***Spoilers for Fire Emblem Fates, up to the beginning of Chapter 3, and characters from Chapter… 4?***
Chapter 3
Lilith was humming a tune to herself while she knitted a scarf. 'I'm nowhere near Lady Camilla, but I hope he appreciates it,' she thought to herself, stopping her knitting for a moment to suppress a giggle.
Next to her, a short but muscular woman started to stir in her sleep. "Mmmph," Rinkah muttered incoherently. She was in a large canopy bed with several red cushions with golden embroidery. While it was one of the more comfortable beds in one of the more luxurious bedrooms in all of Nohr, it still didn't ease the physical pain that Rinkah was suffering from after her battle. The battle-induced sleep only offered a reprieve from the emotional pain she felt from being captured.
The reprieve was short-lived. Rinkah's eyes fluttered open, and she stared up at an unfamiliar ceiling. "Ugh… Where…"
"Ah, you're awake," Lilith said, standing up and walking to the bed. Rinkah remained motionless until Lilith brought her arms under Rinkah's back to help her sit up. "How are you feeling?"
Memories flooded back to Rinkah's consciousness, and she clenched her teeth. She stared straight at Lilith. "Terrible," Rinkah replied honestly. She studied Lilith's servant clothes, which were similar to the maid from her battle, but a different color. Her eyes fell upon Lilith's face, which showed what seemed to be kindness and concern. "Where am I?" Rinkah looked around the rest of the room. Her eyes stopped when she looked at the rest of the bed. "The ninja." Anger started to send blood to Rinkah's face. She tried to contain the anger by speaking through her teeth. "Why am I sharing a bed with this ninja?"
"I'm sorry, please calm down!" Lilith said, holding her hands out and shaking them.
"The ninja has a name." The man opened his eyes and sat up. "I am Kaze, a ninja serving Hoshido. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Rinkah of the Fire Tribe."
"Okay… So why are you in the same bed, Kaze?"
"Miss, sir, please forgive me for this," Lilith said. "There were no beds available for you, so Lord Corrin offered his own. We could have kept you on the floor, but he insisted you rest in a bed."
Rinkah swung her legs to the side of the bed and jumped off. The sudden movement and the pressure on her legs revealed the aches she had throughout her body. She exhaled loudly through her teeth and looked angrily at Lilith. "Flames, this pain is everywhere. What happened?"
"I… I…" Lilith didn't know how to respond, since she hadn't seen the battle.
"Corrin saved us." The two of them turned to look at Kaze, who at some point in time had also gotten out of bed. He was standing on the other side of the bed, placing his gloves on. "He asked that we be spared and incurred Garon's wrath. And then magic made me pass out."
"Corrin…" Rinkah closed her eyes and recalled the recent events. "The brat. Ugh." Rinkah did not try to hide her displeasure. "Idiot. This world will consume him."
Lilith crossed her arms. "Lord Corrin is a good lord, and a wonderful human being. The world will only embrace him back for all the love he brings to the world."
"I have some things I'd like to tell him in person," Rinkah said, a clenched fist by her side.
"You'll be able to tell him in person," a stern voice said, slightly muffled through the bedroom door. The door opened, and a man rushed in. He was young and had grey hair. He wore a blue studded leather armor. He ran next to Rinkah and knelt beside her, his eyes shining with concern and hope.
"My dear, I hope you are all right," the man said, grabbing a surprised Rinkah's hands and holding them in his own. His voice was much different from the stern voice Rinkah heard before him. "You must be aching, perhaps we should get some tea."
Rinkah pulled her hands back away from the man, then quickly punched him in the face. "Don't touch me, Nohrian," she shouted, ignoring the pain throughout her body.
The man's body was sent twirling in the air before landing somewhat gracefully. He sat up on one knee. "You're… you seem quite lively," he said, rubbing his chin and face.
"Laslow!" a blue-haired woman exclaimed in a slightly annoyed, slightly amused voice. Her entrance had been masked by Laslow's dramatics. "You run up to anyone, of course they're gonna get punchy. Or stabby!" She laughed as Laslow rubbed his redden cheek. She waved to Rinkah and Kaze. "Hi, I'm Peri!"
