The Shepherds continued the trek to Regna Ferox. Snow had started to fall as they made their way up the blistering North.

"Brrr! F-F-Frebberick! I'm f-f-freebing!" Lissa shivered.

"Stand beside my horse, milady. She'll shelter you from the wind." Frederick suggested, with a small chuckle of amusement.

"How does the cold not bother you, Frederick?" Miku asked. She and Hibiki were both wearing cloaks, which Miku conveniently forgot to pack for everyone else.

"I've trained myself to make sure that I won't let the smallest of things bother me." Frederick simply answered.

"Are you sure?" Miku asked. "Because that looks like a runny nose-"

"It's nothing." Frederick quickly said.

In the front, Robin looked up to see a huge structure of stone come into view.

"So this is the fortress?" She asked.

"Yes, the Longfort. It stretches along the border of Ylisse and Regna Ferox." Chrom explained.

"The khans that rule Ferox have grown quite wary of foreigners." Frederick said, walking forward. "Still, don't mistake a lack of hospitality for open hostility. This simply calls for a bit of diplomacy."

"Negotiation's not my strong suit, but I'll do my best." Chrom said. "Remember, everyone: your actions here reflect back upon Ylisse."

Robin walked back to talk to some of the others while Frederick went to scout ahead, leaving Chrom and Hibiki to lead the march.

"Hey, you okay?" Hibiki asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Chrom said, a little too quickly.

"Hmm… I don't think so." Hibiki said. "Your brow is doing that crease thing. That only happens when you're thinking hard or fighting. And since we're not fighting…"

Chrom reached up to his forehead and touched his brow, before chuckling. "Sorry, I guess I am a little stressed at having to do this sort of thing, since I'm not the best at talking."

"Well, I think you'll do better than if I talked." Hibiki reassured him. "You always had that "cool prince" aura of authority. I always saw that in you."

"Really now?" Chrom asked. "This is the first time I'm hearing this."

"Yeah, I noticed it ever since we first met as kids." Hibiki said.

"...you mean when you fell into the castle courtyard from a tree that was hanging over the place?" He asked.

"A cat was stuck up there. I couldn't just sit and let it stay stuck!" Hibiki pouted with a bit of a blush.

"If Miku wasn't there that day, training to be a healer with Lissa, I'm sure Frederick would've literally kicked you out." Chrom laughed.

"Ugh, don't remind me…" Hibiki groaned.

"That does take me back though…" Chrom said, reminiscing about old times. "I also remember a few other times you-"

"Okay! Okay! No more embarrassing stuff!" Hibiki yelled, almost falling off her horse. "Or I'll tell Frederick what really caused that hole in the castle wall!"

"...you wouldn't." Chrom said, slightly paling.

Despite the cold, Chrom was actually sweating. Hibiki was frowning at him, before she grinned. "Just kidding."

"Oh thank the Gods." Chrom let out a breath of relief.

"We'll keep it a secret for now." Hibiki said. "But do you feel better now?"

"Well, I suppose the talking did help me relax a little." Chrom said. "Thanks for that, Hibiki."

"You're welcome." Hibiki smiled. "Just… try not to do it at my expense next time, okay?"

Hibiki and Chrom attained support level C.

Frederick back towards the two, a grim expression on his face.

"Trouble in the wind, milord: the Feroxi Guard are mobilizing." Frederick informed.

"What?! Why?" Chrom asked.

"Who can say? But they look ready to let fly at a moment's notice." Frederick said. "We'd best prepare for combat, just to be safe."

"We… could just talk to them." Hibiki suggested.

"Hibiki, I appreciate your optimism, but the Feroxi are all warriors." Frederick said. "I'd rather not face Miku's wrath if you end up on the wrong end of a spear when attempting to negotiate."

"Okay okay…"

"Regardless, your talking skills have saved us many times before, so perhaps it might help." Frederick added, as Hibiki smiled.

"Frederick, you go back with the others. Talk strategy with Robin." Chrom ordered. "Hibiki and I will go talk to their leader."

Frederick nodded, before riding back to the larger group.

The two of them walked up to the massive gate. Hibiki kept her lance ready, though Chrom kept his sword sheathed.

"Halt! Who goes there?!"

The two of them looked up to see a female knight in green armor standing atop the wall.

"In the name of House Ylisse, I seek audience with the khans!" Chrom called up.

"Not another step, my bold lad! I've got lancers at the ready!" The knight said.

"Wait wait wait, hold on!" Hibiki shouted. "We're not your enemy! Exalt Emmeryn sent us-!"

"My only interest is keeping you out of Regna Ferox, brigand!"

"...okay, now I'm insulted." Hibiki said, pouting.

"I feel the same." Chrom told her, before the female knight continued to speak.

"You think you are the first "Ylisseans" to try and cross our border? I have the authority to fell such imposters where they stand."

"This isn't a good idea!" Hibiki called up. "You're threatening Prince Chrom here!"

"Ha! Yes, indeed. And I'm the queen of Valm! You do realize impersonating royalty is a capital offense, yes?" The knight said. "Mmm... Then perhaps we should settle this the Feroxi way. You claim to be the prince of Ylisse? Then prove it on the battlefield!"

