Title: Calamity
Chapter: 1/?
Author: Lizzy Rebel
Disclaimer: One day, pigs shall fly and on that day I shall become owner of Fire Emblem! Until then, however… DON'T SUE ME!
Keywords: Rath, Ninian, secrets, snogging
Couples: many implied couples and one-sided Ninian/Eliwood and one-sided Lyn/Rath
Rating: PG-13 for sexual undertones and some scenes of violence
Genre: Romance/Angst
Teaser: Rath wanted Lyn, Ninian wanted Eliwood. Sometimes things don't work out as we plan them chapter version
Feedback: begs oh please, please!
Timeline: Chapter 25 and onward
Author's Notes: Gaw, I know. It's been like what? Months? Sorry, but I had other stories to post and edit. Luckily, both are almost done and so I can focus my efforts on this one and maybe get chapter 3 posted faster! Well… one can prey. Anyway, forgive me! I solemnly swear to take this piece of writing more seriously from now on and update faster… I hope…
Story Notes: The Lyn/Eliwood scene is based on a piece of fanart I saw… but I lost the link… gaw, I am a complete airhead! Sorry, I'll post the link if I manage to find it again. is ashamed
Warning: None unless you count Lyn/Eliwood innuendo scene and the ever-so out there Rath/Ninian pairing.
Chapter Two: The One with the Innuendo Scene
Rath couldn't sleep. He had lain in his bed and stared at the dull hardwood ceiling thinking about Lyn. His room—a small room at the top of the three-story inn—was cool from the chill of the night. Even with the cold circulating within his space he had removed his tunic and bandana, leaving him bare from the waist up.
His green hair, the color of the fresh moss in spring, fell across his guarded dark eyes. He made no move to push the tresses away, even as they began to irritate his forehead and the tip of his nose.
Something was bothering him to no end. Something about the fact that Lyn had completely left him in an open field to chase after Lord Eliwood. He was nothing more then a pampered Lycian noble so why was Lyn—a proud daughter of Sacae—always seeking him out for one thing or another?
You know that's not true, a voice whispered inside his head—and to his disgust it sounded a lot like Serra—Lord Eliwood is a brave and gentle man. Can you blame Lyn for wanting to be around him?
"I will not dwell on it," he commanded himself and sat up from the bed, wiping at his forehead. Finally feeling the first nip of cold on his bare skin he pulled on his thick Sacaen wool tunic.
Perhaps that's why Lyn has never really looked at you, sensed your feelings, because she looks only at Eliwood. She's a bright girl; don't you think she would have guessed what you were going to ask? The Serra-like voice inside his head annoyingly chattered away.
"No. Not. Possible," Rath bit off. "Lyn feels nothing for Lord Eliwood. I would have sensed it. I would have seen it. I know that if I… if I just talk to her more, she'll realize that she belongs in Sacae… with me."
Ignoring the voice chanting in his ears, Rath licked his suddenly dry lips with a dry tongue. He decided that he'd best get a drink before he died of dehydration and never got a chance to speak with Lyn tomorrow.
He pulled on his thick riding boots, then pushed most of his hair under his bandanna, and crept out of his room quietly, not wanting to disturb the other sleeping residents of the inn.
He passed Lord Hector, asleep with dainty Florina in his lap, against the youngest Pegasus Sister's door. Hector seemed to have been carrying the shy young woman—judging by the way the axe-wielding Lord was holding the Pegasus Knight's back and knees and the mauve head was pressed against the armored shoulder—but didn't quite make it into the actual room.
He passed Heath and Priscilla's empty room and guessed they had decided to spend a night outside in the forest, as he heard them talking about earlier. He heard a noise coming from the room Erk and Serra shared he'd rather not consider, but knew what the mage and the cleric were doing anyway.
Not for the first time he cursed Lady Yuki's 'brilliant idea' of coed bunking partners.
Fiora and Kent's room held low voices, mostly mumbled from under hot mouths. He barely managed to avert his eyes from seeing Raven press a much smaller Rebecca against the wall, who looked up at him with wide eyes and a willing mouth. Dart and Farina were stumbling up the stairs in pure drunkenness while the money hungry Pegasus Knight whispered something suggestive in the pirate's ear to which he answered, "Ye can really do that?"
