:/ The last chapter...
FireEdge: If you want to see...read the chapter, of course!
frombern: Thanks for your review!
Inferno-Hero: Oh, believe me...I know all about FE6 :)
AmbieChan: Actually...I think that's the third time you've told me that you think you love me .
Jeanie: I use Lucius against Nergal...unlike Athos, Lucius has the possibility of getting 2 hits on Nergal! Plus, he could also end up with more HP.
anonymus: 18 chapters is quite a bit if you think about it...
Spectral Flame: Thanks for your review!
hyliansage: Ah yes...those scenes. And as for Nino and Jaffar...they will be next, but it will be awhile before that story is started. I'm going away for most of the summer, but rest assured, afterwards I'll be writing it!
Lord Cynic: If you haven't beaten the game, then why did you read this story in the first place? Finding out that Ninian was part dragon must've been a real spoiler to you .
But it doesn't matter...I get more reviews this way :P
The Story Master 125: "It's just as good as my love confession!" How modest :P
:D: I agree...for some reason I think Defiance will always be my best work. As for Nino and Jaffar... --points at response to hyliansage--
laura (x4!!): 4 reviews...anyway, you have to keep in mind that Ninian's parents were together before the Scouring occurred, so a relationship such as that would have been seen as entirely different from one that started after the Scouring.
Epilogue
Ninian tossed and turned, but she could not get to sleep.
The bed, of course, was very comfortable, but Ninian was just feeling restless. She silently got out of the bed and pulled a nightgown over her body. Maybe a short walk would clear her head.
She looked back at the bed, at the figure of Eliwood sleeping soundly.
She smiled slightly at his peaceful figure. He wouldn't mind if she went for a walk...
As to not wake him, she crept as quietly as she could towards the door on the far end of the room. She opened the door just a crack, her eyes taking a few moments to adjust to the fully-lit hallway. The two guards posted at opposite sides of the door turned to her as she exited her and Eliwood's room.
"Lady Ninian?" one of them asked.
She looked to her side, smiling pointedly. She had never really liked being called "Lady Ninian," and had requested the guards just to call her by her name. Nevertheless, some of the guards seemed to continue addressing her as "Lady" simply out of habit.
The guard apparently recognized his mistake, and he cleared his throat embarrassedly. "Uh, I mean—Ninian," he said. "Is something the matter?"
"Everything is fine," she replied, looking at the guard again. "I just can't sleep very well tonight. I'm going for a short walk."
The guard nodded in acceptance. "Very well, La—I mean, Ninian."
Ninian smiled amusedly at the guard before walking past him, down the hallway. After a few well-known turns and some nods to a couple of other guards holding graveyard shift, she arrived where she wanted to be: one of the castle's balconies.
She stepped out into the night air. It was cool outside, but refreshingly so. The sky was completely clear, the crescent of the moon and the millions of stars around it shining down onto the earth.
She smiled serenely, looking down at her hand. On one of her fingers was a golden ring, with three small sapphires adorning it.
She twisted the ring absently, looking back up into the night sky.
It's beautiful.
Just like the sky had been on that fateful day two years ago...
The army had piled onto the ship in high spirits, their mission finally completed.
Ninian had promised herself shortly after leaving the Dragon's Gate to see Florina, and she had gone to her compartment whereupon the Falcoknight had promptly had a fit and had flung her arms around her once-lost friend. Florina had been so joyful that she had even picked up Ninian and twirled her around a few times, but unfortunately that combined with the rocking of the ship had served to make Ninian more than a little queasy.
So she had retired to her own compartment, which she was now sharing with Eliwood. He wasn't there, so she had simply laid down on her bed, trying to quell her nausea. After several minutes, Eliwood came in, and he had sat beside her, holding her hand and smiling warmly at her. That had served to make her feel a little better, but she still thought it would be best if she stayed in bed for the rest of the day. Eliwood accepted this and left to talk to Fargus.
She must have fallen asleep at one point, because later in the day she had been awoken by the sound of Eliwood's voice outside her compartment. Through the closed door, however, she wasn't able to make out the words he was saying.
He was apparently talking to Hector, as she heard his voice too. His voice was much louder and she could make out his words clearly.
"Oh, come on, Eliwood!" he said. "This is the perfect time!"
Eliwood spoke, but she still couldn't make out his words.
She heard Hector sigh in annoyance. "Do you honestly think she will? Come on! She loves you!"
Ninian presumed that they were talking about her, but as for what Eliwood wanted her to do, she had no idea.
Eliwood spoke again, this time his words being broken up by nervous pauses.
