"A...a Great Lord?" Lucina whispered to her father.

"Yes," the stoic king replied, "we were all supposed to start training when we got to the Mila Tree, but I don't see a problem with starting ahead of schedule. It's not as if you'll not be ready until we get there."

"I suppose that makes sense. Is that what Robin and Morgan are doing today?"

"Ahh, I see that you're very deductive. While I did hear from Robin that he would be doing 'special' training with Morgan today, he emphasized it wasn't part of the Grandmaster training that he has store for Morgan and Magna."

"But how would you know that he's telling the truth?"

"Simple, he would take Morgan AND Magna if it were for promotion development."

"Oh, well I suppose that makes sense. He's never been the kind to favor one of his children over the other."

"So," Chrom began as he threw her a trainig spear and wooden shield. She fastened the defensive armament on her left forearm and grabed the pole with both hands, mimicking her father, "shall we begin."

Chrom charged first aiming for her chest. Lucina easily readied herself and deflected the weapon to her left with her spear. As soon as the deflection was completed, Chrom span twisted and turn his staff so the other end came swinging towards Lucina's head. She didn't seem to notice, so the exalt stopped himself about an inch from her face, letting his daughter know that her had gotten a strike. In responce, the young princess let out a sad sigh, "I'm sorry father, I didn't see your attack."

"Don't beat yourself up about it, we only just started. Although I do have some tips that could help you, if you don't mind of course."

"Not at all father. Any advice from you, I'd welcome."

"Well first off, remember that the blade is not the only part of the weapon. With a spear especially, you can strike with either end as well as block. Which leads me to my next point, you shouldn't use the spear to block too much."

"Huh?" Lucina seemed a little confused, "but I thought that you just said it was okay to block with it."

"Well, yes and no. The shaft can be very delicate, we've even had metal spears break on us in battle, and truth be told, using it to protect ourselves is more of 'only protect what our shields can't' kind of thing. You're not used to using a shield, so it will take some getting used to, but ultimately, you're supposed to use a sheild to block."

"Hmm," Lucina examined her wooden protector on her left arm, "alright father, I think I get it now."

Transition-

"So tonight huh?" The Shepherds' head tactician continued his conversation with his son. "You should try not to get so worked up at dinner. Chrom might try to be intimidating, but if he is talking to Lucina now, he'll be more welcoming."

"Yeah, maybe," Morgan didn't sound as sure as he wanted to. His arms were starting to get heavy from keeping them extended forward, "so, how much longer until we're done?"

"Any minute now, actually. We've been at it for almost five hours, after that we should head back to town and we should get ready."

" 'We?' "

"Yeah, I'm taking you're mother out for dinner. Tomorrow all of us will be leaving so I wanted to show her a good time."

"Oh, umm...that's really cool dad."

Robin noticed his son's discomfort, "is everything okay, Morgan?"

"I don't know," he looked down slightly, "it's just that...how do you that?"

"Do what?"

"How are you and mom so lovey dovey? Not even Lissa is like that with Vaike. But the two of you still have so much..."

"Passion?"

"Yeah, that fire. Doesn't it die down a bit after a while."

"I guess...sometimes. But I love her, we just make each other so happy. Your mother may be a little reserved, especially around the others, but we always find time for eachother."

"D-do you think me and Luce will be like that in a few years?"

"Of course. You two remind me a lot of myself and your mother."

"You and mom?"

"Absolutely, Lucina's very serious and duty bound. However, she's still compassionate towards her comrads and she even looks like a blue haired version of Cordelia. You on the other hand, while not lazy, are very laid back. You are very immersed in your studies and show much aptitude, but you still spend most of your day trying to enjoy yourself."

"Great observation, so what is your point exactly? Haha."