Luckily they didn't notice the nomad walking down the hall with a bemused look on his face. If they had he might have had to add embarrassment on top of his anger, confusion, and odd sadness.
The actual well for the village was located outside the quaint lights and people and houses. In the borders of the woods, where one could peer into the darkness but still feel wrapped in light, was where the main source of water came from. He found himself trudging over there, never once thinking to take Khan from the stables for an easier ride. Inhaling the fresh air might do him some good, he decided, clear his head.
Pale moonlight washed onto the grass of the open field leading to the forest. It gave it an almost hauntingly beautiful look, especially as the grass moved like waves in the wind. The grass died away to a large thicket doubling as a natural boundary line of where the village ended and the woods began.
Just in front of the thicket was the Holy Grail he sought that night. A circular water well pieced together with gray stones. A large brown bucket was perched on the side of the well, in case a weary traveler needed a drink. It was as inviting as a warm fire on a snowy night.
Rath pushed the bucket into the well and listened for splash as wood hit water. He could feel the bucket grow heavy with its new burden. Yanking it up and placing it on the side of the well, he dove his cupped hands into the bucket, distorting his cold reflection in the water, and pressed the relieving liquid to his lips.
Once he had taken his fill, he dumped the remaining water back into the deep well and replaced the bucket. He felt cleansed now that he had had such cold water to his dry and crusty lips. The haze he had felt wrap around him lessened slightly and he felt the tension in his neck and shoulder muscles ease.
Finally feeling tired, he started to turn to trek back to the village when he heard a noise from behind the thicket. It was breathy and utterly female.
Rath thought Priscilla and Heath. He didn't know Heath personally but he felt duty bound to let the Wyvern rider know that Priscilla's protective brother was still up and about and once he was done with Rebecca—if he finished with her, that is—he would most likely notice that his sister was not in her room, nor was her roommate. Her male roommate, who had always seemed fond of her.
Raven would not be pleased if he found Heath and Priscilla locked in a passionate embrace as Rath suspected they were in now.
Rath walked over the thicket and pushed at the leaves, fully intent on telling Heath and Priscilla to go to their room, a place where intimacy was accept and Raven wouldn't suspect what they were doing. But the voice stopped him short.
"Eliwood…" It was not Priscilla's voice, he realized now. Yes it was breathy and very, very feminine, but too throaty to be the troubadour.
His heart dropped to his feet as he started in horror at the scene before him. The haze he felt earlier returned and wrapped around him. If it hadn't made his limbs go numb and forced him to relinquish his control over them he was sure he would have dropped to his knees.
Two torches were propped besides the trunk of the tree directly in front of Rath. The fire was so bright that there was no way for him to mistake the two figures on the trunk… or to pretend it wasn't them. His fingers clenched on the thicket bush without his knowledge and tiny little thorns dug into his palm, drawing five trails of blood.
He didn't notice, didn't care.
It was Lyn and Eliwood… the Sacaen and the Lycian. The woman Rath thought he loved, embracing another so tightly, so passionately that he could not deny that she was in love with the man she now held. And he to her.
Eliwood was sitting on the trunk, his boots pressed firmly against the ground to keep him and Lyn from falling off the dead tree. His hands—lean, powerful… possessive—were pressed against the small of her back and between her shoulder blades. His fiery head, glowing even brighter in the firelight, was tipped back and his eyes were closed, his lips parting gently. His cape was still hanging from his shoulders, but had been pushed underneath where he sat so not to get in the way.
Lyn was on top, straddling him. Her knees hovered inches off the tree trunk, held up by the lap of the Lord she straddled. One of her hands—slim, elegant… possessive—were wrapped firmly around Eliwood's shoulder armor and her other hand was clutching the soft blue material of his cloak. Her eyes were eyes half open—as if she wanted to see herself kiss Eliwood—and a heavy blush was under them. Her lips were inches from his awaiting ones, her breath coming out in tiny little pants.
And then they did kiss. Eliwood's hands fisted in the fabric of Lyn's clothes and her hands rose to clutch his red hair as a lifeline. Their moans sounded harmoniously through the woods, burning Rath's ears. Their hands were clutching tighter and tighter, their bodies pressing closer and closer.
