Summary: Lon'qu suspects that Chrom is putting him up to something, while Lissa continues her attempts at building friendships. Based on Supports.


"Princess," a muffled voice came from outside her door, followed by a quiet, steady knocking. "You'll be late for tea."

Lissa scowled and rolled her eyes. She tossed her book onto her bed, swung her legs off, shoved her feet into her shoes, and opened the door. Lon'qu stood outside, taking a step back when she opened the door.

"Since when are you my butler/babysitter?" She folded her arms.

"Since what happened with your sister," he said bluntly. "Every shadow could hide a knife. And apparently someone wants your sweet little head on a platter."

Lissa flinched, but glanced at him coyly. "So now you think I'm sweet, huh?"

Lon'qu huffed, and turned to head down the hall. Lissa sighed, and trailed after him.

In one of the small rooms of the palace, Elysa was already seated, the spot across from her awaiting the princess's arrival. The door was slightly ajar. Lissa caught sight of her brother's fiancée gingerly lifting the lid from the teapot and wafting at it, sniffing disdainfully.

Lissa chuckled as she pushed the door open. "What's wrong with it today?"

Elysa looked over at her, disparaged. "I... I don't know? It smells a little too bitter, or something."

"Have it with the pastries," Lissa suggested, sliding into her chair, "it'll cut the taste a little.

"Sorry," Elysa said apologetically, "for being so picky. The post-war internal diplomacy stuff has me on edge."

"And that's why we have tea every other day," Lissa said with a grin. "We sit, and eat and drink, and the world is a little peaceful, even if only for a bit." She poured for Elysa first, then herself. A servant came in with a platter of small cakes and handpies.

The door clicked shut. Elysa looked over her shoulder, then back at Lissa with a raised eyebrow. "How are things going with... that?"

Lissa huffed. "I'm sick of having to tiptoe around him. We're breaking his woman issue," she declared.

"Now?" Elysa raised her eyebrows in surprise and laughed.

"Yes, right now," Lissa said. She stood up again and strutted across the room, yanking the door open. Lon'qu had been leaning against it, and nearly fell over. "You! Inside, now."

"U-um..."

"That's an ORDER!" Lissa yelled. She pulled the door open further, and pointed at the tea-table. The servant hurriedly placed a third seat for him.

"Gods, just why—"

"Now." Lissa said firmly.

Lon'qu stared her down for a moment, then sighed in resignation. One of his hands rested on his belt, close to his sword, and he eyed Elysa as he gingerly plopped himself into the third chair. Elysa stifled her laughter ineffectively.

"Another cup and plate as well, please," Lissa said, smiling sweetly at the servant. He nodded.

"At once, Your Highness."

"'Your Highness?" Lon'qu echoed. Lissa and Elysa looked at him, surprised that he spoke. "What happened to 'milady?'"

"I turned eighteen," Lissa said pointedly. "I'm an adult now."

Lon'qu narrowed his eyes at his teacup. "Mhm."

Lissa ignored him, and poured him some tea.

"Say, Elysa," she said, plopping a piece of cake on Lon'qu's plate as well, "do you have a date set yet for the wedding?"

"Hm?" The tactician had a bite of pie halfway in her mouth. She bit it embarrassedly, chewing and swallowing hurriedly. "Well, no. Chrom's been very busy, and so have I... it'll happen eventually." She waved her hand dismissively.

"Well, when it does, I'd better be a bridesmaid," Lissa said, pointing her fork at Elysa.

Elysa laughed. "Of course you will be. Not that I know the first thing about weddings."

"They're nice." Lon'qu said, spearing his cake.

"Oh?" Lissa leaned over towards him questioningly. He scooted his chair away an inch. "Do say more."

"I have a brother and a sister. They've gotten married." Lon'qu wrinkled his nose at the cake's sweetness.

"Oh?"

"That's it."

Lissa made a face. "You're useless at conversation," she muttered.


"We're going for a walk," she declared.

"What?" Lon'qu groaned. "First the tea party, now you want to go for a stroll in the woods?"

"Yes, I do," Lissa said, swinging her arms as she made her way down the halls to the palace exit. "And you have to come with me, to guard me, right?" She grinned cheekily.

Lon'qu grumbled inaudibly, but trailed along behind her.

They made their way out of the palace walls, and into the light groves of trees just beyond the city limits.

"It's getting dark; we shouldn't stay out for too long," he said, glancing around warily at the trees.

"Hey," Lissa said, ignoring him, "the path gets a little bumpy here. Should we hold hands?"

"No."

"Ugh. How are you not used to me by now?" Lissa pouted. "Would it really kill you to be less serious or smile once in a while? Like, honestly–"

"Sh." Lon'qu froze.

"That is SO RUDE!" Lissa exclaimed. "Gods, I'm only trying to—"

"No..." Lon'qu's hand went to his sword. "Get behind me! Quickly!" Before Lissa could protest further, he dashed in front of her. "There's a— hngh!"