"Rgh... Emmeryn won't like this at all…" Chrom muttered. "Please, good lady! If you'd just listen-"

"I've heard quite enough!" She said. "I am Raimi of Ferox! Attack!"

Several of the knights atop the fort threw javelins straight at Chrom.

"Chrom!" Hibiki shouted.

Chrom raised his arm in a fruitless attempt to defend himself…

...but instead of becoming a human pincushion, the javelins hit nothing but dirt.

"Huh?" Hibiki looked around, wondering what had happened as the others ran up.

"Hibiki? What happened? Where's Chrom?" Robin asked.

"I don't know." Hibiki said honestly. "One second he was here and-"

There was a gust of wind, as a pegasus touched down by the group. Atop it's back was Sumia, with Chrom right behind her.

"Oh, Captain, I'm so relieved I made it in time!" Sumia said.

"That goes double for me, Sumia!" Chrom said, before looking closely at her steed. "And this, is this the same ornery pegasus we met on the road?!

"Oh, she's a sweetheart, isn't she?" Sumia smiled. "Once you really get to know her."

"Well, many thanks to you both." Chrom said.

"I think the pegasus is blushing!" Lissa laughed.

"Since the pegasus is our friend now, let me introduce myself to her!" Hibiki cleared her throat and was about to start her signature introduction, before Frederick cut her short.

"I think we had all best focus on the situation at hand!" He said.

"Chrom, they're coming!" Robin shouted, seeing the Feroxi forces mobilize.

"All right." Chrom stepped off the pegasus before holding up his sword. "The Feroxi way it is!"

"So what's the plan, Robin?" Hibiki asked.

"I saw sets of stairs leading up to the top of the wall from both the east and west." Robin said. "They're blocked by gates though, so I'd assume that the Feroxi soldiers have the keys."

"Then we knock them out, non-lethally, and take the keys." Frederick concluded.

"Divide and conquer." Robin said. "Splitting our larger group into two will make it easier for us to focus on the enemy. We'll circle around and regroup atop the wall."

"That's a really good plan." Miku said.

"We'll have to split the healers too." Robin added. "Miku, I want you to join the group headed to the left, while Lissa joins the group headed to the right."

The two healers nodded.

"With that said, move out!" Robin shouted, as the Shepherds dispersed into two groups.

"You got it!" Hibiki galloped on her horse to the left. "You can count on-!"

CLANG

Hibiki fell off her horse, her eyes swirling.

"Hibiki!" Miku shouted, running up to her friend. "What happened?!"

"I didn't see any of the Feroxi charge…" Robin muttered. "A hidden attack?"

"Who's there? Show yourself!" Chrom shouted, holding up his sword.

"I'm standing in plain sight, sir. Right he-"

"BWAAAH!" Chrom shouted in surprise, as did several of the others, before he noticed the knight in orange armor. "Oh! I-Is that you, Kellam? When did you arrive?"

"Kellam?" Robin asked.

"...The same time as you." He said. "I've been with you all along. Er, I AM still a Shepherd, right? It's quite the honor, after all. I'd hate to lose it. Sometimes I-"

"Of course, Kellam. Forgive me. You're just so...quiet, I completely-"

"Quite all right, sir, quite all right. I've been told I'm easy to miss." Kellam said. "As Hibiki just proved."

"Ugh…" Hibiki sat up, rubbing her head. "Oh, hi Kellam!"

"Hi Hibiki." He said back.

"Well, at least the Feroxi didn't find you." Miku said.

"I've been calling to you and waving my arms for several minutes... I don't think they've so much as glanced this way." Kellam added.

"You almost sound disappointed." Chrom said.

"Well, I just... I'm glad you finally saw me! Just try to keep an eye out from now on?" He asked.

"Alright then." Robin stepped forward. "Nice to meet you Kellam. Since you're the armored knight here, would you be able to break through their ranks? I think you might be able to catch them off guard too."

Kellam nodded, before charging. Somehow, the Feroxi didn't see him coming, and the support from his fellow Shepherds made things even easier.

"That should give us a bit of breathing room." Robin said, though she did have a pondering expression on her face. "Hmm…"

"What is it, Robin?" Chrom asked.

"I've been thinking about how you rode with Sumia earlier... Do our units always have to fight one-on-one?" She asked.

"Are you suggesting we pair up?" Miku asked, as she healed Hibiki from her running straight into Kellam earlier.

"That sounds right up my alley!" Hibiki grinned.

"That's an interesting thought…" Chrom agreed. "I admit, I'd resemble a pincushion right now if it weren't for Sumia and her mount."

"Exactly. By pairing up, units could lend each other added offense and defense... It might also allow quicker soldiers to ferry slower units great distances... Yes... Yes!" Robin snapped her fingers. "I'm sure of it. This opens up all sorts of strategic possibilities! We should try it whenever the opportunity presents itself."

"Okay, Miku!" Hibiki said, tapping her saddle. "Hop on!"

