Title: Calamity
Chapter: 3/5
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, tents, Black Fang
Couples: now with Rath/Ninian
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: if you do not review I shall sob like a little girl and embarrass you all!
Timeline: Chapter 25 and onward
Author's Notes: Sorry about not posting it on Monday like a said. But there a family emergency and I had to hightail it up to New York! XD
Story Notes: Yet again I found myself basing a scene on a piece of fanart who's author I do know. This started as a Rath/Lyn pose, but I could easily picture Ninian there inside so I screwed it up! Royally!
Warning: Well, there is some blood… but it's Black Fang blood so you should be happy! XD
Chapter Three: The One With the Black Fang
"Oh! Oh!" The bumbling merchant Merlinus rushed toward, waving his arms frantically. He would have tripped over Rath and Khan had the horse not moved. "Lady Yuki! Lady Tactician, we have a problem."
The said woman turned her mink curls and sent the merchant a slightly annoyed look. "Yes, Merlinus? What's the emergency?"
"Ah… well…" the merchant dropped his voice, looking around to see if anyone was listening—he wasn't aware of Rath. "We don't have enough tents for everyone… you see…"
The tactician was quiet for a moment, her left eyebrow just barely twitching. Then her mouth fell open and sputtered the next word out, "WHAT!?"
That caught everyone's attention. When Lady Yuki was angry, everyone knew. It was hard to miss since she made it well known. She placed her hands on her hips and eyed the merchant angrily as everyone gathered around her to watch.
Ninian and Nils came up at Rath's side. In both of their hands were two big buckets of water from the lake to be boiled and stored for their journey. Nils was handling his burden well enough, even if his face was slightly strained, but Ninian was already panting. The bucket most likely weighed almost as much as she did. Without a word, Rath took the bucket from her sweaty hands and held it with one of his own.
Lady Yuki crossed her arms and tapped her foot, her fine brunette eyebrow twitching. "Well, Sir Merlinus, what exactly do you mean by 'not enough tents'? I thought I told you to fetch thirty six tents. Exactly how many did you get?"
"Ah… um…" A small trail of threat trailed down Merlinus's neck and Serra smothered a laugh, to which Erk sent her an annoyed look. "Well… about… give or take… okay, Lady Yuki, please do not look at me like that! I got exactly eighteen tents." The pudgy man looked around, as if preparing himself to run.
"Exactly half of what I…" she trailed off, rubbing her temple in annoyance. "Alright, team, thanks to a merchant who shall remain nameless—Merlinus—it looks like we'll be bunking again like we did at the inn." She looked over at her team and saw their smiling faces—her lips began to twitch. "Don't all complain at once."
But no one did. Hands clasped their mates and grins were exchanged. Rath noted that neither Lyn nor Lord Eliwood reached out for one another, but they scooted closer to one another. An odd feeling twisted his stomach.
"Because I think I would be killed for choosing partners… and because I sense something going on here other then friendly companionship, we'll pick straws to see who bunks with who." Small groans rose and Lady Yuki grinned. "Hey, take it up with fate, not me. Merlinus, do you have those colored strings?"
The merchant nodding, happy to no longer bear the brunt of the tactician's anger, and moved over to his cart—which he slept in alone—and returned seconds later with multiple strings. Next Lady Yuki sent him to fetch her a hat as she used Matthew's dagger to sear the strings down. She allowed them to fall into the hat and shook it, hard. She walked to everyone in the group and handed them the hat to pick a string out of.
"Alright the drill is simple. Bunk with whoever has the same color string as you. I want no whining." She shot a look at Serra, who shrugged innocently.
Finally she came to Ninian and Nils, "Ah… you guys don't have to do this you. Lady Louise and Lord Pent are family so obviously they get their own tent, the same goes for you." She motioned with her head over to the Mage General and his blonde wife.
"No, La—Lady Yuki, Nils and I—I wish to be treated the same as ev—everybody else." Was it wrong of her to hope she was paired with Lord Eliwood? In some small part of her heart she hoped that Lord Eliwood would wake up one day and see that he truly loved her.
"Ninian's right, Lady Yuki," Nils agreed, dropping his hand into the hat and withdrawing a string, its color a deep green.
Ninian placed her small hand within it and drew out a red string as deep and dark as blood. Lady Yuki nodded and moved onto the next person, Hawkeye, who immediately drew Nils's matching color. The young boy looked up at the muscle-bounded desert defender and Rath could see the young child's brain swirl with the possibilities as to what he would learn by hanging out with this man.