"That you two have nothing to worry about," as Robin spoke, the glow from the rings on the floor began to die down. "Hmm, well I suppose the process is pretty much complete." Lowering his arms, Robin watched as Morgan followed suit. The markings spread across the ground slowly dissipated. The pair stood up in unison. Morgan raised his hand, almost as if he were expecting something to happen at any moment, "take off your shirt, Morgan."

"WHAT," the son responded, "why the hell should I do that?"

"Just do it, son."

Morgan ley out a small sigh, "fine." He pulled off his grey top to discover that the same symbols that were once on the surface surrounding him, were twisting upward from his left wrist all the way to his shoulder. It looked like an ordinary tatoo to anyone who didn't know any bettter. Which was just about anyone but the two of them. Robin had the same ones, but in a much smaller version and in a circular pattern. Robin's markings were over his heart instead.

"Well try it out. It's like using a muscle...but in your mind. If that makes any sense, I guess." Morgan extended his arm forward. Closing his eyes, he felt a warmth expand from his core and a large flame burst from his palm. Looking over to his father, Morgan saw delight in Robin's eyes, "I guess we can call this a successful attempt, wouldn't you agree?"

"Absolutely, this is amazing. Now I can use magic when I feel like it, correct?"

"Well yes, but I see that you prefer to use fire magic, right?"

"Haha, yeah you're right. You favored lightning, I used fire and Maggie loves wind magic."

"Pretty much. C'mon, let's head back into town. We can talk on the way."

Morgan followed after his the man, already shifting his arms through the sleeves of his shirt, "alright, is there anything in particular that you want to talk about?"

"Why, yes actually. Though I'm sure you already knew that," Robin beamed proudly at the intelligent man that his son would become, "just a helpful tip really. If you use your new abilities, it will take a physical toll on your body. While you won't run out of uses, like if applying with a tome, it will exhaust you in battle as if you were fighting with a sword. However, it will also tire your mental stamina as well. In other words, try not to over do it, although it's only really affected me when I've used very powerful and consuming spells, so it shouldn't be too bad."

"Okay, got it. Anything else?"

"Actually, yes. Magna will be given this power too."

"Ohh, ok then."

"Huh," Robin smirked slightly, "you don't seemed too surprised, if not at all."

"Well, I guess I just figured you going to. I mean, you and the Shepherds are going to teach me and the others to become our next rank, right?"

"Wow...you managed to figure that out by yourself, how did you manage that?"

"Well, I didn't. Kinda took a gamble and now you just told that I'm right. Haha."

Robin sighed, "guess I fell for that one a little too easily."

Transition-

*Knock knock knock*

Cordelia closed the suitcase she had been rummaging through, facing the door where a person was waiting on the other side. The captain of the pegasus knights was having trouble picking out the perfect dress for her dinner plans with her husband. She had literally been stuck in town for hours buying a new outfit and now she was looking for her make up. However, it seemed she was out of stock. Sighing, she loudly said, "come in, please."

The door opened to reveal non other than a mercenary with long red hair and crimson eyes. "Hello Mother, I jus-" the girl stopped short as she took in the appearance of her mother. Cordelia was wear an emerald shiny and sleak strapless dress that ended just above her knees. Needless to say, the dress hugged her figure perfectly, "damn mom, special plans tonight?"

"Oh Severa sweetheart, it's only you. And why yes, I do, tonight your father and I have dinner. It's nice to have time for this kind of stuff, we don't often get instances of relaxation in war."

"Gods, don't get all goo-goo eyes on me. I came for some advice." Despite her demeanor, Severa was actually very glad to hear that her parents were happy to be together.

"Oh, hehe, my apologies. Will this conversation cost me any desserts later on?"

"NO, of course not. Is it so hard for you to believe that YOUR daughter might want to talk to YOU? GODS!"

"No need to get so defensive, I was only joking. So what is it that is troubling you?"

"Well umm..." Severa's face soon began to match her hair in color. The logical conclusion that Cordelia would make was that it was boy problems. However, when it came to Severa, the young tomboy would surprisingly become flustered from almost anything. "Well I suppose I'm concerned about my role in this army."

