((Re-edited since first upload.))
I'm here… updating… Does this count as fast? I, once again, lost track of time.
Matthew: You seem to do that a lot…
Guy: A lot is an understatement.
FireEdge: It's not my fault… much…
Reviews:
TheOneAndOnlyT: Uh, uh, uh… -Runs away, then comes back- Yeah, see, I was wondering if I actually had her in character when I wrote her outburst, but it seemed appropriate. And as for Prissy's vision… Well, you'll have to wait and find out. :) And thank you for the compliment! I'm glad that you think this chapter was better, since I worked hard on it!
Kitten Kisses: Hey! Thanks for reviewing this story too!
Baka KitsuneBri: You'll just have to wait and find out this chapter, with what's up with Wil. Yeah, Hector was trying to be nice, but he is a little dense… Or I just made him that way… As for the tactician hanging out with Guy and Matthew. Well, they're currently her best friends, so naturally she hangs out with them. And I don't really want to mention every single unit in the army…
InItIaL D ROCKS: Yeah, I know. That's why Lyn's having a talk with him. Hopefully he'll stay away now. Thanks for reviewing!
Lord X: Yes, I'm pretty evil… But, I its fun that way. :) Wait, I didn't give Florina her promotion item? I couldn't swore I did… I don't know if it was you or a plothole, but… yeah…
montblancerk: Thank you! I'm glad you find it perfect! Hopefully, this chapter will be just as good.
Ragnarok-legend: Thanks for the compliments! And no, I don't hate Hector, he's an awesome unit, and a hell lot better than Pansywood… I just needed him to look bad, you know what I mean?
The Blazing Blade: Oh, it's okay, I didn't mind that much. And… well, Wil hasn't necessarily forgotten whom he loves… But you go read and find out what's going on.
Hamano Ayumi: It's okay, at least you reviewed:) And yes, I didn't want to do that to Wil either, but it's more dramatic that way. Hehe, drama…
Duelist of Middle Earth: Wow… I'm scared…
Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem.
Stray Arrow
Chapter 21
"Wil!" Florina cried, running to his side, nearly collapsing onto the floor at the relief of seeing him awake. Her light blue eyes were bright with tears. Behind her, Rebecca knelt down, a sigh of relief escaping her lips.
On the small bunk, Wil turned his head to look at the two kneeling girls. The sniper propped himself up on an elbow. His brown eyes surveyed the room, and everyone in it. Finally his gaze settled on Florina's face.
His head tilted to one side, a lock of messy hair falling in front of his eyes. The young girl beside him reached up and brushed the strand from his face, her lower lip quivering. The tears that tracked down her face, though, were ones of joy.
"Are you okay?" She asked in a quavering voice. The young man blinked a few times before answering.
"… I'm fine…" Wil answered hesitantly. His eyes narrowed in confusion. I know her… but what's her name…? They all look familiar, but I can't seem to… re…member them… He thought in his mind, his eyes brushing the others in his gaze.
Rebecca immediately jumped up, not noticing the strange look on Wil's face, she was so overjoyed. The sniper's face had a large grin on it.
"I'll go get you something to eat, Wil! You must be hungry after going through all of that!" The green-haired girl immediately skipped out of the room, going at a dash to the kitchens.
Wil's eyes followed her out of the door. What's her name? Why can't I remember? As he contemplated all this in his head, Florina pulled up a chair and sat on it, examining Wil. She didn't mind that he wasn't talking, really. As long as he was okay, she supposed that he must still be recollecting his thoughts. After all, that was quite a trauma that he had gone through.
Standing behind the falcoknight, Priscilla turned to the bishop beside her. The young valkyrie had noticed the funny look Wil had. And so had Serra by the look she returned to her. Walking back a ways, the two started to converse, though in whispers, so that Florina wouldn't hear. They didn't want to panic her in any way. Not after what happened before.
"Wil… He looks fine. Really healthy, actually. But something's wrong…" Murmured Priscilla. "Maybe you were right before… About something not healing in his… mind…" The other healer shrugged, rubbing her bare arms uncomfortably.
"I don't know… He does look okay. But we never know what's going on in his head… He looks confused you know. I'd expect him to be all smiles and hugging Florina by now. But he's just been staring into space… You don't suppose that his brain was damaged when he was unconscious, do you? Remember, he was pretty much dead for a little while. Half a minute of no air could do something to your head."
