Chapter 27: Fhirdiad

Summary: Timeline- Rewind- Battle at Fhirdiad

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text 27

They had finally cornered Cornelia, her dolls destroyed, the city back under their control.

Cornelia smirked at Dimitri as she looked at the fallen men around her. "My, it's been a long time hasn't it, Your Highness? You've grown awfully strong."

Dimitri gripped his lance. "How shameless. I bet it was you who killed my uncle and set me up. Am I right?"

Cornelia laughed. "Hah! Too true! I'd already forgotten all about that loveliness."

Dimitri's vision started to go red. So the witch admitted to it. "I'll kill you, you monster! You will pay for all that you have done! And that includes your involvement with Hapi, Darren, his sister, and turning Patricia against my father!"

Cornelia's smile turned to a wicked smirk. "Oh so you know of that wonderous tale? Patricia said about how she wished to see her real daughter again, no matter who or what she had to sacrifice to do so ... And about how I made her wish come true, at the cost of the king's head ... Her family meant everything to her... You certainly know that feeling, do you not? Ah, poor little prince. Unloved by the only mother he ever knew... How pitiful.

Dimitri's hands shook as rage took him. He turned his lance to an attack position. "How dare you!" He said as he lifted it to strike.

Cornelia smiled as she got a spell coiled in her hands. "There's nothing left for you now... Nothing but despair."

Byleth came into Dimitri's vision, using her sword to wrap around one Cornelia's wrists to stop the spell. "Cornelia of the Argathans. Your actions can not be forgiven. For your crimes, there is only one punishment!" Byleth said with a grim calm.

"Fell star, we will…" Cornelia's words fell silent as Dimitri's lance cut through her.

Byleth retreated her blade from its whip form. Dimitri was breathing hard, she could tell from his expression he'd returned back to that darker mindset. His body was shaking from the rage his grip on his lance tight. The only thing that kept it from snapping was the fact it was a Holy Relic. She knew better than to touch him right now.

"One snake eradicated." She said.

"And a nest to go. Arundel is next." He growled.

Byleth nodded as his body relaxed a bit. She ducked down so she could catch his eyes. When his blue met her green she could see him stand and take a breath, surveying the scene around them. Gilbert, Dedue, Rodrigue, Dimitri and Byleth stood aside as the others went into the castle.

Dimitri crossed his arms as his jaw ticked at Cornelia's last words. If he hadn't seen what Sothis and Byleth and showed him he might not be able to believe it. Patricia had apologized in her last moments. She had cared, but she was under the impression that he would be kept alive and in the kingdom by the sounds of it. He had lost his temper again. The witch deserved it but he had promised to do better. Perhaps questioning her would have been better, but he couldn't afford the chance that she could escape.

"Nothing will change the fact that she was an enemy of the Kingdom. She sold out Faerghus to the Empire, forcing our people to suffer their tyranny….but all of that ends today. No more blood will be needlessly spilled. Now that Cornelia has fallen, we will exert pressure on the nobles that were aligned with her. Byleth and Hapi have helped me find some reports on Duscar. Lord Arundel, Patricia, and Cornelia had all played a part in it. What Cornelia said may be out of spite but she did condemn herself by doing so. Once we can get undeniable proof we can finally prove the innocence of the Duscar people." Dimitri said.

"Your highness. I am certain that will make those of Duscar who lost their lives very happy. I am grateful. And I am proud to serve a man such as you." Dedue said.

"Come your highness. You still have some responsibilities that must be carried out. Your people have been patiently awaiting your return." Gilbert said.

Dimitri bowed his head. "Do you mean… No. I can't bear to face them, I turned my back on them for so long."

Rodrigue shook his head. "The people hold no hatred for you Dimitri. As Gilbert said they have been waiting for your return."

Byleth took his hand. "We stand by you my Lion. You came when you were able to free them. The time it took can be forgiven because you did come back."

He looked at her. She had been gone for almost as long and he had forgiven her. Could he really be so hopeful? Then he gripped her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed it before he sighed. "Right you are, as ever. I am their king after all. Stay by my side please."

She smiled and nodded. Dimitri took a shaky breath. As he ascended the stairs Byleth kept her pace up to match his long stride. He could hear voices before he saw the balcony. She squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek before she stood back and let him go. He drunk in her presence, leaning his forehead against hers. "One day…both of us…."

