Epilogue - The Noble and the Saint
"Hilda!" Not listening. "Hilda!" Still not listening. "Hilda, I know you can hear me!" Nope, I couldn't~ "Hildegard!"
"Don't call me that, Ely!" The retort was instant, as was my whirl and glare. Ely, somehow my best friend, was smirking smugly at me. "Don't do that. It's unbecoming for a queen."
"Why should that matter?" she asked, crossing her arms and huffing a little. "You even gave your workers the day off. I'm entitled to being a little less queenly."
"How old are you again?"
"Twenty-three, the same as you. I think." She stuck her tongue out. "Meanie."
"Stop that. You'll teach Cheryl bad habits." I batted her shoulder and she laughed. "You're a mother now, remember."
"So are you!" She laughed a bit harder, voice breathy. "Oh, gods, I needed a good laugh."
"Glad to assist." I shook my head and gave her a look. "Though I'd think you'd get enough of that from your court. What is the story, exactly about your child?"
"Something about the gods delivering her to me on a bridge of rainbows and sunshine, instead of me just going through nine months of pregnancy like every other person who gives birth." Ely rolled her eyes. "Honestly…"
"How is her father?"
"Who knows? As we agreed, he left after the night I confirmed I was pregnant, and I haven't even seen him since." She shrugged, unbothered. "I wouldn't have lain with a man at all if everyone wasn't insistent that I have an heir. I don't like them like that."
"I know." Now my look became sly. "Fiona's more of your type, right?"
"Hilda!" She went bright red, and I laughed again. "Now who's being unbecoming?"
"I'm just a noble, and this is my far too large house."
"Why did they workers make our new homes too large? I could shelter the entire army three times over in that stupid castle of mine!"
"Who knows? I was just fine living in the farmhouse as we did before suddenly…" I pitched my voice to be extra dramatic. "My lady! We have completed your new home that we built without your knowledge or permission~!"
"Hilda!" Ely laughed again. "Oh, it's a nice house, isn't it? Even if it is a little big?"
"I suppose." I shook my head and looked out over the field where Fiona was playing with our children. "How is Maron doing?"
"She's fine, and loves making all my royal garments."
"Of course." I smiled as the kids attempted to sneak up on Fiona, and Fiona pretended to not notice until the last second, making them complain and her laugh. "Alice lives in Pherae with Elijah, right?"
"Yes, she just… can't live here. It hurts her too much." Ely's eyes were sad. "Even five years later, Martin's death haunts her."
"Why wouldn't it?" I still saw his death when I closed my eyes. Mika and Sheryl's deaths haunted my nightmares too. "Wuotan says the gate is finally stable, by the way."
"Oh good." She breathed a sigh of relief. "And how is he?"
"He's fine. Maybe because he's older, but he's barely damaged by the Winter now, unlike most dragons." Fiona, for instance, couldn't transform without massive pain. "He's out checking in on some of the dragons stuck on this side now, but he visits here often."
"Of course he does. He's got a cute grandson to spoil." She giggled. "Of course, he spoils my daughter too, when he swings by."
"Of course he does." A thought occurred to me and I twisted slightly to face her. "Did your cut of my sales make it to you?"
"Why do you jump from Wuotan to your horses?"
"He's the one who encouraged me." I had been hesitant, since I hadn't known what to do with them really, but I'd wanted to raise horses, both because I loved them and because I knew that's what Sheryl would do. "There's a path to my madness."
"Barely." She grinned as I rolled my eyes. "But yes, it made it. It's quite a bit."
"I raise high quality horses." Of course, I gave them for free to my friends. That's why Elijah and Barigan rode them now, since their old mounts were retired. "I get tips from Hanon, you see."
"I know. She was super excited." She might've continued, but bright laughter caught our attention again, and I looked at how Fiona and Ely's Cheryl were dancing. I frowned when I noticed my own son wasn't with them, and panicked when I realized just where he was.
"Alberich, don't go near the horses!" I yelled. He glanced at me briefly, gauging how mad I was. I gave him the 'Mom-glare-of-certain-grounding' and he turned right back around and ran to Fiona, tackling her off her feet. Cheryl shrieked with laughter and tackled them both, making Fiona laugh and laugh and tickle them. "Goodness, I don't remember being such a handful at his age."
"He'll be five soon, won't he?" Ely whispered. Her eyes were sad and nostalgic. "Five years… it's been five years since the war ended…" The wind caught her hair, and she brushed it back, holding it in place as the wind continued to play. "Five years… I'm only just now starting to think it was all worth it."
"Same." Maybe in another five years, I'd believe it. I'd believe that Delrin didn't truly win, that there had been a point to fighting besides spite. I'd believe that all the deaths ultimately had a point, and that we truly did win, instead of just 'not lose'.
"Hilda…" She glanced at me, eyes uncertain. "Roland and Genevieve's wedding is going to be within the year. Will you go?"
"I…" I sighed, shaking my head. "I can't. I don't want to leave Alberich, and I dare not bring him with me."
