A/N: I'M BACK! *Cheers and confetti* I got a bit of sun, ate a few fresh strawberries, celebrated two birthdays and went swimming until my hair turned green from the clorine in the pool.
Last night I went to the local baseball game and had a ball! Literally. I caught a foul and won a free something or other from a restaurant. My hometown team won and my best friends boyfriend proposed to her when they won!
Enjoy this chapter!
P.S. I DO NOT OWN FIRE EMBLEM: AWAKENING!
P.P.S. Shout out! Spacecase10, AquaticSilver, Mark-Kris Robin, Vanizo, and the rest! Thanks for your reviews!
P.P.P.S. Still can't spell! Still Can't Spell! STILL CAN'T SPELL!
P.P.P.P.S. Comments are Welcome with open arms. Flamers will not.
Chapter 9: EmmerynNarrator's POV
Aversa looked out the window at the army guarding the Ylissean Exalt. "So, Captain, let me be certain I understand your report... Not only did you NOT confirm that the Ylissean party carries the Fire Emblem... But you can't be certain Prince Chrom and the girl your King wants as his bride is even among them?" She turned around and glared at the man kneeling before her king. "... Is that the gist of it?"
The soldier shook in his armor. "Y-yes, milady! The air was thick with sand—even their number was difficult to ascertain."
Aversa approached the soldier. "Perhaps if you had gotten closer, Captain." She summoned lightning into her hand. "Here, let me show you..."
The soldier jumped up and tried to back away. "N-no! I'm sorry, I— Huargh!" He fell dead at the King's feet, a hole in his chest.
"Apology accepted"
Gangrel rolled his eyes. "Do try not to kill ALL the soldiers, my dear. We'll need a few for the welcoming party. The Ylisseans will be here soon—" He walked over to the window. "Chrom, Anastasia Melody and the Emblem among them, I'm sure. That bleeding-heart prince would never put good sense before his sister!" His eyes narrowed at the Exalt in the midst of his army.
Aversa stood next to him also glaring at the Exalt. "...And when they arrive?"
Gangrel turned to her, his face and laughter showing just how far the Madness had destroyed him. "It will be a massacre worthy of their legendary father!"
~At the Ylisse Camp~
~Robins POV~
I had a lot to think about. Anna had told me all she could about Mother. She had been a tactician living on a small island country before my Father, whose name Anna refused to say, kidnapped her and forced her into a marriage. As I was leaving her tent, I decided to ask her why she was avoiding Chrom. Her smile had instantly disappeared and she looked away. I left it alone for now, she would tell me later.
I arrived near the meeting tent, and immediately entered to hear a bit of a report. Basilio, Chrom and the others gave a nod in acknowledgement to me before turning to a man in a Plegian Soldiers outfit.
"The Exalt is to be executed at the castle on the morrow." Said the spy Basilio had sent into the enemies ranks. "I heard if from the king's own lips, sire."
Basilio nodded and the spy bowed and left to get some sleep for the battle tomorrow. "This is it, then."
Chrom nodded to me. "Exactly as you predicted, Robin."
I nodded but with a grimace. "So far, yes. But tomorrow will be the true test..." Chrom frowned.
"Chin up, there! Show some confidence!" Flavia said roughly hitting Chrom on the back. "It's your thinking that's got us this far. The plan is risky, but only as much is called for."
Chrom nodded still frowning. "We'll find a way to see it through, Robin. Don't worry. This time tomorrow, we'll be swapping stories with Emm on the road home."
I sighed. "I hope you're right."
~Dream POV~
There was darkness all around me. I look down and saw that man Anna had killed at the castle kneeling in front of me. What was his name? Oh! Validar... what's going on? Isn't he supposed to be dead?
"Master Grima, Exalt Emmeryn is to be put to death on the morrow. Events will soon be back on course." He said smirking at me, but also holding an air of greatest respect.
I opened my mouth but no words came out. I was talking to him, but there was no sound.