She kissed him. "I know, but right now they need their king. Go, Dimitri, they've waited long enough."

Dimitri turned and went to the edge of the balcony. Gilbert gave a nod to Byleth before standing on the opposite side of her on the other side. Rodrigue had to wipe some tears that were trying to escape from the corners of his eyes before he breathed deep and composed himself. Byleth had to smile as Rodrigue looked upon Dimitri like a proud father. Yes, everything they had to bear had been worth it.

"What… what is this?" Dimitri said in awe at all of the people that had gathered and the cheers that rang around him.

"As you can see, the people are rejoicing at the return of their king." Gilbert said.

"Even though I turned my back on them, and fled the kingdom in disgrace…." Dimitri choked out.

"Even so the spectacle before you does not lie. We are a kingdom in need of a king. A hero to save the people from their long oppression. Your highness… it is truly a blessing that you have returned." Gilbert said.

"Do I really have the right to stand here? Will they accept me as their king? Bloodstained as I am… am I fit….no.. eyes no longer clouded by self-doubt or hate. I will rise to what I need to be. I will protect my home and its people." He raised his head high and raised his hand. The crowd below him cheered even louder.

"Don't cry Dimitri. This is a happy time and unlike Mercedes, I don't have any powder." Byleth said behind him.

Dimitri chuckled at her teasing words. Mercedes had put powder on her when she had cried at the party. He looked down at the sight below him. "Yes, these are happy tears. I never imagined ….I am finally home again….Faerghus… How I missed you…"

He felt like he was in a dream. He was finally home again. His recent actions were something that he could be proud of. With her, with her guidance, he had become someone they could believe in.

The rest of the day was spent taking out the rats that still scurried around. He did tear down every empire flag he saw and ripping those to shreds did give him some satisfaction. His group had taken the chance to celebrate once everything was clear. He had watched the festivities for a time, but he found his mind wandering. Byleth was sitting with a plate of food with Rodrigue and Gilbert, capturing her attention. They were probably talking about work, knowing them. It was either that or reminiscing, and neither was something he wanted to discuss right now. He felt like perhaps he should rescue her, there was a place he wanted, no wanted was the wrong word, obligated to go. This was something he should do by himself first. Byleth had turned in time to watch the blue of the Blaiyadd marked cloak disappear from where he had been standing in the doorway.

Dimitri found her later near the gates that led to the city. The moonlight was creating a halo around her. Guren was sitting close, and his ears perked up as he turned his head at Dimitri's approach. Guren bowed his head at Dimitri before he padded past him to sit a bit farther to give them privacy.

He saw her wrap the cloak tighter around herself. "The cloak does look beautiful on you. It may be spring, but the nights are quite chilly here in Fhirdiad…. Still our celebratory feast shows no sign of stopping. Have you grown weary of the festivities?"

"I just wanted a moment to myself and maybe hoped that a lion would be stalking around who also gets weary of such occasions." She said, turning to him and pulling down the hood of the cloak.

He came closer to her. "Just like the ball all those years ago. I have just returned from visiting the graves of my loved ones. It had been too long since I left flowers. I was always terribly afraid of going near there. But I could not stay away forever. You have taught me something important my beloved."

"Humor?" she teased

He shook his head at her. "You never let up do you? No, what I am referring to is far more valuable. How should I put this… perhaps it is more accurate to say that… you taught me how to live. If I hadn't found you that fateful day I would have needlessly sacrificed the lives of my friends and myself. I would be lost in my hatred, but now I have returned to my rightful place. I struggle with what to say, when I know well that words are not enough to express my gratitude. You saved me from the darkness…. and guided me back to the light. With all that I am thank you my beloved." He took a deep breath and his hand went into the small pouch at his belt. "There is something else you helped me find. Please give me your hand."

She gave him a quizzical look but did as he asked. "I've been debating on when to do this. Call me impatient, but I can't think of a more perfect moment. You have given me so much, you have stayed by my side through everything. There is no one else I want to wake up next to me in the morning. No one else I want to give my heart to. I know I should wait until the war is done, but….."

He placed the ring in her hand. She smiled and reached around her neck. "You beat me to it." She said with a smile, pulling the chain that held her heirloom out.

He smiled, his heart beating furiously. "Right, let us exchange then, shall we?"

She placed the ring in his hand. "I had a smith resize it since it had been my mothers. I didn't think it would fit you as it was."

"When did you manage?" He stuttered.

