Of Dawn and Mercenaries

Description: The second one in the series, this one isn't really a one-shot since it's two parts, so it's going to be a bit longer. The pairing is Zihark/Ilyana... because come on, what did you expect from me?

Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem, Intelligent Systems or Nintendo. If you claim I do, Kaltzun Krusanda and his Storm Blade Ilkatzu will have something to say to you. (Note: I do, however, own Kaltzun Krusanda and the Storm Blade Ilkatzu. Well, the Storm Blade is his, but that's beside the point.)

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"...Ilyana?"

Everything seemed to fall silent. He stepped forward, seeing the girl sitting on a rock, a solemn expression on her face. He never would've thought he'd see her again... considering he had heard that the merchant caravan she traveled with had joined up with the opposite side.

"..." Her response to his soft, yet surprised, tone was nothing but silence. Hearing nothing from her, he stepped closer, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder.

She looked up at him, surprised by the gesture of kindness. "...Zihark?"

"Yes, it's me," he said. "I'm sorry if I'm bothering you. It's rather late to be out, though..."

"...Zihark... you're still fighting for Daein, aren't you?"

He nodded. "...Yes, I am. What of it?"

"That... that would make us... enemies, wouldn't it?" she said, frowning slightly. "I... don't want to be your enemy, Zihark. Yet... it seems... as if I am forced to be your enemy."

"Hah..." He laughed quietly, smiling at her. "Still the same old Ilyana, I guess. Say, didn't you say you were also from Daein?"

"Yes, I did," she replied.

"By blood, I'm a Daein, through and through," he said. "But my heart says otherwise. Ever since she came along... I've always been partial to Gallia."

"Well, Zihark..." she said, giving him a hopeful gaze. "...We don't have to be enemies. Gallia is fighting alongside the Greil Mercenaries."

He grimaced. "...Well, that's a tough decision. I trust Micaiah, but she's been acting a little crazy lately, I think. Maybe I'll just go back to the mercenaries like I was doing all that time ago. Still, though... I think that Micaiah's doing the right thing, for some reason. I still have yet to learn why she's fighting Gallia and the Laguz Alliance so much."

"...Zihark..."

"Hey, now, it's not like I'm definitely going to stick with Daein," he said. "After all, the Greil Mercenaries are fighting for what I personally believe in. Besides, they have you on their side. That... really means a lot to me."

"Zihark, you can't be..."

"...Oh, yes, I'm telling the truth. Ilyana, you're not just another comrade or friend. You're something else entirely. Something... more special, I suppose." His tone quieted. "...You know, I always told everyone that I wasn't interested in getting married ever again, since I had some bad experience with my first girlfriend. Yet still... I feel like settling down somewhere, eventually. Ilyana... if both of us survive this war, do you think...?"

"...Zihark...?"

Before she knew it, she had been swept into his arms. "...I already know your answer, don't I? You'd be glad to get married to someone like me, right?"

"...Mm..." A light blush crossed her face as she clutched tightly to his shirt. "...I'm not sure yet. But... you do seem like a nice enough person..."

"I'll feed you," he said. "...Whenever I scrape together the money, that is."

"Zi...Zihark, you... you really will?" This suggestion filled her heart with joy. "...Oh, thank you! Thank you so much! I... I can't very well refuse your offer, can I? Even if I tried... it'd be... very difficult... with a promise like that..."

"...Ilyana, I'll join up with you and the mercenaries again," he said. "Though... I don't think it'll be for the same reasons this time."

"...What... do you mean?"

He laughed. "Before, I was just interested in helping Gallia. Now, though, I feel like I have an obligation to protect you, too. I definitely don't want you to die before we can be wed."

"..." A gentle, shy smile was on her face. "...Yes, Zihark. Let's... look forward to our future... so that we may survive these terrible times. And... thank you... once again. You... you are far too kind to a person like me..."

"You really mean that, Ilyana?" He laughed quietly, smirking. "Everybody likes you. Come on, I told you that already. It's not just me. All your friends and comrades... they all think of you as a great companion too. Trust me. And if there's ever an obstacle you don't feel you can beat, just call on me."

"...Mm..."

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He sat in the corner, head hanging. He didn't want to imagine the pain he had just caused her. They had virtually proposed not too long ago, and already he had argued with her. It was only a minor disagreement, but still, he felt terrible.

