Disclaimer: I do not own anyone in Fire Emblem except Niana and maybe some more characters if I decide to add them. Please review; I really appreciate the comments. I have also changed it a little for those few who have already read the original. I took to heart the comments given and I agreed that some of it needed to be developed and made my own. Parts of the characters' personalities are different, but i hope you like the new format. Thank you again for the comments.

She kept to the shadows hoping they wouldn't see her moving as quickly and quietly as possible; praying that she would get away. She ran all night and by early dawn she found herself in the middle of a plain area. Her flight had exhausted her to the point that she could no longer stay conscious and collapsed where she was.

A young plains woman, about the age of 18 with long green hair, was scouting out the area when she saw something in the tall grass nearby. It was a girl about her age laying in a dirty heap. She looked like she was in trouble. Her face was covered by the hood of her forest green cloak, so she could not see her features or hair color but that wasn't really important right now. The plains woman quickly carried the girl back to her home and cleaned her up. She laid her on a bed and waited. While she waited she studied the now cloak-less girl who looked to be about her own age. She was dressed in simple clothes. She had purple, fingerless elbow gloves; a form fitting purple dress, with a gold belt, that flowed at the bottom; and black hiking boots that ended just below her knees. Her face was not so simple; it was rather beautiful in her rescuer's opinion. She had fair skin with a slight tan from all that traveling the plains woman assumed she did. She had slightly rosy lips and a small pink blush across her cheeks. Her hair was a cerulean color that went down to her mid back with a couple braids near her face. Her earrings and necklace were teardrops of a stone that matched her hair. The plains woman really had no idea of what to make of this girl.

The girl slowly woke up and looked about her.

'Where am I? What am I doing here?' She was so confused, but someone interrupted her thoughts.

"Are you awake?" The girl jumped slightly as she just noticed the other person sitting next to her. The girl looked at the one who seemed to have taken care of her, not yet sure of what to do. She didn't know the girl's name or even if she was friend or foe; but she did save her so maybe she was a friend.

"I found you unconscious on the plains. I am Lyn, of the Lorca tribe. You're safe now."

"Thank you for your kindness," she said tentively. She sensed that Lyn was a good person, but she herself was naturally untrusting. Lyn could tell that this guest seemed to be a little edgy and wanted to break the ice between them.

"You are very welcome. You can stay here as long as you need to. May I ask the name of my guest?" she said with a smile.

"Niana (nee-AH-nuh). My name is Niana."

"Niana huh? What an odd-sounding name…"

"What?" Niana looked at the girl skeptically, wondering about what she was saying.

"Oh pay me no mind. It's a good name," she said putting her hands up.

"Thank you, I rather like it," Niana smiled. She was starting to trust this nomad girl.

"Haha I see you have a sense of humor. I'm glad that you're feeling okay. I noticed that you wear hiking boots and carry a pack; are you a traveler?"

Her guest was silent for a few moments. Lyn wondered why Niana had gotten quiet. It's true that she found her pretty exhausted and a little banged up, but she thought that was just from hard travelling. Now she thought that maybe there was more to this girl's story.

"Yes I am a sort of traveler. I have been for a while." She didn't look directly at Lyn when she answered her as if she didn't want some secret to be given away.

"Oh? How long is a while?" Lyn seemed genuinely curious and was hoping Niana was becoming more comfortable with her, but the minute she asked, she knew she was starting to step on touchy ground.

"I'm sorry if I am being too nosy, I didn't mean to be rude or offend you," Lyn said quickly.

"It's alright. You have not offended me. Being a traveler, I am used to keeping to myself. It is a way of life."

"I see. I will ask no more of your past and will let you rest." She gently laid Niana back down and pulled the covers up. Suddenly they heard some shouting outside.

"I'm going to go check it out. Niana you stay here and wait for me," and before Niana could say anything, Lyn had run out of the tent.

While Lyn was gone, Niana pushed the covers off and tried to stand up. She was a bit shaky but otherwise all right. 'Good I can travel by tomorrow.' She didn't really want to leave Lyn. She had grown fond of her within the short time they knew each other. Lyn was kind and had a good heart. It had been a while since Niana had had a companion or just someone to talk to. Lyn had given her both, but she had to keep moving. It was too dangerous to stay in one place.

Lyn rushed back into the tent , interrupting Niana's thoughts, looking a little panicked.

