It Doesn't Matter

(Fem Avatar/Chrom)

It began on the first day, when Chrom found Emyrillis in the field. All of it was predestined from the beginning. No matter how they believed that they altered their choices, they were following the same path of history that she had seen. Only, it wasn't exactly how Emyrillis had seen it because she was stronger than she was then. She had managed to weaken her magic and save Chrom in the end, fooling Validar so that they could slay him.

However, Emyrillis wondered what it would have been like if she would have departed from the party before she and Chrom had gotten so close. Before they married. Before they had Lucina or even were destined to have Morgan. All this talk about destiny had sunk in and they were nearing the battle with the Grima from the future that had taken her over in the alternative reality. Could they still make a difference now, with all the ties and bonds? Would she be able to leave behind Chrom, Lucina, and Morgan to end the Fell Dragon, once and for all?

"Emyrillis?" Chrom asked as they were on their way to Origin Peak from Mount Prism. He looked at her with worry in his eyes. "Are you feeling alright? You look a bit pale..." Chrom voice his observation.

"Hm?" Emyrillis responded, snapping out of her deep thoughts. "Sorry, I must have been deep in thought. I apologize." She said to him. She had been feeling a bit woozy at the thought of having to give her own life for the lives of the ones she loved. Emyrillis didn't realize that it had been so apparent. "I'm fine, Chrom. No need to worry about me."

"Are you sure?" Chrom asked her. "We're over half-way there. If you need to rest, we can stop and stay overnight. We might be in a hurry but you need to rest if we're to face Grima soon. I doubt it'll be alone."

Emyrillis bit her lip. "If you think it's best, Chrom, we can stop." She agreed with him quietly. "I'm feeling fine...honestly."

Chrom looked over her for a moment. "Alright. I'll tell Frederick and we'll pitch camp so that you can regain yourself." He said and went off to talk to Frederick.

It took some time to set up camp. Their party had grown significantly since that first night of eating bear in the woods near where the Risen had first appeared. Finally, the entire camp hushed down and after a fair dinner, everyone headed to their sleeping tents.

Emyrillis was finally ready to get into bed when she heard the tent flap move. She turned sharply only to see Chrom standing there. "Chrom...I thought you'd be staying with Lucina and Morgan tonight...?" She began to say. The two hadn't stayed the night in the same tent since the incident with Validar and the Fire Emblem. Emyrillis had asked to stay alone in a tent for personal reasons but really, she was still nervous after losing control as she did.

Chrom looked at her with a kind look about him. "Lucina and Morgan will be fine. Besides, they have Severa and Owain to keep them company." He explained before he took his armor off and was left in only his black, one-sleeve shirt and black pants. He walked over to her and put his hands on her arms that were bare since she was only wearing her pink camisole and her dark pants. "But I think that this is right where I need to be right now."

"Chrom, listen, I'm fine." Emyrillis tried to convince Chrom. "It was probably just fatigue. I'll be fine as long as I get some night's rest. You should go make sure the others are okay."

"Emyrillis, dear, I'm not leaving you right now. I heard what Naga said to you. We all did. Everyone's worried about you and you've been secluding yourself a lot when we camp since what happened at the Dragon's Table." Chrom said to her, leaning his head on her shoulder. "I know that it's hard knowing all that information but please...let me help you."

Emyrillis paused a moment, feeling his hot breath tickle her neck. Gods, had it really been so long since she had been this close to him? The sensation of being there with him was almost overwhelming. However, Emyrillis knew she had to keep her composure. "Chrom, I don't know if you can. You heard Naga...if you kill Grima, he'll simply just go back to sleep. If I kill Grima, well, he'll be gone for good..." She pointed out to Chrom.

"Yes, but there's a high chance that you'll die, Emyrillis. How am I supposed to live without you?" Chrom said to her, taking her hand gently in his. "I pledged my life to yours to be there to protect you and love you until the very end of time itself. Am I supposed to just watch you give your life when there's another way?" Chrom asked her, gently holding her hand.

"Chrom, If we defeat Grima and he'll never come back, one life is a price worth paying to end a bloodline of destruction..." Emyrillis replied quietly to him. "Besides, if Naga was right, there's a chance that I could survive after all. It's a slim one but it's a chance all the same."

