Chapter 8: The Grimleal

(I kind of wrote this chapter in a hurry, so I'm sorry for any spelling mistakes or anything else.)

It was morning already, as everyone were diligently packing their stuff. Some people were saying good morning to me as I smiled back. They seemed relieved to see me back to normal.

Everyone was ready to go, expect for 2 particular people. I sighed and decided to look for our bluhaired prince and Pegasus princess.

"Chrom? Sumia? We are leaving now!"

Where could they be?

I saw some shadows behind some trees and figured they would be there.

But why there of all places?

Sumia looked like she waiting for someone, Chrom, I presumed.

Chrom arrived behind her, trying to get her attention. Chrom was fidgeting nervously. I hold my hand for my mouth in surprise. Is this what I think it is?!

"Sumia?" Chrom finally said.

"Oh, hello Chrom."

"I...I was looking for you. Have you been here long?"

"Actually, I'd just finished baking a pie last night, and I was about to go...look for you."

"I don't deserve more of your pies, Sumia. You're being too kind to me."

Sumia giggled. "Oh, not at all. I LIKE looking after you!"

Chrom laughed. "Not as much looking after the pegasi, I wager."

"No, not as much as... Wait! NO! I MUCH prefer looking after you!"

As I was listening in, feeling slightly guilty to invade their private moment, I decided to return back to the others. As I was about to, I heard footsteps closing in, many footsteps.

Why is everybody here?!

I quickly ran quietly towards them and whispered for them to go back. I told them of the circumstances, but they wouldn't of course listen and hid behind some trees close to the lovebirds. I face palmed at the behavior of our army.

But I couldn't help myself, so I decided I might as well listen too.

Chrom started talking again. "Listen, Sumia. I was looking for you because...I have a favor to ask."

"You don't have to ask for favors. I'll do anything your heart desires..."

Chrom coughed awkwardly, and was red up to the ears.

"Err, see, I was hoping... If you were willing... Maybe you might do me the honour... Um..."

"Do you want more pies? Because I'll bake until my hands fall off!"

Read the mood Sumia!

"P-pies? No, err, what I'm trying to say is... I'm thinking of the rest of our lives and..."

"You want pies every day until you die? Well, that's a tall order, but if you—"

Chrom was clearly frustrated. "This is not about pies! Just listen!"

Sumia quickly became quiet. "...huh?"

"S-sorry, Sumia. This isn't how I thought... Oh, I'm ruining this whole thing! What I want to ask is... Will you grant me the honour of... Being my wife?"

Everyone squealed quietly.

"Chrom?! Are you...proposing?"

"Yes! You have done so much for me... Your kindness has warmed my heart. And somewhere between the fifth and sixth pie I thought to myself... 'Chrom, you must marry this woman and make her happy for the rest of her life!'"

"I...I don't know what to say. But in truth, I've felt the same way since the very first pie...before that, even. I've known from the start that nothing made me happier than...being with you. But, I never dreamed... Not in a thousand... I mean, me? Marry royalty?!"

"You shall be the finest royal bride the realm has ever seen! Err, that is...if you consent?"

"OF COURSE I'll marry you!"

"No words ever rang as sweet! But now we must make this official. Will you wear this for me?"

Chrom took out a ring from his pocket. It had a royal blue color that shimmered slightly.

"B-but this ring bears the crest of the royal family of Ylisse! Are you sure I'm allowed to wear such a treasure?"

"This was crafted to commemorate my birth, and later given to me by my father. Since my earliest days I have planned to bestow it to the woman I would marry. It is yours now. A symbol of our everlasting love and affection."

"Oh, Chrom, I'm...I'm so honoured. I will treasure it all of my days."

"Then our future is sure to be filled with happiness and pies, both!"

"Oh, yes! We shall have pies morning, noon and night!"

"Enough of the pies, already!" I finally said, coming forth from the shadows.

Both Chrom and Sumia gasping in surprise. As I was sweating intensely. Why the hell did I say that?!

Everyone else in the army came forth, clapping their hands.

"Congratulations on your marriage!"

Chrom face palmed in embarrassment. "You guys heard us? The entire conversation?"

Lissa came forward. "Don't sweat the small details!"

