Crossroads of the Heart
Author's Note:
Fire Emblem is the property of Intelligent Systems and Nintendo.
Chapter 16: A Precarious Balance
"You were right... this place is beautiful, in its own right," Kent murmured softly, absently stroking the teal colored hair of the woman bundled contently in his arms. She smiled up at him, clearly pleased to hear him say so. The view from the deck in back of the farmhouse was nothing spectacular, though it afforded a generous view of the terraced fields built into the side of the surrounding mountains.
It had been quite sometime since they had left Lyn and Wallace alone inside, and though each vaguely wondered how long they should give them, neither was in a particular hurry to leave. Fiora had long anticipated this day; and truthfully, anything that made her so happy tended to have a positive effect on her betrothed. Kent already found himself growing to love this land, harsh though it was, purely on account of the adoration for it evident in Fiora's words each time she spoke of Ilia... a curious effect, to be sure.
"It probably seems strange, but there's nothing I've missed more than the sight of these mountains... the sting of the chilled air against my skin mid-flight... it's positively exhilarating."
"It doesn't sound strange at all. I completely understand..."
"Do you see that mountain?" Fiora pointed a gloved hand in the direction of a particularly imposing peak; it stood well above the others, plainly visible despite its distance from them.
"Mm. Is that the famed Mountain of the Ice Dragon I've heard so much about?"
"It is. Our home lies at the foot of that peak... it's said that in ancient times, a kind ice dragon lived there, and cared for the poor villagers..."
"It isn't often that one hears of dragons as anything more than ferocious beasts, especially in ancient legends," Kent mused. "Though of course we all know now what folly that thinking is..."
"I wonder what it was that incited such a dreadful war in the first place... The ice dragon is said to have departed the mountain at the onset of The Scouring, because she didn't want to harm the people..."
"It is quite a mystery... not even Athos seemed willing to divulge the answer."
"Did he even know...?" Fiora shifted in his embrace, her brow furrowing somewhat. "Or did he simply fight blindly alongside his comrades, against the dragons? If he had known then what he learned from Arcadia, how would history have been affected?"
"An intriguing question."
"Yes... but ultimately useless to ponder, since we can't very well go back to change the past."
"Well, you've heard the sayings. If we don't remember our history, if we fail to keep our mistakes close to our hearts... we are only doomed to repeat them."
"That's true..." Fiora sighed, relaxing somewhat, the fervor fading from her voice. "You know, I told Florina that story often as a child... she really seemed to take it to heart. She once snuck out of the house to the mountain, so much did she want to see that dragon..."
"I can't imagine Florina actively seeking a dragon out."
"Neither could I!" Fiora shook her head. "She's quite surprising at times, that one... I wonder sometimes if that story isn't part of the reason she got on so well with that dragon girl, Ninian."
"She was an ice dragon too, after all..." Kent agreed.
"Ah, well..." Fiora leaned further back into him, narrowing her eyes slightly. "The ultimate point, I suppose, is to always know what it is you're fighting for... as a mercenary, I'm supposed to follow orders without question, but faced with a task I found morally repulsive -- I am not certain I could fulfill my duty in such a case."
"It is the same with me," Kent offered quietly. "As a knight, it is my duty to follow my liege to any end, ethics notwithstanding. I, too, have often struggled with that same conflict..."
"And your conclusion...?"
"I once spoke on it with Wallace, long ago. It seems this issue is hardly unique among knights and mercenaries of all kinds. It was his duty, you see, as ordered by Lord Hausen, to bring Madelyn and Hassar back to Caelin when they ran away together to Sacae..."
"Lady Lyndis's parents?" Fiora blinked. "Ah, yes... they eloped in secret, did they not?"
"Indeed... Lord Hausen was terribly furious, as it was... and Wallace, when he caught up to them... he found he could not carry out his charge."
"He disobeyed his Lord's decree?" Fiora gasped. "But..."
"He did, and was imprisoned for six months because of it. When Lord Wallace told me this story, I reacted much the same as you have now... I could not imagine disobeying my lord for any reason. Yet, the way he explained it was thus: you cannot truly betray your lord so long as you keep his best interests at heart. He acted out of concern for Lord Hausen, and in doing so, his loyalty never faltered..."
"I... see. Lord Wallace... he puts on such a gruff front, but he is truly wise, isn't he?"
"Certainly. He was a strict teacher, but his lessons will always serve me well, so long as I live..."
They lapsed into silence, both contemplating their own private issues on these matters. Though Kent was a knight and she a mercenary, they had found time and again that their positions merited more in common than either could have imagined. Perhaps this knowledge would make the transition ahead easier for him; he was still somewhat nervous over the thought of serving with Fiora in her particular trade.
"You're lucky..." She concluded eventually, disentangling herself from his arms and standing in one fluid motion. "Our superiors never cared about their charges; so many fledgling Pegasus Knights are lost in training exercises. They're written off as the weak ones, and no one spares them a second thought..." Fiora closed her eyes, and Kent observed there was something more to this story than was readily apparent. "I wonder sometimes how much talent has been lost on account of their harsh brand of instruction..."
"I had no idea your training was so... perilous," Kent frowned.
"Yes... when Florina announced her plans to become a Pegasus Knight... I don't think I've ever been so worried..." Fiora sighed. "But that's behind us now... what's done is done."
"She seemed to have done well so far as I could see."
"Yes, she did. I'm... I'm very proud of my sisters..."
"...Yet you still worry about them incessantly," Kent spoke in a rather teasing voice, and Fiora blushed slightly in response.