"W—well," Lady Yuki muttered in shook, eyes wide. "Lady Fate decided to make a fool me. The roommates are the following: Lyn and Eliwood, Hector and Florina, Fiora and Kent, Farina and Dart, Lady Louise and Lord Pent, Marcus and Lowen, Rebecca and Raven, Erk and Serra, Heath and Priscilla, Isadora and Harken, Barte and Dorcas, Canas and Legualt, Getiz and Oswin, Guy and Lucius, and Matthew and Wil. Nils—surprisingly—will be bunking with Hawkeye."
Rath felt disappointment well inside his stomach, but his face remained passive. He looked down at the crimson string in his hands and then saw Ninian approaching, holding between two fingers her blood string.
He supposed it could be worse. At least now he and Ninian would be able to talk without raising any suspicion as to what they were talking about and why they were talking when they never showed an interest in each other before.
"Rath?" Lady Yuki questioned. "Who's your partner?" Her eyebrow rose as he showed her his string, an exact match to Ninian's. "Alright, Rath is now bunking with Ninian."
"Oh, but lovely Lady Yuki!" Sain cried, waving his marigold string. "I have no partner! O, woe is me! To be forced to sleep alone with no companion what so ever." There were a few sympathetic faces from the female population of the group, but none of the males looked upset at all.
"You'll be bunking with me, Sain," Lady Yuki said in a perfectly tortured voice, rubbing her temples. "Everyone I want those strings back… I'm gonna burn them… stupid fate." She started too mumbled under her breath.
Sain dropped to his knees, grasping Lady Yuki's small hand firmly and saying in a loud voice, "O, fair and beauteous Lady Yuki! How I have longed to stand by your side, the proud knight. Now we shall be together! We shall—ow!"
Lady Yuki reached out and caught Sain's earlobe. "Don't even speak." She hauled Sain up to his feet—and even though Sain was a good two heads taller then Lady Yuki he struggled in her grasp—and collected the string. Dragging the green cavalier away, the tactician muttered to herself, "I'm burning those strings now. Come along, Sain."
Laughter bubbled up from the entire troupe except the two who backed away, their hearts aching. Ninian rested against a tree and on the opposite side Rath leaned on.
They spoke not a word, simply sat and stared. Somehow, just being this close was enough to calm them and help them deal with the fact that they were in love with two people who could never, ever, love them back.
It was surprisingly calming…
--&--
Rath turned his head and listened. Ninian was crying on the opposite side of their tent. She didn't evoke the name of the person whom she was crying for but Rath knew very well she shed tears in the name of the redhead Lord currently loving a Sacaen princess.
His own heart was cracking, he swore he could hear it. But still he did not cry out. Something inside him would not allow him to cry out. So he just lay there on his back, watching the shadows of the trees dancing on the top of his tent.
Ninian shifted and turned to him. "Ra—Rath?" Her voice was hoarse from crying and when he turned to her the tear stains on her cheeks stood out hauntingly in the pale moonlight. "Ar—are you aw—awake?"
Without saying a word, he sat up. "Come here," he ordered and Ninian hastily obeyed. She buried her head against his chest, muffling her heart wrenching sobs. He wasn't sure what to do. He never had to soothe someone, and when he had been in the position to do so, he had simply offered them advice.
But something told him he couldn't do that with Ninian. She needed to be soothed in a different, more neutering, way. Awkwardly he ran his fingers through her almost pale blue hair. Her body shuddered as she continued to sob. She didn't protest when Rath laid them back down on his cot and made room for her to lay next to him.
Ninian was somewhat comforted by the strong hand stroking her hair. But she continued to sob, knowing very well that Lord Eliwood and Lady Lyndis were likely locked in a passionate embrace while she sobbed helplessly into Rath's arms.
"Shhhhh…" Rath tried to soothe. But he didn't ask her to stop crying. In fact, he wanted her to cry. Get it all out. And maybe, maybe, when Ninian finally managed to stop crying she would have cried enough for both of them.
Finally, Ninian's sobs lowered to nothing more then weak whimpers. She curled against him, a hand pressed against his chest, and fell into sleep. She cried still, even in her sleep, but when she finally ceased she sighed Rath's name.
