Epilogue

It was another full day before somebody came from Ylisse looking for Nina. She was sitting at the kitchen table around noon alongside Lucina, who still wore bedclothes, and Fiora, who sat in a chair pulled close to her mother, leaning against Lucina's shoulder. Inigo stood at the counter, preparing the first proper lunch the family would have in a week. He provided most of what little talk there was, speaking up every so often to comment something to Lucina, or tell her something that had happened while she was ill. Nina was immensely glad to be there.

In the midst of this, they heard hoofbeats slowing in the street outside; then a couple of low, questioning voices, a man and a girl. The girl's voice sounded familiar to Nina.

Inigo set down his knife and peered towards the window. "Who's out there?"

Lucina, her hand pausing where she had been stroking Fiora's hair, turned towards the window as well. "You don't think it's somebody from the council?"

Heavy, rattling knocks sounded on the door.

"I think it's somebody for me," said Nina. She got up and answered.

Standing outside, of all people, were Marie and her father. Willow ambled on the street behind them. Marie, who stood directly at the doorstep, stared at Nina with a wide-eyed affront. "We've been looking around this city for you for the past three hours!"

"What are you doing here?" Nina retorted. "Did somebody from the palace send you?"

"Chrom did," answered Gaius, who wore a look of less shock but just as much annoyance. Both of them had circles under their eyes. "We were the only ones who could drop everything to come look for you on pegasus."

"Is my father back in Ylisstol, then?"

"Yes," said Marie, "and he told us he was going to ride out here himself if we couldn't send word from you within two days."

Lucina approached the door, bedclothes and all. She had gained much strength over the past day. Even though the fine red lines from the fever still showed on her limbs, her confident, straight-backed stance removed any indignity that might have come with her appearance. "Hello, Gaius. And Marie," she greeted. "You've come a long way to get here. Would you like to come inside for some tea?"

With Lucina standing right next to her, and both of them shoeless, Nina realized that she had come out an inch or so taller than her sister. Nina nodded in agreement, then leaned out the door a bit and pointed to the side. "There's a hitching post right there," she said helpfully.

Seeming somewhat bewildered, Marie and her father entered the house. Marie seated herself on a stool in the sitting room. Gaius remained standing, even though the armchair was open, and had to be coaxed into sitting by Inigo, who assured him that it was fine. Neither of them looked like they had any idea what they were now doing in Lucina's home.

Fiora got up and dutifully took the kettle outside, heading to the well down the street.

Nina was the one who broke the silence. "Did you guys fly through the night?"

Marie nodded. "We had to stop and rest Willow a couple of times."

"But you found your way easily?"

Marie looked to her father, who shrugged. "I've been here before," said Gaius.

"I'd feel bad to send you back so quickly," said Lucina. "We'll send somebody else with a letter and pay extra for post. That should be enough to catch my father before he goes on his march."

Inigo offered their guests some bread, and Marie stumbled over a belated Thank you for allowing us in your home. Nina thought about what her sister had just suggested.

"We should send a letter so he doesn't panic," she said, turning to Lucina, "but why don't we ask him to come to Istra anyway?"

Lucina put a hand to her chin. "What about that sabbatical he and Mother were taking? I'm not on death's door anymore."

"Well," said Nina, "it's just that I was thinking...I myself would like to stay here for a little while longer, if you'll have me. I can't stay too long, due to my duties in the knights; but do you think I could stay here for a week or two? And once you're up to it, you can show me around the city?"

There was a quirk on Lucina's lips. "And you think we should offer that to Father as well?"

"It's been a long time since he's been to Plegia, hasn't it?"

"Yes," said Lucina, "it has."

"That's a good idea," Inigo chimed in. "If people here met Chrom, they might like him more."

Nina paused. "Well..."

"An open visit might not be what we need right now," said Lucina.

"Right," said Nina. "I don't think it should be a diplomatic visit or anything. That might send the wrong idea. But at the very least...it would be good for him to see what Istra is like, wouldn't it?" She gave a half-shrug towards her sister. "If you'll allow me to stay...I think the same thing would be good for me. I have half an invitation from the council, after all."

Inigo seemed to agree with this, nodding as he turned back to the stove. Lucina leaned forward a little from her chair. "If we can keep the fuss down, it can be like that one time Mother visited us. Perhaps she'll come along this time as well."

Gaius raised a hand. "If I can cut in – you need somebody to quiet the rumor mill while he's here, yeah?"

"Let's not try to cover it up," said Lucina. "That's not the right idea, either. But if you could keep things from gaining momentum..."

"I could probably do that." Gaius shrugged, looking to Marie. "If we can stay."

"Can you stay?" asked Nina.

"I got a dispensation from the temple," said Marie. "So, I mean, I could. I've never been here before." She met Nina's eyes. "It might be fun."

"Hey," called Inigo as Nina smiled back. "I don't mean to be a poor host, but if you're going to do that, you'll have to find an inn to stay in, at least if Chrom arrives. We only have so much space in our house."

Gaius and Marie started responding at the same time.

"We're not broke, you kn–"

"We would be very appreciative if you would have us for even one night," said Marie, "and if not, we understand."

Gaius let her talk over him. "Yeah. That."

"Um." Fiora was back by the doorway with the kettle. "Is Grandfather coming to stay with us?"

"He might," said Lucina, smiling towards her. "Just be patient – we haven't even sent the invitation yet."

Nina started to feel the twinges of excitement. Her parents had gotten a vacation; now she would, too. And she would understand, just a little better, this city that Lucina had fought and nearly died for.

"Just like that, we have things to plan," remarked Inigo.

"Give me a few days," said Lucina, "and I'll be happy to be busy again." She nudged Nina. "Besides, Nina is here to help."

Inigo moved aside so that Fiora could make tea, and Nina offered to serve it when it was done. Gaius and Marie started to finally seem comfortable, and every talked about perhaps going to buy dinner somewhere later. And Nina, though miles from the castle that was her home, could not think of anywhere else she would rather be.

A/N: This work has been a long time coming. I started it in the fall of 2015, when I was newly graduated, jobless, and aimless. I wrote steadily for almost a year. But then, about halfway through what is now chapter 10, I started second guessing myself, lost motivation, and stopped.

This past summer of 2021, I – newly moved, employed, and aimless – reread the scene where Nina and Marie are talking on the backs of their pegasi, and decided to pick it up again. I edited everything that I had already written and pulled out notes from years ago in order to finish it as I'd always intended.

I want to thank everybody who has taken the time to read it.

I didn't realize/remember until I started posting this that the proper translated term for the Mark of Naga was "Brand of the Exalt". I think I read enough about Awakening before it was localized that the fan-translated term stuck – plus, the word "brand" has strong connotations of Tellius to me. Anyway, since I was using "Mark" consistently in this fic, I elected to keep it.

Some interesting influences: I probably read more Maeve Binchy than anything else while writing, but I'm pretty sure the childlike narration of the earlier chapters was inspired by the freeflowing style of Angela's Ashes.