"I suppose I shouldn't, but I can't help it," Fiora admitted. "As much as I love Ilia, I'll be glad when it comes time to return to Ostia."
"Surely, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy our time here, however brief?" Kent smiled, taking her hands in his, raising them chastely to his lips. Fiora's blush deepened, though her eyes met his and her lips curved into a shy smile. He released her hands after a moment, leaning forward slightly as they subsequently slipped over his shoulders. Her eyes closed as he moved in to kiss her, familiar feelings of girlish nervousness welling within her even as she anticipated his touch...
As such, the sudden blast of cold at the back of her neck, sliding down her back between the plates of her armor came as quite a shock. Her eyes flew open, and she emitted a startled yelp at the abrupt sensation, whirling away from an almost comically surprised looking Kent to locate the source of this interruption.
"Fiora, what--" Kent looked utterly bewildered for a moment, before realizing, as Fiora turned her back to him what had happened.
"S-sorry!" An extremely apologetic shout came from the snow covered fields beyond the deck they were currently standing on. "That was meant for Kent, not -- I had no idea you were... you see, I...!"
"Sain!" Kent bellowed in a strangled voice, his face flushing with embarrassment and anger. "What were you thinking? You're nothing better than a child, you--"
"Peace, Kent..." Fiora spoke in a cold, complacent tone, so unexpected that Kent stopped his tired mid sentence to stare at her in surprise. "So..." Fiora raised her voice, addressing the cavalier still standing out in the snow, begging forgiveness. "You want a fight?" Fiora called out to him, though she didn't wait for an answer. "A snowball fight? Do you realize..." She stepped off of the deck onto the snow, still staring at Sain with an utterly unamused expression.
"Fiora, please! A thousand apologies, it will never happen again! That was meant for Kent, I swear it!"
"...That I grew up here?" Fiora continued, heedless of his apologies, crouching to gather a measure of the snow she loved so much into her gloved palms, going about the task with the mechanized practice of an old veteran of the craft. "Not only that, but that I did so with three sisters?"
"Fiora..." Sain watched her nervously. "All right, so you want a free shot? That's fair. I'll give you that."
"No, Sain." Fiora stood, still some distance away from him, the newly formed snowball resting lightly in her palm. "I am going to make you regret every inappropriate comment you have ever regaled me with... every headache you've caused my fiancé... every misguided wink you've sent in my direction... by the time this is over, you will be begging my forgiveness."
"But I already--" Sain cut off abruptly with a shout as the ball of snow and ice came flying toward him, barely ducking the brunt of it, which had been aimed fully at his face. It exploded on contact with his armor, snow flying in every direction, a good portion of it reaching his face regardless of his swift last minute dodging. "Hey!" He shouted back, scrambling for cover. "No face shots!"
"Ha!" Fiora was already launching another cold projectile in his direction, and he raised his arms helplessly for cover as he ran away to no effect. "You sound like Florina! What's wrong, you can't handle a little snow?" Fiora chased after him, clearly the quicker of the two in the snow.
"My!" A voice behind a very bewildered looking Kent, still staring at the antics in the snow below, startled him out of his surprised trance. "What do you think will happen when she catches him?"
"Matthew...? Where did you..." Kent sighed, staring at the two in the field again with a chagrined look. "I have no idea."
"Should be fun to watch!" Matthew exclaimed cheerily, leaning against the deck railing with an amused smirk on his face. "I always wondered what would happen when Sain finally pushed her over the edge... how remarkably unexpected!"
"Kent!!" Sain shouted in a desperate tone, out of breath already. "Call her off, she's crazy! She's insane!!"
"Hmmm..." Kent moved to stand near Matthew, grinning at the spectacle despite himself. "What can I say? He's had it coming for awhile."
"Keeeeent!!"
"Stop running, and face me like a man!"
"...A very long while..." Kent chuckled, shaking his head.
A far more somber mood pervaded the interior of the Ilian farmhouse, where the owner of the building and the woman who had come seeking him sat in silence. The latter, wrapped in blankets, staring blankly at the floor before her... the former fixing her with an unmistakably concerned expression, clearly preoccupied with her wellbeing.
Lyn raised the mug she had been clutching with white knuckles for some time now to her lips, her nose wrinkling at the strong smell it emanated, not to mention the overpowering bitter taste of the brew. Yet, it was warm, and at that point that was all that mattered to the plainswoman. Her face still shone wetly with tears, though they had stopped falling for the moment.
Following their initial heated exchange, things had calmed down somewhat -- though Lyn still struggled with accepting his explanations, she had not resisted as he fussed over her in that particular way he had, providing her with the blankets she now had draped over her shoulders and the steaming mug she held so tightly onto. He was like Kent, in a way, though far more imposing... but he had always been that way... so overprotective, like a father, in a way...
"The rumors are true..." Lyn spoke finally. "My grandfather passed away several months ago, of natural causes... no doubt sped up by his mistreatment at the hands of the Black Fang, but..."
"I thought as much," Wallace sighed, closing his eyes. "Though I had dared to hope..."
"And... before you ask, I will not be taking the throne in his stead." She was speaking quickly now, afraid of his response to this information despite herself. "I've left Caelin under Ostian protection..."
"And you will return to Sacae?" Wallace raised a brow, and if he was angry at her decision, he kept it well hidden.
"I thought I would..." Lyn sighed, shaking her head absently, a hollow look in her eyes.
"Yet...?"
"It's not something I wish to speak on," Lyn replied coolly, dismissively. "In either case, Caelin will we be well taken care of, so you needn't worry."
