Title: A Knight, A Princess, A Promise

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones, but I do own a copy of the game…Which I enjoy playing, often…

Rating: T for Graphic Blood/Violence

Genre: Action/Romance/Drama

Pairings: Seth/Eirika, Ephraim/Tana

Summary: "I love my duty, Princess Eirika, for my duty is to you. I will protect you from anything and everything…I keep my duty close to my heart for that is where you are…" Seth and Eirika, in the gardens of the Frelian Palace. REVISED AND REPOSTED.

A/N: I realize that this plot is not the most original one, seeing as it's basically all game dialogue…but this is what came to mind when I thought of Seth and Eirika during their stay in the Frelia Castle. Hope you like it!

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Chapter One:

Renais was a beautiful place in the summer. The skies were always clear and blue, the wind warm, the grass green. But, today, this good weather would forever mark the turning point of Renais' history…and all of Magvel's.

King Fado stared around his throne room, anxiety written on his face. His usually kind eyes were clouded with worry and confusion, and his teal-hued hair dropped at his shoulders, matching his short beard and moustache. Unlike many other Kings and rulers, he wore no armor. On his chest, shoulders and knees were leather, dyed azure to match his green and blue robes.

He wasn't alone in his throne room. On either side of him were his two most trusted generals, Kelen and Jirsey, both dressed in the standard blue and green armor that marked the membership of the Renais military. Jirsey and Kelen were twins, not yet thirty years of age, but were unrivaled masters of the sword.

His daughter, Eirika. Princess of Renais. She stood facing the window, a blank look on her young, beautiful face. Her aquamarine hair flowed down her back and down to her waist, shifting every so often in the breeze. On her torso, she wore cream-colored armor, which consisted of shoulder-guards and a breastplate, over a red top with short sleeves. Her legs were covered in leather boots died crimson to match her top, and a loose white skirt. Most important was the golden bracelet on her wrist. He had given it to her on her twelfth birthday, the day she was crowned Princess of Renais.

Beside her was the "Silver Knight" Seth, a brilliant general with ordinary armor (blue and green, of course) and leather boots. The clothes under his armor were as normal as the clothes that many vendors in the local villages wore, if not more so. His hair was crimson and always out of place, and his eyes were the same color.

Though King Fado dare not say it aloud, his daughter Eirika and General Seth looked to be a very good match.

Seth stood at Eirika's side, hand on the hilt of his sword. No one overlooked the fact that he stood perfectly aligned with the door of the throne room, blocking the Princess both from sight, and from any attack that might occur.

King Fado smirked knowingly. That knight showed more respect and loyalty for the Princess than any other royalty in all of Magvel. Just as Fado began to think of wedding plans, a loud bang interrupted his thoughts.

A Renais soldier ran into the room, gasping for breath. The blue-gray armor on his broad shoulders was cracked and bloody, telling the occupants of the throne room a story about the gruesome battles outside. He had sandy brown hair that was disheveled and singed.

"Your majesty, I bear bad news!" He dropped to his knees, both bowing in respect and collapsing from the exhaustion. Still out of breath, he continued his report. "The castle gate has been breached. Emperor Vigarde's forces are within the castle's walls."

Fado's face was an emotionless mask. "I understand."

"The…" The soldier seemed hesitant to continue, but did, as was his duty. "The garrison has fallen. We've lost all contact with Prince Ephraim and can expect no aid from his men. Your Majesty, what are we to do?"

All eyes in the room turned to King Fado, who stared at the others in turn while pondering his options.

"…What else can we do? Order your men to lay down their arms."

Several gasps followed this order. The soldier nodded hesitantly. He opened his mouth to speak, but snapped it shut, bowing quickly before sprinting from the room.

Eirika stepped forward.

"Father…" Everyone turned to her, startled. It was the first time she had spoken since the war on Renais started. She was upset that allied countries, especially ones where her best friends ruled, were at war with each other. And after her brother, Ephraim, went missing…Everything was just so hectic.

