This is the longest part of the final chapter.

PART TWO

They were ready. Her people had taken their positions within the formation. With a massive lurch forward, the group began to move. Over one hundred and twenty people were making this trip. Already she felt anxious. They could see Titans looming in the far distance, their silhouettes black pillars on the horizon. Tensing in Ada's saddle, she took a step forward.

This was the beginning. Memories of the last time she had attempted something so ludicrous filtered through her mind, disturbing her. It was barely dawn, but they had to leave now or the trip would take even longer. She could almost see her uncle laughing ahead of her, daring her to race him. Micha's stern commands for them to keep close and stay alert rang in her mind. She wasn't imagining the words, though. Commander Erwin was demanding the same of everyone present. Her heart began to ache from memories of loss.

Death was unavoidable. She knew that well enough. Who would perish? Which comrades would she loose this time? With her injuries, she was still less than useful against a Titan. She could only hope that the Scouts and those from her village who had fought Titans before could keep everyone safe. The lingering suspicion that the trouble would start soon fried her nerves.

The caravan started off with little trouble. Before too long, red flares began to signal and the group shifted one direction or the other. She knew that those flanking the center group were spaced out by nearly a kilometer in all directions. She herself was glad to be so close to those she trusted and sought to protect. Each passing moment gave her more worry, more anxiety, more tension. When would the bloody battle begin?

Their first stop came just a few hours after they began. She was relieved to be alongside the river once more. The gentle current distracted her and set her at ease- if only for now. Most of her people were silent, afraid to make a sound for fear of attracting Titans. The Scouts were far more relaxed, though she was aware of their alert postures and glancing eyes. The only familiar faces she recognized immediately were those of Ymir and Eren. She didn't want to speak to either of them. She kept to herself for the short moment of rest.

More Titans began to swarm them. The formation was shifting after every kilometer. They were headed in a general northeast direction, but at times the group was going mostly north or entirely east. She kept her eyes peeled in every direction she could manage. If a Titan broke through, she wanted to know. She wanted to fight.

At some point after the second rest at noon, they began heading northeast again. She wondered about the strange behavior of the Titans. It was as if the monsters would converge on them every so often, and then fall away to give them a moment of peace. She hadn't seen a single black flare, either. While she was indeed grateful for the lack of action, she wasn't foolish enough to believe that the entire trio would be so easy, or that the Scouts on the very outer edge of the formation weren't having a difficult time.

A yellow flare... That was the signal for help, right? Her stomach churned. She looked to her left. A Scout she had no name for was conversing with someone who had just came upon him. That was Christa! She waited, impatient for the news to reach her. Erwin had told his Scouts to let her know of all changes in the current situation. She was to inform the next Scout first, then the rest of her people. She had told Erwin that she would make the final decision on what she told the majority of her people; she couldn't cause a panic.

Christa fell back, resuming her position in the formation. The Scout to her left came closer. "Three of our own were caught out on the edge- they lost two horses. Since you have extra, send someone to find them." She nodded and just as the Scout pulled away from her she cut through the tighter ranks to her right and went straight to the next Scout.

"We've lost three Scouts," she told the blonde man that eyed her with suspicion. "I'm taking an extra horse to go find them." He nodded and she could feel his eyes on her as she weaved through the group behind her to find Rosa.

"What's wrong?" Rosa asked. Eve could see the tension in Rosa's white-knuckle grip on her reigns.

"I need a horse," Eve said without inflection. "Two Scouts lost theirs. They are with a third who has his own to the East. I'm going to find them."

"Take someone with you!" Rosa demanded as she untied the reigns for one of the two horses that flanked her. Eve caught the leather straps as Rosa tossed them her way. She nodded and ran ahead to find Alois. He was the best choice for this situation. He was one of the best at taking down the Titans and he wasn't injured like she or Christophe.