"Ostia... the most powerful Lycian province, claiming the strongest armor knights on the continent... Ha!" Wallace snorted, crossing his arms. "Perhaps I should don my armor once more and show them the error of their thinking! Ensure that the imported knights of Caelin are well respected!"
"I... I'm sure Hector would be happy to have you, but..." Lyn shrugged. "You seem to be needed here..."
"Hmmm... I suppose it is as you say," Wallace conceded, looking a bit deflated for a moment. "Bah. I'm sure my students will carry on my legacy in my stead."
Lyn kept carefully silent, deciding not to impart the knowledge that his best students had chosen a different path entirely.
"Well... Lady Lyndis. No matter your choice, that is who you will always be to me... now, hold on, before you get angry, let me finish! Do you think that when Hassar left the plains to serve Caelin, even one day passed that he did not think on his home?"
"Of course not," Lyn muttered in response.
"Then, how about this? Do you think that when Madelyn left Caelin to live on the plains, even one day passed that she did not think of her home?"
"...Well I... I suppose not..."
"That is the union you were born of, and that is the blessing and burden you will always carry. You are the only Sacaen noblewoman on Elibe... no matter if you return to the plains, or remain always in Lycia, you will always keep the place you are not dear to your heart..."
"How could that possibly be a blessing?!" Lyn snapped, looking away.
"Because, you see, Lady Lyndis... though Hassar fondly missed the plains during his time in Caelin, he was happy... because he was with Madelyn. And though Madelyn surely often thought of Caelin, and missed her home in her time on the plains... you can attest to the fact that she was happy... because she was with Hassar..."
"Wallace..." Lyn understood what he was saying, though it did nothing to ease her decision.
"There is something for you, whatever you decide," Wallace explained. "And in time, though it seems impossible... like your parents, you will be happy. That is all I wanted to say."
Lyn pondered these words in silence, having no reply ready to meet him. He was right about her parents; they would have been happy anywhere, so long as they were together.
The question, then, was whether she could find the same solution.
No. The real question was whether this same solution lay with Hector, as she had initially thought it might... or with Rath. There, she had confronted it. Was she in love with either? She vividly recalled the way her parents had looked at each other... the adoration between the two had been plain, even when she had been too young to fully understand such things. She fought down sudden tears again as the almost overpowering urge to see her mother again washed through her; she would have been able to help her now, when no one else could.
The door at the far end of the room swung open before she could properly lose herself down that path of self pity, and her eyes widened as a very cold looking, snow covered Sain stumbled in, grumbling over something incoherent; Kent followed at his heels, stammering an apology at the sight of her and Wallace's incredulous expressions.
"My apologies, honestly, for interrupting, yet I feared he would freeze left outside a moment longer..."
"We wouldn't have this problem if your woman wasn't a crazed snow demon!" Sain complained, shaking snow from his hair and onto the floor.
"Do you want another beating?" A very smug sounding Fiora inquired, as the woman herself appeared just behind Kent, arms crossed.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Wallace bellowed, his face contorting to a thunderous expression. "What are you, a couple of children at festival? No! You are Lycian Knights! Knights of Caelin! My knights! Knights do not act this way!"
"Lord Wallace, please, I--"
"I've half a mind to send you both running laps around the farm!"
"Please, Lord Wallace," Fiora interrupted, looking slightly embarrassed for the first time. "It's my fault, really..."
"Nonsense!" Wallace growled. "Sain! You've always been a troublemaker! I see you've been too long away from my instruction."
"Me?!" Sain complained, looking rather comically deflated. "But, I..."
"No excuses! And you're dripping all over my floor! Go clean yourself up, boy!" Wallace grumped, and Sain was quick to jump up to comply. "You'll do nothing but embarrass Caelin if I sent you off to Ostia so obviously lacking in discipline..."
"Ostia...?" Kent began, though he trailed off quickly at the warning look Lyn shot him.
"Wallace... peace. We've had a trying journey... let them be..." Lyn sighed wearily, though she was clearly just as surprised as he was.
"Well..."
"Please."
"If it is the Lady Lyndis's wish..." Wallace conceded finally, though he hardly looked too happy about it.
"It is... we'll be leaving soon enough, anyway. You needn't concern yourself with us much longer."
"Now, hold on. You're welcome here as long as you like," Wallace insisted. "No matter how lacking in discipline!" Kent shrank back visibly from the scathing glare he sent in his direction.
"And we are truly grateful for it," Lyn replied. "But we can't stay long... we have friends awaiting our return in Lycia."
"Lycia?" Wallace nodded. "Fine, but I'll not allow you to be leaving without having had a warm meal and good night's rest! I could never forgive myself!"
Lyn nodded, knowing they were in no condition to be leaving immediately as it was.
Besides, she had many things to ponder before they returned to Ostia, did she not?
Florina patted her Pegasus's nose lovingly, smiling genuinely for the first time in what seemed like a very long while to her. Huey had always liked the water, whether swimming with her in lakes and streams in their younger days, or flying has they had been in the rain... and what a spectacular downpour it was! She was thoroughly soaked, but she was also happy... a feeling that had been quite elusive for her of late, to say the least. She hoped Lord Eliwood and Ninian wouldn't miss her at supper; she had harbored every intention of catching up to them, but when she had heard this spectacular downpour...
"Yes, you enjoyed that, didn't you?" Florina giggled as Huey pawed the muddy ground impatiently, clearly wanting to go again. Flying in the rain was certainly fun, if somewhat difficult at the high speeds she enjoyed flying with, at least without proper inclement weather protections. Still, she didn't mind. There was nothing that would stop her from doing what she loved most... and it had been a long time since she had properly exercised Huey. She felt a little bad about that.