A third person entered the room, bringing the total people to six. This man was obviously a lord, as evident by the crown that he wore on his head. He also had an impressive black and purple armor and cape. He had pale but smooth skin, suggesting he was still young. He looked at everyone in the room sternly. "You two," he said, his voice revealing that he was the original person speaking through the door. He glared at Rinkah and Kaze and crossed his arms. "Summon your strength. Get ready to leave."
Rinkah recognized him. Not only was he the crown prince of Nohr, he was also a strong and famous warrior on the battlefield. "Xander."
"Ah ah ah, Prince Xander," Peri said, grinning at Rinkah. "And treat him with respect, or I'll fill you with stab wounds."
"Not before I wring your throat," Rinkah retorted, ready to pounce on Peri. Peri didn't stop grinning as she reached for a sword. Suddenly and surprisingly, Kaze's hand appeared on Peri's sheath, stopping the sword. He raised his other hand to stop Rinkah.
"Stop, Rinkah," he said. He turned to Peri and smiled.
She looked at him in confusion, then jumped back when she realized how quickly and close a stranger had managed to get to her. "Gah!"
Kaze kept both his hands up between Rinkah and Peri. He then turned to Xander and bowed. "My apologies, Prince Xander," he said. "We do not like being kept prisoner, but I acknowledge you are treating us honorably."
Xander hadn't flinched from the doorway. "Both of you seem to be up on your feet and ready, so let's go. Lilith, help them out." Xander looked at everyone in the room, then exited first.
"Don't… don't mess with us!" Peri exclaimed before running out of the room to join Xander.
Laslow walked from the corner of the room where he had been observing. He scratched the back of his head and laughed nervously. "Perhaps we got off on the wrong foot. As my energetic friend mentioned, my name is Laslow. Please, when you're ready, we'll escort you outside," he said. He looked at Kaze and nodded. "Kaze." He then turned to Rinkah, brought one arm across his chest, and bowed. "My lovely lady Rinkah."
When Laslow stood back up from his bow, he saw Rinkah glaring at him. "You are the most annoying."
"Eheheh. See you outside." Laslow left the room, leaving Lilith with Rinkah and Kaze.
"Um, so, if you are ready, let us leave this room," Lilith said, pushing her two index fingers together nervously.
"What is to happen to us?" Kaze asked.
"I think you are to be freed."
Rinkah and Kaze exchanged glances, then cautiously walked towards the door. Xander saw them and took the lead, with Laslow at their side and Peri walking behind them. "There's a wagon waiting for us outside the castle," Xander said without turning around. "Be quiet until then."
After walking through the dark and gloomy halls of the castle, they reached an exit bridge, where a hooded horse-drawn wagon was waiting. Standing next to the wagon was a tall, older knight wearing heavy armor. Next to him was the pink-haired maid from the battle. She saw the group approaching and bowed her head. When she made eye contact with Rinkah, she lowered her head again. "Um," she said nervously. "Please climb aboard." She gestured for them to climb into the wagon. Xander entered first. He took a seat at the opposite end of the wagon, at the head of the U-shaped seating arrangement, allowing him to look at everyone else in the wagon. Laslow walked up to the wagon, then bowed and allowed Peri to enter first. Peri snickered as she climbed up, with Laslow following. Rinkah and Kaze exchanged looks again. Rinkah then jumped into the wagon, with Kaze following.
"There you go," the old knight said as he helped Felicia into the wagon.
"Thank you, Gunther," Felicia replied, jumping in and taking a seat at the wagon entrance.
Gunther climbed in himself and raised the wagon steps. He knocked on the wagon frame to get Lilith's attention. "We're ready here."
Lilith was in the driver's seat, holding the reins and waiting for everyone to board. "Let's go. Ho!" she said, gently shaking the reins. The horses complied and started trotting forward. They rode in silence for the first few minutes. Finally, Laslow broke the ice.
"So, Rinkah, I hear you are from the Fire Tribe," he said.
"Hmph. What of it?"