"Alois!" she called. He slowed his pace to match hers to her right. "Follow me! We have to go to the yellow flair!" He nodded and they broke rank entirely. She kept her eyes peeled for more signs of Titan attacks.

As they moved further away from the center of the formation, she spotted fewer and fewer Scouts. The ranks were spread thin out on the edge to allow for maximum response time from Titan threats. Her teeth were grinding together as they made their way straight towards the tail of the fading yellow flair. How far out were they? It was hard to judge the distance. She had no training in this area. Neither did Alois. They rode fast and hard; her desire to get to the Scouts and return to her people was overwhelming.

"There!" She looked back to Alois and followed the direction that he was pointing. Sure enough, she could make out the dark silhouettes of three Scouts and a single horse at a tiny copse of trees. There was evidence of recent Titan kills perhaps a half-kilometer away from them to the South.

Who had been involved? Were they injured? What had happened for them to engage in combat? They rode closer, aiming to arrive and leave again in the shortest possible amount of time. Eve thought about the formation charts. There should still be Scouts nearby: some to the South and a few others to the West that were a part of the rear flank. Where were they? How had they not caught up yet? She wanted to vomit up her meager lunch of bread and cheese. Had they perished?

She arrived a moment before Alois, just as a Scout was preparing to fire another flare. The others signaled to Eve's left. She turned her head. Two Titans, perhaps seven and ten meters tall each were approaching. She could feel the vibrations in the earth from their footfalls. They had no choice out here- not with two Scouts lacking horses. She looked over to Alois. He nodded at her before she said a word. One of the Scouts had already mounted his horse and was riding for the two Titans.

Alois managed to distract one of them and led it a tiny distance away from the other. Thankfully, there were enough trees in the area for him to use his ODM gear. She had to turn her head away from them as she reached the other two Scouts. One had indeed been injured.

"Reiner!" she gasped, pulling Ada to a halt less than a yard away from him. There were bloody bandages wrapped around his head. She slipped off of Ada's back and limped over to him as fast as she could manage.

"I'm alright," he said, despite latching onto her for support the moment she was close enough for him to reach. She jerked her head over to look out at Alois and the other Scout. "That's Conny." She nodded once as she watched both Titans fall almost simultaneously.

"This one for me?" She looked to her right to see Jean untying the spare horse. She nodded. "Good. Reiner can ride with you. He's not in the greatest shape." At his words, Reiner slumped against her. It took everything she had to keep him on his feet for the few seconds it took him to recover.

"What happened?" Eve asked. Reiner's eyes fluttered back open and she seized the moment to shuffle him over to Ada. Jean helped her shove him up into the saddle. With a single swift move, she settled herself in the front. She reached behind her to find Reiner's arms and wrapped them around her shoulders.

"Abnormals," Jean said, spitting the word out of his mouth as if it were poison on his tongue. "They came out of nowhere. Come on. We need to rejoin the formation."

"What about your positions?" Eve asked as they began to ride away from the trees. Conny and Alois were trailing behind but catching up. "Should I leave Alois with you?"

"No," Jean answered. "Keep him in the center. He's more useful up there." She nodded once and latched onto Reiner's slipping arms. He was pressed to her back, his head resting on her shoulder. "Get Reiner looked at. There's a nasty cut on the back of his head from where he fell."

Eve nodded. She knew the moment they had rejoined the formation, for Alois came riding over to her right as Conny and Jean fell behind, resuming their positions once more. She continued to break the ranks, making her way back to the center. Erwin would have to stop soon. Their horses were becoming weary. She hadn't seen another flare since she'd broken from the center, so perhaps they were in a less inhabited zone for the moment. She and Alois reached the center just in time for her to notice the closing ranks from the flanks before them and to their right. That had been the standard feature just before each brief stop.

"Are you okay?" she asked, looking over at Alois. He nodded once, but she could see the dark look in his eyes. How many more times would they have to do this? How many more soldiers would be injured during this trip? How many would die? Were their people really safe? She knew he was wondering these things, but she had no answers and no words of comfort.