"You know, Huey..." She spoke dreamily as she led the Pegasus back toward the stables through the sheets of heavy rain. "Ninian is right. I should tell Lord Hector, shouldn't I?"
Huey gave a derisive snort in response, again demonstrating an uncanny ability to understand her words, as he had so often in the past.
"It's just, I spent so much time practicing back when we were traveling together... and I never told him..." Florina sighed, scratching him behind the ears and along his slightly water-dulled silvery mane. "I was always around him... I know he noticed me, but even he had said anything, I probably would have just run away..."
A soft nicker, as though expressing sympathy. Florina smiled.
"You knew, didn't you? That's why you were always such a pain in his side, hm? Except, now, I don't think he likes you much, you know... and it's all your fault, really!" Florina laughed at the almost scolding look Huey directed at her in response. "But... even if I like him... Lyn loves him, right?"
There was no response from her Pegasus for this inquiry, as though even he were stumped for the answer. Florina frowned.
"I never even talked with him much... I mean, I couldn't! Lyn spoke with him every day, alone in those tents with him and Eliwood, planning our every move..." Florina shook her head. "But... even so... I should still thank him for saving my life... I think that Farina just thinks I wouldn't ever like another guy... and maybe she's right. I mean, I don't even understand why I think this way about Lord Hector... oh, don't you look at me like that!" Florina threw her arms around Huey's neck, laughing at the disgusted look her Pegasus had been directing at her. "You think I'm silly, don't you? I suppose I am. I sound like a smitten schoolgirl..."
Although she did worry that Farina was right... that she would never be even slightly interested in anyone else... she was afraid of men, but she didn't want to live her life alone. Lyn and her sisters would all be married one day, however much Farina might have denied that observation, and being left alone was one of her greatest fears. But when she had fallen from the sky at that height, arrows flying all around her, she had been sure she was about to die... and then, instead of the hard earth, she had met with something completely unexpected... her eyes had opened, and looking down at her, eyebrows knitted and frowning with an absolutely terrifying expression on his face, had been Lord Hector. He'd opened his mouth, probably to scold her or do something equally frightening... and even though Florina had been more scared than she'd ever been, even then she recalled thinking on how handsome he was.
Of course, that had been about when Huey, crazed with worry for his fallen companion, had misjudged his landing and careened right into the both of them, knocking Hector off his feet and her from his grasp... she'd scrambled away quick enough to hide behind Lord Eliwood, who was fast approaching with concern etched all over his features... but...
She'd thought more than once on how nice it would be to be held in that embrace again...
"It's silly... I really should thank him..." Florina stopped just outside of the stables, resting her head against Huey's neck. For the moment, they were both out of the rain, just under the wooden overhang over the stable entrance. Florina stared dolefully out at the rain washed landscape, wincing at a sudden lash of lightning from the muddy grey sky overhead. An accompanying roll of thunder, surprisingly loud, reached her ears, and Huey responded with a slightly unsettled huff, rustling his wings impatiently.
"That's it. I'll go inside, and get changed, and find Lord Hector... and I'll tell him!" Florina took a deep breath, turning back to face her Pegasus, who was now eyeing her with a remarkably obvious incredulous expression. "You don't believe me, do you, Huey? Well, I will!" Florina grinned, shaking a finger at him in a scolding manner. "You'll see. I'll march right up to him, and... and..."
She yawned, reaching for the stable door. She hadn't realized she was so tired, but it was hardly surprising. It had been a... trying day. Huey followed her obediently inside, and Florina blinked a few times to adjust her eyes to the dimmer light within.
"...I'll walk right up to him, and tap him on the shoulder..." She giggled at the thought. She'd probably never get up enough courage for that, but... "And I'll say it right to his face!"
"Say what to who, now?" A dreadfully familiar voice, sounding more than a little amused, from further back in the stables. She froze completely still, her good spirits immediately replaced with a paralyzed feeling she knew too well. "Are you talking to yourself? Don't tell me you're talking to the horse."
Huey snorted again in response, as though he understood the insult and took offense.
"L-lord Hector," Florina managed to choke out, her mind reeling. "Wh... what are you d-doing here, in the... in... in the s-stables?"
"Ninian was worried about you when you didn't show up for supper, you know," Hector took on a scolding tone, crossing his arms and walking into view. "And Eliwood said you weren't looking so good when he saw you earlier... are you trying to make us worry about you?" He raised an eyebrow expectantly, still looking rather displeased. Florina felt like she might die on the spot -- how was it that she managed to cause so much trouble without meaning to all the time?
"N-no, No! Of c-course not... I... I just, I wasn't... wasn't h-hungry, that's all..."
"So I asked a few questions and they pointed me here... and you weren't here either!" He went on as though he hadn't even heard her; it was entirely possible he hadn't, she supposed, as she'd barely been whispering anyway. "So what am I supposed to think? You're missing, your blasted horse is missing -- did you go out flying in this storm?"
"Um, y-yes, I..."
"You did, didn't you?" He shook his head, and as he started toward her, Florina suddenly regained control of her muscles; upon realizing this, she immediately turned to retreat hastily in the opposite direction.
"Sorry!" She squeaked as she ran for the door, feeling incredibly foolish. If Huey had been human, he'd probably be laughing hysterically at her by now! To think, all of that drabble about thanking Hector, when here she was, running away from him again...
