I'm talking about"

…

Ike wanted so bad to shift positions that he could feel his feet actually twitching to do so, but the hundreds of eyes looking at him avoided it.

The sooner the minister said those words, the quicker things would get; at least that's how Ike was thinking all the way through the amazingly awkward and slow ceremony.

His gaze was fixing from the Queen to the minister to the mercenaries that were behind. Ike tried to focus on the words but his mind went away to other things. He remembered Link and his heart began to pound in anxiety and sadness. He wanted Link to believe in him, that he only found love in him and nobody else and that it was all a misunderstanding.

"Under the eyes or our goddess…" the minister kept talking but Ike was thinking in Link more than anything "…if there's someone against this union…" did Ike do wrong in confessing? Was it too soon?

"I am against it!" Ike blinked, he totally forgot that it was now moment for the real situation, looking behind with a small smile as Geoffrey approached slowly but steady, trying to control the nerves "This marriage is wrong"

"Geoffrey! What are you…?" Lucia tried to go stop her brother but was held back by one of Ike's mercenaries.

"What is the meaning of such insolence?" some senators demanded to the paladin, who felt the courage slowly slipping away from his body.

"It means…that I'm calling this wedding off!" Geoffrey said, clearing his throat "The Queen does not have feelings for Ike in any possible shape for this marriage to work"

Rumors started to appear among the people, wondering what was going on with the sudden interruption, Geoffrey stepping closer to the Queen, holding her hand carefully "Isn't that right?"

"It…it is true" the Queen said, looking at Geoffrey's eyes and a small smile appearing on her face after a long time "This was a wrong idea since the very beginning and I couldn't stop it from happening" she looked at Ike "My deepest apologies"

"I don't mind" Ike said, wanting everyone to hear "The real person who should be getting married here are you two, because you deserve it"

"That's impossible! Why would he…" one of the senators stood up, only to receive glares from the mercenaries.

"Because he protects the Queen and the city with his very own life" Ike demanded "And the feelings they share are proof enough for it, you shouldn't tie people because of a mere title but for their own decisions"

The people acclaimed to the mercenary's words, willing for their Queen to be happy with the man she loved instead of a forceful one.

"It's your moment Geoffrey" Ike muttered "Do it now"

Geoffrey gulped and slowly kneeled down while still holding the Queen's hand "My Queen…Elincia" he looked up at her "Would you grant me the honor… and joy of getting married with me?"

"Oh Geoffrey…" the Queen could feel the tears forming "Y…yes! I would love to marry you"

Ike smiled behind them, satisfied that things were going as planned, when he spotted movement behind one of the velvet curtains.

"He…" Link muttered from behind, his heart pounding in joy "He really … Ike was…"

"Telling the truth" Soren said "Ike should be coming in a second so I'll leave you two alone"

"What? Wait" Link tried to stop him but the sorcerer was already gone.

"You saw that?" Link recognized the voice behind, slowly turning to see Ike "I didn't think you were going to be here…"

Ike's eyes widened in surprise when Link jumped on him, kissing him instantly, feeling tears falling again from his eyes. The mercenary smiled through the kiss and responded to it, wrapping his arms around the young hylian's waist.

"I'm sorry for doubting of you" Link whispered when he pulled apart "I… I just felt"

"It's ok Link" Ike patted the blonde's hair, twirling some strands playfully "We can let that go"

Link smiled, ignoring his blushing face when looking at Ike "B…but shouldn't you be there?"

The mercenary laughed and led Link through the back door "They are quite busy out there they won't even notice I'm gone"

Link smiled, walking away with his hand holding Ike's, enjoying the warmth of it; both finally walking towards the fresh air of freedom.

What? That's it! No yaoi?

I told you it was a 5 chapter story...however! Since I'm such a nice (and bored) person I'll write an epilogue of it with a yaoi scene which is optional~

Hope you like it, sorry for the delay...I'm not quite satisfied with it but well...I tried

And after this I'm going to start working on "A tangled web of emotions" again

And maybe write a sequel of this XD