Author's Note: Sorry for the delayed update. This chapter went out of its way to be extremely difficult.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem: Awakening.

Strangers in a Field

Sully was gone; Chrom, Lissa, and Frederick continued to rest for an hour. They sat in the grass, conversing quietly while the sun sauntered across the sky. It was terribly boring; with nothing to occupy their interest, their minds were left to dwell on their growing hunger. Lissa didn't even mention the prospect of eating fresh, fireside-cooked meat, which quite honestly surprised Chrom. Perhaps she was too hungry to be picky, or had yet to realize that Sully was not going to return with neat trays full of dates, fish, and silver forks.

Lissa broke the silence with a heavy sigh. "What do you think is taking her so long?"

Chrom snapped out of his musings, and turned towards the forest. "I'm not sure," he admitted, "but I doubt it takes this long to catch a few squirrels."

"I wouldn't worry, milord," Frederick said. "Knowing Sully, she won't return until she has caught something worth boasting about - a difficult feat, considering she is armed with but a lance."

"'And isn't a very subtle hunter,'" Chrom added, huffing.

Frederick nodded. "Quite. I would suggest we..." he trailed off.

"What's wrong?" Chrom followed the knight's gaze to Lissa's mare, Petal. "Frederick, do you hear something?"

"...No," he answered, getting to his feet, "but it does seem as if milady's horse has found something." He walked over to the horse and tugged an object from its mouth. He returned a few moments later with a sopping wet, partially eaten, boot.

Lissa wrinkled her nose. "Ew, Frederick! How can you stand to hold that thing?"

"Strange - it's very strange." the knight muttered under his breath.

"I hardly see what's so fascinating about a boot," Chrom said, his lips curling in a smile. "I would be more interested in finding the unfortunate owner of the shoe. A grumpy man, for sure - and a large one." His blue eyes widened as he noticed the sheer size of the sole. A good two inches larger than his own.

"That's what's troubling, milord," Frederick said. "I only had my eyes off the mare for a few minutes; it's impossible that she could have gone to town, stolen a shoe off a man's foot, and returned so quickly. A lone horse in a small town? T'would be a miracle she returned at all!"

"Maybe it belongs to some old shepherd?" Lissa suggested, yawning. "Anyway, I think I'll just-"

"Despite the winter season, milady, this month has been quite warm - enough so that the local shepherds would have no need for shoes. What's more, this leather is too fine for a common sheepherder."

"Well, we'll see who the owner is, soon enough." Chrom said. Both of his companions turned to stare at him. "Ah, when we return it?" He shook his head, grinning now.

Hiding the expression behind a cough, he continued, "Let's press on to town. With any luck, we'll meet Sully outside."

Lissa moaned. "Does that mean I'll have to get up?"

Frederick opened his mouth to say something, but Chrom waved it away. Ignoring his sister, the prince gathered his things. He adjusted his white cape, and re-tied his sword and sheath. Meanwhile, Frederick had lain the mysterious boot aside long enough to groom his lord and lady's steeds. Granted, without a proper tool, his work was decent at best; but Chrom was grateful for the attempt.

"Could I help you mount, milady?" Frederick offered, showing Lissa his hand.

The princess opened her mouth to speak, but Chrom interrupted, saying, "Why don't we just walk to town? It's not far, and our horses might appreciate the extra rest."

Frederick nodded, taking charge of all three horses's reins, and picking up his boot. As he filled his hands, the knight said something about the thoughtful and wise decision his lord had made - Chrom didn't bother to listen. Lissa's response, however, was less satisfied.

"This is dumb! Who cares about a stupid boot!" she grumbled loudly, crossing her arms and pouting as she trailed behind the men and their horses. "Not me, and certainly not the people who own it, 'cause if they did, they wouldn't have lost it! Besides, it's broken and we don't have any money to pay for it. What are we going to do, give him a check for the royal treasury?"

Chrom sent a glare over his shoulder. This is going to be a long walk...

"Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah," Lissa complained. "Blah-blah-blah; blahblahblahblahblahblah!"

Chrom sighed. If only her voice would give out!

