It's Wednesday! Thanks for the reviews everyone - Enjoy~

Aurora: Choosing the char marriages was super difficult but also super fun for me. Chrom is also a great angsty character heh. I hope you keep reading :)

/Zen

To my horror, I woke with the dawn. Flying out of my bedroll, I grabbed my cloak and shoved my boots on. I stumbled outside and right into Gregor.

"Ah, Arkelle awake now," he said with a grin.

"Gregor, why didn't you get me?" I demanded. It was barely morning, with the sky a blue so faint it was nearly gray. "I was supposed to be on watch!"

"Ah, but you work self too hard," he replied then shrugged. "Gregor let you sleep. Is no problem."

"It is a problem," I insisted. "If I don't pull my weight-"

"Who not pulling weight?" he asked. "You not weigh much anyway." He gave a great yawn that threatened to snap his jaw in two. "Ah but Gregor is tired. Gregor getting much too old to be staying up such late nights."

With that the infuriating mercenary headed off to his tent. He might play dumb and pretend his age was getting to him, but Gregor was as sharp as the end of his sword. He knew exactly what he'd been doing when he stayed up all night. I had to pull my own weight with the Shepherds. The last thing I needed was for them to start thinking I was getting special privileges.

Grumbling, I stomped off towards the sparring grounds. The morning air was cold on my bare shoulders, reminding me I was still only in my breeches and light shirt with my cloak and sword belt clutched in my left hand. Maybe getting some practice in would slew off my frustration.

The trampled ring was empty when I got there. I heard the faint strain of conversation from the direction of the mess tent, but I wasn't ready to eat anything. I wasn't ready to talk to anyone yet either.

Draping my cloak over a post, I unsheathed my sword. The practice dummy waited a few feet away.

I set my feet on the packed earth and took a calming breath. Energy I could use, but anger would make me sloppy. Even in practice I had to be concise. Two smooth steps forward and I swung my sword upward, using the impact of the hit to turn me around the far side of the dummy. A downward cut sliced through the air with the faintest of whistles. I spun again, my feet sure of their steps.

The clang of metal meeting metal rang through the morning quiet. With wide eyes I met Chrom's gaze. His falcion held my blade back. He'd left his cape on the side and stood in his sleeveless navy blue tunic. A faint breeze rustled his hair across his brow.

He swung his blade down, letting mine slide across its length and then come free. For a moment we stood there, facing each other. I brought my sword up and evened out my stance. He did the same. Then we were moving.

Chrom was strong and moved fluidly, but he lacked the finesse of Lon'qu. I'd learned from both of them, however, and could fend for myself. His sword sliced down from above and I sidestepped under his arm, using my shorter stature to slip behind him and forcing him to follow me. My blade was already heading for his ribs, but he deflected it.

Tightening my grip on the handle, I rolled and tried to come behind him again. This time he sprang away, dark blue eyes narrowing.

He charged, his blade level with my throat. I merely turned my body and used my leg to trip him. Of course, the Prince of Ylisse was not so easily deposed. We both spun and our swords crossed loudly. He laughed softly and for a moment we just stood there, breathing hard and looking at one another. I should look away, I thought. But I couldn't.

Chrom was magnetic. It was so easy to get along with him and forget he was a Prince. Forget he had a duty to Ylisse, the Shephereds, and his people. I could anticipate him easily – there wasn't much to figure out. He worked with single-minded purpose and was often hot-headed. In the short time I'd been with the Shepherds, I'd learned to anticipate his commands and how to nudge him in the right direction. He would make a decent ruler one day, but he was still learning.

It was too easy to forget he was a man, too. I could tell by the way he looked at me – by the way he looked at me now – that if I were to say something to suggest I felt for him that he would return it with feeling. We would be good for Ylisse. The Prince and a tactician? We could create the peace he wanted so much, and I would never go without. It was the tactical choice.

But my heart was being so troublesome. It nagged at me, bringing to my mind the image of a quiet, unassuming swordsman. One who smiled rarely but when he did my heart fluttered like a butterfly. One who always had my back without having to say a word. Lon'qu was capable, funny when caught off guard, and just a look from him made me melt. He was rarely predictable.