Rath laid there for a long time, watching the moon play across the dancer's features. She looked peaceful now, despite the tears still marring her cheeks. Her breath was even and deep, showing no sign of her earlier bout of tears.
He felt awkward holding her… he had never held anyone before. He had imaged doing so with Lyn a few times, but he never once thought about holding the dancer. He hadn't thought much about her until that snowy battle against Jerme. Now, she was in his thoughts often. He wondered how she handled knowing the man she loved, loved another. If she could be strong and not break down into tears when she saw Lyn and Eliwood together. If she would ever love again…
Swearing an oath to himself, Rath promised to help Ninian be strong. He had promised her he would help her, but swearing to himself was like a blood oath. He could not break it. His pride would not have it.
He shifted his weight just slightly, not wanting to awaken her. His hand worked as a living pillow underneath her head and his arm crossed her waist. Ninian had curled into a small ball against his chest, her hand still cupping the left of his breast. If she had been awake she would have felt the pounding of his heart.
Rath spent a few good hours staring at her before finally falling asleep, his head pressed against Ninian's own.
--&--
As the days went by, Ninian and Rath spent most of their time together. They would go their separate ways occasionally—Ninian with Nils and Rath with scouting missions—but by the end of the day they would always come together for the strength only the other could give.
Rath was surprised at how much he ended up needing Ninian. Even though it was easy to pretend his heart didn't ache whenever he saw Lyn and Eliwood together, only Ninian could help him rebuild the wall he needed to block out the pain.
By the third day of their journey to the castle of Bern, Ninian had stopped crying. Instead, she curled against him like she belonged there and slept, not speaking a word about Eliwood and Lyn.
In the morning before Lady Yuki made everyone get up, Ninian and Rath would talk. Well… Ninian would talk and Rath would listen, offering a few words here and there. On the first morning all Ninian had been able to speak of was Eliwood and how hard it was to let her love for him go, but after the second day she spoke little of that, except to remark how it easy it was to put on her mask and pretend.
Which was true for Ninian. She could look at Lyn and Eliwood together—for by now the whole camp new about their 'secret' relationship—and feel not a pang of hurt that Eliwood was with Lyn and not herself. She felt herself having a neutral outlook on the subject of Lyn and Eliwood. Clearly interesting on how the romance would work out, but not really caring all together.
And she found herself looking forward to her nights with Rath. Though the nomad didn't realize it, he was much more open then. All Ninian would have to do was find the right word and she could get him to speak several sentences at once. At first it had been Lyn—Rath had wanted to speak of his hurt when had Lyn chosen Eliwood—but then it had become his family—what did he remember of his tribe? What was life like in Sacae?—and Ninian was fascinated with his exploits.
"I sho—should like to se—see Sacae. I ha—have heard it i—is beautiful," Ninian remarked on the third night after Rath had spoken of his small memories of his tribe.
"I'll take you to see it," Rath muttered. "You should see it. I think you would like it." He looked down at her and felt his stomach twist.
What was he feeling?
Ninian beamed up at him, a smile on her lips. "I would lo—love to go… but on—only with you." She didn't understand that. She always wanted to spend her time with Rath, a thing Nils was always remarking on, and no one else. She had even turned down Lord Eliwood's offer to go scouting with him. After all, Rath had already asked if she would like to fetch some water with him.
"When all this is over, this battle and this war, what will you and Nils do?" Rath questioned, feeling the overwhelming emotion of drowning in those ruby eyes.
"I do not kn—know," Ninian answered, her voice sounding distance. It always did when she looked into Rath's dark, dark eyes. It was as if she was floating and her body was acting on its own accord. "I—I do not know if I—I can go home." I do not know if I want to. After it became clear Lord Eliwood loved Lyndis, Ninian figured it wouldn't be hard for her to return home with Nils, but now she found she still didn't want to. After all, Rath had promised to show her Sacae. She wanted to see it… and she wanted to see what he looked like in it.
What am I feeling?
"You could live in Sacae," Rath suggested. "No one would find you odd. Both you and your brother would be welcomed there. I would look after you." Ninian, why I am like this? I feel connected to you. Is this because we share heartache… or is it something more?
"Look aft—after us, Ra—Rath?" Ninian questioned eyes wide. "You would do that?"
Rath nodded, thinking and more. Ninian sighed contently and curled against him, like she always did. Rath cupped her back and waist, allowing her head to rest against his chest. He pressed his forehead against the top of her fair hair, his eyelids dropping. He felt Ninian still against him, asleep, and nothing stopped him from joining her.
