Le Knight de Shining en l'amour

By: Ayato Kamina

Chapter 1: Pursuit of the Pretty Princess

Disclaimer:

I do not own Final Fantasy VIII, nor do I own Squaresoft or SquareEnix. I am simply a humble boy learning to write better. Help me in my quest to write, despite my meager potential to learn.

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She ran away.

Her pursuers, a horde of petty bandits, chased her with pettier weapons. Nevertheless, they were slightly dangerous. They were sent by her father, but they couldn't possibly harm her.

What had happened was this young woman decided to run away from her father since he had arranged a marriage with the duke of the neighboring Dukedom of Dollet. Her father ruled a megalomaniac empire that strove to subjugate the world. Her father was a control freak. She was the control freak's daughter, Princess Lenore Caraway.

That is why she ran away. No longer did she want to be a part of the corruption that plagued her father's mind. She tried to reason with him, but he did not listen to her. Even to the wisest counsel did her father shun away. It was his way or no way.

Where did she run to? She would catch a ship to Balamb where the last resistance was located. All the other countries had either yielded to her father's ultimatum of unbearable taxation or were utterly destroyed. The Galbadian Empire had within its arsenal the best knights in the world, despite their lack of chivalry. Balamb was an island, isolated from the world. Their navy was superb and white sails were the sign of their fleet.

Her father forcing a marriage on her was the last Chocobo egg. He would not control her. If she were to be a peasant's wife to get her own way, it would be so.

Lenore ran with a long stride, her feet pumping fresh oxygen strongly. The port was only a kilometer away; she could make it.

She could hear the distant grunts of the bandits getting closer to her. Yet, she continued on.

"Princess, we're coming for you!" shouted one of the bandits. His voice was traced with drops of venom.

"You can't run forever." said another, lunacy apparent in the manner he spoke.

They were gaining on her like how a pack of wolves would chase a rabbit. She was growing worried, but moreover, her legs were growing tired. The rabbit was slowing down. Life in the castle had weakened her ability to run like in the olden days. She remembered how she used to play out in the courtyard all day, running around in circles- never tiring. Those days were worry-free; those days were no more.

She could hear their shouts. Their murderous threats filled the air behind her, devouring all traces of hope and positivism.

"Your father told us to punish you, Princess." laughed a bandit in glee. "If you come now, it won't be so bad, I promise."

Morose laughter caused Lenore to run faster. Newfound energy gave her temporary speed.

Unfortunately, she could hear the tracks of a Chocobo behind her. They were using Chocobos?

But the port was so close! She could see it. The sailors would protect her then, right?

The stamping plops that came only from the sound of a Chocobo's sprint were approaching closer. The port was only some meters away. She could see the sailors talking amongst themselves, chewing on a loaf of bread for their early lunch.

"Help me!" she shouted, "these men are after me. Please help me!"

Their heads turned to the flurry of motion approaching them. They smiled wickedly when they saw her running towards them. Something was wrong with these sailors.

Lenore then realized she had fallen right into a trap.

These men were sent to patrol any of the harbors for a runaway princess. They weren't just philanthropic sailors that would save damsels in distress. They were eagerly expecting the bounty that would come with a rescued princess. Her father probably hired them.

She slowly reached a stop as the bandits encircled her. She felt as helpless as the rabbit feels when the pack of wolves gets ready to bring the killing stroke. They were sizing her up, instilling fear to tenderize the meat.

"Hey Princess, wanna come home with me before I bring you back to the King? I'll show you fun that doesn't belong in the castle."

"Come with me, Princess. I can show you that fun, only forever."

"Please, leave me be," she said weakly, "someone please help me... anyone."

"But we're here to help you, Princess Lenore." hackled one of the bigger bandits. "We're here to save you from the horrors out there in the world."

"I want freedom," she cried, "I want to make my own choices, not live in the shadow of my father's political schemes."

The circle's circumference decreased as the thugs moved forward to the cowering, frightened girl. She continued to cry piteously for help. Floods of tears roamed down her cheeks and soaked the parched ground she knelt on.

"P-Please, someone help me." she pleaded softly as they came closer.

At that moment, Lenore Caraway first experienced the feeling of true joy. She never felt it in her entire life until that very moment. In her uttermost time of despair, she found hope she believed she lost.

Her savior came and spoke forth with the resolve of a lion, "That's enough."

