Chapter 24-Unmasked

It took a fair amount of ferrying using the Pegasi and Wyverns from the ruined rock cliff to get the Scouts back on Terra firma. In the end, a humorless Mage with short auburn hair named Miriel used her rescue staff to teleport our mounts down. After quickly verifying that the royals were in one piece I turned my attention to Maribelle as I noted Lissa was bawling on her shoulder. I backed off from disturbing them, even though I still owed the genius Troubadour my freedom by defending me against Duke Rachelon's machinations.

Lissa noticed me and gave me a crushing hug, "Yay! You're okay Mimi!"

I grunted at her tight embrace and gasped out guiltily, "I'm…sorry I dropped a mountain on your head, Lissa."

"Hey! No worries, Mimi. Anything broken?" Her slate blue eyes flashed concern as she wiped away my tear.

Maribelle walked over and gave a graceful curtsey, "I will teach you decorum if it kills me my darling Lissa." She appraised me with a sharp gaze before unfurling her parasol again, "I am pleased to see you are intact, Mimika."

I started to return the gesture, but then I threw away any sense of dignity as I drew the prickly Troubadour into a gentle embrace. I sniffled, "Thank you for still being alive, Lady Maribelle. You freed me of my curse. I owe you a dept that I can never repay."

She exhaled sharply and belatedly hugged me back, "Poppycock, Mimi. It is my duty to help the help others, regardless of status."

I sheepishly let her go as I wiped at my eyes, "Thanks to you, maybe someday being called Lady Paraglaive won't be hurled at me as insult."

She regained her noble bearing as gave me a generous smile, "Your Paraglaive name will go down in the annals of history as the courageous leader of the Arrowhead Scouts. But I'd rather refer to you as my friend Mimi. Will that work?"

I nodded vigorously and fruitlessly tried to stop crying in gratitude.

I heard Robin's amused voice right behind me, "Hey Chrom, do you think Mimi will be remembered as 'Mimika', 'Mimi', 'Lady Paraglaive', or 'The Mad Bomber'?"

Lissa broke out into infectious laughter.

Chrom shook his head with a slightly exasperated smirk, "No comment."

I turned to see the Prince and his Tactician walk up. I quickly bowed, "Hello Chrom and Robin. My apologies for my reckless use of the Crystal Shard bomb."

Chrom flashed me a reassuring smile as I gave a polite bow. "You did what you had to win. Good to see you in one piece Mimi. I understand you took three Plegian prisoners alive."

I nodded gravely, "I...I did Chrom. But I have to warn you that they're-"

"Mother," Morgan happily called out as he tried to pull away from his shackles held by Siffra and Bhavin.

Robin spun around and stared at the handsome young man dressed up as an armored Plegian officer with navy blue hair and sparkling brown eyes. She looked at her prince and then walked up to the young man. She placed her hands on his shoulders and stared into his eyes for a long moment. She sighed and inquired, "Morgan?"

Despite being chained up, Morgan looked ready to jump over the moon as he gushed, "Yeah! I missed you so much, mother!"

Fredrick rubbed his face with a deep sigh and growled at his liege, "Milord, we can't be sure if this isn't another imposter."

I quietly noted, "My apologies, Sir Frederick. You're going to lose this argument again I fear."

He pouted and nodded, "I know, milady."

Chrom boldly walked right up to Morgan and gazed at him appraisingly. After an uncomfortable pause he turned to his tactician and asked, "Well Robin?"

"He's our other son. I'm certain, Chrom."

"No one ever listens to me," Fredrick groused softly.

The prince gave a wave and my retainers quickly unshackled the young man. "So how did you end up on the wrong side, Morgan?"

The young man glanced up at Chrom and smiled, "You must be Prince Chrom." He bowed, "A pleasure to meet you, father. Amber and I traversed through a cursed mirror to reach the past. Unfortunately the Mirror of Grima ripped away my memories of all but Mother. Luckily my tactician logbook mentioned you and Marth as well as details of the Ruined Future."

Chrom rubbed the back of his head as he chuckled, "Hello Morgan, my…son. Apparently finding amnesiacs is my specialty."

"No biggie, father. How do you do?"

"Siffra, Bhavin, let him go. And this information stays between us."

My pretty Cavalier gave me a thumbs-up and unshackled our former foe.

My keep Priest gave a graceful bow, "Of course milord and Mimi." The two faithful underlings walked away to give us some privacy.

The Prince looked over to the dark-haired wyvern rider who looked back at Chrom with wary green eyes as Iniabi gently restrained her. "You're with Morgan, Miss Amber," the Prince asked sternly.

She nodded with a fierce frown, "Yes, your Highness. I'm with-well I fight with Morgan. I am not 'with' Morgan in the r-romantic sense." She hung her head with a soft flush in her cheeks, "Shutting up now."

