Me: I'm back! But in all seriousness, I'm sorry for taking so long with this chapter. I'd like to thank you all again for sticking with this story so far, and I hope you all enjoy this chapter. But before that there's a couple things I need to address.

MultiLuckyLucario: I'm so glad you enjoyed the Regna Ferox Tournament. Personally I think it works so much better. I mean, after all most tournaments have multiple rounds, and while I understand that it wasn't possible to do that in Awakening, it just didn't make all that much sense to me. I hope others that read this FanFiction also liked how I wrote the tournament because honestly that was fun to write.

Anyways, I should admit that I... don't own the rights to the Fire Emblem games - I own none of them. I can only claim to own copies of Awakening, Fates and Three Houses. I can however, claim Akiri and all other OCs - which still technically includes Robin and Willow - and any plot divergences that occur within the story.

And with that taken care of I present to you: The Exalt and the King.

The Exalt and the King

Chrom

We'd arrived at Ylisstol just the other day, late in the evening. Emmeryn had greeted us and then all but ordered us to rest. With the promise to discuss the results of our trip to Regna Ferox in the morning I, and the Shepherds had turned in. Now I was waiting to see my sister's reaction to the news we'd just delivered to her.

"…Then Regna Ferox will support Ylisse?" Emmeryn asked getting a nod from me, "Thank you, Chrom. I knew sending you was the right choice."

I felt an embarrassed heat steal across my face so I deftly changed the subject, "You should see Ferox's warriors! Perhaps now out people will be safe from-" my words were cut off as Phila rushed into the throne room. Immediately I could tell something was wrong, after all Phila wouldn't just rush into a private meeting without a good reason.

"Your Grace! M-milord!" the white haired woman said slightly out of breath, "Forgive me, but I bring alarming news!"

"Phila!" my sister sent a concerned gaze over the woman before her, "Slow down, please! What's happened?"

Straightening Phila's gaze hardened with anger, "Plegian soldiers have been sighted inside our Southwest border! They attacked a village in Themis and abducted the duke's daughter."

"B-but that would be…" Lissa trailed off as she realized the implications of Phila's words, "Maribelle! Chrom, we have to do something!" I agreed with my younger sister; not only was Maribelle an ally but she was also Lissa's best friend.

"There's more: King Gangrel of Plegia claims Lady Maribelle invaded his country," Phila nearly spat fury clear to hear in her voice, "He demands we pay reparations for this insult."

I adopted my own look of anger, "And we're to believe a dastard like the Mad King of Plegia?" I ground out.

"Peace, Chrom," Emmeryn said in a placating fashion, "We must keep our wits about us."

I knew she was right but I could help but speak the words running through my mind, "We should put a sword in his gut and be done with it! The Mad King has been trying to provoke war with Ylisse at every step!" my voice rose in an attempt to get my point across to my elder sister, "He won't stop until he drags this whole continent to Hell with him!"

"I agree with the Prince, Your Grace," Phila said, "We must demonstrate to Plegia that such actions have consequences."

"I understand your feelings, Chrom. Truly I do," Emmeryn said, "But if we give him the war he wants, then we lose no matter what the outcome. Our last conflict nearly ruined the halidom," I winced subtly as she reminded me of what had occurred years ago, "It left Ylisseans homeless and starving. We cannot repeat that mistake. I will offer parley with King Gangrel."

"Emm, no!" Lissa's shouted echoed my own sentiments of Emmeryn's decision, "You can't!"

"Please reconsider, Your Grace," Phila threw her own protests into the mix, "He cannot be trusted to act in good faith!"

Emmeryn sent the three of us a stern look, "So either we choose to march to war or we leave Lady Maribelle to die? No. I will not accept that."

"…Forgive me, Your Grace," Phila said, sufficiently subdued, "I spoke out of turn. I know you will always stand by your own principles," the woman straightened and held a look of determination in her eyes, "Pray, allow the pegasus knights to accompany you, though."

"I'm going, too," I said leaving no room for my elder sister to argue, "…Someone has to save you from your good intentions," I said the last bit in a semi-joking tone, but I meant what I said.