"I certainly hope not…" Replied Priscilla, also hugging herself. Suddenly, the room felt chillier than before… And she couldn't help but recall what she had seen through that pendant… Wil, drifting in a neverending sea… Perhaps that was what was happening right now? Maybe the sniper had lost his way? But how? And why?
"Wil… Are you feeling okay? You don't look so well? Are you hungry? I'm sure Rebecca will be here anytime with your food." Said Florina, finally noticing the look on his face. The sniper turned to face her again, at the sound of her words.
"… I feel fine, but… There's something I should tell you…" He said slowly. The best way to resolve this is to tell her that I can't remember who she is…
"What is it, Wil?" She asked. The girl sat up straight in her seat. For some reason, a chill shot up her spine, why did it feel like what he was going to say next wasn't going to be good?
The healers, likewise, straightened. Their eyes rested meaningfully on Wil. It was the moment of truth, finally they would find out what was wrong with him… Or they hoped they would.
Wil took in a deep breath. "I-I can't… I can't…" He started, stammering. Biting his lip, he commenced again. "I can't remember who you all are…"
The next few moments dragged on in a horrific silence. For a long while, everyone stared at Wil, eyes wide with an unreadable expression. Though Wil's face was twisted with confusion and pain. Finally, the spell snapped with Florina speaking up.
"Wh-What d-do you m-mean?" She stammered, quivering, tears streaming down her face again. Priscilla closed her eyes, tears also gently falling down her face. Serra turned away, not being able to stand the sight before her.
Florina knew what Wil said was no lie. But she denied it; she didn't want it to be true. How she wished it was all a cruel joke. But her head told her otherwise. Why was this happening?
"… I don't know… I feel like I know whom you all are, but I just can't remember who you are… Do you know what I mean?" He asked a little meekly. But obviously, she didn't. For Florina then stood up abruptly, knocking her chair over in the process. The young girl then ran out of the room, a sob escaping her lips before she was gone.
Through the halls, she ran, passing by Rebecca, who had a bowl of soup and a bread bun in her hands. The sniper nearly dropped the food when the other girl zoomed past her. Rebecca's brows furrowed in worry and she quickly walked to Wil's room.
"What happened to Florina? She just ran past me, it was like the devil himself was chasing her…" Said Rebecca, setting the plate down on the table by the window. The sniper then turned to face the others, hands on her hips.
"Well…"
Florina didn't know how long she had been running, or where she was heading too. She just had to get away from it all. When she had though that everything was going to be back to normal again, this came up. Why were all these bad things always happening to her?
The falcoknight sped past multitude of people, her boots clicking on the tiled floor. Many of the troops had their arms full of equipment. Old and new alike. It seemed that they were stocking up on supplies. No doubt because they were headed for what may be their last battle.
Of course, the girl didn't care about what was going on around her right now. She wanted to be alone, and nothing was going to change her mind. As she continued running, a thought formed in her head, and she headed for the stables. Her pegasus would be comforting right now.
The people she passed by paused and gazed after the frantic falcoknight as she went on her way. Why she was in such a hurry was beyond them. And they knew it was none of their business, so they continued on her way.
But Elfaiya, whom was talking to Lyn and some of their magic units, noticed something wrong with the other girl.
"Hey, Lyn… Isn't Florina supposed to be with Wil right now?" She asked turning to the lady. The Sacaean woman looked up from the supply list she was gazing at.
"Yes, she's with him right now, as is Priscilla, Serra and Rebecca. Why do you ask?" Replied Lyn.
"Well, she just ran past us a few seconds ago…" Said the blue-haired girl, jutting her thumb in the direction that Florina had took off in.
"That's strange… I'd think that she wouldn't leave Wil's side… It better not be Hector again…" Lyn sighed, rubbing her temples. But Elfaiya shook her head.
"After that 'lecture' you gave him, he hasn't gone near Wil and Raven's room. He's with Eliwood right now…"
"… Something must be wrong then… I should go check on her…" Lyn murmured under her breath. "Elfaiya, you continue with the supplies, I'll be back as soon as I can." The woman then ran off in the direction that Florina was fleeing in, leaving the tactician gaping after her.
"… But you have the list I just wrote out…"
Florina was now settled deep in Huey's stall in the Ostian stables. She sat curled up in the corner, seated in a large bail of hay, her head buried in her arms. The stall was reletively large, since it had to fit the pegasus along with the added size of its wings, even though they were folded.
