Here's chapter 2, I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter. I sure enjoyed writing it.

Anyway

Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem

A simple stop for the night in an abandoned fortress had turned into a fight for survival. They did get Dorcas out of it though, a kind man, just doing whatever he could to get money for medicine for his wife. They had picked a spot to rest for the night after another day of traveling, while Kent and Sain were busy setting up the tents, Lyn was off with Wil hunting, Dorcas was sitting in camp looking intimidating. Florina had chosen to look after Huey, her Pegasus, in relative privacy.

"Ah-ha! Florina there you are." Marek called after her.

She jumped at the sound of his voice and wheeled around to meet him. He was standing in front of her before she knew it.

"I would like to apologize. Back when we first met in the village, I sent you over that wall to see if those people need help." He began. "I had no idea that there that many enemies over there, I did not mean to put you in danger."

Florina's eyes widened, she had completely forgotten about that. Marek, however, seemed quite distraught over it.

"I-I... Um would like to apologize too." She said. "I do not blame you for that, you couldn't have known. I wasn't intentionally giving you the cold shoulder Marek, I'm just um... shy around men, and even around women I'm reserved. So, again I would like to apologize and apology accepted."

"Good, that's a lot off of my mind." He said.

"R-Right, so if you'll, um excuse me I'll just get back to camp now, I think Lyn's making food so I-

"Florina! Wait a moment." He cut her off.

She gulped and waited for him to continue. He reached into his pack and pulled out a book.

"I've a favor to ask of you." He continued. "You see I have this book here on class and unit analysis. I was wondering if I may ask you a few questions?"

"M-Me? Really?" She asked.

"Yes, I've never had the chance to properly speak with a Pegasus knight before. Usually all I see is one zip across one end of the battlefield to the next and that's it." He said. "So, may I?"

"Um, of course! Yes, I'd love to help." She said.

He pulled a quill pen and ink well from his pack as he sat on the grass. For the next hour he asked her a multitude of questions ranging from armor preferences to weapons. Along with tactics usually employed by Pegasus knights. Florina was actually surprised at how he seemed to hang onto her every word, like they were the only thing keeping him connected to the world. Marek dabbed his last period and stood up.

"Now, may I ask another favor?" He asked her.

She nodded and waited for him to continue.

"You see along with what I write I like to draw said unit next to their analysis, here take a look." He said and handed her the book.

"These, drawings are amazing. You're quite the artist Marek." She said.

"Thank you." He said. "So, Florina, may I draw you?"

Florina blushed as she looked up at him.

"You wish to draw me?" She asked.

"Yes, if it makes you uncomfortable I can simply do a silhouette and fill in with some random features." He said.

"No, no. I'd be honored to have you draw me." She smiled at him and handed the book back to him.

"Thank you, now if you'd be so kind as to mount Huey." He gestured towards her Pegasus.

Nodding she hoisted herself up with out any difficulty.

"Do you have your lance by chance?" He asked.

"Yes, right here." She answered and lifted her lance in her right hand.

"Good." He said stepping closer."May I?"

She nodded, he adjusted her body and lance just enough to make her look beautiful and deadly.

"Perfect." He said. "Now please don't hesitate to tell me if you start to get sore sitting like that okay?"

Again she nodded. He made careful strokes as he began to work on her. Within an hour it was done, only having to stop once to let Florina gain feeling back in her arms. He helped her down and made sure she was okay to stand.

"Here, what do you think?" He asked while handing her the book again.

"Wow, that's amazing Marek." She gasped and looked up at him.

"Thank you, I'm glad you like it." He smiled at her.

Florina blushed a deep shade of crimson and trust the book back to him before running back to camp leaving a confused Marek with Huey. She wasn't looking where she was going and happened to bump into Lyn. Lyn caught the flustered girl by her shoulders to steady her.

"Florina! Are you all right? Your face is all red!" Lyn said with alarm evident in her voice.

"Y-Yes! I'm f-fine!" Florina said.

"What happened?" Lyn asked.

"I was looking after Huey, when Marek came up on me. We talked and apologized to eachother about when we first met, then he asked me questions for his analysis book, then I let him draw me... Then he smiled at me..." Florina trailed off. "He's quite dashing Lyn."

The nomadic girl smiled and poked her friend's sides.

"I think someone's in looooove." She smiled.

Florina blushed a darker shade and quickly ran away from Lyn.

The night around the fire was awkward to say the least. Florina would look up at Marek who would look back making the poor girl quickly look away. All in all however the night passed without much difference.

They had come across a traveling Cleric and her Mage bodyguard who were in need of assistance. As Marek commanded the best he could from Lyn's position, they were able to easily overpower the rabble of bandits. It was a miscalculation on both Marek's and Lyn's parts as the man he sent her to was stronger than either of them thought. Lyn was fast enough to dodge the man's wide arcing attacks but he was strong enough to stop her own strikes. While Marek was focused on finding Kent or Sain another bandit, a man with a large sword was able to get behind them. The sound of air being sliced through alerted Marek to the man's presence and he was able to jump back in time. The bandit swung his sword in a circle around him before coming at Marek again. Marek was able to dodge most of the man's strikes, the one's he couldn't he would simply un-sheath his blade enough to block the other sword.

"Marek! Hang on!" Lyn yelled.