"That doesn't really matter right now," Hector replied a little more calmly. "Go on... you don't have much time. Remember, you've got nothing to worry about."
She heard Eliwood again, from his tone she could tell he was asking a question.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever..." Hector replied, and Ninian heard his footsteps moving away from the door.
There was a deep breath, and the door finally opened, Eliwood standing in the doorway. She could see that he was nervous about something, but he tried his best to smile. "Ninian," he said, "are you feeling better?"
"I think so..." she replied, then noting his nervous expression, she went on, "Are you all right?"
"Yeah!" he said a little overenthusiastically. As if to contrast that statement, he gave a nervous chuckle. "E-everything's fine..." He paused for a moment, then said, "If you're feeling better, could you come with me? There's something I want you to see."
"Okay..." she replied slowly, before getting up and walking to the door. She followed Eliwood as he went down the hallway towards the door that led above decks. They passed Hector along the way, who was crossing his arms and smiling knowingly at the pair. She could have sworn that he gave Eliwood a tiny wink as he passed him.
Ninian was confused. What was going on?
When they reached the door to the upper decks, Eliwood suddenly stopped and turned around.
"Could you...close your eyes?" he asked.
She stared confusedly at him for a moment, but she complied anyway.
"Okay..." He took her hand and led her above decks. She felt him make a turn, and they went up some steps...and then he stopped.
"You can open your eyes now," he said, sounding a little more confident now.
She opened them...and immediately gasped in wonder.
She was looking off the stern of the ship at the most wondrous sunset she had ever seen.
"Oh my..." she gasped. "It...it's beautiful..."
Eliwood smiled warmly, more of his confidence returning. "Not as beautiful as you," he remarked, kissing her on the cheek.
She giggled, turning to him. "Oh, stop it," she murmured playfully.
They both stared at each other silently for a second, both smiling serenely, not wanting to ruin the moment.
Finally, Eliwood spoke.
"Ninian," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "I...I love you, more than anything in the world..."
Her serene smile grew slightly. "And I love you, Lord Eliwood," she replied.
More than anything at that moment, she just wanted to kiss him. But she was rather surprised when he went on.
"Ninian," he repeated, taking one of her hands in his. "I...I told you at the Dragon's Gate..." He seemed to be growing unsure of himself again. "Ninian...I love you...and I want you by my side forever."
Ninian thought he was going to continue, but when he did not, she encouraged him. "And?"
"And..." He looked away. "Ninian, I never want you to leave me again..." He looked back at her, straight into her eyes. "And that's why I need to ask you..." He bent down, and got on one knee.
"Ninian..." he said, "will you marry me?"
Ninian opened her mouth in surprise, and she made a noise between a laugh and a sob—she was close to tears from joy.
"I..." Eliwood interjected, "I know I don't have a ring, but...this was...unexpected..."
But that didn't matter to her.
"Yes!" she shouted ecstatically. "Yes! I will!"
"Really?" Eliwood's face broke into a huge smile, and he stood back up. "Ninian..." he whispered. "Thank you...now we'll always be together..."
"Yes..." Ninian whispered back, moving her face towards his.
And they shared a long, heartfelt kiss to seal the vow.
The wedding had taken longer to plan than expected, however, as Lycia had been in a rather chaotic state after the death of several of its marquesses. It was just as well, though, as Eliwood had taken the time to get a master craftsman to create the ring Ninian was wearing now.
The wedding had been a few months ago. Ninian had quickly asked Florina to be the maid of honor, and Eliwood had chosen Hector as best man. It had been a simple ceremony, although many nobles of Lycia had shown up as was custom.
As the new marquess of Pherae, Eliwood's duty prevented the newly-married couple from going on a long honeymoon, but Ninian hadn't really cared. Their passion-filled night following the wedding was one she would never forget...
Her hands moved unconsciously to her very slightly swollen stomach.
A moment later, she felt a pair of hands on her own. Instinctively, she knew it was nobody other than Eliwood.
"Couldn't sleep?" his voice came from behind her. He placed his head next to hers, on her shoulder.
"Mmm..." she replied.
Eliwood gave her stomach an affectionate squeeze. "Thinking about the baby?" he asked.
She smiled slightly. "Yes," she replied.
It had only been a few days ago that the castle's doctors had interpreted Ninian's continual "morning sickness" as signs of pregnancy. The proof had quickly appeared—the following day, her stomach had begun to grow.
Although it was early, Ninian and Eliwood had spent the past few days thinking of possible names for the baby. If it was a boy, Ninian had wanted to name the baby "Nils" in memory of her brother. Eliwood, on the other hand, wanted to name the baby "Elbert" in memory of his father. They had decided that either name would only cause disagreement from the other, and so they had decided to give the baby a different name. Eventually they had decided on the name "Roy." Now they had currently been debating what to name their child if it was a girl.
