A/N: OH YEAH! Here it is Ladies and Gents, the sequel for My Lady. This sucker has been fermenting in my head for quite sometime and I thought I have got to unleash this baby on you poor little readers. It takes place 1 year after My Lady so deal with it. I hope you all like it. It starts fluffy but then descends into darker waters after that and will just get worse from there. This time I won't be quite so nice like I was last time. I plan on torture and the like so be warned. PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! PLEASE REVIEW! I need to know whether you like it or not. Please review! The more reviews I get the faster I'll post things up okay? Thankies! Now on with the show!

Disclaimer: I don't own Suikoden or anything in it. If ya think I do then I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.

Part 1: Falling Darkness

~~ One Year after the Events of My Lady ~~

Chris sat upon her bed the newborn sunlight filtering through the windowpanes of her bedchamber. Her head lulled to her shoulder as her violet eyes wandering to the mannequin that stood lifeless by her dresser. With a lopsided grin she wouldn't dare to show to the others she stood up and wandered over to it. She absently ran her hands over the clothes it was wearing; the satiny fabric delighting her fingertips with its cool feel.

The white dress as it were beautifully caught the sunbeams and made it shine like an infant star. Floor length in nature it had full sleeves that didn't start until after the shoulders, bearing them for the entire world to see. By some miracle of the Goddess Percival had convinced her to buy that thing and even wear it, to which she had no recollection of how he did it. All she could remember was his whining, "Please" he had begged, "It's only once. Oh come on Chris, it's just our wedding. Please?"

It had been nearly a year after the incident that had made them soul search and had brought them together. It had just barely been a couple of months ago that he had surprised her one starry night by going on one knee and asked her for her hand in marriage. She could have died in that moment in pure happiness. She could remember it so clearly.

She had come home after a meeting with the Council, tired and ready to collapse on her bed and sleep for the rest of week. Opening the door to her room in Brass she noticed something that was…different in her room. A trail of red rose petals leading to her bed chamber and another white rose petal path leading back out of her room and down the hall. 'Twas amazing what you miss when you are tired. Out of simple curiosity she followed the red rose petals into her bedroom carefully inspecting them. They were perfectly plucked. Someone must have taken time with them. Was Percival really that bored? Maybe she should give him a "special assignment". Like cleaning the stables. If he had that much time on his hands then he needed more work.

She looked up as it stopped at the foot of her bed. There laid carefully upon her bed sheets was a beautiful periwinkle dress of the sleeveless type. Outlined in the rose petals she found a note she had to surmise was from Percival, simply because of the chicken scratch. Percival never had leaned proper penmanship, but that's what made him who he was.

My darling Lady Chris,

I figured you could use a break. Well that and I saw this dress and imagined the vision in a dawn-tinted dress that even the sun would worship on bent knee. Follow the white roses, beloved for I have a surprise for you. I'm waiting for you my love.

Eternally yours,

PS: By the way please don't give me stable duty. I promise you'll enjoy this.

She chuckled and shook her head. Never was a stupid man. She stood there debating whether or not to actually go through with this. After a minute of argumentation with herself she sighed and began to strip off her armor. "This better be good Percival…" she muttered as she fit the dress on. She tied up the back of the bodice and put the shoes that he had also left for her.

Shaking her head she left her bedroom. Following the white rose petals out of her room and down the hall and into a part of the castle she wasn't too familiar with. She climbed a set of stairs after set of stairs until she reached a door. The petals went under the door so she imagined that she was supposed to go in. Slowly she opened the door and stepped into the unknown.

She let her mouth hang open as her eyes experienced the splendor that stood before her. She was on the roof on Brass Castle and it was the glory of the night greeted her. Thousands of stars glittering in veil of the night that had descended upon the silent, sleeping world. A blanket had been laid upon the roof a bottle of the finest wine, (most assuredly stolen…er borrowed from Borus' collection) laid next to it. She walked out onto the roof, turning around to see the whole of the wondrous display before her. She finally ended up near the blanket staring at both the evening sky and Roland's homeland. It was so beautiful. She started at the touch of two hands snaking around her waist. "You like?" she felt a warm breath caress her ear like a delicate hand. She turned around and what she saw was nothing like the night sky.

