Shifts of Fate

By: The Dreaming Fangirl

Author's Notes: Hello, everyone! I'm glad to inform you all that I'm still alive. College life (and the homework that comes with it) have been kicking my butt lately, but I've been toiling away for the past few months to make my second long-term project.

For those of you who have been reading The Princess and the Paige, don't worry; I have no intention of quitting the series.I fully intend to continue writing until it has reached its natural end. In the meantime, I wanted to try my hand at a little multitasking, so I'm going to try and work with two long-term projects, and I'll probably throw a one-shot in every now and then.

Now, onto the matter at hand! Hello again. My name is The Dreaming Fangirl, and it is with great pride that I welcome you to my second series Shifts of Fate. I hope you enjoy what you see, and please feel free to comment, review, and let me know what you guys think! I look forward to hearing from you.

Prologue: A Little Bit of Bad News

Bum Bum Bum, a pause, Ba-Bum Bum Bum. The doctor sighed as he lifted himself off the bed. His patient turned towards him, and she smiled as she said, "Sorry for always making you go through so much trouble."

The man smiled, "Think nothing of it, Your Grace."

"Dr. Barclay, I've told you before. It's just Emmeryn."

"Of course," he inhaled, "Emmeryn."

"So, how does it look?"

"The signs are," he sighed, "not good. Your heartbeat has been moving much slower than usual." He pushed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose, "This makes how many dizzy spells this week?"

The woman looked down, "At least five."

"For now, all I can recommend is that you take it easy and try to keep any labor-intensive jobs to a minimum. You have one of the best aides in the entire country; If you called for her, I'm certain she would come running."

The exalt sighed, "I don't want to trouble Phila. She already has enough to handle with the Pegasus Knights as it is."

"I'm sure she'd welcome the distraction. Phila swore to help you in any way that you saw fit. If you don't ask, it's possible she's just going to worry more."

The woman chuckled, "You may be right about that." She turned towards the doctor once more, "How much time do I have?"

"At the current pace you're at now, I'd say a few months at most."

"Oh gods." She lifted her hands up towards her eyes.

The doctor placed a hand on the exalt's shoulders, "You need to tell him. You know he's going to have to take the responsibility eventually."

The woman nodded, and her voice croaked as she said, "I know. I just," she inhaled, "I just thought I'd have more time." She reached towards one of her pillows, and as she held it up to her face, she broke out into muffled sobs.

The doctor rubbed the woman's back, "I'm sorry, Your Grace." His eyes misted over, "I wish there was more I could do."

Chapter One, Part One: A Small Problem

Birds chirped off into the distance, and the prince yawned as he made his way towards the great hall. A small breeze rose up from the hill-top, and as the prince moved through the castle courtyard, he stretched out his arms until, at long last, a small rumble shook the young man's gut. Trees swayed in the wind, and just as gently as it had arrived, it made its way down to the valley below. The smell of smoke proliferated throughout the air, and the young man smiled. Breakfast time.

The bells chimed six, and it was this point that Chrom moved to the next section of the castle. Cream and azure banners glistened in the sunlight, and after stretching his shoulders just a bit more, he opened the doors of the great hall.

The salty smell of cooked meat flooded the prince's nose in an instant as eggs, sausages and bacon piled high onto their serving platters, and it was at this point that his stomach growled in anticipation.

"So, are you going to just look at your food all day?"

He turned towards the source, and his younger sister smiled at him as she said, "Or are you going to eat with us?"

"Morning, Lissa."

"Morning, Chrom."

He made his way towards his seat, "Good morning, Emm."

The elder sister nodded, "Good morning, Chrom. Did you sleep well?"

"I slept good. It's been way too long since I slept in a real bed."

"That's good to hear. Was your trip to Ragna Ferox good?"

"Things went well. We struck a good deal with Khan Flavia, so there should be plenty of Feroxi lumber and steel coming our way soon."

"That's great to hear." The exalt moved her head through the room, "I surprised Frederick isn't here with you two."

"He did catch a cold recently." Lissa responded, "Is it possible he's just getting some more rest?"

"With all of the work that he does," Chrom added, "he's certainly earned it."

The trio continued to have their breakfast, and as Chrom continued to finish off his plate, he paused as a green pile was ladled onto it, "What the heck?"

He poked a fork into the green mass, and his eyes narrowed at his older sister, "What is this thing?"

"It's called spinach. I've been told it's good for developing muscles."

He reached for the spinach bowl's ladle, "In that case, I think Lissa needs this more than I do."

"Hey, I can grow a few centimeters without your help, thank you!"

She wrestled the ladle out of her brother's hand, but before the siblings could continue with their little duel, the sound of Emeryn's laughter stopped them, reverberated its way to the halls.

