Chapter Twenty-Five
Under Impression

A full two weeks passed before it was publicly announced to all of Ylisse that Queen Anali was with child, that an heir would be born come April. Needless to say the people were ecstatic, even those who still doubted their Exalts choice in a spouse.

With those two weeks the couple told everyone they needed to tell personally. Lissa being amongst the top. And since Chrom was the one to tell Lissa about their engagement, Anali took it upon herself to inform Lissa about the pregnancy. And the perfect opportunity came up thanks to her own engagement. Porter and Opal Bates sent letters back and forth with their son, looking for an opening in his father's schedule, and sending money to them to come visit Ylisstol.

Lissa pretty much took charge in readying the guest room for her future in-laws. Anali found the princess in one of the bigger guest suites; Lissa was speaking with a couple other people, one of them had a number of fabric swatches in hand. Anali heard something about curtains a few times. Others was moving a few pieces of furniture into the room, a love seat, table and chairs, and a chest at the foot of the bed. "Lissa," Anali called. She tipped toed her way pass the men lugging in mahogany chairs. "Still picking curtains?"

"Well, yeah," Lissa said without looking at her. She held swatches in her hand as though weighing them against each other. "They're Gaius' parents, I want to make a good first impression."

Anali wanted to point out that she was the scion of the royal family. How could they not be impressed by that? But she decided against it, it probably wouldn't calm Lissa's nerves at all. Being Ylisse's princess probably meant that she had to make a good impression every time someone important came to visit, even if it was her fiancé's parents.

Lissa's brow furrowed as she looked through swatch after swatch; desperate to find a good choice for the curtains. Anali was sure that if she stared long enough, she could see steam rising out of Lissa's ears. Over curtains. She really wanted his parents to like her.

"Actually," Anali said, taking one of the swatches in her own hands, "I think we'll be having another guest coming."

"Oh?" Lissa breathed out half-interested. "When?"

"Not for another… eh, seven or eight months. Though I think this one will be more permanent."

"Okay, great. Plenty of time for-"

Lissa's brow rose for a moment. A permanent guest? A permanent guest that won't be coming for seven or eight months? Dropping the swatch, Lissa turned to look at Anali. Was she implying what Lissa thought she was? "Are you…?" Lissa asked slowly. A small smile appeared on Anali's face. "Wait, you…? Really? Really?"

"I'm not due until April," Anali said with a brightening smile on her face.

A squeal of delight escaped from Lissa's lips. She threw herself onto Anali, causing her to take two steps back. Lissa squeezed her sister-in-law, giggling all the while. When Lissa pulled apart her eyes had lit up. "I want a niece!" she declared.

Anali's own smile slowly morphed from genuine to forced. "Great, Lissa…" she said, "it doesn't really work like that, but great."

Later that afternoon Anali had sent a letter to Flavia, informing her that she was going to be an aunt. The return letter made it sound like Flavia was debating on whether or not to personally visit them in the near-future. There were plenty of things that could tear the reigning Khan from her duties, but just the news of her sister's pregnancy alone wasn't one of them.

Friends would say that Anali was glowing. Her smile never faded, still exuberant about the news. She chatted non-stop with her future in-laws when they came to meet the girl their son fell for. Even the visit from Duchess Rebeck couldn't bring her down.

Anali was with child. She was closer to having the children she dreamed of, the family she dreamed of. She just needed to wait until April, April, and then her son or daughter would be in her arms. Even if she wasn't showing yet, her child, Chrom's child, their child was growing inside her. Anali couldn't have been happier.

I throw the doors open to find myself in a war-torn hall. I recognize the room instantly, for I had seen it in a dream before. I can now identify the creatures as Risen, and I even recognize the soldiers uniform belonging to the Ylissean military.

Son, why am I seeing this again?

Keeping my back to the wall I inch my way around the room until a soldier is slammed against the wall by a Risen. The woman bites back a sob, the Risen breathes its haze onto her face. The Risen lifts its head, a sword has been plunged into its abdominal area. "I believe the woman you want…" a low, dangerous, and, more to the point, familiar voice says, "is me!"

The voice's owner lifts her sword, slicing the Risen from its abdomen to its shoulder. The Risen froze for a moment before it disappears. The girl stands up, layered blue hair falls down her back. "We can't let these things win," she tells the soldier. "Now grab a sword, and fight!"

She turns around to face her subordinate, and my suspicions are confirmed.

It's Marth.

Was this the future Marth had warned about? A world where Risen appear to have over-populated? Would this had been a result of the Fire Emblem being stolen? How far into the future was this?

