Chapter 7: Over the Moutains


Ed began grumbling as he kept tugging at Black Jack's reigns. "Stupid…no good…rotten horse…what good are ya?"

Winry narrowed her eyes at him, "Ed would you please stop taking out your frustrations on the horse."

Ed folded his arms in exasperation, "Well the damn thing aint moving! I say we just leave em' here!"

Winry put a hand to her head in dismay, "Why do I love this idiot?"

Ed's ears perked up, "What did you say?"

She shook her head, "Nothing, now stop being a baby and move."

"It's not me its Black Jack!"

Winry moved along side the horse and began stroking its neck her voice cooing in its ear.

Upon looking at the scene Ed did feel like an idiot. For the first time in his life he secretly wished he could be that horse.

After a few words he couldn't make out the horse immediately began to follow her.

Ed remained in their wake his mouth hanging open.

Winry turned around a coy smile playing on her lips, "Well aren't you coming?"

"How did you…?"

Winry shook her head, "Edward if you are constantly threatening your horse he aint gonna listen to you. You have to be gentle with him."

With that she turned and continued to lead them up the steep rocky incline.

The part of the range in which they were making a trail through wasn't nearly as high as the others, but it still allowed for a breathtaking view. Once they were at the top Winry dropped to the ground wiping her brow. Ed threw her the canteen ignoring his own thirst, "You doing ok?"

She took a gulp before throwing it back to him, "What, you surprised?"

Ed shook his head, "Nah I always knew ya were no ordinary girl."

She cocked an eyebrow at him her face twisting into a questioning expression. Ed however seemed to be conveniently absorbed with the task of pitching a tent to notice it.

She got up to help him, making sure to hide the crimson blush that had once again grazed her cheeks.

"You know I've never camped out in the mountains before." She looked off towards the summit fully appreciating just how far they had come.

"Me and Al did back when we were searching for our dad."

Winry stared at him thoughtfully.

Ed found her stare slightly unnerving as he nonchalantly put a hand to his face to make sure nothing was there.

"No there's nothing wrong with you, its just you never really talked to me about what you and Al actually did those years you were away."

Ed's face fell slightly, "There's really not much to talk about."

Winry bit her lip he was going to clam up again. Knowing she was going to get nowhere she sat back down propping her hat over her face as the sun continued to beat down on them before it set. A crunching noise told her that Ed had followed suit as she felt his arm graze hers. Chills went up and down her arm causing her to involuntarily shutter at their closeness.

"You cold?"

Winry propped her hat up for a moment on her pointer finger to look at Ed, "Nah, I'm fine."

Ed ignored her response as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "You're not a very good liar Winry."

Winry looked at him but didnt protest. She didn't see the point in arguing as having his arms around her wasn't really so bad.

The sun seemed to burn the horizon as it began its descent below the earth's sphere. Winry snuck a peak at his face and smiled. The days hike had really taken its toll on him, his eyes were shut and his mouth was hanging open slightly. Forgetting all about the tent they had put up she snuggled into his chest before falling asleep herself.

Ed woke up in pain, his back aching as he tried to sit up in a more comfortable position. His thoughts however were thrown off course as he felt something weighing him down. Looking downwards at his lap he found a mop of blond hair that could only belong to one person. He sighed as he felt his hand automatically stroke her long locks out of her face. The aching in his back seemed to disappear as he looked at her. It wasn't long however till her eyes began to flutter open. Ed quickly jerked his hand back as if he had touched something hot.

Her voice murmured his name as she came to. "Ed…what are you doing?"

Turning quickly to hide his guilty face he felt his defenses kick up. "Trying to move you off me."

Winry's smiling face faded as she sat up out of his lap. "Oh, sorry."

Ed clenched his eyes shut in regret; once again he had managed to say the wrong thing.

Feeling at a loss he noticed she had put up her shield again. Her face was unreadable as she gathered her belongings and the reigns to her horse. Her tone was bitter as she avoided his eyes. "We better start before we waste the day."

"Win I didn't mean…"

She looked at him sadly, "Yeah you never do."

She placed her hat firmly on her head before starting the descent out of the rocky terrain. Ed followed behind her like a lost puppy, beating himself up over always ruining things with her. Getting fed up with the silence he felt his temper raise, "Dammit Winry what do you want from me?!"

She turned around surprised by his outburst her mouth set in a straight line, "Ed if you don't know by now you're never going to know."

"Can you stop being so damn stubborn and just tell me!"

Winry backed up a little her face growing angry, "Ed has it ever occurred to you that maybe it's because I lov…" Her voice hitched as the stones under her began to crumble sending her falling down the steep summit.

