Hello, sorry for the long update, but it was the end of school thing! :P But this chapter is going to be longer (hopefully…)!

Guy: I didn't mind the wait! :)

Matthew: Of course you don't! You don't get hurt when she doesn't update!

Guy: Duh.

Reviews:

Guy The Master: Thanks. Yeah, Wil's one of my favs too.

Lord Cynic: Judging my your muses (are they muses?) you really don't say "Aww, that's nice…" a lot do you?

Zephire the Tactician: Thanks!

TheOneAndOnlyT: Wow, thanks for the tip, I knew something sounded funny in that sentence. :P You're review means quite a bit to me, for it was your fic Different that inspired me to write this! :)

Ragnarok: Hey, thanks! I worked really hard on that romance bit!

Guy: Yeah right.

FireEdge: You, shut up!

Mizurazame: It's confusing because you probably never played the game before… Thanks for the review, but for your sake, I recommend either to play Fire Emblem 7 first (if you have not played it already) before reading this fic, or just stick to the my other fics that you are more comfortable with.

Ed, the Master Tactician(x2): Yeah, that would be much easier that way, wouldn't it? Yes, thank you for the site! But thanks to the internet, I'm actually quite familiar with the FE6 cast, so no worries! And about your second review…

Guy: AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Masboy11: Hm… good idea. I'll try and add that idea in next chapter.

purpleflamepyrogirl: Thanks for the review!

Squallsgurl: Yes, it is a shame that the game doesn't give them a support together. If you like WilFlorina fics, there's also a one-shot from The Story Master 125 you can read.

FireEdge: Note that there is a slight bit of violence in this chapter. Though I don't really think it's anything major. I'm just warning those with an extremely weak stomach to um… "watch out." So don't flame me for it… But if you think I should change the rating to PG13 or something, please tell me. Cuz I don't want this fic to get kicked off…

Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem.

Stray Arrow Chapter 7

"Damn it!" Elfaiya swore as she slipped on a patch of slick, wet grass. Rain was pouring down on them like there was no tomorrow. It was definitely not the best conditions to be fighting Lundgren in. The rain was slowing everyone down. The water was making the ground turn into sucking mud, which made the horses' hooves sink in. Though Rath's horse seemed to be having an easier time with the rain, for nomadic horses seemed to be more adept in the rain. For the troops on foot, everything was dark and the rain just obscured their vision more. General Wallace, whom they had met a few days ago, had an even worse time with his heavy armor. But he was strong-willed and persisited. As for Florina, the rain drenched her poor pegasus's wings, causing her airborne horse to have a hard time flying.

Elfaiya glanced around. Thank goodness we have some periods of sunshine or I don't know what we would do! As if answering her thoughts, from beside her, Lyn's head perked up.

"Elfaiya, the rain is going to stop soon."

"Good, everyone, get ready to move forward as soon as the rain stops! I want to make good use of the sun that is to come!" They all nodded groggily, next to slowing their progress, the rain was making everyone in an especially grouchy mood. Serra constantly complained about the weather ruining her hair. Normally silent Rath seemed to glare at everyone. Lyn and Elfaiya snapped at everyone for no reason. Even Sain had stopped flirting and fooling around for once. But the downpour didn't appear to douse Wil's high spirits. He was as optimistic as ever, if even more. The archer was always running ahead, then coming back, saying that the rain was stopping their enemies as well and that this "drizzle" was actually to their advantage. Though Elfaiya would ask him "Who's the tactician here anyways?!" and ignore him. He'd also say things like "Oh, why look at those clouds! I think they're finally clearing up!" even when they were as dense as rocks.

Personally, Florina was welcomed of Wil's cheeriness; it helped her keep focused on the task at hand, which was to defeat Lundgren. As the rain started to clear up, she flew towards Wil, who was shaking the water from his messy hair. She couldn't help but smile as he looked at her with a huge grin on his face, and his hair sticking on ends.

"See, I told you the clouds were clearing up!" She just shook her head; they both knew very well that he had said that more than an hour ago.

"Are you okay Wil? Did you slip on the mud? Or the grass?"

"No, I'm okay Florina. You needn't worry about me. Just watch out for yourself. This rain is quite dangerous to fly around in. I don't want you getting hurt." He frowned for the first time that day. She blushed, still abashed at the fact that he was worried about her.

"Um… I will…"

"Florina! Pick Wil up and transport him, please! Everyone gets along faster that way!" Elfaiya called to them. Inclining her head to one side, Florina saw that Kent had scooped Lyn up behind his saddle and was hurrying ahead. Rath and Sain were following his example. The pegasus knight didn't need to help Wil up. He was quite used to being on her pegasus by now. After making sure Wil was settled in the saddle behind her, she took off into the air. As they flew high into the sky, above the ground, Wil spoke.

"Florina, this is probably going to be the hardest battle that we have ever fought so far."

"I-I know."

"It's going to be dangerous. People are going to get hurt…" He voice was starting to sound sad.

"Serra could always heal our wounds. She's healed the direst of our wounds before, hasn't she? D-do you doubt her skill?" Florina inquired, not quite sure where this conversation was leading to.

"Yes, but even a the most powerful cleric's skills have a limit." Replied Wil. Not exactly sure how to answer that, she stayed silent. "Even Saint Elimine herself could revive the dead!"

"Wh-what are you getting at, Wil?"

"What I'm saying is that, if one of us were to die in this battle…" He sighed, as if all of his previous optimism had never existed.