A Risen comes barreling up to Marth, with her Falchion look-a-like she blocks the attack before its axe can touch her. Marth pushes herself away, sliding a few feet across the floor. Straightening herself, she thrusts herself forward, forcing her sword into the Risen's chest, killing it. Marth keeps her eyes on the Risen as it disintegrates; her head snaps up as another Risen stomps up to her.

Her sword blocks the second axe. Maneuvering herself around, Marth jumped up to give herself momentum as she attempts to attack the Risen. It misses, but she's still as impressive as ever. Landing, she looks over her shoulder, another Risen is running up to her.

The East wall explodes the moment Marth readies herself. I am thrown off my feet. I hear Marth cry out as debris is thrown about, the building we're in rumbles, and I'm sure the floor is beginning to crumble. I cover my head with my arms and wait for the tremors to stop.

Much like before, the hall is barely recognizable. Half the floor is still standing, and all four walls are gone, exposing me to the clouds as black as night. "So ends the human race," I hear. Pushing myself back onto my feet, I still can't see the source of the voice, but by it's voice alone, it seems larger than life.

I see Marth hanging off the edge of what remained of the floor. Nimbly, she pulls herself up, she unsheathes her sword as soon as her feet hit solid ground. "The future is built upon the past," the voice taunts, "but your kind shall never see it."

Marth is twitchy, her head turns to find the source of the behemoth. Again, she sees something that's just invisible to me. But this woman who seemed so sure of herself has fear written in her eyes. "Your mother and father are dead, tiny one," the voice continues to taunt with a low chuckle. "You couldn't even keep the last of your family alive."

A strained sob escapes Marth's lips as she sucks in a breath. Her eyes glisten, she's struggling to keep her tears in. She did not need to hear this, not now, not from this monster. What had Marth been through?

Wait, I didn't hear that last line the last time I had this dream…

I see Marth tighten her grip on her sword, I also see her hands shaking. I feel like the invisible creature is circling around us like a vulture to it's prey. The monster roars, causing my ears to begin ringing, the building shakes; it will not last much longer. "And now it is your turn," the invisible voice says, euphoria in it's booming voice, "to die!"

The wind picks up in unison with the shrill shriek of the unseen monster. Marth stands her ground, her own screams mixed with the monsters. I can almost imagine the creature whizzing down to attack Marth, but in a flash… she's gone.

Stunned I turn my head to see a wyvern flying away from the scene as fast as the beast could go. I hear a couple of voices going back and forth with each other. I hope Marth's rescuer could get her to see reason.

I jump at the sound of another roar. I fall, the building could stand no more.

Anali woke up with a jump and her heart in her throat. A dream… just a dream.

Her hand reached out to the side, wanting to feel Chrom's warmth against her icy hand, but all she felt was air. Her head turned to the side to find his spot on the bed empty. Lowering her hand onto the sheets she found them cold, he had left a while ago. How odd, Chrom usually waited until she woke up before getting out of bed.

There was a knock at the door before it opened to reveal Marlee. "Good morning!" she said as chipper as ever.

Tossing the blanket off, Anali climbed out of bed. "Morning," she said absently.

Her hands laid themselves flat on her belly. She was beginning to show just a little bit, not enough to immediately link her to pregnancy, but enough to look like she was putting on weight. The little bump made it all the more real, and all the more surreal. What would she think when she looked like she stuffed a melon under her dress?

Six more months. Anali had six more agonizing months to wait until she could hold her beautiful baby in her arms. Boy or girl Anali wanted to hold it, love it, raise it. She and Chrom had already discussed a number of names Link, Morgan, Gwyneth, Jacin, Zelda, and more.

They even discussed the idea of naming a girl after Emmeryn; while it seemed like a nice gesture neither one of them wanted to have their daughter feel like she had to live up to Emmeryn's legacy. This child would be the heir to the Ylissean throne, they had enough pressure on them with that alone. So the list of names had one crossed off.

Marlee laid out a tunic and a pair of slacks on the bed. It was only a matter of time before Anali would have to switch into her maternal wardrobe. "Marlee," Anali said as she began stripping herself of her sleeveless nightgown. "Can you fetch my lance for me? I want to run a couple of drills this morning."

Obediently Marlee strode over to the cupboard on Anali's side of the room. It was where she stored her effects, her sword, her lance, her tomes, and it was where she kept her ocarina. Opening the cupboard door Marlee stepped back and gripped her chin. "It's not here," Marlee said plainly. "Nor your sword or your tomes."

Anali, who was in the middle of putting on her trousers, quickly hurried to the cupboard. Aside from her ocarina, and a few loose pages from her tomes, it was empty. Her effects were gone. Her brow knit together, Anali was sure they were there last night. First Chrom, now her weapons.

"Uh… okay," Anali said with her hands up. "Have someone ready Amalthea, I'll go out for a ride after eating."

Marlee bobbed her head. "I'll have that taken care of."