"And I want to be there for you and Maribelle," Lissa said her stubborn nature showing. Emmeryn looked between the three of us. There was a fond expression on her face.

"As you wish," Emmeryn said, "Thank you all. Your strength will be mine."

~A Bit Later; Outside the Shepherds' Garrison~

Akiri

I glanced around at the ragtag group that I had joined up with. We'd all assembled the moment Chrom mentioned trouble. To think that Lissa's friend, Maribelle, had been taken captive by Plegia was awful. I might not know the girl personally but it was clear Lissa cared for the girl quite a bit – they were friends after all. Now we just were waiting for Chrom to give us the orders to march out, which weren't long in coming once everyone was assembled.

"Well then? Is everyone ready to go?" Chrom asked as he took in our group receiving nods from everyone, "It's a long march through the western mountains to the Plegian border."

"Can't be any longer than out journey North," Robin said. That was true, it would only take us a few hours to reach the border instead of days as our march to Regna Ferox had.

"I hope not," Willow grumbled before a look of steel entered her blue eyes, "But I'm ready to head out whenever."

Before we could move a young man garbed like a mage rushed over to us, "Captain!" he called out to Chrom, "I'm all packed! When do we leave?!" I'd give the kid points for being eager, but I wondered if he knew the dangers this mission would entail. If we failed Maribelle would die.

"Ricken?" Chrom questioned looking at the young man, "How did you…" the Prince sighed, "Go back inside. You're not old enough for this mission."

"But, Captain!" Ricken's voice rose in indignation, "You know my skill with magic! You know I can handle myself!"

"I'd feel safer with your magic here, protecting the garrison. All right?," Chrom said in an attempt to placate the auburn haired teen, "We're off, then. Be good."

With that Chrom and the rest began making their leave. I remained behind in order to speak with the young mage. His hands had morphed in to fists as he stared at the ground.

"'Be good'?" Ricken scoffed with irritation lacing his words, "Gods, how old does he think I am? …Well, I'll show him just how good I can be!" the mage's voice had obtained a slightly mischievous tone at the end pulled a smirk onto my face.

"If you plan to do that I wouldn't let Chrom see you until it's too late for him to send you back," I spoke up causing the mage to jump.

"How long have you been there?" Ricken asked hand hovering over his heart.

I nearly chuckled at his reaction, but decided to answer him instead, "Since before the others headed out," the young mage looked nervous – likely thinking I was going to out him to Chrom, "Relax I don't plan on telling anyone unless I have to. So, don't do anything reckless and I won't have to oust you."

With that I abruptly left, but I could hear Ricken following me. He must have taken my advice to heart because he was careful to stay hidden as I joined up with the other Shepherds. No one questioned my absence, which I was grateful for – I didn't want to explain where I was after all. I slowly moved through the others until I caught up with Chrom and the twins.

"So, who was that guy back there?" Willow questioned turning her eyes to Chrom.

"Ricken?" the Prince received a nod in response to his inquiry, "He's one of our mages; very skilled and eager, but also young."

Robin hummed thoughtfully, "I can understand wanting to protect him, but, if I may speak plainly…" Chrom nodded prompting the white haired man to continue, "perhaps you could ease up on him."

"Perhaps you're right Robin," Chrom mused. I could tell he wasn't sure about Robin's advice, but I had to agree with the tactician. If Chrom didn't allow Ricken to fight it would just push the teen away, or worse cause him to take reckless action in order to prove himself. Almost like what he was doing now, but if I had a say in it the young mage would be stopped from getting himself, and others, hurt.

"All I ask is that you give my words some thought," Robin said to show Chrom that he didn't intend to tell him how to run the Shepherds.

"And I will do that," Chrom returned, "but for now I must focus on the task at hand."

Yes, rescuing Lissa's friend was definitely a priority – one that everyone understood took precedence. Robin merely nodded and left Chrom to his thoughts of how to help Maribelle; likely the tactician was thinking of his own as well. We came to the stables, and were quick to saddle our mounts. Then with that done we pulled ourselves astride our steeds and began making our way to the border.

