Invisible Ties Chapter 9: To Plegia!

The trip to Ferox was quiet. The shepherds had travelled as quickly as they could, Frederic calling for everyone to mount up and ride horses or pegasi to allow them much faster travel, that or rest in the convoy wagons as Donnel was doing since he wasn't too much of a rider despite the fact that he lived on a farm. It wasn't long before Chloey found herself behind a worried and lost in thought Chrom on his horse. Clearly he was lost in thought, and she didn't know what to do to help him; he was the most affected by Emmeryn's decision to head back to Ylisstol with the pegasus knights. She was more concerned about Emmeryn's choice and that was sitting heavily on her shoulders. What was Emmeryn thinking? Why was she going back into a trap and with so little protection? Chloey's mind ran on and on and peace was eluding her.

It took a full month of travel, and Chloey knew that was pushing it to be as quick as possible cleaning risen as they moved to Ferox travelling as fast as they could. Of course she didn't expect that they wouldn't run into risen, the fact that they did was something that Chloey had anticipated just a bit having noticed that the general number was on the rise. She felt a sigh of relief escape her when they came into view of the Longfort. Chrom gathered his reins and his horse snorted, "Risen!" Chrom yelled suddenly having spotted the beings running around the outer parts of the forts and Chloey looked up,

"Sumia! Cordelia! Fall back! There are archers ahead!" Chloey yelled up at the two pegasus knights once she got a good enough glance at them. Both looked at her and saw that she was indeed right. Frederic watched as yet again Chloey guided the shepherds to an easy victory. Raimi appeared soon after with deep gashes and dented amour. She explained the warriors had been over powered and Chloey as well as Lissa and Maribelle offered to help them. Raimi grimaced as Chloey gently applied vulnerary to her wounds as the knight had insisted that she didn't need a stave to help her heal. Lissa looked up from the wounded that she was tending to, "It's weird to see the risen this far north,"

Chloey sighed, "It is something that we will need to be prepared for," she yelped suddenly and Chrom came over worried,

"Chloey,"

"I…I'm fine Chrom, just twitching muscles that took me by surprise is all," Chloey replied still white-faced. She made a deliberate action of continuing to help Raimi and Chrom had the distinct feeling that she was hiding something from him. He sided up to her and murmured too low for anyone else to hear,

"You mean something else don't you…"

"Chrom!" She hissed softly, "Not now," and he sighed,

"Chloey," he smiled sweetly and she rolled her eyes and playfully kissed him, "We can have our discussion later and spend some time in each other's company," causing everyone to look at the couple, especially Cordelia with a surprised expression which quickly disappeared as she realised that Sumia had told her the truth; Chrom was a married man and she didn't even have the chance to show him how she felt. She should have known better than to fall for the prince. She frowned at what she'd heard about Chloey. There was no denying the small woman's skill when it came to tactics, and they did spend a lot of time together it made sense that he would chose her. Cordelia heard that the day Chrom married the tactician was the worst day in Sumia's life. The red haired woman sighed. There was much that needed to be done. Sumia was a fool, Cordelia decided; a fool who had to grow up and abandon all childish dreams that she had. Just like Cordelia had.

Chrom was busy talking with Flavia when Sumia and Chloey arrived. Sumia felt that she wanted to be there to show Chrom her support and partly because she still hadn't given up hope that Chrom might just notice her. It was a fool's errand though, as she saw the way he looked at the tactician. He loved Chloey, and Sumia once again felt a pang. Her mother had said that if she didn't marry Chrom that Sumia would be thrown out of her home. Sumia didn't want to tell her mother that all of her attempts had been for nothing…Sumia felt like she wanted to cry but somehow kept a smile on her face. It was the first time that she was forced to face the truth. Chrom loved and only had eyes for the tactician. Sumia was as good as done for unless she got married herself. And Sumia didn't know who she would marry.

