I'm back! You're all lucky that TheOneAndOnlyT is bugging me to update, or this chapter could have took way longer…
Guy: Then that would be a good thing.
Matthew: Yeah, you lazy bum!!
FireEdge: Go away…
Reviews:
Wyrmseeker: Yes, school sucks. But slow updates are usually due to laziness. :P You tell Lord C! Kirby rules all!
Lord Cynic: Having fun? HNM isn't that bad. I got more mad at EHM. That was annoying…
TheOneAndOnlyT: Gee, I should hire you as an alarm clock. :P You're the one who's always reminding me to update!
Ragnarok-legend: Hehe. I wasn't my fault, I swear… Hmm, I don't know if I'm adding any other tactician's in this. My main focus is going to be on Wil and Florina. But if I ever need to use another tactician, I'll be sure to use Haru for you.
ErkTheSlayer: Hehe, now you agree with me! XD
Ed, the Master Tactician: Yeah, Guy's one lucky guy.
Servant of God: Hehe, I tend to neglect fanfics sometimes too. But that's a bad thing… Eep. Yes, I'm trying to stop being evil too. But sometimes it just doesn't work.
onionbreath002: Thank you. I know I'm evil :) Whoa, 14 plays with Erk/Serra A supports? That's insane. I could never use Erk that many time, Nino's too good. And I also try to get different supports everytime through.
Fury: Hehe, thanks for the compliment!
Legolasgirl5: Aww, I'm glad someone liked my fluffly parts! Yes, will they ever kiss? Hmm.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem.
Stray Arrow
Chapter 16
"FLORINA!" Wil cried into the storm. His eyes widened suddenly as he saw a small figure collapse ahead of him. The sniper quickly ran through the thick snow.
"Fl-Florina!" She seemed unconscious, her curly orchid locks sprinkled with wet snow. Her long lashes covered with tiny icy crystals. Wil knew that if he didn't get her out of this blizzard, she might not make it…
Stop thinking like that, Wil! Get it together! He gritted his teeth furiously and Scooped Florina up in his arms. But which way to go? He couldn't tell one way from the other. The curtains upon curtains of sleet blinded his vision. Everything was a white blanket of nothingness.
Trudging forward with an unbreakable will, he started off in one direction. As he walked, he looked down at the girl in his arms. Florina's face was deathly pale and even with the storm about him, he could feel that her body was freezing cold.
Hang in there, Florina. You can't leave me yet! Wil bit his lip, restraining tears that were threatening to fall. The sniper looked around once more. He still couldn't tell where he was going. But suddenly, ahead of him, he saw the snow shifting, lightening up so that he could see.
Plowing forward, he saw a dark shape loom ahead. Coming closer, he saw that it was a giant gnarled tree. It's dark branches spread from its massive trunk and reached for the skies. Dark knotted bark covered it, peeling here and there. Looking near the base of the tree, Wil saw that it's large roots sprawled all over the ice-packed ground. Suddenly he saw something near the bottom of the trunk.
An opening! Their was a medium-sized crevice cracked into its side. Making a narrow opening that the sniper could just fit in. Squeezing inside, he saw that it was some sort of chamber. The inside of the trunk was mostly hollowed out. He couldn't tell if man or nature had done it, but it was as good a shelter as any.
Kneeling, he placed Florina onto the floor of the hollow, propping her up a bit against the back of the trunk. Taking off the cloak that he had been wearing, he covered her up as best as he could. He would not be falling asleep that night. He had to watch Florina. Make sure she was safe.
Wil sat down next to her, hoping she was warm enough. He stared out through the crack in the trunk at the blizzard outside, mesmerized by the falling snow. It swirled constantly, sometimes sending cold drafts of air into the hollow. But he still sat there, not minding it all, his mind set on the girl next to him.
The sniper was barely aware of the time passing by and of the fact that he had dozed off into a light sleep. But his eyes shot open upon the wailing winds coming to a halt.
I can't believe that I fell asleep! He mentally slapped himself. Looking down next to him, Florina still slept peacefully, her chest rising and falling slowly. The sunlight fell upon her well-sculpted face and he sat staring at her unknowingly. Her hair fell in locks messily over her face. He reached out a hand and gently brushed them back.
As his fingers touched her cheek, he felt her stir. Wil instantly drew his hand back, his eyes a little wide, but then relaxed. Looking at Florina, he saw her eyes flicker and start to open slowly.
The pegasus knight's eyes opened fully, her vision was blurry and took a bit to clear up. Her head was pounding and she felt very cold. Moving a little, she felt a cloak slide off her shoulders at her movement. Looking up, she saw Wil staring at her.