--&--
On the night before the fifth day, Eliwood's troupe arrived at the Bern palace. After a few moments of watching the palace in the distance it became obvious that something evil was going on in the castle.
Assassination.
Lady Yuki had taken action. She sent most of Eliwood's troops—including Eliwood himself and Hector—after the Valkyrie Ursula to the west. She sent Ninian, Rath, Lyn, Hawkeye, Legualt and Kent towards the east to find out what was going on within the castle. Thus splitting up the Fiora/Kent and Lyn/Eliwood team.
Everyone wished each other luck, wondering if this would be the end of the journey for most. Kent and Fiora shared a stiff farewell—be careful, Fiora, it is most dangerous that way. Do not let our Lords die and Do not worry, Kent, I shall do my duty well; just concern yourself with only your safety —but their eyes shown with fear and love as they parted.
Lyn and Eliwood's farewell was much more potent then that. For a long moment they had just stared at one another. Then Eliwood had brought Lyn into his arms, murmuring something in her teal hair, and pressed a small kiss to her lips. Lyn had wished him luck and love before they parting, eyes wet.
"Rath…" The nomad in question turned his head and made way over to the young tactician. "Look out for Ninian, okay? Make sure she stays alive."
"You can trust me," Rath said softly, looking over at the dancer. "I will not let her die." He would sooner die himself.
Lady Yuki blinked, a light coming into her eyes. "Ah…" was all she said.
"What?"
"Nothing, Rath." With a shake of her head, the tactician picked up her tattered cloak and walked over to Eliwood's party. "You just protect Ninian to the best of your abilities and I'll tell you later."
Rath opened his mouth to demand to know what the tactician was saying when Ninian called softly to him, saying that Lyn and their team were ready to set out. With one last disdainful look at the young brunette, he trotted to his team…
…An hour later, Ninian looked over at the newest party of their team: a young green haired mage.
Lyn's party—who had gone down the east corridor—were all now situated in Prince Zephiel chambers. Lyn and Hawkeye were standing in front of the rooms jarred doors, ready to fight anyone who got to close to the prince. Kent had dismounted from his horse and was currently tending to the wounds he had been given. Rath was a few feet from her, behind Hawkeye with a ready bow. Legualt was in the back of the room, looking at the items he had stolen from the chests within the castle.
The young prince they had ended up protecting was in the corner of the room—via Lyn's orders—and eyeing them with curiosity. He didn't speak a word, nor did he release the death grip hold he had on his sword, but he didn't show any fear.
"Oh… I hope Jaffar is okay," the young mage, Nino, sighed to no one in particular. "I don't know what I would do if he died." Love and admiration shone so brightly in her eyes it almost hurt Ninian to watch.
Ninian suddenly heard a whinny and looked up as Fiora landed in the room, a young hooded man across her saddle. As the young man hopped of the horse, Fiora moved over to Kent—who was struggling to reach the wound across his back—and helped him tend to his wounds.
Nino gave a small cry and rushed over to Jaffar. "Jaffar… you're alright!" Her smile was bright and innocent and Ninian thought the young man relaxed. His eyes were dark and guard, deadly, and his hair red was wild on top his head.
"Nino?" He asked, sounding drained and weak, which—judging from the wounds across his body—he undoubtedly was. "What are you doing here? I thought I told you to run."
"I couldn't leave you!" was all the young mage offered. "And these people," here she to motioned to Lyn, "want to help us. Jaffar, I think we should help them."
"Nino…" For a moment, the hooded, dark-eyed man hesitated but then said slowly, "As you wish it…"
"You mean that!?"
"Yes, Nino, I shall… I shall stay by your side and protect you. If you wish to help these people then I shall help them as well." The assassin's eyes were still deeply guarded, almost cast in shadows by his brown hood.
"Oh Jaffar!" The green haired mage throw herself into the young man's arms. As if unsure what to do, his hands came up and patted her awkwardly on the back. Ninian watched with curiosity as, for a fleeting moment, a smile crossed his lips and his eyes lit with love.
But then they were guarded as he gently removed her arms. "Nino, stay here. I shall go and fight in the front." The mage looked ready to argue—she had in fact opened her mouth to do so—but a powerful bronze hand rose and cut her off, "Do not argue. Do not follow."
Before the mage could utter a sound even remotely sounding like protest, Jaffar's cape flapped and he disappeared into the shadows of Bern's palace.