"What do you mean You mean you and Lucina's companions?" When it comes to the Shepherds, while they have joined Chrom's side, the future children chose to direct themselves as seperate fractions. This doesn't mean that they don't interact with the others, but that they act in what's their intrest. It also leaves Lucina to be in charge of the future Sheperds. At first it caused a bit of a rift between the two groups, but the time travelers proved themselves to be loyal to the pursuits of the Ylisse, winning the trust of the army.

"Yeah," Severa sighed, "I know that I don't like to compare myself to others, but look at Magna and Morgan. They're brilliant strategists, amazing combatants and at times they are our strong leaders. Sometimes I just fell like, they were able to succeed so well and I didn't measure up."

"Oh Severa, my beautiful and perfect daughter," Cordelia smiled with much adoration towards her eldest daughter, "you're father and I could not be any more proud of you. You chose to go your own way and make a name for yourself based not on the fame of Robin and myself, but of your own merritt. However, that does not mean that you do not still carry the best qualities from your father and I."

"What do you mean?"

"You're resourceful, cunnning, tennacious, determinned, and adaptive like your father. Like me, you're helpful, focused, highly skilled and a naturally quick learner. Not to mention that you adopted my good looks and your dad's charm. And as for your siblings, I've never seen as much admiration as they explicitly display for you. It's natural seeing that you're the big sister. Magna always states that she wishes to be as pretty and strongly willed as you are. Whle Mirgan envies your brilliant mind and your capabillities with a sword. The two of them look up to you and you've only known each other for a short while, so you must have made a powerful impression."

"You...you really think they believe that?"

"I know they do," Cordelia reached out and grabbed Severa's hand, giving a small squeeze. A moment later the knight stood up, "now, I have to find some cosmetics for your father and my engagement this wouldn't happen to have any, would you."

Severa couldn't ignore her mother's pleading eyes, sighing she reached into her satchel and pulled out green eye shadow and a tube of red lipstick, "you're lucky I carry this junk with me. And gods Mom, can't you just say 'make up'. You don't have to be so formal around me, I'm your daughter. And stop smiling so much, it's making it hard to put this crap on."

Cordelia ignored her daughter's orders, and kept smiling. The older woman was elated to hear the distant and closed off Severa wanting an intimate mother-daughter relation with her, "since when does a girl...like you, carry such things on your person."

"Hey, I resent that, just because I'm a tomboy, doesn't mean I have no sense of feminimity. How do you think I manage to keep the position of the prettiest woman in the Shepherds?"

Severa finished applying the make to her mother's face, "geez, Mom."

"What," the self concious older woman responded.

"YOU LOOK GORGEOUS! Now I know where my good looks come from."

"Did you assume that you got it from your father? Haha."

"Gods, Mom. Don't be ridiculous."

"You like saying 'gods' often, don't you?"

"Yeah yeah, and you sigh too often."

Cordelia sighd, "yeah you're right." The two girls couldn't hold back their laughter any longer.

Transition-

Lucina had just gotten home, her body was aching, but all she needed was a quick shower to make her feel better. After undressing and stepping into the bathroom, Lucina turned the knob and stepped into the running water. Just as the dirt and sweat was washed away, so too was all the soreness she felt from her training earlier. Her thoughts drifted to the events that would transpire later. She was happy that her father was already warming up to the idea of Morgan being her partner. Now all they had to do was get through dinner together and he'll be a part of the family. Family. The word made the young future exalt begin to fantasize of scenarios in which she stood at an alter with Morgan about to be wed. Or Lucina would watch on as her husband was jumped by their children. Her eyes widened as she shook the thoughts from her head. The last thing she wanted was to have those small daydreams to distract herself. While she did promise to stay less bound to being so seious, she knew that all of the things she wanted in these little fantasies could only come true if she stayed focused on her mission. Don't get her wrong, Lucina loved Morgan, but because she loved him so much, she had to make sure he was safe. That she could protect the man she loved, along with people she cherished.

