Chapter 4

Gunther was the first person out the back of the wagon. He then helped Felicia climb out. He extended his hand to Peri, though she refused and jumped out herself. Laslow climbed out himself. Finally, Xander was the last person who jumped out of the back of the wagon. His flowing cloak followed by his tall and straight posture upon landing created an impressive though brief visual that made Peri squeal in admiration.

"So cool!" Peri exclaimed, shaking Laslow enthusiastically.

Xander dusted his shoulders off and looked at the castle. Because the castle was built inside a large pit, it was constantly under a shadow. It was difficult to assault because of its limited access points, but it certainly produced a gloomy atmosphere.

The dark atmosphere brightened somewhat as a red-haired young woman ran towards them. "Hey! Lord Prince Xander!"

"You could be a little more polite when you address the crown prince, Se-le-na," Laslow said, rubbing his shoulders after being shaken by Peri. "Perhaps an etiquette lesson over dinner?"

Selena faced Laslow and rolled her eyes. "Whatever, I said 'lord'." She turned back to Xander. "Prince Xander, I've been told to inform you that Corrin has finished his meeting with King Garon."

Felicia perked up at the mention of Corrin. "He met with King Garon?" she echoed quietly to herself.

"Thank you, Miss Selena," Xander said, making Selena smile and beam proudly, her hands on her hips and her chin held up high. She then remembered that Xander was the crown prince, and reassumed a more disciplined stance. "Do you know where he is now?" Xander asked.

"Lady Camilla said they would be meeting in the drawing room nearest her chambers."

"Very well. Thank you." Xander turned to Laslow and Peri. "When I meet with my brother, you can go for the rest of the day."

"Of course, Prince Xander," Laslow said, bowing. "Though we will be but a call away."

"That's right, we can make you some dinner! Bloody good steak and perhaps some greens as a garnish."

Xander chuckled. "I won't decline your kindness. But let's be off." He started walking, when he heard someone else jogging towards him.

"Um, Lord Xander, if I may accompany you as well?" Felicia asked. "I'll make sure Master Corrin is attended to this evening."

"Of course, Felicia. I wouldn't try to separate Corrin from his loyal servant and friend."

"F-f-fr… friend? Oh, I am but a humble servant, Lord Xander!"

"You don't have to be so bashful, Felicia. Corrin has spoken much about you. Like how in just one week, you probably fetch him hundreds of dishes."

'Because I've broken so many…' Felicia didn't say. She lowered her head. "I'm very grateful for your kind words, and Master Corrin's."

"Prince Xander is the best!" Peri said, beaming proudly as if she were showing off her own accomplishments. "Come on, Laslow, back me up!"

Laslow opened his mouth to speak, but Xander held his hand up firmly to cut off any further compliments. "Yes, yes, well, let's be off," Xander said, turning abruptly and starting to walk away. Lilith and Gunther took care of parking the wagon and bringing the horses back to the stables, while Xander led everyone else back inside the castle. They reached the drawing room, where all the other royal children had already gathered. Xander nodded to Peri and Laslow, who bowed and walked away.

"Xander, you're back!" Corrin said upon seeing the group arrive.

Selena ran over to Camilla. "Lady Camilla! I've found and brought Lord Xander as instructed."

"Thank you, Selena. You can resume the patrol plan I approved," Camilla said, giving Selena a sweet smile.

"You got it!" Selena waved as she ran off.

Felicia had gone to Corrin. "Um… Lord Corrin, is there anything you need?"

"Felicia! I'll be meeting with my siblings, so there's nothing right now. Well, I suppose I wouldn't mind if you fetched some of Jakob's tea…" Corrin stopped when he realized where he was. "Oh. Hmm. Wow, this is really different."

"I… I'll find you some good tea, and will wait outside for when your meeting finishes!" Felicia said, bowing deeply, then running off, leaving the princes and princesses of Nohr by themselves in the room.

"Xander, thank you again for helping out," Corrin said.

Xander held his hand up. "Not necessary." He looked at his younger siblings. "Tell me, what was discussed?"

"Father has given Corrin his first mission," Leo said, before Corrin could speak. Leo saw Corrin's open but silent mouth and gave him an awkward, apologetic smile.

Corrin smiled and gave a brief nod of acceptance to Leo before speaking. "I'll be going to the Bottomless Canyon."

Corrin's words caused a chill to run through Xander's spine, though Xander made sure there were no signs of any internal discomfort. Stories and personal accounts of the chasm between Hoshido and Nohr ran through Xander's head. If criminals weren't sentenced to death, they would sometimes be exiled to the storm-ridden, monster-infested, harsh lands that were spread throughout the giant chasm that separated Nohr from Hoshido. That sentence was often considered more cruel than death. "The Bottomless Canyon," Xander repeated neutrally. "There will be challenges, Corrin."