"What do you think of the name 'Rachel?'" Eliwood asked.
"Hmm..." Ninian thought. "Maybe."
Eliwood chuckled and kissed her on the cheek. "Finally, one you agree with."
She giggled, breaking from his embrace and turning around to face him. "I never said I agreed with it," she said playfully, smiling. "I just said 'maybe.'"
"That's still a first," Eliwood laughed. He took one of her hands in his. "Come on, you should get back to bed."
She walked with him back to their room, once again nodding at the guards as she passed. When they entered their room and closed the door, Ninian slipped out of her nightgown and climbed into bed beside Eliwood.
"Good night kiss?" Eliwood asked playfully, sitting up in the bed.
She smiled at him. "Good night..." She kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you too," came Eliwood's reply.
He laid down and closed his eyes, and Ninian began to do the same.
She smiled serenely at him sleeping.
It had been over four years since Ninian had first come through the Dragon's Gate. If what Nergal had said was correct, she would only live for ten more years.
She closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.
As long as she spent the rest of her life with Eliwood...she didn't care how long she would live for.
He was all she would ever need.
The End
Afterword
Well, here we are. After four months, 19 chapters and 45,000 words, Different has finally been completed. I can't tell you how much fun it was to write this story...but now, it's done, and I don't have any more to write.
As I have told many of you, my next story, Two Angels, will be a Jaffar/Nino story. I'm sure all of you are looking forward to it, but unfortunately, I will be very busy this summer, and I will be unable to write during that time. I'm sure that many of you also have plans for the summer as well, which is another reason for me to wait until later. But since I'm sure that you're all wondering when exactly it will be started, I've set a date. I'll be starting Two Angels when school starts up again for me, which is September 1. Mark your calendars, people ;P
But for now...thank you to everyone who is reading this right now, whether or not you're going to leave a review. You guys are the reason that I have and will continue to write fanfictions. Thank you especially to those who reviewed this story. Without your reviews, I wouldn't be writing this right now. All of your positive comments (and the occasional constructive criticism ;) ) have given me the motivation to finish this. Thank you, all of you, for making my career as a fanfiction writer so great.
See you soon,
-TheOneAndOnlyT
FireEdge: If you want to see...read the chapter, of course!
frombern: Thanks for your review!
Inferno-Hero: Oh, believe me...I know all about FE6 :)
AmbieChan: Actually...I think that's the third time you've told me that you think you love me .
Jeanie: I use Lucius against Nergal...unlike Athos, Lucius has the possibility of getting 2 hits on Nergal! Plus, he could also end up with more HP.
anonymus: 18 chapters is quite a bit if you think about it...
Spectral Flame: Thanks for your review!
hyliansage: Ah yes...those scenes. And as for Nino and Jaffar...they will be next, but it will be awhile before that story is started. I'm going away for most of the summer, but rest assured, afterwards I'll be writing it!
Lord Cynic: If you haven't beaten the game, then why did you read this story in the first place? Finding out that Ninian was part dragon must've been a real spoiler to you .
But it doesn't matter...I get more reviews this way :P
The Story Master 125: "It's just as good as my love confession!" How modest :P
:D: I agree...for some reason I think Defiance will always be my best work. As for Nino and Jaffar... --points at response to hyliansage--
laura (x4!!): 4 reviews...anyway, you have to keep in mind that Ninian's parents were together before the Scouring occurred, so a relationship such as that would have been seen as entirely different from one that started after the Scouring.
Ninian tossed and turned, but she could not get to sleep.
The bed, of course, was very comfortable, but Ninian was just feeling restless. She silently got out of the bed and pulled a nightgown over her body. Maybe a short walk would clear her head.
She looked back at the bed, at the figure of Eliwood sleeping soundly.
She smiled slightly at his peaceful figure. He wouldn't mind if she went for a walk...
As to not wake him, she crept as quietly as she could towards the door on the far end of the room. She opened the door just a crack, her eyes taking a few moments to adjust to the fully-lit hallway. The two guards posted at opposite sides of the door turned to her as she exited her and Eliwood's room.
"Lady Ninian?" one of them asked.
She looked to her side, smiling pointedly. She had never really liked being called "Lady Ninian," and had requested the guards just to call her by her name. Nevertheless, some of the guards seemed to continue addressing her as "Lady" simply out of habit.
The guard apparently recognized his mistake, and he cleared his throat embarrassedly. "Uh, I mean—Ninian," he said. "Is something the matter?"
