CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: Everyone's Parents are Dead because Plot

Odin slipped into the mess hall warily, trying not to draw attention to his entrance. His eyes roved up and down the tables looking for familiar blonde twintails, but Elise was nowhere to be found. Relieved, he seated himself between Niles and Laslow. "G'morning," Laslow greeted him, blinking sleepily into his porridge.

"Good morning," Odin replied, looking his friend over. "Late night?"

"Bit of a rough one, yeah," Laslow replied.

"Where's Selena?"

Laslow shrugged and reached for his tea. "Couldn't say." After a sip, he looked fully at his friend. "Where's Lady Elise?"

"I haven't seen her since before I talked to you yesterday," Odin said. He served himself some porridge and topped it with butter, then stirred it halfheartedly.

Laslow watched him with curiosity. "Are you going to…?"

"I don't know."

"Alright," Laslow agreed mildly. "You know, I wish Corrin would set a definite date for when we're going into that cursed castle. The waiting is the worst part."

Odin took a small bite of his breakfast and made a face. "I'd be fine if we never went in."

"Rather hard to win the war that way, though."

"Blast the war and blast fighting in general," Odin grumped. "I'm tired of it."

Laslow smiled sadly. "I agree. I've been tired of war since our very first battle. It seems to be our fate, though."

"Whatever happened to 'I make my own fate'? Remember? Lucina used to say that."

The memory of his sister brought warmth to Laslow's smile. "Well, she's always been a bit idealistic. I'll be glad to see her again after all of this is over."

After all of this is over. Odin rolled the words around in his head as he tried to finish his porridge. After they go back to Ylisse. Would Elise want to come with him? Did he even want her to anymore? What a coincidence that his homeland and girlfriend's names were pronounced the same way. If she didn't know the princess personally, Selena would almost certainly have accused him of making her up.

As if he could make up someone like Elise. Seemingly boundless as his imagination was, it had its limits.

"Well, I'm off to see what Lord Xander needs from me this morning." Laslow stood up, stretching. "I'll see you this afternoon for training."

Odin waved him on his way and continued his breakfast. Blast training, too.

Elise didn't show up to the mess hall for lunch or supper that day or the day after. The relief at her absence turned to worry in Odin's mind and he stared at her usual spot. Where was she and what was she doing? Was she cooling off in another deep realm? Or was she holed up in her tent being miserable?

Camilla's eyes lingered on Elise's empty seat as well, then swept over to Odin. Whatever she saw didn't perturb her, for she finished her supper at a leisurely pace as usual. After supper, however, she stopped for a short chat with Leo before leaving for the baths. Leo, in turn, intercepted Odin as he left to join Selena and Laslow for evening stretches. "I don't pretend to understand whatever is going on between you and my sister," Leo began curtly. "And she's made it clear she doesn't want me in her business. Even so, I would appreciate it if you two worked it out before she starves to death in her quarters."

"She's an adult," Odin replied. "I'm not forcing her to skip meals."

Leo nodded, sighing at bit. "You're right. She's a grown woman. She is, however, also an idiot and very stubborn. Did you know she stayed up in a tree for nearly a week once?"

"She what?"

"Climbed a tree and sat in it, refusing to come down. She was protesting one of Father's harsher punishments on Corrin, see. She only fell down because she fainted out of dehydration. Fell right on Xander's head, as a matter of fact."

Odin shook his head. "Of all the pigheaded…"

"Classic Elise. Therefore I'm requesting, not as your liege but as her brother, that you please convince her to eat something before she ends up in Sakura's medical tent and all of Corrin's battle plans are rendered useless." Leo's eyes were sincere. "After that, your decisions are your own."

Surprised at his lord's candor, Odin agreed. "I'll see what I can do."

"Good." Leo jerked a nod and walked away swiftly, his intricate training tunic sweeping behind him.

Odin paused at Elise's tent, mentally reviewing what he'd planned to say to her. She had to eat, but no, he wasn't interested in talking right now. His plans evaporated, however, when she opened the tent flaps, revealing a swollen face and eyes ringed with sleepless bruises. Her lips were dry and cracked, and Odin vaguely remembered his mother lecturing him on the signs and dangers of dehydration. "Hello, Odin," Elise greeted him dully, not meeting his eyes.

"Elise! You look…er, never mind that. Could you…could you please come eat supper?"

"I'm not hungry."