"Jaffar…" Nino sighed, love evident in her eyes.
For a moment, Ninian was tempted to walk over to the girl and offer her a listening ear. Mostly because she didn't want to think about the dangers her other friends were in. When someone was telling a tale it was easier to forget the dangers around one. But no, Ninian shook her head.
She had to stay alert in case Rath needed her. She would dance for him without a thought… and she realized she would gladly jump in front of any harm that came his way. But why was that? Was it, in a sense, payback for his help in keeping her strong while her heart ached?
No… it wasn't thought. Rath had become more the pillar of strength for her. He was a friend… a dear, dear friend and the thought of losing him… Ninian shuddered; it was the worst thought she had ever had. Even more so then Eliwood not loving her. She couldn't lose Rath… not him. She was sure she could handle everything else—Eliwood loving Lyn, losing friends, being separated from Nils—but she could not lose Rath. She was sure she would not make it then.
Unable to resist, she looked over at the young man in her thoughts. It was an almost embarrassing thought but she realized that Rath was handsome… a thought she had never given much look into since she had been too smitten—had it really been love?—with Lord Eliwood to notice.
But now she did. The way his cheek bones held his face and curved it. The dark depths of his eyes and the long, dark lashes that framed them. The way his lips—full and firm—were pressed together in a grim line of concentration. The build of his body, lanky, lean, but powerful. They were all things she had never given much thought to. Why had she never noticed before?
This isn't the time to start noticing, she snapped, keep focused. Don't get yourself killed. She tore her eyes away from Rath before he noticed her blank stare. Her fine brows furrowed in concentration as she forced herself to be alert, to listen.
Then she heard Prince Zephiel gave a strangled cry of shock. Ninian whipped around and followed the boy's terrified gaze towards the front of the room. Her eyes grew wide as she looked on.
"No." At first all she could do was whisper, but then she become aware of what exactly was happening and her voice returned. "NO!"
There was Lyn, bleeding at Hawkeye's feet. The desert guardian was hardly fairing any better, with his chest covered in lashes and welts, bleeding terribly. Around them came a shaman—who had struck Lyn down—and a general who, along with the shaman, was destroying Hawkeye. Blindly, she raced to them.
"NINIAN!" Rath's voice floated in her eyes, shouting for her to stop, but she couldn't. She could almost see Lyn's last few breaths of life leave her. She couldn't let Lyn die, not when she could save her.
Rath loves her…
She threw herself at Lyn, already pulling out an elixir for the Sacaen blade lord. The blue liquid dripped onto the deep wounds on the girl's chest and Lyn began to struggle against death, slowly regaining her strength.
"You can't die," Ninian found herself whispering.
But she wasn't thinking about Lord Eliwood and how unhappy he would be if Lyn was to die. She was thinking about how upset Rath would be if Lyn was to die here. How much he would be pained by her death. Lord Eliwood never came into her thoughts as she rubbed the blue salve into the wounds. There was only Rath, Lyn, and the love Rath had for her. The love she could never return…
Rath loves you… I won't let you die… not when Rath… loves… you…
She heard movement, a swish of a cape, and looked up into the dead eyes of the Black Fang shaman. His hands were consumed in the purple light of a Luna spell and the look in his cold, hard eyes said Ninian's fate.
Death… it's not so scary…
She pushed Lyn away, as far as her frail body would allow her to push, and stared the shaman down. Lyn would live and the fight would continue. She had saved the woman Rath—her best friend—had loved. What more could she want?
Just as the Luna spell would've hit her, she heard Khan's whiny. She didn't even have time to gasp as Rath hooked a strong arm around her waist and hauled her into the saddle. He moved him, Khan, and herself out of the shaman's range. Then he loaded a long bow arrow and fired.
The shaman cupped the arrow embedded deep in his chest. His eyes were not dead now, they were fearful. Blood dripped onto his pale sun-deprived hands before his body crashed to the floor.
Kent and Fiora rushed forward, lances and sword ready to help Hawkeye finish the general still trying to push his way into the room. Nino jumped into Lyn's empty position and blasted at the knight that was trying to enter via the empty spot. Lyn stirred, touching her healed wound once, before loading her bows and helping Nino finish off the onslaught of enemies.
Panting, suddenly very afraid, Ninian pressed herself against Rath's chest. With her ear pressed tightly against his left breast she could hear the heavy pitter-patter of his heart. He had been afraid, too, she realized. But she didn't know why.
