The Angel with the Sword

Chapter 6: Such Bonds are the True Strength of this Army

Hello everyone! It's Elizabeth/Lizzie again with another author's note! If you want to know what Leila looks like, please go on Google Images and type in "fire emblem awakening female avatar." Go ahead, look at some of the wonderful fanart people have posted on Deviantart, Pinterest, Tumblr, etc! This is to save time/space for me writing a scene where Leila describes to you what her new attire looks like upon entering the game. I try not to make these chapters too long as the reader will eventually lose interest, and I like to leave things in suspense to keep readers moving on to the next chapters. Leila, however, has short and spiky brown hair. I apologize for the lack of pictures in the story thus far, but I am proud to announce that as of Chapter 7, I will be hand-drawing the media from now on! ^_^ The bad news is, however, that I will not be able to post chapters nearly as fast now that I am doing everything myself, including editing. Please don't hate me; I'm putting my all into this, just for you!

Love, Elizabeth

P.S. The title of this chapter is an actual quote from the game! ^-^

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My vision blurred as tears welled up in my eyes. "W-what...?" I choked.

"You know what!" he shouted. "Why, in the name of Naga, did you fall so far behind?! Leila, you could have DIED!!!"

"I...*sniff*.... don't know *sniff*....I just..." My voice cracked into a very high pitch upon omitting the word "just." He was so angry he was shaking.

"'Know my way around a fight' my ass! I specifically told you to stay close!! You ran around like a helpless victim!!!" he continued.

It was words like these that really got to me. Helpless, worthless... It all reminded me of my mother. I sank down to the brick ground, whimpering while burying my face in my hands. I couldn't be anymore pathetic. Through the cracks of my fingers I could see Chrom and Frederick walk over to what looked like the village magistrate. I hugged my legs close to my chest, burying my face in my knees, the tears staining my pants. After a few moments, I heard the click of heeled boots walk over to me, kneeling by my side. I then felt a small hand placed on my back. I looked up to be greeted by Lissa's enormous green eyes.

"Hey," she said. Her eyes were filled with sympathy, trying to cheer me up. A sad, but reassuring smile was on her face. 

I wiped the tears out of my eyes and sniffled. "Hey."

"I meant what I said when.... *sigh* I said that my brother can be a bit thick sometimes. He's always so concerned with things like his studies and his swordplay and just being manly in general that he...*sigh*.... he has a lack of concern for other people's feelings. Especially women's."

"No... It's not Chrom's fault-"

"And it isn't yours, either, Leila."

"B-but *sniff* I still can't help but feel pathetic. Some of Chrom's words reminded me of a certain someone..."

Lissa gasped, along with her eyes widening a considerable amount. "Who? I swear, when we get back to Ylisstol, I am going to whack Chrom so hard on the head with my staff! Meddling with a woman's feelings like that! Hmph! He should be ashamed!"

That girl had a knack for bringing a smile to my face and laugh within my throat. "It's my mo-" I stopped myself before speaking the last word. It wouldn't make sense to them if I shared a memory I had after telling them I was an amnesiac. Frederick was already suspicious enough. Besides, I wasn't ready to talk about the unspeakable and traumatic abuse my mother had inflicted upon my body. I want to use this game as an escape from that hellhole. "Er, I actually can't remember exactly who it was. I'd rather not talk about it now. It'd be too much for me to bear."

To my relief, Lissa nodded sympathetically and dropped the issue. "I understand, but holy wow, Leila! You were amazing! Swords, sorcery, and tactics! Is there anything you can't do? Unlike me, I'm just another burden for the soldiers to look after."

Now my eyes were the ones that became filled with sympathy. "No Lissa, you were amazing! The healing magic that comes from your staff is beautiful! There would be so many more casualties on the battlefield without you!"

"And the Shepherds wouldn't know where to go without you. Why, you're the tactician of course! We wouldn't know who to fight, and I wouldn't know who to heal! This whole army would be a mess!" Her voice lowered to a more serious level. "Listen, the only thing you did wrong was get too lost in what everyone else was doing and forgot to watch your own skin. Besides, all of those brigands decided to go after you anyway. You would've needed Chrom and Frederick's help regardless. Chrom just overreacted because he didn't want to lose anyone else... especially not you."

I looked up at her in surprise. "Me? Why me?"

"Well," she said jokingly, "my brother is pretty cute, isn't he?"

I felt my cheeks burn bright red. "What?! No!... How did you know?"

She began to giggle so hard that she fell over onto her back. I got to my feet, helping her up afterwards. "Oh, Leila," she said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes,"you're so adorable! It's so obvious that you like him! You blush constantly  whenever he addresses you!"

"Oh... And you're okay with me liking your older brother?"

"Tee-hee! Of course I am! You're a wonderful person! I want the best for him, and I know that there wouldn't be anyone better for him other than you!"

"I see... Thanks, Lissa. I really mean it."

"No problem!" Her smile meant the world to me. I'd never met someone as warm and kind as her. I will do everything in my power to protect her and Chrom.

We walked through the rest of the village back to Chrom and Frederick in silence for a few more minutes. "Do you.... do you think he likes me back?" I muttered.

"Hmm... I would bet good coin that he does."

"I see." I lowered my head, smiled, and brought my folded hands to my chest. So I suppose that there is a chance after all!