Validar laughed. "Ha ha, yes, I should never have doubted the truth of your words. The yoke of destiny cannot be cast off! Even as they resist, they write your future with every step, O great one!"
I could hear it, cold and hard laughter that was not mine, yet at the same time it was. I was laughing. Why was I laughing? What is happing to me? Why do I feel like my dream-self did when he killed Chrom in that other dream? I could feel nothing.
All there was were three pairs of Evil, Red glowing eyes.
~Dream End~
"...AAAAAH!" I sat up screaming. Lissa ran into my tent. "Robin? Hey, Robin! What's wrong? Was it a nightmare?" She asked worriedly.
'Is...that what it was?' I thought before licking my dry lips and nodding. "Y-yes, it must have been... I'm sorry, what brings you here, Lissa? Was there something you needed?"
Lissa smiled. "Frederick says it's time to march." She patted my back. "And we can't start the plan without our master tactician!" I smiled and stood up grabbing my sword, my Mjölnir Tome and my cloak before following her out.
~Annas' POV~
Gangrel stood on the edge of the mountain, the executioner and Emmeryn with him. I grabbed Robin and pulled him closer. "This is it brother.' I whispered harshly into his ear. 'What was set in Stone shall be rewritten." His eyes widened.
"Awakening?' He asked and I nodded. 'Will we succeed?"
I looked at him. "We will win the war." I said avoiding the main point of his question; weather we save Emm or not. Before he could say anything, I stared creeping to my third of the army.
The plan was simple: The entire army was split into three pieces. Chrom would lead one coming from the front. Robin would lead another piece from the left and mine would attack from the right. I nodded to the men on the front lines and crouched next to Basilio. "All right there, girl?"
I nodded but knew I didn't look convincing. I directed my attention to the Mad King.
"Good people! Warriors of Plegia! Welcome! Welcome, one and all! Your anticipation electrifies the air!" I rolled my eyes. Gangrel was being dramatic about this speech. "We ALL remember the crimes of Ylisse... Would you have their witch-queen answer for them? Here? Today? NOW?"
There was a mighty cry from the Plegians. Half of them were of how this wasn't justice, how kind Emmeryn is and mostly how the Mad King should be the one on the chopping block. Sadly somehow, those voices were drowned out by the other half, crying for death to all Ylisseans. "YEEEEEEEEEEEES! Finally, we will have JUSTICE! EXECUTIONER! If you would be so kind..." The executioner nodded and stepped forward raising his axe to Emm.
"Flavia!" Robin yelled.
"I've got him!"
Flavias' axe flew through the air and hit the man behind Emmeryn. The executioner swayed a bit then falls off the cliff.
With that Robin and I stood up from our ends of the field and yelled out. "EVERYONE: NOW!"
Our army stood and within minutes we clashed with them, hard. Chrom yelled out to us all, "Take out all the soldiers first! We'll deal with the Mad King later!" I nodded but decided against doing that. I had to save Emm, so I was going to take Gangrel down. For once, I will fight alone.
Gangrel must have seen me because I heard him yell above all the noise. "BRING ME THE GIRL IN THE RED AND GOLD CLOAK, KILL THE REST!"
Smirking, I kept cutting down brigand after brigand. I kept my hood up and my scarf around my face showing only my eyes. I must have looked fierce, because many of my enemies were backing up in fear. Then I heard a creepy voice directly behind me. "~Hello Precious. ~" I jumped and turned to see...
"Tharja?"
Said Dark Mage gave me that creepy smile I saw way too much in the game back home. "~You already know who I am? Good. That mean you know me well enough to allow me to protect you.~" She gave a dark chuckle. I shuttered.
"Um... I think my Brother will need more protection right now." I said pointing. She turned and we both saw that my brother was fighting back to back with a Ferox soldier. They were completely surrounded and surely without outside help, they would most definitely be defeated. I watched as the Dark Mage blushed at the sight of my brother before whispering that she would be back and ran off to help him.