"And that is why I shall be going with him," Camilla said from behind Corrin, taking a step towards him and placing her arms around his shoulders. She pulled him close to her and gave him a smile. "Corrin, I will always stay by your side. Well, if you'll have me, of course." She giggled.

"Camilla…" Corrin said, looking up at her smiling face. "I… er…"

Xander gave Camilla a stern look. "I'm sure our brother will appreciate all of our help," he said. Corrin was being held by Camilla, so he did not notice Xander's look. Camilla did, however. She returned Xander's look with a stare of her own.

Corrin managed to turn around within Camilla's hold, so he could see her more easily. "Camilla, are you okay? You've tensed up."

"Hmm? Oh, don't worry, darling. Your big sister will make sure you're safe."

"I'm afraid that won't be happening, Princess Camilla."

All five of the royal children turned to see a tall, thin man walking up to them. His pale skin was accentuated by his long, obsidian black hair and his dark clothes. He wore a dark red cloak with large, black pauldrons with gold lining. He also wore golden gauntlets and greaves, and a large, sun-like headpiece. On his face was a horned mask or headband that covered one of his eyes. His unexposed eye was fixed on Corrin.

Corrin didn't know who the man was, but he felt Camilla's body tense briefly when she saw him. "Iago," she said with none of her typical warmth and welcome. The one word she uttered almost made Corrin shiver. Camilla could feel Corrin's discomfort, so she held him tighter, pressing his back on her body. "Why do you say that?" she asked Iago, returning her attention to him.

Iago brushed his hair aside and flashed his teeth as he smiled, all gestures that would normally be warm and friendly had the rest of his demeanor been less dark. He walked closer to the family, his approach making Elise move towards Corrin and Camilla. She cautiously held onto Corrin's arm. Leo also shifted his weight somewhat nervously, finding himself next to Xander. He adopted a smirk that masked the nervousness that he was feeling.

Iago stopped only a few feet away from Corrin. He was perhaps as tall as Xander, making Corrin, Camilla, Elise, and Leo look up at him. "This is to be a test for Corrin. He needs to prove his leadership skills." Iago looked into Corrin's eyes. Corrin could feel the tension in the air from all of his siblings. He summoned a genuine smile, which made Iago's smile fade away. Iago let a, "Tch," slip through his clenched teeth.

"So then he won't be going alone, if his leadership is to be tested" Xander concluded, eyeing Iago for some confirmation. His response came from another source.

"He won't be going alone." The new voice heralded the arrival of a new person to the conversation. The harsh, black-lined eyes of King Garon were watching his children turn towards him in surprise.

"Father!" Elise let out, before letting go of Corrin's arm and covering her mouth with her hands. "I thought you had retired for the night."

"Father, good evening to you," Xander said, bowing. His younger siblings followed Xander's example.

"Corrin's servants and the old knight will be going with him."

It was Camilla's turn to get a shiver run through her spine. She unconsciously squeezed Corrin harder. 'So Corrin will be alone with a few girls... and Gunther." Camilla was concerned for multiple reasons. "Father, might he need more people if he is going to the border? I could…"

"I will have another strong warrior and veteran accompanying him as well. He will be going to a quiet part of the border." Garon stared directly into Corrin's eyes. "You will not need an army."

"Of course, Father," Corrin replied, gently pulling Camilla's hands away from him. He took a step forward and dropped to one knee. "I will succeed, for you and for Nohr."

Xander was not convinced. The quiet parts of the border were usually stormy and treacherous and too dangerous for either side of the border to traverse. Some of the calmer weather parts were populated by out of control golems However, one look at his father made Xander abandon any idea of defying Garon's requirements. "When will you be leaving?"

"I will be ready whenever you ask me, Father," Corrin said.

"You will go five mornings from now. Train and prepare until then."

Elise clapped her hands together. "We should have a party then before you leave, Corrin! To celebrate one full day here in Krakenburg!"

"Hmph." Garon turned around and started walking away. Iago saw this and jogged up to walk beside him.

Xander bowed as Garon passed, with his siblings once again following his actions. "Good night, Father," Xander said. Garon's only response was a grunt before the sound of the door shutting behind him echoed through the room.

Elise was the first person to break the silence. "Father didn't object! We have to have a party before you leave, Corrin!" She grabbed Corrin's hands and pulled him back up, since he was still on one knee.

"Eheheh, that sounds wonderful, Elise," Corrin said. He looked at his other siblings and once again tried to melt any lingering tension away with his bright smile.

Leo's smirk gradually reappeared. He closed his eyes and exhaled. "Some people have a lot of work to do," he said, stretching his arms.

"Oh, pish posh," Elise said. She dragged Corrin over to Leo, let go of one of Corrin's hands, and tapped Leo on the nose. "You're going, too."

"Hey!" Leo swapped Elise's hand away from his face. "I'm joking, of course. I'll make an appearance. Camilla would never let it go if I didn't come."

"Don't complain. It's because I never want to let anyone go." Camilla walked over and attempted to tousle Leo's hair, though Leo was on the defensive and swapped Camilla's hand away like he did with Elise. Camilla laughed and continued on towards Corrin. "Especially you, Corrin. Right?"