"Oh, no! Bandits! They must have come down from the Bern Mountains!"

"The Bern Mountains? What would they be doing this far down?" Niana knew that bandits usually didn't leave their resident area unless there was a good reason.

"They must be planning on raiding the local villages. I have to stop them before they do any damage. Niana, you'll be safe here. I'll be back."

"Wait, let me help you." She reached for her cloak which was draped at the end of the bed.

"Just rest. I can handle these men." Lyn put her hand on the cloak.

"Please let me repay you for saving me and taking me in." She took her cloak and clasped it over her shoulders with a gold clasp.

"Are you feeling up to it, though?"

"I'll be ok; don't worry." Lyn saw her smile for the first time. It was pleasent and she knew she could trust her.

"Alright. Can you use a weapon?"

"I can, but not the sort of weapon you are thinking of. I'm a tactician."

"A tactician huh? Well I could use you're help. ...Alright you can come, but stay close to me." Lyn quickly walked out the door grabbing her sword on her way. Niana put her hood up and followed.

"Over here, Niana." They hid in the trees in order to get a good view of the enemy without being spotted themselves.

"What do you think?" Niana surveyed their situation. There were two men all together. Both looked formidable but she believed that Lyn could take them one at a time. They would have to act fast though.

Lyn watched as Niana had closed her eyes after she had asked her question. She appeared in deep concentration and had an aura about her. Suddenly she spoke startling Lyn.

"Alright. You're going to have to take them on individually. This one in front of us is going to get even closer to us. When I give the signal you confront him. Do not let him call to his companion."

She spoke with such knowledge of the situation that Lyn could only wonder. 'How did she- I can't think of that now. Just do as she says Lyn.'

"Okay." She pushed her quesitons to the back of her mind and concentrated on the battle to come. Just as Niana said the bandit in front of them did get closer and Niana nodded to her. Lyn ran from the cover of the trees and faced the bandit.

"Halt!" The bandit staggered not expecting any opposition.

"What? Outta my way you little wretch or I'll make you move." He pulled out his ax and advanced on her. Lyn stood her ground and quickly moved in to make the kill, but he blocked her with an attack of his own. She slid back from the force of the blow and decided that she had to be quick and cunning in order to defeat him.

"Lyn! His left side is his weak side! Strike there!" Niana called. Lyn did so and make a fatal blow to him but as he fell, he was able to make a blow to her arm.

"One down. How was that Niana?" She held her arm with her other hand and faced the tactician. Niana came over holding a bottle that Lyn knew held vulnery.

"That was well done for a first fight, but you have one more opponent and you can't do that with a wounded sword arm. Here." She handed her the bottle and Lyn downed it. She felt a lot better and was ready to finish this.

They reached the leader who stood in front of an abandoned hut.

"Who dares defy me?! Bart! Bart!"

"It's no use," Lyn said, "Your friend is down and it's just you." She got into an attacking stance and readied to fight him.

"You- You! Prepare to die!" He delivered a strong attack that would have instantly killed Lyn had she not dodged in time.

"Lyn! You have to end this now!" Niana knew the danger Lyn was truly in and wanted her to get out of it as soon as possible. Lyn summoned all the strength she had and performed a Triple Slash worthy of a sword master.

"I- I can't loose," but he was gone before he hit the ground.

"Niana," Lyn didn't look at her, "Let's go."

They headed back to Lyn's tent without saying a word. Both had a lot on their minds and went straight to sleep.

Niana woke early the next morning to the smell of cooking eggs and toast.

"Oh good you're awake." Lyn was sitting bye the fire making breakfast. Niana sat up and put her feet on the floor. She didn't sleep much during the night. She knew that she had to tell Lyn goodbye, but it hurt her to do so. For the first time in her life, she felt as if she had a friend, but she had to keep moving.

"Lyn-"

"Niana," Lyn interrupted her. She didn't look at Niana when she spoke the next part. "I've decided something. I need to become stronger. Have you noticed that no one else lives nearby?"

Niana did notice and it had bothered her. She nodded to Lyn.

"Several months ago bandits, like the ones yesterday, attacked my people; the people of the Lorca Tribe. My father, who was the chief of the Lorca's, and my mother were both killed. I am one of the last remaining; all the others left. I have to become stronger. I need to avenge my family." At this she looked up at her new friend. "Will you take me with you? Please."