Aside from the maid who brought Anali her breakfast, and the guards who stood close by, the dining room was practically empty. The maid presented Anali with small cream-filled pastries, and a saucer of raspberries and blackberries, along with a pot of her favorite cherry tea blend. "Excuse me," Anali said to the maid as she sat herself down. "Can I get more of the berries, please?"

The maid flashed her a smile. "Right away milady."

Almost as soon as the maid had left, Marlee hurried to her side. "I'm sorry, Anali," Marlee said, crouching down slightly to meet her eye, "but Amalthea seems to be… gone."

"Gone?" Anali said sawing one of the pastries in half. "What do you mean gone?"

"I mean she's not in her stable. Or any stable. One of the guards said that the Exalt had her moved early this morning."

Chrom moved her?

"Milady," a pink haired maid walked up to the two. Anali was sure her name was Effie. Or maybe it was Elphie. No, she was pretty sure it was Effie. Effie held an envelope in her hand, upon bowing slightly, she handed the envelope to Anali. "The Exalt asked me to deliver this when you woke up."

Curious, Anali took the letter. She used her knife to open the envelope, still holding onto the knife, she slid out the letter, and unfolded it.

Anali,

I'm sure you've noticed some of your belongings missing from our room. I will inform you that Amalthea has been moved until further notice… until the baby is born. I think it's best for the both of you that you lay off the physical activities and riding until you have given birth.

With that in mind, by the time you get this letter the Shepherds and I have set out to march early this morning. The Griffin Riders had spotted a band of thieves headed for a border village, they're not Plegian, but rather Ylissean with a few Feroxi men thrown in. I have some of your strategies with me, we shouldn't be gone long.

I ask you take it easy, stay in side, try your hand at knitting, or just read a book. Relax a little.

Love always,

Chrom

Anali needed to reread the letter twice before it actually sunk in. The heat in her cheeks was almost hot enough to burn the letter. He was really doing this? He was really about to treat her like some delicate flower? He confiscated her effects and her pegasus like she was some child?! "Son of a bitch!" Anali seethed, stabbing the knife right into the table.

"That's mahogany!" Effie gasped duly mortified.

Oddly enough, learning that the Exalt and his wife were expecting didn't feel like it did when she first found out about them. Probably because Cordelia kind of saw it coming when Anali threw up by the stable that day. When she held her hair back her first thought was something along the lines of, 'Good Gods, she's with child.' And surprise, surprise Cordelia wasn't wrong.

After the Shepherds had successfully defended the border village - not far away from where her squad was once stationed - they were allowed to mingle with the grateful village. So, she decided to see what the shops had to offer with Sumia, who was currently side-tracked by baby garments.

She held up a tiny white thing that was probably a christening gown. Cordelia wasn't sure if Sumia was just excited for Anali and had babies on the brain, or if she was secretly expecting too. Surely if Sumia was with child Cordelia would have been among one of the first to know. Actually the more Cordelia thought about it, considering who Sumia ended up marrying she was pretty sure they couldn't keep it a secret. Poor Frederick was bound to be so conflicted over his loyalties.

"Most of the girls seem to have caught the bug," a voice said from behind her. Cordelia jumped in surprise then spun around on her heel to find Stahl. The olive-haired man gripped his chin in mock-thought. "I'd say it's going to be a three-way race between Sumia, Lissa, and Nowi to feel the baby once it starts moving."

"Well, two out of three of them are in the position to have children," sighed Cordelia. Oh, wait, Lissa and Gaius weren't exactly married yet. "More or less."

"Alas, this bug's going to be sticking around for a while," Stahl sighed ruefully. "We'll think it's gone, but then they all relapse."

"I suppose it's a good thing the army has those like us, who seem to be immune," Cordelia said with a slight smile. This conversation was sort of stupid, but it was fun. Yes, sometimes Stahl found a way to push her buttons, but he was easy to talk to.

"What do you think of this?" Sumia asked the two, oblivious that Stahl had even joined in with them. She held a spring bonnet in her hands. "It'll be just in time for their child, don't you think?"

It was a nice bonnet, however the problem was it wasn't going to fit a newborn who was coming out in the spring. And by the time the next spring rolled around the bonnet would be too small. However, Sumia wasn't about to let Cordelia point this out to her as she went to the shop keeper to ask if there was anything to go with the bonnet. "I think she's going to be busy for a while," said Stahl.

"Looks like it," Cordelia replied flatly.

The scholarly air Stahl was trying to keep dissipated the instant he cleared his throat. He offered a hand out to her, his eyes rolled playfully to the side. "Might I treat my lady to dinner?" he asked. "I hear they have some Valmese cuisine here."