"What are the people like? Their culture. Their dancing… Their women." Laslow mumbled the last part.
Rinkah crossed her arms and studied Laslow's face. "We are a strong and wise people. You will lose many before you come close to conquering our land."
"I hear you guys prefer clubs over swords or lances!" Peri joined in the conversation casually. "How do you shed blood with that? Seems a lot more boring."
"We don't all have bloodlust, like Nohr's warriors seem to," Rinkah replied.
"Er, and neither do all of us!" Laslow insisted. "Peri here just has an… interesting… fancy. Eheheh."
"I was hoping maybe you might also appreciate bloody messes," Peri said, disappointed. She turned to Kaze, who was sitting with his arms crossed and his eyes closed. "What about you? Your poisons make people cough up blood?" Kaze remained motionless. "Oye! Heeey!"
"Let them be, Peri," Xander said. "If they wish to remain silent, they can remain silent.
"Oh. Well, okay. You got it, Prince!" Peri smiled. The end of conversation didn't damper her attitude. She distracted herself by admiring her sword and daydreaming.
Laslow tapped his fingers on his kneecaps as he waited in silence. He then leaned forward to look at Felicia, who was sitting near the entrance of the wagon. "My dear Felicia, how are you faring?"
"Oh!" Felicia jumped at her sudden involvement in the conversation. "Er, well, great! Just great. You know. Lord Corrin got to see Krakenburg and everything else. He's been so excited about everything. Well, there was the little… battle… kind of… unpleasant." Felicia eyed Rinkah and Kaze nervously. "I'm sorry. But… Lord Corrin's spirits still remain high! He's been smiling so much, I think he's hardly slept because everything's new."
Laslow laughed. "Felicia, you are so adorable."
"Ex...excuse me?"
"I asked how you were, and you've spoken only about Lord Corrin."
"Oh. Oh!" Felicia put her hands on her cheeks as she blushed. "Well, er…"
"Are you this forward with all females?" Rinkah asked.
"I am only kind to those who deserve it. But every woman I've met has deserved my kindness," Laslow explained. "Might you be feeling left out? I would love to hear more about you-"
"No thank you."
"Oh. Well, very well." Laslow scratched the back of his head and looked around. Xander was maintaining a pose like a cold and vigilant statue. Peri was humming to herself as she examined her sheath, occasionally laughing and gripping the sheath tightly. Rinkah and Kaze were sitting with their eyes closed and their arms crossed. Gunther was doing the same, but with his eyes open. Felicia was twiddling her thumbs. Laslow sighed. "Long ride," he mumbled to himself.
Corrin, Elise, Leo, and Camilla were resting in the royal dining hall. Elise was channeling her energy through her heal staff and into Corrin, who was still recovering from his trial by battle. Corrin exhaled in relief as the pain seemed to wash away. "Ah, thank you, Elise. I feel so much better."
"No problem, big bro!" Elise retracted her staff and smiled. "I'm getting better, aren't I? Leo, Camilla, with all your magic prowess, you should still learn to use a healing staff."
"I know the foundations, so if really necessary, I could use one," Leo said. "But that'd just get in the way and change the focus of my spellcraft and distract my steed."
"Besides, we have you, my little darling healer." Camilla started massaging Elise's shoulders out of appreciation. "You are the healing light of this dark nation."
"Aw, you all…" Elise bashfully swayed from side to side. She looked back at Corrin, who was gazing off into nothingness. "What's wrong, Corrin?"
"Hmm? Ah, nothing," Corrin said. "Your magic really is improving though, Elise."
Leo rubbed his chin as he studied Corrin's face. "Corrin, you're way too kind."
Corrin made a bittersweet smile. "Is it that easy to tell what I'm thinking?"
"Well, what else would you be thinking of right now?" Leo leaned forward and continued to rub his chin. "It's far from over, this whole ordeal."
"I hope Xander is being nice to them," Elise said.
"After all that, he wouldn't go ahead and… well… would he?" Corrin asked.
"Xander?" Camilla laughed for a moment. "Now that Father isn't here, he wouldn't be able to do anything to make you sad."
