Sorry, this chapter is a little later than intended. But I got caught up with something else. Haha…

Guy: Good for you…

Matthew: Just hurry up and get to the story already!

FireEdge: Fine… Anyway, decided to make this the last chapter afterall! Hope you enjoy!

Reviews:

FoxYoukaiAara: Thank you! What a nice complement!

Ed the Master Tactician: Ahahaha, you're burning! XD Anyway, thanks for reviewing yet another of my stories!

Lao Who Mai: Wow, I'm glad that you like the way I wrote Kent! It's encouraging to see someone say that.

Wandering Cat: Yeah, I'm a bit obsessive about flashbacks, I simply love them! I'm so happy that it was clear! Haha…

Wyrmseeker: Really? In the span of 3 minutes? I don't think it's possible for me to write anything that fast, whether or not it's good or bad. -.- I'll try harder anyway…

ThyCrimsonPirate: Thanks for reviewing!

Dragon Empress: Hey, good point! When has he been right! Thanks for the review!

misSkLutzZz: Thanks for the review!

samysquirrel: Wow! I inspired someone! I feel all special! Heehee. Hmm… I wouldn't know, but it probably would start with an 'F'…

Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem.

Stay By My Side

Chapter 3

Lyn sighed with contentment as she drew ever nearer to the place she had made her home. Upon entering Sacae, she had felt a peaceful wave flood over her. It almost made her forget everything that had happened concerning Caelin.

But the peacefulness was short-lived. For when she approached a slightly sloping hill, her home was set up on the other side, she came upon a site that froze her in horror. Standing atop the hill, and looking down into the plains below, she saw that her home had been destroyed.

Her blue-green eyes were wide with shock. What had happened during the time that she had been gone? Her home was a simple ger, and she knew that this area was secluded… There hadn't even been any valuables in her home.

Trotting down towards her home, she jumped off her horse, and knelt to rifle through the ashes of her burnt down house. She could barely make out any of her belongings. There were a few remains of scattered torches, the source of the fire. They must have been bandits…

"No, not again… Why must they always plague me?" Her hands tightened into fists, clenched with anger. But slowly she relaxed them. She had to stay calm, this was no time to be angry. Anyway, she was lucky that she hadn't been here… It was only a ger, it could be replaced.

But this brought back so many memories… Of when her entire tribe had been destroyed… She wiped away the single tear that rolled down her cheek. The lust for revenge had long gone from her mind, courtesy of General Wallace.

Standing up, she took in a deep breath, brushing away the ashes from her dress. She would put this behind her and resume her life again.

Walking over to her mount, she stroked his nuzzle, letting out a deep sigh. "Well, I'd better head to Bulgar and get some supplies…" Lyn murmured to herself, pulling herself up onto her horse's back.

As she started riding, her spirits started to rise again. Flying through the plains with the wind combing her hair always gave her a rush of joy. It always calmed her nerves, and it was what made her love this place she called home.

Suddenly, her horse let out shriek, shattering the harmony with its cry of pain. Glancing down, she noticed a long shafted arrow sticking out of its side. Her eyes narrowed. The arrow could only mean one thing: bandits.

Her gelding collapsed to the ground with an agonized whinny, panting, white foam was starting to lather its body. Obviously, the arrow had struck a vital point in its body, and her faithful horse would not live long. Kneeling down beside it, she cradled its head briefly, before drawing her sword.

Standing up, she could already see a circle of figures emerging from the countryside, surrounding her. How had they escaped her senses? Her eyes scanned them, counting them and sizing them up. So far there seemed to be almost two dozen of them. Armed with axes and bows.

Shifting into a fighting stance, she waited for them to approach her. Her weapon had the advantage here, and she should be able to dodge most of the arrows shot at her. What worried her most was their numbers… And why they were even here.

As Kent continued to ride through the endless plains, he could feel almost a calming sensation settle upon his weary body. Perhaps this was why Lyn loved Sacae. For this… sense of serenity.

He had been travelling for three days now, and his destination was still unknown. Sacae was a vast place. Finding Lyndis was not going to be an easy task. So he decided that he would head to Bulgar first.

The thought of the town drew a smile on his lips. Perhaps chance would bring her there too. Just like their first encounter. A new hope rejuvenated in him, he dug his heels into his horse's flanks and cantered onwards.

Once again, his thoughts wandered to Lyn. Most of his memories of her were of her in battle. He could recall a time when she had been surrounded by a dozen of enemies. She had been alone when he and a few others of their army had come to her. He had feared that she might not be able to hold up in time for him to reach her. But she had been so graceful with her fighting, sidestepping swings from axes and swords, whirling from stance to stance.

As he topped the crest of a hill, his eyes half closed and still slightly dreamy, he could almost see the scene in front of him. There she was, fighting the circle of foes, her sword twirling elegantly. He could almost hear the sounds of the clashing of metal against metal, the 'twang' of bowstrings and the 'thumps' of bodies falling unconscious to the ground.

A rank smell then reached his nose, the smell that he was all too familiar with, but had not scented in years. Blood. The smell jolted him to his senses and he shook his head. Suddenly he realized that the sounds and the sight in front of him were real. He hadn't been imagining things.

There, below him stood Lyndis, in all her glory, fending off attack after attack from the bandits. His mouth hung open, his eyes wide with shock. This was certainly not the way he had thought that he would encounter her.

