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Dearest Marianne,
I know we haven't see eye to eye in the years of late, but I implore you not to ignore this letter. I must speak with you posthaste.
I understand that we have our differences, but I propose a bargain. Come back to Edmund Manor for a day. Let us speak and then I shall not continue to seek you out. We will go our separate ways, you to pursue what you wish and I continuing to lead house Edmund. If you should ever wish to return to the Manor, I of course would welcome you with open arms, but should you wish to turn your back on me entirely, I will accept that as well.
Come back home, daughter. We have much to discuss.
Alister
She found Holst in his study. The room was rarely used. In fact, Marianne made use of it herself while Holst was at the Locket. It'd been something of a gift to her, a way he showed approval of her courting his sister. At least that was Hilda claimed.
"Ah, Marianne!" Holst exclaimed, looking up from the numerous papers on his desk. Whenever he returned to Goneril for a visit, the entire study descended into disarray, the Lord Goneril unable to keep things anywhere close to neat.
Which was not something she would have expected based on his appearance, perfectly groomed at all times with not a pink hair out of place on his head.
"Are those new earrings, Lord Holst?" she asked as she walked into the room.
He'd long given up trying to talk her out of the formality. One night he'd even argued that as his future sister-in-law, he would not have her calling him 'lord'. She'd blushed terribly at that, insisting that might not happen. Holst had given her the most exasperated look she'd ever seen.
"Oh, these?" he chuckled. They were large golden hoops that glimmered in the sunlight peeking through curtains. "Another of Hilda's creations. Seems I've become a test subject for her. Did you know that she judges the jewelry she makes for me based on how the lords and ladies throw themselves at me? And to think I thought her a caring sister, not one to throw me to the wolves."
Marianne giggled. "Perhaps she just knows you can handle them."
"Nonsense," Holst insisted. "They will be the death of me. I can fight the Almyrans for years and they would never inflict the damage those harpies could."
She sat down in the seat across from the desk, careful not to disturb the mess of papers. There was a method to the madness, Holst insisted. It didn't matter to her though, he always cleaned it all up before he left again.
"How was Derdriu?" Holst asked, leaning forward. She liked that about him, he was always interested in hearing about her comings and goings.
Marianne smiled, something she'd been doing more of lately. "It was lovely. Claude and Lorenz have made quite the team there."
"I heard that Claude named Lorenz as his seneschal. That actually happen?"
She giggled. "You would have found Lorenz' expression quite amusing had you seen it. The rumors paint him as so subservient to Claude, which he detests. But he seems very proud of the work they're doing together."
Holst smiled. "I can't say I can fault him for that. Some of those proposals they've put to the Roundtable, I've balked at their gumption. But I think their hearts are in the right place. They truly do want a better Alliance."
"I assume you mean the peace talks?" she murmured. Though that was hardly the only proposal the nobles were calling radical.
"Yes. If you had told me five years ago we might be able to form a treaty with Almyra I would have laughed you out of the room. I can't fathom how they managed to get Almyra to seriously consider something," Holst wondered. "But an end to the fighting on the border…that's something I would support."
"They're an impressive team," Marianne said, pleased.
He chuckled, warmly. "You're proud of them, aren't you?" She blushed and his laughter hit a crescendo. "They're making real change, the kind the Alliance hasn't seen in a generation. I'll admit I'm thrown off by it, but I won't rule anything out. Change can be good."
"Less war is always good," Marianne said. "When I was there, I saw my friend Leonie. She was hurt during the battle at Garreg Mach. She…still hurts, in a way. So if we can ensure that doesn't happen again…"
Holst nodded. "I won't argue against that. Some of my men…" He shook his head. "No, you didn't come here to talk about politics and war. Was there something you wanted to speak about?"
Marianne nodded, removing the letter from her pocket. "My father has summoned me."
He grabbed the letter from her hand and read it quietly. Frowning, he handed it back to her. "I don't know much about Alister, but Hilda's told me some. What are you going to do?"
She sighed. "I will return."
His eyes narrowed. "I know his offer seems tempting, Marianne, but are you sure? He's dangerous to you, according to Hilda. Are you even sure he will uphold his end?"
"No," Marianne said simply. "But I won't stay afraid of him. I haven't seen him in years. I feel…ready to face him again."
It wasn't a lie. Instead of the panics she had at the thought of him, now she only felt discomfort. The thought of visiting her adoptive father brought her no joy, but running from problems didn't help. She'd run from the darkness in her heart for long enough to learn that the problems ran with you too.
Hilda, Byleth, the Deer, they'd all helped. Her nights were not spent wishing for her doom, now they were in the strong arms of Hilda Valentine Goneril, wondering what she had ever done to deserve such happiness.
But in the back of her mind, Alister von Edmund waited. Ignoring him would not make him leave. She was older, more capable, and less afraid.
"Are you sure?" Holst asked.
As if her doubts sensed the moment, memories she'd rather forget of blood, needles, and the man with pale hands resurged in her mind. She stuffed them down and took a long breath. "I will be okay, but I appreciate your concern."
"Have you talked to Hilda about this?"
She hadn't. "She's my next stop."
"Talking to me before her? You're avoiding her, aren't you?"
Marianne blushed. "Perhaps. I worry how she'll react."
Holst laughed. He laughed long and hard. "Oh, Marianne, my sister will not allow you to go yourself, I know that. I'm sure she'll want to bring a score of guards as well. That woman loves you more than anything. I shudder to think of what will happen to Alister should he try to harm you."
Marianne smiled softly. "She does, doesn't she?"