"Hey! Now, hold on!" He ran after her -- a first, actually, she realized faintly, despite her terror. She fumbled desperately with the door, but her shaking hands refused to operate the latch properly; as such, he soon caught up with her, grabbing her arm none too gently, but certainly not with malicious intent. Still, Florina was very nearly sick as she turned to meet him sheepishly, her eyes trained carefully on the floor between them.
"I-I'm s-sorry..." She whispered softly. Inexplicably, and much to her embarrassment, tears came to her eyes then, and she had never been particularly good at holding those back. "I didn't m-mean to m-make you angry..."
"...What?" Hector frowned, looking down at her incredulously. "You think I'm angry?"
She nodded vigorously, afraid to speak, and Hector sighed in response.
"I'm not angry with you, Florina. Eesh, you'd think a guy could... well, never mind. Look at you, you're soaked." He pulled his own heavy cloak off his shoulders, draping it over her in a protective gesture. "Lyn would never let me hear the end of it if you got sick. She'd make it out to be my fault somehow... well, you should know how Lyn is..."
Florina desperately wished for the ability to say something, anything in response, but instead she just stood there, staring at the floor, nodding dumbly. She was vaguely aware that the urge to be sick had passed, but in its wake was a very odd sensation indeed; she was finding it difficult to breathe, as though there were not enough air in the stables for them both.
"Hey, now -- are you crying? Look up at me, here--" He lifted her face up toward his with a gloved hand, still frowning in disapproval. Florina hated having that look trained on her... she wanted to make him happy, but it seemed even that was well beyond her ability. "--knock that off. Come on, quit it, I can't stand to see a woman cry..."
"I'm s-sorry..." She whispered again, trying to take a breath, but finding even that to be too difficult a task. She looked up at his face, and realized that was all she could see -- the edges of her vision had gone quite dark.
She had little time to ponder this before losing consciousness completely, slumping over with the disembodied thought that this felt much like a very bad dream accompanying her.
"Florina?!" Hector gasped, catching her easily, and cursing himself a thousand times for not just letting her go like she had wanted. What was it with this woman? Huey snorted disapprovingly at his side, and he jumped, having forgotten the witless winged horse was there in the first place.
"You can take care of your damn self," He informed the chagrined Pegasus curtly, scooping the unconscious and thoroughly rain soaked Pegasus Knight more comfortably into his arms. She hardly seemed to weigh a thing. "If something's wrong with her, Lyn is going to have my bloody head..."
"Serra!!" A familiar bellow rang through Ostia's castle, and though none of the Ostian regulars seemed surprised to hear it, Ninian found herself jumping nearly a foot into the air at the sound. She was certainly glad Eliwood ran things in Pherae in a more traditional manner. Ninian wondered briefly if Hector had located Florina; she'd certainly had no luck, and she'd searched pretty much the entire keep... she couldn't imagine what had kept her from joining them at supper. Initially, she had thought that perhaps the poor girl had fallen asleep in her room after all, but...
She gasped audibly as she entered the main hall; Hector had found her, all right, it seemed -- Ninian ran at him full speed, worry suffusing her features.
"Is she all right?" she gasped, and Hector shrugged unhappily in response. Florina looked so frail like that, bundled up in Hector's arms...
"She went out flying in the storm like a madwoman," Hector explained. "Then, she came back into the stables while I was looking for her in that very place... and then she just keeled over!"
"Well, what did you do to her, hm?" Serra snapped at him, hustling in to the room just in time to hear the story. She was all business for the moment, slipping a hand over Florina's forehead, checking various vital signs as best she knew how.
"What do you mean, what did I do to her?! She's probably sick from flying out in that rain, is what!"
"She doesn't seem to have a fever or anything," Serra concluded, wrinkling a brow. "Honestly, Lord Hector, you probably just scared the wits out of her!" she scolded, shaking her finger at him in an infuriatingly condescending gesture. "You should know better than to corner Florina like that!"
"What do you know about it?!"
"Now, come on!" Serra turned, casting a glance over her shoulder and indicating for Hector to follow her. "Bring her here! She might not have a fever now, but she will if we don't get her out of those wet clothes, hm?"
"She's lucky she's good at what she does..." Hector muttered darkly, following obediently. Ninian followed after the two of them, wondering what exactly had taken place in those stables. Serra led them swiftly upstairs to a room in the medical wing of the castle, directing Hector to set Florina down just so, and then immediately chasing him out. He was quick to abide, though not before casting one last worried look in her direction before Serra slammed the door in his face.
"Fetch me some robes, there--" Serra spoke primly, and it took Ninian a moment to realize she was talking to her. "Come on, you want to help, right?"
"Um, sure..." Ninian replied dubiously, following her instructions. The tasks were simple enough; Serra had Florina changed and tucked comfortably in bed with admirable speed. She truly was a skilled healer, for all her airs.
"I'm certain she'll be fine," Serra concluded, hanging Florina's riding garments out to dry. "I'd be willing to bet Hector just scared her silly."
"That seems plausible..." Ninian conceded with a sigh. "When do you think she'll... she'll wake up...?"
"Who knows?" Serra shrugged. "Probably not until morning, so feel free to go. I'll take care of everything else here..."
"Well, all right..." Ninian replied dubiously, turning to go.
"I'll let you know if she wakes up, but I doubt she will. Thanks for your help!" Serra smiled winningly at her before turning to her own tasks, and Ninian nodded in response, blushing faintly before disappearing out the door.