I turned back to the battle and a few seconds later, I heard a whisper: ~Robin and Tharja have reached Support Level C!~
I chuckled. "Knew they would get through the first Support during the battle."
I suddenly tripped over something... no someone. "Are you alright?" I heard the person say.
"Yeah I'm fine. Can you get up?" With a nod, the figure stood to reveal a priest I was very familiar with.
"Good Heavens! You are Anastasia Melody Christianson, Personal Tactician of Prince Chrom!" I raised an eyebrow.
"What is your name and how do you know me?" I asked.
"I am Libra a Priest. Well, technically a war monk, if you care to split hairs... And all Ylissean clergy know of you, Milady! I must thank the gods for uniting us! Oh, dearest and most heavenly fa—"
I raised my hand to stop him. "With all respect, now is not the time for prayer—it's action that's called for."
Libra nodded. "Ah, too true! We hurried here to help as soon as word came of the execution."
"We? Then there are more of you?"
The priest gave a sorrowful sigh. "Alas, there were. I lost many brave comrades along the way. In truth, I was starting to doubt the purpose of my struggle..." He suddenly looked up with fire in his eyes. "But no longer! Pray, Milady, let my axe serve you and your party!"
I smiled. "Your love for my sister in all but blood is clear. I would be honored to be joined by such a formidable man of the cloth. I do have to ask a question if you do not mind." He nodded. I hesitated but continued. "Has anyone ever, forgive me if this is awkward for you, mistaken you for a woman?"
Libra gave a laugh. "Oh yes, milady, many times before. I am glad you recognized it as quickly as you did. It could have become much more awkward. ... MUCH more..."
I blushed when I realized what he was talking about. "Right! Let's stop there. Will you fight by my side? Prince Chrom wants us to take out all the soldiers first but there is a destiny that I have been trying to change. If I don't, the Exalt will die of her own will. I wish to wipe off what is written in stone and change the future for the better." His eyes were wide at my explanation but he nodded and followed me.
I then heard Chrom yell out over the battle. "Robin! Anna! Their wyvern riders have fallen! The skies are clear! I'm giving the signal!"
I looked over and saw him pull out something that if people back home saw it, they would run for cover shouting "Grenade!" In truth, it was something like a firework. Pulling out the small pin, Chrom threw it up into the air and it exploded in a flash of bright white light. The light was a mix of magic that would only blind our foes for a few seconds. It was in those few seconds that the Pegasus knights rushed in.
"Your Grace!" I looked up to near where Emmeryn was and there was...
"Phila!" Emmeryn exclaimed. "I'm so glad to see you're safe! But how—"
Phila smiled. "Khan Basilio's men freed me. Come, we must hurry!" She directed her Pegasus to the edge of the cliff. Jumping off, she tried to undo her Exalt's bindings.
Gangrel growled. "Those damned Ylissean tacticians do NOT play fair!
Aversa chuckled darkly. "Neither do I." With a snap of her fingers Risen Archers appeared surrounding the Pegasus knights.
Robin gasped. "...Risen?! Oh gods, no! Chrom! There are Risen everywhere!"
Chrom cursed.
Gangrel laughed. "Oh, did an army of living corpses just APPEAR out of the blue?! Truly, the heavens smile upon mighty King Gangrel this day!" I growled and started to climb up the cliff to try and still reach Emm, especially when I saw Phila and her Pegasus get killed. I paused in my climbing and watched as one by one the Pegasus knights fell.
Gangrel's laugh became more maddening. "I believe this is what they call a reversal of fortunes. Now...grovel before me. Plead! Beg for your worthless lives!" I growled and continued climbing as silently as possible, trying not to be seen.
"I'd give up my life before I'd beg for it from you." I heard Chrom yell. Half of me wanted to go back down and smack him in the back of his head for saying something so foolish.