Everyone, including Lenore turned to the direction of the steadfast voice. There this man stood with the uniform of one the lackeys. His long brown hair covered his eyes, and a scar flew across his face. He was sitting on the Chocobo that had chased her from the beginning. He got off and stood with his broadsword intact. They were all shocked to see one of the bandits revolting.

"Loire, we were sent to aid the Princess to her quarters at Deling Castle, not help her escape to the barbarian isles of Centra or Balamb."

This Loire character spoke once more with the voice of sure trumpets, "The Princess needs assistance that the King does not know of."

Shock was registering in all the faces of the bandits. This renegade was now speaking treason against his own King. He was as a good as dead.

"Are you throwing all your life's work for this wench!" yelled one of the bandits in outrage.

"You have served in Galbadian's Legions ever since childhood," said one of the biggest brutes of the group, "you're one of the finest knights that Galbadia has. Why are you betraying our king?"

"Because it's right," said Sir Loire. "I'm doing what I should have done a long time ago."

He pulled out his broadsword and prepared for combat, "Seifer, come forth, and we shall duel."

Then Lenore realized that these weren't just some bandits, but they were of the Knight Corps. They didn't have their armor on which was why she was initially confused. She knew who Seifer Almasy was. He was the best swordsman in Galbadia. He was Galbadia's Paladin in arms. He had slain hordes of men with his greatsword Hyperion, wielding it in the same manner as a child using a paintbrush.

This Loire, how come she never heard of him? How could he just challenge the greatest knight in Galbadian history? Was he that brave to risk his life for the Princess?

Paladin Almasy came out of the crowd, brandishing his silver Hyperion. Outfitted with a smirk, he said, "Very well Zephyr, I enjoyed sparring with you in the past, but this time I will scar more than your face."

"A wager- If I win then I leave with the princess to paradise everlasting. If you win then you take the princess back to hell."

They readied their stances before Sir Loire threw something onto the ground. Sudden smoke erupted before them, blinding all sight from their escape. Sir Loire grabbed hold of Princess Lenore, leapt onto his Chocobo and sprinted off eastward.

"Next time, Almasy." he said. "You know how much I go by my word."

"I should have known!" shouted Paladin Almasy. "I shall chase him alone, leave him to me, my brethren."

Paladin Almasy grabbed hold of a Black Chocobo and sprinted off in pursuit of the fleeting squall.

They entered a majestic forest with an abundance of branches that roofed them. The sun could no longer be seen in the forest. The ground was filled with dry leaves; every step the Chocobo made could be heard through the distinct snapping of the carpet of leaves. Lenore never tasted fresher air before.

She grabbed hold of the knight that maneuvered the Yellow Chocobo gracefully. They zoomed past magnificent trees, causing them to look like blurs. They were probably going about thirty kilometers an hour!

She dreamt of spending the rest of her life with this unknown knight that saved her. Such honor and chivalry he displayed by rescuing her. She thought that the Galbadian Empire didn't make knights like these anymore. She had fallen in love hopelessly. If he were to ask of her to bear his child, she would do it instantly.

She looked to the trees beside her and noticed they were becoming more solid. They were not blurs anymore. She suddenly noticed that Sir Loire was reaching a halt.

"Why are we stopping, Sir Loire?"

"...Part of the plan." he answered with a voice that masked all the confidence he once displayed. His voice became emotionless and stoic like the calm river that moved along its course.

"They'll catch us." she said frantically.

"...Part of the plan." he emphasized with the same expressionless voice.

Why was he talking like this now? Where was the gallant voice that once intended that he would save her from all danger? What was wrong with her hero, her husband to be?

A Black Chocobo was approaching, and Princess Lenore saw that it was the Paladin Almasy. She tensed up realizing that something peculiar was going on. Why would they wait for the perpetrator?

"What's going on, Sir Loire?" she trembled.

Paladin Almasy coolly got off the Black Chocobo and approached Sir Loire and Princess Lenore. Hyperion was still in his hands, and he brought his sword up high to the air above.

Princess Lenore gasped at what was about to happen.

He stuck Hyperion to the ground, making an earthy noise. Lenore thought wrong; Almasy was here for good reason.

"Our superiors have given orders to safely requisition her to Balamb's custody. Till then, you are in charge of her, Zephyr." said the Paladin with a warm smile sketched on his face. "Good luck my friend."

"Whatever," said Loire, "get out of here before Caraway's lapdogs see all this."