My too clever Mage remarked, "Don't be so bashful, mother. Morgan was a good husband and a devoted father."

Her blush intensified, "Ugh. T-thanks for nothing, Iniabi."

Lissa stifled her giggles with effort. "So this is my nephew and his future love? How sweet!"

Morgan beamed as his cheeks reddened as well, "Heh, well I guess if Inby is right. You must be Aunt Lissa then."

She snorted reflexively, "Just call me Lissa, Morgan. I just turned sixteen two months ago. I'm not ready to be an aunt yet…" She cut off Iniabi as he was opening his mouth, "…or a grandaunt!"

"Speak for yourself, sis. I have two sons, a grandson, and naga twins as kin already at nineteen." Chrom chuckled wearily as he motioned for Iniabi to undo her cuffs, "When am I going to wake up from this nightmare?"

Without thinking I gave Chrom a sympathetic shoulder squeeze, "I think we just have to adapt, Chrom. I am courting another version of a sweet lamia lady that I had a daughter with in an alternate dimension. In addition that daughter is only four years younger than me and has worked as my maid for two years."

Iniabi's eyes sparkled mischievously, "It's a learning curve for me as well. I never thought I would see a version of Lissa younger than me, or my parents or grandparents less than two years apart from my age."

Amber rubbed her wrists, "My apologies for attacking your forces, Prince Chrom. We were brainwashed by the Grimleal."

"Just Chrom, Amber. You and Morgan are more than welcome to join the fight against the Mad King Gangrel."

Morgan bowed deeply, "It would be an honor, fathe-I mean Chrom."

"What about the third, Mimi?"

"Well the Pegasus Knight Cynthia claims that Henry the Dark Mage is her father. Still he seems a little batty and dangerous to me. He also cast a curse that disabled the Scouts in one blow."

Chrom waved off Iniabi's silent objection as he decided, "Fine, He stays in chains until he can be vetted at the Sunstone Keep."

We obeyed and prepared to head out away from that horrid rockpile. I would rather face Grima himself then ever return to this cursed place.

…

Alone on the rooftop, both Lily in her Lamia form and I lay under the stars with the sounds of the Scouts, Shepards and Royals happily chatting, eating and singing in the imposing bulk of the Sunstone Keep below us. The light from the windows illuminated the canyon walls that impinged on the border fortification. Frankly, I had been uncomfortable mingling at the impromptu party welcoming Maribelle back to our ranks. I had snuck out after midnight to catch my breath. Inevitably my clingy once (and undoubtedly future) love found my hiding spot.

Our hands were tightly interlaced as the touch from her silky smooth scales always soothed my eternally erratic emotions. I sighed as I examined the constellation named after the Divine Dragon Naga.

"Heya babe, what's on your mind?"

I blushed faintly as I never seemed to get over my embarrassment at being seen in a romantic or sexual light. Between the crushing blow of my family's exile and parents' death it simply had never occurred to me that I was attractive or a catch. Still I knew by now that I did not want to face life without Lily in my life any more than not ever having known our daughter Lydia. I sighed with quiet amusement as I tried with all my effort to make a small joke, "I'm thinking you won't like your stuffy title that you will be stuck with for the rest of your life, Miss Lily."

She broke into adorable giggles as her luminescent crimson eyes gazed at me with equal amounts of amusement and desire as her tail tip gently entwined my shin. "Naw. I think Lilith Paraglaive is such an awesome name. It means ya can't ever escape!"

I shrugged with a hint of a smile, "My family takes a middle name upon inheritance of a title. My full name is Lady Mimika Marah Paraglaive. Lydia's ascension name will be Estelle someday." I turned to face her with a serious expression and noted, "You'll need to pick out a name for yourself, Lily."

She shook her head, "I can't be bothered. I wan'cha to pick for me, love."

I nodded gravely, and pondered her request for long moments. I had always wondered what had inspired my father to bestow a name that meant 'bitterness' on me. Maybe he had longed for a son instead of me? Long ago I had secretly picked out a much more suitable name for myself; although I knew I could never claim it. My eyes lit up as realized that if I couldn't ever own the ascension name I would have preferred, at the very least I could gift it to one I loved. I spoke softly, "W-would you like to be named Asterna...a lady of the stars, Lily?"

She gave me a tight hug and licked my cheek joyfully, "Yay! I will always think of the stars in the skies and the sea stars under the waves when I hear it. It's a perfect name."

I blushed even more but by now I was used to her over the top actions as I knew she adored me...despite by strident efforts to dissuade her. I stroked her cheek and soothed, "If we survive this war and you can put up with my awkward parody of courtship, then your reward will be the terrible title of 'Lady Consort Lilith Asterna Paraglaive'."

She nodded eagerly and then snuggled into my side with a cute smile, "I love it! Then we can make hatchlings."