The younger siblings looked to one another, and it was Chrom who spoke first, "Emm, is something wrong?"

The exalt clenched her stomach as she answered, "No, no, it's nothing." She continued, "It's just been so long since..." Her breathing slowed down, and she winced as she lifted a hand towards her head, "I…" She inhaled again, "I've missed this."

She placed some more spinach onto all their plates, "Come on, this is good for all of us." She lifted her fork, "To new discoveries."

The two siblings shrugged, and it was not long before the sound of forks and knives clattered once again. This lasted for a little while, and after a brief pause, Emmeryn spoke once more, "Chrom…"

"Hmm?"

"Have you-"

The sound of a door bolted open, and a stuffed voice spoke out, "Apologies, Your Grace. I had not meant to sleep in so late." The knight sneezed into his sleeve.

"Think nothing of it, Frederick. From the looks of it though, you really should be resting. The last time I have ever seen someone look so pale, Lord Bottlebrush had too much lead placed into his make-up."

"I appreciate your concern, Your Grace, but, I'm sure it's nothing a little steam can't fix."

"Indeed, a little steam and a nice long soak in the bath." She stabbed her fork into an egg, "As of this moment, you are to be relieved of your duties for the next three days."

"Three days, but Your Grace, surely-"

The exalt interrupted, "That's an order. During this time, you are not to do any work, and instead, you shall turn your attention towards your recovery." She placed the egg into her mouth, and after giving herself a moment to swallow, she added, "And, in the event your body needs more time to recuperate, you are to rest until your strength has returned. Am I making myself clear?"

Frederick sighed, "Transparently, Your Grace."

"Excellent." She pointed towards one of the empty chairs, "Care to join us?"

"You honor me, Your Grace; however, I can not possibly-"

Emmeryn spoke out, "I insist."

The knight sighed again, "Very well, Your Grace."

"Thank you, Frederick."

Frederick made his way towards the empty seat, and with a wave of the exalt's hands, servants scrambled to bring out another wave of food. Dirty plates were piled up into the air, and those who had empty cups soon found them filled once more.

The quartet continued to enjoy their breakfast, and one by one, those of the exalted family lowered their forks and sighed.

Lissa clutched at her stomach, "No more."

Emmeryn raised a hand near her mouth, "That was more than I was expecting."

Chrom moaned, "I'm stuffed."

The three siblings leaned their heads back onto their chairs, and the sounds of the morning hubbub slowly echoed throughout the castle. Trumpets blared, and within a moment, footsteps marched in time with the beating drums. Whispers of chatter drifted in with the breeze, though if one waited long enough, tell-tale signs of trouble were not far behind.

The exalt spoke up once more, "Chrom-"

"Yeah?" He raised his head up, "What's up?"

"I was wondering," She clutched her hands together and smiled, "Have you made any progress with Sumia?"

Blood rushed towards the prince's face, "Um-"

Frederick reached towards his throat, and it was not long before a series of harsh gasps erupted from the knight.

Lissa ran to his chair, "Are you all right?"

Frederick's face blanched, and the young princess was quick to get the knight onto his feet. Her hands were firm as she slapped his back, "Haiiie-yah!"

The knight immediately rushed for one of his handkerchiefs, and within a matter of seconds, coughs burst from Frederick's lungs. He sat back in his chair, "Thank you, milady." The knight reached for his glass, and with each sip of water he had, Frederick's breathing gradually returned to its natural rhythm.

"Are you going to be all right?"

"I should be fine, Your Grace." He pushed his plate towards the center of the table, "That said, I regret to inform you; I don't think I'm going to be able to finish the rest of this."

"Think nothing of it, Frederick."

He nodded his head, and without saying a word, the knight returned to his glass of water and closed his eyes.

"You haven't answered my question yet, Chrom." The exalt took a sip of her tea and smiled, "How have things been going with Sumia?"

"Things could be," the prince sighed, "better, but I haven't been having much luck."

"Oh?"

"She seems to like the flowers that I get her, but every time I offered for us to go somewhere, she always says that she had other plans."

"I see."

"Hmm…"

"Something the matter, Lissa?"

Her eyes darted towards the knight for a moment before she answered, "It's nothing. Just thinking is all."

"Uh huh."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

The prince turned his head, "Nothing-"

"Chrom, you know there'll be plenty of opportunities to get to know each other after you two are married." Emmeryn lowered her cup once more, "You already have her hand; All you need to do now is claim it."

"I know that. It's just-" He paused, "We're engaged because of a decision our parents made. I want her heart, not just her hand."

Emmeryn smiled again, "I see."