"Rath…?" she whispered hopelessly.
"Don't do that again," was all the nomad offered and placed her back on the ground. Ninian watched as he clattered away on Khan to help Lyn and Nino keep the Black Fang horde at bay.
Ninian dropped to her knees, trembling but not cold. Instantly, her hands reached out and rubbed at her arms. Rubbed so hard that angry red marks rose where she had scraped. She felt raw suddenly, raw and bleeding.
There was another sound of commotion that had Ninian looking up. Eliwood and the others who had taken the west side of the palace to face Ursula had arrived. Most of them totted battle words. Judging by the welts on Florina's arms—who was unconscious over Lord Hector's armor plated shoulders—she had been the one to face down Ursula's Bolting Magic. But she was breathing and that was a relief.
Eliwood rushed to take Lyn into his arms; obviously he had seen the Sacaen noblewoman go down. "Lyndis… I saw what happened… I—I couldn't get pass the Black Fang. Are you alright?" His eyes were blue and wide and worry filled. He gripped Lyn's upper arms tight, as if to make sure she was still alive.
"I'm… fine, Eliwood," Lyn said gently, smiling at him and his worried looks. "I just… miscalculated my enemies. It won't happen again."
"It certainly will not," Eliwood agreed with a sharp nod of his head, releasing her arms. "Because I'll be your side to back you up."
Lady Yuki was nodding slowly, "Yes, I think it would be best if everyone had partners for whenever we go into battle. In case something happens, you know."
Rath didn't say anything. He clucked his tongue against the roof of his mouth and Khan trotted away. No one looked at him as he walked away, save for Ninian. Her eyes were clouded, dark and unreadable as they trained on the nomad.
--&--
Ninian was looking for Rath hours later. Once Lady Yuki was sure they were at safe distance from the castle—in case the queen changed her mind about helping them—she allowed Eliwood's company to rest.
They would be heading for the Seal of Shrine come tomorrow. Ninian felt goose bumps prickle up her arms. She rubbed at them, an icy feeling lingering on her skin. Why did she feel so foreboding when it came to the Seal of Shrines? She felt as if there was something there, waiting, wanting, hungering.
She hated the feeling…
Shaking her head, she concentrated on her task at hand. Finding Rath. After Lord Eliwood's meeting with the queen—along with the attainment of the route to the Shrine of Seals and the Heaven's Seal—the nomad had wandered off, telling Lady Yuki he was going to fetch water for their next journey.
However, she could sense there was something underneath his words. They had become close friends over the past couple of days and she had come to notice little, unnoticeable, things that gave away his moods. And today his voice had been just a notch lower.
Was he angry?
Why would he be angry? And why at her? Rath had been avoiding her ever since they had left for the Shrine of Seals. Had she said something?
She finally spotted him leaning against the thick bark of a tree, the sun splashing across his face. Ninian's chest tightened for some reason as she approached. She made sure to make noise as she walked forward to let Rath know she was coming. He hated being surprise and she supposed he needed time to prepare.
He looked up at her with slanted dark eyes so intense and deep that Ninian almost jumped away, but she knew if she backed away now she would never be able to face him again. She marched over to him and took a seat right next to him, knowing he didn't want her there by the look in his eyes.
"Why a—are you angry wi—with me?" she questioned. Her shoulders stood stiff and her hands clenched into tight fists against her knees covered by the filmy fabric of her dress.
Rath looked at her through the corner of his eye, speaking slowly, "I'm… not… angry… with you…"
"Oh?" Feeling suddenly, oddly, strong she raised a haughty brow. "Then I suppose you weren't avoiding me either?"
"I wasn't." Rath didn't look surprised by her sudden strength; in fact he looked rather amused by it. He had never seen such fire in Ninian's icy eyes.
"You have, too!" Ninian protested, turning away from him angrily. "Admit it. I know you very well now, Rath. I know when you're upset or angry and you're angry. We've been together for a long time now… can't you tell me what it is?" She was surprised by how strong her voice was, how it didn't stutter. Had Rath brought out this sheer determination in her? Had it been him?
"We've been together…" Rath muttered those words as if they were foreign to him. "No, we haven't…"
"Rath, we have! I cried on your shoulder and we told each other stories and our worries! Yes, we have been together." Ninian felt tears prickle at the back of her eyes. Why was he turning away? "I don't kn—know what I di—did, but I didn't me—mean it. Do—don't turn away…"
"…" Rath was silent as stone, as still as it as well.
