Hello, and welcome to Chapter 1 of Peaceful Moments, my second Fire Emblem fanfic. Now for those of you who are familiar with my first FE fanfic: I will NOT be uploading as often as I did the last time, mainly because I'm also writing another fanfic at the same time (nudge, wink, shameless plug in), so I'll be alternating between writing the two. Regardless, I hope you enjoy reading this fresh new begining. Like and review if you think it's worth it. –ArcanaHermit
Chapter 1: Resolve (Corrin x Azura)
Corrin was standing there again. At that field where the two armies met, both asking him to join their ranks. One was the family he knew all his life, the other was his true family by blood. He could feel the weight of the decision, one choice that will be accepted and loved by one, but scored and insulted by the other. One vindicated, while the other condemned.
"I choose, I choose…"
Even as he said those words, conflict painfully growing in his heart, he could hear the words.
"How could you, Corrin?"
"I can't believed you betrayed us"
"Traitor"
Corrin put his hands over his ears, trying to stop the voices flooding his head. But the voices kept being heard. He knows there will be no forgiveness, no chance of return.
"No, please understand. I wish it hadn't come to this. No!"
"No!"
Corrin immediately opened his eyes and gasped for breath. It was just a dream, that same dream that he had. Getting up immediately, he put a hand to his beating heart, trying to calm himself down from the nightmare.
Did I make the right choice?
That same question echoed in his mind, every time he awoke from that nightmare. The choice he made, was it the right one? He knew he couldn't know for sure, that all he could do was to press ahead. But the question still lingered in his mind.
Stepping out of his room, Corrin decided to take a stroll in an attempt to lessen his worries, though he knew that had little chance of happening. Still, he wasn't likely to go to sleep, so the stroll was the best he could hope for.
With only the moon as his source of light, he walked around his castle that acted as his base of operations. It was extremely quiet, no doubt because the rest of the army was sleeping. Seeing a big tree on a nice patch of grass, Corrin decided to sit down and reflect on the past, as he so often does.
Looking back, he knew that no choice would make him happy. It was either fighting one or the other, or both. He recounted all the people that he left behind, the bonds that he broke, that could potentially never be reformed. He couldn't beg for their forgiveness, nor could he ask them to lay down their arms. Now there were two options presented before him: Fight the ones he loved most, or die.
"Corrin, is that you?"
Looking to the source of the voice, he saw her wife Azura. She looked as stoic as ever as she sat down beside him, putting her head on his shoulder.
"What are you doing this late at night?"
He hesitated to tell her. Of all the choices he made, she was there with him, his lovely wife. She had fought for him, defended him, and loved him. He didn't want to burden her with his worries
"Oh, just couldn't sleep. I guess I was just having a bad day."
Azura looked at him and closed her eyes, her arms wrapping around his tightly.
"It's ok, Corrin. You don't have to put up a brave face around me. I know you have been having nightmares."
Corrin was shocked that she found out. He'd been trying his best to hide his fears from the rest, especially from her.
"H-how did you know?"
"I'm your wife, I know you. A few days ago, I came over to your quarters and heard you shouting in your sleep. Now please, tell me what's wrong?"
Corrin looked down on the ground, embarrassed and worried.
"I…just don't know. I keep having nightmares on that day where I had to choose between Nohr and Hoshido, and I just...don't know if I made the right choice."
Azure clung even harder onto his arm, doing her best to comfort her husband.
"It's ok Corrin. Whatever choice you make, whatever road you take, I'll be with you till the end. I promise."
She began singing, a beautiful song made even more beautiful by her voice. No matter how many times she sang, he would never get tired. He wouldn't ever get tired of her voice, her face, her smile.
You face a treacherous fork in the road~
Fraught with fear and doubt~
You face a time of worry and woe~
Your mind is full of doubt~
Yet never fear, my dear love, we shall not lose our way~
We'll walk this road, hand in hand~
We shall live to face the day~
Through war and strife, your mind grows tired~
Your heart begins to wane~
But worry not, my dear love, our bond shall light the way~
The darkness tries to swallow all~
It seeks to tear us down~
But never fear, my dear heart, for our light protects us now~
Corrin felt his heart ease. Her voice seems to always have that effect, calming his heart. He found a new fire in his heart, a resolve that she brought out of him.
"Azura, I feel better now, thank you. I know that whatever road I take, you shall be by my side. And because of that, I shall not regret the path I took."
Azura smiled warmly, which Corrin returned with a smile of his own. They stayed under that tree for a while, looking at the night sky, talking about the future. Corrin's heart was almost gone of his doubts, those thoughts replaced by those of love for her.
"Hey, Azura, it's getting pretty late. Would you like to sleep in my quarters tonight?"
Azura blushed. He only proposed a few days ago, so it wasn't official among the army, though Corrin suspected his servants knew by now. They still haven't slept in the same room before.
"Y-yes, I want to watch over you while you sleep, dear love."
Corrin chuckled; the smile on his face couldn't be hidden.
"Maybe you could sing me a lullaby to sleep, I always feel calm when I hear your beautiful voice."
Azura giggled as well, a rarity for her usually stoic self. Despite how it started out, this night is turning out fairly nicely in Corrin's eyes.
"I'd be glad to, Corrin. I love you."
"I love you too, Azura. Let's go."
They walked back to his private quarters together, hand in hand. No matter what he chooses, no matter what will happen in this uncertain world, Corrin will always have Azura to rely on, and that is the only constant he needs in his life.
And that's chapter 1. Hopefully we got off to a good start; I'd like to think so.(I wonder if I did alright regarding the lyric's to Azura's song) Regardless, I hope you enjoy this first chapter of what is sure to be a long, long series. -ArcanaHermit