A small smile formed on Cordelia's lips. That sounded lovely, and the thought of spending the evening with Stahl tempting. But she couldn't just leave now, she was supposed to be spending time with Sumia. "I…" her voice trailed off for a moment, "I should really ask Sumia if it's okay."

"I don't think she'll notice," Stahl said with a half-hearted shrug. Before Cordelia could say anything else, Stahl poked his head into the shop. "Hey, Sumia! Alright if I steal Cordelia for a bit?"

Panicked, Cordelia held her hands up, whispering to him to keep his voice down. The man was beaming as he looked down at her. "She said it's okay," said Stahl.

"Did you have to yell?" Cordelia asked quietly.

"It was probably the only way to get her attention," he took her hand, "now c'mon! If we go now we should be able to get a good seat."

Cordelia smiled, tightening her grip on Stahl's hand as she allowed him to lead her through town. They ran past Gaius, who was conversing with a man in a pot helmet. The man was pinching the bridge of his nose. "I can't believe you brought me there…" Chrom hissed through his teeth.

When Gaius approached him for a night on the town, Chrom reluctantly agreed. When Gaius brought him some spare clothes to cover his Brand, Chrom put them on without complaint. He complained a little when Gaius shoved the pot helmet onto his head, but the ginger's argument about the coat Chrom wore being pointless the instant people recognizes his blue mop was convincing.

But Chrom could have counted on was Gaius taking him to a cabaret. At first it was innocent enough. And then the entertainers got… frisky. Gaius seemed at home flirting with the maidens, never mind that he was in a committed relationship. But the instant one of the maidens touched his chest, Chrom let out a number of dry sobs - he wasn't crying, he would insist - and started yelling for Anali.

That cause the entertainers, and their customers to fall silent and stare at him while Gaius pound a fist on the table laughing at him. "Don't be like that Blue," said Gaius. "We had a laugh."

"You did!" Chrom snapped, tossing the pot helmet into Gaius' chest. The force was enough to get a groan out of the thief. "Why, in the Gods name, did you bring us to a brothel?! I'm happily married with a baby on the way, and you're engaged to my sister! If Lissa ever finds out where we were-"

"I don't think she'll oppose to a little brotherly bonding," Gaius said in the most blasé tone possible as he popped a couple of hard candies into his mouth. "And trust me, a few years down the road you're going to be relaying this story to your kids while laughing your arse off."

"I highly doubt that," Chrom said entangling his fingers through his hair. He was still angry with Gaius, but that talk about 'brotherly bonding' made it slightly difficult for him to stay mad. Just slightly. "Let's try this again. But this time, I'm choosing our next stop."

"Whatever you say, Blue," Gaius said, handing the pot helmet back to him.

At the inn that housed the Shepherds for the night Anna happily stretched her arms above her head, humming a happy tune. "Someone's enjoying herself," she heard.

Whipping herself around, Anna came face to face with none other than the newcomer Priam. Priam, who had busied himself every day training. Priam, who seemed to have developed a little friendly competition with the likes of Lon'qu, Vaike, and even Chrom himself to see who could take out the most bandits during their scrimmage. Priam, who was pretty much glistening with sweat after he finished his evening training. Anna had to wonder if he ever trained with his shirt off. What a sight that had to be.

"Hey there, handsome," Anna said sweetly, the same tone she used for male customers. "I am, in fact. I just sold a bit of inventory at three times the price I paid for!"

Priam didn't exactly see the honor in swindling hardworking men and women. And the Secret Sellers excelled at that. This army was filled with oddities. When Priam first saw that they had a Manakete and a Taguel - both of which he thought extinct - there was a part of him that wanted to be defeated that day, that wanted to join this army. They didn't have the numbers Priam previously had, but they did have the strength.

And then there were women like this Secret Seller. Priam had seen them enough to know the lengths they would go to for a quick and easy bag of suns. How this one ended up with Chrom's group was a puzzle to him. But the most Priam could think of was that she had an easy guard incase she angered a customer. "So long as you don't drag everyone down because you pissed off some sucker," said Priam.

Rolling her eyes, Anna shook it off. "Oh, don't worry," she said. "Even if I did anger someone they'd have to search very hard to find the right Anna."

"All the more reason to lay low," Priam mumbled to himself.

"Why are you worried?" asked Anna. She placed her hand on Priam's bicep, an action that caused the man to freeze up for a moment. What, a man like him never had a woman touch his muscles before? "One look at a big strong man like you is enough to send anyone running with their tails between their legs."

Priam pulled his arm out of the woman's grasp. "I shouldn't have to," he said firmly, "don't rely on me to cover for your actions or someone else's."

Without another word Priam walked off, into the inn, and probably straight to his room after he washed up. Something's would never change no matter where they were. Sighing slightly, Anna simply shrugged. Can't win them all.