They couldn't have been walking for more than ten minutes, yet Chrom was already weary. Lissa's voice was like having a hummingbird shoved in his ear, and made their trek that much more exhausting.

Exhausted; tired; beat; Chrom counted off the synonyms in his mind. Worn... dumb... I'm too tired to even think of more.

The past few weeks at the village had been some of the hardest he'd ever experienced - even worse than the drills Frederick tortured the Shepherds with on the daily basis. His body had worked in ways it never had before; it was embarrassing to think he had never chopped wood until a week ago.

Now he was headed home. Of course, they had to find and apologize to the owner of the boot, but it shouldn't take them so long they wouldn't reach Ylisstol by nightfall. With each heavy step towards home, his body grew more and more sluggish. Get me into that soft bed soon, it seemed to warn Chrom, Or I'm lying down right here and going to sleep! He had to push himself to keep walking.

I've got to keep my mind off this, Chrom told himself, suppressing a yawn. Think of something, anything: the Shepherds? I wonder how they fared with both Frederick and I away. And Lissa, too. Stahl isn't as competent as Lissa when breaking up fights. He shook his head. Better not think of Lissa right now, or I'm liable to do something... regretful.

New subject, then... Uh... Emm? What will she say when she sees these sunburns? She'll probably insist on taking out a staff for us. Chrom smiled. I always said I hated Emmeryn's mothering us; now I'm looking forward to it. It's funny how different your outlook can be after just a few weeks away from home. I suppose she'd like me to tell her that. He knew he wouldn't, though.

"...Walking our horses like poodles instead of riding," Lissa grumbled behind her brother. "So stupid! It's just- Heeeey!" Her growls suddenly stopped, her voice taking on a lighter, playful tone. "Chrom! Frederick! I think I see the boot-man!"

Chrom followed his sister's pointed finger, but didn't see anything. Before he could ask, though, Lissa was running across the field, seemingly towards her invisible man.

"Milady!" Frederick's voice sounded strangled, the man unsure whether to yell to be heard or whisper for safety. "Please, do not run ahead! You don't know what kind of man he is!"

Lissa, several feet ahead of them now, laughed gaily. "The poor kind," she said, when both men and their horses had caught her, "because he isn't a man at all!"

Lissa knelt beside the sleeping figure of a tall, thin woman. Her face was young and pale, with long lashes settled over her closed eyes. Her hair pooled about her head, messy from sleep, blades of grass sticking out at every angle. Her clothes were simple: a short-sleeved, beige tunic and white pants tucked into leather boots. Under her head, some indigo cloth lay as a pillow.

"She's very pretty," Lissa said, looking the woman over curiously.

"And dirty," Frederick said with a scowl.

Chrom shrugged. "What strikes me," he began, "is not her appearance, but what she's wearing. For one thing, these clothes look too fine for a poor shepherd. And she's wearing two boots, neither so large as Frederick's."

Frederick coughed. "You do not mean my sole, milord," he said, his tone offended. "I can assure, my own boots are not so big!"

Chrom tried not to laugh. "Of course not. Sorry, Frederick."

"So what is she, then?" Lissa asked, looking back at the stranger. "And what's she doing sleeping in the middle of nowhere?"

"A traveler?" Chrom suggest. "Or maybe a merchant on their way to town."

Frederick shook his head, scowling. "Whoever she might be, it was very foolish to sleep alone in so open a place. Has she decided Plegia is no threat?"

"Maybe she doesn't think it's dangerous," Lissa said. "No one would attack the citizens living so close to the capital, right, Chrom?"

Chrom paused before answering. "You can't always count on a villain's cowardice," he said carefully. "People should take precautions, no matter how far they are from the Pegasus Knights."

"So what should we do?" Lissa asked.

"...I guess we have to wake her."

"But milord," Frederick exclaimed, "we can not assume she herself is not an enemy."

"Even if she were, Federick," Chrom said, stepping towards the woman, "we have her outnumbered. What could one drowsy brigand do against three-"

Something hard smacked the back of Chrom's head.

