A/N: Okay, I've devided to finally post this story, right before I go away for a week. So, if you send in a review, don't expcect a reply for a while :P
Well, what do I have to say? First off, I'd like to thank Arbella Scott for helping me get a better idea of where this fic is gonna go. Oh, and because Queen Crimea doesn't have a name, I had to give her one. Oh, and one more thing, I know this would totally not happen, but I'd just want to write another "what if" fic. Oh, and if you don't already know this, this takes place during FE9. But the thing is that I've only played like... 14 chapters, or something like that (yup, I've made some progress!!) So, without further ado, I present to you my new fanfic: Pain and Protection.
Pain and Protection
A Fire Emblem Fanfiction
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Summary: What if Lucia turned her back on Princess Elincia during the Mad King's War? What if she was the head of the army, and the right hand to King Ashnard? And what if the one who murdered King Crimea was this very traitor herself?
Chapter One
The Pawns of War
It was a gloomy day in the land of Tellius; clouds filled the already gray sky that hung over the country of Crimea, and the winds blew hard across the plain.
Everything had happened so suddenly. Earlier that day, the Royal House of Crimea had been relaxing. Everyone was scattered around, some sparing with one another, others grooming their horses, and others doing the daily chores. But all that luxury seemed as if it happened on a sunny day, many years ago.
No one was expecting Daein soldiers to march onto their lands and launch and attack; and once it had happened, no one could find a reason for why it did.
Crimean soldiers were falling left and right; the grass which was once green, was now stained blood red. The Daein troops knew no end, the army just continued marching in. And at the head of this army stood one man, ordering, commanding, and dictating every one of his soldiers as if they were pawns in a simple game of chess. But this was no chess game; it was an ambush, a chaotic sea of soldiers attacking one another with no warning.
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"Geoffrey..." the princess begged in fear.
"It will be okay Elincia, we all are here to protect you. We would die before we let any of them harm you," he said in reply, trying to keep his cool, for her sake.
"But how about mother and father, and Uncle Renning? How about you and Lucia? And Kieran and Bastian?" she asked, hoping for them to be okay.
"This is no time to be worrying about others. Especially those who aren't even here," he said, referring to his absent sister.
'Blast it, Lucia! What could you be doing at a time like this? Where are you? Your country desperately needs you...' The general silently cursed to himself. The sudden charge of Daein soldiers had everyone under distress. It had cost some their homes, and others their lives; and Geoffrey would not let Elincia fall victim to these trespassers. But right now, he was the only one who could prevent that from happening.
The two of them ran down each and every corridor and hallway that led to the outside, Geoffrey dragging Elincia by the wrist. And every time they encountered someone wearing the Daein crest, Geoffrey would strike him down with his lace; but they desperately tried to avoid them as best as possible.
As they seeded down each hall, they continued to keep watch of the battle outside. They could see that many Crimean Knights had fallen, for blurs of white were slowly diminishing, and masses of black began to emerge from what was formerly there. For Crimea, this was the beginning of a war, a war which had little chance of winning.
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"My Lord Renning, you musn't over tax yourself; you must allow me to assist you as you fend off these soldiers," said Bastian, offering his aid.
"Bastian, I am okay," he replied, defeating yet another soldier. "I can defend the east gate on my own. But please, would you make sure my brother, Queen Diana and Elincia are safe?"
Bastian stood for a minute, just pondering the situation of the others. As he was blankly thinking, another enemy ran up, but was easily taken down by Renning sword. The sage continued to watch and see every opposing Daein soldier fall in defeat to the crown prince of Crimea.
"Yes, of course sir," he finally replied. "I will certainly go off to assure the safety of King Ramon, Queen Diana, and Elincia. From there, I will return back here to the battlefield, with my report." he announced, retreating back into the castle in search of the king, queen and princess.
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The halls that they were now running through were empty, aside from the bodies which lay lifeless on the floor. Many of them were innocent castle workers who were defenseless and without weapon.
"Many of these people dedicated their lives to serve their king and queen..." Elincia mumbled to herself, halting in her place, where Geoffrey soon followed. "These people didn't deserve this!" she said, now speaking to him. "The have already done so much for all of us, yet..." She stopped her words as she tried to hold back the oncoming tears. She turned away, trying to hide her obvious sorrow from her companion.
He stood there, still taking in her words, and looking at what lay around him. The sight was both saddening and terrifying.
'These people who had cared for me all these years lay beneath my feet... These people who tended to numerous duties never got to hear the full "thank you" These people..."
His thoughts trailed off as he idly stood there by the princess, the princess who was thinking the very same thing.
"Miss Elincia! Sir Geoffrey!" called a familiar voice, causing them to break out of their desolate mood. They both turned to see the owner of this voice: once blond-haired, big mouthed sage.
"Count Bastian!" they cried in unison.
"Yes it is I, Count Bastian. I have come to check upon the welfare of the princess; however, it seems that her escort –Sir Geoffrey here– has done well in his duties of protecting our young maiden." He turned to Geoffrey, giving him a nod of a job well done, before continuing on with his monologue. "Therefore, because our princess here is safe and without scratch, I must be off, for now I must check upon thy gracious king and queen. But please, deliver Elincia out of here safely," he said, running off as quickly as he had come.
"Wait! Bastian..."
• • • • •
"How are things faring?" he asked as he walked up to her, both of them now standing in the center of the battlefield.
"Things are going well... very well, in fact." she added. "We have seized both the western and northern entrances; all we have is the gate to the east, which Lord Renning is currently guarding."
Without any warning, he gave her a serious piercing a look. "Must you always address the Crimean nobles with such formality?" he remarked, questioning her speech. His expression and voice were very grim, causing her talk seem like a crime.
"I-i am sorry.." she stuttered.
"Well, enough of that," he said, ready to change the subject. "...By any chance, was he alone?"
"He..." she stared, just finding her words. "Last time I received report, I was told that he and the Count of Fayre were standing guard."
He took a moment of to collect his thoughts as he stood there watching soldiers running by. "...Yes... Of course... He is the traction, correct?"
"Yes Milord," she replied, giving him a small nod.
He shook his head in understanding as he continued to add everything together. "Well, now then, I will be off for the eastern gate."
A surprised look and an alarmed reaction came across her face. "Alone? You are going alone? Do you want me to accompany you?" she offered.
"No. I will do this single handedly. However, I have a more important job for you to do."
She turned to him with a puzzled expression, but before she could even question him, he gave her the answer.
"Yes. This is a task that I was originally going to carry out myself, However, because I have you by my side as my right hand in command, i have decided to pass this job on to you. Do you now understand its importance?"
"Yes sir. I understand fully," she assured with a nod of her head.
"Well then..." he started to say, creating more suspense. "I would like you to head into the castle and exterminate... King Ramon," he said, finishing in a low voice.
"W-wha–" she said, cutting herself off, tuning her surprised reaction into a stern look. "Yes, Of course. You wish is my command, Lord Ashnard..."
A/N: Well, that's chapter one. Leave me a reivew and it'll make me happy. Very. Very. Happy. :D Oh, and I hope Bastian was okay. I never was really good at characterizing him...