Author's Notes:

Awesome seeing so many people reading! I hope you enjoy as much as I did writing this. Please make sure to have finished Fire Emblem Awakening series before reading this fanfic as there's lots of diving into the backstory and main story of FE:Awakening.

I know there's alot of diving into backstory of this game, and we aren't in the present yet but bear with me ^^;; It's a huge set up of the present I promise!

Will post a pic dedicated to this chapter on my tumblr: idledigression . tumblr


Chapter 2: Escape

It couldn't be! She's branded… Does anyone else know?

"Milord, I think I'm going to prepare a walk with our babe and return for a nap. Would you mind us taking the day off?"

"No, I'll be busy with the Grimleal. You do as you wish, but bring on attendant with you. Gods knows who would dare attack. HAH!"

Laughing at his own amusement and confidence, Validar left the nursery to attend matters.

It doesn't seem as if anyone else knew about the child since Validar would've obviously brought the news out by now. Luckily this child never had a wet nurse or nanny besides herself. It was her reluctance to trust another with her own child and the fact that she spent most of her time studying next to the sleeping babe anyway.

What to do, where to even begin with our escape? This was much different than commanding an army's stealthy retreat or infiltration. This time she was kidnapping an infant without any prior preparations. Validar's castle is in the middle of a harsh desert.

Running to the library she found blueprints of the castle and its many exits. Then pulling up a map of the developments in the town made up until now, looking for any ancient hideouts or paths until there was a suitable answer. It was near time in the afternoon for Validar to expect her to "go for a walk" that she found an answer.

An exit by the back of the castle towards an old windmill in the East. The windmill once relied on a steady river had an underground tunnel underneath that once provided water to the castle and town. If she could make use of this she would be able to reach the edge by sundown.

This would work. This had to work. Failure wasn't an option or her child's life would be forfeit.

Hurrying back to the nursery, she loaded under the mattress of the child's carriage maps, tomes, rations, and a set of clothes. Putting the babe in a bundled blanket to reduce any signs of hidden items underneath. Double checking the convoy of anything missing and looking suspicious.

Taking a stroll without an attendant was simple as many guards knew her history as a former tactician. Any soldier part of the Ylissean war did not need disrespect of questioning their ability of self-protection. To be safe though, she bribed a few gold pieces to a guard letting him know she'll be watching the sun set in the garden pavilion in the far West side. Careful not to let anyone interrupt the moment until after sundown.

To a guard, the task was simple enough and no harm for a madam of the estate to watch the sunset in her own garden.

Feeling glad for the guard's trust and a little guilty, she had to brush off her emotions off and act natural. Strolling elegantly with the carriage out of any guard's sight and towards the windmill in the East.


Cackle Cackle

The flames burn angrily in several chalices against the walls of the dark hall.

Nnnnn…mmmm…..hissss

Surrounded by dark mages murmuring a strange prayer, Validar was caught in the middle of a discussion regarding the "Heart of Grima".

"Validar…now that you are a father, your chance of being the vessel is diminished. The bloodline continuesss….and must be inspected." Hissed one of his advisers.

"When she was born, she had no markings!" Spat the man.

"VALIDAR! Ahem… Milord…this whole time we've been inspecting your body for it to appear as you aged. The same must now be done for your child."

Obviously annoyed by their implications that he is no longer the chosen one. Validar had no other choice but to agree.

"GAH! ALL THIS TIME….all this time….waiting and doing what I can and this is how I'm repaid!"

Tossing a glass of wine on the floor in a fit of rage and startling the cult members.

"Fine do what you must! The child is part of my household and must abide to the Grimleal. Our goal is to find the perfect vessel for the return of Grima."

Several attendants were commanded to summon the child but only the guard from the exterior returned.

"Milord, the lady and your child have not yet returned from viewing in the garden."

"…What? Who was her attendant I've ordered her to bring along?"

"No one sir. She merely wished to view the sunset on the premises. It did not seem to warrant an at- ACK!"

Before the guard could finish his report a cloud of Nosferatu engulfed his body, draining every bit of life that was left.

"YOU FOOL! She is a master tactician and that child is my heir. The guards aren't just for protecting them but to watch their whereabouts! Find them before they escape!"

Meanwhile in the outskirts of town, a woman and a tired child looked back to where they once called home.

If it weren't for the Grimleal, would they have lived together and grown old in that castle? Was there a chance her daughter could've lived an easy life with a loving family? No…it was never possible…

Instead, they were fugitives in their own country.

As long as the child carried the brand, it was impossible to remain safely in Plegia where eyes of the cult were everywhere. Also their neighbor was Ylisse, even though they were finally at peace there may still be those upset at Plegia. Maybe if we could travel to the most Southern parts of Ylisse where the simple folk lived and from there travel towards a neutral territory. This seemed like an ideal plan.

Simple folk are not knowledgeable in the arts of writing or reading, so no one would mention the arrival of a single mother and infant in any records if not necessary. Yes! This'll work.

For weeks, the two traveled South East finally reaching Ylissean boarders with small towns yet mature enough to even have a church. Content with living in a humble cottage in the woods, mother and daughter were able to rely on each other to survive.

They would've lived peacefully this way for many more years if only it weren't for a strange young girl to visit their forest.