A one shot.

Lianna gazed out from the ramparts of her castle, taking in the landscape around her. Ever since the brave heroes of other worlds had helped the twin princess and her brother save the realm, there had been peace. Of course, there were still large factions of bandits roaming around. Most of the villages had trained men to defend it, but even a knight can't stop thirty bandits.

"Your Majesty," A servant girl said, "A messenger is here, and he has a letter from your brother."

"Perfect. Bring it to me."

Lianna got the letter, and instantly began to read it.

Dear Sis,

My men and I have cornered the largest bandit faction in the mountains and we are currently holding them under siege. I've lost about twenty men, but I'm still going strong! I have captured one of the bandit generals, and he's told me that all of the groups are actually aligned! I think they may be planning to take over, so I would recommend increasing your guard amount.

See you later, sincerely, Rowan

"Thank you." Lianna said to the servant. "Please, go take a break. You've been helping me all morning."

"Thank you, your majesty." The girl replied. "If you need my assistance, please let me know."

"Actually," Lianna said meekly, "Could you please come with me to my quarters? I know that you're much better with kids than I am."

"No problem!" The two of them walked up to the Queen's room, and the midwife there bowed.

"How is he?" Lianna asked.

The midwife looked at the baby and replied, "I think he's doing better than yesterday. He's still weak, but he's getting stronger."

"Thank you. Now, I would like some time alone." Lianna stated. "You can both get some rest."

The two servants bowed, then left the room. Now that Lianna was alone with her newborn, she teared up.

"Only if your father was here…" She gasped. "Then both of our lives would be easier."

The father in question had left two days after the child was born. Although they had been married for a year, it was still a huge shock that he left. Rowan, in defense of his sister, immediately started a manhunt for him. A week after the hunt started, they found the ex-king. He was at the base of a cliff, three arrows embedded in his head. The arrow markings dictated that bandits did the assasination, most likely because he still had royal status at the time. Interrupting her thoughts, the baby started to cry.

Lianna ran over (As fast as she could, but she was in a skirt.), and started to soothe the baby.

"It's ok. It's ok." She repeated. "You're gonna be okay."

The child looked up at his mother and stopped crying. "I guess I still haven't thought of a name for you." Lianna said. "Knowing me, I'll probably change my mind later."

Location: The Eastern Mountain Range, two days later.

Rowan passed angrily in front of his tent, the long sword in his scabbard banging against his hip.

"The bandits know that they're starving." He said to nobody in particular. "But yet they are still holed up in their base." He then looked at the enemy fortification and snapped his fingers. "General!" He yelled. "Get the men ready! We attack at dusk!"

…

The large army of Aytolis gathered at the base of the mountain, trebuchets and siege equipment lumbering slowly behind them. The army was in the signature formation, with cavalry in the front, followed by foot soldiers, then archers at the sides.

"Sir!" One of the messengers said to Rowan. "The bandits are amassing their forces as well! They look a lot stronger than we expected!"

"We'll still win!" The royal yelled, determination written in his voice. "I know we will!"

The blonde looked at the messenger and made eye contact. "Blow the horn." He said. "We'll start our assault now!"

The ram's horn sounded, and Rowan's army charged at the bandits. Instantly, hundreds of arrows screamed and fell into the ranks of both sides. "Cavalry!" Rowan yelled. "Hammerhead formation!"

A nearby officer relayed the order, and soon the horses began to play their part. The hundred horses and men formed into four, twenty-five men squadrons and moved in a circle, hitting the enemy at one point, wheeling away, then attacking again. Rowan was proud of the results, although he felt pain in his heart whenever he saw his own men, lying in a pool of blood.

"The bandits are falling back." A messenger noted from his left. "I assume we will continue the cavalry attacks?"

"No." Rowan stated defiantly. "Get the archers to advance, with the swordsmen and women in front. Tell the archers to perform standard high shots. Start at the back and work your way forward."

"Understood. Your sister has also made a message for you."

Rowan smiled. "Perfect. I'll read it after. See you at the victory feast!" The royal then started to run to the front ranks, joining his men in combat.

The fighting itself was very intense, but, in the end, Rowan won. The bloodstained knight sat down on a rock and opened the letter, slowly taking off the royal seal.

Dear Rowan

Thank you for the update. Knowing you, by the time you read this letter the bandits would have been defeated. My kid is recovering, and I strengthened the guard force. I have sent out scouts nearby to spy on bandit groups, and they all carry the same flag. I believe you should bring your army back to the castle, recover, then we can take them down. I also have some concerning news. I believe that my son possesses some sort of skill. Whenever I feel sad, he feels sad too. It might just be a mother-son connection, but Mother never told me about anything like this.