Inside the mess hall Nowi had her elbows on the table, her eyes held upon Tharja, who was obscured from her view thanks to the spell book in front of her. Nowi could hear the Dark Mage scribble something down on the bit of parchment in front of her. Whether or not Tharja knew she was there or not was unknown to the Manakete. "Tharja," Nowi said, dragging the name out as long as she could. "What'cha doing?"

"Strange," mused Tharja. "I cannot read through the shell that cloaks your mind."

"But dragons don't have shells…"

Sighing, Tharja pinched the bridge of her nose. She would have thought a dragon would know a thing or two about magic. It either showed what Tharja knew about Manakete's, or just highlighted how scarce they were these days. "Since you're here," Tharja lowered her book, allowing Nowi to see her face. "I need some of your nail clippings. Just a sliver or two from the end will do perfectly."

Curious, Nowi list her head to the side. "What for?" she asked despite taking out her dragonstone.

"Manakete talons are used in Dark Mage divinations. I want to see what the future holds for me and Anali."

Technically Tharja was looking to see what the future held for Chrom and Anali. To see whether or not the Exalt would die, then Tharja could swoop in and comfort the mourning woman, making her finally returns Tharja's affection. She took the news of Anali's pregnancy on a chin. If a future for them involved that royal brat then Tharja would raise it with her. If Anali wanted more children then she would find away to make it so.

The resident Manakete slammed her hands on the table and leaned forward, right into Tharja's personal bubble. Her eyes could not have been any brighter. "You can tell fortunes?!" she exclaimed. "I'll give you every talon I have if I can have a fortune, okay?"

Sighing, Tharja placed her hand flat on Nowi's face and pushed her away. Maybe she should have had the farmboy get them for her instead. "I suppose you want me to find your true love, right?" she asked through a yawn.

Nowi's hair almost stood up on it's own as soon as Tharja said that. Her face flushed, and she swallowed. "No!" Nowi shook her head, "I want to find out about my mom and dad. Where they are, if they're safe and all that jazz. Can you do that?"

The Dark Mage bit the inside of her cheek while she drummed her fingers against the table. "I may take me a little while, since I assume neither of us know anything about them," she said, "but it's doable, if you give me your talon clippings."

The Manakete nearly leapt off her seat exclaiming, "I'll get to it now!"

The more Anali thought about Chrom and his letter the angrier she got, and the angrier she got the more she ate. At first it was just radishes, something she normally wasn't overly fond of a year ago. But as time went on Anali kept the palace cooks busy with her demands for popovers, and tomato or pumpkin soup with feta cheese.

Anali had gotten news of everyone's return a good hour before they actually arrived. Just enough time to get herself ready to face Chrom. Granted the fact that he asked Marlee and Ofelia to have a sort of sleepover with Anali while he was gone made her anger dissipate slightly. What Chrom had done was not acceptable, she was pregnant, she wasn't carrying some deadly virus, she wasn't suddenly made of glass. She was just pregnant, women became pregnant all the time.

So, Anali sat in the dining room with one leg crossed over the other. She wore the darkness dress she owned, a black and purple dress with a high collar and padded shoulders. It gave Anali just the effect she was going for. In front of her was a plate with three apple rose tarts, haloed a handful of radishes cut into roses. What Anali had wanted was some baked apples and a few radishes, but the cook took a few creative liberties. Not that Anali could complain, it looked too pretty to eat.

She nibbled on her radishes while she waited, with her goblet close by. The liquid was a dark red, almost purple. Nothing alcoholic, just a mix of blackberry and cherry juice. Anali was trying to invoke a placebo effect.

Anali took a brief sip as soon as soon as she heard Chrom enter the room. Anali locked her eyes on the empty chair across from her. Her face was as relaxed as ever, a skill she acquired over time playing the board game with Virion. "I missed you," she heard Chrom say as he leaned down to kiss her on the cheek.

And then Anali threw her drink in his face.

There was a snort from Lissa, who had seen everything from the doorway, while Chrom took a step back. His cape and overly complicated belts stained with a purplish-red color, while his bangs and sideburns clung to his face. "What was that for?!" he snapped, wiping his eyes and soiling his gloves.

Rising to her feet, Anali shot back, "You know very well what for! I don't know what's worse, the fact that you went behind my back and stole my effects and pegasus, or the fact that you went out on a mission without me."

"You know very well why you had to stay behind," argued Chrom, "I explained it in my le-"

"That you couldn't tell me to my face! Gods damnit, Chrom! The midwife said it's perfectly safe to go riding, to march right now. Hell, she said that staying active will help when I'm in labor!"

"The midwife isn't my wife and child," Chrom countered, his voice was low, almost like he was growling. "So she can shut up for all I care."