They began to slow as the formation became tighter and tighter. Soon, most had stopped altogether. She made her way over to one of the covered wagons. Erwin had introduced her to their field medic just before they left and made sure that she knew where he would be within the formation at all times. He spotted her as she trotted closer and jumped down from the carriage.

"Jean said that Reiner here has a cut on his head from when he fell," she informed him the moment he was within ear-shot. "He has been unconscious since I retrieved him."

"Peter!" the medic called to another Scout. This one joined them. Together, they lowered Reiner from Ada's saddle and laid him out in the back of the wagon. "Thanks. You can go see about your people now." She nodded and retreated. This man would take care of Reiner now. She was needed amongst her villagers to calm them and keep them together.

As she made her way back to the very center of the large group, she saw Mina and Lacey standing together. They were waiting for her. As soon as she stopped Ada and slipped out of her saddle, Mina and Lacey converged on her. She passed Ada's reigns to Rosa for the moment and faced the two women.

"Where is Alois?" Mina asked.

"What happened?" Lacie demanded.

Both women were anxious. The baby in Mina's arms began to cry. She tried to comfort the infant gently, but her worry for Alois was a distraction. Eve glanced around. He had been right behind her earlier. Where had he disappeared to?

"He's over there," Eve said to Mina, nodding behind her. He was speaking to Conny and Jean. Mina bit her lip for a moment, then stepped forward. She pressed the wailing baby into Eve's arms and dashed away. Eve peered down at the boy and hushed him gently. He responded instantly, falling silent and blinking up at her with big, soft brown eyes. Those were Annalise's eyes. She cringed slightly.

"Eve," Lacey said, coming closer. Her tone was gentle but pressing. "What happened?"

"Two Scouts lost their horses," Eve answered, unable to tear her eyes from the boy in her arms. "Alois and I took an extra for them. Reiner was injured so he rode with me. I took him to their medic to be seen about."

"Oh," Lacey breathed. Eve deliberately left out the part about Alois fighting a Titan while they were gone. She didn't want to cause a panic among her people. She needed them to remain calm; that was the only way that they could make this trip. She could tell that Lacey was relieved that none of her own people had been harmed, but that she was also worried for Reiner. He had spent so much time with them already...

"How has he been?" Eve asked, looking back down at the infant in her arms. She felt she should at least inquire after his wellbeing once in a while... He gurgled up at him and she couldn't resist a small smile.

"Ill," Lacey said, sounding tired. Eve looked up at her, one eyebrow cocked. "He's been fussy for the entire trip. This is the first time he's been quiet all day, I swear. I keep trying to get him to eat or sleep, but he won't. Perhaps you should try."

"I don't…" Eve started. She frowned down at Leonardo. She'd never actually fed a baby before. She'd only ever held two or three infants before him.

"Here," Lacey said, pulling her attention away from the cooing baby in her arms. She was holding out a bottle, already prepared. "I was trying to get him to take this earlier. You try." Eve took the bottle. After a little adjusting, she managed to prop Leonardo in one arm and hold the bottle in her other hand. She pressed the tip to his lips and she almost laughed when he latched onto it with all of the strength he possessed. "Our little lion was hungry." Lacey chuckled along with Eve.

"I just wish Annalise were here…" Eve said, her memories of her childhood friend overwhelming her.

"Don't dwell on the past, Eve," Lacey warned. "I know you've been thinking about the last time you made this trip…"

"How can I not?" Eve snapped, jerking her head up to look at Lacey. "I know that things are different this time, but I can't help it. Every time the formation shifts, I know that someone is facing down a Titan. I think of everyone we lost…"

"I do too," Lacey said, lowering her eyes to the ground. "But you are the one who pushed so hard for us to leave. Don't start regretting it now." Eve clenched her teeth. She knew Lacey was right, but damn her! And damn Otho! With the both of them chiding her about feeling guilty for deciding to make this trip, she stood no chance of feeling any better- only worse.