"Oh, now THAT is a good line. A fitting epitaph for your tombstone, perhaps? But it's not just your life in the balance." He gestured to Emm. "The Exalt still stands upon the block. And I have a dozen bows trained on her. All it would take is one word from me..."
"Emm! Hold on, I'm—"
"ARCHERS! If this Ylissean pup so much as twitches, let fly your arrows!"
Chrom's growl and shout of 'I'll kill you!' made me want to go back and try to calm him. Yet I was half way up already.
Gangrel's laughter shook the stones I was trying to get a hold of. I gripped on a small indention as his words shook the cliff. "Go ahead! I welcome it. Just know you were responsible for Big Sister's bloody demise!" He seemed to turn to the others in our army. "...And what of the rest of you? Eh? Who wants the honor of killing the Exalt?" I could practically tell his mocking was coming from his madness. "...No one? Bah! Your merry band isn't quite so headstrong anymore, is it? Pathetic!"
I finally reached the top and pulled out my knife. I just have to wait for the right moment. "Just lay down your sword, and give me the Fire Emblem and Anastasia Melody."
"Chrom! You can't trust him!" I heard my brother shout out and I smile at his loyalty and friendship with the prince.
"Of COURSE I can't trust him! I'm not an idiot!" Uh oh, he's hesitating. "But if I just say no, he'll kill her! The gods are cruel, damn them! My sister or my duty... A problem with no right answer, yet I must choose!"
"That's right. Don't give up! There has to be a way..." Robin encouraged
"If there is, I can't see it... Ah, gods!"
Gangrel snarled. "I will count to three! Throw down your weapons, or your Exalt becomes the world's largest quiver. One! Two! Thr—"
"Don't even finish that word, Gangrel!" I said silencing everyone. I could see Chrom, my brother and everyone in our army looking up at me. My knife still at his throat, I pushed him to his knees. "King Gangrel, you do realize that by trying to shed Ylissean Blood you're shedding your own people's blood as well? A King with nothing to rule but the insects is no King at all. Will you not see the truth in my words or Emmeryns reasoning?"
Gangrel snarled at me. "You mean listen to more sanctimonious babble?! I think not. No, all I want to hear now is the THUNK of arrows, and a SPLAT as the Exalt hits the ground." Suddenly his elbow was in my stomach and I was flat on my back on the edge of the cliff with his booted foot on my chest.
"ANNA!" My name resounded from the lips of all my friends. Gangrel smirked at me before turning to the Exalt. "Take one, long, last look from your perch. You do so enjoy looking down on people... Then prepare to meet the ground, and your maker!' he looked back down to Chrom. 'That is, unless someone were to give me the Emblem' he then looked down at me pressing his foot down harder onto my chest making harder to breath. 'and a certain girl were to become my wife... NOW!"
"ALL RIGHT!" I heard Chrom shout and I twisted my head to see him. His face was full of anguish. "All right... Emm, I know you won't approve, but this is my final decision. MAYBE someday we'll face a crisis where MAYBE the Emblem would've helped...' he shook his head. 'But I know for a fact that Ylisse needs you, today! The people need their Exalt... And we need our sister. If those dark days should come, we'll face them together."
I turned my head and looked at Emmeryn to see a smile and tears running down her face. "Chrom... Th-thank you. I know now what I must do..."
Chrom looked confused. "Emm, what are you—"
Emmeryn turned to the crowd. "Plegians! I ask that you hear the truth of my words! War will win you nothing but sadness and pain, both inside your borders and out. Free yourselves from this hatred! From this cycle of pain and vengeance." She paused.
Knowing what she was going to do, my voice screamed out. "NO, DON'T DO IT EMMERYN!" Gangrel pushed down on my chest harder. Emmeryn looked towards me. She gave me a sad smile and whispered. "Take care of Chrom for me Anna. You have my Blessing and Love." She turned back to the crowd her choice now made. "Do what you must... As I will do. See now that one selfless act has the power to change the world!"