"Ugh, fine whatever..."

Everyone laughed as Chrom coughed awkwardly. "Ahem, let's continue with our journey now."


On our way, while walking, we decided to take a break. It was a long way from the village, so we decided to rest up.

I saw Panne and Gaius talking to each other.

"Heya, Whiskers. Thanks for getting me out of that tight spot the other day."

"I never imagined I would one day be forced to carry a human down a cliff. I hope the experience will not be repeated. I found it disagreeable and humiliating."

"I thought we looked pretty dashing with me on your back. Like a Panne knight! ...You get it? See, instead of 'Pegasus', I said 'Panne', so—"

"I am not a beast of burden, idiot!"

"Crivens, you're a snippy one, aren't you? Maybe you need some sugar. Here, have one of my candied figs. It'll settle that temper of yours."

"I do not usually eat sweets."

"No wonder you're always mopin' around. A berry tart keeps me whistling no matter how hard the going."

"Do these sweets of yours serve as emergency rations?"

"Any moment I'm not eating a sugar is an emergency, Whiskers."

Panne took a bit of the fig.

"*nibble* ...Ah, yes, very sweet. In emergencies, we taguel sometimes eat a similar-tasting fruit. But it is even sweeter than this candied confection."

"Sweeter than candy? Wh-what's it called? Where can I get it?! Ya gotta tell me, Whiskers!"

Gaius was completely drooling by now.

"Are you that interested in our culture?"

"Oh, err...yeah! Of course. Absolutely obsessed, in fact! ...So this fruit of yours. Where can I find it?"

"You're standing below a tree right now."

"Wh-what?! A candy tree?!" He ran towards the tree.

"Now, just gotta climb my way... Wait, up THERE?!"

"If you refer to the single, solitary tree at the very top of this cliff, then yes."

"Well, crap."

"What are you doing man-spawn? You know you can't get down again! I won't help if you get stuck. You'll have to stay there for the rest of your days! Gods, take this halfwit. He's stuck again..."

I laughed for myself as Chrom said it was time to go.


We had finally arrived at the Border Sands, it was windy with sand flowing around us. It wasn't a full on sandstorm, thankfully, but it took some difficulty to see things far away.

Contrary to the village we were in before, it was really warm. Not warm enough to be hot, but still warm considering I was in a thick robe. As I stood solitary, looking out to the wasteland, Chrom came towards to me, he seemed to feel warm too, as I saw him waving his hand in front of his face. "I'd like to believe it's our cunning that got us this far without being spotted... But we've seen far too little of the Plegian Guard. Where are they? Whatever trap Gangrel has planned, he is in no hurry to spring it."

He's right, I have a bad feeling about this...

Frederick came towards us. "Milord, our scouts report some manner of engagement downfield."

Chrom nodded. "Understood. Get everyone ready to move."

"These desert sands are certain to bog down our units, milord. Only mages and fliers will likely be able to proceed unhindered."

"Good point. I'll keep that in mind. Kyle, let's discuss strategy."

I nodded back. "Right."

The plan was simple, it was 3 small villages that had their gates open, and we were to split up in three groups to secure their safety while battling enemy soldiers.

"Now, the groups will be—"

"Wait, Kyle! There's someone out there!"

"Huh?"

As I tried to look out the sand plains, a little girl was seen running out on the battlefield.

She was panting, looking like she was being chased by something, or someone.

"Have... Have I lost him?" She had long green hair, revealing outfit with a purple cape. She had long pointy ears.

A man looking in his thirties, with short red hair, came running after her. "Wait, I say! Why you no comprehending, wee one?"

"AUGH! GET AWAY! Everyone just leave me ALONE!"

"Please, be keeping down with the voice! You give away position! Very bad!"

"My throat is dry, my shoes are full of sand, and some big weirdo is trying to KILL ME!"

"Oy, you break Gregor's heart! Why you treat like villain?"

Chrom was screaming back. "You there! Fiend! Keep your hands of that maiden!"

"Who is fiend? ...You mean Gregor? No, friend! You have idea wrong!"

Lissa also shouted back. "Yeah, right! ...Creep!"

