Ashe's was unable to contain his babbling chat and enthusiastic excitement right from the second he had left the Monastery to make the short walk down to the nearby village. It was rare in these difficult days following Lord Lonato's betrayal and ultimate demise at Ashe's own hands, for the archer's heart to lift from its confused misery or for any impulse to laugh to spring readily to his lips. Spending the afternoon with his sibling's though - and in the very agreeable company of Dedue, he was feeling a lightness of spirit that he realised he had sorely missed.

'I swear you are like to have lost your voice by the time we reach our destination.' Dedue teased him good-naturedly after a particularly long monologue during which Ashe had not only pointed out the fineness of the weather, but also the brightness of the sun, the wondrous scent of the newly sprung flowers and how clear the waters of the river were looking.

'Well, since my companion is particularly taciturn, I do have to fill up most of his side of the conversation too!' Ashe grinned back at the big man.

'Ah, so your verbal acrobatics are entirely my fault then.' Dedue raised an amused brow.

'Heh, I'm just excited Dedue...' Ashe admitted.

'Of course, you are.' Dedue nodded. 'Seeing your siblings should be a cause for celebration.'

'And Myles will be coming along later for birthday cake!' Ashe added happily. 'He said he'd ask the Professor too, although she might be too busy to come.'

'I would suspect she will make the time if she can.' Dedue noted warmly.

Ashe nodded vigorously. 'She is very kind.' He agreed. 'I admit, I was initially a little scared and intimidated by her. Much the same as I was with you actually.'

'That is understandable Ashe, you are entirely within your right's to be fearful of a man from Duscur.' Dedue replied stoically.

'Hmm, well I know that there are many individuals who hate the people of your land.' Ashe's expression had turned thoughtful. 'They think all sorts of odd things about them– even that they indulge in the kidnapping and eating of their enemies!'

There was a low, rumbling chuckle from Dedue. 'Heh, we sound like we are true monsters don't we... why that is almost as bad as the Ashen Demon's widely reported and thoroughly despicable habit of consuming naughty children!'

'Doesn't it make you angry that people think about your people that way?' Ashe asked curiously.

'I suppose it should...'

'If only those stupid morons would just talk to you!' Ashe continued with earnest indignation. 'If they got to know you, they would change their minds about you in a heartbeat!'

'Unfortunately, I am not that good at interesting conversation.' Dedue pointed out. 'You made that assertion yourself only a moment ago!'

Ashe groaned. 'Neither am I Dedue, not really...' He insisted. '... I was downright terrified of trying to find something to talk to you about at first, even though I wanted to try. Then we started cooking together, and we traded stories about our siblings, and that became a discourse about a whole host of other things. It made the differences between us seem utterly insignificant compared to the things that we have in common.'

'A nice way to look at it.' Dedue agreed, gifting Ashe with one of his rare smiles.

'It was different, with the Professor.' Ashe continued without pausing for breath. 'She is so strong and unique, that I doubt that I share any commonality with her, but she has taken so much time to help and encourage me. It would be hard to continue to be scared when assaulted by such kindness.' He suddenly grinned up at Dedue mischievously. 'I can see why His Highness is so thoroughly infatuated with her, although I did nearly die when Amelia suggested that they should be married!'

Dedue's laughter was loud and infectious. 'While I felt sorry for Prince Dimitri's discomfort at the time... I'll admit that the situation was overwhelmingly comical! From the mouth of babes, eh...!' He shook his head in amusement.

'I laid my wager on the Prince of course!' Ashe was grinning now. 'I suspect that you did as well.'

'I did.' Dedue rested a hand familiarly on Ashe's shoulder. 'Although it should be noted that His Highness has a somewhat predictable fondness for strong or motherly women. He appears to afford both The Lady Catherine, Mercedes and Marianne a certain degree of fond attention too.'

'Huh. Is that right?' Ashe beamed brightly. '... And there you were protesting that you were not any good at interesting conversation. Excuse me, but I beg to differ!'

'We aren't conversing Ashe, we are gossiping - as Dorothea would say ''like old women''.' Dedue's eyes glinted. 'I have noted that good friends often enjoy to talk together in such a manner!'

'Oh... well then - if we are gossiping... maybe I should bring up the fact that you seem to spend an awful lot of alone time with the Professor yourself!' Ashe sniggered merrily.

Dedue's brow raised. 'Indeed!' He agreed. 'She is a rather fine woman, and exceptionally well proportioned...'

'Dedue!'

