Author's note: Thank you so much, dear readers, for your support. I can't believe how many reviews, favorites, and follows this story has received in just ten chapters. Thank you very much. I hope you all continue to enjoy Our Brother, Niles.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Fire Emblem.


Chapter eleven: Corrin's Choice

Xander paced in a haze of anger. He couldn't see; he couldn't think. Xander was deaf to the beautiful night sounds of the Astral Planes. All he could hear was Corrin's voice in his head, sobbing and screaming, "Get out!"

Xander walked faster, away from the house, away from his sister. He wasn't heading towards any specific destination. He just needed to get away.

Even in his agitated state of mind, Xander could wonder what would happen if he ran into him tonight. It was very late, and all but the guards should have been home and asleep; however, Xander didn't doubt that Niles might sneak away in order to rendezvous somewhere private with Corrin.

Xander almost wished Niles knew what had happened that night. If he knew that Xander had confronted Corrin with his worst fears, if Niles knew that Xander had told Corrin everything — then, maybe, Xander would finally feel safe. He wouldn't try anything then, Xander thought. … But that's what I thought when I spoke to Corrin.

His thoughts spiraled out of his control once more. Without reason to defend him, anxiety seized Xander's heart and split his head. He was a mess of nerves and rage, and he suddenly knew that if he did meet Niles that night, he would not be able to control his rage.

As if his thoughts had conjured it, a hand suddenly touched Xander's shoulder. Xander spun fast on the person, Siegfried's blade glittering in the light of the full moon. "This is your only warning! Stop now or —"

Azura gasped, stumbling backwards. "Hold your weapon, Xander! It's only me."

"Azura?" Xander immediately lowered his blade. "What possessed you to sneak up on an armed man?" he shouted.

"Forgive me, I wasn't thinking." Azura spoke softly. "I saw you pacing and looking so distraught, I rushed to see what was the matter. I should have had more thought than to touch you; of course you thought I was an enemy."

For a moment, Xander's clouded judgement stormed at Azura's calm. She met his glare so easily and without flinching; he had just put a sword to her throat, and yet she hadn't even raised her voice. How did she become so strong?

Xander's anger fell from him like rain, leaving his spirit damp and listless. He sighed shakily. "I'm so sorry, Azura," he said, "I had no right to bark at you like that. Thank you for caring enough to come running to check on me."

"You don't have to thank me," Azura said, the moonlight revealing her gentle smile. "I know I grew up in Hoshido, but now that I'm with you all, I would like to consider you my family." She dipped her head. "I'm sorry, that was rather sudden of me. But I had wanted to tell you this for a long time."

"You're apologizing again." Xander shook his head. "It's unnecessary. Truthfully, I already think of you as my little sister."

Azura raised her head, her eyes wide. "Do you?"

"Yes. As dear to me as Camilla, Elise, and," he hesitated slightly, "Corrin."

Azura looked so happy, Xander again felt guilty for yelling. "Your words mean so much to me, Xander," Azura said, "and yet, I'm afraid we've gone off topic. I had wished to make you feel better, but you are the one cheering me. Did something happen — something concerning Corrin?"

Xander looked at the sky, wishing for a divine escape. He didn't want to talk about what had happened. He wanted to keep being the big brother and help Azura; he didn't want her to help him.

Azura followed his gaze and misunderstood his silence. She frowned at the dark clouds that were swiftly closing in on the moon. "It will be pitch black, soon," she said. "We should go somewhere else to talk."

Without waiting for a response, Azura began to walk away. Xander stood still for a moment, not wanting to go but not sure if he actually had a choice in the matter. Azura never looked back; she seemed to assume he would follow.

I can't let her walk around on her own, he thought, taking a slow step forward. It's not that safe in camp.

He took another step, hesitated, and took another. His long strides eventually brought him beside Azura, who didn't even acknowledge his presence. He wondered if that was her way of being tactful.

They walked in silence until they reached Xander's home. Xander wasn't surprised that Azura had led him there; if he looked anything like he felt, then home was certainly the best place for him.

Azura waited for Xander to open the door, though he hadn't remembered to lock it. He had just enough awareness left in him to hold the door open for his sister to enter. When he slipped inside, however, what little poise he had drained from him; Xander fell into a seat with a shiver and a sigh. His head fell into his hands, unable to raise.

He felt Azura's hand on his shoulder again. "What happened, Xander?" she asked softly.