Chrom stumbled forward and the hit the ground. Lissa screamed something, but he was too dazed to understand her words. Then there was another thwack and someone fell with a moan beside him.

Chrom tried to turn his head, but the effort sent a blast of pain rocking his temple. He squeezed his eyes shut, but the pain wouldn't ease. There was a sudden sinking feeling, and Chrom fell into sleep.

Something cold touched Chrom's head. It was like a gentle wave, the brunt of its frigid power centered on the back of his skull, growing increasingly softer as it flowed outward, across the rest of his body.

Chrom opened his eyes and turned his head, pleased when the only discomfort was a short pain behind his eyes. He was lying on his back, with his head in Lissa's lap. Her blond hair pricked his forehead, while her face blocked everything but the blue sky from view.

Lissa caught his gaze and smiled. "Oh good, you're awake! I was afraid we'd have to carry you back to Ylisstol."

"Did I... pass out?" Chrom asked, grimacing. "That's embarrassing."

Lissa shrugged. "If it makes you feel any better, that was a big conk you took. If you had heard that stick hitting your head... I thought your skull was shattered!" She shivered. "There was a nasty bump, but my Heal staff patched it up. You might have a concussion, though, so we'll need to watch your habits for a couple a days to make sure you're recovering."

"Can't your staff cure it?"

"I'm a level D cleric - I can't work miracles!" Lissa exclaimed, crossing her arms and pouting. Then, in a quieter voice, she asked, "How do you feel?"

"Better than before the clubbing," Chrom quipped, sitting up. No nausea, he noted silently, that's a good sign. "I think that five minute nap was worth the injury."

"Don't joke." Lissa complained.

"That's strange, coming from you."

Chrom looked around for a moment, before noticing Frederick standing a few yards away. The knight stood under a sickly looking tree, the only tree they had seen for miles. Their horses's reins were tied to one branch, and Frederick was digging through the saddlebags. Standing beside him was the sleeping woman - now fully conscious - holding the wrists of another stranger behind their back.

"Lissa," Chrom whispered, "what's going on?"

Lissa followed his gaze. "Well, that boy over there is the one who clubbed you. He must've snuck up while we were talking about the lady."

"That's impressive; even Frederick the Wary didn't hear him coming."

"Uh-huh! I think that's the real reason Frederick smacked him with that boot - you're getting knocked out was just an excuse."

"Ha ha. When did the woman wake up?"

"After you fell on her." Lissa giggled. "You gave her such a fright! I'm surprised her scream didn't wake you."

"Oh gods... I fell on her?" Chrom covered his eyes. "I think my headache's come back."

"Well, it certainly is a first impression she won't forget."

"Who is she, anyway?"

"There hasn't been time to find out. As soon as you fainted, Frederick started beating the boy with the boot and shouting orders. I ran to get my staff while the woman grabbed the boy. Right now, Frederick's looking for a rope to hold him."

"That seems a little unnecessary; he is just a kid."

"With enough strength to break even your hard head," Lissa reminded him. "Oh hey, Frederick's seen us!"

Chrom glanced back at Frederick, who seemed to be waving at them. The knight turned and said something to the woman. She let go of the boy and followed Frederick's beckoning hand.

Lissa helped Chrom to his feet, just in time to greet Frederick. "Milord, are you alright?" Frederick asked Chrom, bowing his head as he spoke. "I am ashamed that my incompetence has caused you to sustain any injury! I have been negligent and deserve severe punishment. I have fifteen different torture methods in mind that should inflict appropriate pain without taking my life - unless, of course, you have other-"

"Frederick, it's fine," Chrom quickly interrupted, halting the rant with a hand. "I'm okay, really. Just curious." He turned to the woman, who stood staring at her feet. "Thank you for helping us. And um... I'm really sorry for sitting on you."

The woman ducked her head lower. "Ah, that's okay. It wasn't really your fault."

"You weren't hurt?"

"Not at all."

"Good."

Lissa placed her hands on her hips, saying, "It wasn't very smart to take a nap out here, you know! It's dangerous away from town."

"O-oh," the woman said, her eyes widening, "sorry, I didn't mean to cause trouble..."