Ed watched in dismay as she fell from sight, "WINRY!" He leaped forward casting his arm out.

Her small hand gripped to the edge of the cliff her feet scrambling below her to find something to support her weight. She couldn't help but to look at the sheer vertical drop below her. A scream escaped her throat as her fear took over. Her fingernails clawed into the dirt begging for some kind of mercy. Just as her fingers began sliding over the edge her silent plies were answered. The feeling of a strong hand on hers made her eyes turn from the drop below to the golden eyes of her savior. Looking up into his eyes she completely forgot why they were fighting in the first place. Once he had pulled her back onto the ledge they sat in silence each of them breathing rather hard from the adrenaline rush.

Forgetting about her inhibitions Winry threw her arms around Ed's neck burrowing her tearful eyes into his shoulder.

Ed too had forgotten why there were fighting, the feeling of her arms wrapped around his neck was enough to erase any and all tension between them.

After her tears had subsided Ed laughed lightly, "Geez what would you do without me around?"

Winry quickly wiped the tears from her eyes as a small smile formed on her lips. "Die in a very dramatic and unconventional way?"

An unspoken truce seemed to be formed as they stared into each others eyes. Ed felt his heart beat furiously under his ribs his body going numb under all the emotion surging through his veins. Trying to disguise his feelings he quickly composed himself and helped her up. "We shoudln't linger here, the faster we're out of here the better."

After almost falling to her death Winry noticed with a small feeling of gratitude that Ed was being very protective of her. He took the lead ignoring her protests; insisting that he just liked being out front. She felt bad as she noticed his face was rather pale. 'Did the thought of losing her really make him so upset?'

Once they were out of the mountainous terrain they mounted their horses. Winry gratful to be on solid ground turned to him, "So where exactly are we headed?"

Ed happy to be out of the moutains smirked, "You'll see soon enough."

Before long the grand entrance of a very large plantation style home came into view across the landscape; its gates blocking their entry. Winry gazed at the giant letter A's that adorned the metal gates.

Ed seemed to catch her question before she could ask it, "Armstrong."

"What?"

"The A it stands for Armstrong."

Winry's eyes grew large, "The Armstrong's?"

Ed laughed, "The one and only."

Whenever riches were discussed the Armstrong name wasn't too far off the mind. Their wealth and power in the plains were just as notorious as the tales of their oldest daughter. Winry had heard tales of her adventures, they were part of what had kept her strong when she had been discriminated against. Jumping off her horse she put her hand slowly inside her coat allowing it to rest on her gun. The sight of a rather large man making his way from the front of the house towards them put her on gaurd. As he approached them Ed leaned in towards her to whisper in her ear, "Calm down he's harmless; really."

She relaxed a little at Ed's words but kept up her guard none the less.

The man nearly jumped Ed as he rushed forward engulfing him into his arms. "Oh Mr. Elric you've come to visit! What a delightful surprise!"

Ed struggled for air as his arms flailed uselessly by his side.

Winry let a small laugh escape her throat at the sight causing the man to turn towards her. His eyes sparkled unnaturally as he grasped her hand, "Ah a lady friend!" He bowed to her, "My name is Alex Armstrong."

Winry smiled genuinely at him, it was truly rare that anyone addressed her in such a way. "It's a pleasure, the names Winry. Winry Rockbell."

Armstrong beamed at the two of them, "Ah pardon my manners, come on in, come on in."

Winry could hardly contain her awe as he led them through the lavish décor of the house. Every thing from the floors to the walls was adorned with pieces of art work or statues of gold. However Alex seemed most excited to show them the grand ballroom.

Ed looked around at the servants that were working on decorations. "What's going on here?"

Alex seemed to exude pride and happiness as he looked at them, "Why it is my sisters coming of age ball tonight!"

Winry felt her jaw drop. 'Could the notorious free spirited Oliva Armstrong really condone such an event?' Feeling disrespectful at their intrusion on such an occasion she dropped her head, "Mr. Armstrong I am very sorry we have troubled you at a time like this."

Alex violently shook his head, "I will hear none of that! Edward really helped us out a few years ago. I wish for nothing more than if you two would stay with us and attend the ball."

Ed cleared his throat, "Actually we came here for a different reason."

Winry however rolled her eyes at Ed's rudeness. "We would love to go."

Ed shot her a death stare; he obviously wanted nothing more than to get their answers and leave. Attending a fancy ball was far out of his range of comfort. Winry inwardly couldn't agree more on that aspect, the thought of wearing a contraption they had the nerve to call a dress was rather repulsive. However she didn't want to be so rude as to object such a generous offer.