"Oh, Florina..." Serra tsked softly when Ninian had gone, turning to face the sleeping woman with a pitying stare. "You know, you never did tell me who it was you were thinking of back then..." Serra continued softly, though she was aware that Florina couldn't hear her anyway. That, of course, was part of the reason she was talking in the first place... she doubted she could say what she wanted to say to anyone who was really listening. Her pride would have never allowed that.
"It was a mistake for me to try and give you advice," Serra admitted, sitting on the bed, swinging her legs off the edge like a child. "As it turns out, I found out recently that I don't know anything more about men and love than you! Can you believe that?" She chuckled softly, shaking her head.
"I'm trying to figure out what to do, but... did you know? I thought I was in love once, a long time ago... I suppose no one really saw it. I certainly didn't express it very well, did I...? I wonder if you think I'm a silly, spoiled brat, too..."
Serra shivered, wrapping her arms around herself to combat the sudden chills.
"I don't suppose you do. I doubt there's a mean thought about anyone in your head... You know, you told me back then you wished you could be more like me... I wish I'd have had the sense to tell you that was the last thing you could afford. You see, Florina... if it's a man you want, the last person you want to be like is me..."
She stood to pace in the small room, with only the sounds of her own footsteps and Florina's soft breathing to accompany her.
"The advice I'd give you now... it's funny, because I don't really know... I thought I was in love, and then he broke my heart! And now it's like he wants me to give him a second chance, but do I want to let myself... love him... again?" Serra shook her head. "But that's not even the worst of it, can you believe that?"
Serra's face took on an almost angry look, and she placed her hands on her hips, as though lecturing some apparition in the room only she could see.
"No! The worst part is, that after I'd already accepted that he didn't love me -- like I should have from the beginning, it was so obvious! I thought I'd move on -- that's the healthy thing to do, isn't it? To let old wounds heal and move on with your life! So I did! You'd probably laugh at me if you were awake, but I'll tell you anyway -- sometimes, I wonder if Sain is actually being serious!" Serra laughed at that thought, voiced aloud for the first time, though she had harbored it in her innermost thoughts for some time now. "How's that for silly? For completely, hopelessly, utterly naive?"
Serra sighed, leaning against the wall opposite the bed Florina slept peacefully on, closing her eyes.
"I never thought I'd see Erk again, then... I was just starting to feel like it didn't matter if I did or not... and then he comes out of nowhere, to save my life, no less! How about that?! But the first thing I realized, when I saw him then, was that I didn't love him anymore... imagine how shocked I was to realize it! It still hurts to think someone hates you, but... it wasn't... the same..."
She stood again, heading for the door, shaking her head helplessly.
"So now... Erk thinks I'm beautiful all of a sudden, Sain thinks I'm the best thing since sliced bread, and here are the questions of the day! Erk might think I'm pretty -- really, who wouldn't, I'm gorgeous -- but isn't it clear that he detests me? Who I am? He can't stand me, can he? And Sain has always been a terrible flirt -- any woman would think me absolutely stupid to even give his attentions a second thought! Is he serious about me? Can he be serious, about anyone, even?"
She trailed off, at a loss.
"So, you see, Florina... I'm definitely not the person to talk to... but I hope that you find the answers you wanted someday..." Serra smiled, opening the door, turning back to look at the sleeping Pegasus Knight's peaceful form. "I think maybe the best advice I could give right now, though... is that men really aren't worth all the trouble..." She giggled quietly, stepping outside. "I feel better now... thanks for listening..."
Serra winked in the direction of the bed, before closing the door behind her and setting off for her own chambers.
Florina groaned slightly; a dull headache accompanied her awakening, and the memory of what had occurred the previous night made her want to climb under the covers and never, ever come out. She wondered vaguely how she had gotten back to the castle, where she assumed she was, though the chamber was unfamiliar to her...
"You're awake!" Ninian greeted her cheerfully, and Florina jumped in surprise. She hadn't known anyone else was in the room.
"Ninian..." She returned the greeting weakly.
"Here, I have some breakfast for you -- you must be starving, missing supper last night and all..."
"You're right..." Florina agreed, frowning at her stomach as it growled at the thought of food. "It smells delicious..."
"Go on, eat up," Ninian encouraged her. "And, come now, you must know I'm dying of curiosity -- what on earth happened to you last night?"
"Don't tell me Hector hasn't already blabbed about it to everyone," Florina muttered, blushing crimson.
"He didn't say much, and besides, I'd rather hear it from you."
"Well, I... I'm pretty sure I just fainted," Florina mumbled, still blushing. "I mean, I wasn't expecting Hector to be in the stables, and he caught me talking with Huey, and I have no idea how much he even heard...!"
"Is that all?" Ninian giggled. "You're hopeless, Florina... completely hopeless..."
"I know!" Florina complained, taking a few morose bites of her food. "He probably thinks I'm so stupid, just keeling over like that for no reason..."
"Hmm... Now, to me, it seemed like he was just worried about you... although I think he does think you're insane for flying out in that storm like that last night."
"Oh..." Florina waved her hand dismissively. "That was nothing... we had to practice in blizzards in Ilia... now that was a challenge... and Hector probably wasn't worried about me. Maybe about what Lyn would say to him if she found out about it, but..."
"Oh come now, you don't honestly think that, do you?" Ninian said in surprise. "No, trust me. He was definitely worried about you."
"Well... what does it matter, anyway..."
"Which reminds me of something interesting Eliwood told me about last night..."
"Hm?"
"You know your sister, Farina..."
"Oh, no..." Florina groaned, slapping her forehead. "What has she done now...?!"
"Apparently, she's made Hector and Eliwood think she's in love with Hector, somehow..."
Florina nearly choked on her food, dropping her utensils and fixing Ninian with an utterly dumfounded stare.