The big man chuckled. 'Sadly, it is simply the case that she finds a little much-needed relief in spending some quiet time with an uninteresting and monstrous man from Duscur while they tend to plants and flowers together... nothing more.'

Ashe looked shyly up at his friend and nudged him delicately in the ribs. 'If that is true, then the Professor is far more foolish than I believed...' He said sincerely and then laughed in delight when Dedue blushed crimson.

'Thank goodness we've arrived...' Dedue mumbled gratefully, pushing open the gate to the comfortable smallholding that was situated on the edge of the village.

'Ashe!' The tiny form of Amelia was already rushing towards the two students, followed closely by Aaron, who was attempting to look cooly nonchalant, but the massive grin on his face was giving away his own elation.

'Hey, Melly!' Ashe caught his sister as she jumped up at him, throwing her skinny arms tightly around his neck. 'It's only been a week!' He laughed.

'Hello, Ashe!' Aaron had skidded to a halt and held out his hand to shake his brother's.

'What? No hug?' Ashe inquired, with a mock frown.

'Gentlemen shake hands.' Aaron instructed him.

'I don't see any gentlemen around here – do you Dedue?' Ashe teased.

'Don't mind him!' A matronly woman with a broad smiling face had appeared at the door, wiping her flour-covered hands on her apron. 'Ever since Prince Dimitri promised him lessons in weapon craft, young Master Aaron here has developed some rather fine airs and graces!'

Aaron gave in and hugged onto Ashe's waist.

'C'mon...' Amelia kicked her feet to be let down and then started to pull Ashe towards the door. 'We have made Myles's birthday cake already, but Aunty is letting us help with making some buns for teatime.'

'Well, it happens that Myles told us just yesterday that Sir Jeralt will be coming with him this afternoon... maybe his sister too.' The woman looked flustered. 'I remember Sir Jeralt, of course, from back when he worked at the Monastery. To think that he will be visiting our humble home...'

'Well, we did raise his son!' A heavily muscled, older man stood from where he had been laying out the fireplace. 'She's just getting herself all unnecessary because, like most of the young women back in the day, she had an unbearable crush on the Captain of the Knights!' The man grinned at his wife.

'Get away with you!' The woman flicked her teatowel in his direction and headed back towards the flour-covered counter.

'Come on in lad!' The man waved to Dedue, who was still standing uncertainly in the doorway. 'You are making the place look untidy, hovering like that.' He eyed him up and down and grunted. 'Strong looking boy ain't you!' He noted.

Dedue was also appraising the man, although more covertly. 'You have a countenance that is familiar.' Dedue rumbled quietly. 'You have a physique that reminds me of my father. Do you work a forge, sir?' He hedged.

'The name's Rolph, and my wife there is Ellan – and to answer your query son - yes... I do smith a little although my main trade is in leather.' He looked pleased with the interest. 'The ironwork came about since the smiths at the Monastery stick mainly to weaponry so as well as tooling the harnesses for the stables, we also provide their horseshoes.'

Dedue nodded and took the seat that he was being directed towards. 'I prenticed with my father before the troubles.' He said quietly. 'Mostly producing household goods.'

'Would it interest you to come and have a look at my workshop then?' Rolph asked. 'Seems to me it might be an idea to be out from under the feet of the cooks for an hour or so.'

'Would you mind Ashe?' Dedue asked politely.

'Course not!' Ashe was already aproned up and wielding a huge wooden spoon.

'Can I come?' Aaron asked eagerly.

'Don't you want to stay with your brother?' Rolph asked.

'He'll still be here when we get back. I hate cooking!' Aaron poked out his tongue at Ashe who gripped at his heart dramatically. 'I do like eating though...' the lad added defiantly.

'Alrighty then. Gimmie a minute and we'll head off!' Rolph decided grinning at the boy's antics.

.

When eventually Dedue returned a while later, the delicious aroma of baked bread filled the air along with the merry sound of excited conversation. Ashe was seated at the now spotless kitchen counter, watching Ellan as she bustled about primping cushions and flicking at imaginary dust with an air of nervous energy.

'Melly is upstairs getting washed up and changed.' Ashe explained to Rolph when he queried the girl's whereabouts. 'She lost a fight with a large bag of flour...' He added with a laugh.

There was a loud banging at the door.

'Oh, Goddess! They're here already!' Ellan fretted, smoothing down invisible wrinkles on her dress and moving quickly towards the door just as it burst open violently.

'Hey!' Rolph shouted as his wife went flying backwards at speed and crunched against the wall before falling to the floor.

