A True Knight
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 8.
Last chapter: Olivia and Squall finally make up and he learns that in his abscense she has
been seeing Sir Bradley. Squall was hurt but figured that they were better
suited for each other. Rinoa and Maven bond for a moment and strenthen
their friendship. Rinoa and Squall don't see eye to eye when it comes to his
habits with women but they make up and enjoy the party which was in honor
of them. Olivia even seems to get used to the idea of Squall marrying Rinoa.
But how long will this happiness last without something to interrupt it?
Chapter 9: War
Everything was back to normal now. The court didn't need me and Rinoa's help as
much anymore so we could go back to what we used to do. Promptly at seven in the morning
Olivia knocked on my door. I was already dressed so she didn't have to wait long. She was
wearing red today. I always found in amazing how she could have so many different colored
dresses. She kissed me on the cheek and we made our way down to the training yard. When
we got there the men were in a frenzy. They were loading up horses and putting on armor. I
didn't know what was going on and I didn't want to ask just anybody. I went to Bradley's
tent and he was there looking over the plans again. I saw Olivia's face which was etched with
worry. She knew what was going to happen and so did I. The war was beginning.
" What's going on?," I inquired. I asked just for the hell of it. I knew the answer to
my question already. " King Zander's troops just attacked one of our bases in the east. He's made
the first move so we have to answer him," Bradley replied. I nodded in agreement. When one
side has begun you can't just ignore them. " I suppose you are right. The men have already begun
to suit up and I suggest we do the same," I said. Bradley nodded as well and rushed to his tent
to gather his things. Olivia was about to go after him but I stopped her. " Olivia, you have to
tell Rinoa that I'm leaving. She'll insist on coming but tell her that she can't. If you haven't guessed
by now, Rinoa is a sorceress and she could indeed kill every one of the soldiers without trying.
The thing is the court is still suspicious of us and if they find out about her power we'll be caught
as well. I know you're worried about Bradley so I will try to care for him as best I can," I said.
Tears were already in her eyes and I hated to see her cry but this war had to be carried
out as normal as possible. If it were just Rinoa and I we could take out the soldiers by ourselves
but now we have people to care for. Olivia was going to protest but she decided to listen to what
I had told her. By that time Bradley had come back. She went over to him and hugged him tightly.
He hugged her back the same way and gave her a farewell kiss. She was still crying as they pulled
away from each other. She kissed me on the cheek then went to do what I had asked her. Bradley
was looking after her probably worried that he may never see her again. I would try with all of my
power not to have any harm come to any of my men but in battle you always lose some. He turned
back to me with a sad smile on his features. " I took the liberty of packing your things Captain. We
should go before Lydia realizes you are gone," he said. I nodded in approval and followed him
outside.
My men were already assembled on their horses outside of my tent. My white horse was
waiting patiently for me. I climbed on his back and adjusted myself for a long ride. I looked at the
castle once then nudged him in the ribs. We rode out of the south gate to a fate well unknown.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
" He did what?!," I screamed. Olivia winced back a little at my harsh tone. " He's gone to
fight the war. King Zander's troops made the first move and as a rule of the war you can't ignore it," she
said. My eyes were blazing yellow now due to my anger. My powers caused me to pick up a vase and hurl
it out the window without using my hands. Maven was standing in the corner obviously afraid. She had
no idea that I had powers but this recent turn of events brought them out of me. " Look, I was upset as
well but we can not do anything about it now. They must be at least an hours ride away by now," she
chided. I turned back to her frowning. " Don't patronize me Livi. I can find him if I want to. He is my
knight and my ability to find him anywhere comes with the package," I retorted. She frowned as well.
" He told me you would want to do something that stupid. He told me to tell you not to follow him. He
said this war needed to be fought as normal as possible if you do not wish to be found out," she said.
I glared at he long and hard before I sighed in defeat. I let my eyes turn back to their
chocolate brown color. As always he was right. I looked over to the corner where Maven was now
staring at me in fear and distrust. I knew I had to tell her the truth now. I went over to her but she
backed away in fear. " What in bloody hell are you?," she asked softly. I felt slightly hurt but I know
I had lied to her first. " If you want the truth you have to promise me you won't tell King Lance," I
said. " I can not do that. I am under oath as a servant to the King," she protested. " But what about
oath to a friend?," I inquired. That got her. I knew it did. Even before she witnessed this she can't
forget that we were bestfriends and that I treated her better than all of the servants. She went back to
her rocking chair in the corner and sat down. I sat on the bed in front of her and Olivia sat in another
chair. I grinned at her. " I thought you heard the story already?," I mused. She smiled back. " It
never hurts to hear it again. Besides he just told me you were a sorceress this morning," she retorted.