"Um, alright."

Miku sat behind Hibiki, and the two rode off towards the enemy.

"I'll support the main charge." Robin told Chrom. "Could you keep an eye on Hibiki and Miku during this?"

"I was planning on it." Chrom said, as he ran after them.

Hibiki was smacking the blunt end of her sword on any nearby Feroxi soldiers, knocking them out. Miku held up her staff and was healing any Shepherds that had taken a hit or two during the battle. A Feroxi soldier fired an arrow at Hibiki, but Miku held up her staff and blocked it in time.

"Not on my watch." She said, snapping off the shaft.

A Feroxi fighter tried coming in from behind, but Chrom was there, deflecting the blow with his sword before a decisive blow to the enemy's skull sent him to dreamland. Another fighter tried to avenge his comrade, and tried to bring his axe down on Chrom. The prince of Ylisse slashed at the weapon, breaking off the axe head. He followed it up with a kick to the gut that sent the soldier reeling.

"You two alright?" He asked.

"Yeah!" Hibiki said with a salute. "We're doing fine. We're an unbeatable duo!"

Chrom did remember how well the two worked together during training sessions. "Alright. I'll go join the main charge." Chrom said.

"I don't think you have to do that." Miku said, pointing at the front of the action.

Chrom looked at the leading Shepherds, and saw that while Kellam, Sumia and Vaike were taking out a good chunk of them, Robin provided support from the rear with her thunder magic.

"Wow, they're handling themselves pretty well." Hibiki said. "Robin's a great leader."

"It already feels as though Robin has been a Shepherd forever." Chrom smiled. "It's funny how fighting alongside someone speeds friendships along…"

"And the more we fight side by side, the more valuable those friendships become!" Hibiki grinned, before she smacked a Feroxi soldier on the back of their neck, knocking them out. She then noticed that he had dropped something shining within the snow. She picked it up and brushed off the frost to realize what it was. "Hey, look! I found the key!"

"Hibiki, ride forward and get that door unlocked! Miku, keep the healing up!" Chrom ordered. "I'll be right behind you both!"

The two nodded, before riding forward with Chrom watching their back. Hibiki's horse practically leapt over the horde of Feroxi soldiers, letting her open the door with no issues. The tight stairway let the Shepherds funnel out the incoming soldiers, and soon enough they were atop the wall. Hibiki eyed the other side, and saw Frederick leading the other Shepherds. Robin's pincer strategy was complete.

"I'll take on the leader." Chrom said, sheathing Falchion and pulling out a rapier. "Everyone else, take on the remaining foes."

"Chrom, you're at a disadvantage." Robin said. "At least let me support you."

"Appreciate it." He said. "Let's go."

"Good luck you two!" Hibiki said, blocking an attack from another soldier.

Chrom and Robin stepped forward to face Raimi.

"Let our battle sound out the truth of your words!" She shouted, brandishing her lance.

Chrom rushed forward and slashed at her, but she stopped his advance by swinging her weapon outward. She thrust her spear forward, but Robin used her sword to deflect the blow by knocking the weapon upwards.

"Checkmate!" Robin shouted, unleashing a burst of electricity and stunning Raimi. The tactician quickly jumped back, letting Chrom drop in from above, delivering a powerful glancing blow that knocked Raimi to the ground, a massive tear now in her armor.

"Then your claims were...true…" She muttered.

Seeing that their leader had fallen, the Feroxi soldiers had stopped fighting. Chrom also gave the signal to tell the Shepherds to cease as well. It was in good time too, as Virion was just about to fire another arrow.

Raimi stood up, before bowing her head to Chrom.

"A thousand apologies, Prince Chrom. I truly took you for brigand impostors. But no frauds could ever wage a battle as you just have!" She said, touching the broken part of her armor. "I will send word of your arrival to the capital and escort you there personally."

"That would be most appreciated, thank you." Chrom said, sheathing his sword.

Raimi left to send the message, and the Feroxi soldiers that were still in fighting condition went back to their posts as if nothing happened. The injured were carried into the fort.

"Amazing. Her whole demeanor changed." Robin noted.

"In Ferox, strength speaks louder than words." Frederick said. "I should have known better than to overestimate the value of diplomacy here…"

"Aww." Hibiki frowned. "So talking's no good here?"

Miku patted Hibiki on the back with a small chuckle. "Come now, I'm sure not everyone thinks like this."

"So can we get going, Chrom?" Lissa asked.

"Yes, it's not getting any warmer." He confirmed.

The Shepherds marched into the fort to shield them from the cold. Though their march had achieved a small mishap, they were now well on their way to seek an audience with the Khan.

A/N: Something I should mention is that the fight scenes aren't going to be as prominent compared to some of my other fics. This story focuses a lot more on the character interactions over the battles, so they might be a little shorter. I don't want to drag things out for too long either. And anyways, they are Fire Emblem fights, which usually end in one or two rounds.

A lot of folks have already mentioned how this hasn't changed much from canon Awakening, but I plan on fixing that soon, especially with the next chapter.

Feel free to leave a review. See you all next time.