She smiled as she ran her fingers along the blue stones. "Gilbert and Rodrigue were in on it. Right before I danced for you all Gilbert asked if I could help him with something. He had me stop by our room and grab it with the intention of me getting it expanded for you. Rodrigue found me the smith. They said that you would be fine in finding one for me and would ask you about it later, but they expected that you would be fine on your own."

"You…." He chuckled and shook his head. Always a step ahead of him. "I love you Byleth. I don't know how long I was trapped in my nightmares of the past. You have helped me dream of the future." He held her hand that now bore the ring he had gotten her. He intertwined his fingers with hers. "Your kind warm hands, may they cling to mine forevermore."

She smiled and wrapped the other hand around the back of his neck to pull him down to her. He complied, wrapping his other hand across her waist under the cloak to hold her as they kissed.

He leaned his forehead against hers. "The wedding should wait until after the war is over. I don't care what my court argues. I am not letting anyone take you away from me, or take my choice from me. I've made my decision to follow where my heart leads me, and you are what I want to live for."

"And the revenge you sought?" she asked.

"Revenge was never something I wished for…It was an obligation I felt that I inherited from those who died. I believed my life belong to those who lost their own in Duscar, but what I seek now is something else entirely. I can say that with confidence. I want to build a Kingdom where the people can live in peace. I want to stay by your side. You have made me… happy would not be enough to express it. But I digress…. For tonight our only focus should be to bask in our victory. After that we must prepare for our battle with the empire. To start…

When Dimitri talked about what all needed done she smiled. "Yes and didn't I tell you that I'd help with all that."

"heh… That you did. Just thinking about it all makes my head spin. There is much to do, but it is all critical work if we hope to still stand a chance against the Empire." He said.

"Is there no way to coexist with the Empire with all we know?" She asked.

"Knowing Edlegard, I doubt there is a path that leads to our coexistence. I believe we have spoken of this before… Everyone has something they cannot accept. As for Edlegard I am certain she will never accept the church. I believe that is why she seeks to destroy it. She is looking to revolutionize the world, in her mind, for the better. But even if she manages to birth a new world it would be at the cost of I wish to end this war through acceptance, not annihilation Just as my people accepted me, I dearly wished to accept her, especially knowing she was only a pawn. But I fear…."

"Your Highness I finally found you!" a soldier said, coming up to them. Guren watched him warily.

"Ah, I'm sorry for slipping away. Has something happened?" Dimitri asked.

"An express messenger just arrived from the leader of the Alliance. Please return to the castle at once."

"An express messager? What in the world could Claude be after? I am on my way. Byleth please join me."

"Gladly."

The message had been kept sealed. Dimitri thought about perhaps grabbing Gilbert, but he would wait to see what the scroll contained before he got the old knight involved.

"It's a request for aid. The empire is trying to assault Derdriu. Should we rally everyone up?" Dimitri said, reading the contents.

Byleth shook her head. "No, we shouldn't march until the morning at the earliest and we need to do some critical things here before we even think about moving out. Going out in the dark will not help anyone. There's also Arianrhod to worry about. You said earlier that the Empire could harbor an army there to attack the capital. The war can wait until tomorrow, but we need to go and make sure that no one has helped themselves to drinks. We can't have them hungover if we might need to march tomorrow."

Dimitri saw the ring flash as she moved her hand. Maybe it would have been better to wait until after the war. It seemed cruel to let their happiness be cut short and be thrown back into the fray.

She caught him staring. "Also tonight I want to enjoy being able to sleep next to you in a bed while we are able." She kissed his cheek. "Perhaps a bit more with my betrothed other than sleep as well would be nice."

His breath caught. How had he gotten so lucky to be blessed by having her at his side? He had thought himself damned and forsaken, but she had proved him wrong.

"Come on." She said. She led him back to the ballroom where everyone was still having fun. He did notice she snuck a sweet bun before she continued towards the group. He'd have to keep that one in mind as favorite treats.

"There you two are! We were wondering where you got off to!" Sylvain boomed from across the room.

"Professor!... No way!" Annette shrieked loud enough for Byleth to flinch. Every pair of eyes went to Byleth.

Dorthea was the one who lifted her hand to get a better look at the ring. "About time, It's lovely."

Felix chocked as he spit out some of his drink. He sat there, coughing a few moments. "Could you two animals not wait until the war is over?"