"If you're going to be silly, I'm leaving," Ninian said, ashamed that she would burst into tears over a man little more then a friend. Why was he suddenly so important to her? Unable to take the question, Ninian pushed herself from the ground with her palms, more than ready to walk away.
But two powerful arms wrapped around her shoulders and brought her back to the ground. She fell against something hard and warm… a chest. Rath's chest. His powerful arms wrapped around the top of her chest and she felt him nuzzle her ear.
"You almost died today," Rath said softly, lips brushed the sensitive area just below her neck. "You and Lyn. When I saw Lyn get hit I was worried… but when I saw you rush in to save her, I panicked. I love Lyn and I… I was more concerned about you… Ninian. I didn't even think about Lyn when I… when I went to save you. I didn't… didn't care. Do you know what that makes me feel? The woman I love mattered less to me then you…"
"Rath, I…" Ninian's eyes widened but she didn't turn to face him. Heat bloomed across her cheeks and she still couldn't look at him.
"I don't understand what's happening, Ninian," Rath continued when she trailed off. "I care more about you than I do Lyn."
"Rath… I wasn't thinking about Lord Eliwood when I—I saved Lady Lyn—Lyndis…" Her voice was soft, her head tilted towards the sun melting just behind the horizon. "I… I was thinking about you an—and how much you love—loved her… I couldn't let her die… when you loved her. I—I didn't want to see you in pain…"
She turned then, allowed her face to face his. Her eyes were bright from the light bouncing from the sun. Rath cupped her face gently, stroking her pale cheek with his calloused fingertips. The tall green grass tickled her palm as she tilted her head slightly, relaxing her limbs. When she didn't protest to the way he held her, Rath's other hand wrapped around her waist, drawing her closer to him.
Her fingers rose to do… she wasn't sure what they planned to do. Push him away? Hold him closer? Whatever they had thought to do was halted when Rath dragged her closer, trapping them between their two bodies.
The nomad lowered his mouth, close enough for his hot breath to fan her lips. The wind howled as he said her name, making the grass move like the sea. Rath's lips brushed her own and she couldn't help but sigh…
"Ninian!" Rath pulled away, standing quickly at the noise. Ninian stood as well, back facing the nomad, and blushing heatedly. In the distance Lord Eliwood moved over to them, his fire hair glowing in the golden setting sun.
"Lo—Lord Eliwood?" Ninian asked, wishing he had not come. She wondered what would've happened between herself and Rath had the Lordling not arrived. Her face lowered.
"I've been looking for you." Lord Eliwood smiled softly at Ninian, his face boyish and innocent. "I wanted to thank you… for helping Lyn…"
"I—it was nothing Lor—Lord Eliwood," Ninian stuttered, clasping her hand behind her back. She didn't dare look over at Rath. "I—I know you would—would have done the thing same a—as me."
"Yes," Lord Eliwood agreed without hesitation. "But that is because I love Lyndis. You do not love her… not the way I love her. I cannot even say you two are close friends. You sacrificed your life for my Lyndis… for that I thank you."
Don't look at Rath, don't look at Rath, Ninian chanted to herself, hardly listening to Lord Eliwood's words. "Th—think nothing of it, m—my Lord. I owe a lo—lot to Lady Lyn—Lyndis. I was re—repaying my debt."
Lord Eliwood nodded. "I am forever in your debt."
"Will yo—you marry La—Lady Lyndis, my lord?" Ninian questioned, changing the subject. After all, she had saved Lady Lyndis for Rath—because Rath had loved her—and not for Eliwood. But didn't she love Lord Eliwood?
I just don't know anymore…
"Yes, I plan on asking Lyndis when we end this battle." Eliwood's eyes grew soft as he thought of the future he and Lyn had together. "And you, Ninian? What do you plan to do? Still travel with your brother?"
Almost serenely Ninian whispered, "I wish to see Sacae…" Lord Eliwood looked surprised, but the smile still remained on his lips.
Oddly, Ninian didn't feel anything after learning Lord Eliwood would marry Lady Lyndis. In fact, she didn't even fell an ache in her heart. She thought of her dreams, none of which included the redhead Lord. They were full of rolling hills and green grass… and a certain silent nomad.