She knew, though. Even if Lacey hadn't said it, if someone was lost on this trip, then it would be her fault. She'd been the catalyst for this entire situation. How was she going to live with herself if someone else she loved died pursuing her dream? She shook the thoughts away. Regardless of what happened on this trip, if she lived, she was going to leave them all. Even if Otho didn't hate her, everyone else surely would for allowing a Titan to roam amongst them. Hans would lead the witch hunt against her.

"Let's go!" someone in the distance shouted.

Eve whispered a curse and looked over to Lacey.

"Maybe you should sit in the wagon with the rest of us this time?" she suggested. Eve shook her head. "You need to spend some time with him."

"I can't," Eve snapped. She pulled the bottle from Leonardo's mouth and thrust it into Lacey's hand. She then pressed the baby into her arms and spun on her heel. The Scouts had already mounted their horses. Most of her people were making their way back to the wagons. Those of her people who could ride were rounding up their horses. Rosa had taken care of them all during the short break. Eve found Ada with ease and climbed into the saddle.

Her chest was aching, but she knew it had less to do with her bruised ribs and more to do with her wounded pride. Lacey was right, of course. Leonardo was her responsibility now. She could never forget that. But she also couldn't drag an innocent child into her world of death and chaos. She was going to be a Scout. Her life with the people in her village was over once they reached the Wall. She hadn't had the heart to tell Otho, but she'd known for weeks that she could never go back to them now. She suspected that he had some idea about her plans, but he'd given her no indication that he had. The last conversation they'd shared filled her mind.

The rest of the day went by with little incident. The formation continued to shift, but she saw no more yellow flares. She was grateful for that, at least. The sun was crowning the horizon just as they reached what Commander Erwin had referred to as their other outpost. In all reality, it was a small city. There was a low wall encompassing much of the city, perhaps fifteen meters high. She could see evidence of its construction still lingering. There were piles of heavy stones resting at the base of the wall, awaiting their placement.

It took quite some time for the entire group to make it through the narrow gate. They could only enter two at the time. Her people were ushered to the front of the cue. The wagons carrying everyone entered one by one, followed by those on horseback. A small number of Scouts had been awaiting their arrival. They guided the wagons and those on horseback toward a part of the city that was still mostly intact. Once the carriages came to a halt, people began to climb down. Eve herself waited for most of her people to go inside one of the larger buildings. Shouted words from Scouts told everyone that cots had been provided and that they should all eat and rest while they had the chance. Her people did not argue. Rosa was running around with the horses, taking them all to a grassy area with a makeshift trough full of water.

Eve slid down from Ada's tall back and hit the ground hard. Her feet couldn't support her weight. With her entire body shaking, she crumpled to the cold, wet ground. An all-too-familiar pair of strong arms lifted her back to her feet and held her up for a moment. Once she felt she could stand on her own once more, she pushed the arms away and looked over her shoulder. Otho's concerned face loomed behind her. She gave him a tentative smile and took a step away from him before turning.

"I'm alright," she whispered. She'd made it this far alive. She didn't have to say the words, and neither did Otho. They both knew that the other was thinking the exact same thing. She'd kept her promise so far…

"We're all tired, Eve," he said, his eyebrows pulling together as he studied her face and posture. "You should come inside and rest with everyone else." She shook her head. "Then at least allow me to come with you." How could she refuse? Her knees were still threatening to give out and send her crashing to the ground once more.

"I need to speak with the Captain," she said at last, taking a single step toward the gates where the rest of the Scouts were still coming through. Otho pressed one hand to her lower back and steadied her as she walked. She couldn't deny how grateful she was. Without him, she'd have fallen several more times. Each time she stumbled, though, he was there to support her. Her leg was throbbing and her middle ached. Her entire body felt as if it might collapse in on itself at any moment.