~A Few Hours Later; Plegian Border~

Robin

We reached the border after a few hours travel. There we were greeted by a sizable group – more than were needed in this kind of situation. It was clear that the men on the opposing side of the border were itching for a fight; several of them were keeping their hands close to their weapons. Off to the side of the Plegian soldiers, on a slight rise, stood a man and a woman. The man had red hair that stood out against his skin, which had a slightly ashen tone. He also wore a crown; meaning he should be King Gangrel, unless he was the kind of man that never dealt with things personally. The woman by his side had a similar skin tone, though her hair was white. She also sported purple tattoos on her face; I got the feeling that she might be some sort of mage from the way she held herself – her clothes also suggested some sort of magical background.

The man spoke pulling me from my observations, "What's this, then? The exalt herself, in all her radiance. I fear I must shield my eyes!" his tone alone was enough to show that he had little respect for Emmeryn, but if it hadn't the mocking laugh he let out would have.

To her credit Emmeryn remain impassive, "King Gangrel, I've come for the truth of this unfortunate incident between us."

"The truth?" the woman beside King Gangrel spoke with a mocking smile, "I can give you the truth."

"Perhaps milady might first share her name?" Emmeryn said. She seemed a bit perturbed by how the woman had spoken.

"You may call me Aversa," the white haired woman said; her expression not changing in the slightest. Both King Gangrel and Aversa's words and actions thus far put me on edge. With my suspicions being aroused I kept glancing around trying to see if we'd have to stop one of the soldiers from making a move. All the while I kept listening to the conversation between Emmeryn and Plegia's King.

"Very well, Aversa," Emmeryn's voice betrayed little of her emotions, "Is Maribelle unharmed?"

"Who?" King Gangrel asked before he seemingly remembered, "Oh yes, the little blond brat," he waved his hand vaguely. A Plegian soldier stepped forward pulling Maribelle along. The young woman's hands were clearly bound, but despite her disadvantage Maribelle struggled valiantly against her captor.

"Unhand me, you gutter-born troglodyte!" the young noble growled at the man.

Lissa called out to her friend in concern, "Maribelle!"

"Lissa?" Maribelle paused in her struggles at the sound of the Princess's voice, "Darling, is that you?"

Aversa's mocking smile shifted into one that made her look to be hiding something before she spoke, " This girl crossed the Plegian border without our consent. And what's more…" she sent a side-long look at Maribelle, "She wounded the brave Plegian soldiers who sought only to escort her safely home."

"LIES!" Maribelle's voice rang out angrily, "You speak nothing but lies, hag! Did they not teach the meaning of the word 'truth' in wretched-crone school?!"

From my side Willow let out a low, impressed whistle, "Okay, I'm impressed. Maribelle is amazing."

"You're not wrong," I admitted in a low voice, "but she should still be careful of what she says – she's still a hostage after all," my twin nodded in agreement with my words.

"You see?" Aversa asked, "No manners at all. Such a nasty little bird had to be caged."

"Such a violent temper speaks to her guilt. This will call for a weighty punishment," Gangrel said with the air of a person that had all the advantages, "And if she were to later confess to being and Ylissean spy? My goodness!" he grinned nastily, "It would take an act of considerable good faith to repair relations."

"I have done nothing wrong," Lissa's friends called out almost pleadingly, "It is they who should confess! They are the ones who invaded Ylisse. They razed an entire village! When I attempted to intervene, they took me and dragged me across the border. Let the plundered shops and charred homes of that village serve as my proof!"

Gangrel didn't seem fazed by Maribelle's words, "That would only prove Ylisse has a bandit problem – something I hear oft of late…" another of his mocking grins pulled at his lips, "But indeed tonight I shall weep salty tears into my pillow for your dead villagers."

"Your Grace, please!" Maribelle sounded near tears as she pleaded to Emmeryn. I hadn't known Maribelle for long, indeed I still didn't really know her, but seeing her in this state didn't seem right. Seeing someone as proud as the young noblewoman brought low was awful, especially when I glanced at Lissa who was watching her friend with a pained expression.