Lucina caught the sound of the apartment door opening, "Luce, are you here yet."

The bluenette smiled as she recognized her boyfriend's voice, "oh Morgan, I'm in the shower. I'll be out in a minute."

"Oh really," she could hear the sound of Morgan snickering, "why don't I join you, then?"

"No, no you can not. We have to make our reservation in twenty minutes. Besides, I get the feeling that my mother would somehow know that we 'did it' before hand."

"That's very...creepy. But seriously? I can't just jump in with you real quick?" The sound of the water shutting off answered his question. She emerged in a bathrobe, wearing towel on her head. He thought she looked absolutely stunning to him.

"No Morgy, need to get ready and leave. You won't set a good first impression as my boyfriend if we're late tonight. Now go get ready."

"Fine fine. But you owe me when we get back from dinner tonight."

Lucina blushed as he entered the bathroom. "I accept your terms." Seeing Morgan's enthusiasm only seemed to inspire her own. "Today everything will go fine and my parents will like him and father will too."

Transition-

"Alright Morgy, please remember your proper table manners," Lucina said as she and her date walked down the street together. The walk so far had been...awkward. Not due to some agonizing silence or mental uncomfortability. It was literally a physical uncomfortability. While Morgan was walking in a relatively normal way, his girlfriend was walking about faced as she coached him about what his expected behaviour for the occasion. Lucina also seemed to be looming over him, scanning his person for any 'imperfections' in his attire.

"I know, Lucy"

"Don't address my parents informally."

"I know I know."

"And do not talk with your mouth full."

Morgan stared at his beloved bluenette incrediously, "When have I ever-"

"Also, I'm not sure if your 'sense of humor,' will be met with positive feedback."

"I thought you said my jokes were funny?"

"They ARE pleasant Morgy, but it might not fit the setting. Besides, your jokes are better in...how do you say, short bursts. I just would like tonight to go perfectly and I really want my parents to like you."

Morgan cupped the face of his frantic girlfriend. When he saw that the female Exalt had visibly calmed down and her eyes had settled on his own, he rubbed the sides of her head. Morgan then decided to close the distance between the two of them a kiss Lucina. She succumed to the kiss closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around his neck. She loved his kisses, they were better than any drug that could be given to them, "Lucina, I love you and tonight will be fine. I'm sure your parents will at least like me. I mean this isn't the first occurance I spent time with your parents. I trained with your dad and discussed books with your mom."

"Hmm, I know. But that was before they knew about...us."

He gave that smirk. A look that many knew Morgan had when he had come up with the perfect fail safe plan, "ok then, so what if they don't like me. Then what. Will you want to stay with me?"

Now, Lucina was getting angry. The fat that he had the gaul to even joke about something like that was extremely infuriating, "what kind of question is that? Of course I'll stay with you. Remember what you said to me, "we'll stick together, come what may," and I don't intend on going back on my word, Morgan."

Said tactician looked as though he had expected those exact words, ""precisely Luce, I'm not going anywhere, so don't act like you're going to lose me if things don't go well tonight. We'll have a lot more than just one evening to spend with yoour parents. I might even have the rest of our lives to get them to like me."

"I guess you are correct," she responded at first. However, something he said caught her attention, "wait, rest of our lives? What are you suggesting?"

"Oh umm," Morgan's face soon matched his mothers crimson hair, "nothing. Nothing at all, silly. Haha. Anyway, shouldn't we be getting to our reservations." With those words, he pulled his mate with him to the resturant.

"Alright then, lead the way," as Morgan practically dragged her along, Lucina couldn't help, but think to herself, 'was he just implying that he wants to marry me?'

