Disclaimer: I still own no rights to the Fire Emblem series, or any of its characters. I do not claim to own any of the characters, nor the story line. I have altered the story-line, and the dialog, for the use of this story. I have also changed the character's personalities. All rights are reserved.

Author's Note: The first battle is soon approaching. Or, for Ike, is it the second? He and Elincia have made one step towards the future, but a new battle is at hand. The Daein Army, that is. This story should excite. Have fun reading. -As Ever, The Author, Zack Finley/Zackislord

The Queen and Her Man

Chapter Two

By: Zack Finley

"Zackislord"

The next morning had approached quickly. Ike had arisen first. He looked around to see that both he and the Princess were alone. He pecked her cheek quickly, and walked out of the back of the tent. He was hoping to go unnoticed, as to avoid conflict. But, he had walked right into Soren, who had awaited his approach.

"Morning, Commander," Soren said curtly. "Sleep well?"

"Uhh… Hey there, Soren. Yes, I slept well. How about yourself?"

"My sleep was quite good. How is the princess, and what is your state of affairs now?"

Ike knew that nothing happened, though he doubted Soren thought the same. He looked a bit awkward just standing there, so he began walking to his tent. His hand came up, and beckoned for Soren to follow.

Ike had held open the flap of his tent, allowing Soren to enter. The young Mage had taken a seat upon Ike's bed. As the Commander entered, he let out a soft sigh before speaking.

"Look, Soren, nothing happened. We had a completely innocent night. I swear it."

"I believe you, Ike. But think of the results had someone else been standing at the tent, rather than me. Think about what would have happened if someone had walked in. Or, even if someone went to your tent to get you. What do you think would have happened, Ike? Please, enlighten me."

Ike's hand rose. He had not spoken, and he had motioned for Soren to cease. This conversation was already over, and Soren knew it. He rose, and gave Ike a small look of discontent, before exiting the tent. Soren, as always, had been right, though Ike hated to admit it. Had the two of them been found together, who knows what would have happened? Oh well, it was all in the past. Today, there was another battle.

Ike had called the officers, and ordered them to awaken the troops. Today, they marched. Their target: Talrega. They were to continue marching to the capitol, but they had to defeat any enemy troops in the area, so they wouldn't get pinned in anywhere…unsettling.

"B-but, General Petrine, that's not something we can d-do."

"You will do it, General. You must stop the Crimean Army, here and now. It's the only way to prove your loyalty, migrant."

"But we only just gained the trust of the locals here. We've spent the last eighteen years here, in Daein, and only just now are we able to move about freely. Even though we were born in Begnion, we've remained loyal to this country, and we will continue to remain loyal. But opening the flood gates will not help."

"General, you test my patience. I can make my lance dance for you, if you wish. You will open the flood gates, or you will die. Choose."

"Fine, my troops will open the flood gates, and we will fight the Crimean Army. But only because, overall, it will be good for the country…if we win this war."

"Believe me, General, the war is won. Go now, and open the gates."

"Yes, ma'am!"

With that, the general was off. He had taken his best squad of wyvern knights, and another squad of infantry. They were going to attempt to hold off the army for as long as they could. Whether or not they succeeded…well, that depended on the mercy of the troops they were to fight.

Haar was the one to open the gates. He was a wyvern lord of great might. He was second-in-command to the great General Shihiram, but he was also the second most powerful, of the squad. He would definitely do his best to make the country of Daein proud.

The water came rushing out, very quickly. Haar had a look of grief on his face. Destroying this city was not something they could do honorably, even if it meant the death of the Crimean troops, and their dreams of winning back and restoring their country.

"This will be a sad day, Captain Haar. Very sad, indeed."

"Yes, General, it will. The best we can do is to fight off those Crimeans, and to do it quickly. We cannot let this city flood, can we?"

"Very right. Now, let's be on our way."

With that, both Haar and Shihiram nodded. It was their solemn promise to one another to live, and to fight off the bloody Crimeans who marched upon their soil. They were hoping to be the ones to save Daein. No one would doubt the foreigners for long, if they did happen to win.

"I hear water. Lots of water." Ulki wasn't a man who talked often, but when he was, it was to a point. The Hawk King's retainer was also a bird, of course. His wings were of great stature, and he could fly very far. But, his specialty was his hearing. It was very sensitive, and could pick up almost any noise.

"Are there any rivers in this area?" Ike had asked Soren.

"Yes—" replied Soren, before being cut off by Ulki.

"It's not natural. It's distorted. Surely not a river."

With that, someone had come running in. He was yelling something as he approached, but it wasn't clear just what it was he was yelling. That was, of course, until he got within earshot of the General and company.

"General Ike! The road's flooded, General!"

"Thank you!" Ike yelled back to the man, before turning to Soren. "Are there any flood gates in the area?" He had questioned the Staff Sergeant.

"Need me to look for something? My eyes can see for miles, and I can surely hunt out anything you need me to spot. Ulki here can hear grass growing on the other side of the country, with them ears of his." Janaff was the one who had spoken up this time. He was also one of the retainers of the Hawk King, Tibarn. His specialty was sight, rather than hearing, like his partner's. His eyes could see very, very long distances, and they would do it clearly.

"Would you find a flood gate for us?" Ike questioned.

"Sure. All I need to do is look for big things with lots of water coming out of them, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Now get to it, please."

Janaff hadn't taken long at all. With only one run-through of the area, he had found the flood gates. Ike and the soldiers of the company had charged forward, into Talrega Flood Gate area. They had been met by an army of wyverns and magic users. This battle would not be the easiest they have faced.

"General Ike, do you have a plan?" It had been Tanith. She had her squadron of Pegasus Knights with her.

"No, Ms. Tanith, I do not. Care to help up with this one? Those wyverns and your knights would be an interesting match-up, and put us at an advantage. Feel free to take wing," Ike had replied.

"Yes, sir." Tanith turned to her squadron of knights. "Come on, ladies. Let's show them who owns the skies. Knights, we charge!"

The knights had roared in encouragement, and had taken to the skies. Begnion's knights would easily defeat the Daein wyverns. That much was pretty much decided. And the ground troops would be the ones to take on the magic-wielding enemies. This battle would probably end soon. But, who would be victorious? Would it be the Begnion and Crimeans troops, who had formed the Crimean Liberation Army, or would it be the Daein troops, who would turn to any trick in the book to win? Only time would tell…

Author's Note: Hah! It's only first period, and look, it's chapter two. At this rate, chapter three will be done by last period. That is, if I'm lucky. So, I hope you had fun reading that portion. The next "Battle" is at hand later on. Review, if you've got the time. See you all later. -Finley