Corrin scratched the top of his head. "Well, you may have to, though. I don't think Father will be very forgiving if you come with me."

"Ohhh, you're just growing up so fast!" Camilla leaned towards Corrin's cheek for a kiss.

"Gah, Camilla!" Corrin snapped his hand up to stop the taller woman, but her hand was faster. Before he knew it, she had intercepted his hand and held it down with surprising strength, keeping the path from her lips to Corrin's cheek clear. She pushed forward and made contact, pressing her lips on his cheek for three seconds and leaving a mark of lipstick on Corrin's cheek.

Camilla giggled as she let go of Corrin's hand. "We'll need to practice your defense and speed, too. Can't let all those girls out there doing that whenever they want."

Corrin tried to wipe the lipstick off his face, staining his cuff with red and smudging the lipstick on his cheek. "You're the only one that does that!" he pointed out.

"You're just training him, onee-san?" Elise asked.

"Hah! I'm sure it's just training," Leo said amidst some chuckles. "Isn't that right, Camilla? Just some cruel, cruel training." Camilla moved to push Leo away, but he had jumped away in anticipation.

"Ahem." The four siblings immediately turned to look at Xander. "A party, then?" he mused, earning a sigh of relief from Elise. "We should make plans and get them in motion. But for now, perhaps we should get some rest."

"Eheheh, right-o," Elise said, snapping to attention. "I don't know if I'll be able to go to sleep with this excitement, though. Think about it. All five of us haven't been together in a while!"

"It is an event not repeated enough," Xander agreed. "Something I hope happens more often." Xander made eye contact with Corrin. "We won't be able to go with you, Corrin, but we'll make sure to help you if needed. Don't worry a thing."

"Yeah, we can probably take on assignments that will keep us nearby," Leo said. "And our efforts will keep the border secure and keep any unwanted attention away from you."

"And I… We will be with you in your heart," Camilla said, reaching around Corrin and placing her hand over Corrin's chest.

"Heh, of course. Don't worry, all of you will keep me strong. Just like how you kept me strong while I was stuck in the old citadel. I won't be able to fail when I have so many thoughts looking out for me."

"That's right," Camilla agreed. She turned Corrin around for another kiss, but when she leaned in, her mouth only came into contact with the palm of Corrin's hand.

Corrin grinned and turned around to face Camilla. "I'm improving. You won't be able to get me that many times in one day."

"Took you long enough," Leo said, earning a playful shove from Corrin.

Camilla smiled and giggled again. "Silly Corrin, if you think I don't find your hand just deliciously adorable, you've still got a lot to learn."

Xander massaged his temples and exhaled loudly as he shook his head. "You guys…"


A/N

I was going to make this chapter longer and go into the next group of perspectives, but then I realized that there's a nice ending point right here. So, I'm hinting at some character background here. But, mostly this chapter is just to develop the characters and make you like them. Or dislike them. But feel emotions in regards to them, that's the goal.

Antex-The Legendary Zoroark, thank you for your comments! I am rather enjoying this fanfiction, and it might partly be because I plan on diverting from the original plotline(s). So I don't feel as restricted as my Fire Emblem: Awakenings stories. Or maybe it's because I like the characters. But anyhoo, thanks!

Guest, thanks for your comments! I don't want to spoil anything, but I feel like it's safe to say I plan on NOT having a harem. I just feel like I won't be able to pull it off well. Now, one thing that I have considered doing is writing this story, and then afterwards, doing different… paths? So like maybe at chapter 10 (I chose a part at random) I would recontinue the story following a different girl. And in the end, I write one common path and then many other stories. I might actually do that with Fire Emblem: Awakening, too. Or maybe I already am doing that… I suppose I do have stories with 3 different girls going on right now with Awakenings. Anyhoo, thanks!

Guest, you might be the same as the previous guest (not to be confused with Previous Guest!), but thanks for finishing, and no problem it taking so long! I'm sorry that my releases take so long. Yeah, I guess I won't go with Azura... Oh, but sorry, I don't think I'm going to do a harem route...

Guest, thanks for your comments! Yeah, I do really like Camilla and Corrin...

firehead, thanks for your comments! A lot of people seem to want me to do Camilla and Corrin…

Bob of the A, I will try not to disappoint!

Guest, I will continue! I will try to be faster! But whenever I try, it never ends up that way… but I'll try to try.

I love me, I have thought of what Camilla might think of a harem. It's an interesting perspective. But yeah, for other reasons, I probably not do a harem.

Anyway, thanks everyone! Please keep reading, reviewing, following, favoriting, sharing the story with others! And if you have any comments or concerns, just leave a comment or give me a PM! Bye! Hopefully it won't take long for the next chapter… You'll hear from some Hoshidans next chapter! Ooops, spoiler. Well, not a big spoiler, I don't think...