(Transition)-

"So after he gives me this beautiful ring, and shouts, and I quote, 'then our future is sure to be filled with happiness and pies'," Sumia finished her anecdote bursting with laughter. "So anyway, that's the story of how Chrom and I got engaged." Dinner had gone pretty good. Lucina didn't know what she had to worry about, Sumia ended up being the silly one during their conversations. Chrom wasn't too aggressive. The exalt was was welcoming and very well mannered. Speaking of manners, Morgan was under his best behavior, just as Lucina wanted.

However, one factor into his quiet demeanor was the seating arrangements. The group were sitting in at a round table with everyone's date sitting across from each other. In other words, both of Lucina's parents were sitting on either side of Morgan, which was without saying, very very very uncomfortable. He suspected that Chrom planned on it before arriving, although the night was pleasant and despite Lucina's commands, he did tell a joke or two which surprisingly, made the two parents laugh and spurred their talk into a more comedic genre. At the moment, they were finishing up dessert and exchanging stories. The topic was how each of the respective couples had gotten together. Everyone seemed to be enjoying Sumia's tale...well almost everyone. Chrom couldn't hold off the flames rising to his face as he tried to hide his face in embarassment. As for Morgan, he tried, Naga bless him he tried, but he could not help the laughter that escaped his mouth. The laughing Lucina turned her attention to her father.

"Why father, I didn't know you could be so...so," she tried to find the right adjective to describe his actions.

"Silly?" Sumia aided her daughter.

"Yes! Exactly, but it was also very sweet of him. Morgan was probably just as sappy." Morgan ceased his laughter and widened his eyes. All he could speak was a whisper. A whisper so low that only he could hear. A whisper that said, "oh shit."

Chrom let out a small smirk, "oh really? Why don't you tell us all about it?" While Morgan was at first annoyed by Chrom, but then something strange happened. Chrom winked at him, as if he ws just joking. Morgan responded to the gesture with a quick nod and a ghost of a smile.

"Alright then. So to give some background information, I was having issues with my...confidence. I couldn't sleep, and I could never find even an ounce of optimism in my body. I know many people think I'm brave, but the truth is that I'm always afraid, scared for friends, family and the future that I'm trying to save. The truth is, I was glad to be with all of you, but, it became difficult to be happy, like truly happy while dealing with all the fighting and strife. However, I saw Morgan, how he'd always brighten not only my own, but the hopes of all of us," she extended her hand out across the table to Morgan, and he took it into his own, "eventually I found I was able to think more positively. And my dreams were not nightmares of the disasterous future I managed to escape from, but instead about the man that I had fallen in love with. Haha, when I finally confessed to Morgan here, he told me 'sure alright.' Which, as you can guess, I didn't take as an acceptable answer."

Sumia laughed slightly, "I find that answer to be perfect for him though. I hope it wasn't all he had to say."

"Oh it wasn't. Afterwards, he had a very romantic few words to say to me. What he said was, 'Lucina, I love you with all of my heart. It just feels right when I'm around you, like I've known you for years despite not having that many memories of you. I may not remember much, but I will never forget you.' It may have sounded like something out of one of your romance novels, mother, but I simply adored those words ever since." At this moment, Chrom and Sumia looked at the pair of young lovers and then to each other before sharing a knowing smirk. It was at this point in the night that Chrom noticed that their plates were empty, so he decided to put his plan, that he had been working on all day, into action.

"Well," he spoke up, "it's getting late, and we've already finished dessert. So I guess we should start heading back since we're heading out first thing tomorrow morning."

"Aww, but I thought you said you wanted to spend more time with Morgan, dear?"

"Actually, sweetheart, I was hoping that I could take the walk with Morgan, and you with Lucina. I think some one on one time would be beneficial to our relationship."

Lucina then spoke up, "well I don't see any harm there, ummm. Are you ok with this, Morgan?"

"Huh," Morgan nodded his head to them, "sure, I don't have a problem with it." Although in his head he was thinking, 'though if I don't come back, please suspect Chrom of murdering me.'

