Disclaimer:I don't own Fire Emblem or any of it's characters(though I wish I did).

Her Protector

It was a deathly quiet night in the port town of Badon, but this didn't bother the red-headed noble making his way to the outskirts of town. In fact, he relished the fact that no one was up and around, for he wanted to be by himself anyway. He needed some time alone in order to think about all of the recent events that had occurred, and he figured the cool air would help him to do just that.

Eliwood stopped walking when he reached the wooded area surrounding Badon. Taking a seat on a large rock, he stared up at the starlit sky, letting his mind wander. Ever since he returned from the Dread Isle with the rest of the army, he hadn't been the same. At first, it seemed like it was because of the fact that he watched his father die, unable to do anything to save him. It was something that would mess with anyone, so he should've expected to feel different inside. However, as he took the time to give it some thought, Eliwood realized that that wasn't the problem. His father's death did indeed bother him, but it wasn't the thing that changed him. In fact, his own feelings were what had changed, his feelings for someone who had become quite close to him.

He met her some time ago, about a year before his journey began. He had helped her out when she needed it, and according to her, probably saved her life because he did so. Eliwood didn't give it too much thought after that time, but when he helped her again, saved her life again, he couldn't help but feel that it was fate that they met in the first place. Now, as he sat under the stars, he wondered if she felt that way too. If so, then perhaps he could tell her how he had come to feel about her.

"Eliwood, are you okay?" came a female voice. Eliwood, who had gotten off the rock and was now laying on the grass, sat up. In the moonlight he saw that it was Lyn, probably worried about him. He assumed she followed him from the town.

"Yes, I'm fine. I hope you aren't worrying about me again. I'm not as weak as you may think."

"I don't think you're weak. Why would you say such a thing?"

"I just expect people to think that about me. I'm not the strongest in our army, as I'm sure you've noticed. Many of the others are always trying to stay near me in battle, waiting to step in and save my life when necessary. It's quite annoying, actually."

Lyn walked over and sat down next to Eliwood. He twitched slightly as she sat, but Lyn didn't notice.

"I'm not worried about how you do in battle. I've seen you fight, and I know that you are perfectly capable of protecting yourself. I'm worried about how you're feeling about losing your father."

"I already told you how I feel. There is no time to grieve while Nergal is out there. Once we deal with him, then I'll worry about grieving for my father."

"I see. Well, I guess I'll leave you to your thoughts if you're okay." Lyn started to get up.

"Lyndis, wait a moment," Eliwood said. He realized that this was his best chance to talk to Lyn about what he was feeling. If he was to march on and fight, he needed to get his feelings off of his chest.

"What is it, Eliwood?"

"May I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Why do you believe we met?"

Lyn was quiet for a moment as she considered the question.

"I don't have the faintest idea. I am glad that we met, though."

"I believe that fate brought us together."

"Fate? Isn't that a little extreme?"

"No, it's not. I truly think that our paths crossed because fate intervened."

"Eliwood, why do you believe that?"

"I just do. I can't explain it."

Lyn looked at him quizzically, but Eliwood ignored the look and took a deep breath, preparing for what he was about to say.

"Lyndis," he started. "I've met many women, but you are special. There is something about you that I don't see in anyone else. It's so entrancing."

"Eliwood, what are you saying?" Lyn asked, bedazzled by Eliwood's sudden statement.

"You are so strong, and so full of spirit. I've known this for a while, but I haven't really given it any thought until recently. Back on the island, I watched you defeat foe after foe, and as I watched you fight, I realized that if anything happened to you, I would miss that strength, that spirit, and I wouldn't be able to go on."

Lyn just looked at him, unable to say anything, her face turning red.

"I have no idea how you feel about me, or what you might feel about the other men around us, but I must ask you one thing. Please allow me to be your protector in this journey of ours. If something happens to you, it would be the end of me. I would rather die in your place than see you fall. So please, tell me you will allow me to use my sword to protect you."

Lyn's face was quite red now. She hadn't expected to hear anything of the sort, especially from Eliwood. Nevertheless, she didn't need a lot of time to think on it. Throughout their travels, the two were together often, fighting alongside each other on the battlefield and even sharing a conversation or two while in the middle of a hectic battle. She had come to trust Eliwood completely, and now that she thought about it, it was possible that she had feelings for him. While Lyn wasn't entirely sure of what she felt in her heart, she was determined to sort it all out.

"Eliwood, I would be honored to have you be my protector," she said.

Eliwood let out a huge sigh, grateful that Lyn was giving him this chance.

"I won't let you down, Lyndis. I swear it."

"That's great, but just don't overdo it. I'm still capable of taking care of myself."

"Of course. I'll only step in when necessary."

"Good. Now, may I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"Do you really think I'm special?"

"Yes, I do."

"But I'm just a simple girl from the plains."

"Maybe so, but you're still special to me."

"You are too sweet, you know that?"

Lyn moved in to give Eliwood a kiss, initially aiming for his cheek, but changed her target and went right for his lips at the last moment. She held the kiss for a good minute before breaking away and getting up.

"I think I'll head back now. Don't stay out here for too long."

Eliwood watched her walk away, wishing their kiss hadn't ended, but realizing that it was the start of what he felt would be quite the romance. The coming battles would have to be survived if he could spend the rest of his days with her, though, and to ensure that she made it through them, he would have to concentrate on his newest duty.

Being her protector.