"There's no need to apologize! You just gotta be more careful, okay?" Lissa smiled. "I'm Lissa, and this is my brother, Chrom. And in case he didn't say, that bossy brunette next to you is Frederick."

Frederick frowned. "Milady, I believe 'brunette' is a term usually reserved for females. And, while I would warn you against being so free with a stranger," he paused and turned to the woman, "I must admit we owe this one a debt." He gave the woman an approving nod. "Thank you for your assistance."

Lissa's mouth fell open. "You got a thank-you from Frederick?" she exclaimed. "Wow, you must have made quiiite an impression!"

"M-milady!" Frederick stuttered. The woman laughed softly.

Chrom smiled, relaxing in the friendly atmosphere. "And your name is?"

"My name is..." The woman suddenly trailed off, an odd expression on her face. "My name... is... Chrom, my name is...?"

"Er, sorry," Chrom said quickly, "I didn't mean to be rude."

"My name," the woman repeated, staring at Chrom, "you know what it is. Will you tell me?"

Chrom stepped back, noticing the tension in the woman's face. "How can I have your name? We've only just met."

The woman's eyes narrowed. "Don't lie!" she shouted, her voice harsh and cold. "You do, you do know. Don't lie to me! Don't keep it from me!"

She took a step towards him, reaching out a hand as if to grab Chrom, but Frederick pulled her to a halt. She tried to fight him, kicking and flailing her arms wildly, but Frederick kept a firm grip on her shoulders. "Let go! Release me!" she shouted.

"Frederick, be gentle!" Lissa said, her voice weak.

"Enough, my lady!" Frederick spoke loudly, addressing the stranger. "Chrom is not your associate. He knows not your name, nor has he ever - now silence!"

The woman stopped struggling. Her eyes blinked slowly several times, before her head drooped. Her shoulders relaxed, and her breath ran unsteadily.

Chrom ran his tongue over his dry lips. "Frederick," he said, once he had found his voice, "release her."

As Frederick released his hold, the woman stood a moment, then fell to her knees, holding her head. Neither of his companions moved as Chrom knelt next to her, or spoke as he asked, "Are you alright?"

The woman slowly nodded, letting her hands fall beside her. "I'm... I'm so sorry. I don't know what...came over me. I felt so- I can't even explain it."

"There's no need to," he said. "Can you remember anything, if not your name?"

The woman shook her head. "No. I don't even know where I am."

"We're in the county of Stockfield, just a short walk from the town of Oden - does that sound familiar?"

"No... Nothing does."

Chrom glanced over his shoulder. "Any advice, Frederick?"

"Milord, if this woman is from around here, than someone in town would be sure to recognize her." he said simply. Chrom nodded.

"Good, then you can come with us."

"What? Come where?" the woman asked.

"To town, of course." Chrom said, holding out his hand to help the woman up. "Frederick's right: if you're from around here, then Oden is the best place to search for help."

"You'll take me there, even after I attacked you?" the woman asked, raising her head to stare at Chrom.

"You were confused; you didn't mean any harm. Besides, whatever happened, we simply can't leave you here. We wouldn't be Shepherds, then."

"Shepherds?" the woman repeated. "You tend sheep? ...In full armor?"

"It's a dangerous job," Chrom chuckled. He paused, then snuck another glance over his shoulder. "Frederick, we may need to stop in town for another reason."

"The boot-man, milord?" Frederick guessed.

Chrom paused. "What did you call him?"

"It would seem, milord, that your assailant is the very man we were originally searching for. Ironic that I should beat him into submission with his own shoe."

"Surely that's not why he attacked us?" Chrom asked, sighing in exaggeration.

Frederick shook his head. "No, milord, I do not think so. There is something dark in the boy's manner that suggests this is deeper than a supposed theft."

"What would you suggest we do with him, then?"

"Talk to him, Milord, and find out what he is willing to tell. Then we may take him to town and have the local law enforcement deal with him."

Chrom nodded. "But what do you mean by 'dark', Frederick?"

