Chapter Two: Hall Monitor

Focused Characters/Pairings: Frederick, Robin / (slight Frederick x Cherche), (Chrom x Robin), other small mentions

Summary: It was the final stretch back to Ylisstol and Frederick's making sure the Shepards finish strong.

"Frederick… What are you hanging on every tent entrance?" Lissa could never guess what Frederick was doing half the time. He always said it was for the Shepards' betterment,but his deeds were so abstract she could never find the relation. At the same time it was fairly amusing. Perhaps this would be just as good as the recruitment posters.

"This is a reminder of the new rules that were recently enforced to combat the poor behavior plaguing this camp. Even if the war is over and Grangel slain, it is no excuse to leave dishware out after meals." He stepped back allowing Lissa full access to the poster. He was quite proud of his work.

"Wait, what IS this?"

She snatched the poster off the tent flap, slightly wrinkling it. She angled her head and tilted the poster, exaggerating her gradual understanding of the words. Frederick was not amused.

"The Shepard's Guide to Decency and Proper Behavior? What kind of rules are these?"

"Princess Lissa, I would appreciate it if you would-"

"Frederick, I know you're a stickler for the rules and all that, but I doubt even your toughest punishments couldn't stop everyone from doing… Whatever they want to do. Besides, no one's doing any harm."

"So you do understand the rampant misconduct? It's unacceptable for a soldier on campaign. Everyone's... indecent behavior is distracting them from their duties." It was clear the all the engagement announcements were to blame for this. Shepards were found in groups of two and couples were found to be missing on hours at end. In short, everyone was struck by Cupid's arrow.

"But the campaign is over!"

"Not until we return to Ylisstol." He took the poster from Lissa's hand, smoothing the wrinkles out. "You do know even married couples in the militia do not share quarters. Perhaps I assumed too much of everyone, that they could control their… urges."

"Urges? They're expressions of love!" Lissa said with a slight swoon. Frederick sighed, the princess was always the romantic. His straight face only worked Lissa up. "IF you hadn't noticed we've been at war for the past months. That tends to make the situation rather life or death, don't ya think? Now that it's finished of COURSE everyone's going to follow their hearts."

As Lissa made her point Frederick reapplied the poster onto the tent. This time much more firmly. He only raised a brow to her, not buying it.

"Come on! Everyone's happy, don't spoil the fun."

"If they follow these rules, I won't have to."

"And these rules, they're so silly! 'No one of the opposite sex allowed in personal tents after sunset… Leaving camp in parties of two must be reported to Frederick beforehand specifying destination and time allotment?' Frederick no one is going to follow these."

"The punishment is quite strict. I would hope the others would think twice before doing so."

"How 'bout you? I bet Cherche's disappointed you've been focusing on everyone's relationships instead of your own." Lissa said, motioning towards the ring on his left finger.

Frederick cleared his throat.

"Ever since our engagement we have spent a large amount of time together, all within these rules' specificity. That includes: time of day, setting, and activity. If anything Cherche and I prove these rules do not hamper relationships but rather strengthens them." Frederick paused. He instantly realized how he appreciated how calm and collected Cherche was. She performed her duty very well and to the highest standards. Her dedication towards Virion was like his own to Chrom. It was only one of the many reasons he had grown to love her. With a softer voice he continued. "Unlike the others Cherche respects the rules. She understands my vigilance towards this matter. In fact she's been nothing but supportive."

"That's actually… Rather sweet. But seriously Frederick no one is going to follow these rules. I know that for a fact."

"How so?" Frederick asked, a tone of false innocence evident.

"Duh! Chrom and Robin? They've been inseparable after he proposed to her-literally hours after the final battle. And I haven't believed her for a moment when she said they were only discussing strategy in his tent. In fact-" Lissa stopped, realizing the gravity of her mistake.

Frederick bowed and thanked her. After giving the poster a pull and seeing it stay firmly in place, he dismissed himself to visit Chrom's tent.

Lissa could only stamp her foot and call out to him, "At least don't tell them it was me who sent the killjoy!"

Frederick waited before announcing himself. He swore he could hear some shuffling. Robin was here, he knew it.

"Milord?"

"Frederick, is that you? J-just one moment." Chrom called out, his voice stressed.

Obediently Frederick followed Chrom's orders, albeit knowing the royal couple were hiding their tracks. He heard a thud and so he rushed inside.

"Are you alright milord?!"

Chrom took a few steps to his left, obscuring a part of Frederick's sight.

"Y-yes. Thank you for your concern… Now what was it you wanted to talk about? I was in the middle of… I was about to…" With all his stumbles and pauses Chrom was the furthest image of noble blood.

Chrom's fumbled words matched his appearance. His hair was disheveled, as if he was taking style advice from Stahl. The various straps and buttons of his clothing were loose and undone. His cape hanging from one shoulder, leaving the fabric to drag across the ground. And he kept looking down, as if it would hide the color in his cheeks.

All in all Chrom was a bumbling mess.

