As promised! The Epilogue/Stand-Alone which I enjoyed writing just a little too much. Following the theme, this is named after some awesome lyrics from Roxette's song Joyride. Fun fact, that song was published the year I was born. Wow. Anyway I was drive home last weekend and it came on the radio and I was like THAT'S THE SONG, THAT'S WHAT I WILL CALL IT!

So yeah, I hope you guys enjoy this.

/Zen

Cordelia adjusted the pack on her back, running through the list of materials she'd packed into it once more. She frowned – she'd wanted to keep emergency supplies close at hand should they need anything as they marched, but now she couldn't help wondering if she should have kept the white salve with her and the green one in the deep pouches with the pack horse. What if someone were bitten by a riverback snake? Where would she be then?

"You look quite serious milady."

Glancing over she smiled at Frederick. Remembering herself abruptly, she straightened and grew serious. "Just considering our supplies, sir."

He raised an eyebrow but otherwise gave little off in the way of expression. Now that the war was officially over, he'd relinquished the majority of his armor. He wore a neat deep gray tunic with the Ylissan crest over his heart. It showed off his hard-earned physique while still being conservative. His silver-handled sword remained strapped to his hip, and he wore a pair of well-worn leather gloves.

War or no war, the Shepherds wouldn't be caught off guard. The thought made her smile. While glad the war was finished, Cordelia found herself sad at the thought of possibly being parted from these people who had become her family. They'd filled the gap in the wake of the Pegasus Knights.

"I was considering a demonstration this evening," the dark haired knight commented as they walked, shaking her from her thoughts. "I had hoped you would be willing to participate."

She frowned, curling some of her long red hair behind an ear. "I don't understand, what do you think I could show?"

"The long march affects us all differently," he explained. "For you and I, it is an opportunity to build strength and deal with supply and demand issues. It is a time to focus on things which we have neglected when deep in the thrall of a war. For others," he added, nodding at some of the soldiers plodding next to them like they were ready to fall asleep on their feet, "it is deadening."

She gave a small smile as understanding dawned on her. "You want me to show off?"

"I want them to see what they could be should they apply themselves. I want them to know that they cannot slack off – even for a minute – should they want to have real skill. It is not luck, like they might think."

"Luck?" The word struck her with surprise, but he didn't get a chance to clarify.

"Frederick – oh, hello Cordelia." Chrom reined in his chestnut mare, shaking the hair out of his eyes. He gave her a small smile. He was dressed much the same as he always was, in a navy blue tunic and his travel-worn white cape thrown carelessly over his shoulder. It made him look far too dashing.

Cordelia blushed deeply and cursed herself. Why did she bother? It was time she accepted Chrom would never see her as desirable – she'd seen the way he looked at Arkelle. She wasn't smart or quick in the way the tactician was – it wasn't even a competition. Better to back out of the race altogether, while she still had a little dignity. Yes, that would be the best move.

So why did her heart still beat so firmly in disagreement? You fool, she told herself.

She nodded at the prince and busied herself fiddling with her pack's strap as he spoke to Frederick. They discussed the route which lay before them. It looked like uneventful countryside, but apparently Arkelle anticipated some trouble in one of the towns ahead. They'd run into some travellers who had mentioned bandits terrorizing townspeople. While it was Chrom's aim to stay out of trouble as much as possible since they were heading back to Ylisstol, if the bandits were causing as much trouble with the villagers as described, he planned on stepping in. She expected nothing less of him.

Cordelia fingered the hilt of her sword. She'd used the lance for so long, but she'd felt a desire to learn something new and now felt confident in the fine steel of the weapon. She'd spent long hours with first Gregor and then Lon'qu, painfully learning the steps. She was passable at so many skills, but warfare was something she felt she really excelled at.

Was it wrong that she missed the thrill of clashing with an enemy?

All at once she realized Chrom had sent Frederick back to the tail of their caravan to check with Stahl and Gaius who were on rear guard. Which left her alone with the prince. He swung down from his horse, patting the mare on the neck and walking beside her.

"Would you like me to check over her hooves when we make camp this evening?" Cordelia asked.

"Hm? Why?"

"She's walking heavier on her right side," she told him, gesturing with her left hand. "I wonder if she doesn't have something stuck in her shoe. You really ought to pay attention to things like that Chrom." Immediately she bit her tongue, her eyes widening. Had she really just admonished him? The prince?

And why shouldn't she? She knew about horses, and she could tell when something was wrong. Clearly his mare had something wrong with her hoof, and he should be paying attention to things like that. Horses and Pegasi were just as important as soldiers in an army. She'd tell anyone else if they were ignorant to it... it was time she stopped treating him differently.

It was time she started treating him like a man she wasn't in love with.

Chrom seemed shocked and then guilty all at once. "You're right, I'm sorry – I should have noticed. I've been thinking of too many other things. All that awaits back in Ylisstol. But that isn't an excuse."

"You do have a lot on your mind."

"And you don't?" he laughed. It was a gentle sound which sent a thrill through her blood; she tried to ignore it. "Last I checked, you keep tallies in your head of pretty much everything. If I cannot even balance a few tasks, how can I ever rule Ylisse?"

"You won't be doing it alone," she told him, looking straight ahead.

"No, I certainly hope not. I will have Frederick as ever, my sister... I do hope you will stay on as well."

"You do?" Cordelia glanced at him in surprise. She did her best to smother the excited beating of her heart.

He nodded, and easy smile curling his mouth. "I'd like your experience in the guard, and to have you train new recruits with Frederick whenever possible. There will be a lot to take care of, and I'd appreciate having someone of your skill at hand."

Of course. That was logical. Nothing personal. She took a deep breath, smothering the disappointment as she had the excitement. This would be a new beginning for all of them.

"And you're right," Chrom added. "I will attend to her hooves this evening when we make camp... could I have you look them over as well?"

She nodded. She'd know if anything was wrong, and she would make sure to point it out to him in detail. If she was going to be helping him, if she was going to be a trusted advisor or servant or whatever he wanted, she would have to be honest with him. And she would have to put her feelings aside.