"...Ilyana, I'm sorry."

She smiled, walking over to him. "It's okay, Zihark. I should be the one to apologize. I... provoked you."

"Are you sure?" he said sullenly. "...Are you sure it's really okay? I... I hurt your feelings there, didn't I?"

"Not one bit, Zihark..." she whispered, leaning close to him, placing her arms around him and her mouth beside his ear. "Don't worry about it. It wasn't anything serious. It was nothing to worry about. I don't hate you for it."

"...Hah, I suppose the Daein in me hasn't left completely," he said quietly. "...Still... if you ever meet Micaiah again, please don't kill her. I believe her cause is a good one as well."

"...I... never wanted to kill... anyone, really," she said. "...Zihark... I... didn't tell you this before, but... I really don't want to be... fighting this war. I'm... taking innocent lives when I do... I don't... want to do that. Every life I take... it could be another case... just like you and me... that person... he has a loved one somewhere... I really... don't want to leave them behind. I..." Tears began to form in her eyes as she huddled closer to him. "...I... I really hate killing... I... I don't want to kill... anyone... anymore!!"

"...Ilyana, settle down," he said, gently placing a hand over hers. "...It's true that you're killing people. But just think... if those innocent people are true believers, then they will go to an even better place. They will, someday, reunite with their loved ones... their spouses, their children... everyone."

"...Zihark, I..." Though she still couldn't hold back the tears, she seemed to be feeling a bit better. "...Yes... I'll... I'll pray for the soldiers I kill... for their souls to be given mercy upon. I... I'll... always believe... that there is something to save even those poor people from... the terrible fate they may share."

"Mm... Come closer, Ilyana. I don't like seeing you sad like that."

"...But... but I..."

He smiled, drawing her into a gentle embrace. "...Ilyana... you don't need to cry anymore. Please... don't cry. I... will never hurt your feelings again. I promise."

"...Zi...hark..." Her voice was quiet, mixed with a combination of happiness and sorrow. "...Yes... Zihark, I'll... always have you... always..." She leaned gently into his embrace, closing her eyes and breathing in his scent. "...Always... I... I'll always... love you, Zihark..."

"...That's better..." he whispered, gently running his hand down her back. "...I love you too, Ilyana..."

"...Zihark, I..." She lifted her head, but only for a moment, to cast aside the ties in her hair and brush it down with her fingers. "...Have you ever... seen me like this?"

"Never, I... don't understand why you always have your hair tied like that. Why is that?"

"...If you see me with my hair down, and are not immediately chased off..." she said hesitantly. "...It means... I trust you. The reason I don't let it down in front of other people is because... I don't trust them enough... to truly see me."

"...I see," he said. "Well... if you let your hair down in private, with just me around... I suppose that confirms... your love for me."

"...Yes... it does... Zihark."

He smiled. "...Ilyana, if you don't wish to show the others your beautiful hair, then I will not mind... as long as you still show it to me. I would... truly love seeing your hair down while it's just... you and me."

"...Yes... only for you, Zihark. Only for you... I promise... I'll show you."

"...Thank you so much, my dear... I won't ever forget this. I promise."

She giggled softly, remembering a time not too long before. "You're welcome... my love..."

"Do you wish to sleep?" he asked. "...Surely it would be far better in my kind, loving arms."

"Mm... that... sounds wonderful," she replied. "...Please... let me sleep... in your arms."

Before she knew it, she had been swept up into his arms and laid in the same place that he always slept. She felt his gentle embrace, and closed her eyes blissfully... so glad she could be this close to him.

"...Zihark..."

He had a smile on his face. The comfort of resting close to her became reality for him as well. Sleep would come quickly for him... but he wanted to say her name one last time before he drifted off.

"...Ilyana..."

Her tiny body felt so warm and soft against his skin. To him, it was a dream come true... to cuddle with someone for the first time in forever. She, too, purred her contentment... everything about him, from his feel to his smell, was wonderful. Even if he left her, she would never forget the sweet, peaceful times she spent with him.

Nothing but silence was heard as they slept.

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Author's Note: Yeah, a little dramatic. If you don't know the backstory of Zihark and Ilyana, please play the game :) And both of them, I don't just mean RD - after all, their tale begins in PoR. ;)