My heart, or my duty? Lon'qu or Chrom? A part of me didn't want to choose. If I just kept fighting and ignoring the dilemma, a part of me hoped it would go away. But it wouldn't. I felt heavy with the inevitability that my choice was approaching – and I didn't know what I would do. Ylisse would need a tactician as much as it needed a ruler, but did I have to be married to him? Did I want to be?

"Sweet moves, but ain't it a little too early in the mornin' for that?"

We stepped apart, swords lowered. Gauis stood with his foot up on a log that had been acting as a bench. Sumia and Stahl sat there as well. They clapped appreciatively. I felt a blush rise in my cheeks and was suddenly glad I hadn't said a word.

"Never too early for practice," Sully said, joining us. "You guys had the same idea as me!"

Chrom nodded at the red head. "Agreed. It was too good an opportunity to pass up," he added, glancing at me. I lowered my eyes, not wanting him to read anything in them.

"Yeah well, I'm going to be off if it's all the same to you, Blue," Gauis replied, raising a lollipop to his mouth. Despite looking disinterested, I knew he was raring to go. He was dressed and prepped – with an insane amount of sweets hidden in his numerous pockets, no doubt.

"Have you chosen who you want to go with you?" I asked, walking over and re-sheathing my sword. It was cold, I realized. Then I remembered that I hadn't put my cloak on. Gods! I'd been sparring with the prince in little more than my undershirt!

Swallowing hard and trying to convince myself it hardly mattered and that there was nothing to be embarrassed about, I slid my arms into the sleeves of my cloak.

"Yeah," Gauis said, scratching the back of his neck. "I guess I can take your advice, Bubbles. Except for Stumbles here," he jerked his thumb at Sumia who blushed scarlet. "Don't get me wrong sugar, you're a great fighter. Just no good at sneaking around."

"No, you're right," she admitted, looking down at her hands. I would have to do something about her lack of self-confidence, but Gauis had a point – if there was anything around the girl could trip on, she would.

"Alright," I said, "then who are you taking?"

"Don't get your licorice in a twist. I'll take the bottomless pit here and the taguel, as well as the princess."

"I don't remember saying Lissa could go," Chrom said with a frown. He'd refastened his cloak and sheathed his sword as well. Right now he looked every bit the prince and, I had to admit, handsome.

"You don't get to give me permission," the blonde princess said as she appeared from between two of the tents. She held her staff tightly and her eyes were bright. "I want to go."

"Lissa-"

"Chrom, I'm going," she said firmly, "you can't stop me."

As I watched, he ground his jaw. I knew he wouldn't like it, but I also knew she wanted to go. Gauis walked over to Chrom and put his hand on the prince's shoulder. Quietly, but not so quietly I couldn't hear, he said:

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her."

Chrom nodded reluctantly, although he didn't look away from his sister. It would be hard on him, letting his little sister go scouting into the hold of his enemy. But she had to, I assured myself. She had something to prove, and there was only one way for that to happen – she had to have a chance. With Gauis watching over her, she'd be fine.

Gods I hoped so.

"Do I have time to grab a snack before we go?" Stahl asked, standing up from where he'd been sitting next to Sumia.

"Always thinking of your stomach," Sully laughed. She smacked his arm and grinned.

"I can't help it," he replied, returning the smile.

"Manspawn with the ever empty stomach," Panne called as she came into view. Her dark eyes were brooding, but she held several wrapped packages.

"Er, yes?" Stahl replied.

"I knew you would be whining for food already," she replied, shoving the packages at him. "I hope these will slake your hunger. I do not want to have to stop every few miles to quiet the rumbling of your gut."

"Thanks!" He unwrapped one of them immediately and chomped down.

"Hey, what about me?" Gauis demanded. "I'm leading this mission thing, did you grab anything sweet?"

"What do I look like, a pack horse?" she returned with a glare. They stared at each other for a long moment before Gauis looked away and pulled a toffee from a pocket, grumbling under his breath.

"Are you sure they will make a good team?" Chrom asked quietly, leaning towards me. He was warm and he smelled good – earthly and of clean sweat.

I chuckled under my breath. "They'll be fine. They might seem dysfunctional now, but they know how to pull together. Don't worry."

I was trying to heed my own advice as we walked to the edge of camp and watched them head out toward Gangrel's hold.