He looked at her with disbelief. "Please tell me this isn't news to you. My sister is anything but subtle."
"No, no, I am aware. It is just strange to hear and believe sometimes," Marianne said.
"If I can see it, then take it as fact. Hilda tells me I'm as dense as a wyvern, whatever that means," he grumbled. A moment later, he sobered. "Marianne, my sister is the most important person in the world to me. You make her happier than I have ever seen her in my life. You two need each other, are meant for each other." He bit his lip. "I guess I'm just trying to say thank you, thank you for making her happy."
Marianne fumbled for words and never found them. Holst seemed to understand and just nodded. "Go see her, she's training the guards outside. Let her be protective of you, we both know she enjoys fussing over you."
"Thank you, Lord Holst," Marianne said, bowing her head as she stood up.
He groaned. "I'm gonna get you to drop that sometime if it's the last thing I do."
She giggled at his expense and took her leave, walking taller.
"Put your back into it, I put more effort into brushing my hair each morning!" Hilda yelled.
Marianne could do nothing to quell the amused smile on her face. She sat across the training yard as the morning sun cast her spot in a comfortable shade, waiting for Hilda to finish with the soldiers.
Much to her lover's chagrin, soldiers talked after the battle at Garreg Mach. The stunts Hilda pulled on the walls didn't go unnoticed. When her brother and father had heard, they suggested she train some of the soldiers.
Hilda had objected, of course. But Marianne had mentioned it might be good for her. And thus Hilda Valentine Goneril crumbled in her resolve.
And by the Goddess, Hilda was good at it. Never too cruel, never too kind, always demanding. She'd changed and that made Marianne smile. Hilda looked happier, prouder, lately.
The soldiers that were being put to task by Hilda couldn't see it, but Marianne saw the smile in Hilda's eyes. When she put herself to work, she could accomplish anything. It was something Marianne loved about her.
Hilda finally saw her across the yard, through the groups of soldiers practicing. She barked some orders to the soldiers and began to head to Marianne.
She held out a towel and Hilda accepted it, sparing a moment to ogle Hilda's abs as the plain white shirt she wore rode up her stomach. Hilda waggled her eyebrows. "Like what you see?"
Marianne hummed. "Maybe."
"Oh, I like it when you're flirty," Hilda said, sitting down next to her. "So, just here to enjoy the view?"
She rolled her eyes. "I actually wished to speak with you." When Hilda nodded for her to go on, she continued. "I received a letter this morning. From Alister." Marianne held out the letter.
Hilda's eyes narrowed and she took the piece of paper, scanning it quickly. She turned her head up. "Mari, you can't be considering this, can you?"
"I'm not afraid of him," Marianne said, burying the apprehension she had.
"I'm not saying you are," Hilda replied. "Or saying you should be. Look, I know you don't like to talk about it, but from what you told me…he's fucked up. He's dangerous."
Marianne said nothing.
Hilda's hand enveloped hers. "Mari, if you go, it's gonna be dangerous. I don't know what that psycho wants, but I don't want to lose you."
"But if it makes him stop?" Marianne murmured.
A hand reached up and stroked her cheek. "What if he hurts you?" Hilda whispered.
Marianne winced. "What if he hurts you, though? What if this protects you?"
Lips pressed against her hand and Hilda brushed a thumb over her knuckles. "He can't hurt you or me here. We're safe here."
"But he's still out there," Marianne shivered. "If this means I could deal with him…"
"Mari," Hilda pulled her into a hug. "It's okay to be scared. It's okay to not be feeling perfect."
She nodded, saying nothing, just taking comfort in the strong arms around her.
"We can always kill him," Hilda suggested. "You don't have to deal with him, Claude can put Judith on the Roundtable, it's a win for everyone."
"Hilda!" admonished Marianne.
She pulled back, looking Marianne in the eyes. "I wasn't joking. He's put you through so much. If you want me to, just say the word and I will. I will go into the Eternal Flames themselves if it means protecting you."
Her heart fluttered as Hilda spoke without hesitation. Her voice held no doubt, no waver, no possible way to think she meant anything other than 'I love you'.
"Marry me," Marianne breathed with equal assurance.
Hilda blinked. "Wait, what?"
"Marry me," she repeated, feeling more confident. "I love you, Hilda, you're for me. I don't have a ring or anything, I'm sorry—"
Hilda cut her off with a kiss, breaking it a moment later and saying, "Yes." She kissed her again, longer, more passionately.
When they finally broke apart, Hilda chuckled. "You know, I had a whole speech planned out. I had a ring I made myself. I had talked to other Deer because I was so nervous. I even talked to Holst about it! And here you go and send all that spinning."
"I'm sorry."
"No." Hilda smiled and it was radiant. "Marianne, you have nothing to apologize for. Nothing to me, nothing to this world."
She kissed Marianne, and everything felt right in the world.
Author Notes: The theme of these timeskip chapters is 'not going to plan', jeez. I get halfway through them and then realize my plans won't work for where the characters are at emotionally. Originally we were gonna go to Edmund Manor, but now we'll save that plot beat for another time. Thus again I'm changing a chapter name from the plan. Time to shelve 'Therianthrope' for later.
Sorry for the short chapter! Though the original conceit was to have shorter chapters for the timeskip so I could get through them as fast as possible but oops that isn't happening cuz busy.
But next chapter I can promise you a character focus that you're not expecting, so hopefully that makes up for it.
Also holy shit, yall, this story just passed 14k views. You're makin' a girl cry over here, you're too kind.