Blue Seas, Dark Skies

The Infinite Stars

A/N: Hi folks! I've been working on this project for a while, and I'm so very excited to finally post chapter one! My friend skyegroves (ladycelicas on tumblr) has been helping me flesh out ideas, plot points and relationships as well as being there for me to bounce all my ideas off of. She also helps me figure out if things aren't working in a chapter and what not. So big shout out to her!! Anyways, please prepare yourselves for lots of Awkward Luci™ and other fun things as we set out on the high seas!!

...

Lucina was jolted from slumber at a clattering sound from just outside her window. Silently, she sat up, reaching for Falchion with one hand and clutching at her sheets with the other. The clattering came again, more insistent, and she stalked towards the open window. A pebble flew in along with the night breeze, bouncing along the floor of her room before rolling to a halt underneath her dresser, and she peered out of her window. A cloaked figure stood in the grounds below her window. Her grip tightened on Falchion before-

"Ho there, dear cousin of mine!" Lucina sighed in exasperation, before smiling and setting her weapon down.

"Owain! I wasn't expecting you tonight!" She called, trying to keep her voice as low as possible so as not to wake anyone inside the castle.

"Well, the time was nigh and the stars aligned! This was the most opportune moment, so I came to retrieve you, that is, if you're still up for this?" Owain flashed her a grin, lowering his hood. Lucina nodded resolutely.

"I am. I'll be right there. Just... try and keep your voice down. You're lucky that the guard hasn't heard you yet!" Hurriedly, Lucina padded to her dresser, curling her feet at the cold, worn stone of the floor. She carefully pulled open the drawer where the clothes she had picked out for this very occasion were sitting in a neatly folded pile. She tugged her white nightgown over her head, leaving it in a heap on the floor, a silvery pool in the shafts of moonlight coming from the window. Dressing quickly, she fastened a belt to her waist and sheathed Falchion at her side before reaching under her bed for a tightly coiled rope. She wouldn't risk the echoing hallways and stairs, her father's hearing was nothing to be trifled with. Fastening one end of the rope to a leg of her bed, she gently fed the other end through the window. She gave a firm tug on the rope, and, satisfied that it was securely anchored, swung herself out the window and leant her full weight into it. She rappelled downwards as quickly as she dared, before reaching the ground. Owain dramatically swept out a hand towards her.

"As nimble as ever, princess Luci!" He exclaimed, giving her his goofiest grin. She returned the smile, clasping his outstretched hand in her own.

"Thank you, sir Owain! You yourself are as chivalrous as the last time we met!" Lucina made a mock curtsy. "But really, we must be going. The guard could come around any second, and I'd like to have as much time for our trail to go cold as possible. We shouldn't underestimate my father's tracking skills."

"Good point, fair maiden! Then away we shall go," He gestured grandly to a portion of the castle wall, hidden behind a screen of bushes. "You know, they really should get this wall fixed."

"Hah! But Owain, where would we be if they fixed the hole? We'd never be able to sneak out!" Lucina teased, and the two of them easily slipped through the small opening.

"You've stumped me yet again!" Owain said, in mock defeat. Lucina allowed Owain to take the lead, following him around the corner of the castle walls, and into the grove of trees beyond.

"This way, m'lady. Stick to the shadows, for we will not be seen if we are one with the night!" He said, in a low, theatrical tone. Lucina giggled to herself, and complied, darting from the shadows of one tree to the next.