"Niles." Xander spat. "Niles happened! His existence happened! Months ago, he decided to mark our Corrin as his target, wooing her for some devious reasons of his own. We found out too late to save Corrin. She already thinks herself in love with the dastard!"

"I know," Azura said patiently. "But what happened this evening to make you so unhappy?"

"I finally told Corrin about… you know." Xander said, bitterness causing his voice to raise. "I told her everything, including my fears about Niles."

"You told Corrin that?" Azura exclaimed. "Why would you do that?"

"Someone had to! We couldn't wait for Niles to explain it to her in his own twisted little way!"

"Not that!" Azura said. "Of course you had to tell Corrin that. But you told Corrin what about Niles?"

"That I was afraid," Xander said, "afraid that Niles was only using her."

Something smacked Xander over the head. He fell forward, nearly tumbling out of his chair. He sat up quickly, finally taking his face out of his hands. He rubbed his neck and stared, his eyes wide, at Azura.

She looked as shocked as Xander felt. "I am so sorry!" she shouted, her cheeks flaring red. "But… but — no, I'm not sorry! What nerve do you have telling Corrin that Niles is only pretending to love her? You have absolutely no proof!"

"I didn't say he was pretending!" Xander exclaimed.

"Isn't that what you meant?"

Xander hesitated. "I suppose the implications might point to such a conclusion," he admitted softly.

"Xander," Azura said, her own voice raising with excitement, "how could you tell your own sister that a man she loves couldn't possibly be in love with her, but instead must be only using her?"

"That's Corrin what took from my speech as well," Xander said, feeling flustered. "What did I say that you both jumped to that conclusion?"

"Jump?" Azura repeated, beginning to stammer. "Jump! Xander, Corrin didn't jump. You… You pushed her! You took her up on your high horse and sent her hurtling, head-first, into that harsh, self-centered, baseless conclusion!"

"Don't dramatize it!"

"I'm not! Think through again what you said. Think on it very carefully."

Xander didn't need to think it through. He already had been dwelling over his conversation with Corrin since he had heard her crying through the door; the conclusion he had just been trying to deny had already occurred to him. He knew what he had said, and he knew he had meant it.

His head fell into his hands once more. "Fine. Fine! I know I've failed. I shouldn't have tried to turn Corrin against Niles with nightmares. But was there no way I could have warned her?"

"Warn her about what? You have no proof that Niles has any dark designs against Corrin." Azura sighed, and continued more gently, "You spent your time inventing reasons to fear Niles, to hate him, when you could have instead spent it speaking with him. I don't want to be harsh, but you are not an expect on love. I know you're used to speaking down to people, but this time, you have no experience with which to judge Niles."

Xander stared at Azura. "Speaking down to people?" he repeated. "Is that what you think of me?"

"It is true," Azura said softly. "You are to be the king. People expect that of you, and ask for it. Do not think it is an inherently bad trait; only learn to control it before it gets out of hand, as it has tonight."

Xander said nothing for a moment. "It's hurts that you think that way of me," he muttered. "I may not possess a heart that knows that love which Corrin imagines she feels, but I do have a mind. I know Niles' past and I can, at least, deduce a future."

"A possible future," Azura said, "but not a certain one."

Xander crossed his arms and turned his face away from Azura. "I know what you're thinking. I don't need to apologize to Corrin," he said. "I only said what I felt, and did so because I am worried for her safety. Besides that, my words didn't even dissuade her from her choice. If anything, they drove her to cling more closely to Niles."

Azura sighed. "You're acting like a spoiled child whose pride was wounded." she declared. "I want so much to march out of here and leave you to your sulking. I'm worried about Corrin needing comforting more than you."

Xander scoffed. "My pride was wounded. But more than anything, my heart was."

"How can you say that? How do you think Corrin must feel?"

"She chose him, Azura!" Xander shouted, a slight flame of passion flickering in his burnt-out chest. "She chose him over us, her family. I'll never forget this pain, whatever happens next."

Azura opened her mouth, then closed it again. She strode towards the door and put her hand on the knob; she paused before turning it. "Xander," she said without looking at him, "you may be in pain. But remember, you made her choose." She closed the door, leaving Xander feeling more alone than ever.


Ending note: I hope Xander's childish rage was a little funny. But to be honest, it's hard to find moments for laughter when the characters are finally reaching the root of the problem. I think the next chapter, however, - with its surprising new point of view - may help with the humor level.