Just as she was about to turn around and help the bandit she was fighting caught her in the stomach with one of his large legs. Lyn regained her footing and had to focus on the bandit again. Marek was able to hold his own against the man, just waiting for the chance to strike or at least out wait the man. As he jumped back to avoid another strike his foot landed on a patch of wet grass causing him to slip. The bandit took advantage of Marek's slip and was able to drive the side of his blade deep into Marek's side. He took the blade out and hit the same spot with the flat of his sword breaking a rib, before kicking Marek in the face knocking him to his back. Marek looked up as the man raised his blade high above his head ready to strike. Marek tightened his own grip on his sword getting ready to counter, but before either could move again a javelin found it's mark in the man's neck. Marek looked behind him to see Florina dismounting Huey and come running towards him.

"Marek! Are you alright?" She asked frantic as she slid down next to him.

"Yes, I'm okay. I just need a vulnerary." He answered.

Florina nodded and pulled one from her pack. She applied the mixture to his wound and pressed hard, Marek's face twisted into a grimace of pain.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" Florina quickly apologized.

"Don't worry, I just need Serra to heal my rib and I'll be fine." He reassured her.

Florina nodded and signaled Serra over. The Cleric came running over and used her staff to heal him.

"There, now you'll probably be sore for the next day or two. So take it easy." Serra said in an odd sing song voice.

"Right, thank you." Marek said.

Besides the incident with Marek, everyone came out of the battle fine. Some of them even looked stronger, odd considering they had been worn out just the other day. As they set up camp Florina refused to leave Marek's side making sure he had water and food, it was cute. At the moment they were sitting against a tree while Florina was inspecting his wound.

"Are sure that you're okay?" She asked.

"Yes, I'm fine Florina. There's no need to fuss over me." He smiled.

She blushed and took her hands away from his side.

"R-Right, it's just um, well I... Um." Florina trailed off.

Before Marek could even from the words to tell her to calm down, Florina tried to throw herself at him only to have her knees slip and face plant into his chest.

"Are you alright Florina?" He asked.

"... Y-yes, that wasn't supposed to happen." She mumbled.

She looked up at him expecting an annoyed expression, instead she found him lightly smiling at her. He put his hand on her head and ruffled her hair.

"There, there." He said.

A blush formed on her cheeks as she opted to simply sit with him. Lyn was good at hiding her emotions when she wanted to, but even now it was hard to contain her jealousy at Florina.
The girl who needed help out a tree with bees, in only five days of knowing the man, was cuddling up with Marek. The man in question also seemed quite content to have the Pegasus knight against him. Lyn tried to keep a calm face, but her anger seemed to radiate in her fists as she crushed the stick she was using to hold her fish. Luckily she saved it before the flames could completely destroy it.

"Someone's jealous." Serra said simply while sitting next to Lyn.

"Wha-?" Lyn looked over at the pink haired cleric.

"Anyone with eyes could see that." Serra smiled at Lyn.

Lyn blushed and quickly looked away from the pink haired annoyance. Of course the sight she took in wasn't really any better, Florina's head on Marek's lap looking as peaceful as ever.

"How the... She's afraid of men!" Lyn mumbled to herself.

Marek looked over at Lyn and simply looked back to Florina, who seemed to be sleeping now. Somehow he was able to pick her up without waking her and easily deposited her into her tent. Lyn watched as he took check around the camp and attempted to sneak off with his sword. Curious, she followed him, wanting to make sure he didn't run into any trouble. She found him sitting meditation style with his blade on his lap.

"I know you're there Lyn." He said. "Can't a man meditate in peace?" His voice had a hint of amusement to it.

"Sorry." Lyn apologized. "I just wanted to make sure you weren't heading into danger."

"More like you were stalking me." He countered.

Lyn ignored his comment and sat down next to him.

"So, you seem to be getting close to Florina." She said.

"She's a sweet girl, if just a little shy." He replied. "But yes."

"Do you enjoy her company?" Lyn asked.

"Well of course I do. I think everyone does." He said. "But, I assume you mean if I enjoy her company more than a friend should, yes?"

"Yes." She said simply.

"Then the answer is no." He replied. "As I said she's a sweet girl, but a battlefield is no place for love."

"Oh, I see." She said.

A long silence filled the air as Marek went from sitting to laying on his back.

"It's a beautiful night." He stated.

"It is, isn't it." Lyn said as she joined him. "Marek."

"Yes, Lyn?" He asked.

"I wish to apologize, for what I did those days ago." She said. "I didn't mean to make you angry or make things awkward. I just wanted to kiss you, and I hoped you wanted to kiss me."

"I've never been angry with you Lyn. It caught me off guard is all." He said. "But, I'm sorry. I don't wish to kiss you, or pursue a relationship with you."

"Oh... I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable." Lyn apologized and was glad they were looking at the sky.

Marek sighed and got back up without another word, he didn't even offer his hand to help her up. Lyn tilted her head back and saw him walking back to camp. When she returned moments later he was already in his tent, by the light he had it was clear he was writing in one of his journals. She sighed and went into her own tent.

The next morning they continued their march towards Lycia, finally crossing into Araphen where a fight broke out. Their merry band of misfits seemed to grow larger with each passing day, joining them was the thief Matthew, and after a brief encounter with the Marquess of Araphen, showing that he was racist towards Saceans the mounted archer Rath joined too.
It seemed with Rath's company, Lyn's mood was up lifted. Marek was glad, she had been moping for some time now.

-Raidori