Not only had he gotten her to dress up he had as well. She thought turn about was fair play but this was…beyond that. He had abandoned his usual attire even the nice clothes that he had. No, he had gone above and beyond the call of duty and she thought the Council should give him a medal for it. He was wearing a long black coat that hit his ankles and only heightened his wonderful figure. He wore loose breeches that held white stockings into place just below his knee. A long blue vest hung over a white full sleeve shirt and was accented by an ascot. He looked like a man from one of her romance novels, here to sweep her of her feet. "Oh my…Percival…" she breathed as she gripped his arms her hands encountering the velvet of his coat.

He gave her a dazzling smile that rivaled even the softly glowing stars. "I take it you like this. I thought you would." He reached up to her hair and brushed a stray lock form her eyes.

"Oh really. And how would you know?" she grinned as he led her over to the blanket.

"Louis told me you like this kind of stuff." He gave her his trademark boyish grin. "Said something about romance novels or something."

"O..oh really?" she mumbled turning slightly red. "I have no idea what he means by that."

"You sure?" the innocent tone in his voice was a dead giveaway. He had wheedled her squire into searching for it. "Wanna sit?" he offered.

"I'd rather not. It is late and I have a lot to do tomorrow." She answered her voice distantly sad.

"Then why pray tell, did you come out here?" Percival couldn't help but grinned as he wondered why she would possibly come up here if not to relax.

"Curiosity?" she offered as he nodded his head. Yeah it was what he thought.

"Well I guess then I'll save the surprise I had in store for you for some other time…" he turned around and bent to pick up the wine bottle.

"Wait." She grabbed his arm and pulled him up right. "You mean this isn't it?" she waved around her. He shook his head and offered her a rouge smirk.

"You really want to know? I thought it was late." His smirk grew wider. He knew she couldn't help it. She was a curious sort and couldn't stand not to know what it was he had.

"Percival, "she tried to sound intimidating but laughed half way through it. "Yes, please?" she begged him her violet eyes pleading with him. She saw him give up and shake his head.

"Alright. As you wish my lady." He bowed. The he went down on bent knee and she raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Was this going to be another one of his infamous poetry? Well it couldn't as bad as the ode to her "cute" nose. He looked up at her his brilliant eyes shining in the starlight. "My dear Lady Chris Lightfellow, Silver Maiden, White Hero, Captain of the Six Mighty Knights of Zexen, and the love of my life..." Oh yes it seemed it was going to be one of those pieces of poetry. "I have loved you even before I met you and hold you deeply in my heart and soul. I can never love another, ever. Beauty and graceful you are everything to me. To put it simply I can't live with out you." He smiled up at her taking her hand in his. Reaching into his coat pocket he drew out a small box and opened it. "What I'm trying to say is…Chris will you marry me?" he asked his eye catching hers.

She stood there transfixed upon his earnest face. Did he just…ask her to marry him? A blank look came over her face as her mind wheeled from shock. She couldn't believe it. Seconds passed by and he grew nervous, as there was no answer. Finally she smiled gently at him, "Yes."

"What?" he blinked at her, "you said…yes?" She nodded at him and he quickly stood and held her close and spun her around. "You said yes!" he crowed finally put her down.

"Percival." She breathed as they held each other close. She closed her eyes as he nuzzled her hair taking her scent.

He drew away from her and went back down on bent knee again. He took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger. "You made me the happiest man in the whole world." He drew her close again.

"You made me the happiest woman in the world." She sighed as he ran a hand through her hair.

"I love you." He spoke as he drew her face up to his, brushing his lips across hers as gently as mist caressing a lake.

"I love you." She returned the favor deepening it as they softly fell to the blanket. There they sat until the dawn of the next day, reveling in the beauty of their love and the promise of their new life together.

That was how it happened and she didn't regret it even for a second. Okay maybe when she had to buy and then when she had to wear the dress. To her there was no other man she loved and Chris wanted to be with him forever. So it was the only answer to his question, yes. The date had now been set and it seemed that all of Zexen rejoiced. The Silver Maiden was finally settling down, although she had made it clear that she would not retire from the Knights, yet.

Chris ran her hand over the soft silk on last time before she stood backing away from it. A couple of days from then she would be married. Together for the rest of eternity with Percival, spending the rest of their lives together. She was quickly snapped from her reverie when a small voice called her name. The voice belonged to that of Louis who stood in the doorway of her bedchamber a tray of tea in hand. "Come in Louis," she smiled as her squire trotted in setting the tray on a table. "Would you like to join me?" she offered as she took a seat.

