No Longer Alone


Well, not much to say today. Ordered my first game online ever over the course of the past two weeks. Yay?

Anyway, let's get down to it. I hope you enjoy what I've written.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.


"So, how are things?" Forde questioned as she settled down beside Franz to watch the dying sunset

"About as well as could be expected, I guess." Franz nodded slightly. "We got through this fight without many casualties, we already have scouts trying to find where Prince L – where the Demon King ran off to, and many of the Grad soldiers have said they want to help stop the Demon King. All in all, a pretty successful battle, as far as those things go."

"Yeah, that's nice, but I was asking about you and Amelia."

Franz hung his head. "Forde, why do you keep needling me about her? For your information, we are perfectly fine as well, and that's all I'm going to say about it."

"I'm not 'needling' you. And I don't think it's all fine either."

"What?" Franz gave his brother an annoyed look. "What are you talking about now?"

"You're worried about something. Troubled." Forde raised an eyebrow. "What, you think I couldn't tell? I'm your brother, you know."

Franz sputtered for a moment and turned away. "Even if I am, you don't know that it's about Amelia."

"Well, I caught you looking down her direction when she went off to keep and clean her things. Then you gave this huge sigh and walked off. Looks to me like she's pretty involved in this."

The younger knight didn't reply.

"C'mon, if it's anything serious at all, you should get it off your chest."

He hung his head. "She saved me again today."

Forde paused for a long moment, before venturing, "And… you would have preferred she not save you? Because dying is a pretty poor alternative, you know."

"No, of course not. It's… I shouldn't have let myself get into a position where she had to save me in the first place." His hand clenched. "I'm the one who's supposed to be protecting her." He mumbled to himself.

Forde scratched the back of his ear. "I'm sorry, what was that last bit? Didn't quite catch that."

Franz let out a heavy sigh. "I said, I'm supposed to be the one protecting her."

"When did you draw a conclusion like that, anyway?" Forde questioned after a moment's hesitation as he bit into a biscuit he'd drawn from one of his pockets.

"Lord Ephraim charged me with it, remember? Back when she first joined our side. I promised I'd watch over her."

"True. But there's nothing in that saying she doesn't have a right to look out for you in turn."

Franz remained silent.

"Franz."

"Hm?"

"Do you want to protect her?"

"Of course I do!" Franz glanced up, a frown on his face.

"You don't find looking out for her a meaningless, thankless chore?"

"No!"

"You'd have done it even if Ephraim hadn't told you to, right?'

"Of course."

Forde nodded, eyes half-closed. "One last question. Back in Jehenna, when you saved Amelia and brought her back, how'd it feel?'

"What?"

"Did it feel good? Like you were on top of the world? Like you had succeeded in the single most important task you'd ever come across in your life?"

"Well, I – yes." Franz looked down at the ground.

"Then why would you want to deny Amelia the same feeling?"

Franz blinked and simply stared at his brother, unable to form a coherent response.

"Franz, you have to learn and accept a few things. First, Amelia's a soldier, just like you are. Second, her rate of improvement is staggering –just like you. She's gone from a greenhorn to someone I'd consider a decent sparring partner in the space of maybe half a year. Third, she, as a fellow soldier, is just as obligated to watch your back as you are to watch hers. Fourth, she wants to protect you as much as you want to protect her." Forde slowed down slightly, thinking. "You saved her a few times during our journey, didn't you? What did you think was going through her mind after you did that?"

"Huh?"

"Do you think she was swooning over you? That she was so grateful to have a knight in shining armour come in to rescue her from danger that she just wanted to fall into your arms?"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Franz snapped.

"Yeah, that's exactly what it is. Ridiculous." Finishing off the last crumbs of the biscuit, Forde brushed a strand of sandy-blonde hair from his eyes. "You want to know what she was really thinking?" Without pausing for an answer he continued, "She was thinking, 'I can't keep on like this. I've got to grow stronger. I can't keep being a burden to Franz.'"

"A burden? That's ridiculous!" Franz could feel his face heating up. "She's not a burden to me-"

"So why do you act like her saving you makes you a burden to her?"

Once again, Franz found himself unable to form a good reply.

"At this point I feel pretty safe in saying that you love Amelia. But first, you have to be careful – do you love some idealized version of her that doesn't change and always remains the perfect damsel for you to protect, or do you love her for who she is – the changing, growing, passionate person that is Amelia?" Forde stood up with a sigh and patted his brother on his shoulder. "Just something for you to think about." He concluded before heading back to his tent.

As he left, Franz continued to sit there, staring at the growing darkness and trying to sort out the thoughts whirling in his mind.