"Peace, Maribelle," Emmeryn spoke up in a soothing tone, "I believe you. King Gangrel, I request that you release this woman at once. Surely you and I can sort out these affairs without the need for hostages."

"Without so much as an apology?" Plegia's King questioned, "Why should I bother with parley? I'm within my rights to have her head and be home in time for supper."

Chrom sent Gangrel a scathing glare, "You black-hearted devil!"

"Control your dog, my dear, before he gets someone hurt," Gangrel didn't spare Chrom a glance as he spoke to Emmeryn. Chrom grit his teeth and let out a low growl. It was clear my friend was feeling powerless in this situation, and honestly so was I. But we couldn't make a move while the opposing side had Maribelle.

Once he was sure another outburst wasn't forthcoming Gangrel continued, "Now then, Your Graceliness. Perhaps we can arrange a trade? You give me the Fire Emblem, and I return Mary Contrary here in one piece."

Emmeryn startled, "You would ask for Ylisse's royal treasure? But why?" I had never heard of this Fire Emblem, but obviously it was important to the people of Ylisse; meaning Gangrel didn't want it for any good reason.

"Because I know the legend!" Gangrel began his explanation, "The Fire Emblem is the key to having all one's wishes realized. I have desired it for years. YEARS!" the King's voice rose before he reined himself in, "…Yet my birthday comes and goes each year, and nothing from Ylisse," he finished with a dark chuckle.

"The Emblem's power is meant for a single purpose, King Gangrel: to save the world and its people at their hour of most desperate need," Emmeryn spoke, "Would you claim a more noble wish?"

"I want what every Plegian wants – a grisly end for every last Ylissean! What could be more noble than that?" the question he tacked on was mocking in its inflection. I felt myself stiffen – this man wanted to kill thousands of innocents within Ylisse, and for what. I figured there had to be some reason.

"What?" Emmeryn managed to ask once the shock had worn off slightly.

Gangrel sent her a disgusted look, "Surely you have not forgotten what the last exalt did to my people? Your father named us heathens! His crusade across Plegia butchered countless of my subjects and my kin!" if any of this was true, and I had a feeling some of it was, then I could understand Gangrel's motives. Of course understanding and accepting were two very different things, and I did not accept what he wanted to do.

"…I have never denied Ylisse's past wrongdoings," Emmeryn spoke slowly, "But I have sworn to never repeat those mistakes. Ours is now a realm of peace."

"Yours is now a haven of hypocrisy!" Gangrel shouted, no longer caring to continue the niceties, "Now give me the Fire Emblem!"

"Your Grace!" Maribelle called out to Emmeryn, "I'd sooner die than act as a bargaining chip for this filthy reprobate!"

Emmeryn turned her gaze to the blond, "Maribelle…"

"Ugh… Taaaaaalk talk-talk-talk-talk," Gangrel let out a sound of annoyance, "It's time to speak louder than words! This negotiation is over, Your Luminosity!" his mouth turned into a malicious smirk, "I shall have the Emblem if I have to pry it from your shiny dead hands!"

The moment those words left the King's mouth several Plegian soldiers moved. They had their weapons at the ready as they headed towards Emmeryn; it was clear what their aim was. Thankfully before they came too close Chrom quickly dispatched one causing the others to pause in their advance, and allowing the rest of us to ready ourselves for the battle sure to come.

"Stay back! Or you'll all suffer the same fate!" Chrom's voice left no room for debate from our Plegian foes.

"Now that's a declaration of war if I've ever heard one," Gangrel's voice was triumphant as he let out a laugh, "…A big, messy war that will bleed you Ylisseans dry."

Akiri

As I moved closer to my objective I could hear the negotiations, if they could even be called that, devolving. That made my mission all the more important; getting to Maribelle and freeing her. Before Emmeryn had started the parley with Gangrel I'd asked her for permission to act independently if I deemed it necessary – she'd agreed. Now, though I was close enough to hear Maribelle and those near her I wasn't close enough to free her; a fact I cursed as Aversa walked up to the young noblewoman.