"Eve?" She looked to her right as she made her way through the sea of green cloaks. Armin tugged off his hood. "What is it?" She wondered about his attitude. She'd expected him to be happy for the small victory in the majority of them, at least, making it this far. He'd always struck her as the type of person to celebrate small victories. He was not smiling though, nor was he being particularly warm towards her as he usually was.

"Where is Captain Levi?" she asked, pushing aside her thoughts. Perhaps he was just tired.

He frowned. "He should be with the Commander," Armin said. He looked around for a moment, then pointed to a small building jammed in between the two larger buildings that the Scouts were headed for. "In there."

"Thank you," Eve said, walking in the direction he'd referenced. She half expected him to run after her to try to talk to her, but he must have been stymied by Otho's imposing presence behind her. Again, she found herself grateful to him. It was becoming harder and harder to think about abandoning him every moment.

"Eve…" Otho said, trailing off into silence. She stopped and looked up at him. "I should help Rosa with the horses. Bren is only still learning and Klaus is preoccupied with assisting everyone else."

She nodded once and he slipped away into the crowds. Her body was still weak, but she managed to make her way into the building the Captain and Commander were in without incident. As soon as she raised her hand to knock on the door, it opened.

"How is Reiner?" she asked. Levi gave her a blank look. She could read the unasked question in his eyes.

"I was just going to see about him," he answered, rolling his eyes just slightly. "I'm surprised you went for him. I didn't think you knew how to follow orders."

It took nearly every ounce of self-control she possessed to prevent from snapping at him. "This is not my village. I have no more authority." One corner of his lip twitched up.

"I trust all of your people arrived safely?" he asked. She only nodded. In truth, she had no idea. That was something she'd figure out later. Hans and Lacey could cover that. Someone would find her if someone wasn't accounted for. "Then let's go." He brushed by her and led the way across the small city.

As they walked in silence, she caught bits and pieces of conversations from the Scouts that lingered in the streets. Some were discussing the trip while others said what they were going to do once they reached the Wall. She recognized few faces. Was she really going to join their regiment? Could she be a Scout? What would happen when her people showed up at Wall Rose amidst the Scouts? How were people going to react to seeing them? Her mind whirred with unanswered questions. It was a suitable distraction from her pain and exhaustion, but her anxiety grew. When Levi finally stopped, her stomach had twisted itself into fierce knots once more.

She entered the house behind Levi and followed him in silence to a room not far from the door. Inside, two field medics were resting in chairs, sharing cigarettes and warm coffee. "How's Reiner?" Levi asked, jolting both men out of their relaxation. They stood and saluted briefly.

"He'll be no good for a few days," one of them said. She recognized the other man as Peter.

"His injuries should heal up just fine, though," Peter said, gazing at Eve in slight wonder. She'd never formally met this man, and she could see his curiosity. She wanted to make some witty comment about him staring, but she held herself in check. This was neither the time nor the place for such things. "He's out cold right now."

"Satisfied?" Levi asked, glancing over his shoulder at Eve. She nodded.

"Thank you." She turned and made her way back out into foyer. Just before her hand reached for the handle, she stopped.

"Erwin wants to see you," Levi told her. "He'll be around to the building your people are in shortly." She nodded again and left.

Her people looked happy. Gathered together in the big room, sitting by the two fires and drinking hot coffee or tea, they seemed relaxed and carefree for the moment. She was glad. The children were running about, burning off their pent-up energy from the day. Bren was leading the charge, shouting and laughing with the others. Mina, Alois, Lacey, and Hans were all gathered by one corner of the room, chatting with small smiles on their faces. Others were walking up or down the stairs, exploring the building. Mina was the first to spot her. She stood with Leonardo in her arms and dashed over to her.

"Come sit with us, Eve, and hold Leo," she begged. "We'll get you something to eat and drink. You look exhausted." Mina didn't wait for a response. Once again, she thrust the baby into Eve's arms. Leonardo yawned up at her and blinked slowly. She gave him a tiny smile.