"Everything is fine," she replied, looking at the guard again. "I just can't sleep very well tonight. I'm going for a short walk."
The guard nodded in acceptance. "Very well, La—I mean, Ninian."
Ninian smiled amusedly at the guard before walking past him, down the hallway. After a few well-known turns and some nods to a couple of other guards holding graveyard shift, she arrived where she wanted to be: one of the castle's balconies.
She stepped out into the night air. It was cool outside, but refreshingly so. The sky was completely clear, the crescent of the moon and the millions of stars around it shining down onto the earth.
She smiled serenely, looking down at her hand. On one of her fingers was a golden ring, with three small sapphires adorning it.
She twisted the ring absently, looking back up into the night sky.
It's beautiful.
Just like the sky had been on that fateful day two years ago...
The army had piled onto the ship in high spirits, their mission finally completed.
Ninian had promised herself shortly after leaving the Dragon's Gate to see Florina, and she had gone to her compartment whereupon the Falcoknight had promptly had a fit and had flung her arms around her once-lost friend. Florina had been so joyful that she had even picked up Ninian and twirled her around a few times, but unfortunately that combined with the rocking of the ship had served to make Ninian more than a little queasy.
So she had retired to her own compartment, which she was now sharing with Eliwood. He wasn't there, so she had simply laid down on her bed, trying to quell her nausea. After several minutes, Eliwood came in, and he had sat beside her, holding her hand and smiling warmly at her. That had served to make her feel a little better, but she still thought it would be best if she stayed in bed for the rest of the day. Eliwood accepted this and left to talk to Fargus.
She must have fallen asleep at one point, because later in the day she had been awoken by the sound of Eliwood's voice outside her compartment. Through the closed door, however, she wasn't able to make out the words he was saying.
He was apparently talking to Hector, as she heard his voice too. His voice was much louder and she could make out his words clearly.
"Oh, come on, Eliwood!" he said. "This is the perfect time!"
Eliwood spoke, but she still couldn't make out his words.
She heard Hector sigh in annoyance. "Do you honestly think she will? Come on! She loves you!"
Ninian presumed that they were talking about her, but as for what Eliwood wanted her to do, she had no idea.
Eliwood spoke again, this time his words being broken up by nervous pauses.
"That doesn't really matter right now," Hector replied a little more calmly. "Go on... you don't have much time. Remember, you've got nothing to worry about."
She heard Eliwood again, from his tone she could tell he was asking a question.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever..." Hector replied, and Ninian heard his footsteps moving away from the door.
There was a deep breath, and the door finally opened, Eliwood standing in the doorway. She could see that he was nervous about something, but he tried his best to smile. "Ninian," he said, "are you feeling better?"
"I think so..." she replied, then noting his nervous expression, she went on, "Are you all right?"
"Yeah!" he said a little overenthusiastically. As if to contrast that statement, he gave a nervous chuckle. "E-everything's fine..." He paused for a moment, then said, "If you're feeling better, could you come with me? There's something I want you to see."
"Okay..." she replied slowly, before getting up and walking to the door. She followed Eliwood as he went down the hallway towards the door that led above decks. They passed Hector along the way, who was crossing his arms and smiling knowingly at the pair. She could have sworn that he gave Eliwood a tiny wink as he passed him.
Ninian was confused. What was going on?
When they reached the door to the upper decks, Eliwood suddenly stopped and turned around.
"Could you...close your eyes?" he asked.
She stared confusedly at him for a moment, but she complied anyway.
"Okay..." He took her hand and led her above decks. She felt him make a turn, and they went up some steps...and then he stopped.
"You can open your eyes now," he said, sounding a little more confident now.
She opened them...and immediately gasped in wonder.
She was looking off the stern of the ship at the most wondrous sunset she had ever seen.
"Oh my..." she gasped. "It...it's beautiful..."
Eliwood smiled warmly, more of his confidence returning. "Not as beautiful as you," he remarked, kissing her on the cheek.
She giggled, turning to him. "Oh, stop it," she murmured playfully.
They both stared at each other silently for a second, both smiling serenely, not wanting to ruin the moment.
Finally, Eliwood spoke.
"Ninian," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "I...I love you, more than anything in the world..."
Her serene smile grew slightly. "And I love you, Lord Eliwood," she replied.
More than anything at that moment, she just wanted to kiss him. But she was rather surprised when he went on.
"Ninian," he repeated, taking one of her hands in his. "I...I told you at the Dragon's Gate..." He seemed to be growing unsure of himself again. "Ninian...I love you...and I want you by my side forever."
Ninian thought he was going to continue, but when he did not, she encouraged him. "And?"
