Hello!

Here's another chapter for Lyn and Karla! I'm hoping to do more FE7 in future, so I hope you enjoy this pairing and whatever new ones happen in future. Also, as Fates is now out in the UK (finally), I plan to get it soon, and start writing some chapters. Look forward to it! Special thanks to grim963 for following, Cormag Ravenstaff for reviewing, and myfavouritestories for following and favouriting.

Onwards!

Chapter 43

Karla sighed dejectedly. Sat at the edge of the group's makeshift camp, she stared off into the distance. It had been months since she'd begun travelling with Hector's men. And still... No leads. Not a single drop of information on her brother's location.

"You okay?" Karla felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Lyn stood beside her. Nodding unconvincingly, the brunette turned back towards the horizon. The green-haired woman sat next to her, still concerned.

"You've hardly spoken to anyone all day." The Sacaen continued. "I've been worried."

The stoic swordswoman continued to stare into the distance. After a long moment, she turned to face the other woman.

"It's... My brother. I've been searching a long time. I'm starting to doubt if I'll find him." Karla finally said. "I wonder if I should just give up."

She spoke in her usual level, formal tone, but a deep sadness was written all over her face.

"...He means a lot to you, doesn't he?" Lyn leaned closer, resting her head on the brunette's shoulder.

"Of course." Karla replied. "He is my brother, after all. I must find him."

"B-But if he means that much to you, why give up?" The green-haired swordswoman exclaimed. "You can't give up on family!"

The other woman stared off into the distance again.

"I-I know. But... I've never lived my own life. I've been chasing him for so long... Maybe too long. Fighting in arenas, fighting this war... I've forgotten what it's like not to be searching." She admitted sadly.

Lyn stared. She'd never really asked about Karla's past.

"How... How long were you fighting in arenas for?" She asked tentatively. After a long silence, Karla turned to her.

"A few years... Four or five." She finally said matter-of-factly. "I don't know exactly."

Slowly, gently, the green-haired woman wrapped her arms around the brunette's shoulders.

"It must have been hard for you. I know you hate fighting." Lyn spoke softly and sympathetically.

"It- It was." Karla admitted, her emotionless facade cracking for a second. "But... I have to find him."

"You will." The Sacaen reassured her. "I'm sure of it."

"H-How can you be so sure?" The other swordswoman looked at her.

Lyn smiled warmly. "I know I look Sacean, but I'm related to the marquess of Caelin." Karla's eyes widened as the green-haired woman continued. "I'll do everything I can to help you find your brother."

"You'd really do that much for me?" The brunette looked at her, amazed. Lyn laughed, still smiling affectionately.

"Of course I would. You're important to me, Karla." Both of them blushed slightly as she said it. "I want to help you however I can."

"I... Lyn... You... You don't know how much this means to me." Karla looked down, misty-eyed. "I've been alone so long... I forgot what it was like to have friends... To love someone."

Lyn, still blushing, leaned forwards and kissed the brunette.

"Don't worry." She whispered. "You'll never have to be alone again."