She began to fall forward.
"Emm, no! No!"
~Emmeryns POV~ 'No reaction...Was I wrong, then? Chrom... This is some torch I'm passing you... So be it.'
'Chrom... Lissa... And all my people... ...Know that I loved you.'
The last thing I heard before blackness took me was Chrom shouting and Anna sobbing. "Emm!"
~Lucinas' POV~
"DAMN YOU, GANGREL!" Father shouted while Mothers face became blank and Aunt Lissa fell to her knees crying. The Mad King laughed. "Well now! ...How disgustingly noble. And so lovely a fall! Here I thought death to be an ugly thing. I've never seen one fall so gracefully, in fact. ...And I've seen many fall. Ah... So ends Emmeryn, Ylisse's most exalted! But how can we ensure everyone remembers this beautiful moment of her sacrifice? Perhaps we should gather up her body and put it on display!"
"Gangrel! You die today!" Father growled.
Before anything else was said or done, the piece of stone mother was lying on started breaking underneath her. Mine and Ike's breath caught in our throats. The rock suddenly broke and the Mad King jumped back to save his own skin.
"NOOOOOO!" Screamed Father. "ANNA!" The stone hit the ground but Mother's fall was slowed by the Magic of Uncle Robin who seemed to snap out of some sort of stupor. When father gently caught her, we let out the breath we were holding. She was trembling but with a few whispered words from father she relaxed. He gently kissed her forehead before setting her down to lay on the ground. Uncle Robin and the others immediately come over to kneel beside her.
Basilio and Flavia rush up next to the group and put a hand on father's shoulder. "I secured and escape route! We have to flee!"
Father looked up at him but then looked at the Exalt's still body. "B-but...Emm's body... I have to..."
Basilios' grip tightened and he pulled him up. He picked mother up in his arms and began running. "You have to RUN! Now do it! Robin! Don't let him do anything stupid!" Uncle Robin nodded.
Ike and I stare at the scene and everything that happened from where we stood in the distance. "No! No... Our bleak future is written once more... And darkness awaits us all." Ike placed a hand on my shoulder. "Mother will change it. You know she will do whatever it takes to make our future bright."
~Time Skip~
~Robin's POV~
Once we were safely away, reality hit us with its hardest punch.
"All of that... For nothing..." I said. Some Tactician I am! Lissa leaned against Frederick sobbing. "I should have died before allowing the Exalt to be captured. I have failed as a knight..." I heard Frederick mutter.
Flavia turned to Basilio who was still holding my sister. "So what now, oaf?"
Basilio shook his head before placing the oddly quiet Anna on an old stump. "Don't look at me—I'm not in charge!"
Flavia groaned and rolled her eyes. "I picked a fine time to regain the full throne..."
I turned to Chrom. "Chrom, I'm... I'm so sorry. My plan just wasn't enough."
Chrom sighed. "You did your best, Robin. ...You have my thanks. It's my own failures that haunt me now." He growled. "Gods, I was just so powerless!"
"It's not your fault either, Chrom."
Chrom shook his head and I had the urge to smack him upside the head. "...She did it for me, Robin. So that I wouldn't have to live with the guilt of either choice, she chose for me. She sacrificed herself rather than give up what could one day save her people..."
I grabbed my best friend by the shoulders. "Chrom... Listen to me. Look at me."
Chrom looked up at me. His eyes were almost dead. I was completely certain that if I had not cast that levitation spell on my sister, those eyes would not be the only part of him dead.
I took a deep breath and stared into his eyes. "I was powerless once, too, remember? And yes, alone, I don't think either one of us is half the person your sister was. But together...maybe we can be something more. If you fall, I'll be there to pull you back up. When you fight for your sister's ideals, I'll be by your side." I shook my head and smiled. "You don't have to become your sister, you know. You can still be true to yourself. You just have to give people hope in whatever way you can."