Louis grinned widely at her and took the other seat across from her. She buttered a muffin as from the corner of her eye she watched Louis pour the tea. Deep in her mind she regretted everyday the fact that someday Louis would become a knight, even though he would rather be by her side for the rest of her life. However his fate was not hers to decide but even though in her mind she knew this her heart still didn't want it to happen. No she wanted for him always to have that lighthearted innocence, not in battle, not that way. It was too cruel of fate for such a gentle young boy, man quite actually. Louis was growing up very quickly. He had already grown 2 inches since last year. Where did the time go?

"Lady Chris?" Louis queried looking sheepishly at her as she sipped her tea.

"Yes, Louis." she replied hiding her smirk with her ornate teacup. The earnest face he wore always brought a smile to her face even when times were dark.

"Umm…Lady Chris…Lord Percival said…well he said to ask you if it was okay of…can I be the ring bearer at your wedding?" he blushed furiously under Chris kindly gaze. He looked down upon hearing Chris soft chuckling.

She gave him a brilliant smile and a slight nod, "Yes of course you may."

"Really?" his soft green eyes sparkled. "Thank you Lady Chris…I've…gotta go now…I have…other duties to attend to…excuse me…" Louis nearly leapt out of his seat and ran to the door. "Oh excuse me Lord Percival." She heard Louis say as the door clicked close. He was obviously in a rush to tell the others about the good news.

Percival walked in smiling after Louis. "I take it you said yes."

"Of course I said yes. I wouldn't have it any other way. Though he is a bit old for it." She beamed brilliantly at him as he pulled her up from her seat. Placing a hand on her slim waist and taking one of her hands into his own he started to sway quietly humming an old wedding hymn. "What are you doing?" she asked biting back a laugh.

"Dancing with you. Why?" he placed his cheek on her soft silver hair, rubbing up against it.

Chris sighed and shook her head looking up into his light gray violet eyes. "You are SO pathetic you know that."

"What can I say? My greatest weakness are violet eyed silver hair maidens." Percival stopped moving and slid his arms around her waist drawing her close. He looked down into the face of the woman her loved more dearly then life itself. "A couple more days then…" He began the hymn again and leaned in as he nuzzled her cheek. Chris sighed again as his very soft lips brushed over it. He pulled back and placed his forehead on hers. "And only a couple more days before I can see you in that wonderful dress."

"Remind me how you ever talked me into that." She draped her shapely arms around his shoulders like a cream colored wrap as she ran her delicate fingers through his hair.

He flashed her his patented charming smile then gave her the undefeatable puppy eyes. "Chris…" he whimpered.

She couldn't help but laugh at his antics and took his face into her hands. "Ah, now I remember why." She traced his strong jaw line with her fingertips.

Percival kissed those fingertips then leaned in closer his lips sensually hovering over hers. "You cannot resist me. Resistance is futile, you are mine."

"That is debatable my dear knight. I do believe it is the other way around." She grinned seductively at him her violet eyes sparkling with good-natured mirth.

"Aye, 'tis the truth milady. I cannot resist you. I MUST have you or I shall perish!" he whispered passionately and with a fierce fervor trailed kisses down her face and neck as her grip on him tightened. He felt Chris' hands grasp his head and pulled his face to meet hers. He gave her his character lil' boy from Iksay smile, "What?"

She rolled her eyes at him and laid her head upon his shoulder. She looked up at him as he gently brushed a stray lock from her eyes. He leaned down and kissed her his lips melding with her own. He drank her in as if she was the finest of wines and he was a man dying of thirst. She closed her eyes as his sweet taste washed over her. Wave after wave of sweetness ran over her threatening to devoid her of all her common sense. He placed a hand on her neck tangling it in her silver mane. Eternity reigned as they stood there in a passionate embrace until the heard. "Uh, Lady Chris…Lord Percival?"

They broke their kiss and turned to find the smirking Louis. A blush brushed itself across Chris' cheeks as she tired to pull away from Percival but his tight grip kept her close. "Yes Louis?" Percival asked mildly a gleaming smile blossoming upon his face.

However Louis' face faltered and fell uncharacteristically grim as he looked down then up to him. "Lord Salome has just received a message from the Council."

Percival and Chris exchanged worried glances as they followed the young squire out of the room and to the meeting room next door. The bleak looks upon the others did not help to ease the anxiousness that fluttered through the their stomachs. Salome motioned everyone to sit as Louis shut the door. "What is it Salome? What does the Council want?" Chris asked bluntly wanting as soon as possible to assure herself that it was nothing.

Salome looked at his captain his somber eyes staring at her as he spoke, "The Council has received a message from its intelligence department. A message of great importance." He paused his eyes went to the table at which he sat.