Frederick tried to peer around Chrom. Despite Chrom's fidgeting Frederick's height allowed him full view.

"Milord… There's a lump on your bed."

"I suppose there is."

Frederick gave a look, like a parent scolding his child. He walked towards the cot and pulled the covers; revealing the famed Shepard tactician curled up in hiding.

"This is what I wished to discuss."

"Well hello Frederick. How are you?" Robin stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles of her dress. Although she was just as flushed as Chrom was, she was much more composed than her fiance.

"You two are examples for the camp, yet with this behavior you're insinuating the others to follow suit! You do realize how preoccupied everyone seems to be with each other as of late?"

"I-I, well if this has affected the chores or training then there should be some action taken. But Frederick, the war's done-I don't see what's wrong with cutting some slack."

"Cutting some slack. Wise words from the future Exalt."

Robin butted in, saving Chrom from his poor word choice, "We haven't slacked on our duties Frederick."

She stood next to Chrom with her arms folded. Two against one.

"Oh and do tell what… duties you were performing just now."

"We were having a strategic meeting." Frederick raised a brow to Chrom.

"It was plans for the remaining Plegian extremists hiding in the border outskirts. Some which we'll attend to before returning to Ylisstol. Once we finished, well we…" Chrom trailed off. Robin sighed at her fiance, he always managed to find a way to shoot himself in the foot with his words. However, it was also a part of his charm and their rather strange courtship.

"The plans are on his table. As much as your concerned with everyone's behavior Frederick, everyone has been fighting well. The moral has never been higher. "

"That does not excuse the decency one should be held to as a soldier."

"I understand. I will personally talk to everyone about this-so please" Robin said with slight agitation in her voice. It was evident she was disappointed by the sudden interruption. "don't ruin the others' happiness. I don't think you'd want to interrupt people when they are... intimate."

"You make it sound like I have no concern over the others' happiness. Rest assured my 'nagging' is nothing but consideration for the camp's well being."

Robin still stood with her arms crossed. Chrom looked like a guilty man awaiting trial.

"Well then now that I have discussed my concerns and I see my presence here is not welcomed-I will continue on with my duties... And Prince Chrom, remember you have guard duty tonight."

Before leaving Frederick walked toward the opposite side of the bed-nothing but canvas. The couple, slightly confused watched Frederick put up one of his posters. It was in such a location he was sure Chrom (and Robin as well) would be reminded of his duties to camp at sunset and sundown.

"Very well. Milord, milady. I did not know you two were eager for an heir already." And with that quip Frederick left.

The two blushed in response, yet it did not faze Robin so much.

"Finally he's gone." Quickly Robin pulled at the straps of Chrom's clothing, giving her better access to remove them altogether.

Chrom, though delighted at the touch of his fiance, pulled her hands down. With Frederick's interruption a startling realization came across him: the entire camp were imaging all sorts of things about the two of them at this very moment. And although the others' imagination weren't necessarily false, it was enough to keep Chrom grounded to reality.

"Perhaps we should not continue… with what… we were doing."

"Did Frederick's words bother you that much? I read those dumb rules already, I can stay for a few more hours." Robin pulled out of Chrom's grasp, doubling her efforts to bring back the atmosphere the two held before Frederick's interruption. She managed to slide her hands underneath his shirt, running her hands against his bare back and chest. He shivered from her touch.

Quickly before losing complete control he stepped back. His arms in front of him in an "x".

"I should really prepare for guard duty. And some fresh air sounds very good right now. Why don't you talk to the others about what Frederick said? I imagine you do not want him visiting us again."

Robin frowned. And turned her back to him.

"In the future it seems like there will be nothing to interrupt." It bothered her that her charm wasn't working, that Frederick's stuffy attitude was enough to deter her fiance from her touch.

"T-That's! Really low…" Chrom grabbed Robin's hands, looking her in the eyes. "We'll have plenty of time to ourselves once we return to Ylisstol. And we still have our duties to the camp. I can't in good conscious remain here with you knowing that. Like it or not, Frederick has a point."

Robin pouted. It was true.

"I'll talk to the others about this."

"Wait." Chrom walked near. With his thumb he lifted her chin, giving her a caste kiss on the lips. "I suppose this will have to do for now."

"It'll make due somehow." She said with a smile. "Oh and Chrom?"

"Yes?" The blush still lingering on his face.

"Make sure you fix your cape before walking out in broad daylight."

Robin walked outside, pondering what to do next.

Even if Frederick was correct, she was still frustrated with the knight. She knew he knew best... But still wanted some kind of revenge for his intrusion. Her mind worked at this as she made the rounds about camp.

Frederick was quite pleased with his progress today. He had managed to hang posters on every tent and remind the Shepards of the rules.

The first place he visited after Chrom was the infirmary. Although they had won the battle, everyone emerged with some injury. Kellam in particular received a nasty blow to his arm. Maribelle did guarantee the armored knight's full recovery but it didn't stop Panne from staying at his bedside nonetheless.