"So you want to make the delivery yourself, then?" Anali challenged, unaffected by Chrom's change in tone. "Fine. Do you know the best way to cut an umbilical cord? Best way to clean a newborn? What if the baby doesn't cry when it comes out? Or, gods forbid, what if there's complications during labor? I'm more inclined to listen to a woman who's had several children, and delivered more than listen to a man who will never do either."

"And if something goes wrong? If you end up injured while training? Fall of your pegasus? What will happen if you lose the baby?"

Why did Anali get the feeling that Chrom wasn't telling her something? These concerns had to come from somewhere, he couldn't have just woken up and decided this. "Losing the baby is always to be a concern not matter what," Anali said much more calmly as she hugged herself. "But I'm not going to be gripped with fear because of 'what ifs' that might not even happen."

Anali half-expected Chrom to argue with her. She expected him to snap at her. She expected something, she just wasn't expecting what actually happened. Chrom pulled her close, he kept one hand firmly pressed against the back of her head, forcing her face into his chest; his other arm was wrapped around her shoulders. His breathing shook, and Anali could have sworn that his eyes were tearing up. Wasn't she supposed to be the emotional one? "Chrom, what is it?" Anali asked quietly.

"Mother…" Chrom's voice shook.

The word hung above Anali's head, but Chrom did not elaborate beyond that. But the implication behind that one word was not lost on her.

Chrom returned Anali's effects, but was still pretty adamant on keeping her away from Amalthea and any other equine. But it couldn't be helped come harvest, this year the royal family were invited spend the harvest festival at the Farfort. Donnel was overjoyed at the prospect of seeing his mother for the first time in over a year. Anali, seasick prone Anali, couldn't wait to visit the Farfort again under better terms. "Anali, maybe you should stay here," Lissa suggested before they set off. "You don't exactly have sea legs."

"And miss a visit to the Farfort?" countered Anali. "My body's doing whole bunch of crazy stuff right now, maybe I can actually be comfortable on the sea this time."

Anali threw up three times on the way over.

Chrom brought half the Shepherds along with them, putting Tybalt in charge of the half staying in Ylisstol should something go wrong. But, given that Ylisstol had less and less it may not have been necessary.

Mayor Grey met them at the entrance of the forte, utterly exuberant to find the Exalt and his Shepherds. Donnel sprinted pass the Mayor and headed straight for his childhood home to see his Ma again. The village was alive, lit up by warm colors and the merrymaking of the villagers.

Gaius, who had never set foot in the Farfort before, was taking in everything the village had to offer in it's sweets department. This one vendor's candy apples look particularly delectable. After buying one he felt a pair of hands wrap around him from behind. He looked down, fully expecting to see familiar yellow sleeves, but was instead met with very like pink gloves. Gaius froze, she was about to kill him, wasn't she? She was going to shove her parasol down his throat and open it he just knew it!

"It would appear the Alder family is in your debt, Gaius," Maribelle said quietly.

"What?" the thief asked flatly.

Releasing him, Maribelle took Gaius by the hand and lead him somewhere more secluded. "I've been writing back and forth with my father," Maribelle explained. "And if you can tell me who plotted against him, we might finally be able to take him off the council."

"What?"

"Father and I both have a good idea who put you up to it," Maribelle turned her eyes to the ground, sneering, "Lord Duir is not above doing something that dastardly. How he could father a man as decent as Tybalt is beyond me."

"What?"

"Is that all you can say?" Maribelle snapped. "It's simple. If Escalus Duir really was the one who plotted against my father we can finally remove him from the council. I know it's asking for a lot for us-"

Gaius held his hands up, one of them still hanging onto his candy apple. "I haven't done anything Twinkles," he said. "Besides stir up a mess of trouble."

The blonde furrowed her brow and smacked Gaius on the shoulder with the back of her hand. "Nonsense. Look me in the eye and tell me you didn't write that letter saved my father. Tell me you didn't write it, confessing to you actions, knowing full well that you were putting yourself in danger."

The ginger avoided Maribelle's gaze. Almost as soon as Gaius put the blame on Shalom Alder he wrote to the magistrate explaining that it was him. He didn't say anything about a third party, not wanting to risk him owning up to his threats. "Escalus Duir," he muttered. "He was the one behind the whole thing."

Smiling, Maribelle embraced him again. "I take back everything Gaius," she said, "I can sleep easy knowing you're the one my treasure chose. And this information will help everyone on the council. Once Father springs this up at the next council meeting we can finally strip Escalus of his title and give it to Tybalt. It'll probably get a little complicated with him as Captain of the Griffon Riders, but I'm sure he can make it work."

The thief grinned weakly. "Glad I could help."

