I must have blacked out at some point, because when I open up my eyes, my wounds are healed and I'm in a tent. I sit up, and much to my surprise, don't feel any pain. I notice a silvery staff in the ground. A healing staff! Those are really rare nowadays, but in this time period...
"Oh, you're awake!" A new voice greets me. I turn around and my eyes go wide. I should expect this, being back in time, but it still shocks me. The boy has blue hair and a black tactician's robe. Morgan, the second child to Exalt Chrom, and might I add, my direct ancestor. You see, I'm not actually descended from Lucina, but from Morgan. Lucina's line actually died out.
"Aunt Lissa fixed you up. I was told to wait with you until you woke up, then go get Father." Morgan informs me. "Stahl brought you here, but said you were talking about being from the future! I wouldn't know - I lost my memories - but Lucina said she didn't recognize you from the future..."
"I...I'm a little beyond her time." I say quietly. A little...try hundreds of years.
Morgan gives a small shrug. "I'm going to get Father now. Stay here, ok?"
I mutely nod. The boy tactician turns away and exits the tent.
Oh boy...I'm about to talk to Chrom himself. With my luck, I'll say something stupid or offensive and get myself killed by my own relative. What is he even like? The history books always tell of his great courage and skills in battle, but as a person, who is he?
...Guess I'll find out in a moment.
After sitting for a few minutes, Morgan returns, with two new people in tow. Chrom and Lucina...seeing these two legends now in the tent with me makes me want to shrivel up. How can I, as a princess, ever live up to them? I'm never even going to be Exalt! Unless something happened to Tristian, but I don't even want to think about that...
Speaking of Tristian, seeing Chrom shocks me with how much he looks like my brother. They have the same messy blue hair, same build, and same way of looking at you...
Chrom speaks, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"So you claim to come from the future...Marth...We've heard this before." He speaks, leaning forward. I shift, feeling uncomfortable.
"Y-yes, sir. I c-can explain!" I manage, my voice betraying me as it squeaks.
"You best be able to! The Brand is sacred to House Ylisse." Lucina speaks, looking me straight in the eyes so I can see hers.
"I come from the far distant future. A time when swords are no longer used, and you are just a legend from a book." I murmur, somehow controlling my voice. "But I read about you, my ancestors, and the great things you've done. I want to be like you...worthy of my Brand. I...I don't know how I can prove to you what I am. But I am not lying."
"Father..." Morgan pipes up. "She looks like Mother. Look at her hair, and eyes!" I feel a wave of gratefulness come over me. He believes me...?
"Lots of people have red hair, Morgan." Chrom says, but he seems to be studying me. I shift some more, staring at the floor.
Finally, he speaks again. "I need to consult Hidenori about this. Morgan, take her to get something to eat for now. Lucina, come with me." With that, he turns and exits the tent, cape swishing behind him as his daughter follows closely behind. Morgan glances over at me.
"Alright, I'll take you to the dining area. Though I really hope you don't have taste buds, because Sully's cooking tonight, with her daughter Kjelle." Morgan says, wincing visibly.
I take that as a bad sign.
Moments later, I am staring at the strange, grayish-orange substance in my bowl. It doesn't look like any food I've ever seen... In fact, I am wondering if it's even edible. Morgan sits next to me, and seems to be wondering the same thing. A horrid stench lingers in the air.
The tactician seems to notice my look. "It's, uh, not so bad...if you just swallow fast...though you may end up with mild stomach pain..."
I hesitantly take a bite and gag at once. It smells and looks better than it tastes, apparently. Which should give you a bit of an idea of how it tastes. Ugh...my stomach wants to force itself back up my throat.
Morgan pushes away his bowl. "I'm just going to wait until tomorrow morning to eat. I take it you're the same way, Marth."
"As am I."
Morgan and I both jump. Somehow, neither of us noticed the knight in huge armor sitting next to us. His face is blank, as though he's used to this.
"Oh, hello, Kellam." Morgan greets him. "I didn't see you there!"
Kellam sighs. "I've been talking to you for a few minutes now, but I'm not surprised. Did you call this person "Marth"?"
"Yep. It appears we have another Marth from the future here. That's what she told us, anyway. Father and Mother are discussing it." Morgan informs him, tilting his head.
Kellam shrugs. "Well, it's none of my business necessarily, I suppose. What is my business is the amount of people going to be sick from my wife's cooking..."
"Sully is a great warrior, but she is not meant to cook!" Morgan agrees. The conversation is broken as Chrom approaches us.
"We need to talk to you." He addresses me, blue eyes unreadable. I nod and stand. Morgan starts to get up, but Chrom motions for him to stay put. We turn away walking at a brisk pace to a different tent.
Once we enter, I see another tactician, a woman with red hair and sharp gray eyes. Hidenori, Queen of Ylisse, wife of Chrom, and an absolute master tactician. I feel intimidated just being in her presence.
"You have no way to justify your claims of being from the future. You could very well be an imposter." Chrom speaks, eyes never leaving me. "But, we have no way to disprove you, either. So we have reached a decision."
"Join us and prove your worth as a true member of House Ylisse in battle. Fight with our army. Show your true worth." Hidenori speaks. "If you can overcome this trial by fire, we will believe you. If not..." She doesn't speak, but I get the implied message.
"I...I'm not trained for war." I manage, looking back and forth between them.
"We'll teach you how to fight." Chrom speaks. "Since you claim to no longer do so in the future. Will you join us and prove yourself? Or will you suffer the consequences of impersonating the royal family?"
I don't have much of a choice, but I make myself speak. "Yes, I will join you."
Hidenori nods, but her eyes are still narrowed. "Very well. You will need a teacher. As I see it, there is only one person who should train you in the fighting style of House Ylisse. Lucina," She turns to her daughter, "She is your responsibility now to train."
Hey guys! So, here's a new chapter! A few things to note...
There are shippings, as you can see. So far, you've only seen Kellam and Sully and Hidenori and Chrom, but I already have everyone planned. You can guess my ships if you want, though.
Hidenori is my avatar in Awakening. I'm using her instead of the default Robin. I like to headcannon that her red hair passed on along with Chrom's blue hair.
I would really appreciate reviews! Thank you for reviewing so far and following!
-EBC.