Leo rolled his eyes. "He's not like you, Camilla."
"Oh, you say that, but you're a little sweetheart inside too, Leo."
Leo tried to push Camilla away, but she caught his hand and held it back, all while smiling. Corrin smiled as well as he watched his family interact, but then lost his smile as his thoughts drifted back to his battle, his father, and the Hoshidan prisoners.
"Camilla, could I get a ride with you to the edge of the city?" Corrin asked.
Camilla and Leo stopped struggling and looked at Corrin. Camilla then let go of Leo's hand and buried Corrin in her chest in a hug. "Oh, Corrin, you know I would do anything for you. And Marzia loves you, too." She unwrapped her arms from Corrin's chest and held him by the shoulders as he caught his breath. "But… Father… He wanted to see me for something."
"With Xander out, it would be much more suspicious, too, if so many of the royal children were out," Leo added, massaging his hand.
"Children, speak for yourself," Elise said. "Corrin, you could hitch a ride on my horse!"
"Hmm, thank you, Elise. I don't think that'll work, though. I was hoping for the speed of a wyvern."
"Oh, okay… Camilla, can you move please? It's weird talking to Corrin through you!" Elise tried to push Camilla to the side so that she could actually see Corrin, who was being blocked by Camilla's unyielding position. Camilla remained sitting and holding Corrin by the shoulders, though she would occasionally lean to the side as Elise continued to try to push her away.
After some time of thinking, Camilla opened her mouth to speak. "Corrin, you can have my Beruka."
"Beruka?" Corrin asked.
"My dear retainer. She's strong and cute, so don't you dare fall in…" Camilla trailed off as she thought more about Beruka.
"What do you mean-"
"Well, I guess that would never happen, so no matter." Camilla looked back into Corrin's eyes. "She has a wyvern as well, so she should be able to get you where you want, when I… I cannot."
Corrin, and everyone within audible range, could easily tell Camilla's disappointment in her words "Oh, Camilla, please don't worry. I don't want to see you so sad. You deserve so much more."
Camilla was pouting her lips. "You're just saying that," she said.
Leo sighed. "She's just baiting for more compliments, Corrin," Leo muttered, too low for Corrin to understand, but loud enough that Camilla decided to shove Leo off his stool.
"Camilla, you know I mean every word. You're the best older sister I could ever have."
Camilla kept her head down. She looked up at Corrin through her hair. "...Really?"
"Really. Come on, Camilla, don't look so down."
"And you love me?"
"What? Well, come on, of course I do," Corrin said, scratching the back of his head.
"Say it."
Corrin stopped scratching his head. "Hmm? Say what?"
"Say that you love me."
"I mean… but… I always say that. You heard me. I said it yesterday, too, didn't I?"
"You said you love all of us. You didn't say anything about me in particular."
Leo groaned. "Don't do it, Corrin! You're just going to enable her."
Another swift push from Camilla drove Leo away and on the ground. Corrin dropped his head, took a deep breath, and exhaled. "I… I love you."
"You love me, Camilla?"
"...I love you, Camilla."
Without a moment's notice, Camilla was back to embracing Corrin tightly. "Oh, Corrin, I love you too, always." She let go of Corrin, then planted a big kiss on Corrin's cheek.
"Camilla, you're so bold," Elise said quietly, just observing the two.
"Gaaah, Camilla!" Corrin complained, holding his kissed cheek. "You got saliva all over me."
Camilla giggled. "Oh, come on, Corrin. We did this all the time. Why, have you forgotten? When you were younger, you would kiss me on the lips." She brushed her hair aside from her face and winked at Corrin.
"Camilla!" Corrin protested, eliciting another giggle from Camilla. She then immediately changed her demeanor and looked Corrin straight in the eyes.
"I'll have Beruka meet you right outside the castle's upper platform. You can be ready in twenty minutes, right?"
"Huh?" Corrin was taken aback briefly by the sudden change in Camilla. "Er, uh, of course. I'll meet Beruka on the platform in nineteen minutes."