"Ugh – Ah!" Amelia hit the ground, her and as she lay there, she felt the world around her sway. Pausing a moment to recollect herself, she pulled herself to a sitting position and offered a sheepish smile at her mentor.

"I guess I'm still not fast enough, sir."

Duessel nodded as he shifted his lance into a neutral position. "Given your smaller frame and relative lack of armour, you're plenty fast. Your problem is that you're only reacting to the enemy's attacks."

She frowned as she stood up. "I'm not sure I follow, General."

"Amelia, you need to be able to know where the enemy is going to strike before they do it. Otherwise you'll always be moving after they move, and that's no good. If they're faster than you – or even just exactly the same speed, then you won't be able to defend yourself in time. Like just now, for instance." His shrugged. "Although I admit it's not the fairest of contests in any regard. Putting aside the years I have on you, I'm empowered by a Knight's Crest. You're not."

The lancer shook her head. "I still don't… I'm not sure I understand, sir. About moving before your opponent does. How do you manage that?"

"Well, part of it is paying attention to the stance they're in. Like this, for instance," he said, shifting his weight. "This makes it pretty obvious that I'm going for a low strike. Of course, most people won't telegraph their attacks as clearly as I'm doing right now, but the principle still applies. Another part of it is discerning whether their attacks so far seem to have a strategy or pattern behind them. Yet another is trying to force your opponent into aiming for regions you already have covered." He shrugged, a surprisingly open gesture for one of the most powerful men in the army. "And part of it is simply instinct that you hone over the battles."

"I see." She gazed down. "I'm not really sure I want to be in enough battles to develop that instinct."

"None of us do, lass. None of us do. But that's the reality of the situation, and so we have to be prepared for it." Duessel nodded once. "Well, that's enough for this session," he noted as he shifted his gaze to the setting sun. "And probably for the day, while we're at it. Make sure you get enough sleep and water."

"I will, sir. Thank you." She smile gratefully, nodded, and turned away, noticing the slight frown that shadowed the aged general's face as she did so. She knew that her face tugged at a vague wisp of memory in the corner of his mind that he couldn't quite unearth, but she still remained clueless as to what it was all about.

Well, it could always wait until later, and so she shelved the thought away as she caught sight of Neimi running up to her.

"Amelia! There you are!" Her friend came up smiling. "I was looking all over for you."

She grinned back. "The michew berries, right? Sorry I couldn't come earlier –"

"Yeah, I had to start without you or we'd never get them ready in time for supper. Never mind, come on."

Several minutes later, Amelia sat back, a grin on her face. "Well, that should just about do it. Now all we need to do is wait for it to finish cooking."

"Uh-huh." Neimi chuckled as she packed away the leftover ingredients. "So, dare I ask what you're going to do with your share of the food?"

"Hm? Well, if the pie's as big as we think it is, we'll each have three slices. So I'll eat one myself, of course. Then, well…"

"One for Franz?" Neimi shrugged as she saw Amelia's expression. "What? It wasn't a hard guess to make, you know."

Amelia chuckled and shook her head. "Yeah, one for Franz. Not sure about the last one, though…"

"You could always share it. One bite for you, one bite for him. It'll be all romantic and lovey."

"Nah. I don't think it'd work with pies. Hey, maybe you want it? You could share with Colm…"

"Thanks, but I've already got three slices of my own, don't I? If you want, you could always cut it into two big pieces instead of three smaller ones."

"There's a thought, I guess."

Later, after the pie had finished baking, Amelia began to carefully cut out the pie slices.

"Look at you," Neimi said with an amused air. "Do you always try to be so neat when dividing of food?"

Amelia grinned sheepishly. "I guess it was knocked into me since young – you always have to be as fair as possible when dividing up food, especially when there's not as much to go around. Anyway," she handed several of the pieces of Neimi. "These are yours. Where's the oil paper? We need to wrap them up first until we can give them to the others."

"I got 'em, don't worry."

They were just about to start when a familiar voice floated up. "Hey, I'd know that smell anywhere! Michew pies!" Ewan came up to them, a tiny grin on his face. "Why didn't anyone tell me you were making some?" As he spoke, he reached his hand towards one of the larger slices, obviously intending to seize it for his own.

"No!" Amelia blurted out, and Ewan raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. She supposed such a vehement reaction was slightly out of the ordinary for her, but regardless… "That's – that one's supposed to be for Franz."

The confused expression on Ewan's face was replaced by an easygoing smirk. "For Franz, huh?" He glanced down at the other pieces that Neimi was continuing to wrap. "Figures it'd be the largest slice."