"Well?" Leo grunted at the man's avoidance of the topic at hand. Salome never the one to hesitate was evading something. Something bad was going down.

"Soldiers from Tinto have advance to our border. Approximately one tenth of their army has moved. Our orders are for us to move our troops here to intercept and defeat them." He glanced up at his companions. "We are going into battle and we have no say in this. Either fight or face sedition charges."
" What? But…It will take a at least a day to get there and then there's the battle…who knows how long that will take…" Leo looked at the elder of the two blonde knights incredulously.

"What about Lady Chris' and Percival's wedding?" Borus asked his brown eyes bearing the fierce fire of his soul. They couldn't be that low, could they?

"I am afraid that it has to be canceled. There is no getting around this. It's almost time for elections so they need to show that they are men of action to win favor of the voters. So they have decided this for us." Salome's melancholy eyes sought Chris'. "I am truly sorry milady."

Chris just sat there a blank look had fallen across her face. He couldn't be serious, he just couldn't be. Her eyes went to Percival couldn't stay silent her stood up looking desperately to Salome. "What? That…That's not fair! After everything…everything that happened to us…to her? This is how they repay her?" Percival fell quiet and fell back into his seat.

Chris reached over and grasped his hand tightly, giving him a soft look. She leaned forward, "When are we to leave?"

"Tomorrow morning at dawn." Salome bowed his head then looked to the others.

"Tomorrow morning…at dawn…" she gently repeated. She glanced at her comrades her eyes carefully guarding her tumultuous emotions. Salome and Roland gave her small nods and sympathetic gazes. Leo gave her a thumb up and a sad grin. Borus smiled tenderly at her.

Chris smiled back and gave him a grateful look. It still amazed her even now that Borus had been so supportive of her even though he knew her heart belonged to another. She was thankful everyday that they still were close friends, she couldn't imagine a day without him.

She slowly turned to face Percival, their eyes meeting. She knew that though disappointed he still knew he had a duty to fulfill. He would go to hell and back for her even it caused him his death. It was settled then, they would go to battle. "Okay then it's decided we will leave tomorrow morning at dawn. We need to prepare the troops, get supplies and other such things. I want everyone to get prepared as soon as possible and get rested. No drinking and/or staying up tonight."

"Aye milady." They all answered dully.

"Good. Let's get ready. The sooner this is taken care of this, the sooner we can get back." Chris stood up and left them there returning back to her room, Percival hot on her heels. She entered her room and collapsed in a chair. She rested her head on the top of her chair her eyes roaming the ceiling. "Why does this always seem to happen? Why now?"

Going down on one knee before her he took a hand in his. "It'll be okay Chris, truly it will." He kissed the soft skin of her knuckles. "We'll just have to go down and teach those idiots to interrupt our wedding and come back to have it just to spite them." He stroked her entrapped hand with his thumb.

Chris smiled despite herself. "Yes we will won't we?" Placing a hand on his she pulled him up with her and clung to him in a show of weakness only he would ever see. "We won't let this get us down. We will not be defeated."

"Aye." Percival beamed at her as he held her close. "Nothing will ever tear us apart again." He gently kissed her as they broke apart. He looked at the clock in the corner of the room. "Alas, I must go for the hour grows late. I would rather be here with my lady love though." He placed back of his hand on his forehead in mock lament.

Rolling her eyes she began to push him out of her room. "You need to get ready. Get going." She ordered.

"Anything for you milady." He saluted her as he opened the door, but then as an afterthought turned back to face her. " I love you Chris." He claimed her lips in a passionate embrace with his own.

"I love you too Percy." She returned the favor and pushed him out the door, shutting the door.

"Nice to know I am loved." He said from behind the door as he walked down the hall towards his own room.

Chris chuckled softly to herself she returned to her bedchamber and began to ready her stuff for the long trek tomorrow. He was right, there was no reason to worry. Everything would be all right. Then the sun grew dim as obsidian clouds devoured them bearing the roar of chaos with them. The wind blew hard bringing forth the smell of rain, and of death.

End of Part 1

A/N: So? Well? What did you think? Did you like it? I know it's slow starting but please bear with it! PLEASE REVIEW! The more reviews I get the faster I post the faster the story will go! Please? Thank you! Well the next one is pretty hard hitting so yeah…oh by the way did I mentioned that someone important dies in this fic? Oh yeah My Lady Ghost will be up next weekend…sorry.