The house of Tinhead was relatively small, even when Donnel's Pa was still alive. But it was perfect for them. He was pleased to hear that Luce was getting along well in his absence. She had hired a little help to take over Donnel's chores for peanuts. And then Luce less than subtly dropped the fact that she was seeing someone. Romantically. "What?" Donnel asked, almost dropping his mug of cider. "Since when?"

"Few months after you left," said Luce. She looked down at her own cider, she cradled the mug in her hands and smiled warmly at it. "You remember Evert Hayle, don't you?"

"Miss. Rosaline's pa?" Donnel asked in wonder. Mr. Hayle kinda became a bit of recluse after Mrs. Hayle tragically passed away about three years ago. "Hadn't seen hide or tail of 'im in ages."

"Well, nearly losin' Rosaline to those… scoundrels last year put thing's into perspective for him."

"He make ya happy?"

"What would you say, Donny?" asked Luce.

The boy knit his brow together. His mother never quite seemed to lose that tender smile of hers this evening. A smile Donnel hadn't seen since his pa died. "I'd say yeah," Donnel took a sip from his mug.

"What 'bout you, Donny?" Luce asked. "Surrounded by strong, beautiful women, any o' them sendin' your heart a-flutter?"

The cider nearly went down the wrong tube. Clearing his throat Donnel pounded on his chest a couple of times. "Is that a yes?" Luce asked grinning like a Cheshire Cat. "Should I be expectin' grandkids soon?"

"I wouldn't go countin' chickens just yet. Ah mean… I like her," he began drawing circled with his finger on the table. "She's… a little hard to get a long with, but she's real nice when she wants to be…"

Luce's smile died slightly when she heard this. "I'm not gonna tell you who you can and can feel for," Luce reached out for her son's hand. "I just don't want you to project something that doesn't exist in this girl. I just want you to be careful."

"I will Ma," said Donnel.

Outside the light's steadily began to go out, and the townsfolk were headed into their homes. Luce clicked her tongue. "Over already? Sorry, Donny, I shouldn't have kept you-"

"Ma, no," Donnel shook his head. "Festivals come and go, I ain't seen you in ages."

Mrs. Tinhead smiled. What did she do to be blessed with such a good boy. Of course, she had his time in the Shepherds to thank for that, he did seem different from before. He was growing up while her back was turned. "In any case," Donnel said, draining the rest of his mug as he stood up. "I oughta get to the inn. I'll try to stop by before we leave tomorrow."

"But, in case you don't," Luce stood up with her arms open to him.

Without another word Donnel pulled his mother into the tightest hug he could muster.

The lights in the in were still on by the time Nowi walked into the inn. She spent the festival playing with a few local kids, then with a stray dog after the kids went home. She was finally feeling warn out from the long day and could probably sleep soundly that night. In the entrance the Manakete spotted the Dark Mage, it was almost a month since Nowi had given her a whole talon, but she still hadn't gotten back to her about her parents. "Hey, Tharja!" Nowi called.

"Hey… you…" Tharja forced out. Her face looked rather pained, like it was stuck in place for some reason.

"So did you do it? Did you find out about my mom and dad?"

"Yes…"

Nowi's purple eyes lit up. "So what's the story?" she asked, grabbing Tharja by the arm. "Don't hold out on me! Details! I need details!"

Gods damn it, how was Tharja supposed to do this? She was not good at this sort of thing. Quite the opposite really. "Your mother and father are… doing well," Tharja said through a grumble and a forced smile. "They worry about you a lot and can't wait to see you again."

"That's great," Nowi beamed, "So… where are they?"

Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. "They're uh…" Think of something, think of something. "Far, far away. Too far for you to ever reach."

"Pfft!" Nowi scoffed. "Don't forget I'm kinda immortal. I've got plenty of time."

"It won't be enough. Just be content with the knowledge that they're well."

The Manakete's brow knitted together and she pouted in thought. "What aren't you telling me?" she asked. Well damn. "C'mon, Tharja. I'm a grown woman, I can take it."

Tharja bit her lower lip, unsure of what to do. If Manaketes outlived human by several thousand years didn't that mean they carried burdens longer than humans did? But this was something Nowi asked for. Besides, it's better Tharja explain herself now while she was still alive than have Nowi be hunted by it a thousand years down the road. "I… couldn't locate your parents," Tharja said, avoiding Nowi's gaze. "Which means-"

"That they've just gone to a land so far away neither of us have ever heard of?" Nowi asked in awe. "Like Priam's ancestor?!"

She figured it out. She had to. Nowi acted childish, but she far from stupid. This was just her keeping up the act. So Tharja just played alone. "I suppose it could mean that," she murmured.

"Aw, that stinks," Nowi pouted, "guess that mean's I won't be seeing them anytime soon. Thanks anyway, Tharja."