Her stomach growled noisily at that moment, but she ignored it pointedly. "You can't just stop eating," Odin protested. "Have you been drinking water? Dehydration is very dangerous." Gods, but he sounded more like his mother every day.

Elise squinted up at him. "Did Camilla send you here?"

"No. Well, in a roundabout way, yes." Elise began to close the tent flaps on him, so he hurriedly continued. "I would have come anyway."

She peered at him through the crack of the flaps. "Why?"

"Because I care about you."

The flaps opened a little more and her hopeful face peeked through. "You don't want to hear my apologies again…"

"That's right."

The hope in her eyes wilted, but she didn't close him off again. "Then…I'm not sure what to say to you."

Odin shrugged a little, barely moving his shoulders. "Don't say anything. Just go eat."

Elise's lower lip began moving out in a pout. "I'd rather not." She made to close the tent again, but Odin jerked them open. "H-hey!" She protested.

"You're being ridiculous," he informed her. "What are you hoping to accomplish by staying in here? Are you thinking I'll get worried and come forgive you so you'll eat?"

Blood rushed into the girl's cheeks. "That's…I…"

"Because I won't."

Elise bit her lip, tears starting to spring into her eyes. "No one's asking you to! I already apologized so many times…what do you want from me?"

"I want you to go eat."

"Just go away!" Tears running down her face in earnest, Elise ripped the tent fabric from his hands and closed the flaps, tying the strings on the inside so he couldn't open them again.

Thoroughly irritated, Odin stared at the flaps for a moment before walking away.

Elise was at supper that night, sitting between Camilla and Corrin. Neither of the older sisters had any malice in their eyes when they nodded a greeting to Odin, much to his relief. If anything, Corrin avoided his eyes with an expression close to shame, which was absolutely preferable to anger in his opinion. After the disastrous conversation earlier, he'd begun to feel a niggling sense of guilt. Perhaps he could have handled the situation more delicately…?

You're being ridiculous.

He'd said something similar to Cynthia right before she…

Regretting words didn't make them wrong, though.

He sighed internally and sat between Niles and Laslow again, ignoring his friends' curious glances. They all had their own business to mind, didn't they? He had no obligation to explain anything to anyone. At least Elise was eating again.

"Stop sharpening your sword," Selena grumbled, watching Odin work. "You've messed with it so much you're going to grind the edges off completely."

Odin immediately stopped, realizing that she was right. He examined the edges of his blade by the light of the watch fire they were sitting at, making sure he hadn't already done irreparable damage. The blade was undamaged and he set it gently on the ground with relief. Without something to do, however, he bounced the whetstone from hand to hand nervously. Selena, who was polishing a piece of Camilla's armor, tolerated his game for only a minute before exploding. "If you need something to do so badly, sharpen my damn sword!"

Odin considered for a moment, and then held his hand out. Selena slapped the weapon hilt into his palm and went back about her business, teeth gritted. "You should have brought this to me sooner," Odin said after examining her sword. "You might as well bash foes on the head with the flat side—it might hurt them more than these edges."

Selena began to speak, but stopped and shut her mouth tightly. Laslow nodded approvingly at her, which only infuriated her further. "Let's all be gentle with each other," he said. "Tomorrow may be a difficult day and we're all on edge. Even the royal families are feeling it. Prince Ryoma ate next to nothing at dinner."

"I'm sure he's worried about possibly seeing Scarlet," Odin murmured. "His loss is still fresh."

"It wasn't just Prince Ryoma," Selena said. "The whole Hoshidan royal family looked like mourners at a graveside. Even Takumi was—"

"Prince Takumi, you irreverent scum," A voice interrupted their conversation. Oboro, who was walking by with Azura and Orochi, had overheard their words and stopped. "Don't say his name so familiarly."

Fire ignited in Selena's eyes. Recognizing it, Laslow reached out and took a hold of her tunic. "Our apologies, Oboro," he said mildly. "You're absolutely right. We were just discussing the way Prince Takumi and his family seems to be worried about going into Gyges tomorrow."

Somewhat mollified, Oboro sniffed disdainfully. "Of course he is. You'd be worried too if your parents were murdered horribly." At her words, Selena snorted loudly, causing Oboro to bristle again. "You dare laugh…?"

"She's not laughing at you or your liege," Odin explained quickly, rising to stand between Oboro and his friends. The Hoshidan responded by pulling her naginata off her back with a snarl and Odin realized Selena's sword was still in his hand. Slowly, carefully, he lowered the weapon to the ground. "I didn't realize I was still holding that. I'm not looking for trouble; I swear it."

