Ninian was right. After all of the pain, and all of the shame he felt for forcing his grief onto those around him, he realized that nothing was quite as he had always assumed. Sure, Hector and Lyndis handled their pain in different ways. Perhaps to Eliwood, their ways were better than his. But that did not mean he was weak! He would grow stronger and get through this. With Ninian and his friends by his side, he knew there was a bright future ahead of him.
He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could thank her for his kindness Ninian had caught him off guard as she put a grape in his mouth. He paused, closing his mouth to chew and stifling a laugh. A wide smile spread across his lips, and he picked up another grape from the bunch. “Please don’t apologize, Ninian. You made me smile, see? I should be thanking you.” he chuckled, holding the grape up to her lips. “Here, open wide!”
After placing the grape in Ninian’s mouth, he leaned back. He looked down at their food, smiling just slightly as he recalled his youth with Hector. “Hmm, how we met?” he though only momentarily. How could he forget? “It was only ten to eleven years ago, if I recall correctly. The lords of Lycia held a conference that day. It seemed they all decided to bring their children along, too. Perhaps hoping we would become friends.” he laughed. “Unfortunately it didn’t turn out as they had hoped. None of us seemed to grow fond of one another easily.”
Eliwood raised his head, smiling even wider. “Hah, Hector and I… Were were like opposites. I felt as though he was a boy I’d never find friendship in…” he shook his head. It was amazing that such a guy had become his dearest friend. “It was in schooling when I really came to know him. I realized how loyal a friend he could be. I don’t regret spending so much of my childhood with him at all.”
The story gave Eliwood a nostalgic one. It was refreshing thinking of his childhood after so long. His youth was such a happy one, and he knew it to be his parents who made it so. His smile began to fade, but not completely. He reached over, placing a hand gently on Ninian’s hand. “…My father would be so happy to see you here with us today. I could see how much he cared for you… I’m grateful to be the one who gets to take care of you now that he’s not around to do so.”