"Poor, stupid girl…" Aversa spoke in a patronizing fashion, "Are you really worth fighting a war over? Years from now, you'll be remembered only as she who destroyed House Ylisse," the Plegian woman finished with those awful words.

Maribelle's bottom lip quivered as she was clearly hit hard by those words, "No… That's not…" the noblewoman tried to speak, but could seem to find her voice, "Oh, Lissa… Please, no…"

Before anything else could occur a gust of wind, clearly magically in nature, blew away the man holding Maribelle. Aversa looked on utterly perplexed and shocked. The spell had been rather powerful, though I didn't remember any of our mages having a Wind tome on them; at least I didn't remember any of the mages that were supposed to be here having one. So, when Ricken ran up and undid the bonds holding Maribelle I wasn't all that surprised.

"Maribelle! Go!" Ricken spoke forcefully to the blond, "You're free!"

"RICKEN?!" Maribelle shouted in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

Ricken grabbed ahold of Maribelle's hand, "Just run! We can talk about it later!"

"Oh, is this your little boyfriend?" Aversa asked in a slightly condescending manner after her shock wore off, "Isn't he just precious?"

"Don't talk down to me, witch!" Ricken glared at the white haired woman. Still holding Maribelle's hand he cast another wind based spell; one that seemed to hit Aversa hard if the way she stumbled and grunted was any indication.

"W-wind magic?" she questioned. It seemed clear that while she'd known the wind that had hit the Plegian soldier was magic, she hadn't anticipated someone like Ricken being the caster.

"Come on Maribelle!" Ricken began running tugging on Maribelle's hand.

Maribelle only hesitated slightly before quickly catching herself, "Right!"

"Wretched whelp!" Aversa growled as pushed herself into a more upright position, "I should… no. Our soldiers have them outnumbered. The brats will be dead long before they can reach their comrades."

I felt a small smirk pull on my mouth, "I wouldn't be too sure of that," I said loud enough for the sorceress to here, though by the time she'd located my hiding spot I was already gone. I followed after Ricken and Maribelle in order to help them should the need arise.

Willow

The moment Chrom had struck down that Plegian soldier the others had immediately reacted; drawing their weapons. Robin was quick to order the Shepherds into readying themselves. I looked around, but couldn't see Akiri anywhere. I wondered if she gone with Emmeryn and her guard, but immediately after thinking that I realized that didn't seem likely – Emmeryn had ordered the former assassin to help Chrom.

My thoughts were broken as Gangrel's laugh echoed down from his perch, "I have my war! Captain Orton!" a man astride a wyvern saluted the King, "Remain here, and take down as many Ylisseans as you can. You can expect reinforcements from the forts as well. Now, do your best – at doing your worst!" Gangrel laughed again, and then he was gone.

"Chrom, we'll have to be wary around the forts," my brother said getting a nod from the Prince, "Our foes were here before we were, so I suspected they'd have taken advantage of the terrain. However, they couldn't have brought too many soldiers to fill the forts completely – leastways if they wanted to avoid alerting those watching the border."

"Right," Chrom said, "Our first order of business is getting to Maribelle, and securing her safety. Once we do that then we can worry about our opponents."

Movement atop a nearby hill caught my eye; sitting astride a horse was a familiar blond. Guarding the flank was a mage, but Miriel was with us. At first I thought the mage was an enemy, but another look revealed that the mysterious mage was truly guarding Maribelle.

"I see Maribelle," I said catching the attention of the royal siblings still here.

"Where?" Lissa asked a desperate edge to her voice.

I pointed up to the hill, "Up there. There's someone with her, but I'm pretty sure they're a friend."

Chrom and Lissa looked to where I'd directed them. Lissa relaxed a little, not enough to pose a problem, upon seeing that her friend was not hurt. Chrom seemed to be looking at Maribelle's protector with a scrutinizing gaze. Then recognition flashed through his eyes.

"I think that's Ricken," Chrom said, "But what is he doing here? I told him to stay at the garrison."