Rath didn't know whether he wanted to cover his eyes or his ears. What was worse? Listen to Lyn moan out Eliwood's name or watching them kiss so perfectly, as if they were meant to do so all along?
He would never get a chance to decide. He became suddenly aware of another presence near him. He gasped as he heard the sniffle. He wheeled around and stared at the girl, wide eyed.
Ninian stood there, a bucket still spilling water at her feet, and she was clutching her shoulders and shivering so badly. Her eyes never left the two embracing figures—who because of Ninian's soft sniffle were still unaware of the two other present persons. Tears clouded her scarlet eyes and she struggled not to cry out. Her lips trembled as they opened to scream.
Rath rushed forward and clamped a firm hand over her mouth. He didn't want either Lyn or Eliwood to know he had seen them. He didn't want them to know Ninian had either. It would be awkward, horrible… maybe not because Lyn and Eliwood realized they had broken two hearts, but because they were two proper Lords found in a most unbecoming position.
He shook his head at Ninian, feeling her lips tremble behind his hand. He took her arm firmly, but gently, and led her deep into forest. Away from Lyn and Eliwood and their kisses and whispers and sighs.
Once he was sure neither Lord could hear him, Rath removed his hand from Ninian's mouth. She slid tonelessly to another tree trunk, her hands swinging limply in front of her. Rath's face closed up, colder then ever before, and he crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for the young woman speak.
Finally she did, her voice hoarse as she fought another onslaught of tears, "Ho—how? But wh—why? Lor—Lord Eliwood and Lady L—Lyn—Lyndis?" Her hands rose and she pressed her face into her pale palms, sobbing softly.
Rath felt what little of his heart hadn't been broken shatter at the sound of a heartbroken girl sobbing for a man that would never love her. He wanted to cry himself, but years of hard training did not allow for it. He decided to allow Ninian to cry… perhaps she could cry for both of them.
But he was starting to hate to see the pain she was in. It mirrored his own, he knew. The pain that threatened to break his hard-earned control and return him back to the boy fifteen yeas ago who had cried for his mother and father, but knew he would never be allowed to return to see them for so long.
Lyn and Eliwood… Mother Sky… how long have they been together? Have they been with one another all while I planned on taking Lyn back to Sacae with me? Rath lowered his head, resisting the urge to bury them in his hands like Ninian was doing right now.
He looked over at the young woman trying bravely to silence her tears. His respect rose for her… and he felt connected to her now, strongly. She was the only he knew that was going through the same heartache he was now. After all, he believed she had loved Lord Eliwood… it must have been just as devastating for her to see Eliwood with Lyn as it had been for him.
Unable to bear her tears any longer, he walked forward and knelt down in front of her. He pressed his hands—which he had begun to regain feeling in—to her knees so she would look up at him. Crystalline tears streamed down her face, but Rath suspected she wasn't aware she was crying still.
"Are you alright?" he asked her, knowing very well the answered but unable to soothe her any other way.
Ninian shook her head, her fair hair falling over her shoulders. "N—no… I don't thi—think I'll ever be al—alright. Lad—Lady Lyndis and Lord Eliw—Eliwood are together and I can fee—feel their love. I lo—loved Lord Eliwood… so—so much. And it c—can never be…"
"As I loved Lyn," Rath said quietly to which Ninian nodded. "But you wish Lord Eliwood to be happy, yes?" When the young woman nodded again, he went on, "And I wish Lyn to be happy. If that means they can only be happy together then we must suffer. But we won't suffer alone. We must help each other get through this, understand? Rely on me and I shall rely on you."
"Ra—Rath I—I… thank you… I thi—think maybe you are the on—only one that can und—understand me now. What I—I'm going through." Her voice was soft; she was on the verge of tears once more.
Without speaking another word, Rath opened his arms and Ninian fell into them. He let her sob against his chest, crying out Eliwood's name, all the while he fought back his own tears. He had sworn to himself he would never cry again, but losing Lyn—the woman he loved—was close enough to break him.
Finally her sobs ceased, but she still clenched his tunic and her petite frame wreck with insatiable tremors. His shifted slightly and she sagged against him, boneless and asleep. Her breath came out in small hitches, as if she was still trying to fight the tears that threatened to consume her.