"But…" She sighed as well, but nodded. "No, you're right. You can't bring him."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault! It's-!"
"Mom!" Alberich called right then, waving both his arms to make sure he had my attention. The sun fell on him right then, and just… made him sparkle. Likely a side-effect of being part fire dragon, or part divine dragon. Or maybe it was just a mother's bias. "Mom, can I show Cheryl the new ponies?" He had my brown hair, but his warm amber eyes could only come from one person. "Pleeease?" His smile was like his too, sweet and kind. "I promise to be extra good!"
"Just be safe," I replied. He cheered and snagged Cheryl by the hand, dragging her after him, babbling about all of them. "...Fiona, do you mind?"
"I'll make sure no one gets hurt!" Fiona reassured. Her smile was bright, and I noticed it was finally as bright and warm as it had been when I first met her. "You two chat business! I'll play with the kids~"
"Thanks!" I waved as she trailed after the children, and then led Ely away to head towards the gardens as I thought back to that first year of peace.
It turned out that part of my nausea, exhaustion, and pain hadn't been just because of the war. Eight months after it ended, I gave birth to Alberich, and now… I raised him. I refused to openly name his father, and it seemed like with every year that passed, more and more people forgot that during the war, I'd been Hartmut's lover. That was safer, both for Alberich and this fragile peace we made stronger each year. Some days were easier than others, but Fiona seemed to take complete and utter delight in babysitting him when I needed a bit of a break.
"Hilda, are you happy?" Ely's eyes were serious and saddened as we walked. "I know I needed the help, and I know you didn't want… no, you couldn't become queen, but… but…"
"Ely, relax." I stepped into the main gardens and sat down on one of the benches. "I'm content."
"But…" She sat down beside me, slumping. "I…"
"Look." I gestured to the flowers around us, all beautiful white chrysanthemums. "Do you know their meaning?"
"Meaning?" She looked confused for a second before she nodded. "Oh, the language of flowers thing. We're just taking things from dragons for it, since no one seems to remember what meanings the humans assigned. Fiona thinks it's fun."
"That's what they're doing in Bern as well. So, do you?" I smiled as she shook her head. "'Loyal love'. And they're from Hartmut."
"From…?" Her eyes were wide. "Truly?!"
"Yep, along with his letters, and Melia's letters. She sends me all sorts of stories." I grinned. "Truly, I only don't go because I want to be here for Alberich, and I just can't take him where Hartmut is. Then the similarities between them will become obvious, and then we get a mess."
"Oh, right, you communicate with his wife rather regularly." She sighed. "I always forget that. Does she know about Alberich?" She pouted when I gave her a look. "With everything I have to remember, I forget things that aren't tied to ruling! So?"
"Yes, of course I did." I shrugged. "I made sure of it, so that she knew why I avoided official things when they're there."
"Melia would worry." Ely smiled softly. "But, seriously, he sends you these?"
"Very consistently, with Melia's full support." I laughed a little and the wind kicked up, filling the air with the petals. "Ely, remember… even with that Winter's poison likely lessening our lifespans, Hartmut and I will outlive everyone. So, when everything is done, we'll… be together again. When Alberich is grown, when little Zephiel is grown…"
"It'll be a while, though."
"I know that, and so does he." After all, Zephiel was only a few months old. "But what's a couple of decades, when we're likely to live centuries?" I gave her my best smile, the smile I'd worn back before all of this started and we were plotting a prank on our parents. "This is our promise and compromise. Our happy ending will be… delayed, and we will earn it. But we'll have it. I promise this to you, Ely."
"Okay." She smiled back, and it was the same smile she had back in Aquelia, when she eagerly awaited a successful prank's reaction. "Well, in that case, let's actually get down to business, Lady Hildegarde of Hanover."
"Of course, Saint-Queen Elimine of Etruria." We managed to keep serious faces for two heartbeats before bursting into laughter, leaning into each other as we struggled to sit up straight and not fall off the bench. "Oh, gods, this is going to take a bit."
"I guess we'll gossip more! Have you heard about Athos's gift to Maron and little Martin yet?"
"No, tell!"
"Okay, but one thing first." She looked deadly serious. "Idenn's dragonstone."
"It's safe." I nodded to my house. "It's here. But Hartmut is spreading rumors that it's in Aquelia."
"Good. I'll have a fake stone made. Just in case." She went back to her smile. "So, story?"
"Yes!"
Fates of the Heroes:
Roland, the Little Hero - Roland founded a nation of alliances called 'Lycia', after an old dragon word for 'unity'. He set up his home castle in the old fortress used by the army, and named it 'Ostia', old dragon for 'Shield'. His friend, Elijah, ruled over the territory closest to Bern, called 'Pherae', from the old dragon word for 'Flame-haired'. Roland married Genevieve six years after the Scouring, and the two had a happy life together, traveling after abdicating the throne to their daughter.