"Okay." Camilla stood up, any jovialty in her appearance vanished. "I'll go tell Beruka, then talk with Father. Corrin, I'll check up on you after the meeting. Elise, Leo. I love all of you." She looked at each sibling and placed her hand on each one's head as she walked past them.
"Oh, Camilla," Elise said as she watched Camilla leave. "She's so strong."
"She's fearsome on the battlefield," Leo commented. "Corrin, from how affectionate she is at home, you wouldn't even know."
"She can be serious at times, yeah," Corrin said. "...And overly affectionate. But she's reliable. So I have to make sure I succeed, too."
"Just… try to understand Father, too," Leo said. "He's… Well, he was a kind person before. I guess he's lost a lot, and that's changed him."
Elise found Leo's words hard to believe. "Really? He's been respectable to me, and even my mother, but kind…" She crossed her arms. "Hmph. Sometimes I think he doesn't care about me."
Corrin came closer to Elise and wrapped an arm around her for a hug. "Of course he cares about us," Corrin said. "That's probably why he didn't send me to battle until he knew I was ready. Xander and Camilla, and Leo too, you know you're so much ahead of me." Corrin pat Leo on his shoulder. "Sometimes I forget that I'm the older brother."
"Corrin…" Leo made eye contact with Corrin. He broke off the eye contact and sighed. "You are way too kind, Corrin."
"You've said that already."
Leo made a small smile. "I know. But it's still true. And I worry where your kindness will take you."
"You, Xander, probably everyone seems to think that."
Elise wrapped her arms around both of her brothers and brought them in closer for a group hug. "But that's why we love you so much, Corrin!" Elise said.
Leo chuckled for a moment. "I can't believe you kiss Camilla on the lips."
Corrin felt the blood rushing to his face. He pushed Leo away. "Leo! Collar!"
Leo smirked. "Not powerful enough a counter."
"Corrin! How come you never kissed me on the lips!" Elise crossed her arms again.
"We're way too old for that, Elise!" Corrin explained. "I was young, and my memory was gone! We were probably playing house or something."
"Hmph. Whatever. Leo, maybe you're the best big brother."
"I'm enthralled," Leo said dryly. "Though I'm not going to be kissing you, either."
Corrin chuckled. "Xander might be the most affectionate of all of us now."
Elise laughed. Leo also released an uncontrolled, "Hah!" at the image. "Xander, the most affectionate one. What has the world come to..."
Corrin looked at his siblings and smiled. "Thanks for making me feel like the older brother, both of you." He stood up. "I'd better go and meet with that Beruka now though."
"Lord Corrin is up ahead!" Lilith shouted so she could be heard above the sound of the horses trotting and the wagon wheels squeaking.
"Stop the wagon, Lilith," Xander commanded. He looked at the other passengers in the wagon. There seemed to be no worry amongst the captives and the guards. "Gunther, the steps."
"Yes, sir." Gunther pushed the wooden steps out. They fell into place. Gunther then stepped out of the wagon and waited nearby to help the others exit. Everyone else followed, exiting in the reverse order that they had entered.
Rinkah stretched, wanting her limbs to be ready for any action that they might encounter. She was still in enemy territory, and didn't trust the Nohrians. Next to her, Kaze remained motionless and silent.
Xander walked up to the two of them. "Come with me," he said. Without waiting for a response, he turned around and walked towards Corrin. Corrin was standing in the middle of a street. While he wore a cloak, Xander could tell that his armor was underneath. 'I'm glad he's at least a little cautious.'
"Brother!" Corrin called, running up to join him.
Xander stopped when Corrin caught up. He turned to Rinkah and Kaze, who had followed him obediently. "Listen, Hoshidans. You are free only because of the kindness of my brother. Leave now, for not all Nohrians are as kind as he. I suggest you do not waste his generosity."
Kaze gazed into Corrin's eyes. He noticed and gave Kaze a gentle smile. Kaze closed his eyes for a brief moment, then ran off, away from the city, leaving Rinkah with Corrin and Xander.
Rinkah crossed her arms. "I am not a slave, to be given freedom at your leisure. I didn't ask for your kindness." She looked at Corrin. "Your name is Corrin, is it not?"