"What? Don't be stupid!" Amelia countered hotly. "These two pieces are exactly the same size!"

"Really. Could have fooled me." Ewan tilted to his head. "No, this one's definitely a bit bigger."

"No it isn't! Neimi, they're the same, right?"

Neimi glanced up and shrugged. "They look about the same to me."

"Told you."

The young mage shrugged. "Fine, have it your way. Even if it is bigger, that's good, right? Shows you how much you care for Franz."

Amelia could feel a sudden hotness rising up her neck and to her cheeks. "Why does everyone keep talking about the two of us like that?"

"Well, it is pretty obvious. And it's not like you're actively trying to hide it or anything…" Neimi shrugged. "Can't expect caring friends to not comment on it, can you? Anyway, here you go. Two large slices of freshly baked michew pie." She winked as Amelia. "Best go find Franz before they get cold."

As Amelia accepted the bundle and walked away, she could hear Ewan and Neimi carrying on a discussion, with just one too many giggles punctuated their talking for her to view the subject matter without suspicion.


"General." Franz saluted and the Silver Knight returned the gesture.

"So you wanted my advice, but you didn't tell me what for." Seth quirked a slight smile. 'Well, that would make it a fair bit harder to prepare the answers that you seek in advance."

"Well, that's sort of what I wanted, sir," Franz said softly. "I'd prefer an answer from the gut, as it were."

"Very well. Proceed."

"General," Franz paused, trying to decide the proper words. "Have you ever cared for… a fellow soldier?"

"In terms of?" The General frowned. "I care very much about you and your wellbeing, for instance, but that would not be the same kind of care I extend to Lord Ephraim – or Princess Eirika for that matter."

He hung his head. "In the… romantic sense." He finally muttered.

There was a silence for a moment, and when General Seth spoke again, Franz got the distinct impression the general was trying to suppress a smile. "Is this about Dame Amelia?"

"Yes. Well, in a way. I just wonder if I'm doing the right thing by her."

"You mean your talk with me about wanting to protect her?" General Seth gestured to one of the wooden benches in the vicinity. "Do you want to sit? I have a feeling this talk might take a while."

"Yes, well…" Franz settled himself down. "Back when I first wanted to become a knight, it was always with the idea of protecting someone. The villagers, children… the people who couldn't fend for themselves. By taking up the sword, I would be able to fight for their sakes."

Seth remained silent.

"And for a long time, that was the image that came to mind whenever I thought about 'protecting'. A knight in shining armour standing in between the rampaging hordes and the helpless innocents."

"And that image changed." He said this as a statement of fact, not a question.

Franz nodded in reply. "Yeah. Back when Amelia first joined me, it was… it wasn't much different. She wasn't a good fighter. She kept getting herself into danger. But I was happy taking care of her and looking after her. I thought that was what I was supposed to do, after all," he raised one hand, staring at his palm. "But then… well, she got stronger. She started protecting me, too. And I guess I'm just a little confused. Just now Forde asked me why I was so willing to protect her and yet so unwilling to let a fellow soldier protect me. Maybe I just haven't grown out of the mentality yet. Maybe I'm still seeing the frightened girl who couldn't hold her lance right instead of a solder who can face down wyvern knights in combat." He closed his eyes and shook his head.

"I told you before that protecting someone is a noble goal, did I not?"

"Yeah, you drummed it into my head ever since I became your student." Franz smiled slightly at the memories.

"As it was drummed into my head by my mentor." Something about the tone in the General's words caused Franz to look up, but the general was now looking away, a smile of memory on his face. "And as it is a noble goal, I do not see any reason for Amelia to be deprived of it."

"That's what my head tells me too. But I guess it hasn't quite worked its way down to my heart yet."

The general paused. "Well, then, have you talked to Amelia about this?"

'Huh? N – no, not really." Franz glanced away. "I was always worried about what she'd say if she knew. I don't think she'd take it well."

"No? Dame Amelia strikes me as a rather reasonable person. And the plain fact of the matter is that your problem revolves around her – or more accurately the relationship between the two of you. It may be uncomfortable to tackle such an issue head on, Franz, but I promise it'll be for the better in the long run."

"I guess." Franz nodded gratefully. "Thanks for your advice, General."

"Indeed." The Silver Knight stood and turned away. "Giving advice is usually far easier than following through on it." The younger knight gave his leader a questioning look, but Seth waved it off before heading towards the centre of the camp.

Franz sat there himself for several more seconds before pulling himself to his feet. He should probably be heading back to his tent, he decided. First he would pick up something important, and then it would be time to find Amelia.