"Um… welcome…"

Nowi kept her smile for as long as possible while she was in Tharja's line of sight. As soon as the smile came down, so did her tears.

The Dark Mage waited a few minutes before she contemplated heading to bed herself. She figured it was probably for the best that she didn't run into Nowi again, it was probably best for the both of them to keep up the act and pretend the Manakete didn't receive bad news. "Heya," the voice almost made her jump. Almost.

Whipping around Tharja found her servant boy, tilting his helmet back with a large smile on his face. Gods, he didn't… Her face was warm. Why was her face warm?! "You didn't see that," Tharja said bluntly.

"Pretty sure I did," Donnel said with a cheeky grin. "I keep sayin' you're not as mean as ye want people to think."

Tharja's hands balled up into a couple of fists. She wanted to come back with something, to tell him that he was wrong. But she couldn't think of anything. "Night Miss. Tharja," Donnel said, flashing her another smile.

She glared at Donnel's retreating form. That stupid boy made her emotions go to war with her head, and Tharja couldn't tell which side was winning. "Stop it!" she hissed under her breath. "Stop trying to sway me from Anali! Stop trying to… sway…"

Libra was one of the last to return to the in that night as he helped the locals clean up. Humble work was always the best way to unwind. The in was mostly disserted, quiet, but the silence never got to him. Until he heard someone sniffling.

On the second floor, at the very end of the hallway, Nowi was crouched down, her shoulders shaking as she hiccupped on a few quiet sobs. It was a sight Libra could barely stand to see. To see a lady as pure-hearted as Nowi, Nowi who spent the past year trying to help Libra find his own heart, who was always so careful with her human companions when she transformed, reduced to tears… The gods would strike him down before Libra turned a blind eye to this.

He met her at the end of the hall, and crouched down to meet her level. Libra placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, startling the Manakete slightly, just enough for her to look up at him. "I…" Nowi whimpered out, trying to dry her eyes. "I wasn't…"

"Don't keep it in, Nowi," Libra advised. "No one will think any less of you if you have tears to shed."

The Manakete's lower lip trembled. She always knew that wallowing around in her own self-pity over her longevity meant living an unfulfilled life. But Libra was right. Something just needed to be let out. So she burried her face into his chest, muffling her sobs. The War Monk was hesitant to hold her in his arms, a gesture he rarely gave or experienced, but everything was telling him to do it. That it was okay, that Nowi would appreciated it.

So he did.

Anali sat up, the room lit up by a few candles while she waited for Chrom. Her hands laid flat on her belly like she was trying to summon a sign of life. The midwife said that she should start feeling some form of movement from the baby anytime now. So far she hadn't had much luck. "Don't get discouraged if you don't feel anything for another few weeks," the midwife said. "This is your first child, but you will feel the little one in due time."

Her brow rose when she felt something, like… something just popped in the pit of her abdominal area. A few seconds passed before Anali felt the popping again. The door opened, and closed with a tired yawn from Chrom. "The villagers really know how to make a guy feel welcomed," Chrom said while he fiddled with his belts. "I guess they're still grateful for last year, but-"

"I think the baby just moved," Anali cut him off.

"What?"

"The baby… I think I just felt it move."

Chrom actually dropped Falchion onto the floor. He knelt down beside Anali and placed a hand on her stomach. "Can I feel it?" he asked her.

Anali shrugged. "I don't know. It didn't really feel like a kick, just…" she tried to fish for the right word, "poking?"

Getting back onto his feet Chrom continued to remove his garments. "Probably for the best," he said. "It shouldn't be up this late."

"Pretty sure it doesn't have any sense of time."

"I don't like calling the baby 'it.' Sounds derogatory."

"Well, we won't know the gender until it's born."

Free of his clothes, and left with his smallclothes, Chrom climbed into bed beside Anali. "We still have to pick a name," he said. "Our list of possible is kind of long."

"I like Morgan as a boy's name," said Anali.

"Okay that one stays on the list of possible. I'm partial to Channary."

"Ew, Channary? Are you naming a baby or our pet bird? Maybe you should stay out of the naming process before you name our baby Renesmee or Morhc."

"Oh, really?"

Grabbing onto Anali's waist he pulled her close, then began to rake his fingers up and down her sides. "No!" she shouted before squealing in laugher.

She squirmed against Chrom's grip in a desperate attempt to free herself. As Chrom learned in the night's that followed their wedding night his wife could be a very ticklish person. And he quickly found that it was a fast way to win any of their nighttime disagreements. A strategy Anali could appreciate, surely. "Hehe stop, please!" Anali begged. "I can't - hehe - I can't breathe…"

With Chrom's arms wrapped around her chest, and his head on her shoulder, Anali caught her breath. "We still have time to think of names," he murmured.

"You're the one that brought it up."