"...What?! Please tell me you're joking..."
"I'm afraid not," Ninian frowned thoughtfully. "But I wonder why she'd do something like that...?"
"You think she did it on purpose?" Florina groaned, suddenly not hungry anymore. She fell back against her pillow, covering her face with her hands. "...I think I need to have a talk with my sister..."
"I was wondering when you'd come to that conclusion," Ninian smiled. "But I'm not letting you go anywhere until you finish that food, so I suggest you eat quickly..."
Florina sighed, sheepishly complying despite the sick feeling in her stomach. What on earth was her sister up to? Despite her abrupt lack of appetite, she was quick to finish, so great was her anxiety concerning what Farina might have been up to at that very moment...
The two girls emerged from the room not too long after, both looking rather anxious.
"Where do you think she is...?" Florina cast a glance about, unsure of where to start.
"I can think of a good place to start..." Ninian replied, directing a pointed glance in the direction of Hector's chambers, and starting off in that direction.
"I can't face him again after... after what happened last night!" Florina protested immediately, rushing after her. "Ninian...!" She groaned helplessly, following after her friend, matching her swift pace.
"Well, she might not be there... but I doubt it."
Florina knew she was right, and a sudden bubble of anger surfaced inside her; why did Farina have to make such a nuisance of herself this way? Things would be so much simpler without her constant meddling messing everything up... a sense of dread welled within her as they approached their destination. Florina stood as far back as she could get away with as Ninian tapped lightly on the door; for a moment, Florina thought she might get lucky and no one would answer.
Naturally, things had never worked out so well for her in the past. Why should they start now?
"Yeah?" Hector opened the door, looking slightly irritated, until he realized who it was. "Oh... Eliwood, someone's here to see you..." He grinned, and Ninian smiled at him, shaking her head.
"Well, no, actually..."
"Hm?" Eliwood appeared at the door, greeting Ninian with a smile. "What, you aren't here to see me, then? Well!"
"Stop that..." Ninian blushed, hugging him quickly. "You know I'm always happy to see you, Eliwood..."
"Mmm.. that's good to hear. And I see Florina's woken up -- you gave us all quite a scare last night!"
"Umm...I, well... I..." Florina stammered incoherently for a moment, unable to even formulate an apology. She'd been hoping no one would see her...
"Oh... Glad to see you're all right," Hector spoke to her awkwardly, stepping backward as though afraid of making her faint again. Florina fervently wished she could simply melt through the floor.
"The truth is, we thought we might find Farina here... Florina has a few things to discuss with her sister, and..."
"That woman..." Hector snorted, turning to head back inside, out of sight. Eliwood watched him go, bearing a rather bemused expression.
"She hasn't been here, but I'm sure if you wait long enough, she'll be up here eventually," He sounded as though he was joking, but neither Ninian nor Florina could be particularly sure.
"I see..." Ninian looked a little disappointed, but she nodded in response. "We'll keep looking then..."
"All right... Hm, don't be afraid to visit every once in awhile, hm?" Eliwood smiled at her. "Seems like I only see you at meals lately..."
"Well, we have been busy..." Ninian blushed again, though she was still smiling broadly. Florina felt the slightest twinge of jealously for her friend. "I stop by later though, maybe..." They embraced again, before Eliwood disappeared back inside, and Ninian returned to Florina's side, her cheeks still slightly pink.
"...You're so lucky..." Florina sighed, and Ninian shrugged in response, still smiling.
"There's nothing stopping you from--"
"Don't even say it!" Florina wailed, rushing past Ninian, down the hall.
"Fine, I won't... but you know I'll be thinking it...!"
The girls proceeded to run a fairly thorough search of the keep, inquiring of anyone who would listen as to where the second eldest Pegasus sister might have been. It was only after quite a bit of searching and just before giving up entirely that they hit upon the solution -- Florina was the first to realize that they hadn't even thought to check her room.
"It's odd," Ninian conceded, as they started off in that direction, "But I would have never thought to look there..."
"Farina isn't one to keep herself shut up... unless something is bothering her..." Florina fretted, taking the initiative between them to knock on the door herself when they had reached their destination. There was no response for a moment, and Florina was just about to turn away dejectedly, when a voice from inside stopped her.
"Who's there?" Farina's voice, undoubtedly, and sounding none too pleased.
"Um... Farina, it's me..."
The door swung open a moment later, Farina bounding out to greet her, an odd expression on her face.
"I see you're awake... I'll have to have a word with that bratty cleric woman -- I expressly asked to be notified immediately when you'd woken up! I tried to get in there this morning, and she chased me off, can you believe the nerve? Chasing off your very own older sister?!"
"Farina, please... you're starting to sound like Fiora... and I'm fine, really..."
"Well! That's good to hear. Actually, I had heard that Hector himself carried you in... what were you up to, to exhaust you so?" Farina grinned, and Florina felt herself flush in response to her words.
"Farina!!" She rolled her eyes, mortified. "N-nothing like... like..."
"Oh, come on, you look like you're going to pass out again. Can't you take a joke?" Farina clapped her on the back, and Florina stumbled forward at the unexpected gesture.
"I, well, actually... I came to talk to you about... him..."
"Hector?" Farina blinked, gesturing for the girls to follow her inside. "What about him?"
"What... what on earth have you been up to?" Florina asked in a pleading voice. "Please... whatever you're doing... you must stop! You're only making things worse!"
"How so? If you ask me, I haven't made any difference at all!" Farina grumped, throwing herself onto her bed unceremoniously, the glare on her face directed up toward the ceiling. "I tried, really, but... I'm not sure if anything can be done, now..."
