A Footstep Away, An Ocean Apart

Disclaimer: I don't own FE.

Thanks so much to my reviewers! I actually didn't want to continue the story cause I thought it sucked…but I couldn't let the few people who read it down! Oh and I'd still like to know how you indent in a story!

Lemurian-Girl- yeah, it's gonna get a bit more angsty in some later chapters. I should probably change the genre.

Ann2- I'm so glad you liked it so far.

Wandering Cat- I love reviews that tell me the things a reader likes. Thanks for bothering to write such a nice, long one!

HamanoAyumi- Yeah, actually your first one shot on them was what got me thinking to write this one.

The quiet serene sun and bird songs did nothing to soothe Eirika down. For once in her life, she was truly livid at her brother. She'd never been this mad, even at that time when he and Lyon had stolen her favorite rapier. 'How could he? My own brother!' Eirika silently fumed on the inside. She still greeted each passerby with a smile. But once inside the safe confines of her room, the mask fell to pieces and she blindly stumbled to her bed. 'How could Ephraim do such a thing?' Eirika raged as she continued her muted sobs. Though tears did not flow, her eyes were rimmed red with the shimmering substance.

Flashback

They were in the private council room. Only three people sat in the dark maple hall. Eirika looked up from her seat to stare through the glass-domed ceiling. The hazy clouds were drifting lazily across an azure sky. Ephraim sat beside her and Seth across from them.

"Ahem." Ephraim cleared his throat. "I know you are both wondering why you were called here-"

But Eirika stepped in. "Cut to the chase brother. You know we have better things to do than act polite." Ephraim and Seth both tried to cover a growing smile.

"Princess, I think we should let his Majesty talk first." Seth told her. Ephraim groaned.

"HOW many times do I have to say this? Don't call me your Majesty! Coming from a man both older and more experienced than me, it's shameful!" Seth made to protest, but Eirika took the chance too.

"And you know I hate people 'princess'ing me!"

Seth held up his hands in defeat. "Very well, but why don't we get back to the topic?" He'd maneuvered it so he wouldn't have to reply.

"Oh, yeah." Ephraim remembered. "A foreign prince is sending his daughter here in hopes pf a bond to Renais. Seeing as I'm…uh…unavailable, I've decided that my commanders and lords would be a fitting match. After all, Renais needs more help and Aram could certainly supply the people. Also I feel that unless prompted our generals and knights will die bachelors."

Utter silence met his speech. Seth sat there with an unreadable expression on his face. Eirika began to do some quick thinking. Surely Renais did not need any foreign aid? Our old allies were good enough. She also saw a problem as to who was going to marry the noblewoman. They had a lot of faithful lords, most of which were single, most of them were also young and goodlooking. 'It would be a hard thing for those men not to argue among themselves for her hand.' Then of course there was the matter of the actual girl. Eirika hated the idea of arranged marriages especially when you don't even know the person you have to marry, it wasn't fair to the girl. And she assumed the noble would be quite young. 'Was she well tempered and could she handle stress? Would she turn into an added burden in the time of crisis? What could she do?' Eirika's face showed her doubt.

"I know that look. You don't like this idea do you?" Ephraim asked drily. Eirika didn't bother to answer. "C'mon. The girl agreed to all this first, we wouldn't have forced her. She's sweet tempered and a talented Valkyrie. She wont be a problem at all." Ephraim soothed in his honeyed voice. Eirika looked at him, their clear blue eyes met in an unspoken conversation.

"It's a good idea, brother. I guess some new blood would be good. And since the girl isn't being forced, I see no problem." Eirika replied in a clipped voice. Clearly stating that it may be a good idea but she hated it. She didn't hate the girl, how could she when she'd never even met her? She just hated the idea, there was something going on, her brother wouldn't have sprung it out otherwise. But obviously, her verbal agreement was enough for Ephraim.

"Great!" He clapped his hands together. "Now I'd like you and Seth to start preparing for your journey to Port Lenmark in Carcino. The lady and her entourage will arrive in five days. I'd like her to be welcomed by you two."

At this Eirika blanched, at first she'd thought she misheard. "W-what? I thought you said I'd be going to greet her? I'm not sure if I can spare the time, what if something important comes up?"

"You are going to greet her." Ephraim repeated. "And nothing will come up that I can't handle for a bit, I'm not as good as you in politics but I'm not that bad! But if you really don't want to go, I suppose I could ask Seth just to take the men." He did this knowing his sister's overly caring character. All the while Seth remained unfazed.

Then Eirika felt a twinge of guilt. How would she feel if she was shipped of to a faraway land and then only greeted by men? Not very comforting. NO she would have to go. If not to lend moral support then to offer female companionship. 'That noble lady must be really brave.'