The winged horse nudged its mistress' hair, nibbling at the lavender locks. But Florina never looked up. She cried, not for the first time today, letting the tears fall down and stain her dress. Sobs racked her small frame as images of what happened ran through her head.
She didn't know what to do… What if Wil didn't regain his memory ever again? True, he was still Wil… But all the happy moments that they had spent together, all lost. And no one can truly be the same again, if they forgot what had influenced them in the past. He could never be the same person again… Would she still love him?
The falcoknight didn't want to think about that, especially the latter. But she couldn't drive it from her head. Instead, she screwed her eyes shut. And sent a silent prayer up to the heavens.
Oh Saint Elimine… Please let Wil remember his past. Not just for me, but… for everyone that loves him. She didn't think it would work, but it was the best she could think of. Suddenly a thought struck her. A spur of the moment idea that just surfaced off the top of her head. Barigan. Maybe praying to him would be more appropriate. She wasn't sure why, but… anything was worth a shot.
Barigan, grand knight of Ilia… Help Wil regain his lost memories… Florina thought, hoping with all her heart that the great paladin that she had grown up hearing stories of would hear her prayer.
And luckily for her, an angel stood by her shoulders.
Lyn had to ask many people before finally hearing from Legault where to find her friend. The woman strode briskly through the stable, looking this way and that for the falcoknight.
She soon approached Huey's stall, and could hear the sounds of sobbing and the mumbling of her soft choked voice. The Sacaean's expression softened and she gently opened the stall door.
Peeking her head in, she saw Florina curled up in a small defenceless ball in the corner, her pegasus' nose nuzzling her.
"Oh, Florina… What's the matter?" Lyn walked over and knelt down beside her. Lyn wrapped her friend in a tight embrace, murmuring comforting phrases.
The other girl took comfort in Lyn's mutters, whether she could make them out or not. She knew that Lyn knew somewhat of how she felt. Of losing someone she loved. Though all Lyn knew was that Wil was recuperated. She didn't know that his memory was gone…
"I-I'm s-sorry, Lyn…" Florina finally stammered quietly between sobs.
"Why are you saying sorry for?" The other woman asked, looking reproachably at the younger girl, also with confusion. Hadn't they gone over this already? It wasn't her fault that Wil was hurt. After all, he was getting better…
"I'm being a burden aren't I? I caused what happened to Wil, and now you could be short an archer, and after seeing me break down like this, I must seem like the weakest person on Elibe!" She replied with strong emotion. If only she used that in more positive situations.
"Don't be silly!" Cried Lyn, shaking her head vigorously. "You're never a burden! I appreciate your company dearly, and I don't know what I'd do without you! And what happened to Wil was a freak accident! It was never your fault! Wil is doing fine, anyway! He'll be better soon. I thought you were just overjoyed when you saw him recovred."
Florina only looked down at the hay-strewn floor. She knew what Lyn said was always true. Sacaeans never lied, and Lyn especially wouldn't. But she only sniffed and shook her head. Lyn may be telling the truth, but she didn't know everything yet.
"Come on, Florina. Let's not mope here all day. Why don't we get you something to eat? You haven't touched any food since yesterday…" Lyn suggested, starting to stand up, a hand still resting on Florina's shoulder.
Florina hesitated for a long moment, but finally noticed that she was hungry. But she didn't really want to leave. She didn't want to see the looks of the other people of the army. Whether looks of confusion or sympathy. She didn't want any of it. So she shook her head.
And she had to tell Lyn what was wrong. She couldn't let Lyn just sit there clueless of what was happening…
"Lyn… There's something else that happened to Wil… After you left…"
((As you can see, I left out some parts in this chapter. It's shorter now, but I think it portrays Lyn much more IC.))
I think that this chapter was of okay length… I wanted to continue, but I found it better to leave it at that.
Matthew: Just to let you all know, I can read minds.
Guy: … And that has to do with anything, how?
Matthew: I can read FireEdge's mind. She's thinking that she hates having a cold…
-Crickets chirping-
Guy: … That's wonderful…
Matthew: And that she has inspiration, so that she'll get the next chapter up faster. Even if she's busy these next two weeks.
FireEdge: You know, you're right on both things… amazingly… Wait, what are you doing with my journal!
Matthew: Crap, I've been found out!
Guy: And so concludes our chapter… Please review…
-FireEdge-