He scooped her up in his arms, not surprised by how light she was, cupping the small of her back and the insides of her knees. Quietly he exited the forest, making sure to take the longer route so he didn't run into Lyn and Eliwood by accident.
The Lords in question where not in the inn when Rath walked upstairs. Hector and Florina had retired to a room, replaced by Dart and Farina curled against one another in a drunken manner. Raven and Rebecca were no where to be seen to which Rath sent a thankful prayer to Mother Sky.
He used his boot to knock roughly on the door to the room Nils and Ninian shared. There was a groan on the other side of the door, followed by the 'plop' sound of a small body hitting the hardwood floor. The door opened with a creak and the tired, matching eyes of Ninian stared up at him in the body of a young boy with tousled, almost white, hair.
Nils immediately took notice of his sister, held firmly in the nomad's arm, and said in a small, worried voice, "What happened to Ninian…?"
"Nothing," Rath answered just as softly, shifting the said young woman in his arms. "I found her asleep outside the village and thought it best to bring her to her room." He didn't know neither Ninian nor Nils very much, but he had an idea that Ninian would not want to share her heartache with her brother as of yet.
"Oh?" Nils made a small noise that suggested staying out late was an odd thing for his sister to do. "Well… thank you, Rath. If Ninian hadn't been in the room when I awoke I would've thought something horrible had happened to her."
Rath nodded, knowing the boy referred to the Black Fang's obsession—though he was beginning to suspect it was mostly Nergal and his troupe's obsession—with Ninian. Whenever they came after Lord Eliwood's party, they wanted Ninian.
He offered the small boy an understanding look and Nils moved from blocking the doorway to give the nomad passage into the room. Even with only the pale moonlight as a guide, Rath found Ninian's bed. Nils's bed was messy with his sheets thrown every which way while the young woman's was neat and tidy, not a single wrinkle in the white sheets.
Ninian's lithe body was gently placed down on her clean bed and the dancer sighed and rolled over, her body only trembling slightly now. Rath lifted the covers of the bed—feeling oddly tender—and covered her.
"Thank you again, Rath," Nils spoke softly, watching the exchange with wide eyes.
"No problem." Rath chose then to back out of the room. "If… in the morning… she starts waking up and is upset tell her to come to me."
"Y—yes…" Bemusement was written clearly across the boy's face.
Without another word, Rath strode from the room. The young bard looked after him, but said nothing. Nils, once Rath has disappeared out into the hall, closed the door and looked over at his sister. He could tell, even in her sleep, that she was upset. What he couldn't tell was why…
Rath gripped the handle of his door hard as he heard Lyn's laughter—soft, as if smothered by her hand—fill the air. Eliwood's soft, but deep, voice soon followed. He fumbled on turning the knob, but managed to get himself inside before he had to face either of them.
Weakly, he stripped off his cloths, once again bare from the waist up, and climbed into bed, drawing the sheets over him. He looked out his small window as the moonlight danced across his face.
A deep sigh broke from his lips, the only sign that he was upset. He looked away from the pale moon, as if it hurt to peer at.
Think about it, Rath, the voice that seemed to have formed a residency in his head, and sounded quite a bit like Serra, had returned, you always knew Lyn would never be yours. Look inside yourself, you always knew that she loved Eliwood.
He shook his head, as if to deny it. But inside, he knew the voice was right. Thinking about, it was obvious how Lyn and Eliwood felt about each other. The glances they sent each other, the way they smiled at one another, how they flushed around each other. It was all rather obvious.
But, damnit, he had loved Lyn… and he had been too blind to see.
There's an old saying… you know it, said the Serra-like voice, if you can't have the one you love… then love the one you're with. You could love them more. Who are you with, Rath?
"Ninian." Her name was on his lips before he had the common sense to stop himself. He shook his head and rolled over. "She needs me more then I need her. I don't need her… not really…"
Liar…
--&--
Maybe it was all some horrible dream, was the first thought Ninian had as she awoke, Lady Lyndis and Lord Eliwood aren't together. I can still be with Lord Eliwood…
"Ninian, you up?" It was Nils's voice, calling just outside of her sleep induced haze. "Rath brought you in late last night so I know you're tired, but we're leaving soon so you have to get up."