Chrom closed his eyes a bit his lip a moment. He sighed softly and turned her around. "Emyrillis, I can't just let you go out there and risk your life like that. I can't. Lucina needs her mother. Morgan needs his mother too." He said to her, gently running his hand over her red locks of hair that framed her face. "As selfish as it sounds, I need you too."

"But this whole world needs me too. If I can kill Grima, it could usher in a future of peace and safety for everyone." Emyrillis replied, leaning her face against his hand. "If Emmeryn were here, she'd agree with my decision, Chrom. It's for the good of the people. It doesn't matter what happens to me."

"Emmeryn might have agreed with you but I cannot." Chrom replied, looking into her eyes. "Gods, Emyrillis, I've spent the past few years since we found you in that field fighting by your side. I cannot just let you sacrifice yourself like this. We will find another way to end this." He said before shaking his head. "It does matter what happens to you. It matters to me and all the others who consider you a friend...even family."

Emyrillis sighed softly, understanding where he was coming from. "Chrom, I have loved you from the beginning. I never felt comfortable getting so close to you but over time, I didn't care. I care about everyone else too. Please, let me make my own decision when the time comes. Let me end the cycle. Please..." She pleaded with him, her hand on his arm.

"You have no idea what you're asking me to do, Emyrillis." Chrom replied before taking in a deep breath. "But I guess you deserve to have a choice just like anyone else. Whatever you choose, I will support you but I'm still begging you not to sacrifice yourself." He told her, moving closer to her and wrapping his arms around her, pulling her close. "You'll never know how much I love you."

"I know." Emyrillis replied, letting her arms drape around his neck before giving him a gentle kiss. "And you'll never know how much I love and care about you either."

Chrom gave Emyrillis a small smile before he picked her up and laid her down gently on the blankets of the makeshift bed. He laid down beside her and rested his arm over her abdomen, keeping her close. "I promise to stay by your side tonight, no matter what happens."

Emyrillis nodded as she leaned up and kissed his cheek, moving herself to where she was laying against the curve of Chrom's body. "And I promise not to leave." She told him. She took in a deep breath and relaxed as she exhaled.

Chrom pulled up a sheet to cover them both as he gently kissed at her neck. "Good." He replied and smiled. He felt Emyrillis relax against him and he gently stroked her hair. "You really need to rest. You haven't slept well at all, have you?" He questioned her.

Emyrillis shook her head. "No, not really. I've barely had any sleep." She admitted to Chrom as he was stroking her hair, causing her to be more relaxed and get a progressively more sleepy. "I feel a bit better with you here, though. For some reason, having you here helps me to relax and rest."

"Well, I'm glad that you'll finally be getting some much needed rest." He told her honestly, kissing her temple as he continued to stoke her hair. "Hm...must be because we're so close and such kindred spirits that you just feel naturally relaxed with me here."

"That could be it." She replied as she found herself starting to fall asleep. "Could also be because with you here, I feel like I'm not missing something. Plus, you've been like my protector since day one, always so worried about me. I feel safe with you here."

Chrom smiled as he listened to Emyrillis talk on. She tended to jabber and speak more when she was sleepy. "Well, I'm glad that I can help you now when you need it most." He told her as he continued to stroke her hair.

Emyrillis nodded as she continued to drift off. "I'm glad that I met you." She said softly. "I feel like at the end of the day, it really does matter what I choose and that regardless, I have people who care about me and someone who loves me, no matter what I pick."

"Of course." Chrom told her quietly, letting his hand rest as she had drifted off to where stroking her hair wouldn't help any. "No matter what happens, I'll be by your side or looking for you."

Emyrillis gave a small nod as her eyes closed and she finally let sleep carry her off to a land of dreams. Chrom looked at her face and put his arms around her when he saw her sleeping. It had been a while since he saw her so peaceful. He gave a gentle kiss to her temple once more before relaxing as well. Finally, Chrom let sleep claim him as well and he found solace in holding Emyrillis for what could be the last time. His dreams placed him in a happier Ylisse where he and Emyrillis lived in Yisstol with Lucina and Morgan in peace with Emmeryn, Lissa, Frederick, and everyone else.

Author's Note : This story is meant originally to be only a one-shot but I would consider making it a longer story if anyone is interested in reading more. Review please!