They had a plan as everyone parted ways at Badon. First, they would go to Caelin, then to Ostia where Hector would formally take on his title, and then across the country to Pherae where Eliwood would do the same. Sometime after all that they would get married, but hadn't agreed on a time yet, seeing as half of their friends were engaged now, too.
It changed when they reached the gates of Castle Caelin with their party, and Hausen's captain of the guard came running to the frantically with the grim news on his lips.
Lord Hausen, the reigning Marquess of Caelin and grandfather of Lady Lyndis, was dead.