Chrom and the shepherds spent two full days recovering from the trip and Flavia proceeded to gather the Feroxi warriors to battle. During this time Chrom had been lost in thought worried about his sister. He wasn't the only one; Chloey working on what was the best thing to do in order to protect Emmeryn. She looked up as Lissa spoke to Chrom, however Chloey didn't hear a word. The tactician was lost in her own world. It was only when Sumia yelled,

"Snap out of it captain!" and punched Chrom in the face that Chloey was jolted out of her own thoughts. Her first thought was that Sumia was taking out some anger. The next thought was that her punch must have hurt as Chrom said so himself. The third thought was how dare Sumia hit Chrom. Flavia laughed and noted that the women Chrom had around him were strong and not dainty flowers. Chloey glared at Sumia even though the latter had apologised to Chrom. She sighed as they headed to get ready to leave.

Chrom looked to Chloey and they followed her to meet with Bassilio for some last minute preparations of supplies and plans. It was only then as he, and the rest of the shepherds that were present found out what had happened to Emmeryn. Lissa fainted as the news was told that the Plegians…no, Gangrel Chrom thought correcting himself was going to execute his sister. Chloey looked pained, and the khans were both agreeing that they needed wits and guts to save Emmeryn as Chrom had called the shepherds to march to Plegia, a move which Chloey saw coming from Chrom…a little too well. Chrom noticed that they said it something about a trap and Chloey spoke,

"Chrom," he turned to face her, "I'll think of something; I promise," she said as Frederic came into the room. He noticed that Chloey was supporting Lissa and that the atmosphere was tense. Flavia broke the silence, after Chrom said he'd leave the strategy to Chloey,

"Are you certain that you're up to the task Chloey? It won't be easy." She said with a frown, "You hold the Exalt's life in one hand and ours in the other,"

"A responsibility that I do not take lightly, however I am equal to the challenge." Chloey responded her right hand lifted away from Lissa to press her glasses up and Chrom looked over her. Did she have a strategy then and there? No, she's thinking…I've seen that face enough to know that she is deep in thought.

Flavia and Bassilio laughed,

"Ha you've got stones at least! I like that!" Flavia snorted,

Bassilio added, "No hesitation, no mincing of words…she's either a genius or a fool! I suppose that we'll find out once we march. Hold onto your helms Ylisseans! We've got an Exalt to save!"

Weeks had passed since then; Chloey had a basic plan in mind as they travelled to and through Plegia. She couldn't help but feel afraid. She wanted to save Emmeryn so badly that she couldn't sleep. Frederic had to drag her out of the mess tent at least four times in one night as Chloey was that stressed that she was going to let Emm down. She frowned, there was something missing and yet it irritated her to know that she couldn't for the life of herself figure it out. Several plans lay scraped by the table. They would be moving out in the morning. She had finally felt exhaustion set in. she yawed widely as she crossed out yet another plan. This was going to be harder than she first thought. Chloey had a promise to keep to Chrom however and that was what she intended to do. Even if she was tired and in need of a rest,

"Chloey," the knight growled, "it is well past the second night watch and you should be resting!"

Chloey jolted up suddenly as Frederic once again carried her in his arms back to the royal tent, "But the plan…" Chloey protested weakly,

"Milady," he said sternly, "You cannot think clearly if you are exhausted, a warrior needs to rest their mind as much as their body…" he heard a sigh and decided to speak with her for the first time since meeting her, "I know you are doing everything in your power to make the plan work, but I believe that rest is more important at the moment,"

Chloey let out a frustrated groan, but didn't say a word as she was carried. There was nothing that she could do to sway Frederic. She knew it. What surprised her was that he spoke to her at all and she sighed,

"I…I just know that there is something glaringly obvious that I am missing," Chloey protested. Chrom appeared through the flap of the tent and took her from Frederic, as the former had woken to discover that said tactician was not in the bedroll with him.