There was a whistle through the air and a soft thud as an arrow buried itself in his shoulder.

"N-no!" Lissa's eyes widened in terror. She became painfully aware of the absence of both her lance and staff. "You're hurt! Please..."

"It's one arrow," Lon'qu gritted his teeth, and pulled it out. "It won't kill me. Now stay close; I wager we've found your assassins..."

"Are you sure you're alright?" Lissa glanced at his arm. Blood was beginning to soak through his sleeve.

"A single arrow," Lon'qu repeated, gritting his teeth.

"Yes, but more might be on their way," Lissa glanced around. "I-I think we're surrounded...!"

The myrmidon drew his blade. "Stay close. When I move, you move, and you find cover. Got it?"

"Yes," Lissa breathed, her knuckles white.

Lon'qu darted forwards, and she stayed close on his heels, pressing herself against a tree trunk as he cut down the first assassin he came across in the brush. Another arrow buried itself in the tree, dangerously close to Lissa's face. She cried out and ducked down, crawling under the lower bushes. Lon'qu flew overhead, and a strangled cry soon came from the same direction that the arrow originated.

Every time there was the slightest movement in the bushes, Lon'qu was there first. There was a crash of branches, one after another, as the assassins fell to his blade.

Soon, he stepped out into the clearing, breathing heavily.

"That's... the last of them. You can come out now."

Lissa stood up slowly, and warily tiptoed out towards him. She gasped. His arm was bleeding heavily from where he'd been shot, but there were also new wounds in his flank from a dagger or other small blade, and a cut across his cheek.

He looked at her. "Are you alright?"

She nodded. "Yes... thanks to you. But you—"

"I'll be fine." He shook his head. "Let's head back."

They began their walk back to the palace, more slowly than the pace at which they came. Lon'qu limped along, gritting his teeth.

"You saved my life," Lissa said quietly.

"Heh," the faintest of smiles turned up the corner of Lon'qu's mouth for a moment. "That was my job. I just followed orders." He swayed dangerously.

Lissa stepped closer to him, but hesitated. "Do you want to – will you let me support you? Lean on me," she pleaded.

He looked back at her uncertainly, but drew another ragged breath. "Ok."

She took his arm and threw it over her shoulders. "There you go... easy does it."

As the palace gates drew nearer, a platoon of guards caught sight of them.

"Your Highness! Soldier! What happened?" Two men moved up to their side, and took Lon'qu between them. He winced.

"Brigands in the woods," Lissa said steadily. "But we'll be okay. Take him to the infirmary, if you would."

The guards bowed. "At once."


Back in her chambers, Lissa changed out of her soiled dress and into a clean one. She picked it up off of the floor, frowning worriedly. There were stains of Lon'qu's blood all over it. She sighed, and then straightened herself determinedly. Tossing the ruined dress in the pile of clothes for the wash, she picked up her staff from the door and made her way through the palace.

She knocked lightly on the door to his quarters.

"Come in."

Turning the brass handle, the door creaked slightly as she opened it. The room was dimly lit, and Lon'qu sat up on his bed, hands folded on his lap.

"Oh, it's you."

Lissa frowned slightly, wounded. "You could at least pretend to be happy to see me. I just wanted to check in on you... but I don't want to disturb you. Sorry. I'll just head out." She began to close the door again.

"No, wait..."

She pushed the door open a crack in surprise. Lon'qu swung off of the bed and moved over to the side of the room, pulling up an ottoman to the bedside before plopping himself back down. "You can come in."

Lissa hesitated. "Are you sure?"

"Lissa. You are no bother. Please, sit."

She blinked at him in surprise, and wordlessly sat down on the seat he'd pulled up. I must've heard him wrong... She sighed and swallowed nervously. "So... since you foiled the plot, I suppose your bodyguard duty is over. There isn't really much reason to continue."

"Hmm..." Lon'qu half-closed his eyes, sinking back down onto the pillows. "Perhaps. Or perhaps you could use a hand in your training as well."

"W-what? But I thought you hate spending time around–"

"You are the exception." He blinked his eyes open and looked at her. "I... have enjoyed the time we've spent together. And I am sorry that I've made it seem otherwise."

Lissa laughed, "I must be losing my mind. Or maybe you're just dizzy and tired."

Lon'qu grunted. "Maybe."

"I..." Lissa paused. "I wouldn't mind if you stayed by my side. I'm... very fond of you, you know?"

Lon'qu's eyes studied her steadily. The ghost of the smile she'd seen earlier returned for a moment, but then his eyes closed slowly, as he drifted off to sleep.

Lissa stood quietly, moving a little closer. Lon'qu's face was peaceful, without the terse expression he always wore. He breathed evenly, already sound asleep.

The princess paused by his bedside for a long moment, and then lightly ran her hand across his cheek. She bent down and placed the lightest of kisses on his forehead. He stirred slightly, but did not wake. Lissa smiled to herself.

"Goodnight," she whispered, slipping quietly back to her own rooms.