Rath… oh dear… it wasn't a dream. She could remember it all now. Watching as Lady Lyndis and Lord Eliwood shared a passionate kiss on the tree trunk. Almost screaming in horror, Rath clapping a hand to stop her, and he telling her that they would help each other through the pain.
She shot up, the cover that had been tucked around her—she remembered vaguely Rath doing so—slid from her body. Nils sent her a worried look as she stumbled hazily from bed.
"Rath…" She had to thank him. Not just for rescuing her from facing Lord Eliwood when she wasn't ready but for offering what little consonance she could get after Lord Eliwood's betrayal.
Lord Eliwood never betrayed you, Ninian told herself, the voice inside her head even sounding weary, because he never loved you.
"Rath? I think he went down to breakfast with the others," Nils pointed out, not mentioning how pale his sister was even though he wanted to.
Had Rath left without her? She didn't think she could face Lord Eliwood or Lady Lyndis alone. She didn't even think she could do it with Rath. But it might—no, she knew—it would be easier with him close by. At least then she knew she wasn't alone in the heartache. Rath had loved Lady Lyndis, and she loved Lord Eliwood.
"I—I have to find him…" Ninian mumbled and stepped outside the room, leaving her brother to stare in wonder.
The hallway was empty and she felt suddenly sick. "No…" So Rath did go on without her. Maybe he was stronger then her. Maybe he could look Lady Lyndis in the eyes, knowing she loved another, and feel nothing.
"Ninian?" The dancer wheeled around and faced the nomad. "You look pale…"
"I—I thought y—you had le—left for breakfast with Lor—Lord… Lord…" Her breath hitched and she couldn't seem to get out Lord Eliwood's name out with starting to cry.
"Don't cry here," Rath commanded, and grabbed her arm. None too gently he pulled her into his room and forced her to sit on his bed. "Calm down. You must be strong. No tears."
"I know, bu—but it hurts to ev—even thinking about th—them together…" Ninian sniffled, ferociously rubbing her eyes dry but her fountain of tears would not stop flowing. "I—I can't stop cry—crying."
"I will be with you." Was all Rath offered in condolence. "If you need strength, I will give it. Understood?"
When Ninian nodded, Rath took her hand gently and explained, "We must go down to breakfast. People will start to wonder."
Numbly, Ninian allowed Rath to guide her down towards the dinning room of the inn. She basked in his strength, marveled at it. She could feel the tension in his muscles from just clutching his hand, but his face gave away none of his emotions. She wished she could be like Rath then. She knew she looked very sad—but her eyes were dry, thank St. Elimine—however, she knew she often looked sad so hopefully none would question it too much.
When they entered the dinning hall and the voices of Lord Eliwood's party filled the air, Rath released her hand. He motioned them to enter separately—raised one finger to show her to wait for a minute—and entered. Ninian counted to sixty and followed.
She was pleased to see he had waited close to the threshold, that way he would be close to her without seeming to purposely plan it.
Her body, ever single muscle, went tense as Lord Eliwood stepped towards her, smiling in a way she had never seen before, satisfied, sated… male. "Hello, Ninian. Did you sleep well?"
"Y—yes…" she managed to mumble, scooting an unappreciable distance closer to Rath.
"Well then, do you want to tell me what was on your mind last night?" Eliwood was still smiling and he reached for her hand, but Ninian pretended to fumble with an invisible crease in her dress. She knew if she touched Lord Eliwood or he touched her she would break.
"It's—it's nothing, Lord Eliwood. I—in fact, I rather for—forget it now. Pl—please forgive my absent mind—mindedness." What does it matter now, Lord Eliwood, what I feel since you can never love me back?
"Think nothing of it, Ninian," Eliwood answered, turning to return to his seat at the breakfast table. "If you remember please let me know."
"Ye—yes, Lord El—Eliwood." As the redhead retreated, the dancer turned her head and looked at the nomad, who nodded his head in approval of her actions.