"Yes, and you are Rinkah, of the Fire Tribe." Corrin extended his hand for a handshake.
Rinkah merely stared at the hand, motionless because of both surprise and disgust. "Tch," she uttered. "We are enemies. The next time we meet, you will pay for this humiliation."
Corrin withdrew his hand, but didn't ease up on his smile. "I was hoping that next time, we could meet as friends."
"You are Nohrian, and I am a warrior of Hoshido. Unless you are telling me right now in front of this crown prince of Nohr that you are changing sides, your words are empty and meaningless. We're at war. We can't be friends."
"We may be at war now, but I want to plan for the day war is over, and peace can reign."
"Tch," Rinkah uttered again. She folded her arms behind her head and gazed into the stars. "I've heard that there was a naive prince of Nohr, sheltered and without any wisdom of how the world works. It's surprising to see that it's true. Completely true." Rinkah turned around, her back towards Corrin and Xander. "If we meet again, your experiences will show you just how the world works." Rinkah started jogging away.
Xander shook his head and put his hand on Corrin's shoulder. "Your kindness really will be the death of you. "
"If I wasn't kind, then I can hardly call myself as living," Corrin responded, still watching Rinkah disappear into the distance.
Xander gave Corrin a few pats on the shoulder. "I know. And I respect that. But just be careful. I'm not going to be around all the time to help you."
Corrin quickly turned to Xander. "Don't say that, Xander! You're acting like you're going to die on me."
Xander chuckled for a moment. "I didn't mean it like that. But I have a mission coming up that will take me away. And I know that you will be given a mission too, soon."
"Oh? What type of mission?
Xander exhaled. "I don't know. But I think Father will be telling you later today. You'd better go back and get some sleep."
Corrin yawned at the suggestion. "You're right. I barely slept a wink since yesterday."
Xander gave Corrin another pat on the shoulder, then gently pushed him towards Beruka, who was waiting quietly with her wyvern. Xander watched Corrin walk away, then turned back to the wagon. Before he reached it, however, he heard Corrin call out to him.
"Xander! Thanks for everything!"
Xander stopped in his tracks and smiled to himself. He then breathed in and continued towards the wagon.
The flight with Beruka to the edge of the city was in complete silence. The flight back was equally quiet. Beruka landed her wyvern on a castle platform near a wyvern stables. She jumped off her wyvern, then extended her hand to Corrin to help him down.
"Thanks, Beruka," Corrin said, accepting the hand and sliding off the wyvern with Beruka's guidance.
"Assignment complete," Beruka said. She jumped back up on the wyvern and took off again.
"Hmm," Corrin hummed to himself as he watched Beruka leave. He turned to the castle entrance. "Guess I'll just get some sleep."
Corrin walked through the still-unfamiliar hallways of the castle. He had been given a guest room for honored guests, since he never had his own room in Krakenburg. He still hadn't slept in it yet, since his arrival was immediately followed by the combat trial. He had no opportunity afterwards, since he had lent his room to the Hoshidan captives for their recovery.
As he passed a window, he thought about his servants. Felicia and Gunther were probably still riding the wagon back to the castle, otherwise he was sure he would have heard Felicia by now. 'I wonder how Jakob and Flora are doing,' he thought to himself, continuing on towards his room. 'I wonder what will become of Rinkah and Kaze. What will become of me?'
He pushed his bedroom door open, closed it behind him, and fell onto the bed. He unstrapped his armor pieces and pushed them onto the floor, too tired to hang them. He pulled off his padded coat, which was a struggle since he remained lying down. Finally, he summoned the strength to sit up to remove the coat, leaving himself in his linen undershirt and pants. Not bothering to put his sheets over himself, he crawled up to the top of the bed and swiftly fell asleep.
Some time later, there was a soft knock on the door, followed by silence. A muffled, feminine voice came through the door. "Corrin? Are you there?" The door started to open, and Camilla peeked into the room. "Corrin, you have a new assignment…" Camilla saw Corrin lying in his bed, his chest slowly expanding and contracting as he breathed. She smiled and quietly walked over to his bed. "Oh, Corrin," she said quietly. She sat herself down on the side of the bed, next to Corrin, and gently brushed some of Corrin's hair away from his face. "I suppose you've been through a lot today, haven't you." She took Corrin's hand and started to massage his palm.