"Chloey," Chrom said calmly, "I need you to rest, not run yourself into the ground," he gave Frederic a nod and bade the knight good evening. Chloey noticed that Chrom placed her onto the bedroll and she felt her exhaustion catch up to her a bit quicker than she expected it to. The last thing that she remembered was that Chrom was talking to her sternly and sighing as his voice washed over her.

Chrom looked at his wife; a familiar feeling hit his chest as he watched her sleeping. She was beautiful, even in sleep. He sighed, Chloey had the short end of the past events. Frederic had been concerned, but not fussing over her as he did Chrom. The last afternoon was an embarrassing event that Chrom wished to put out of his mind even now. He knew that Frederic meant well, but the knight sometimes went overboard. Chrom sighed. He was sure that he'd never be able to live it down, having destroyed most of the posters, however there was at least one missing; according to Frederic at any rate. Chrom had spoken to the knight recently about it, and had demanded that Frederic relax, at least a little bit. The knight was confused by such a comment and had still acted a little over the top. Chrom sighed. He would have to work out what to do. He was sure that Chloey didn't really mind that knight's distrust, however the fact that she was Chrom's wife and was working to make the shepherds stronger was slowly warming the knight to her. Chrom had seen Frederic training with Chloey the other day; while Frederic was stern, Chloey didn't take long to pick up what he was trying to teach her. Much quicker than most of the students that he had. Chrom had been surprised when Chloey offered to help the knight out with something in return. Chrom sighed. In the distance the ink-black sky was slowly changing to a dull purple, a sign that the day was coming at last. Chrom got into the bedroll with his wife, holding her tightly to his chest. He didn't want to lose Emm. Nor did he want to lose Lissa or Chloey. He was half asleep when he swore he felt a small bump against his forearm. He felt a faint smile, he hoped that Chloey would take it easy.

All in all it had taken them a month to travel through Plegia. Chrom and the others were now a week away from the Plegian capital and Chrom felt nervous. Chloey's plan had worked to this point. Frederic had been acting strange all morning and seemed to be muttering something about making sure that the weapons "shone". Chrom allowed the knight the day off having ordered him to take a break, the same thing he said to his wife, both protested the orders they were given, but when Chrom took Chloey into his arms and kissed her, she sighed, "If it is a direct order from my commander, who am I to argue?"

While Frederic looked distinctively embarrassed about the situation he agreed to heed Chrom's "orders".

Which was how it was that Chrom was resting in the royal tent with his wife on the bedroll; she was half asleep, content until she and Chrom felt the little bump of what Chrom was certain was their growing child in her belly. Chloey had squealed in surprise and Chrom grinned widely. Their eyes met briefly and Chrom said playfully,

"Just muscle twitches huh?"

"Chrom!" Chloey said exasperated, he snickered as she blushed violently,

"What Chloey?" He asked looking innocently at her; Chloey sighed and sat up,

"Alright, alright, so I was wrong…" she looked away, "I told you I didn't want anyone to have false hopes."

"Right," Chrom's grin faded, of course she was going to be like that,

"Chrom," Chloey grabbed his arm suddenly, "did you hear that?"

"Huh?" Chrom said listening carefully. Sure enough it sounded like there were excited yells throughout the camp,

"Let's go," Chloey said quickly getting up, "I want to find out what is going on!"

Sumia had spent the night prior worrying about her plate as she'd tripped and messed it up so badly she wanted to cry. In fact she'd spent the night crying about it. the other shepherds had laughed at her (although Frederic was noticeably absent) and Cordelia had been busily making her own plate look good. Sumia then had expected to have to shine her own plate when she got up. What she discovered surprised her, Frederic had painstakingly polished her plate and her lances, all before she got up. Sumia felt a lump in her throat, she wanted to cry, but for an entirely different reason. The feeling that she had was joy. She wondered if Chloey had suggested Frederic do so, but when she heard Chrom order Chloey to have the day off, Sumia figured that Chloey hadn't ordered it at all. After her ride, Sumia went looking for Frederic; wanting to thank him for the kindness he had shown her. She had always found that Frederic was the one who she could count on whenever she went onto the battle field, and his skills had helped her so many times that she had to do her best to help. With a smile she noticed that today she seemed to not trip. It was a good sign.

