Hahaha chapter has a crappy ending, just a warning. I mean, really crappy. I couldn't think of any other way to end it. Next one MUCH BETTER be it will.

Disclaiming This: I don't own Fire Emblem.

Two: First Time On Wings Like This.

An hour's time, I think. He should be outside by the time I land.

I kick Anri's side with my right foot as we approach Castle Altea. "Anri," I say, whistling. He starts to slow down as he lowers his powerful body to the ground. I hold on tight as he picks up speed for the descent. He loves to make things more exciting than they need to be. Wind whips through my hair, stings my face. I hold on tighter in a thrilled manner.

Too soon, Anri's hooves are planted firmly on the ground. He ruffles his wings as if to tell me to get off, but I do not. I look at the doors of Marth's castle. He is waiting patiently, sitting uncharacteristically casually on the steps. "Anri," I whisper, whistling just as quietly. He trots obediently over to Marth, who rises to his feet and takes the remaining steps over to us.

There is a smile on his face, but his eyes say he is troubled. I try not to give away the fact I notice this. Instead I smile back at him and nod. "Marth," I hail.

"Sheeda," he replies.

I extend my hand to him happily. He stares at it, lost. He looks at it, then up at me. I roll my eyes at his obliviousness. "You're supposed to take my hand," I inform him.

"But… Why?" he asks, still not understanding.

Sometimes males are so ridiculously daft. I almost want to smack him upside the head, but I do not and merely nod toward my hand. "Come," I encourage. "You know I don't bite."

His hesitance becomes eagerness as he takes my hand firmly. I pull him up onto Anri's back. Anri takes a few stumbling steps, about to protest the extra weight. After shifting around a little, his body agrees with my orders. Because of the extra weight I just added to his load, Anri needs a much more powerful running start. He starts with an easy trot. Slowly, he speeds up.

I can tell that he is about to push himself into the air, so I warn my royal friend. "You might want to hang on," I yell over the wind.

"Why?" he yells back.

Idiot, the voice in my head snorts. "Just trust me!" When he does not comply in three seconds, I reach behind me, grab his arms, and wrap them securely around my waist. "Hang on!"

Anri jumps into the air, large wings struggling at first to manage the new weight, but he finally gets a hang of it and adjusts his wings' movements to keep us airborne. While I am busy making sure Anri is steady, Marth is clinging to me for dear life, arms tight around me. I glance down. Seeing his arms around me makes me smile. I peek over my shoulder sneakily then look back in the important direction—forward.

Having Marth hang on to me feels far more than amazing. It feels right, like he is supposed to be riding with me. I feel alive with the wind running through my hair, tickling my face, and the air feeling thin as we go higher.

I notice Marth's head move from resting on my upper back, as if he is looking out at the world below. "Aren't we a bit high up?" he asks loudly.

"Yes," I answer him with a grin. "We are."

"Don't you think we should be closer to the ground in case something happens?" he asks.

Aw, how cute; he is scared. I chuckle to myself at this thought. I begin to find a logical explanation for being high up. "If we're lower to the ground, any archer or sniper will be able to reach us. If they hit us, we're down. I'm not risking Anri."

"What are you talking about? My father is dead," he reminds me needlessly.

"I know that, Marth. It's this gorgeous flying horses' name," I tell him even though I distinctly remember telling him this before.

He gets quiet. I peer over Anri's wings at everything lower than us. The river is in sight. I scan everything I can see for archers or snipers. Luckily for me, I found none. I swiftly kick Anri's side. He nods his large head and begins a succession to the ground. Marth's tight hold on me begins to relax. I guess he finally started to feel comfortable. I turn my torso around and look at him.

His face looks a bit paler than it usually does and reads uncomfortable all over it. His eyes meet mine. That troubled look they had had is gone now and had been replaced with something more along the lines of fear. Maybe he was nervous?

Oh my gosh. I gap. I smack his shoulder. "Marth, is this your first time on a Pegasus?" I ask him as I am on the verge of laughing.

He gulps. Gulps, but no response comes from him. He averts his eyes.

"Marth!!" I smack his shoulder again. "Why didn't you tell me? I would've found a different way to the river. I didn't know you hadn't done this before."

Great, now I look like either a protective psycho or a thrill-seeking psycho or just a psycho in general. I am his friend though, so maybe he doesn't think I'm a psycho. Wouldn't it be great if he thought this was cute or something?

I take a good look at his face that was slowly regaining color. Faster than I expect, but still very slowly does his skin return to its usual color. His eyes are wide, wide and frightened like a puppy. He shifts his arms around me. They feel a little more comfortable as his hands rest firmly on my hips, still trying to hold on. He looks so atypically vulnerable.

I sigh and rub the shoulder I had repeatedly smacked. "Sorry about that. I didn't know. Just hold on a little longer; we'll be on the ground shortly," I comfort him. His horizontal lips curl into an assured smile. I want nothing more than to be able to freely kiss those smiling lips. If there were some way I could claim them as my own, there is no doubt that I would do it as soon as the offer became available.

I stare back out at the landing strip. We are almost back on the ground. I feel Marth sigh, probably with relief. I huffed. I actually do not like the idea of getting back on the ground again, but I suppose if my favorite Altean prince likes it, there is not much I can do about it. I have to make him want me as much as I want him. I take a deep breath and shake my head. Like that will ever happen, I remind myself.

Anri's hooves finally touch the earth. As soon as the Pegasus stops moving, Marth leaps from his back and takes steps to a 'safe' distance from the flying horse. I roll my eyes.

"Really, Marth; there is nothing to fear about him. He's a good boy," I state to my pansy prince. "I would not have named him in the honor of your father otherwise. You know I had respect for him."

Marth's eyes droop, as if reminiscing of his father. His face is suddenly stricken with sadness. I feel so guilty for putting that look on his handsome face. I certainly am not going to be achieving my number-one goal today, I can tell that right now. The way his face is sinking, his eyes going out of focus, his shoulders slumping… This behavior is so unlike the way he usually is—proud, smiling, protective, and strong. This was so hopeless, sad, defenseless, and weak

"Oh, Marth," I say, regretting talking about his late father. "I'm-"

"It's alright, Sheeda," he replies unconvincingly. He scratches his head. I noticed the light in his eyes change from shining off tears to showing off his cluelessness. "I am sure if he were here, he would be honored that a Pegasus so noble, rode by a princess he knew personally, was graced with his name."

Why does he always have to make things sound so formal? I know he is not happy; I just reminded him that his father is dead and gone and that he has revenge to take upon the evil lord that killed him. What a fantastic way to start an afternoon.

I dismount Anri and rub his neck, letting him know it is okay to relax. I hushed him then began talking to Marth. "Thank you, Marth. I… I am flattered," I admit, trying to hide the blush creeping evilly across my cheeks. Like I want him to know that I love him so? I do not. Not yet, anyway; now is not the time. There is so much that first needs to be handled.

I stare at Marth's face for a few very long seconds and meet his eyes. They are shimmering, glossy, and more fantastic than anything I have seen in a long time. I am drawn to them by gravity as I take a few careful steps closer to him. Suddenly, his hand is waving in front of my face.

"Sheeda, are you alright?" he asks, seeming concerned.

I snap out of my trance with an electric jolt—his hand on my cheek. His touch is cold, but at the same time it tingles with warmth. "Ah," my face feels hot! "Sorry. Yes, I am alright, thanks. Shall we get to enjoying this wonderful day?" I suggest, feeling it is about time that the subject changes.

Marth smiles.

My heart leaps.

All is well.