"I do not claim to have the ability to read hearts and minds, but clearly this boy was angry about something. I wouldn't worry too much, milord; I would guess it was a mistake that he targeted you. Surely such an urchin wouldn't know your own identity!"

"Identity?" the woman asked, sounding frightened again.

"It's nothing for you to be concerned about." Chrom answered quickly, though not harshly. He comtinued, "But if it makes you uncomfortable, you don't have to journey with us. We could send a constable or even a doctor for you, once we reach town."

The woman shook her head. "No, I'd rather be with you, than run the risk of someone with less honorable character finding me. Please, Chrom."

Chrom nodded. "Like I said, we won't just leave you here."

Lissa let out a heavy sigh, apparently relieved. "Now that we got that settled, can we go? In all the excitement, I think we forgot how hungry I am!"

Chrom rolled his eyes. "Forgive us for losing sight of the important things."

"Eating IS important! Especially for me; you know how testy I get when I'm hungry!"

"The difference in your character is truly astounding."

The four of them went back to the tree, where the horses and prisoner waited, the latter with obviously less patience. He was held to the tree trunk with a blue sweater - Chrom guessed Frederick couldn't find any rope and used the next best thing - and there was a wet stain on the front, where the boy must have tried to loosen his bonds with his teeth.

He was short - at least an inch below Lissa. His hair was thick and blond, with one long bang falling between his brown eyes. His face was bruised and dirty, as were his clothes; his body was slumped to one side, as if he couldn't sit up straight. He wore a dark tunic, and tights of the same shade, which didn't tell Chrom much about his background; it was a common outfit for the peasantry, but he knew it also existed - in finer form - as a uniform under a knight's heavy armor. I can't tell by eye what kind of materials his are made of, Chrom thought, but perhaps Frederick knows?

The boy glowered at them as they approached. "Damn, you're alive." he said to Chrom.

"Yes, thank you."

"Too bad, but doesn't surprise me. Though I did hit you with every bit of strength I had left - it wasn't much, I know. That's why your guard dog was able to restrain me so easily."

"...Okay," Chrom said. The boy continued to glare at him. "If it makes you feel any better, it hurt like hell."

"Where's my sister?" he demanded.

"Who?"

"Don't play games. I want her, the blond girl you and your disgusting band of villains dragged away from me. I want her now!"

"You've got it wrong, friend," Chrom said, "we've kidnapped no one."

"Liars!" the boy screamed. "Why else would that woman be with you now?"

Chrom turned to the woman, who jumped nervously and shook her head. He looked back at the boy. "Do you know her?"

He glanced at the woman, quickly turning away. "No," the boy said coldly, "I do not know her."

"Then why-"

"Because I saw you circling her while she slept! I thought you planned to bind her, just like you did Elenar."

"Your sister?" Lissa guessed.

The boy nodded, slowly. "Yes, my sister. The only person I had left, and you took her. I've lost too much to give her up so easily-!"

Lissa came forward and put a hand on his arm. "Wait, you're bleeding." She pointed at his neck, which had a shallow cut running just under his chin and dripped small drops of blood on his bonds.

She took her staff, which she had been holding, and touched the spot. The boy whinced. "Relax, I just want to close it for you. It would work better if I cleaned it first, than patched it up, but I haven't the proper materials. I really oughta start packing medical supplies when I go out; they never fail to come in handy. There we go!"

The cut skin stitched itself back together, leaving a purple mark which would only be visible when the boy held his chin up. His face, which had been scraped in various places, was completely healed, letting Chrom see the light, Ylissean skin and round, ruddy cheeks.

Lissa smiled. "When you're not scowling, you could actually be called cute - in a mushy-little-brother kind of way."

The boy said nothing for a moment. "...Thank you. You aren't the men who kidnapped Elenar, are you? Heh, what idiots would nearly kill a man than heal him? I'm sorry for my anger - and for clubbing you." He bowed his head to Chrom.

"I suppose it was an accident," Chrom said, rubbing the back of his head. Frederick coughed beside him, making Chrom sigh. I know what you're thinking, but I'm no good at holding a grudge.

"What happened?" Lissa was still speaking to the boy.