"Then... then you didn't mean to have them thinking you're in love with Hector...?"
"They think what?!" Farina bolted upright, mouth agape. "You cannot be serious..."
"Actually..."
"That conceited old goat has the nerve to think that I'm in love with him?! Ha! I knew his advances always seemed a little strange, but I never thought he'd go so far!"
"Farina, please!"
"I'll tell you one thing, though, if you think for one minute that I'm going to let that guy go on thinking such a preposterous thing, you'd be sorely mistaken! Why, I can't even believe that... that..." Farina trailed off quite suddenly, and Florina eyed her cautiously. She hated when Farina got that look on her face. It usually heralded horrible things on the horizon.
"Farina..."
"Now... hold on. You're sure about this?" Farina seemed to have taken an entirely different approach to the subject, switching moods about as quickly as Florina had ever seen. "I mean, you're absolutely certain that he thinks this?"
"What does it matter...?"
"I'm positive," Ninian offered meekly.
"...Hmmm..." Farina sat down again, clearly pondering something at length. Whatever it was, Florina had the distinct feeling that it wasn't a train of thought she wanted her sister pursuing.
"Please, Farina, whatever you're thinking, just... forget it!"
"Never you mind, baby sister..." Farina smiled, a thin, determined, and wholly frightening tightening of the lips. "There could be hope for you yet..."
"But that's not what I want!" Florina wailed desperately. "Can't you see that? Just stop it already! Whatever you're planning -- stop it!"
"I would, Florina, but..." Farina's eyes narrowed in a way that made Florina's stomach drop near to the floor. "This is just too good of an opportunity to waste!"
Author's Note, Revisited!
Wow, I have a lot of reviews to respond to this time. Yay!
Mizuki: Thanks for your review! :P When are you going to update? Ha.
TheOneAndOnlyT: I had a feeling at least a few people would be disappointed with the Wallace scene, but I couldn't see it working out any other way realistically. Actually, I'm having a hard time writing Wallace in general; he seems like two different people in his supports. He's such a calm, collected voice of reason in Lyn's supports… and then you get the ones with Vaida and Wil and he's just a hilarious, bellicose loudmouth… I think I'm leaning too heavily on the former characterization for this story, but what's done is done now, I suppose.
Angel White: I don't think I have ever laughed that hard at a review, and I don't think I ever will again, either. Oh man.
Firelien: Actually, you are absolutely right, I should have mentioned Lord Hausen in there. I always forget the most obvious things. Whoops!
Kratos Aurion: Yes, Rath is back in Sacae. As for everything else, well… you'll have to wait and see.
Timmycheese: Hmm, you may be onto something with Oswin's role there. That's actually really funny. Thanks for your review!
Roxanne Fayne: You can call me whatever you want! All of my friends call me Elzie, though, since it sounds less "robotic" than LZN. I miss Winteress, hope she gets back soon! And updates Jealousy, dammit! :P Thanks for your review, and I'm glad you like the story so much!
AmbieChan: Yeah, I know a few people had probably seen that conversation, but not enough to justify using the name Makar, I think… It's funny how people are getting pulled more into the Serra arc than the Lyn one, when I initially intended the Serra stuff to be a minor side arc because I love Serra. Hmm…
Maquerion: I'm not exactly sure what's going on in that review, but thanks for it anyway! :D
Dragon Whisky: Ooh, I hope you keep reading! Glad you like it so far though.
Nobody At All: Things are getting a little tense, aren't they? Heh…
Grengo: Sain will be back in Ostia soon enough. Thanks for your review!
Anony: Every time someone hates Florina, a part of me dies. I hadn't thought of it that way, until now… hmm… I certainly didn't intend to make Florina out that way, but everyone is due their own interpretations. Thanks for your review!
Monty Montgomery: Aaah, again with Florina hate! I knew it would be coming from some of the Hector/Lyn fans, but it still hurts! Haha, thanks for the review, though! :P
MysteryScienceSeed 3000: Thanks for the compliments, glad you like the story. :D
Schnickers: Yes, it is annoying when love plots drag on, isn't it? I'll try not to do that with this story. As for Matthew, he has a role or two left to play, so don't think I've abandoned him completely, despite his scare appearances of late. Concerning Leila, I've thrown in just a few slight references for her, but on the whole, I estimate at this point in the story it's been nearly two years since her death, if that helps put things in perspective. I know I've been fairly vague concerning timeline (and setting, too, augh… there are so many things I need to practice.) And yes, I love writing Hector and those darn wily Pegasus Knights; his interactions with Farina and Florina in the game are some of my favorites. You're right, I am having fun. :D Also, I hope this chapter helps clear up Florina's feelings a bit. I meant to flesh it out earlier, but juggling so many things, I sometimes forget stuff. :/
Malignant Plate: Haha, I'm glad you liked the Hector and Eliwood interaction. I think Eliwood is at his best when he's interacting with Hector (closely followed by Ninian.) It's interesting to hear someone say "Poor Farina," I wonder how long those sentiments will last. You're right about Serra's "blah" sort of reaction, but I hope this chapter clears up some of the "why" surrounding that. I actually meant to introduce Rebecca and Wil a few chapters ago, and didn't because I was already feeling a little overwhelmed with the stuff I've already got on my plate with this story. :/
Senyor G: If only Sain and Serra had an ending. My friends and I have long wondered if Saul could be their child. And don't worry, I haven't abandoned the Sain/Serra arc just yet. ;)