"And what if I can't? What if I'm not worthy of her ideals? Robin, what if I drag you down with me?"
"If you aren't worthy, you'll keep at it until you are. And if we both fall down, well, that's what friends are for, isn't it?"
"That's right. I wouldn't even be here if not for you." Nowi said.
"You have me, your trust, and now you have mine." Tharja smiled darkly. "...For the time being." Everyone shuttered.
"Were you unworthy, I would have left long ago." Lon'qu stated.
"It took great courage and charisma to unite all of us. ...I knew I possessed such talents, but clearly you do as well!" I raised an eyebrow at Virion. I still don't forgive him for flirting the way he did with Anna.
"Yeah." Ricken said. "We all look up to you! You're like a hero to us."
Chrom smiled and I saw some life return into his eyes. "...Thank you, everyone. Your words mean more than you could know. My Shepherds... My warriors... There is work to be done. Gangrel must be stopped so that peace can once again reign in Ylisse. Will you help me?"
"You can count me in! I'm tired of crying all the time. It's time to start punchin' stuff!" Lissa yelled.
Maribelle clapped. "Hear hear, darling! Our people have suffered enough."
"Gladly would I fight and die for House Ylisse!"
"Gladly would I fight and KILL those dastards for House Ylisse!"
The others, Shepherds and Soldiers of both Ylisse and Ferox, shouted their agreements. They would follow Chrom to the death.
Frederick placed a hand on his shoulder. "You have grown strong, milord. I may have set a poor example as a knight... But I swear to you, I shall die before any more exalted blood is spilled!"
Chrom smiled, the light seemed to return to his eyes if only a tiny bit. "...Thank you all. Truly. You honor me with your fealty. I will not falter again. We shall answer this outrage! The Mad King must be stopped!"
Flavia slapped him hard on the back. "Right! It's time for ol' Gangrel to get a dose of his own vulnerary! The whole of the Feroxi army is yours to send crashing against him!"
Basilio laughed. "Har! You young folk—your passions run so hot! If I had any gray hairs, you would've singed 'em right off. In other words, count me in, Commander!"
Chrom raised an eyebrow. "'Commander'? What happened to 'boy'?"
Basilio smirked. "You've earned your way up from that name, I think. Now, where were we? Oh yes! I was just about to start cracking skulls! Flavia will lead me and the other Feroxi in a head-on assault. That should buy you enough time to take down Gangrel." He clapped him on the shoulder. "Hear that, boy? You get the fun part!"
"I thought you weren't going to call me—"
Basilio laughed. "You and Robin have my every confidence. You're a born leader, and he has a knack for guiding troops to victory. You both have some growing to do yet, but I can already see you'll grow tall."
Chrom clasped the mans' forearm smiling. "Thanks, Basilio."
Flavia smiled and held up a note that had come to her by falcon. "This note says that Raimi has reinforcements near the border lines. If we can make it there tomorrow, we should be ready for our next attack." Chrom nodded agreeing to this plan.
Our camp was a group of small clearings so deep in the forest that not even Gangrels' wyvern riders would be able to sniff us out. Everyone was resting in or near their tents. Well, almost everyone. Anna was still sitting on the stump Basilio placed her on, unmoving.
"Anna?" She slowly raised her head and looked at me. Her eyes were as dead as Chrom's were moments ago. She was on the edge of tears. I hugged her tight. "Anna... you said yourself this was written in stone."
"I know Robin." She said in a voice almost as dead as her eyes.
I pulled away and wiped her tears away. I then remembered Gangrel had almost crushed her. I got on my knees in front of her and lifted up her shirt. I tisked seeing the large bruise in the shape of a boot. I yelled for someone to bring me some bandages. When an Ylissean soldier brought it over and left I began to wrapped her up. "Anna, that was very brave and foolish to try and take Gangrel on your own. What do you think you were doing?"