"I came here for a reason, Zephyr." said the Paladin with his hands searching for something in his satchel. He took out a pouch. "Take this Gil, you'll need it."

He also took out two passports and gave them to Sir Loire. "You're Squall Leonhart now. There is no more Zephyr Loire. The princess is no longer Lenore Caraway, but will be Rinoa Heartilly... from now on no more referring to her as Princess."

Lastly, the Paladin handed them a set of clothes for each, "Change your clothes a little later so they don't recognize you."

"...Thanks," grumbled Zephyr or Squall. "Farewell, my friend."

"Good day, Squall. I hope I'll see you again. I'll continue to lead Balamb's reconnaissance team. ...SeeDs to plant a better world?"

"SeeDs to plant a better world, Seifer Almasy." returned the comrade.

They rode on separate ways, but were still on the same side. The newly named Rinoa was fastened tight onto Zephyr, I mean Squall.

He was so quiet, not uttering a single word. When she first grabbed hold of him, his body shuddered with the fury of an earthquake. He was so shy in real life.

Now she understood. The whole fight scene before was preconceived. Paladin Seifer Almasy and Squall had planned this. They were the resistance fighters also known as SeeDs. But wait, they didn't plan this, someone at Balamb did, the guy in charge.

If the time were to occur that the Princess were to run away, Balamb was there to help... or maybe not. This knight was following orders through a contract of some sort.

She felt disgusted of her earlier feelings of giddiness towards this knight... this mercenary. He was just doing his job. She could not believe that she wanted to actually bear his child and be betrothed to him. How naïve she was.

"So this whole thing was planned by your superiors in Balamb?" asked Rinoa. "I'm just another puppet in someone else's scheme?"

He didn't answer at first, but there was a momentary silence. Then he replied slowly, "Yes, you are to be safely held at our kingdom."

"So this is just a kidnapping?" she retorted.

"Yes, we are kidnapping you for safekeeping." he replied coldly and at the same time with amusement.

"How could you!" she cried. "I'm not better off than before, I want to be free."

"Look, Princess... I mean, Rinoa, you're never free in this world. There's someone always pulling some strings. Just get over it." he sighed. He didn't enjoy saying so many words. They flowed so unnaturally from him.

"You... you meanie." Rinoa didn't know what to say, so she stuck with poking at his ego.

"Whatever." he replied. He raised his hands in protest, not wanting to argue. Apathy was plastered on his face like a sudden gray on a vibrant canvas.

As they were about to leave the forest, Squall stopped and left his Yellow Chocobo next to a tree. He fastened it securely and started searching in his satchel. He pulled out the clothes that Paladin Almasy gave earlier.

He turned around so that his back was facing Rinoa's. He then threw her set of clothes to the Princess and said, "Change into these."

She was shocked that a knight could treat her so. They couldn't just change in public! People could be watching!

She watched curiously as Squall changed into his clothes. She noticed that when he lifted his shirt, he had a copious amount of scars etched onto his back. She blushed, realizing that she shouldn't have been watching.

"Did you finish?" asked Squall, still not turning to face her.

"No, I'm not going to change outside," she said. "I'm a Prince-"

"Rinoa, you're not a Princess anymore." he said. "So get dressed, I won't watch. Just tell me when you're done."

She grudgingly took off her dress and slippers. Then she put on the apparel that commoner's wore. With a frown on her face, she said, "I'm finished, Squall."

He walked back to the Yellow Chocobo. He did not even motion for her to come, but simply walked there as if she was supposed to follow.

Rinoa could not take it anymore. She would not be stuck with this heartless, unrespectable knight for the rest of the trip. His antics infuriated her. So what if he rescued her? He was so deplorable that she wanted to scream to the whole world that she was being kidnapped by a meanie. She walked off deeper into the woods, not looking back. She would escape while the chance was still beckoning her to follow.

It took a decade for Squall to realize that she wasn't coming. He turned around to see what she was doing. His eyes widened when he realized she disappeared from all sight.

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Author's Notes:

Yes, I decided to wing another story. I have no idea where this story will go, but I guess it's just an experiment to see how well I can improvise. As you've finished reading this, please critique through that Hyne-blessed 'submit review' option on your bottom left corner. I want all the reviews I can get. Anything I can improve and such. Let's weave this story together.

If you haven't noticed, Lenore was the test name or something like that before Final Fantasy VIII came out. They were going to name Rinoa that, I think. Maybe it was some rumor.