It took her a moment before she could register what was going on.
"W-Wil?"
"Florina… are you feeling okay?" He asked, a sigh of relief escaping his lips.
"I-I think so… I can't remember anything though… Just snow…" She said, blinking her wide eyes up at the sniper.
"Don't worry, it's okay now. The blizzard is over." Smiled Wil. "But we should try and find the others. Can you stand up?"
"… Yes, I think so." She replied, slowly getting up. She was shaking slightly, but she was stable. "But how are we going to find them--Wait! Huey!" Her eyes widened dramatically as she remembered losing her pegasus in the storm.
"Huey? Did he get lost in the blizzard?" Wil asked, his eyebrows furrowed. Florina's lower lip quivered slighty.
"I-I hope he's okay." She said in a shaky voice, her eyes were shiny with unshed tears.
"I'm sure he's fine. Huey's a smart animal, he'll find his way to safety." Wil reassured her, hoping that he was right.
Stepping outside with Florina at his heels, he looked at the site about him. Everything was covered in crisp layers of thick white snow; it gleamed blindly in the sunlight overhead. Covering his eyes with his hand, he looked this way and that for a sign of other people.
"I wonder where everyone is? I can't see any people at all…" He spoke out, a tint of worry in his voice. A light blush crept up his neck when he felt Florina next to him, slightly pressed against his body in fear. Wil cleared his throat nervously and started forward.
They walked forward slowly, looking in all direction for signs of people. But it was to no avail. Suddenly though, they heard a loud whinny.
"A horse!" Said Wil, his head shooting up, his eyes gazing intently on the horizon in the direction of the sound.
"Is it Huey?" She asked hopefully. Her question was then answered as a white horse rose above the horizon. It wasn't a pegasi, but it was definitely good enough.
"Kent!" They both yelled. The paladin turned his roan eyes in the direction of the call.
"Ah, Wil! Florina!" He said in return as his steed ran through the snow. "Milady Lyndis was worried about you two. "She sent me out personally to find you."
"R-Really?" Wil asked.
"Yes, your sisters are out also, looking for you Miss Florina. We have some others scouts searching for the rest of our missing troops." They gave Kent a nod and started following the red-haired paladin back to where their army rested.
That night, they were almost back to the manse. One more day of travel and they would reach the queen. But for now, the army rested. The encampment was quiet except for the crackling of fires and the murmurs of neighbours visiting each other.
Wil lay on his back on his bed. His tent-mates were out visiting or doing some other business, and he relished the silence he was given. But that peacefulness was broken when he heard the snap of a twig outside the flaps of his tent.
"Huh? Who's there?" He asked, sitting up on his bunk.
"I-It's me…" Said a voice meekly. Sliding off his bed, he strode towards the tent flap. Throwing it back he came face-to-face with Florina.
"Florina? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting?" He asked.
"Um… I-I wanted to thank you for saving me. I-I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come." Replied the pegasus knight, her eyes downcast.
"Of course… I could never live with myself if you were lost out there alone…"
"But you didn't need to save me. I'm just a weak little girl who can't even fend for herself… No one would care if I were gone anyway. I'm always in the way." Tears steamed down her cheek as she said those words. She knew they were true whether she denied them or not.
"That's not true, Florina." Wil protested. "If you were not strong, why would Elfaiya send you out to fight?" Florina didn't respond, she just stared at the ground.
"And many people would mourn if you died… Lyn, your sisters, your friends… and me…" He said slowly.
"… But--" She never finished her sentence. For suddenly, Wil's hands delicately lifted up her chin and planted a light kiss upon her lips. Florina's eyes widened but she stood still, frozen to place.
Wil released Florina, a deep blush on his cheeks. The other's face was also pigmented red. He didn't know how he had mustered up the courage to do that. But he was glad he had.
Florina stared, her eyes fixed upon Wil's in astonishment. She had never been kissed before in her life, and she didn't really know what to do or say.
They stared at each other for what seemed like ages before Wil broke the silence.
"We'd… better get some rest… Good-night, Florina." He said awkwardly, walking into his tent. Only when he was out of her sight did she relax. Her slender fingers went up to her lips, touching them gently, still shocked from what had happened.
"G-Good-night, Wil…"
Awwww. They kissed. And in your face! I didn't do a cliffhanger! Sorry for the shortness, but I hope this chapter was good enough for you people!
Guy: Yeah, if it's not, the reviewers will come in swarms and eat you alive…
Matthew: Don't be stupid Guy…
FireEdge: Yes, don't be stupid. And review, please!
--FireEdge--