"Mmm," Corrin murmured, making Camilla put her hand to her mouth in surprise.
A sly smile formed on Camilla's face, hidden by her hand. "You are just too adorable." Camilla combed her hair back with her hand, slowly leaned over Corrin's face, and kissed him on the cheek. Corrin moved slightly, eliciting a giggle from Camilla. With her smile only increasing, Camilla leaned in for another peck. Again, Corrin only moved slightly in response. Camilla took a deep breath, then moved in for several rapid kisses on Corrin's sleeping face.
Corrin's nose started to register the scent of lavender perfume. He sniffed a few moments, then slowly opened his eyes. He saw Camilla and smiled. "Camilla," he said softly, stretching and exhaling after a big yawn. As his breath left him, his eyes suddenly grew wide with realization. He sat up straight and grabbed the sheets, securing them around him. "Camilla!" he said again, though this time with more alertness.
Camilla brushed her hair aside and flashed Corrin a smile. "Corrin, I'm sorry for waking you." Her smile disappeared. "But I have news." Corrin grasped his sheets tighter as he waited for Camilla to continue. Camilla leaned in close to Corrin. Before he could flinch back in surprise, she whispered into Corrin's ear. "Someone dangerous is on his way. Dangerous to you. Iago, advisor to Father."
The severity of Camilla's words were almost lost on Corrin from feeling her breath in his ear. He shook his head to focus. "Who is Iago?"
"Shh." Camilla placed her hands on each side of Corrin's face and made him face her. Their noses were almost touching. She leaned to his right ear and whispered again. "He has ears everywhere."
"Why is he dangerous?" Corrin asked, whispering as well.
"He has great influence over Father. Too much." Camilla wasn't hiding her disgust for the man. "He will want your kindness, your heart crushed. He is a dark shadow on Father and on all of Nohr."
"So then he is why Father acted so cruel?" Corrin felt a little reassured at the thought. He had been worried that Garon was a merciless leader. The idea that someone else was responsible, and Garon might redeem himself, appealed to Corrin.
Camilla hesitated to respond. Corrin noticed and backed his head to look into her eyes again.
"Camilla?"
Camilla put on a smile and tapped Corrin on the nose. "Sorry. I just hate making you worry so much." She pushed herself away from Corrin and stood up from the bed. "Someone's coming."
Camilla opened the door and smiled. A moment later, Corrin could hear the rapid footsteps of someone running. The footsteps became louder and louder until finally, Elise burst into the room. "Big bro!" she exclaimed, rushing past Camilla and jumping to embrace him.
"Elise? Take it easy, Elise!" Corrin said, though he accepted her hug.
"Corrin, we have to go. Now is the best opportunity to apologize to Father!"
"Wha?"
Camilla closed the door and sat back down on the bed, next to Elise and Corrin. "Care to explain, sweetie?"
"Onee-san?" Elise looked at Camilla, then back at Corrin.
"She was just telling me about what I missed," Corrin said. "So what's this about apologizing?"
"Father won't let things go too easily," Camilla said. "But maybe it is good to apologize now, before… what I said."
"What did you say, Camilla?"
"Nothing to worry your lovely self about, Elise." Camilla bounced Elise's pigtails a few times, until Elise swapped her hand away.
"Camilla! But anyway, let's go, Corrin!"
"Sure thing, let's go," Corrin said. "Well, let me change into something else."
"Oh, Corrin, I should sew you something much cuter. Those pajamas are so drab," Camilla noted.
"Wow, Camilla, this is the first time you didn't compliment Corrin about something!" Elise observed. "I think you're still great, no matter what pajamas you wear! See, aren't I the greatest?"
Camilla laughed and played with Elise's pigtails again. "It's not a competition, dear." She turned to Corrin. "Though is that how you see me? Just a compliment machine?"