Ninian started to walk away, Rath inches from her side, when Lyn walked up. "Rath, how about we discuss what was concerning you last night? I'm sorry I had to run out on you, but Eli—"
"Think nothing of it, Lyn," Rath answered, and Ninian detected a waver in it, but it was so small she doubted Lyn noticed. Perhaps she was more intoned with the sound of heartache since she felt it herself?
"In fact, I answered the question myself." He gave Ninian a look and she knew what it meant. She guessed Rath had wanted to speak to Lyn of his feelings for her, but had found her in love with Eliwood, making his useless.
"Well, if you're sure…" Lyn trailed off, then smiled softly over at Ninian. "Rath, Ninian, join us for breakfast. Yuki in a tizzy and she wants to leave as soon as possible. Best get a much as you can."
Ninian smiled at Lyn, knowing the young princess would expect it. She surprised herself by how easily the smile came to her lips, how natural it looked. She hadn't realized she was so good at hiding the feelings inside.
Rath and she walked over to the dinning table. Ninian took her respected seat next to Nils and Rath took a seat next to her. Relief welled deep inside her, knowing she would have Rath to draw strength from. Even if he did not speak any soothing words, she found his presence was enough.
Breakfast went along well enough. Ninian never talked much, nor did Rath, so it surprised no one when the two were quiet. No one questioned Ninian when she protested against eating, just poking at her food instead of eating. Rath ate all his meat, knowing he'd need the strength the flesh gave him, but it tasted dry and harsh in his mouth. He tried to drown out the taste with water, but it was sour to his lips.
Finally Ninian glanced over at Eliwood and Lyn—who were sitting next to each other, but that really wasn't a surprise since they always did. It surprised her how much she had missed in her lovesick state. As Lyn passed Eliwood a platter of pork and their fingers brushed the look in their eyes was unmistakable—they were thinking about last night. The hunger and fire was in their eyes and their fingers lingered on one another more then friends should.
She bit back on a scream and it caught in her throat, forcing her to gag. Everyone at once turned their heads in concern and stared at her. Tears prickled at the backs of her eyes, but she refused to let them come forward.
"Ninian?" It was Eliwood who spoke, though Ninian found her vision wavering and she couldn't make him out. "Are you alright?"
She couldn't answer. She knew if she did she would start crying. She would beg Eliwood to love her more then Lyn. To ask why, why, why. It would make Eliwood feel guilty, she knew. He would feel he should've known her feelings earlier. He might even leave Lyn because of it. Eliwood would be so miserable then, because it was so obvious that he loved her and she didn't want Eliwood to be unhappy, even if he wasn't with her.
But then she felt something strong, large, and powerful clamp hard on her knee. It was almost painful. Fingernails—buff and lean—dug into the tough skin there. She gave Rath a sidelong glance. His face was perfectly neutral, cool, collected. It didn't give away that he gripped her knee hard enough to draw blood.
How I wish I could shut off my emotions like you, Rath, Ninian thought as she forced herself to mumble, "For—forgive me. I have not ha--had a drink in alm—almost a day. Whe—when I tried to speak I sim—simply gagged." It's for Lord Eliwood, it's for Lord Eliwood…
If she chanted that would it make it easier?
"Then you should drink," Rath answered, knowing every well that wasn't why Ninian had cried out. He released her knee—oddly enough she found herself wishing he still gripped it—and pressed a cold glass of water into her hands. He gave her a look that said: for their happiness.
She nodded for no one but Rath to see. She took a nibble at her food and almost choked again on its foul taste. She looked down at her bread and butter and wondered what would make it taste so. She had always enjoyed this meal before…
Finally Lady Yuki stood, after a few more minutes of allowing everyone to finish their food, and said in her best commander voice, "Alright troops, we set out for the palace of Bern. We've gotta deliver the Fire Emblem to her Highness and then head for the resting place of the sacred weapon, k?"
In what somewhat resembled chaos, Eliwood's troupe readied to set forth on their journey once more. Within fifteen minutes, everyone was packed and ready to set out. Within a half an hour the village had disappeared from sight and the group had been swallowed up in the forest.
Ninian walked with Nils besides Rath, mounted on Khan. Eliwood and Lyn were further up, talking. Their fingers brushed, Ninian noticed, much too accidental to be so and she felt her knees grow weak.