"We can worry about that later," Robin placed a hand on Chrom's shoulder, "Right now we need to focus on getting up to them."

With that our group began making our way to the closest incline to Maribelle and Ricken. Several Plegian soldiers made it their job to try and stop our advance. However, Frederick made quick work of them with the help of Sully and Stahl. While the three knights continued to push back the enemy and guard our flank; Chrom, Lissa, Robin and I broke away to reach Maribelle and Ricken. As we neared the two it was clear that Ricken, while a gifted mage, was flagging. Something that was to be expected as Maribelle wasn't equipped to fight back. One of the Plegian soldiers dodged the blast of wind Ricken sent his way and advanced on the young man, which had me worried as none of us were close enough to stop the man.

Before the Plegian could strike the mage a figure leapt out of the bushes and blocked the man's blow. The Plegian looked at Akiri, for it was her, in shock before she kicked him in the stomach forcing him to double over. Ricken and Maribelle were quick to take the opportunity given to them and run, which thankfully meant they were heading towards us. Akiri made follow them, but the soldier she had kicked had gotten his breath back and swung at her. The former assassin dodged and threw some thing at the Plegian; the man fell and didn't get back up.

"Captain I…" Ricken fell silent once he saw Chrom's stern look.

"Ricken you disobeyed my orders," Chrom said, his look never changing, "If it weren't for Akiri you and Maribelle likely would've been killed."

The mage looked thoroughly chastised, even as Akiri spoke up, "Chrom, I understand you're upset but we have bigger things to worry about right now. And while Ricken shouldn't have been here it's because of him that Maribelle is safe; I wasn't close enough to get her out. But we can discuss the specifics later; we need to focus on the battle at hand."

Chrom sighed, "You're right. Ricken, you have my permission to help out in this fight but we're not done with our talk."

"I understand," Ricken sent back evenly. With that out of the way our small group made our way back to the other Shepherds. Robin and I were both forced to send spells hurtling at our enemies, which led them to wisely back off. Thankfully, with only minor incident we made it back to the rest of the group. Frederick was still leading the charge, and was mostly unscathed save for a small scar on his face. Virion and Miriel were guarding the rear, and the hill keeping the Plegians from catching us by surprise. Stahl had dismounted his horse to fight, as his steed had a nasty looking gash on its side; Lissa was quick to see if it was anything she could fix. Sully was supporting Stahl, while a ways off Lon'qu and Vaike were decimating any Plegian that came near them.

Sumia darted between opponents keeping careful watch for any archers they might have. Kellam, who'd I'd started noticing more and more thanks to Akiri, was giving the pegasus knight what support he could. Chrom and Robin were quick to offer their support to the group on the front lines, while I went to lend Virion and Miriel a hand – Ricken followed me. Akiri seemed content to sit back and aide those who needed it, while Maribelle kept an eye out for anyone in need of a healer. The battle continued on like this for some time with Stahl having gotten back on his horse, which had been healed courtesy of Lissa. We all pushed on, taking care of what reinforcements came from the forts of which there were, thankfully, few.

Finally we had only a few enemies left to deal with, a fact which seemed to upset the man astride the wyvern. Captain Orton flew towards our group; intent clear as he lifted his axe. My brother sent a spell towards the Plegian captain, which lead to the man pulling off an aerial maneuver to dodge. Orton wasn't given any time to fully recover as he was forced to block a strike from Chrom's blade.

The wyvern rider grit his teeth as he spoke, "I won't ask for your name! Only your life!" at the end of his shout he disengaged from Chrom. Before he could make another swing Akiri threw something that glinted in the light. Orton howled in pain as the object lodged itself in his shoulder – it was revealed to be a small knife. I briefly wondered if Akiri had always carried such knives before sending a fireball at one of the remaining Plegians; they dodged but didn't escape as Lon'qu cut them down. Seeing that the others had everything covered in regards to the foot soldiers I turned my attention back to the fight between Chrom and Captain Orton.

