AN: So, if you saw Olivia X Chrom coming in the next installment of "A Shepherd's Love," you'd be absolutely right. If you did, I'll give you a cookie. (Not really.) This time around, it's not going to be so hard to find out who's next- or will it be?

I'm surprised this series is getting so much attention! It makes me happy and proud to see my stories making someone's day. As always, thanks for reading, and I'm certainly open to requests (That doesn't mean I'll be able to do all of them)

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy "Nervous," the fourth installment of "A Shepherd's Love." :)

He was nervous.

"Gods," the prince mumbled, smoothing his hair back in frustration. Bits and pieces of flour and dough lodged themselves amidst the staple navy blue of the royal blood.

An hour later, the same word came tumbling out of Chrom's mouth once again. "Gods…"

Again. "Gods!"

And again. "GODS!" he shouted, removing the pie from the makeshift oven and throwing it into the field behind the mess tent. The rhubarb filling- now burnt- fell onto the ground with a sickening splat, dashing Chrom's hopes as quickly as they came when he began to try and bake the pies. In a state of unbridled rage and malice, Chrom unsheathed Falchion, prepared to end the dastardly pie… until his younger sister showed up.

"Hey, big brother, whatcha doin'?" Lissa asked innocently, smiling at her kin and leaning forward slightly, clasping her hands behind her back. Quickly, he shoved Falchion back into its home and made an effort to hide the pie by shuffling his feet in front of the dessert. It wouldn't be good news if word got out around the camp that their mighty leader and Prince of Ylisse slayed a pie because he was frustrated in the kitchen. Robin would never let him live that goof-up down.

"You're trying to make a pie, aren't you?" Lissa giggled, walking over to the failed strawberry concoction. She squatted beside the pie, grimacing at the . "Whew, you really did screw it up."

"Thanks for nothing," Chrom grumbled, turning away from his little sister. At least she hadn't seen Falchion unsheathed and-

"Why were you about to slay this helpless pie?"

"Gods, no, anything but this fate," Chrom thought, crying internally at the humiliation he'd confront the next day. Slowly, he raised his open palm and placed it into his face. "Just give my soul to the Fell Dragon already and be done with me…"

But Lissa surprised him by asking a question. A loaded one, yes, but at least she wasn't making fun of him for attacking a defenseless dessert. "So, Chrom, who's it for? Or… a better question would be who was it for," Lissa laughed at her brother's culinary abilities as she began walking towards the mess tent, probably to gather more ingredients to help him cook.

"Save the jests, Lissa. It was for Olivia, and my purposes are not as… platonic as I'd like them to be," Chrom said quietly, and quite guiltily, hoping no one overheard his little statement. The only ones he had to worry eavesdropping were Tharja and Panne, but Tharja was probably stalking Robin while he took a dump, and Panne didn't who married, kissed, or slept with who, as long as it wasn't her. Until she married her husband, Lon'qu.

Noticing the seriousness on her brother's face, she lowered her voice. "Oooh, that's tough. Well, it's a good thing Love Doctor Lissa is in the house today, because it looks like this patient is in several forms of distress!" Lissa squealed, happy she could finally pull this act on her brother, since it was a ton of fun to play on her husband, Ricken, when they were both combating feelings of affection towards their young selves.

"Love doctor…?" Chrom nervously inquired. "You know what, I don't even want to know. But let's just get it over with, because I know you are as stubborn as a mule when it comes to getting your way," the prince muttered, crossing his arms and glaring at his younger kin, eliciting a giggle from her.

Lissa beamed, knowing she'd won. "Well, first, let me take a look at your symptoms. Come with me, brother, your prescription awaits elsewhere," she giggled, grabbing Chrom's hand and tugging him towards nowhere in particular. Lowering her voice, she whispered to herself, "Now all we have to do is find her."

"What was that, Lissa? I didn't seem to get that."

"Oh, just a few medical musings that you wouldn't understand," Lissa replied, winking at the prince mischievously.