"We-we won't die!" Florina said in a strong voice that took Wil aback. "We've come to far to fail now, Wil! You just have to focus on our goal! To defeat Lundgren!" Wil blinked, surprised. But then he smiled.

"Of course, how could I forget that? We have come to far to just give up. Thank you for reminding me of that, Florina." He embraced her lightly, which made her turn red and squeak. Wil laughed and ruffled her lavender hair. "But Florina, promise me something." Still trying to recover from the shock of Wil's hug, she managed to stutter out,

"W-what m-may th-that b-be?"

"Don't die." She was immediately shaken from her shock at his words. "Please, promise me, don't die. I don't want to lose you."

"I-I won't… I promise, Wil. I-I won't leave you, ever…" She murmured. They then continued their flight in a serene silence.

"Do you really think you can defeat me?!" Lundgren roared as all the troops surrounded him. The magic users and the archers were using ranged attacks on Lundgren, while he was busy with the close-ranged units. Serra was working overtime with healing everyone, while Nils was playing his flute for her to help her heal faster. With the close ranged group, Elfaiya was making them use a "hit-and-run" technique. Which consisted of one or two characters doing some heavy damage to Lundgren, while one of the mounted units or Florina would then rescue them from the brink of destruction and get far away enough that Lundgren's lance would not reach them. Though this technique seemed to be a little risky, it was working very well. That is, until something went wrong in this apparently flawless plan.

"Aaaiiieee!!!" Florina screamed as the silver lance sunk into her. Her pegasus collapsed onto the ground with a loud whinny. Florina gasped, trying to breathe as she clutched her side, which was bleeding profusely.

"Florina!" Lyn yelled.

"No…" Gasped Wil in silent horror, his bow fell from his limp hand to the ground, as did he. He didn't even notice as a ball of fire streaked past him and killed Lundgren. All he saw was Florina, on the brink of death. "No… th-this… th-this can't be happening…"

"Florina! Are you okay?! Say something!!!" Lyn screamed in almost hysteria. The young girl looked up at the lord.

"Lyn, I'm sorry. I…I can't go on…" She whispered. Her eyes felt droopy and she was overcome with a wave of dizziness.

"Elfaiya! Serra! Take care of her! I want to stay, but I must finish this. Please make sure she survives." Crying, Lyn then reluctantly gave her to Elfaiya. She then, accompanied by Kent and Sain, went into the castle.

"I'm… I'm sorry." Florina murmured before she fell into unconsciousness. Serra was quickly trying to heal her as best as she could, while Rath rode off to find someone who could heal her. The rest looked on worriedly, shifting around nervously. But in the silence you could hear Lucius praying frantically. Wil stumbled towards Elfaiya and Serra.

"Is… is she going to… live…?" He asked quietly. He feared that if he talked any louder that he would be overcome with tears.

"I don't know Wil. I truly don't know." Replied Elfaiya solemnly.

"Elfaiya… I-I can't do any more… I'm sorry." Serra sobbed as she stood up and walked to stand with Erk, crying into his shoulder. Elfaiya then stood up and gently placed Florina into Wil's arms. She then walked away, leaving him alone with the young pegasus knight. He looked down at her frail body. The bleeding had been stopped, but she was paler than a sheet and she was cold to his touch. The only thing to reassure him that she still lived was the slow rise and fall of her chest. Moving one hand, he brushed a lock of her silky hair away from her angelic face. Despite his efforts, he couldn't restrain his tears at the look of pain on her face.

"Please…" He rasped softly, his voice hoarse. "Please, don't leave me… You promised me, Florina. Please, be strong!" Bowing his head down in grief, the necklace that Florina had given him, fell from the collar of his shirt. Feeling the added weight on his neck, he grasped the necklace in his hand. Slowly taking it off, he looked at it. But the charm only brought more tears to his eyes. He knew the chances of her living were slim to none. The worst part was that he couldn't do anything about it. Why?! Why must it be this way?! What did she do to deserve this?! Why?! Moaning, he held his head in his hands, the charm pressing into his palm.

Suddenly, the tiny piece of metal felt warm. Opening his eyes in surprise, he looked at the small charm. He let out a gasp as it started to glow. The charm then grew hot. Giving a startled cry, he dropped the necklace, falling on Florina. The glow of the necklace grew, engulfing the young pegasus knight in a soft light. All looked at the radiance with eyes wide with astonishment. Slowly, the shine dimmed and eventually disappeared. The gash in Florina's side seemed to have healed and the colour had returned to her face. Carefully picking up the charm, Wil examined it. There was absolutely nothing peculiar about it.

"What… what just happened?" Matthew asked, his voice barely audible.

"I-I don't know…" Replied Elfaiya, just as shocked as the thief. Lucius closed his eyes in prayer again.

"Blessed Saint Elimine, thank you for this miracle!"

Hah! That's it for this chapter! I don't know if this is a cliffhanger or not, but I'm hoping it'll keep you waiting! ;) But don't worry; this fic is far from over! And for those who might be wondering, that's not the charm's real purpose, the idea just popped into my head! :) Also, I might not be updating for the next two weeks or so. I'm on vacation, so… yeah. But I promise as soon as I get back, I'll give you a nice chapter! Okay?

Guy: Booyah! I'm going to Hawaii! Decked out in a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, beach hat and sunglasses

Matthew: Not without me, you're not! Wearing the same thing

Guy: What?! No way!

Kirby: Poyo! In sunglasses

Guy: Eh? You too?!

All run out the door

FireEdge: Weirdos. I'm not even going to Hawaii… Please review. And be patient! I will be back!

Poof! Disappears in smoke

--FireEdge--