Elimine, the Saint - Elimine ruled over Etruria, old dragon for 'sanctuary', with kindness and caution, encouraging the development of arts and academics to help the land heal from the brutal war. A church rose up around her teachings, called the Saint Elimine Church, which dedicated itself to healing the lands. She later abdicated her throne to wander and further spread her teachings, leaving Etruria's fate to her daughter, Cheryl.
Athos, the Archsage - Athos continued to wander through the lands, devoting his power to mending the elemental spirits weakened by the Winter. He always made time, however, to visit Maron and her son, Martin, though young Martin never learned that Athos was his father. He visited the desert home of his youth frequently, but always made time for his friends.
Barigan, the Divine Knight - Barigan and Jasmine ruled over Ilia, old dragon for 'snow', and carefully tended to the buildings and shrines left behind. Jasmine trained future pegasus knights, while Barigan kept a trained cavalry. Both defense forces were used primarily to assist with snow rescues, though they lent their people to the other countries to help with reconstruction. By all accounts, the two had a very happy life with their three children, and the two frequently returned to visit even after they abdicated and took to traveling.
Hanon, the Divine Huntress - Hanon ruled the Kutolah with reluctant brilliance, rallying the other people of the plains into hunts and restoring the temples, while also breaking down some of the old traditions, such as the one surrounding the Katti Blades. She founded the city of Bulgar on the border between the Sacae and Bern, as a safe haven for the plains, and to encourage trade between the Sacae and other nations. When she stepped down as chieftain, leaving the Kutolah to her son, she wandered about the lands, content in no longer having responsibility.
Durban, the Berserker - Durband founded a settlement in the Western Isles where he lived in peace for a few years, satisfying his need for battle through battling bandits. However, after seven years, Armads's call became too great, and he left to fight in one last battle before he completely lost his mind, dying after killing 300 bandits threatening his home, alone. He left behind a wife and two children, and his body was carried to the grove by the Shrine of Seals in the hopes that he could find peace in death. A memorial to Amir was set up with him, and the group decided they would all be buried there, in time, to make sure they could find each other in death.
Bramimond, the Dark Druid - Bramimond remained within the Shrine of Seals, maintaining the seals on the Divine Weapons. He left only to visit the grove. Despite their discomfort, his friends made a point to visit whenever possible. Some days, he seemed more like himself than others, but always, he remembered who his friends were.
Hartmut, the Champion - Hartmut was crowned the first king of Bern, an old dragon word for 'peace'. Two years after his crowning, he married Melia, the daughter of a noble from the old court, who was far more interested in his library than him. He was open to Melia about his love for Hilda, and she was the one who proposed, citing that he needed a shield. The two had one son, Zephiel, and were very good friends. Melia also made a point to write to Hilda, and became great friends with her. When Hartmut abdicated, Melia remained in the castle, eager to use the extra time to read. Hartmut sent her back books he thought she'd find interesting.
Fiona, the Dragon Dancer - Fiona lived in Aquelia with Elimine, serving as an advisor and babysitter for the court. By all accounts, her laughter brought smiles to all who saw her, and her delightful dances that combined skillful movements with enchanting illusions were always the highlight of anyone's day. When Elimine abdicated, Fiona left with her, becoming a traveling dancer again. Though she missed Aenir and Idenn greatly, she became determined to live our her life to the fullest for their sakes, and always kept an eye out for Aenir's husband, Nergal.
Hilda, the Thief General - Hilda ruled Hanover, one of the Great Houses of the newly founded Etruria. She devoted herself to helping Elimine rule Etruria, while also making sure her fellow Great House rulers (Maron, Emma, Vash, and Kim) were not overwhelmed. To her utter shock, her tactics were studied extensively, to the point that a Tactician's School was founded in her honor. She noted that it remained the most horrific 'honor' anyone had given her. She abdicated when Alberich was grown, and traveled the land, learning about the land she helped save. By all accounts, she had a very happy life.
Author's Notes: And thus, Thief's Legacy reaches its end. For clarification, yes, Hilda and Hartmut lived together from the time they abdicated their position to their deaths, around 850 years after the Scouring (according to my notes, at least). Their son, Alberich, did eventually learn his heritage (and actually became good friends with Zephiel the First, though he never revealed to Zephiel that they were brothers), and ruled Hanover until he abdicated, wandering about just as his parents did. He eventually settled in Arcadia, serving as a history teacher to the children. All of the heroes, who could, abdicated their positions and often traveled together to celebrate being free from responsibilities at long last. I had the beginning part of this chapter mirror the beginning of the first chapter, to help show how after five years, they were finally healing.
Thank you very much for reading this. This story is about the Scouring, a war in the backstory of FE7 and FE6, so if you're curious about my takes on both of those games, please read A Tactician's Testimony (for FE7) and A Tactician's Legacy (for FE6). If you're curious about a little more backstory expansion for FE7, please read A Thief's Testimony, which focuses on the 'parent' generation for FE7 (such as Uther and Elbert).
Again, thank you very much for reading this. I hope you enjoyed!