Chrom grumbled something incoherent- probably for the better- and let his little sister whisk him off on one of her play-pretend adventures. Luckily for her, he was in a decent mood today. Robin had made only a few jokes about his bedhead at the strategy meeting this morning, Frederick had let him skip 'Frederick's Fanatical Fitness Hour' and he'd managed to catch- and punish- Gaius for stealing more sugar candies from Lissa. Coincidentally, they were the same candies Chrom used to lure Gaius into the Shepherds.

"Where are we going?" Chrom mumbled as Lissa led him through the Shepherd's camp. Most of the soldiers by now were used to Lissa's antics and didn't even give them a second glance. However, a few of the newer recruits glanced at her leading the captain of their company by the hand and chuckled, unaccustomed to the sight. As they passed the training field of the magic users, he noticed Ricken honing his skills with an Arcfire tome. Chrom got the boy's attention, silently, pleading for help.

Ricken shrugged and grinned evilly. "Sorry, Chrom, but my wife's too much for even me to handle when she gets like this," the aspiring mage explained, not feeling sorry for Chrom at all.

"Oh, can it, you," Lissa playfully reprimanded her husband, who had recently married the princess in question, effectively making Ricken Chrom's brother-in-law. Despite their young age, they functioned well as a married couple, and even better on the battlefield. Anyone who was healed by Lissa with the influence of Ricken's magic was essentially fully revitalized, effectively making them the most powerful healing duo in the army.

Ricken smiled lovingly at his wife and went back to honing his Arcfire skills, leaving Chrom to fend for himself. Oh, the boy would pay when he got out of this… he would pay dearly…

Lissa noticed the malicious glint in Chrom's eyes and tugged on his sleeve. "C'mon brother, we still have to find out what your symptoms are," bringing them both back to her game of 'Love Doctor Lissa."

"My what?" he wondered aloud, confused. "Oh…" Chrom trailed off, remembering why Lissa was leading him around in the first place.

Sooner or later, they located the former Dancer, who was practicing her swordplay alone in an open field, most likely because she was still extremely shy when presented with most of the Shepherds. By no means did she hate any of them, she just wasn't comfortable around other people in general, and Chrom knew this. That's why he tried to get to know her better. Lissa let go of Chrom's arm and watched her brother watch the Dancer-turned-Myrmidon.

His eyes followed her every movement, the way she held the Iron Sword, the groove in her face when she concentrated, the way her thigh muscles clenched when she crouched… He shook the thoughts from his head, reprimanding himself for thinking of his friend that way. A sexy friend at that, but still, a friend. After all, it wasn't his fault she wore such a… revealing outfit.

"His symptom number 1: his eyes are glued to her entire being, especially her womanly parts. He's transfixed with the way she moves. This could just be a case of the normal male psyche speaking for him, but considering the conditions he's being held under, it's reasonable to believe that he's attracted to her, at the least." Lissa thought, cackling internally at the thought of her brother, her pius, morally upright brother, ogling a woman. An exuberantly beautiful woman, but still a woman.

Olivia turned towards them as she performed a horizontal slashing strike that spun her around in a circle. She noticed the two siblings of the royal family substituting as her audience, making her gasp, jump in surprise, drop her sword, and fall down, in that order. Lissa tried to stifle a giggle and failed. Chrom, while more secretive, still couldn't help but smiling at the extremely talented woman's shyness.

"Milady! M-milord!" Olivia stuttered, hurriedly standing up and quickly bowing as she was always taught to, even though Chrom and Lissa had repeatedly told her to forgo the formalities and refer to them by their names. She sheathed her Iron Sword with haste, lopsidedly smiling at Chrom. Her eyes lit up in time with his, which didn't go unnoticed by the 'love doctor.'

"Her symptom number 1: She's totally glued to his handsome face. A dead-giveaway for ID'ing a crush. Conclusion: they both like each other 'that way.'" Lissa thought, excited at how much progress she'd seen already. Maybe this wouldn't be as nearly as hard as she'd thought it'd be, even with Olivia's shyness and Chrom's mule-headedness.