Ashe reacted fast, picking up a large iron pan and jumping from his seat towards the two intruders who loomed large in the doorway taking stock of the scene they had stumbled into.

Dedue moved even quicker. As the first of the men raised a hand and started chanting, Dedue threw himself forward in a grappling tackle. It didn't prevent the tremendous burst of dark energy that erupted from the cast, but the blast hit Dedue's arm, crunching the bone nastily and diverting it slightly before it reached Ashe and engulfed his whole left side in a purple haze. Ashe wailed one solitary scream before he fell.

Pandimonium ensued as Dedue tried to ignore his own hurt and take down the mage before he could cast again. He didn't notice as Rolph joined him, wielding the poker her had grabbed from the hearth, his face rageful.

The second intruder moved forward, his own hands moving quickly and efficiently - summoning up a fire which began to swirl violently above him before it released in a white-hot sheet, knocking back Rolph who had dived at the last minute to cover Aaron protectively.

'The target is down.' The first man intoned, blasting Dedue with a shockwave of some kind that brought the big man to his knees. 'Burn them all!' He added, turning and exiting quickly.

The second mage summoned another, larger vortex of flame as he too moved towards the only exit. 'Go!' He murmured as the wicked conflagration released and the room started to burn. The door slammed shut with such force that the whole house seemed to shudder.

For a long moment, Dedue felt almost calm as the crackling of the fire, and the billowing smoke seemed to overwhelm his senses, then with a massive effort he managed to drag his head up and take in the scene, although it took an absurdly long time for his mind to clear enough for for him to attempt any action.

Rolph was still on his hands and knees, pulling a terrified Aaron along with him as they scrambled towards the door, trying desperately to nagvigate the blazing detriment all around them. Dedue struggled painfully to his feet and pushed himself forward to where Ashe was laid prone and still. The boy wasn't conscious, Dedue couldn't even tell if he was breathing – but he could see that the skin that was uncovered was a vivid purple colour that matched the hue of the magic that had been levied at him. Wincing, Dedue bent to get under his arms in an attempt to move him out.

'Melly! Upstairs!' Dedue suddenly became aware that he was being shouted at, and saw that Rolph was gesturing wildly towards the staircase, which was thankfully still untouched by the devouring combustion. With a nod of understanding, Dedue reluctantly left Ashe's side and plunged unsteadily towards where he could hear the distressed cries of the young girl on the upper floor.

Everything appeared to be happening in slow motion. Despite the lack of flame on the stairs themself, the air was now heavy with thick black smoke which was obscuring both his vision and his breath. In some distant part of his mind, Dedue was almost sure that he could hear voices; hopefully help was arriving – but he didn't stop, instead taking the steps three at a time and then grabbing out towards the fearful girl who was crouched and shaking on the top step.

'I've got you, lass.' Dedue murmured, trying to secure her in his one good arm as his legs finally gave way under the sheer enormity of the pain he was experiencing. He slumped slowly down on the step, holding onto his precious cargo gently.

'Get out of the way of the door... We need to knock it in!' This time Dedue was absolutely positive that it was a real voice that he could hear, and then seconds later the house shook again as something substantial battered at what he assumed was the entrance.

'What the bloody hell...!' There was a full cacophony of voices now - all shouting and some barking instructions.

'Up here!' Dedue called out in relief, struggling again to try and get to his feet and failing miserably. 'A timely arrival, Professor.' He noted weakly to Byleth when she appeared like a miracle in front of him and plucked Amelia from his arms – turning quickly to pass the girl down the stairs to someone else behind her.

'We need to move Dedue.' She said firmly, reaching out to take his arm, then winced when she saw the mess that it was in. 'Can you stand?' She asked doubtfully.

'I'll get him kiddo.' Jeralt had appeared on the stairs below his daughter, his face set in a grim mix of anger and determination.

Byleth nodded sharply at him and moved out of the way after one last reassuring nod to Dedue.

'This might hurt lad.' Jeralt apologised gruffly as he lifted the man with ease and turned awkwardly on the narrow staircase.

'Did you run into the mages who did this?' Dedue asked through gritted teeth - trying to distract himself from the explosion of agony that rioted through his body.

'Didn't see anyone. Just saw the smoke as we flew in.' Jeralt was down the stairs and heading towards the door. 'Shush now. Just try to stay still.' He added, dodging through the licking flames as the room burned fiercely around them.

'That sounds like an excellent idea.' Dedue admitted, closing his eyes gratefully and finally allowing himself to lose consciousness in the secure arms of his rescuer.