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

Chapter twenty-one: King Garon

Garon sat on his throne, mulling. He was on a new medication for his blood pressure that was causing him to feel strange. He could recall only a few of the numerous side-effects that Iago had pointed out to His Highness on the warning label; among those few had been warnings for temporary memory loss and an insatiable appetite for grapes.

Truthfully, Garon had been looking forward to the latter; he loved grapes and had already made preparations to have his concubines feed him while he lounged on a couch. But in the twenty-four hours since his first dose, Garon had felt no more hungry than usual for his favorite fruit. His memory, however, had been in swift decline — he thought.

Iago suddenly swept into the room from an adjoining passage. As he waltzed across the floor, arms open as if to embrace His Highness, Iago declared, "Your Royal Majesty, your children have returned!"

"Again?" Garon grunted. "What, all of them?"

"Er, yes, Your Highness."

"Even Corrin?"

"Yes, sire."

"Damn!" Garon slammed a fist against his chair. The fact that all his children had returned home unharmed annoyed him to an extreme degree — though he couldn't exactly remember why. Maybe I don't like them, he thought.

"My lord," Iago interrupted with a cough, "Prince Xander is requesting an audience with you."

"Xander?" Garon chewed the word, the taste familiar on his lips. "Xander… Xander… He's the tall blond one, right?"

"Yes, Your Majesty — the very tall one." Iago answered.

"Do I like him?" Garon demanded.

Iago shrugged his shoulders. "As much as you like anyone, sire."

"Wait, I recall him now. He's Katerina's son. He has her high cheek bones and rosy complexion."

"Does he, sire?" Iago made a face. "I must admit, I never noticed whether Prince Xander's complexion is as pleasing as Queen Katerina's had been."

Garon scowled at Iago. "You admit to noticing my wife's complexion, vermin?"

Iago stammered, "What? N-no, sire! I only meant to agree with you…"

"How dare you even look at my wife!" Garon roared. "I must now attend to my — one, two, three… — many children. But we will be continuing this discussion later!"

"I doubt it." Iago murmured. Garon would have blasted him to pieces right there, but he forgot Iago's insolence while he was contemplating the best way to skewer him.

Iago threw open the large wooden doors that led to His Majesty the King's chamber. Waiting on the other side was a group of seven, three men and four women, half of whom possessed blond hair. Garon studied the fair-haired men and girl as the group approached. While no one but Xander looked familiar to the king, he decided that the light hair meant they were his children.

"My beloved children," Garon half-exclaimed, lifting one arm in a pathetic gesture of greeting. "Welcome home. Xander, I believe you have grown taller."

Xander glanced down at his person. "Ah, if you say so, Father — but I believe I stopped growing quite some time ago."

"Really? Well, whatever — no harm done." Garon leaned forward to peer at the other blond children. "Leon! Lizzy! And, ah, you there… I don't recall you." He pointed at a young man with light, curly hair. He noticed he was wearing a black patch over one eye.

The man fell to one knee and bowed his head. "I am Niles, sire. I'm Lord Leo's retainer." he explained.

"You're not mine?" Garon asked.

The man raised his head slightly. "I don't think so, sire, unless you recall spending a weekend in the slums about twenty-six years ago."

Xander flinched noticeably. "Leo" or whatever his name was turned pale and put a hand over his heart. Lizzy and the other women took turns sighing; one girl with pointy ears clasped her hands together, seemingly in prayer.

Garon shrugged off their reactions, not caring enough to wonder. "To be honest, Miles," Garon said, "I'm not remembering much of anything lately. But it's possible, I suppose."

Xander balked. "Is something wrong, Father?" he asked quickly.

Iago answered for him. "Your Royal Father is experiencing some memory and behavioral issues due to his most excellent body adjusting to some new medication."

Garon scoffed. "I'm not on new medication! Am I?"

"You are, sire."

"Damn. I forgot." Garon put a hand to his head. "Don't worry about me, son, I'm sure the effects are only temporary — of course, I don't actually recall what it said on the vial. Would you all mind re-introducing yourselves for the time being?"

"Of course, darling Father," one of the young women answered in a purring voice. She was extremely tall, like Xander — What's with all my damn kids being so freakishly tall? Garon wondered. She had wavy purple hair that covered one eye and wore reveling armor. Garon stared. Gods, I wish I remembered her mother.

"This is Xander, your eldest," the woman said, pointing to Xander. "I am Camilla, your next born. This is Azura, she's adopted. Next is our darling Corrin. Then little Leo. And last but not least in adorableness, Elise."

Garon pointed to Niles. "And who's he?"

"Still Niles, my lord," Niles replied, still in his humble position. "I am Lord Leo's retainer."

"And my possible son." Garon recalled. "You do share my skin tone. And your hair's style is rather like Camilla's. I think we may assume you are mine — what's one more, anyway?" Garon turned to Iago. "Iago, fetch some wine! We must celebrate my long-lost son's return!"

Iago gapped at Niles. "But— But he's not your son, sire! He's a former street thug!"

"How dare you talk about my boy like that!" Garon roared. "You are treading on extremely thin ice tonight, rat!"

Iago coward beneath the king's furious glare. Xander quickly stepped in front of his father, drawing his drugged attention off Iago. "Father," Xander said calmly, "if you are feeling well enough, there is an important matter that must be brought to your attention."

"Wait," exclaimed Corrin, putting a hand on Xander's arm, "I don't think Father's up to this discussion right now."

"Nonsense!" Garon snapped. "I am always up to things! Tell me what the matter is immediately!"

Xander opened his mouth to speak, but Niles interrupted him. "Please, my lord," he said, Garon unsure whether he was addressing himself or Xander, "let me speak, for the matter concerns me."

"Very well," said Garon. "But speak quickly."

"It is very simple, sire — I wish to marry Princess Corrin."

Garon gasped. "You are in love with your own sister! How despicable! How unethical! How traumatizing!"

There was a pronounced pause in the room, during which every one of Garon's children looked awkward and worried. They must not have known, Garon decided. He waited patiently for them to feel comfortable enough to resume.

Finally, Niles sighed. "Sire, I know we are unsure as to my own birthright, but my marriage to Corrin does not depend on whether I am related to you or not. Corrin, remember, is only your adopted daughter — her true heritage lies in Hoshido."

"No!" Garon gasped again. He leaned forward from his throne and stared, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, at Corrin. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, sir." Corrin whispered, ducking her head.

Garon turned to Xander. "Did you know?"

"Yes, sir," Xander said, looking extremely uncomfortable. "We all have know for some months, now — including yourself."

"How could I forget such a plot twist!" Garon exclaimed, putting a hand to his aching head. "I'm afraid I can not speak anymore tonight — I have a splitting headache. Iago, draw a bath for me! I am going to retire to my room for rest, now. An early night will do me good."

"Of course, sire," said Iago, bowing low and exiting the room backwards. "And while I'm in your rooms, I shall take the liberty of disposing of your new medication."

Ending note: This was one of my favorite chapters. I hope you enjoyed it as well.