She bit her lip. "I thought I could change history. Save the Exalt and win the war with as little bloodshed as I could. Chrom and Lissa loved Emmeryn very much as she was with them more than their own parents. I wanted to keep them from the pain of losing a parent figure like I have. I mean I haven't seen your mother in who knows how long and my own parents and siblings in almost four years!" I finished bandaging her, pulled down her shirt and gripped her hands in mine.
"Anna. This wasn't your fault! It was Emmeryns decision to sacrifice herself. As hard as it is to hear this, there was nothing you could do."
"Robin, I… I can't accept that. I'll never be able to make this up to Chrom and Lissa. Just… Leave me alone for a bit." She stood up. "I love Chrom with all my heart Big Brother. But he'll never forgive me for this." She ran into the forest.
I looked on sadly. "Oh, Little Anna. You shouldn't doubt his love for you."
~Robin and Anna have reached Support Level B!~
~Anna's POV~
I have been sitting in this clearing since the sun began to set. Now being completely dark I can think of how to at least try and make it up to Lissa and Ch-
"Anna! We need to talk."
I looked up and gulped. "Yes, Chrom?"
"It's about the route you drew up for tomorrow's march. I was looking at the map and I noticed... Anna? Are you listening to me?"
I blinked. "Er, oh. Of course! ...Actually, no. I kind of had something to... do." I tried to get up and walk away.
Chrom grabbed my arm and held me fast. "Anna, you're acting very strange. Are you hiding something from me?"
I trembled. "H-hide? You mean, HIDE hide? Oh, god, no! N-nothing at all... Nope."
He raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you fidgeting like you've got a squirrel in your pants?"
I tried to stop trembling but I couldn't. "I-I'm not fidgeting! I'm perfectly relaxed. ...And, er, normal."
"And refusing to meet my eye? Listen, Anna. Didn't we agree that we're close friends, with no secrets between us? Do you think I didn't mean that?"
My eyes immediately met his and I shook my head fiercely. "N-no! I mean, yes! I mean... I swear, it's not like that!"
Chrom sighed. "You've been avoiding me ever since we learned Emm was to be executed. And I'd like to know why, Anna. I think I deserve an explanation. Please. I can't go on pretending there's nothing wrong."
I tried to blink back the tears. "I-I tried. I t-tried to save her. It's my f-fault Emm's dead. All my fault! I knew this would h-happen. I told Emm this would h-happen if she went back. I should have spoken up and told you and Lissa! I-I…" His eyes widened when he understood and he pulled me into his arms. "This is the thing you said was written in stone, yes?"
I nodded. "Do you dislike my company now... now that you know I couldn't stop this?"
Chrom gasped and held me at arms-length. "D-dislike you?! Egads, Anna, of course I don't dislike you! Nothing could be further from the truth."
I looked into his eyes. "Then what is the truth?"
"Er..."
"Chrom?" I asked giving my usual curious look.
Chrom blushed. "D-don't look at me like that... It's just that... we've been fighting a lot together. We're always side by side. At first, I thought of you as an ally, then a comrade, and finally a friend. I've felt the bonds of trust grow between us, stronger and stronger. And then I realized... you were more than just a friend."
I blinked. "...What do you mean?"
Chrom looked me dead in the eye. "I mean I care about you, Anna. As a man, and you as a woman."
I gasped and stumbled away from him a bit. "Chrom—"
Chrom grabbed my shoulders. "Wait, please! You've made me come this far, and now I'm going to say my piece."
"...But when you're worked up like this, you might say something you regret."
"I DON'T CARE!" Chrom yelled. "I've tried to keep this bottled up, and I can't do it anymore. I'm going to tell you how I feel, even if your head explodes in embarrassment." I nodded.
Chrom took a few deep breaths to calm himself. "Right, I'm set now. Here goes. Prepare yourself, because I'm going to say it!"
"...Then say it already!" I said wanting him to get to the point.