"Aww. That's so sweet." Lissa jabbed her brother in sides, "Who knew you were such a softie?"

The prince let out a laugh as he said, "Hey, quit it!"

"Make me!" The princess chuckled. She flexed her fingers, but before the next battle could begin, the exalt's voice cut through.

"Lissa…"

The princess put her hands down, "Okay." She pointed towards her brother, "Later then."

"Maybe later."

The exalt spoke once more, "I appreciate your sentiment, Chrom, but there's one question that you need to ask yourself: If you aren't able to win her heart, what will you do then?"

"I," The prince's moved down towards his cup, "I guess I didn't think of that."

Emmeryn reached a hand toward the young man; however, after a moment of stillness, she was quick to return it to her side. She sighed, "Chrom, the main reason I'm bringing this up is because you are running out of time." She paused before she added, "The date of your marriage has been set."

The prince's eyes widened, "When did this happen?"

"Roughly two days ago."

"And you didn't try to stop them?"

The exalt snapped, "There was nothing I could do! Archduke Clymene and the other nobles have been growing impatient. Doing this will ensure the bloodline remains secure."

"You," Lissa froze, "You're not going anywhere, are you?"

"No!" Her eyes widened, and Emmeryn softened her voice, "No, no no. Lissa, I'm not going anywhere."

The princess's eyes misted over, "Good.."

The exalt turned towards her brother once more, "I managed to stall the date as far as I could, so if you're going to make a move, I would advise you do it soon."

Chrom leaned back into his chair, "How long do I have?"

"Everything has been scheduled to begin around the first week of June." She exhaled and smiled, "March is just around the corner, so if anything, you've got at least a few months."

"I see."

Lissa reached for her brother's hands, "You'll find a way, Chrom. She'll come around. Just wait and see."

"Thanks."

Silence permeated through the room for a few minutes, but it was not to stay that way for long. Frederick quickly rushed towards his sleeve, and his back lurched forward as hoarse cough erupted from the knight's lungs. His other hand reached for the table, and Frederick's body swayed as he returned to his usual balance.

"Are you all right, Frederick?"

"I should be," the knight rasped, "fine. Thank you for asking, milady."

"Your face looks really pale. Do you need to go lie down?"

"That would probably be wise." He turned towards the exalt, "Permission to be excused?"

"Permission granted."

The knight nodded as he rose up from his chair, and he made his way towards the door.

"Get better soon, Frederick."

The knight nodded, "I'll do my best, milady." He gave a slight bow, "A wonderful day to each of you."

The exalt bowed her head, "Rest well, Frederick."

The knight closed the door behind him, and the sound of boots marched off into the distance, but it would not last that way for long as the footsteps suddenly stopped. Incoherent words traveled through the halls in their own rhythmic banter, and a soft laughter soon followed.

Another set of footsteps made its towards the door, and without further ado, six sharp knocks rattled at the door.

"Come in."

A woman smiled, "Good morning, Your Grace."

"And a good morning to you, Phila."

"Phila! Good to see you!"

"It is good to see you as well, my lady. How was your trip to Ragna Ferox?"

"It was good. I'm glad we brought along some extra blankets. I didn't expect the weather to get that chilly."

"Ragna Ferox is famous for its winter weather. Luckily, they tend to be good at keeping their streets clear."

"True," Lissa added, "but, even if the streets are clear, you can still fall pretty hard on the ice." Her hands patted the table," Emm, you would have loved the ghost stories that came from some of the villages we visited. Most of them were fairly local, but some would have travelled over to the other side of the country in the manner of a few weeks."

"Interesting."

The princess nodded.

Emmeryn turned towards the commander, "I take it my first appointment is almost here?"

Phila nodded, "Indeed, Your Grace. Your first meeting is scheduled to be within fifteen minutes."

"I see. Lissa…"

"Hmm?"

"You have an embroidery lesson coming up, don't you?"

Lissa nodded again.

"Why don't you head over there a bit earlier today? It'll be a great way to make sure you have everything that you need, and," Emmeryn giggled, "If nothing else, it'll be a great way to surprise Maribelle."

The princess's eyes lit up, "Sure!" She rubbed her hands together and laughed, "Ooh, I can't wait for the look on Ms. Aconitum's face." She walked towards the door, "I'll see you at lunch?"

The exalt sighed, "If I can squeeze the time."

"Sweet!" She moved out into the hallway, "See ya' later, sis!"

"Be careful, Lissa!"

The princess called out once more, "Bye, Chrom!"

The prince said nothing.

Phila gestured towards the door, "Shall we get going, your grace?"

"Of course. One more thing…" She turned towards her brother, "Chrom?"

The young man lifted his head up.

"Just think about it, okay?"