"Hello Frederic," A familiar voice had broken his current task of deciding what to do with a "day off", and Frederic found his gaze upon the woman had had inadvertently fallen in love with; Sumia, "I wanted to thank you; were you the one that polished my plate amour last night to make it look so nice?"

He felt a blush hit his cheeks; she had noticed what he'd done! He stammered, "I…I wasn't sure that you had noticed,"

Sumia's smile made his chest tighten; along with the faintest hint of tears, in truth he had eyes for little else. She was beautiful despite the fact that she tripped over her own feet and it angered him a little whenever the others laughed at her. He listened as she told him how pretty she had felt on her ride and a smile touched the usually stern knight's face. It was when she added that it was the nicest thing that someone had done for her, (save Chloey helping her whenever she fell by healing any injuries or helping Sumia to her feet) and Frederic realised that he couldn't hold back any longer. He blushed as he gifted her with a ring. He'd bought it some time ago, Chloey having suggested it when he asked her about how best to help lift the moral of the shepherds. It was one of two ideas that she had offered and now that the knight had thought about it, he was sure that she saw this moment coming. He carefully pulled out the ring and Sumia's blush left her cheeks a faint yet beautiful pink. Frederic wasn't sure what to say, other than to say the truth. Sumia had won his heart and he would do anything for her. Even give her the moon if he could. He was surprised when Sumia started crying, smiling but crying.

"Oh Frederic, I don't want the moon! I just want you! So Yes, yes, yes and yes again!" she cried happily, allowing him to put the ring onto her finger. She surprised the knight by kissing him; the kiss told Frederic everything that he needed. He had made the right choice. Of course the moment was interrupted by Lissa who yelled,

"Oh my gods! This is the second time I've seen someone kissing another comrade! Don't tell me we have another damn proposal!" She raised her voice as loudly as she could, "Alright anyone else proposing had better speak up now! We have "Stully" and now Sumia and Frederic! Come on who else is going to get married?!"

Which left Frederic and Sumia to head to the mess tent as Lissa pulled them over while calling a blushing Stahl as well as Sully to come as well. Both couples looked at each other and Frederic realised he should have seen Stahl and Sully getting married. The two were close friends and it made sense. Cordelia smiled widely and hugged Sumia, the pegasus knight said something to Sumia and she blushed. Chloey and Chrom appeared and Chloey smiled widely. Ignoring the others she spoke, "Firstly I would like to offer congratulations to all of you," she smiled, then sighed as Chrom clearly was poking her in the shoulder, "Alright Chrom, I will get to that in a moment," which lead to all eyes looking at Chloey with Chrom standing behind her with an arm around her shoulders. Chloey blushed and poked Chrom in the shoulder in return then she smiled, "I have a feeling that we are going to have some weddings to attend," she was looking at Frederic when she said it and the knight blushed. Sumia smiled and was also blushing, "However, we need to get ready to travel tomorrow, we'll be within a few days of the capital and I don't want anyone over doing it." there was laughter at Chloey's words and Lissa pouted. Lon'qu was of course right at her side. So far nothing had happened to Lissa and she was a little annoyed that Frederic hadn't noticed her, although Lon'qu was a different yet similar sort of man. Lissa did like Lon'qu she was forced to admit. Plus she was trying to help him get over his fear of women. Their last conversation had been mostly about Lissa being the one who helped to increase the moral of the shepherds. Lissa had gone to have a bath and Lon'qu had been left blushing. She frowned. She would think things through later. Right now there was more to worry about like what Chrom was pushing Chloey to tell everyone.