"Olivia, I refer to you by name, so it's only fair that you refer to me by mine," Chrom joked, unsheathing Falchion and stabbing it point-first into the dirt, to try and prove a point. If anything, it made Olivia giggle, since Chrom looked so silly when he tried to be serious… when not on the field of battle or in a political meeting.

"If you insist, Lord Chrom," Olivia replied, not reducing the amount of formality she used at all.

Rolling his eyes, he eyed her tattered sheath attached to her hip. "Control yourself, Chrom," he thought to himself. "The way my eyes are directed now is to just observe the condition of her weapon, not to take in the edges of her exposed hips. Yes, most definitely just to look at the condition of her weapon. Yes, quite," he rambled mentally, before shaking the non-platonic thoughts out of his head. As for the sheath, it was heavily battered, a sign that she'd been using the weapon often, be it in practice or in battles. "I see your blade is dulling. Have you considered moving up a weapon class? You're undoubtedly talented enough to."

"W-well, I'm not strong enough to wield steel yet… so I think I'll build up my muscles before trying to use a Steel Sword," Olivia stated, blushing as she looked at the ground from the attention Chrom directed at her. The prince unknowingly always directed too much attention at everyone when he talked to them one-on-one, making those like Virion and Olivia nervous. "But thank you anyways, milo- er, Chrom," Olivia stuttered as she managed to keep herself from addressing him formally.

He chuckled once at her falter. "Understandable. How about a Killing Edge? I know you're skilled enough to angle the blade precisely enough to damage the opponent greatly," the prince suggested, nodding his head in the direction of the weapons tent not too far from where they stood.

"I've tried it a little, and I like it because it's even lighter than my Iron Sword, but I know they're hard to come by, and I figured that more talented warriors like Lon'qu and Robin could use it better than I could," Olivia countered, downgrading herself in the process. Chrom shook his head in response. She'd seen the damage Lon'qu had been able to inflict on poor souls in Regna Ferox, after all, she was the West Khan's Dancer, so she'd been around those whom he treasured quite often, despite her fear of being seen and watched.

"No, no, Olivia. I explicitly told Robin to stock up on Killing Edges at the last merchant we purchased inventory from," Chrom explained, waving his hand behind his head as a sign of dismissal. "So," he said with a flourish, "have at it."

"Really, Chrom? Thank you!" Olivia smiled, sending the prince's heart into a state of ecstatic bliss. "Could I, uh, go get one now and show you what I've learned?"

"WHAT?" Lissa screamed inside her head, shocked at what she'd just heard. Here Olivia was, the shyest woman in the army, and she was challenging her brother, the most talented and well-known man in the Shepherds to a duel? Lissa couldn't believe it. She thought the day when the ground erupted in flames, monsters appeared out of the sky, and a mysterious woman who would later be revealed to be Chrom's daughter would before- oh wait, it did…

"Er, milady, are you all right?" Olivia asked, looking concerningly at Lissa's face which had turned even paler than it already was. The princess's eyes were bulging at their sockets and her expression, frozen in a display of shock did nothing to help ease Olivia's conscience.

"Lissa?" Chrom questioned, waving a hand in front of her face. "Hey, Lissa!" he barked, hoping to startle her out of her stupor.

"Gah! Wolves! Risen-riding wolves!" Lissa shouted, breaking from her daze, unintentionally quoting Robin when she snapped out of it. "Oops…"

"Are- are you okay, Lissa?" Olivia hesitantly asked, somehow producing a glass of water and holding it out to her.

Lissa took a deep breath. "Ah, no thanks, Olivia. I'm good."

The pink-haired Dancer shrugged. "Don't mind if I do, then," she stated as she began to thirstily drink the liquid from the cup.

Chrom glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, even transfixed with the way she drank from a glass of water. Somehow, she made a simple act such as drinking water graceful and majestic, just like her dances on and off the battlefield. She seemed so… magical, in lieu of a better word. He suspected she knew some magic that fed off of the user him or herself, instead of relying on a tome. However, he'd never come close to comprehending this subject of magic at all, since it was rumored to be even more difficult to master than tome magic, which was difficult enough in itself.