"No! It's okay, I'll go. I can only imagine how hard it'll be for the poor girl. It's probably better if a princess of Renais greeted her." Eirika shuddered in genuine sympathy, her conscience wouldn't have allowed her to do so otherwise. Ephraim grinned. Seth was still in thought, having not said a thing all meeting except the beginning.

As they got up from their cushioned seats Seth finally spoke. "Milord, might I ask if we should be bringing back up supplies and weapons? The bandit crews are still rampant among the mountainous and less traveled areas. And I'm almost certain we will be camping outside at sometime or other."

Ephraim nodded, "Do what you see fit. I trust your judgment."

Seth bowed, "Oh and may I know who to take as the-er- candidates?" Eirika looked on in curiosity.

"All of those that I've given titles to." Ephraim waved absentmindedly, but then stopped in mid-wave. His eyes donned a sly gleam. "Of course I'd like it if my Commander would finally marry." He hinted. Seth's face gave away no clues about his thoughts. But Eirika was once again shocked. She felt like Hell had frozen over, well her stomach certainly did. That was Ephraim's plot! He was setting Seth up!

"We shall see milord." Seth replied.

Eirika nodded a farewell and excused herself as quickly as possible. Not able to guarantee that she wouldn't act in a brash way.

End of Flashback

'How could Ephraim set Seth up? Was he blind to her feelings?' Eirika wondered, yet no matter how depressed she was, no tears would come. 'I guess I'd cried myself dry already.' As she sat and pondered her thoughts, reviewing what had happened and re-examining her actions, she realized something. And immediately felt shameful.

Not only was she giving in to the sin of jealousy, Seth didn't belong to her, but she was also clouding her judgment because of it. 'This was what Seth had tried to prevent. I shouldn't let this blind me, indeed, I believe I've acted like a lovesick girl!' Eirika scolded herself, 'What happened to the person who could judge with unbiased eyes? I've failed my citizens in that. I should give the girl a chance. After all, I'd never be brave enough to do such a thing.'

With a sigh Eirika raised her head and gathered her mane of flowing teal colored hair. Her ocean coloured eyes were hidden under half closed lids. She'd realized at last what a spoiled little brat was dwelling inside her. 'Seth is free to choose whomever to like. If he should choose her then I will be happy for them.' Once her hair was tied up Eirika rose from her spot on the bed. 'How odd it is that I suddenly see the day so much brighter.' Suddenly the glorious music of songbirds were louder and the sun's golden rays more apparent. "My, I have been all gloom and doom." Eirika whispered to herself.

A soft knock came from her door, soon followed by a questioning voice. "Milady, may I come in? There are a few points of our excursion I must consult with you."

Eirika gave a weary grin, "Of course Seth." She opened the door and motioned for the paladin to sit in a nearby armchair. "So what troubles you?" She took a seat opposite him.

"Well," Seth gave a crocked grin, "If I may be so bold as to say, I find this trip a bit outrageous."

Eirika looked curious, "How so?"

"Lord Ephraim's idea was wonderful but I don't think that it would work. You may not have noticed, but most of our legions have done the job and paired themselves up. There's really no need for another lady." Seth informed her. Eirika nodded her understanding.

"I see, but aren't there still single lords amon our warriors? Why not just bring them?"

Seth merely shrugged, "Because they are either too old, too young, too stuck in their bachelordom or, in Forde's case, too full of himself. Milady, I don't believe we have a decent lor to offer the young woman who'll be coming."

Eirika bit her tongue in time from pointing out that there was always him. Although he may have included himself in the category, too stuck in bachelordom.

"So what do we do? It's too late to cancel this trip." Eirika asked.

Seth shook his head, "By all means, let's go forth with the trip. The lady has come to merely VIEW renais, no matchmaking was actually to be done. Only implied. Why not take a handful of our troops to show her Renais's countryside and courts? Maybe someone will come up."

Eirika sighed in relief, "Good then I trust you to pick the troops? We leave at sunrise tomorrow morning."

Seth got up and bowed, "I couldn't have put it better, thank you." As he moved to leave Eirika suddenly, unconsciously spoke her thoughts.

"The Silver Knight is as good a candidate as any, is he not? Her horror was enormous after uttering these words. It took all her resolve not to clamp her mouth shut and maintain an even mask. It was too much to hope that Seth had not heard.

He looked back and commented, "His heart would not be in it. It would be unfair to the lady if she was married to someone who could not love her entirely." And with that Eirika was left to dwell on his sentence alone.

"On an ocean of tears and despair…."

Thank GOD I'm done this chapter. It was awfully long, I hope I didn't bore anyone. I swear my fingers are dead, and I can't see straight on the keyboard, I'm not used to typing so much…it's odd.

Kinda depressing that Eirika has such a nice conscience, she's so selfless sometimes…Anyways, please review!