The man named Gregor sighed. "This day has been nothing but insults and punches to groin. And all for doing good deed! Listen, friend! Gregor only want to—"

One of the enemy commanders, an old man in mage robes interrupted. "Gotcha, you slippery scamp! Prepare for a dose of Grima's wrath."

"Gregor looked flustered."Oy, this is terrible! Do you see now? They make with the catching of us!"

Chrom furrowed his brows. "Why are you all after this girl?"

"All? What is this 'all'? Gregor is not one of 'all'! Look close! Maybe you not see from so far? Gregor have innocent baby face!"

Chrom looked doubtful. "Hmm..."

Lissa scratched her head. "Well..."

I furrowed my brows. "Yeah... Not sure 'innocent baby' is how I'd describe it..."

"Gah! Never be minding! Gregor is not enemy! You must believe!"

Chrom sighed. "...This is making my head hurt. We'll sort him out later. Right now, we need to protect the girl."

The girl looked scared but still happy. "Y-you're going to protect me?"

"We'll do everything in our power to keep you safe. Just hold on until we can reach you, and we'll drive them off!"

Back to strategy.

"Cordelia and Frederick, you take the village to the left. Chrom and Sumia take the village to the far right."

They nodded and proceeded.

"Me, Lon'qu, Gaius, Panne, Virion and Miriel take the far left village."

They also nodded, looking ready to go.

"Gregor, you and the girl try to take cover in that village meanwhile!"

I was surprised that they nodded back, I didn't expect they would follow the orders so easily.

"Everyone, move out!"


As everyone was fighting, I noticed something when the girl was fighting. She transformed into a green large dragon.

"What in blazes?! The girl is a dragon!"

Chrom also looked surprised. "By the gods, she's a manakete... I never thought I'd see one."

"Hmm... Perhaps she doesn't need our help as much as we could use hers..."

After all the villages were secured, only the commander was left.

His way of battling was nothing different to what we had encountered before so he was relatively east to defeat.

"Ha ha! You dare defy Grima, god of annihilation?"

Sumia and Chrom swiftly took him down. "Master Grima...my life force...is yours..."


After the battle was over, the girl started sobbing. "This is the worst day EVER!"

Gregor tried to comfort her. "Ho now, wee one! Do not make with the crying of tears. The evil people are now dead people. This is good, no?"

"You... You're right. Th-thank you. My name is Nowi and... I'm sorry I was so mean to you earlier. I just get nervous around people who are...outside my age group."

"Your age group? Ha! Gregor much closer to your age than others here!"

Chrom interrupted. "Say, um...Gregor, was it? Gregor, do you mind looking after her? We need to press on."

"Mmm... Gregor is mercenary, yes? Maybe you hire Gregor instead. True, Gregor just finish killing former employers, but still very reliable! So long as you not try hurt little girl, Gregor will not hurt you. Also, Gregor need steady income. Many angry former employers."

"You're a sellsword?"

"Yes! Very swell sword! Cost performance very high. You have Gregor's word."

"Sure, why not? You're hired."

The girl interrupted. "But! But what about me?! I WON'T go back on the auction block!"

Lissa gasped. "Wait. You've been sold? Like a...like a slave?!"

To men more despicable than you can possibly imagine. They forced me to transform... They drank, laughed and made me do tricks..."

"What kind of scumbags buy and sell a little girl?! Even if she CAN turn into a dragon..."

Frederick shocked his head. "She may be little, milady, but not nearly so young as you might think. Manaketes live a very long time."

"Really? ...How old are you?"

Nowi scratched her head. "Oh, I dunno. A thousand...something? But look! No wrinkles!"

Frederick continued. "The dragonkin are said to be more resilient than men. You witnessed the girl's abilities yourself. Small wonder the Grimleal were after her."

I interrupted. "Beg pardon, but who are the Grimleal?"

"Followers of the Fell Dragon, Grima. The selfsame dragon the first exalt defeated a thousand years ago. Even today there are some who yearn for the fiend's return."

"I...see."

"Well, shall we get some rest? We're almost at to the Plegian capital. We'll need all our strength, soon enough..."


Author's notes: wow, this was a short chapter...

God this chapter sucked... I think I need to rewrite this in the future...

But anyway, see you next time! OwO