Rath…
"I—I must go, Lo—Lord Eliwood…" Ninian whispered, suddenly needing to find Rath, and badly. She wheeled around and marched off, leaving a confused redhead Lordling in her wake.
By the time she reached her tent the sun had set and everyone was by now locked in the arms of their lover—or sleeping in the case of Lady Yuki and Sain. She had the urge to be in Rath's arms, but not to cry.
What is happening to me? What am I feeling?
She wasn't surprised that Rath was not waiting for her in their tent. She suspected he was off somewhere, thinking like he liked do. He would most likely avoid her. But he would have to come to the tent to sleep some time in the night, yes? When he did she would be ready.
Ready for what?
Laying down on the cot she and Rath shared, Ninian shook her head. This was no time to question feelings. When Rath arrived she would decide what she wanted to do. Until then she would wait.
Curling against the cot, she inhaled Rath's unique smell. Strong, powerful, yet comforting and soothing. She hadn't realized how strongly the cot had smelt of him until this night.
Why? Why? Don't I love Lord Eliwood?
Ninian stayed awake for three hours. After those three hours it became apparent that Rath would not come to the tent tonight… probably not ever again. She curled on her side, hugging herself—a poor supplement for Rath's arms.
Why did she care only about Rath now? Why hadn't she given a thought to Lord Eliwood? Why had she saved Lady Lyndis for Rath's sake? All these questions haunted her and she could not find any answers.
"Oh, Rath…" Ninian sighed, fighting the tears behind her eyes, "Why?"
A/N: Yes, the Lizzy likes her long chapters. Pity that that long-ness liking makes her stories so short. Oh well, instant gratification faster, huh? Please continue your support by review. Next chapter should be out just as fast this one! Yay!
Next Chapter: In which there kissing, the Shrine of Seals, a real live dragon, and Nergal ruins everything! Next time in The One with the Nergal! Yes, Nergal gets a 'the' in front of his name. He's just like that.
Reviews:
Winteress: Not many people are an Eliwood/Lyn fan, but I'm a true-blue one. Hector/Lyn are alright, but I think it falls short of Hector/Florina pairing (it's adorable!). Thanks for the complements. I'll try to continue not to disappoint!
Lzn64: I don't know where the Rath/Ninian idea came from, but it started with an argument with my sister on the children of the characters of Rekka no Ken. I just thought that if Roy WAS half-dragon (which he would be if Eliwood married Ninian) then it would have played some role in the game. And yes, that's differently the picture that inspired the Lyn/Eliwood scene. So glad you could find it! XD
Macross-Green: Hmm… I thought about Serra with Hector (for like a split second) then decided she only went well with Oswin or Erk and since Oswin is so old… anyway, I really like odd pairings (most of the time) and maybe that's way Rath and Ninian tugged at me so fiercely. I mean, has anyone else ever seen a Rath/Ninian ANYTHING? No, of course not.
Kratos Aurion: You know for the longest time I was debating with myself whether I thought Lyn went with Kent or Eliwood… but then Fiora showed up and I was all like :D Problem solved! It just annoyed me that Ninian and Rath supported with only Eliwood and Lyn respectively. Everyone else had other choices and I thought they deserved some, too! As far as the rushed plot… I know. I wanted to make it longer but then it'd end up being close to a hundred pages… besides, it's only supposed to be little clips of their life together as they progress through the game!
Narugurlee13: Nino/Jaffar are one of my favourite pairings, too, and I don't care how old Jaffar is! I think they're a perfect balance for one another. Unbearably sweet balanced by death incarnate!
Shiva's Fire: I can remember I time when Eliwood/Lyn stories floated around the net, but they were easily outweighed by Ninian/Eliwood and Lyn/Rath fics. I was disappointed tear so I decided to just write a fic to appease my own tastes. Rath/Ninian was one of them :D
angel white: I always enjoy long chapters even if they're harder to right. One of my stories has really short chapters and I hate that… but that's neither here nor now!
Malignant Plate: S'kay. After all, you're reviewing now, non? I don't know if I'll get around to convincing you (I had a hard time convincing myself) but if in the end you feel the urge to jump onto our little paddle boat of supporters (which I think is just… me) I won't stop you! As far as the Serra voice goes… well, whenever I listen to my conscience its really high and annoying so I figured… well why shouldn't Rath?
"I keep my conscience in a box under my bed and let it out only for special occasions…"
–Lizzy Rebel