Oboro lowered her naginata, suspicion still on her face. Behind her, Azura put a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "I believe he's telling the truth," the songstress said gently. "Let's continue on our way."

"I want to know what she was laughing at," Oboro replied. "If not Prince Takumi, then what?"

Shooting a glance at his friends, Odin paused before answering. "She was laughing because our parents were also murdered. We understand Prince Takumi's concern well."

Caught off guard, Oboro made a face. "Are you three related?" When they shook their heads, she scoffed. "You want me to believe you're all coincidentally orphans? That's too far of a stretch even for Nohrians."

"It wasn't coincidence, you jerk," Selena said angrily. "Our parents were soldiers together. They died protecting us with honor."

Oboro said nothing, but at her side, Orochi closed her eyes in sorrow and bowed. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said.

Her face grieved, Azura entered the circle of logs around the fire and sat down. "There seem to be many of us here who understand each other's pain. In a world with war…life is precious and fragile. I'm sure our parents look down on us with pride as we try to bring peace."

"I'm sorry about your mother," Laslow offered. "Could you tell us about her?"

Azura inclined her head thoughtfully. "I don't remember much, truthfully. I was very young when the Hoshidans took me from my home. I've heard she was much like her sister, Queen Mikoto, however—gentle, strong, and wise."

Orochi sat beside Azura on the log, a wistful expression on her face. "If she was anything like the late Queen Mikoto, she must have been a wonderful person."

"I'd like to think so. " The corners of Azura's mouth turned up a bit. "If you don't mind, would you tell me a little about your parents? I'd like to know."

Odin, Selena, and Laslow looked at each other, surprised. When no one volunteered to go first, Laslow spoke. "If…if you'd like to know, my father was a…a leader. He was charismatic and always thought of others first."

An image of his older, bearded uncle rose in Odin's mind and he smiled. "He hated sleeves," he added.

"He did, didn't he?" Laslow laughed. "I'm told he was prone to rash actions when he was young, but when I knew him he was wise. My mother was a talented dancer. She was shy, meek almost, but she could lift the spirits of the entire army."

Azura smiled and nodded, then looked at Odin expectantly. "Th-the parents of Odin Dark were legendary," he began nervously. "They stood for justice and…and…ah…this is harder to talk about than I thought…" In truth, he hadn't thought deeply about his parents in a long time, and doing it now was stirring feelings he'd hidden for years.

"Your father? Was he a mage like you?" Azura prompted.

Father. "Yes, actually," Odin replied. "He was skilled at dark magic and had quite the reputation for, er, unique pursuits."

"Just like you, then," Orochi interjected with a good-natured chuckle.

"Yes," Odin nodded. "Mother always said he and I were birds of a feather. But more than that, he…he was protective." Memories of Henry flashed one after the other—each as clear as spring water. "I slipped up in battle many times, but every time he was there to save me."

"Uncle Henry was always smiling," Laslow said. "His smile was so wide it looked like his eyes were always closed. Honestly, I don't even know what color his eyes were."

Odin closed his own eyes, remembering. "They were violet. Mother said they looked like amethysts." He opened his eyes. "My mother was lively. She was a healer and she liked to pull pranks. Her favorite dress was the color of sunflowers and now whenever I see them, I think of her. She was cheerful and…full of love."

He blinked away his emotions and looked up to see his companions doing the same. Azura turned her face to Selena, who looked away. "You don't have to speak if you don't want to," she said, sensing the other woman's hesitation. "But I'd like to hear about them."

Selena stared at the ground, lips tight. "My father was a knight. He was tall and strong and strict."

"Not with you, though," Laslow noted, winking.

Selena's eyes softened. "I was always able to convince him to do things my way, but that was because my way was the right way." She puffed air out her lips gently. "He woke up early to do stupid things like move pebbles and start fires and do laundry. I think I could count the number of times I ever saw him laugh on one hand."

She stopped talking and crossed her arms with finality. The group sat in silence for a minute before Azura spoke. "And your mother?" She prodded gently.

Pulling her arms tighter to her chest, Selena frowned. "Mother…she was perfect. That's all."

Orochi laughed. "Was she related to Subaki by any chance?"

"No," Selena replied curtly. "But they're cut from the same cloth. My mother even rode a stupid pegasus 'cuz running was the only thing she sucked at."