"I believe that you are completely honest when you talk about family," Corrin said. "And you talk about family a lot."
"That's because family is the best. Don't forget that, Corrin." Camilla brought Elise and Corrin together in a group hug. "We are all family. Always."
"Of course!" Elise exclaimed. "And we'll always support each other!"
"You're right. You make me feel a little less scared about meeting with Father."
Elise broke the hug first. "Yep! So, let's go!" She jumped out of the bed and started pulling on Corrin's arm. Corrin got out of the bed and followed Elise towards the door. They both stopped when they noticed Camilla remaining in place. "Camilla?"
"Go on without me," Camilla said with a gentle smile. "I don't want to distract Father. I just met with him and talked about some sensitive things."
Corrin fought off a frown. "Well, okay," he said.
Elise didn't try to hide her frown. "Hmph. Fine." In an instant later, she was back to smiling. "Well, I'm all you need, anyway!"
"Hah. It'll be hard for Father to be dark with such a bright personality next to me." As Corrin turned the doorknob and opened the door, he turned to Camilla. "Okay, Camilla, I guess I'll talk to you later."
"Ohhhh, Corrin!" Camilla ran off and caught Corrin at the door. Before he could react, she held him in place with a strong grip on his arms, then planted her lips on his cheek for three long seconds. "Mmmuuah!"
She allowed Corrin to separate. "Camilla!" he protested.
"'I'm sorry, sweetie, but you were taking too long to leave. I just couldn't help it. Go on, go talk to Father. I'll be thinking about you."
"Hah! That's the understatement of the year," Elise said. "Come on." She took Corrin's arm again and dragged him out the door.
Camilla smiled as they left. When she was alone, and the echoes of footsteps faded away, her smile parted. "Corrin…" she said, her voice reflecting the concern in her mind.
Elsewhere, on a wagon heading back to the castle, Felicia sighed and looked towards the end of the city, where Rinkah and Kaze ran off. Her thoughts drifted off into similar territory. "Corrin…" she mumbled as she exhaled. Her mumble made Gunther raise an eyebrow and exchange glances with Xander.
Unseen in the distance where Felicia gazed, Rinkah had made it into a dark and muggy forest. Kaze had found her and traveled with her. He was quiet, so Rinkah didn't mind. The silence let her think in peace. A kind, but naive prince came to her mind. "Corrin, eh?" she thought aloud. "Hmph." Despite her initially disdainful exhale, a smile crept across her features.
The three women were not alone in their thoughts. Far off, leagues away from the subject in mind, a young woman was gazing at rice fields as she flew past on a pegasus. Her red hair was short enough that she didn't have to worry about it getting in her eyes as she flew through the skies. In the distance, towards the west where Nohr was, the woman saw the usual dark clouds that hovered above Nohr.
"Lady Hinoka, I don't see any enemies in the area."
Hinoka turned to her retainer, the faithful and archer-eyed Setsuna. "All right, let's head back," she said. She pulled on the reins and brought her pegasus around. As she turned, she took one last glimpse towards Nohr. Hinoka gripped her reins tightly, and she mouthed one word. "Corrin…"
A/N
No action in this chapter... And yet it's still a long chapter. I think with this story, since I'm going for a huuuge ensemble, I'm treating it from several points of views. Maybe you can think of it as multiple oneshots, all set sequentially and related to each other. Or maybe you can treat it like a normal chapter story. Whatever, but I feel like it's a different writing format from my other stories.
lioncousin, thanks for the review! Yeah, at least I felt like I didn't conflict with Niles' character.
Previous Guest, ohhhhhhhhhhh. As for Azura, whoa, I felt like I haven't seen that much of her. But I also feel like there aren't that many Fates stories. What I've definitely felt though is that Corrin, and Robin for that matter, has been portrayed as female for many of the fanfictions these days. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just not my type of story. Anyhoo, I don't dislike Azura, and while she's in the 18 or however many I said I was considering, I definitely have just a few that I reaaaaally like, and Azura isn't in my top few.
So, those of you reading, please lemme know what you liked with this chapter and what you think needs to be tweaked.