"Anna... I'm in love with you. I have loved you from the very moment I laid eyes on you on the path to Southtown."
I gasped, blushing fearcely. I knew he was fond of me but I didn't know how deeply he felt.
Chrom shook his head and grasped both my hands in his. "Look, I know this is sudden and I'm coming on like a wyvern in heat. But I'm not trying to force you into a decision, believe me. Whatever your answer, I shall abide by it—no matter how painful. And come what may, we'll always be friends. That I promise."
I stayed silent for a minute or two, head down. "Chrom, our first responsibility must be to the soldiers we lead, not to each other. You understand that, don't you?"
Chrom sighed, his face saddening a bit as if I was rejecting him. "Yes, I do."
"Soon this war will end. We'll emerge victorious and bring peace back to the world. But for now let us follow our hearts."
"I underst... wait..." His head snapped up. "OUR hearts?"
I lifted my head, eyes full of happy tears. Placing my hands on either side of his face I smiled. "Yes... I love you as well. I always have."
"You do? You have? But that's... but that's... Wonderful! Ah ha ha ha! This is the best day of my life!" He suddenly picked me up and spun me around, our laughter filling the small clearing. When he set me down he kissed me with everything he had. Every bit of our love for each other was placed in that kiss. When air became necessary, we parted and he hugged me close. He then pulled out a ring I saw him show Robin earlier and placed it on my ring finger. "Please, Anna, at least let us make our union official in front of Robin, Lissa and Frederick. They can be witnesses to our vows. This way if we die before the end, we will have no regrets."
Later that night, Chrom was waiting for me at the clearing where his tent had been set up. Frederick stood with him as the one to marry us until we find a priest, then he would guard the clearing so we are not disturbed. Inside her tent, Lissa was placing the finishing touches on me. As soon as we told the three, she had squealed and hugged me. The next thing I knew, she had dragged me in her tent, forced me into one of her old white dresses she had packed for herself and began to do my hair. Robin stood beside me with a small bouquet in one hand and a handmade flower veil in the other. Chrom had asked him to be his Best Man and I asked him to be the one to give me away. Lissa was going to be my Maid of Honor.
"There!" She helped me stand, took the flower veil from Robin and placed it on me. Robin then hugged me. "You look beautiful Anna." I smiled and he gave me the bouquet of flowers and held out his arm to me. I took it and he led me to the clearing, Lissa following with her own little bouquet in her hands. He led me to stand in front of Frederick and Chrom. "In place of her Father, who brings forth the bride?" Frederick asked. "As her brother in all but flesh, I Robin Chef Tactician of Ylisse, give Anastasia Melody to the Prince of the Realm, Chrom, to be his bride." He then placed my hand in Chroms' and went to stand by his side.
The rest of the ceremony continued, we exchanged rings and gave our vows. Finally, Frederick said those six words: "You may kiss your Bride, Milord." Chrom then kissed my hands and lifted the veil from my face. "Anna… listen to me…" He cupped my face in both his hands. "You are the wind at my back, and the sword at my side. Together, my love, we shall build a peaceful world, just you and me." With that we kissed. The other three clapped and soon wandered back to the main campsite.
Chrom wrapped one arm around my waist, the other tangled in my curled hair and kissed me again a little bit deeper and more passionately. My hands wrapped around his neck, after throwing the bouquet in some random direction, and ran through his hair. When we separated breathing heavily, he picked me up in his arms. "I know this isn't really a threshold, but its close enough." He buried his face in my neck. "Now, let me show you how much I love you." I gasped as he nibbled a certain spot on my neck. With a smirk on his lips, he carried me into the tent.
~Chrom and Anna have reached Support Level S!~
In a small dark patch of the wood which looked into the clearing, Tharja was holding the bouquet I had thrown. One of her newest obsessions was now no longer available. 'Oh well, since I caught these flowers it means I'm getting married next. Now where is the Brother of the Bride?'