More small knives we embedded in the man making him look like a pincushion, and his hair was slightly scorched; Robin and Akiri were clearly providing Chrom with back up, though it was clear that they only stepped in when they thought it was necessary. Chrom ducked under an axe swing and at the same time he swung at the wyvern. The beast roared as a deep gash opened just below its wing, and at the same time it sent Orton flying off of it. Unfortunately the Captain seemed to have been trained for such a situation as he fell into a roll and was instantly up on his feet. Chrom faced off against the Plegian, and for a moment the two sized each other up.

Orton then swung and Chrom leapt back before retaliating. The two exchanged blows; each doing their best to avoid the other's blade. Finally Chrom side-stepped another axe swing; Orton's axe ended up stuck in the ground. Our Captain didn't waste the opportunity presented to him as he lunged at the man – his blade striking the Plegian and ending the battle.

"This matters not," Orton said as he coughed up blood, "Soon war will be upon… your soil…" he chuckled lowly as his eyes slid closed and he fell to the ground.

~After the Battle~

Robin

After the battle we'd taken stock of the situation. Most if not all of the Plegian soldiers had been killed, those that weren't likely fled; we'd taken no prisoners. Now Willow, Akiri and I were accompanying Lissa as she went to check on Maribelle. The two had seen each other on the battlefield, but that was no place to actually have a conversation… for obvious reasons. Now Lissa had a chance to check on her friend.

"Maribelle," the blond called out, "Are you hurt?!"

The noblewoman sent her friend a smile that was both calming and slightly smug, "Nothing I didn't return twofold, darling."

"I'm glad you're safe," I spoke up, though I knew Maribelle didn't really like me.

"Who…?" the blond questioned before her eyes landed on me, "Oh. It's you."

From my side Willow muttered, "Rude."

"Yes, I know you're not especially fond of me, but it's a relief just the same," I ignored my twins comment. The young noblewoman looked off to the side, seemingly embarrassed.

"Oh, it's not a question of fondness," Maribelle began; trying to explain herself, "I am simply protective of Lissa. My treasure is very sensitive, and…" she trailed off seemingly surprised at herself, "Wait. Am I really justifying myself to a commoner? Gods… Yes, well, I do… apologize for being curt," the way she said it made it seem as though apologizing was extremely hard for her, "And… And… And you have my thanks for your part in the rescue," Maribelle all but spat her thanks out and seemed relieved to have done so, "There, I said it!" she threw in a curtsey at the last moment.

Regardless of how awkward and curt her apology and thanks had been it did make me happy to hear it from the young woman. So, I just accepted her thanks. Willow grumbled but didn't cause a scene, while Akiri said nothing. With that our group made our way over to where Chrom and Emmeryn stood; the exalt having returned after the battle had ended.

"Forgive me, Emm," Chrom said, the remorse clear in his voice, "I acted rashly."

Emmeryn shook her head, "It's all right, Chrom. King Gangrel is the one at fault here. You were only protecting me."

Akiri caught the Prince's eye and nodded in agreement with the exalt's words. Despite the truth of Ylisse's leader I could see why Chrom was blaming himself, but that didn't change the fact that he had no choice but to jump into protect his elder sister.

"The Mad King will be rallying his forces, if they have not mobilized already," Frederick's voice pulled me out of my thoughts, "I suggest we make haste back to Ylisstol and discuss our strategy."

Everyone seemed to be in agreement as Emmeryn spoke, "Of course, Frederick. It seems war is upon us. We must protect the Ylissean people at all costs."

With those words we turned towards Ylisse's capital and began our trek back. Even as we marched I turned my thoughts inward as I tried to plan for every scenario I could think of. I couldn't afford to be complacent in the coming war, not when I had people to protect.

Me: And The Exalt and the King is finally done. I managed to push through my procrastination and finish this chapter. I'm pleased with the end result though I think the battle scene is a little lackluster compared to some of the one's before this. Still I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and that you'll come back again for all those to follow. Also, if any of you were curious the poll I had on my profile has been closed. The next story I'll be working on after The Two Sides of the Wind is finished will be Opposites in New Vestroia, so if you like Bakugan please check it out once I re-post it. Until then, see you all next time.