"And..." He looked away. "Ninian, I never want you to leave me again..." He looked back at her, straight into her eyes. "And that's why I need to ask you..." He bent down, and got on one knee.
"Ninian..." he said, "will you marry me?"
Ninian opened her mouth in surprise, and she made a noise between a laugh and a sob—she was close to tears from joy.
"I..." Eliwood interjected, "I know I don't have a ring, but...this was...unexpected..."
But that didn't matter to her.
"Yes!" she shouted ecstatically. "Yes! I will!"
"Really?" Eliwood's face broke into a huge smile, and he stood back up. "Ninian..." he whispered. "Thank you...now we'll always be together..."
"Yes..." Ninian whispered back, moving her face towards his.
And they shared a long, heartfelt kiss to seal the vow.
The wedding had taken longer to plan than expected, however, as Lycia had been in a rather chaotic state after the death of several of its marquesses. It was just as well, though, as Eliwood had taken the time to get a master craftsman to create the ring Ninian was wearing now.
The wedding had been a few months ago. Ninian had quickly asked Florina to be the maid of honor, and Eliwood had chosen Hector as best man. It had been a simple ceremony, although many nobles of Lycia had shown up as was custom.
As the new marquess of Pherae, Eliwood's duty prevented the newly-married couple from going on a long honeymoon, but Ninian hadn't really cared. Their passion-filled night following the wedding was one she would never forget...
Her hands moved unconsciously to her very slightly swollen stomach.
A moment later, she felt a pair of hands on her own. Instinctively, she knew it was nobody other than Eliwood.
"Couldn't sleep?" his voice came from behind her. He placed his head next to hers, on her shoulder.
"Mmm..." she replied.
Eliwood gave her stomach an affectionate squeeze. "Thinking about the baby?" he asked.
She smiled slightly. "Yes," she replied.
It had only been a few days ago that the castle's doctors had interpreted Ninian's continual "morning sickness" as signs of pregnancy. The proof had quickly appeared—the following day, her stomach had begun to grow.
Although it was early, Ninian and Eliwood had spent the past few days thinking of possible names for the baby. If it was a boy, Ninian had wanted to name the baby "Nils" in memory of her brother. Eliwood, on the other hand, wanted to name the baby "Elbert" in memory of his father. They had decided that either name would only cause disagreement from the other, and so they had decided to give the baby a different name. Eventually they had decided on the name "Roy." Now they had currently been debating what to name their child if it was a girl.
"What do you think of the name 'Rachel?'" Eliwood asked.
"Hmm..." Ninian thought. "Maybe."
Eliwood chuckled and kissed her on the cheek. "Finally, one you agree with."
She giggled, breaking from his embrace and turning around to face him. "I never said I agreed with it," she said playfully, smiling. "I just said 'maybe.'"
"That's still a first," Eliwood laughed. He took one of her hands in his. "Come on, you should get back to bed."
She walked with him back to their room, once again nodding at the guards as she passed. When they entered their room and closed the door, Ninian slipped out of her nightgown and climbed into bed beside Eliwood.
"Good night kiss?" Eliwood asked playfully, sitting up in the bed.
She smiled at him. "Good night..." She kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you too," came Eliwood's reply.
He laid down and closed his eyes, and Ninian began to do the same.
She smiled serenely at him sleeping.
It had been over four years since Ninian had first come through the Dragon's Gate. If what Nergal had said was correct, she would only live for ten more years.
She closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.
As long as she spent the rest of her life with Eliwood...she didn't care how long she would live for.
He was all she would ever need.
Well, here we are. After four months, 19 chapters and 45,000 words, Different has finally been completed. I can't tell you how much fun it was to write this story...but now, it's done, and I don't have any more to write.
As I have told many of you, my next story, Two Angels, will be a Jaffar/Nino story. I'm sure all of you are looking forward to it, but unfortunately, I will be very busy this summer, and I will be unable to write during that time. I'm sure that many of you also have plans for the summer as well, which is another reason for me to wait until later. But since I'm sure that you're all wondering when exactly it will be started, I've set a date. I'll be starting Two Angels when school starts up again for me, which is September 1. Mark your calendars, people ;P
But for now...thank you to everyone who is reading this right now, whether or not you're going to leave a review. You guys are the reason that I have and will continue to write fanfictions. Thank you especially to those who reviewed this story. Without your reviews, I wouldn't be writing this right now. All of your positive comments (and the occasional constructive criticism ;) ) have given me the motivation to finish this. Thank you, all of you, for making my career as a fanfiction writer so great.
See you soon,
-TheOneAndOnlyT