She stumbled once, but Rath had managed to move Khan close enough so that she fell against the horse's warm hide. Her fingers reached out and fisted in the soft Sacaen wool for a second before she managed to push herself back to her feet.
Nils sent her a concerned look with ruby eyes that matched hers. "Are you alright, Ninian? You've been acting strangely all morning."
"I'm fine, Nils," Ninian answered, not wanting her brother to know her heartache. It would hurt him as well, she knew, and with so much on his mind—Nergal, dragons, death—she didn't want to add another burden to the youth's shoulders. "I just went to bed so late… I'm very tired."
"Oh…" Nils gave her a look that suggested he didn't believe her, but decided to let her have her way. "Well, okay."
"If you're tired, you can always ride with me." Rath voice fell on her ears, but it sounded distant to her. In fact, every voice sounded distant to her. However, even with everything seeming so far off, there was a hidden message in the nomad's words she deciphered: if you need strength, lean on me.
"N—no thank yo—you, Rath," Ninian mumbled, eyes aglow. "I do—don't wish to be a burd—burden." She also knew, from the way Rath's brow raised a fraction of an inch, that he had caught her underlying meaning. I have to be able to handle this by myself. I have to be strong on my own.
Nils watched the exchange between the nomad and his sister with quiet eyes. Even though no one else would've noticed, Nils was Ninian's brother and knew her better then everyone. He knew she was paying more attention to Rath then she had ever before. So was Rath. Rath never paid anyone any attention, expect of course to Lady Lyndis.
However, he also trusted his sister. If she felt she needed to be with Rath for whatever purpose then he wouldn't protest. He would worry for her in the background, allowing her to make her own decisions.
Eliwood's troupe trudged through the muck and the grim of the forest until the sun began to set behind the trees. Lady Yuki had then sent out the Pegasus sisters to find an open valley or just an open spot for them to rest for the night before they continued onward.
The Pegasus sisters didn't have to search far. Just a mile or so off from the group's current position there had been a valley of wild grass and beautiful yellow flowers. Florina had been ecstatic, chirping about how pretty the vale had looked from the sky and begging Lady Yuki let them sleep there.
The tactician patted the Pegasus knight's back happily. "You think I want to sleep in the forest?" She tugged at her cloak, shaking off the mud and dead leafs that had caught there. "Everyone, to the dale! Forward march!"
Ninian had been surprised at the beauty that lay before her. She had though perhaps Florina had overreacted. She knew very well things looked pretty from afar… and hid its monster until you came closer.
But the valley was nothing like that. Florina had been right about it being covered in beautiful flowers. Yellow, blooming flowers clustered in the small dale, swaying in the breeze like ripples in the pond. There were tall oak trees and a crystal lake off to the side. Towards the end of the vale there was an area of grass, tall and wild, perfect for tents.
She smiled and followed the company as they approached the perfect spot for rest and relaxation.
A/N: Okay, so maybe this chapter was just a tab longer then the other. Quit staring at me! It's hard converting a chapter length story! I am doing the best I can. So for those of you who haven't run away yet please continue to review and I promise I'll try really hard to get the next chapter out faster!
Next Chapter: In which Merlinus screws up, for the better, there is the Black Fang, Nino and Jaffar arrive, and Ninian and Rath get 'closer'. Stayed tuned for the next chapter The One With the Black Fang!
Reviews:
Random person: why thank you XD Was that enough couples for you?
A fan of Fire Emblem: you are right on the ball. Also, it's easier for people to read when it's broken down into sections and I want people to get a feel for the whole of the story!
Alacron: you know, I had a beta reader all set up for this but then she pulled on me at the last moment and now I'm stuck editing all by my lonesome : I have the worst luck with betas…
TFRiD Queen: I haven't decided yet… maybe… maybe not. Depends on how interesting I am at the end. If so, I might add a deeper epilogue.
ChaosMageKatana: Well, when I first posted chapter one I didn't know and then I found out about a week later after I beat the game. I'm just too lazy to go around fixing it ;
Red Cell: sorry about the late update! I promise to do better next time! Oh, and wicked use of wicked!
Kratos Aurion: I don't like Ninian very much either, but she's alright. I mean, I don't hate her and Rath needs someone to look after…
Lokhart: Yes, you keep reading!