I am looking forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely, Queen Lianna.

"I hope so too." Rowan muttered. "In the meantime, I have to get this army organized and march back to the castle."

After a day's rest, the hundred-strong army marched back to the castle and was met by cheers and celebrations. Rowan, true to his character, hung out with his troops. Although Lianna wanted to partake in the festivities as well, she had to maintain a certain aloofness from the commoners.

Lianna walked over to the large painting on the wall of her mother and clutched her hand to her chest.

"Mother…" She said, "I promise I'll be as good as you."

All of a sudden, Rowan burst through the doors, breathless. "Sis!" He yelled. "The bandits are here! They've surrounded the castle!"

Lianna hid her fear. "Get the garrison on the walls, but don't attack. We can hold out for a while, and luckily, we have wells inside the walls."

"How can you be so calm!?" Rowan exclaimed.

"If I seem weak, the people will lose hope. I have to be strong." Lianna replied. "I also don't want to disturb Zane."

"That's what you named the kid? Not too bad."

"Anyway, let's go up to the walls. I want to get a look at the bandits we're facing."

"If you wish."

…

Lianna and her brother glanced over the ramparts, trying to avoid being seen and shot at. Lianna noticed the amount of tents and fire scattered around the perimeter, then shook her head. "That's way too many. I think we should build some machinery, at least."

"Like what?"

"Burning tar." Lianna replied.

"That's….that's...inhumane." Rowan exclaimed.

"Real war has no laws. You know that." Lianna said, "But, I think I might have another plan."

"Like?"

"If we gather our men at the base of the drawbridge, we can charge out and force them back. I can lead the charge."

"You shouldn't be out in battle. You have a kid."

"And you have a nephew. So what?"

"I can't reason with you." Rowan replied. "But, we can both lead the charge. It'll be similar to what we did three years ago."

"Yeah. Only if the others were here."

"Hey, cheer up. We're older now, and wiser." Rowan said. He patted his older sister on the shoulder. "Let's get back into the War Room and get a real plan going."

"Yeah…"

Rowan, Lianna, and three generals were all gathered in the war room.

"So," Rowan started, "I believe that we should attack now, while we're still strong."

"I agree with my brother, but I think we should come up with a strategy." Lianna said. "If we put archers on the walls, we can have them do lots of the work. Every person who can shoot a bow will be up there, besides our swordsmen and women."

"I like the Queen's plan." A general said. "I'm sure we can pump out enough arrows."

"And," Another general added, "I'm sure we can teach most of the population to throw rocks too. If we don't have enough bows, rocks and spears are a great option."

"Rown and I will lead the ground charge." Lianna stated.

"No." Rowan replied. "I may not be the King, but I know that you have a son to protect. If you fall, he will grow up without a father, and mother. Also, we can tell that you have another baby in the oven, too."

"How? I never told anybody!" Lianna protested.

"Listen, we can tell." Rowan stated. "Your husband died a bit less than a week ago, and that's enough time for you to have gotten pregnant before he left."

"Okay, fine. I won't fight." Lianna said reluctantly. "I'll be up in my room, watching the fight. If I see any section that needs help, I'll send men down."

"Before we attack, I have something to say." One of the generals said. "Rowan, the council has agreed to let you use the Shield Of Flames for this battle. Although you won't need its power, having some defense is useful."

"Now," Rowan cheered, "Let's get this party started!"

All of the villagers were gathered atop the walls, armed with bows, rocks, and spears. All of the knights were gathered at the gate, with Rowan at the head.

Lianna was in her quarters, and she was itching to get into the fight. Besides the fact that Rowan didn't want her to fight, she was also scared. All of the enemies she fought before were all defending, not attacking. Suddenly, a thought sparked inside her head.

"I can still fight, I just won't be in danger!" She said. Walking over to the balcony, she took out a longbow. Although she was a swordswoman, ever since she became a queen she had taken up the longbow. Although she was strong, having a ranged attack was perfect. And the same ability serves her now.

She drew an arrow and attached a bag of gunpowder to the end lighting the fuse. She aimed the bow into the sky, then shot.

A few seconds later, there was a loud boom. The air was filled with the cry of bandits, then Lianna heard the drawbridge open.

"It looks like the frontal assault has begun." She whispered. Then, Zane began to cry. Lianna's motherly instinct kicked in, and she dropped the bow and instantly picked up her kid. His blonde hair almost glowed in the sunlight, and Lianna smiled.

"You look just like your mother." She whispered. "I'm happy the future of Aytolis is in your hands."

Feel free to drop a review and follow me for more Fire Emblem content. I also have a story called 'Hidden Shadows', which is my own route for three houses.