"There you are!" Amelia exclaimed as she saw Franz emerge from his tent. "I was looking for you."

"Oh?' Franz smiled at her. "About what?"

"Here!" She beamed at him as she raised her hand to show the package she was grasping. "Neimi and I made a pie with michew berries, and I wanted to share it with you."

"Oh, wow," he smiled. "Thanks, Amelia."

"Come on, let's go find a quiet spot."

A couple of minutes later, they were sitting together on a slight incline, just as the first of the stars began appear in the sky. Amelia couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness as she watched take the first bite of his piece. What if she had botched the recipe somewhere? She should have tasted it first –

"Wow!" He glanced up at her, his expression one of delighted surprise. "This is fantastic!"

"It is? Really?" Taking a bite out of her own piece, Amelia found that she had to agree.

"I had no idea you could cook so well." He said as he continued

"Oh, well, Neimi really did most of the work." Amelia shrugged. "She's a lot more experienced at this than I am."

After this, they continued eating for a few more minutes, this time in silence. As Franz finished his share, he sat back slightly, eyes distant.

"Amelia."

"Mm?" She wasn't really paying attention, her focus diverted to trying to pick out a few of the constellations in the night sky.

"We've been a lot of fights so far, haven't we?"

"You can say that again." Amelia said as she massaged the cut she'd received earlier during the battle. Already healed, of course, but it still ached. "And now we know the Demon King's behind all this, too."

"Yeah… thanks for saving me today."

"Hm? Oh, it was nothing." She smiled at him. "You'd have done the same for me. You did do the same for me."

Franz looked to the ground. "Amelia… since you joined this army, I've always wanted to protect you. To make sure you were safe."

"Well, given that I'm still here, I'd say you've done a good job." She chuckled lightly, until she noticed the expression on his face. Franz was serious about this, maybe even upset. "I can't count the numbers you've bailed me out at the last moment," she continued.

"Yes, but at the same time," he paused, as if trying to decide the correct words. "I wasn't willing to let you do the same for me."

"…What?" She frowned and tilted her head to one side. "I'm not quite sure I understand."

"You've saved me a few times too, haven't you? The battle against Orson, and again today…Those come to mind."

"Well, yeah…"

"And whenever it happened, I always felt… well, a bit upset. I didn't want to be protected. I wanted to be doing the protecting."

Amelia shook her head. "Franz, I told you before, remember? Back in the Grado Capital. I want to protect you, too. You're important to me."

"I know," he closed his eyes. "I want to protect you, you want to protect me… that's how it's supposed to work, isn't it? By watching over each other, we'd grow together as well. We'd be able to accomplish things neither of us could on their own."

"Uh-huh." She smiled encouragingly. "We promised each other, didn't we?"

He nodded once. "Right, and tonight… well, I want to hold us to that promise."

She raised an eyebrow. "Franz? What are you…" He had turned around to start rummaging in his pack. A moment, he had drawn out-

"Isn't that the Knight's Crest you got from Prince Ephraim?"

"Yes. I've been thinking about using it recently." There was a pause, and then he turned to regard her. "Using it with you, I mean."

"Huh?"

"Using this emblem will give us power. The power to fight. The power to protect. That's what we both want."

She was silent, staring down at the gleaming metal crest. "Franz, you mean – you're willing to share this? With me?'

He smiled. "We made a promise didn't we? Rivals, friends and partners. We'll go together."

Another silence, pregnant with expectation. And then she nodded once. "All right, but hang on."

Reaching for the pouch by her side, she quickly drew out her Speedwing and Energy Ring, placing them delicately on top of the plate. To Franz's questioning gaze she merely smiled somewhat sheepishly. "Couldn't have you being the only one to use your treasures, right? And every little bit helps."

He nodded. "I guess." And then, upon a silent agreement, both of them grasped the objects tightly, accepting the power contained within into their bodies.

Amelia suppressed a gasp at the sudden flow of energy and power that surged through her. It was… well, all of a sudden she felt like she could have taken on the Demon King and all the legions of darkness by herself. Opening her eyes, she met the astonished gaze of Franz, obviously similarly affected.

"That was…." Words apparently failed him, because he merely shook his head after that, as if unable to believe that he could suddenly wield so much power.

Silence fell upon the both of them again, until Franz reached out to grasp Amelia's hand with his own.

"I'll be your sword." He spoke softly, reaffirming the vow.

She nodded, accepting it, and reciprocating in turn.

"And I'll be your shield."

After that, neither of them moved from that spot a very long while. They merely sat there, leaning against the soft earth, staring up at the stars in the sky.


Chapter End


Thanks for reading. Please review.