She was quite confident in his recovery as well, stating "any mate of mine would not succumb to such an injury."

Frederick had to admit, seeing her there revealed a new side to the taguel. She always came off a bit rough to the others. He was quite sure the two weren't engaged in anything particularly indecent with the knight's arm in a sling. However the balm he saw on the table stand did attract his attention, it wasn't something the healers normally used. Panne told him it was a taguel remedy... Yet Frederick couldn't fully believe that was its intended purpose. None the less, he expressed his wishes for a fast recovery, hung a poster, and continued on.

The other Shepards he visited generally shared the same disdain. Grudgingly he remembered Gaius calling him a pervert for trying to walk in on everyone. It seemed like he wasn't happy when he came by the mess tent and caught him and Sumia together.

"I see you've been quite busy dear." Frederick turned around to see Cherche, smiling. He greeted her with a tired smile of his own, gleaming when he saw her wearing his ring. She said she wasn't one to be charmed with gold, but proposal was the exception.

"It's been hard maintain order about camp. It feels as if the Shepards have succumbed to their desires. I went to Chrom and Robin to discuss that and Robin looked as if she wanted to tear my head off!"

"You entered their tent?" Cherche asked. Inwardly she groaned, she had received a lot of complaints of her fiance today. And although she knew Frederick could be rather strict, she didn't realize it had come to this extent. She was able to calm down the others and get them to understand. In particular Robin seemed to understand quite well. Now all that was left was to get Frederick to understand as well.

"His tent. Yes. Even those two I have to keep focused."

"But you can understand them, can't you dear?"

"I cannot understand how they can neglect their duties. It seems only you understands my plight." Frederick sighed, relaxing as Cherche drew him close. Out of everyone, she understood his loyalty as a knight. The others called him strict and stuffy, but not her.

"Remember when you proposed to me? It was the happiest day of my life. And I feel that happiness when we spend time together. That must be the same for the others."

Frederick nodded.

"So if I may, I'd ask of you to consider the others' feelings. The rules should be followed... But don't be too strict. If they're too mean to you about that, I'll talk to them myself." Cherche smiled. Though underneath that, Frederick knew a scary determination laid bare.

Perhaps, as Princess Lissa put it, these 'expressions of love' were not so indecent or immoral after all.

"Why don't you come to my tent?" Frederick raised his brow at the sudden invitation.

Cherche quickly defended herself.

"Oh for tea! Come, you could use some relaxation."

"That does sound enjoyable… And I am rather tired. I spent all night preparing the posters."

"And it's quite the literary work. Come. There's still time before sunset approaches, there are rules to follow after all."

He kissed her cheek in appreciation.

"Lead the way."

"Here's the rest of the dirty dishes from supper Frederick." Robin said with a grin on her face. It was her second trip to him with dirty dishes, an excuse to see him doing chores, he guessed. It was a rare sight to see him punished after all. "I never expected you to conduct your own indecent behavior.

"It was an honest mistake." Frederick said, keeping his focus on washing. It was quite silly of him in the first place. "It wasn't anything indecent, I only fell asleep after tea with Cherche. I should've been more aware of my own weariness."

"Don't blame her, I was the one who called her out yesterday. That's why she didn't wake you in time."

"Ah. I see your tactical mind knows no bounds. I can now truly understand the fear of our opponents." Frederick recalled waking up, it was well past sundown with supper nearly over. And once he exited the tent-there Robin was, smiling.

"Now you praise my talents."

"Well if you excuse me I have to finish this. Although I'm sure you'd rather stay and watch."

"Actually I do." To Frederick's surprise Robin grabbed a cloth and sat next to him, dring the dishes he just washed.

"As chief tactician I have to follow the rules as well, don't I? You see Chrom and I left camp grounds yesterday without telling you and as such, we punished ourselves."In reality Chrom and Robin only took a step outside the camp's borders, but that was all that was needed to break the rules. "Chrom's polishing the armor as we speak."

"Well I'm glad you two took my words to heart. Although I would still like to apologize, it was rather inappropriate of me to walk into Prince Chrom's tent; despite my intentions. I'm truly happy for your engagement."

"Likewise. I got rather upset yesterday for no good reason." Robin paused. "I do appreciate everything you do around camp. Without your eye for detail, I can't imagine how we'd be able to function."

"You praise me too much milady. I am only performing my duty." Although deep down Frederick was really happy to hear words of praise.

"And I think you're going to make a fine queen."

"Oh gods, there's that isn't there?" Robin said. "I keep wanting to forget that. It feels like the court won't be so welcoming towards an amnesiac, especially if she is to be their queen."

"Out of what you've been through the court is what you fear the most?"

"My strategies are for battles not politics."

"None the less, I wouldn't want to be the receiving end of your sword or wit. I will abide by my words, you'll be a fine queen."

Robin put down the towel for a moment.

"You'll help me right?"

Frederick turned to her and kneeled.

"Of course."

A/N: Again, I hope I've kept everyone in character. Thanks for reading!