I nodded in approval then began to tell the tale.
" Well Maven, I didn't mean to keep this a secret from you but Squall said that I had to so
that we wouldn't be caught. My name is not Lydia, it's Rinoa Heartilly. I'm not sure where the real
Lydia is so I can't tell you. Squall and I come from the future. That's why you found me in that strange
garment. We were at a SeeD ball dancing to our favorite song when a shooting star went by and we
were transported here. Just so you know, SeeD is a military academy similar to the knighthood except
that our weapons and tactics are more advanced. Their purpose was to destroy sorceresses. Before you
even say it yes I am a sorceress and they didn't kill me because I wasn't always one. I'm not going to give
you the whole story because it'll take to long. To cut the story short, Squall and I fought in the war
together and fell in love. Squall was the leader of Garden so that's how he led your knights so well.
Eventually we will leave here but we don't know how for the moment and we aren't particularly in a rush.
That's it," I concluded.
Maven sat there and stared at me for a moment. She studied me so that she could see if anything
was different but it wasn't. " I thought that sorceress were mean and ugly. All the ones I have seen are," she
commented softly. I smiled at her. " There was one sorceress named Adel who was like that. She looked
more like a dude though. Anyway Mave, now that I have told you, you have to promise not to tell anyone
else. Squall and I must have been sent here for a reason and until it's done we need to remain inconspicuous.
Do you promise not to tell?," I asked again. She smiled back. " Of course, but does that mean that you are
not a virgin?," she asked. I knew I was blushing now. " No I'm not. Squall and I have been together for about
three years now. I'm sure you've noticed he's attractive so I just couldn't keep my hands to myself," I mused.
Maven's face turned a deep crimson color and I heard Olivia laugh. " Stop that Rinoa, you are embarassing
her," she said. We broke into laughs now. I was glad to finally tell someone my dark secret. My thoughts
then wandered to Squall, He better not die on me.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The men and I set up camp in a small canyon where we knew they had to pass through to get to
King Lance's kingdom. The men were tense and were trying to relax as best they could. There was a big
bonfire in the center of the camp where the men were gathered talking amongst themselves because they
knew these could be their last moments. I sat down in a dark corner thinking to myself. I wouldn't be able to
take it if I lost anyone but it happens. My thoughts were interrupted when Bradley sat down next to me.
I looked at my second in command who seemed to be distressed. " Is something wrong?," I inquired. He
sighed deeply before answering. " Is it that obvious?," he mused. I smiled warmly. " I'm afraid it is. If there
is something on your mind speak it. You may not have the chance later," I warned.
He nodded. " I know. Captain there is something I must confide in you," he began. " Sure," I said.
" I know you are not from here. From this world even. I looked up all of the known and unknown cultures and
there is none that use the type of guardians you described to me. Who are you really?," he asked. I chuckled
at the irony of this situation. " I knew you were too bright for your own good, but I am sorry Bradley, I can't
tell you. If we live through this maybe but for the moment I can not. Just trust me for I have never let you
astray before," I said. He smiled and nodded. " That is fine. Now on to something else. I am madly in love
with Olivia but I have a feeling she will always keep me at a distance because of you. Are you sure nothing
is going on between you two?," he asked. " Nothing Bradley. She may not be keeping you at arms lenth
because of me. She has never truly trusted a man before me so she still may be skeptical of you. Stay with
her. She'll come around," I said.
He sighed in acceptance. " Alright, I just hope you are right sir," he said. I smiled at him. He's so
in love. It reminded me of when Rinoa and I first started out. " Captain! They're here!," a soldier on look-out
called. I rose to my feet and went over to where he was. How far out?," I inquired. " About six hundred yards
Sir and coming fast. They seem to be on horseback," he informed. I nodded and left the safety of the camp.
My men were about to pull me back but Bradley told them to be still. When the enemy soldiers were a few
feet ahead of me I called Shiva. She appeared and floated beside me. Her blue wings were spread out
magestically. She looked at me but had a look of disgust on her features. I smiled at her. " Don't complain
darling. Just do what you are supposed to," I commanded softly. She nodded then flew off into battle. I felt
a person beside me and turned to see that it was Bradley. " She is magnificent," he whispered. I smiled at
him. " That she is," I said.
I turned my attention back to the battle to see Shiva approaching the men. The soldiers slowed
down in awe of her beauty but then she unleashed her 'diamond dust' attack and half of the men were dead.