"But what were you saying, Olivia? You'd like to duel? I'd be more than happy to oblige," Chrom said, smiling at the newly-turned Myrmidon. His fingers drummed the weathered hilt of Falchion in anticipation. "Unfortunately, we don't have practice Killing… Edges," he stated, pausing at the thought of how stupid he sounded by saying 'Killing Edges.'

Olivia giggled at his word choice while she set her Iron Sword down on a rock nearby. "That's fine, I figured we'd spar with real weapons this time around."

"Oh, so they'd sparred before. Wait, that'd explain why Olivia's fighting style mimics Chrom's in many ways," Lissa thought, playing the past three month's events over in her head since Olivia joined the Shepherds. "Heh. Symptom number two for her: she giggles at his everyday talk that wouldn't change even if she didn't like him like that."

"Are you sure? I don't want to accidentally hurt you, Olivia," Chrom said, concern lacing his words just a bit too heavily for Lissa to misinterpret them. The prince's eyes fell on a scar on Olivia's exposed shoulder that had healed. "I don't want to add any more scars to you, now."

"Don't worry, milord, I'll be careful," Olivia responded, giggling at the way she chose to word her statement. "And don't you worry, I'll get you back for that!" She exclaimed teasingly, placing her hands on her hips and leaning forward slightly, glaring at him in mock anger, slightly pouting. It was absolutely adorable and Lissa nearly lost it, as her "Cute-o-meter" skyrocketed through the roof. It was wonders at how close the two had gotten since their initial meeting, wherein Olivia could barely utter a word around the handsome-faced, navy-haired prince. The Shepherds' leader furiously blushed from this little act of flirtation.

"Lemme just clarify this one thing: Olivia gets hurt, Chrom's in trouble. Chrom gets hurt, Chrom's in trouble, got it? So do your worst, Olivia!" Lissa encouraged, swinging her hands over her head like she was striking a target with an imaginary sword. "Symptom number two for him: he blushes at her flirting."

"Hey, I think it's time for Ricken to teach me tome magic," Lissa abruptly blurted, wanting an excuse to spy on the two later on. "I'll see you two later." The Cleric settled on a big, sturdy tree that hid her well, even if they walked over in her direction.

Olivia watched Chrom's little sister skip away in search of her husband. "Well, Chrom, I'll be right back," Olivia said, motioning with her head in the direction of the weapons tent.

Chrom stood up from the not-so-comfortable rock he was sitting on. "Nonsense, milady. I will accompany you," Chrom jokingly replied, sheathing Falchion as he began to walk alongside Olivia, just a little too close for her comfort. Oh, she was comfortable, sure, in fact she was excessively comfortable. But the mere thought of that well-toned body just inches from hers… did funny things to her own body.

SIlence entwined the two as they made their way to the tent; a pleasant silence that only couples enjoyed. Olivia was smiling and walking in that same, alluring way she always did, with her stride never leaving a constant rhythm, truly attesting to the fact that she was a very gifted dancer. Chrom's gait held a skip, as if he was walking on air.

"Yep, truly a couple meant to be," Lissa whispered as she watched them from behind her tree.

"Olivia, do you miss your home back in Regna Ferox?" Chrom asked, hoping to gain some information on where she wanted to be. Oh, yes, Basilio had ordered her along with the Shepherds, but Chrom truly wanted what was best for her. If that meant sending her home amidst the snow and ice, so be it.

If that meant him losing his first love, so be it. He fingered the ring in his pocket that his father had given him before he passed. If Olivia would not accept it, the ring would need to find its home on another woman's finger. But Chrom didn't want that at all.

"Of course, milord, I do. But I get to re-travel the world again, and that gives me a thrill that familiar mountains and icecaps can't match," Olivia replied with a smile, then began to giggle.

"Hm? What's so funny?"

"Besides, I'm a b-bit of a freeze baby," Olivia stuttered, revealing one of her embarrassing traits.

"Ha! Gods, you hail from Ferox and yet you get cold?" Chrom jested, fake-shivering.