"I have to speak with Commander Erwin first," Eve told the young woman before her. "After that, I'll come join you." Mina nodded once and traipsed back to Alois. Eve glanced around the room once more, then settled herself and Leonardo in a chair by the door. They sat for several long minutes, Eve losing herself and all track of time to little Leonardo.

"This must be the child you were referring to." Eve's head snapped up and away from the infant in her arms. Erwin stood just inside the door. She nodded once, but her eyes had narrowed. "May I join you?" He gestured towards the chair across from her. She shrugged and he stepped forward to sit.

"Was anyone other than Reiner injured today?" she asked him. She had to know. Hearing about injuries first, she thought, might prepare her better for learning about any deaths. Her mind drifted back to the four Scouts who'd died trying to reach her village. Without even knowing their names, she regretted their deaths.

"Two others suffered a few scrapes and bruises, but nothing too serious," Erwin answered. "And before you ask, no, we didn't lose anyone. There were fewer Titans than I expected. The final count for Titan kills I received was only seventeen." Those numbers were a great relief to her. She felt her shoulders slum as she relaxed back into her chair. Leonardo was falling asleep, his big brown eyes barely able to stay open any longer.

Despite her relief, she knew there was still another day's journey to complete. How many would die or suffer injuries tomorrow? What about the families of the four who were already lost? She didn't know what she could possibly do to atone for their deaths. "What do you need, Commander?" Her exhaustion was beginning to show itself in not only her posture, but her attitude as well.

"All of your people arrived without incident?" he asked. She nodded. "Tomorrow's trip won't be as long, but it will possibly involve even more Titans. The formation will be tighter and the terrain will be rougher. How are your injuries?"

"Don't worry about me," Eve snapped. "I can manage just fine."

"Managing won't keep you alive out here," Erwin clipped, his eyes dark. She noticed the slight downward turn to the corners of his lips and the way his eyebrows pulled together, forming deep wrinkles above the bridge of his nose. "You should let Ed or Peter take a look at you. At the very least, your own doctor should check on your ribs and leg. You've shown your ability to follow orders, but only just. I might need you for more tomorrow, depending on the Titan situation. Abnormals are more common closer to the Wall. There is a very real possibility that one could break through the formation."

"Yes, Commander," Eve sighed. She looked back down at Leonardo. He was sleeping peacefully. The pale blue blanket he was wrapped in had been one that Annalise had made for him in the final months of her pregnancy. Eve could still remember the look on her face when she'd brought back the bag full of yarn for that reason specifically. "I'll have Doc see to my injuries in a little while."

"I'll find you just before we reach Wall Rose tomorrow," Erwin said, standing up. "We have a few more things to discuss, but it can wait. Rest up. You'll need your strength for tomorrow." Eve nodded and watched him exit the building. She took another moment for herself before standing and making her way over to Mina and Alois. Her mind was spinning with what Erwin might need to discuss with her as she left the baby in Lacey's arms and went to find Doc upstairs. She knew that it had to do with everything that might happen once they made it inside the Wall, but she couldn't help but worry.

Doc checked her out and wrapped her leg in clean bandages before sending her off to eat and sleep. She wasn't much for conversation, though, so she remained silent as others spoke around her. She was too wrapped up in her own thoughts and memories. There had been two nights she'd spent "outside" during the last time she'd attempted this sort of trip. Back then, she'd been huddled up with Otho and the others, hiding in a cave one night and in a dense forest the next. Their conditions this time around were far more favorable, but anything could go wrong.

All that night, her dreams were plagued with images of fiendish Titans. Rather than invading her village, they burst through the formation, crushing and devouring all of her loved ones. Rosa was forced to shake her awake twice. When dawn broke and the sunlight began to filter in through the uncovered windows, Eve knew that the final battle to keep her people alive and safe was about to begin.

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