She came back to me with her arms folded across her naked chest. " Thank you Shiva," I said. She tried
to surpress her girlish smile but realized that it was futile. By now my men had ran past me into battle to finish
the remaining soldiers. Bradley left my side as well to join them. I was going to go with him but Shiva restrained
me. I looked to her with confused eyes but she only smiled. 'You have done enough master. Let your men
prove themselves to you. Besides, this is not to be your deathplace,' she said. I sighed and allowed my men
to fight. The battle was long and gruesome and I had gone in to help them near the end. By morning the next
day the war was over. Blood was spread all over the land, both from my men and from the enemy.
Through it all, Bradley managed to stagger back to me. He informed me that we only lost fifteen
men and I was happy for that. Shiva floated beside me smiling as well. She healed Bradley's wounds and he
managed to watch her every second. She looked up at him and only smiled. After she healed all the soldiers
Shiva faded back into my being. " We'll rest here for a few days then we'll head back. Make sure that we
bury the dead," I said. The men cheered in triumph. All in all, I had done very little for the battle. It was the
men who were truly fighting for what they believed. In the future that type of chivalry were lost just like the
kingdoms. I smiled inwardly. This is the life.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
* This part will be told in Olivia's P.O.V.*
" Is she alright Maven?," I asked walking into Rinoa's bedchamber. Maven was in the rocking
chair beside Rinoa's bed. " No. She's been vomiting non-stop for about an hour now. She assures me that
she is fine. Do you think I should call the doctor?," she inquired. I shook my head no. I think I knew what
was causing her sickness and if Maven called the doctor then her parents will know that she and Squall
consumated before their marriage. I sat down on the bed. " Maven listen to me," I said. She turned to
me with worry still etched in her features. " I know what is the matter with Rinoa," I said. " Really? Out
with it then!," she urged. " She's with child," I said.
Maven's face became blank. " She's pregnant? How? She and Squall didn't..," she began. I nodded.
" Oh my," she said as she slumped back on the chair. " What will the King say about that?," she mused.
I took her shoulders forcefully. " No! He must not find out about this until after the wedding do you hear.
We can not afford for the King to find out when they have come so far undetected," I warned. She nodded
in agreement. She didn't want to get Rinoa in trouble since they were friends. We ended our conversation
when Rinoa emerged from the bathroom in her light blue nightgown. The whole time Maven was staring at
her still slim stomach. " I take it you told her Livi?," she inquired. I nodded. She smiled and sat down on
the bed beside me. " Well, I guess this is what Squall and I get for being so carefree. Speaking of him have
you heard anything?," she inquired.
I didn't want to tell her 'no' but in truth I hadn't heard a thing. Even the King was beginning to get
worried. He treasured Squall like he did a son. " No I haven't. I'm sorry Rin," I said. She nodded sadly. " It's
alright. I know he's not dead or else I would have felt it," she said. I was about to agree until I heard some
trumpets playing in the distance. That could only mean one thing. I shot up abruptly and turned to Rinoa.
" Get dressed Rin. Our men are back!," I said as I scurried out of the room. By the time I got down to the
main square Lance and Tavela were already there greeting the soldiers, especially Squall and Bradley. Squall
dismounted his horse to bow to the King and Queen. I gathered my skirts and went over to them. Bradley
saw me coming so a smile now played on his boyish features. I ran to him and hugged him tightly. He burried
his face in my hair. " I missed you," he whispered to me. " I missed you more you big brute," I retorted. A
tear came down my face as we embraced and for that moment no one else mattered.
When Bradley and I broke apart I went over to Squall and hugged him just as tightly. " Hey Livi.
I take it you were worried," he mused. I laughed a little before I let him go. " Of course. Lydia and I were
worried sick about the both of you. If you cause us to age earlier I'll kill the both of you," I said. They laughed
at my words but stopped when Rinoa came down to the square. Squall went over to her and she kissed him
deeply not caring that her parents were around. I smiled to myself. Well, he's in for a doozy when she tells
him about her baby. I redirected my attention to Bradley when I felt him take my hand. " You have no scars,"
I stated. He smiled. " I know. None of us do thanks to Squall and his guardian. I found out that he wasn't
from around here and I have a feeling that you knew this the whole time," he accused. I blushed a little. " I
did know, but it was better this way. Come on, the others are already inside the castle," I said. He nodded
moving his free hand around my waist. I blushed at this sudden affection then we went inside to meet up
with the King and Queen.
TBC.....................................
End chapter 9. Well, I regret to inform you that there is only two chapters left. The faster you review the faster
the chapters will come out so come on! Show me what you got! ~LS~