Sylvain had come over to sling an arm over Dimitri's shoulders. Then he noticed the ring on Dimitri's ungloved hand and started to laugh. "Professor! I swear you two are made for each other. How long have you been planning this?"

Byleth turned while the girls started to giggle and chatter that Dimitri had a ring too. "My father gave me that one to give to whoever I loved as much as he had loved my mother. Gilbert had me expand it to fit him before I danced for everyone that night. Dimitri asked first, I was just prepared."

Sylvain shook his head. "Well how about we toast our two lovebirds?"

Byleth shook her head. "We just received a message that our help is required in the alliance. We will have a meeting tomorrow morning. For now, enjoy what you can, but no drinking yourselves impaired."

"Professor, don't you want to celebrate? Not only do we have the kingdom back, but you two…." Ashe started.

"Although the thought is appreciated, there isn't time. That's the one thing about leadership. We have to make sure things are taken care of, so everything runs smoothly." Byleth said.

"That doesn't sound like any fun professor! Both of you, make sure you don't push yourselves too hard." Mercedes said.

Dimitri hung his head, wondering again if maybe he should have waited. Byleth came up and put her hand on his arm. "Trust me we're happy about it. I wouldn't change it with how stressful trying to plan for timing is, and it was a wonderful proposal. It just means we need to work harder so we can get his coronation and a wedding planned once the war is over." she said, leaning up against him.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Ashe asked.

"Just because we don't partake doesn't mean that stops your fun." Byleth said.

"Haven't you both learned by now that you don't have to do everything yourself?" Felix said.

Ferdinand rose in his seat and bowed. "I had to help a lot with the affairs in the Empire. I'd be honored if you'd trust me enough to help here."

Dimitri nodded his head. "It would be appreciated to have your knowledge on the matters. If you are all sure you don't mind, there are plenty of letters that have to be drafted and sent. Troops need to be organized and reshuffled. The list goes on."

"Then let's just treat it as a big class assignment. Put everything down on a piece of parchment, and we'll delegate it to who has the best experience on getting something like that done." Lysinthia said.

"Not a bad plan actually. It will also make sure that we get everything taken care of with everyone accomplishing something. " Ashe said.

"I couldn't ask you all to do that." Dimitri said.

"It will be no different than how the professor and yourself dealt with Garrag Mach. The two of you give us assignments to help take the burden off of your shoulders while you still deal with the multitude of chores that only you should handle. You aren't alone in this Dimitri. We won our kingdom's freedom, but there is still much work to be done. We had our fun and like the professor said there will be plenty more time to celebrate once the war is over." Ingrid said.

Dimitri relaxed. Ingrid had a point and he was surprised she had used his name rather than his title. The sooner they got all the preparations done, the sooner everyone benefited from it. He nodded and gave Byleth's hand a quick squeeze before heading off to one of the many castle offices. Byleth grabbed a quill and had him list everything again while she wrote them down. The group behind him was starting to give each other looks of disbelief and shock.

"That's all I can remember at this moment. We might need to talk to Gilbert or Rodrigue to see if there's anything that was forgotten." Dimitri said.

"Well there's a lot to do, so let's get to it!" Annette said, rolling up her sleeves.

Sylvain patted Dimitri's shoulder. "I expect to hear everything, word for word later Dimitri. Let's see how well my teaching skills helped someone as hopeless in love as you."

"I find offense in that Sylvain. I spoke from the heart, and you heard her." Dimitri hissed back.

Sylvain chuckled before heading out of the door. "I'm glad for you both. Let's all survive so we can enjoy a royal wedding, shall we?"

Byleth looked up from her paperwork. "Definitely."

Byleth delegated some of the smaller jobs to everyone and had included some notes herself. He went to where she had leaned over the parchment. He put his ringed hand next to hers.

She caught his boyish grin before smiling herself and bumping his shoulder with hers. "Yes, I'm happy about it too, but concentrate, please."

He kissed the top of her head. "Whatever dream this is, I don't want to wake from it."

She put her hand over his. "me neither." She said before going over the list and delegating what she should take and what he had to use own authority for that she shouldn't touch. It was going to be a long evening, but at least when it was over he would still have her next to him.

Notes: Ok so who else absolutely fell in love again with Dimitri during that talk on thier playthrough? I wanted to make it into the proposal because it always felt so perfect to me. I found myself going to the extras and rewatching/relistening to the conversation because it does connect them so well, and I think that is why we ship these two so hard.