But before his mind could react any further, he found himself drawing the sword at his hip and charging down into the battle. A familiar feeling flooded through his body. The sense of duty that he always felt when he fought to protect his lady. Somehow finding his voice, he called out.

"Lady Lyndis!" The Sacaean woman's head whipped around, stunned at the use of her formal title. She was even more so when she saw who had used that name. Almost dropping her Mani Katti, she gaped openly at Kent, riding down the slope like a knight in shining armour. There to rescue her like out of a children's tale.

Even the bandits paused to see who the newcomer was, surprised to see someone else in the area. Of course, they soon shook off their shock. This man was obviously somewhat rich, judging by his well-made clothing. And the sooner they killed him, the sooner they could lay hands on his purse.

"Get the man, too!" Cried their leader, rushing towards the charging paladin. Kent quickly read the clumsy movements of the bandit however, and easily evaded the onslaught of axes. Barely dodging an arrow, he swung his sword at one of the nearby bandits, the blade sinking deeply into his shoulder.

Lyn too, eventually, recovered from her daze, and immediately jumped into the fray again. She wasn't too sure why Kent was here, but she was glad for the help. She could feel her blood rising in excitement, not because of the battle. But in anticipation of what was to happen after, when she could finally talk to the red-haired paladin.

Soon enough, the fight was over. Dead or unconscious bodies lay in heaps around the pair. Both panting, and still feeling the after-effects of the adrenaline rush, they slowly cleaned their weapons and sheathed it.

Stepping from his saddle, Kent turned to face Lyn, whom was standing a few paces away from him. For the first time in the while that he had been there, he could take her in. After so many years of not ever seeing her, he couldn't take his eyes off of her.

She hadn't changed much since then, though she looked older and wearier. Her attire had changed, but the confident stance in the way she stood remained the same. Her long dark green hair was held in an intricate braid, hanging over one shoulder. And those beautiful blue-green eyes that he usually lost himself in were still just as deep.

The two of them stared at one another, neither one saying a word. Finally, Kent slowly climbed onto his steed's saddle, prying his eyes away from the Sacaean woman in front of him. There, he had seen her. That should be good enough, he'd head back, tell that to Sain, and get on with his life… After all, he couldn't… tell her how he felt. He knew that he would just get his heart broken.

Kent nudged his steed a few steps forward. The horse was hesitant as it started to walk, sensing its rider's unease. But he found that he couldn't make himself go any farther when she called his name.

"Kent…" Lyn murmured, watching him, an unreadable expression in her eyes. She stared at the paladin before her. He had changed much in the years that she hadn't seen him. His bright red hair seemed duller than before and his face and eyes looked older than the years he really was. But it seemed that his personality was still the same. He always seemed to be by her side when she needed him.

"Kent." This time her voice was stronger and more determined. "Why… Why are you here?"

"… I-I was taking a ride here, to ease my mind… It was coincidence that I found you, milady." He answered, fumbling for a good excuse. "Ah… I should be heading back to Caelin now… Take care, Lady Lyndis."

The paladin attempted to ride off again, but once more, it was to no avail. For Lyn again stopped him with her voice. She knew that he was lying through his teeth and she wasn't satisfied with his answer. It didn't hurt that she was able to talk to him longer. It had been such a long time since she had last seen him.

"Stay with me a little longer, Kent. I haven't seen you for so long…" She almost pleaded, her eyes locking onto his. "You always said that you'd be there, by my side, whenever I needed you… It doesn't have to be long. I'd just like to talk with you for awhile... About the past... You're one of the only people who was there with me when I experienced everything in Caelin." She couldn't help but look away from him, staring vaguely at the horizon. The sun was nearing it's evening peak, she hadn't noticed that time had passed so quickly.

"I…" Kent paused. This was what he had wanted all along. An excuse to stay with her longer. And here it was, shoved right into his face. He'd be an idiot not to take it, as Sain would say. "I'd be happy to, milady…"

When he saw the smile spread across her beautiful face, he couldn't help but beam also. As he dismounted and walked alongside Lyn, leading his horse behind him, he suddenly didn't care if she returned his feelings for her. He didn't know if he'd tell her of how he felt, but for the moment, being in her company was all that he needed.

Sain stared at the calendar on the wall of Kent's room. He had marked the days since his friend had left, and today was the fourth morning. The brown-haired man couldn't help but wonder if Kent had found her yet. If he hadn't found Lyndis by now, the chances of him even seeing her would be slim. Since the ever responsible steward had so plainly stated to him that he'd be back on the seventh day exactly…

"Hmmm, if Kent did meet up with her, I hope that he has the wits to actually talk to her, and not run back here again…" Sain muttered to himself. "If he returns early…" The knight didn't even want to finish the thought. Instead he let out a long sigh and left the room. He never so much as glanced at the large pile of paperwork sitting neatly on the desk, untouched.

Gah… Halfway through, I got sort of a writer's block, so that's why the ending was so crappy. The most important part (Kent and Lyn's meeting) got screwed up, and I'm not sure what I should do with it...

Matthew: Well, that doesn't sound good…

FireEdge: That's because it's not… ANY critism and/or advice is welcomed and I'm most likely going to fix this chapter up a little later.

Guy: So go press the little review button… So she can fix the chapter up and put her head back in order…

--FireEdge--