"Then it's settle, come on Morgan. We have a a lot to discuss," wrapping an arm around he tactician, the older blunette dragged Morgan out of the resturant and headed in the opposite direction of their shared inn. Now that they were out of sight, Chrom let go of the ebony haired boy and kept walking with a serious face, though it was this time vacant of it's usual frown. Now a few blocks away, the king let loose a small snicker as he began to voice his thoughts to his companion, "heh, so I guess Lucina's really taken a liking to you."

"Yeah, ha...I suppose you're right. It's good that the feeling is mutual."

"You know, she loves you right? Probably since you were children too."

"W-well, I guess so."

Chrom couldn't supress the smirk at Morgan's nervousness, "you're just like your dad, you know? He always gets flustered when I bring up talk like this. Anyway, before you think that I'm doing this to just mess with you, I do have a point to all of this."

Morgan let out one of his famous sighs, mostly in relief. He was happy that things were much less tense between the two of them, "and what point would that be, sir?"

"Well I can tell that you both are very mature about this relationship...and that you truly love eachother. I guess what I'm trying to ask is...what are your intentions with Lucina?"

The pair halted in their spots as Chrom dared to ask his question, "ah so that's what tonight was about. You've been planning this since last night, correct," Chrom nodded his head smiling.

"I guess some of your father's knack for strategies rubbed off on me. So, what is your answer? What will happen if we all go our separate ways after this conflict?"

"I want to spend the rest of my days with Lucina. I know that anything we face, can be overcome by us," as he continued, a flame of righteous passion burned in his eyes bearing into the soul of the exalt, "even if the Fell dragon himself descended upon the world, he won't know what hit him."

For what seemed like the hundredth time that day, Chrom smiled at Morgan, "hmph, you're also as tenacious as you parents too. I'm very happy that Lucina fell for someone so respectable and honorable. Not to mention the son of my best friend. So, I don't want you to take this the wrong way but I want you to have this." Reaching into his pocket, Chrom pulled out a golden ring. Embeded on it were three sapphires on either side of a larger diamond at the center. The ring appeared to be slightly aged, if he had to guess, it was about his age.

"Umm, Chrom...are you asking me to marry you," Chrom's eyes widened as he realised how the situation looked. Blushing, he did a double take and began to stammer and stutter with making a coherant statement. Morgan's hand stopped his rambling with a supportive hand on the shoulder, "I'm just kidding Chrom. But what is it?"

"Haha," Chrom turned the ring over to reveal that on the underside was the mark of Naga. "Lucina gave me this when she revealed her identity to us. She offered it as extra evidence so we'd trust her."

"How so?"

"Well, I'm sure you already know about this. But in Ylisse, when a member of the royal family is born, a ring is made for them. A ring for engagement. When the Lucina from this time was born, she recieved a ring as well. That ring and this ring, are one and the same. So when she gave me this ring, she said to give it to the man that I deemed worthy of her hand. I'm not saying that I want you to marry her immediatly, but to hold onto this until you think you two are ready. I know you two haven't been together that long, but what I do know, is that she was referring to you when she gave me this ring." Chrom bestowed the ring to the young man, to which the tactician unconciously accepted into his palm.

After what could have been a minute or two of silence, Morgan decided to talk, "thank you so much for this, Chrom...I mean sir. I umm...I don't want to push it, but I think me and Lucina are ready now." The male great lord's eyes widen, as if requesting for further acceptance.

"Despite my initial reaction, nothing would make me happier than to see my daughter get married to you." He placed an firm hand on Morgan's shoulder, "to think, my potential grandchildren would be the combination of four incredibly powerful warriors. Imagine how great they'd be after they trained up a bit too."

"Umm...I think it's a little too soon to be talking about children just yet..."

Chrom remained silent for a brief second, "...Morgan, don't ruin my moment. You just got onto my good side."