Alex practically bounced up the stairs as he led them to their rooms, or rather as it turned out single room. He looked apologetically at the two but Winry couldn't help but notice a sneaky smile twitch on his face as he tried to explain that the other rooms were all filled. Ignoring the prospect of sharing a bed together they both walked into the room and found themselves staring at the single bed their eyes wide. The silence was unnerving as neither really knew what to say to make their situation any less awkward. Luckily one of the maids came in apologizing as she stared at the two of them.

"My apologies, I was sent up here by Alex to help Miss. Rockbell get ready for the ball."

Winry nearly fell over her eyes huge, "Wait help me get ready for the ball? I…"

The maid looked at her cowboy clothing which was covered in dirt and mentally sighed to herself. "Well hurry up dear we have a lot of work to do."

Winry began to protest but Ed happily shoved her into the maids awaiting arms, "Go on Win, have fun!"

She sent a glare in his direction as the maid led her away.

Winry was whisked away to a bathroom she was convinced was the size of her house back in Dodge City. The maids quickly discarded her hat throwing it to the side and began undoing her braids. Winry was about to protest when several other maids rushed forward pulling off her clothes and ushering her to the warm bubbly water of a nice bath. She felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment as she sat in the tub her eyes flashing from each maid to the next. "Honestly you don't have to stay and help me, I can do it myself." She did however stop resisting as the warm bath water soothed her aching muscles. She had honestly forgotten how good being clean felt. She had after all been journeying for about a month and the whole while she had been avoiding taking a bath in the rivers. She knew all too well that Ed was a man and would eventually seek out his curiosity. Sighing she sank under the water letting the maids scrub at her head.

About an hour later she sat in a bodice awaiting the dreadful corset that she knew was calling her name. She stared in admiration at the picturesque dress that was hanging from one of the maids arms. Startled as they brought it to her she heard her awestruck voice begin to protest.

"That's for me? Oh no I can't ware something like that…I…really I couldn't."

The youngest maid shook her head laughing, "Nonsense a beautiful girl deserves a beautiful dress. Besides Mistress Olivia is always getting new gowns and Master Alex insisted that you ware this."

Winry smiled sheepishly, "Well thank you, its just I've never worn a dress like this before…"

The maid seemed to guess her dilemma and smiled sweetly, "Don't worry dear we will help you, these dresses are rather complicated."

"There you are." They stood around her their eyes wide with delight. "You look stunning!" A chorus of similar remarks filled the room.

Winry blushed heavily under their compliments. She had never before in her life felt more like a lady. She briefly thought if her mother and wondered if she would have been proud to see her at such a moment. Blinking hard to stop the tears from flooding her eyes she walked to the mirror cautiously, afraid that maybe their words were spoken out of kindness and not truth. However the sight before her was something she had never seen before. Her skin tanned by her traveling glowed against the cream color of the dress, the vibrant azure ascents bringing out her sapphire eyes. Her blonde hair was pinned up with small tendrils of curls framing her face. A gasp escaped her throat as she put a hand to her face, "Is this really me?"

One of the maids stepped forward, "You look like the perfect southern bell!"

Winry felt a broad smile stretch across her face as she beamed at them all, "Thank you."

Edward adjusted the cuffs of his suit as he awaited Winry's return. She had been gone for what seemed like forever. Impatiently tapping his foot on the floor he heard a knock on the door. Rushing forward he threw the door open, "Damn Win it's about time…"

He stopped as the sight of Alex made him recoil for fear of another hugging attack.

Alex slapped him on the back, "Come on Edward we're gonna be late." He shuddered his eyes growing large, "Sister does not tolerate lateness."

Ed smirked he had met Olivia once and he was well aware of the girls clear intolerance of incompetence. In fact he was half surprised that she had agreed to such an event, he pitied the poor gentlemen who would come expecting a quiet obedient woman.

Once they were in the ballroom Ed glanced around searching for Winry. However a hush from the crowd distracted him as he looked to where everyones eyes had turned in awe at the girl who had just walked in. He felt his heart jump to his throat as the sight of the girl made him breathless.

Alex proudly stuck out his chest, "I knew that dress would compliment your lady friend perfectly!"

Edward felt his mouth drop open in awe as she walked closer to them. He was certain in that moment that he was ruined. No one could ever look more beautiful than the person standing before him. "Winry?"


Your guesses last time were very good

but I couldn't help but put the Armstrong's in here

Alex cracks me up in the manga

Wonder what will happen at the ball...

until next time!

Amy