Odin tried to remember Cordelia, but most of his memories were of her following Severa around, offering affection and getting rebuffed. "She loved you a lot."

"Yeah," Selena said, her voice barely above a whisper. "She did."

"Your parents sound like they were wonderful people," Azura said. "Thank you for sharing their memories with me. I'll carry them with me."

Oboro stepped into the firelight, her face in an expression Odin had never seen before. "My…my parents are dead, too. They were murdered by Nohrians while I hid in a cart."

"I'm sorry for your loss," Laslow said. "Could you share about them?"

Oboro shrugged. "They were tailors. They made the best kimonos in all of Hoshido. Father was quiet. Mother was always the one chasing away customers who tried to get away without paying. She kept a naginata by the shop door just for that purpose."

Odin pointed to the weapon on her back. "Is that why you train with the naginata?"

"Yes." Oboro looked up at the other retainers warily. "My mother never trained formally, but I'm sure she would have been a nightmare on the battlefield." She tilted her head further up, looking at the night sky. "Imagine if she saw me talking about her to three Nohrians."

"She wouldn't mind a bit," Azura said firmly. "She'd know that Nohrians as a whole are not to blame for what happened."

"We're not even Nohrian," Selena added. Odin and Laslow looked at her, surprised. "We're only in Nohrian service."

Oboro's expression immediately lightened. "You're not Nohrian?"

"No. We may be pale from years in Nohr, but we have no blood ties there."

"Where are you from, then?" Orochi asked, intrigued.

"Far away," Selena replied. "Trust me, you've never heard of it."

Unsatisfied, Orochi pressed further. "I might have. I'm well educated."

Selena shook her head. "Nope."

"Fine, then. What brought you to Nohr?"

Selena looked to Laslow, who shrugged in a helpless way. "Would you laugh if we said it was fate?"

Orochi shook her head firmly. "Not at all. If it's in the cards, it's in the cards."

"Whatever the reason, I'm glad our paths crossed." Azura stood, brushing tiny pieces of wood off her skirt. "And I'm thankful for this opportunity to get to know you more. Please rely on me in battle when you're weary."

She and Orochi bowed respectfully. After a beat, Oboro dipped a shallow bow as well. "I'm sorry for judging you harshly. Except for you," she said, pointing at Odin. "You and that archer stop bothering Prince Takumi. I'll skewer you even though you aren't Nohrian."

"I'll leave him alone," Odin promised. "But I'm afraid the only person who has any control over Niles is Niles…"

"I'll skewer him too," Oboro said flatly. "Goodnight."

The Hoshidans disappeared into the darkness, leaving the other three looking at each other in surprise. "What?" Selena asked when Odin squinted at her.

"You're the one who told us not to mention our origins to anyone!"

Selena scowled. "There's a difference between simply saying we aren't from Nohr and saying we're from a different dimension. Try to use your small brain—it needs the exercise."

Groaning, Odin stood. "You're impossible. I'm going to bed."

"Go, then." Selena held her hands out to capture warmth from the fire. "See you tomorrow."

"Sleep well," Laslow said. "Leave the whetstone, though, won't you? I'll finish Selena's sword."

Odin picked the stone up off the grass and tossed it gently into Laslow's hands. "Goodnight."

Castle Gyges loomed before the army, dark and oppressive even in the hazy Vallite sunlight. Dressed for battle, Odin picked at his wristlets as he stared at the huge structure. Behind him, Leo and Corrin were discussing last minute changes to squadron members, but even their voices sounded cowed. Selena and Laslow had already gone ahead as part of the advance infantry and were blocked from his view by lines of cavalry. Somewhere to his left, Elise and her retainers were waiting for final instructions.

"Are you glad that Lady Elise is in our formation today?" Niles asked slyly from his right, drawing his attention. "I'm told Corrin moved her just for you."

"I asked her to, actually," Odin replied. "I like her being within view or signaling distance."

Niles nodded. "Oh, I'm sure. Even if you two seem to be in a lovers' spat right now…care to share the details with your close confidante and partner?"

"No."

Niles chuckled, his face in an exaggerated pout. "Fine. I guess you don't want to hear the gossip I overheard this morning, then…"

"I most certainly do not."

"That's a lie. You want to hear the gossip; I can see it on your face."

Odin glared at his partner, the tips of his ears reddening. "No, I don't! Stop meddling!"