"Elenar and I were on our way to town, where a band of brigands met us at the gate."

"What?" Chrom exclaimed, his attention back on the boy. "Brigands in town?"

The boy nodded. "They surrounded us, took our money and weapons, and then Elenar. They beat me and left me on the road, saying if I didn't run now, they would stick me in one of the houses and torch it."

Lissa's eyes widened. "They're going to burn the town?" she shouted, jumping to her feet. "We have to go stop them!"

Chrom's gaze tried to run to his horse, but were caught on Frederick's frown. The knight gave a small, almost unnoticeable, shake of his head. Chrom's mind screamed at him to ignore Fredrick, to sling himself into the saddle, and gallop to the town's rescue. And yet, that look held him. "Wait a moment, Lissa. We have to hear everything before charging into a fight."

Lissa stared at Chrom, her mouth open. "What?"

"This boy knows the enemy's location, numbers, and weaponry - how stupid would it be to walk away from that information?"

Lissa crowed her arms, growling, "Why now, of all times, do you choose to think!"

"I'm being serious - don't get used to it." Chrom turned to the boy. "Tell us what happened, but quickly."

"There were seven brigands, six men and one woman. Four of the men were dressed pretty shoddy, with more knives than rags on their bodies, but the other man and woman wore real iron armor, with good quality swords."

"What kind of armor?"

"That of a ground unit, most likely a swordsman or something."

"You'd be dead if they confronted you head-on, so what happened?"

"They were more interested in giving orders than actually fighting. The ruffians tried throwing knives at us, but they threw worse than drunk men. They were forced to confront us with their iron axes, but Elenar and I had swords."

"A weapon advantage."

"Right. We did well, at first. But we were two exhausted people against four greedy brigands. In the end, they disarmed us, took our possessions, and left with Elenar."

"Why take your sister?"

"Tch, why does any man kidnap a young woman?" the boy sneered.

"Have you heard enough yet?" Lissa asked, pacing between her brother and her horse. "Because I sure have! Let's get to town and kick some brigand butt already!"

"I agree," Chrom said. "Frederick, let the boy go - don't bother saving the sweater, just slice it if you must. Boy-"

"Roth," he said.

"Roth, we have an extra sword if you want to fight."

"But his injuries-" Lissa began, but Roth shook his head.

"I want to fight."

Chrom nodded. "I thought so. Uh... miss," he faltered for a moment, turning to the woman, "We can't fulfill our promise to escort you. But stay here and we'll-"

"May I come?" she asked. "I know how to fight, and I promise not to get in the way."

"Have you a weapon?" Frederick asked.

"I... I think so. Just hold on." The woman spun on her heel and ran off, saying, "Please, don't leave just yet!"

Chrom looked at Frederick. "What do you say?"

"Honestly, Milord, I am not one for having a seemingly amnesic, mad-woman as our ally. If she were to have another turn, we might become her targets in place of the brigands."

"Mad?" Roth repeated, frowning.

Lissa shook her head. "She's not crazy, just confused, like Chrom said. She acts nice enough, and if we want to save the town, we're not in a position to be picky of allies."

Chrom nodded. "Lissa's right. We'll have to take what help we can get. Roth, you can ride behind me, and Frederick, you take the woman on your horse."

"As you say, Milord."

The woman returned, short of breath, and sporting a new cloak. It was too large, covering her hands and running so long, she tripped over it every couple steps. It was a deep shade of purple, spotted with dark stains and black adornment, with a golden fringe, and a hood. In her hand, she held a tome.

"You're a mage!" Chrom exclaimed, staring at the book.

She laughed nervously. "It would seem so."

"Um, you do remember how to fight, right?" Lissa asked.

"I... think so." the woman said slowly. "It should just click when we're in battle, right?"

Chrom and Lissa exchanged glances, as Roth and Frederick did the same. "Can I ask you a favor?" Chrom said. "Give us a heads-up before you try anything."

Ending Note: Thank you for reading! And sorry, again, for the late update. Next chapter - On the Verge of History (working title?) - will hopefully be up in two-weeks time. I hope you enjoyed!