"Eirika…" King Fado stood, addressing the Princess in an anxious tone. Eirika looked at her father, pleading with her bright blue eyes. 'Please…' she thought. 'Please don't tell me to run away…'

"Are you wearing the bracelet I gave you?" His words were rushed, as though he expected the throne room to be ambushed at any given moment. Eirika raised her arm questioningly, showing him the decorated wristband of gold.

"Yes, I have it right here." She dropped her arm, staring with confusion at her father.

"Good." King Fado turned to Seth, a serious look upon the king's usually kind face. "Seth."

Seth, noting the serious look, stepped forward so he was beside Eirika. Glancing at her through the corner of his eye, he saw her worried features. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Take Eirika and head for Frelia. King Hayden is an honorable man. I trust he will keep you safe."

This order got everyone's full attention. Eirika let out a muffled cry, while Seth just tensed. Jirsey and Kel switched glances. King Fado ignored their reaction, still staring into space, distracted.

"Understood," Seth said curtly. He felt pressure on his right side and looked over to see Eirika, clinging to his arm with a horrified look on her face. He nodded reassuringly and turned his attention back to his king. "And what of Your Majesty?"

King Fado glanced down at the calm, loyal knight. "Me? I shall remain here."

Eirika swayed on her feet and Seth's arm shot out to steady her, without him even realizing it as he pulled her slightly closer to him. She leaned on his arm slightly as she stifled a sob.

Though Eirika's reaction pained him, he did not falter. "We have long held Grado among our dearest allies, yet now, they attack? I must know why." His brow furrowed as he frowned, striding over to the window. "Am I somehow responsible for this? Have I erred in my leadership? Renais is mine to guide…How could I have failed her so?"

Eirika shook her head, stepping toward her father. Whirling around, Seth caught her wrist in a firm grip and tugged her gently back into his chest. She struggled, but he held her tightly in his imprisoning embrace.

"Father, you can't stay! You musn't!" Tears of fear pricked her eyes. "If you remain behind, then so shall I!"

Fado pointed to the door of the throne room, closing his eyes to block out his daughter's words. "Go now, Seth! Ride! Take her to safety!"

Seth nodded to his King, giving him one, final salute. He pulled at his Princess in urgency, but she wouldn't budge. She fought to get to her father, but Seth overpowered her easily. He dragged her into his arms, lifting her up as he placed one hand under her knees. The other wrapped around her back to hold her in place against his chest as he ran. Eirika sobbed, trying to kick her way out of Seth's arms.

"Father!"

Seth frowned, clearly upset that he had to separate his Princess from her father. He hugged her tighter as the loud clangs and crashes of battle approached them. "Forgive me, Your Highness." The Grado troops turned the corner toward the throne room just as Seth left the corridor.

Once they left the room, Jirsey and Kelen stood in front of the door, barring it shut.

King Fado stood bravely by his throne, silently praying for his son, Ephraim, on the battlefield and his daughter, Eirika, on her way to Frelia. Loud, ominous pounding on the great wooden door alerted King Fado of the Grado forces within the corridor. He tilted his chin defiantly as they broke the door down. The soldiers were dressed in red and gold, as was Grado tradition, and wearing faces of victory and joy.

Tens of Grado men were too much for the young Renais generals, and soon met their end. In a matter of seconds, they had forced the Renais king to his knees, an iron axe poised over his head. His last words were,

"Ephraim, Eirika…You must survive."

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A/N: How was it? I am absolutely IN LOVE with this game. It's awesome. I haven't seen that many SethxEirika pairing fics out there…I don't know. I know this first chapter is just of the game dialogue but I think I did okay, considering all I had to work with was dialogue, blinking character profiles during support conversations, and a computer.

REVIEW PLEASE!! I worked so hard…I made sure the dialogue was WORD for WORD like the game. Don't I deserve a review?? Well, thanks for reading, anyway!