"Meddling? Me?" Niles grinned.

"Yes, you! Odin Dark does not take kindly to those that would encroach upon his sacred spaces!"

Niles' grin widened. "Oh, I can encroach upon your sacred spaces if you want me to. I can do it far better than Lady Elise, believe me."

Now fully red in the face, Odin turned his back to the cackling archer and steamed in silence. As he looked around, he caught Elise staring at him. She jumped in surprise when their eyes met, spooking her horse a bit, and immediately averted her gaze. Odin's mouth twitched. If he weren't so full of other emotions, the sight might have been funny.

A horse's tail swished in front of him and the smell of earth, horse, and polished armor hit Odin heavily, the familiar scent bringing waves of memories. Even in another world, the smell and nervous energy before a battle was the same. A pegasus whinnied, its tinny sound barely audible from its position on the flanks, and another pre-battle scene flashed through Odin's mind.

You're being unreasonable.

She was, and he was right to say it. Even so, years later, the words lay heavily on his heart like an anvil. Did she hear him screaming her name as she fell or was that phrase the last words she heard him say?

What was the last thing he'd said to Elise? It was during the conversation about her lack of meals, so it probably wasn't complimentary. If during this battle she…Odin shook his head. Unthinkable. Not again.

He hadn't known…he could never have imagined Cynthia would be taken from him when she was. He couldn't go back and change his last words to her.

But he could control them now.

Elise stopped fiddling with her stirrups at the sound of feet approaching and looked up to see Odin before her, his face impassive. "Hello," he said simply.

"Hello," she replied uncomfortably, her heart rate picking up speed the longer he stared at her.

"I love you," Odin announced, his expression still bare and his tone matter-of-fact as if this were an ordinary thing soldiers said to one another before battle. Elise gaped at him. At her sides, Effie and Arthur looked away pointedly, trying to give them some semblance of privacy. "I'm still angry," Odin continued. "But the more important thing right now is that you know that I love you."

Simultaneously hopeful and confused, Elise's mouth moved but no words came out. Over in Leo's group, Corrin separated from the prince and headed for the front, her dragonstone clutched firmly in her hand. "Everyone in position!" She called as she walked.

Without so much as a parting smile, Odin pivoted and headed back for his position. Raising his head a little, Arthur jerked his chin towards the retreating mage meaningfully. "Odin!" Elise called at his back. "I love you too!" Most of the army was staring now, but she didn't care.

Ignoring his partner's knowing smile and his lord's eye roll, Odin took his place beside Niles, feeling much lighter than before. He turned to Niles, hesitating before speaking. "I actually have a request for you."

"Oh?" Niles said, tilting his head. "I agree."

"You haven't heard it yet."

"But it's from you," Niles explained. "It must be important."

After a glance back to see if his liege was listening, Odin stepped closer to Niles. "There's a chance we're fighting the dead in this castle, right?"

"According to Lady Corrin. At least that's what I'm given to understand she said. I have trouble listening when her back is turned towards me."

A magical signal rose in the air, illuminating the mist like a ghostly bolt of green lightning. The forward troops began their advance through the castle's wide front doors, swords unsheathed and shields raised. "I need you to keep a look out for two people among our enemies," Odin said urgently. "A man and a woman."

"What shall I look for?"

"The man is a mage. He's tall, has short white hair, pale skin, and usually wears a long purple cape. The woman is a medium-height healer. Her hair is gold, like mine, and she wears it either down or in two tails. She always fights in a hoop skirt and a yellow dress."

"And what shall I do if I find either of these individuals?"

The cavalry in front of them spurred into action, the horses churning the dirt with their hooves and trotting forward. Odin glanced back towards Leo, who was opening a tome, and lowered his voice even further. "If you see either of them, kill them. Please."

Leo shouted a command and the archers and mages began their advance together. Niles fitted an arrow to his bow and looked straight ahead. "Shall I tell you if I see them?" He asked. Odin shook his head in response and Niles nodded, his face uncharacteristically serious. "As you say."

For a split second, Odin wanted to hug the archer, but he came to his senses as he opened his tome. "Thank you. I mean it."

Niles smirked. "Of course. I like it when people are in my debt."

I think we've only got about 4 chapters left. Thank you so much to everyone who has read so far! Please stay with us until the end!

LoveGlutton: Yeah, she did… Don't ever apologize about being late—read at your own pace :)