"Oh, stop it!" Olivia blushed, all the while laughing heartily along with Chrom. However, the peace was broken by Robin and his wife, Nowi.

"Chrom! And, Olivia! The west section of camp has been ambushed by a brigand of Tricksters and Swordmasters, and they even took out out sentries!" Robin shouted, breathlessness seeping into his voice.

"They've got every sword imaginable… Armorslayers, Wyrmslayers, Killing Edges, Levin Swords, you name it!" Nowi explained, her voice distorted by her dragon's transformation. "They even had the nerve to dent my scales! Those meanies!" the Manakete pouted, though no one could see it.

Robin, in his state of disarray, began to throw out orders even though he wasn't technically in command. "Get anyone stalwart or swift enough to take these guys on! Lances to the front to intimidate, horses to flank if need be, and the forces on foot to engage! Magic and healers hide, and pop out if need be! Gods, some have made it here already!" Robin yelled, unsheathing his own Killing Edge and charging off with Nowi to engage the six assailants.

"They're going to kill themselves! Six against two?" Olivia shrieked, throwing her hands up to her face in shock. Suddenly, she felt a strong hand close itself over her own hand, instantly calming her spirits.

"Olivia."

"Yes?"

Chrom handed her a brand-new Killing Edge with is free hand, still wrapped in cloth to protect it from nicks and dings. "This is now yours. Let's even the odds a bit, shall we?" he challenged, bringing a renewed invigoration into the timid Myrmidon. A small smile founds its way to his lips the instant he heard Robin's steel clash with the enemy's.

With hands steady, Olivia accepted the sharpened blade, unwrapping the cloth entwined around it. "First… combat," she whispered. "I've never looked into someone's eyes and killed them, only watched others do it…"

"Olivia… it'll be all right. Please, believe me," Chrom pleaded, clutching her hand tighter and gazing into her eyes. As the prince stood up, he slowly unsheathed Falchion. "Even if you choose not to go, I will fight doubly to make up for your absence." With what he needed to say said, he tore off towards the Tactician-Manakete duo fighting bravely by themselves, and threw himself into the thick of things. A Trickster that Robin was sword-locked with felt his gut impaled as the shining tip of the royal sword drove through his abdomen. Robin glanced at best friend, grinned, and threw himself at another opponent with renewed determination, but not before launching a chain attack with an Arcwind tome and Nowi's dragon breath. The fiery-blue wind completely ripped an opponent to shreds, leaving four assailants left. However, more gathered in the distance, rushing to aid their comrades that had fallen.

Olivia looked down at the blade she held in her hands, and at the fighting that was transpiring not fifty yards away from where she sat now. "Maybe I can finally make a difference here. Maybe I can be a swordfighter. Maybe I can… do something. I… know I can. Yes! I can and I will be useful. Chrom… wait for me," Olivia whispered as she, too, stood up. The Dancer glanced at the sheath that Chrom had left lying behind for her Killing Edge. With two fluid motions, her Iron Sword and its sheath fell from her hip and was replaced by the critical blade.

Gracefully, she began to run towards the skirmish, and was surprised when Ricken fell into step beside her. The young Mage carried an Elfire tome, contrary to what he was practicing with earlier. Since Ricken was a young teenager, Olivia was less shy around him, since he looked up to her like a little brother looked up to his big sister. She was even more surprised to see him nimbly climbing a tree to provide aerial cover with an Elwind tome, in case the bandits had any riders.

Ricken grinned. "Don't worry, Olivia. I'll be fine."

"Okay, you make sure you are, Ricken," the Myrmidon replied, glancing his way as she continued to run towards the fight. Just a few more paces now…

By this time, the remaining brigand members had shown up, setting Olivia off with the sheer amount of them all. With the few Shepherds that had shown up, they were easily outnumbered four-to-one. However, Olivia steeled her resolve, forcing herself to continue and run towards the danger.

Not away.

To.

AN: Review and favorite/follow if you liked. Thanks a ton!

~The Slain Executioner~