Gods preserve me.

She continued cheerfully, "I'll take it on paper, but I'm still just Lily no matter what."

My faced burned as I exhaled at her audacious statements. "Tell me something, Miss Lily."

"Hmm?"

I averted my gaze and looked up at the stars again, "What qualities did you see in such a neurotic shipwreck like me? I know you love me and I l-love you back as well, but you surely you weren't obligated to settle for me."

She sat up so she could lean over and locked eyes with me with a slightly pouting expression and irritation plain in her glowing vermillion eyes. She groaned softly, "You're kidding right?"

I shook my head sadly. I wasn't renowned for my rapier wit or jovial nature. Instead, I was socially inept and gloomy.

She got a far off look as she enthused, "Well Master Kasrin told me stories about'cha from when I was rescued by the Children of the Future and the Irregulars. He always wore a cameo locket with a painting of ya it and despite your scars I fell in love with your face instantly. I knew this was the woman I wanted."

My blue eyes widened in incomprehension, "You fell in love with my destroyed future self...at first sight?"

"Of course! Ya looked so sad and composed yet brave and beautiful. Ya had to look under the eyepatch and the horrible scars and see your true beauty shine through. Just as ya saw through my fangs, scales and monstrous snake body."

I had to admit she had a point. She affected a carefree attitude but she was deeply perceptive and intuitive. And of course she proceeded to use those skills to effortlessly make me cringe in mortification.

"Anyway, seeing the locket and hearing the stories was nothing compared to meeting ya. I was so smitten if you had asked when we first met, I would have let'cha have your way with my body."

I spat our in pure horror, "What?"

Unfortunately the dam had already been breached and my beloved Lamia proceeded to ramble on with her words gushing like a floodtide of water, "I saw you were short, with dark raven locks, skin as white as parchment and lovely blue eyes that perfectly reflect the clear sky. Even your luscious eyelashes only enhanced your beauty. You had a refined frame with lovely delicately curved breasts, like a doll."

My brain was now overtaken by a dull roar as I took in the full knowledge that she was describing how my attributes aroused her!

"You seemed cold and standoffish at first, and that really hurt...I never wanted ya to be afraid of me. However, on the Southroad, I saw your true kindness flower and I fell for ya all over again. You are a brave, smart, considerate, thoughtful and generous lady. You can whip up a strategy in a heartbeat, get squabblin' parties to get along, take in anyone under your wing, and ya never judge anyone harshly or unfairly. All are equal in your eyes. Ya suffered so much as a kid just like me, and ya always put others first. Ya took in orphans from the war including our Dia and-!"

"Stop! Stop Lily! Enough," I yelled as I covered my completely crimson face.

"Hey," she giggled. "Ya asked me, remember? Anyway, ya took in Lydia, Siff, Vanny and Ronna as not just servants but also as dear friends. When ya threw yourself on that bomb to save Emmy-"

I finally was desperate enough to shut my motormouthed love up with a firm kiss to her mouth as I stroked her spiked locks.

After the passionate kiss she winked with a toothy smile, "Shuttin' up now, Mimicutie."

I knew as we returned to silently gazing up at the infinity of glowing dots, that there was no possibility of a tactical withdrawal. I was committed now.

…

Several days later we were back at Ylisstol just for the night. We had marched hard on the road from the Plegian border and we still hadn't had time to catch our breath. After confirming that Cynthia and Iniabi could both vouch for Henry, the frankly unnerving silver-haired Dark Mage joined the Shepards. I exited the barracks and saw Chrom, Lissa, Morgan and Iniabi standing in a loose circle conversing. Lissa spotted me and waved me over with a beaming smile.

As I joined the group a yawning Robin came out of the palace with an inquisitive look in her brown eyes. She asked, "Hi everyone. What are you guys doing out so late?"

The noble prince shifted on his feet and muttered, "Hi, Robin." He sighed in frustration, "I'm just dueling with some unpleasant thoughts. Tomorrow we march to Regina Ferox to request additional soldiers. But there's something you should know first."

Robin gave an attentive nod.

Chrom continued with a distressed expression, "Not everything Gangrel said a week ago was a lie. My father, the Exalt Luca waged war on Plegia for many years. The violence...it was a brutal campaign, ending only with his death 15 years ago. Plegia rightfully remembers their suffering, but his war was no kinder to his own people. As…" His voice trailed off.

Robin smiled with reassurance, "Go on, Chrom. You have all of us to support you now."

"R-right. As the fighting dragged on, our army became more and more diminished. Farmers who could barely wield a pitchfork were conscripted and sent to their deaths. Soon there was no food at all, and the kingdom began to collapse. I was young, but I remember those dark times. I know how Emm suffered."

Robin looked pained as well and murmured, "Such an experience would change anyone."

The poor prince looked like he desperately wanted to change the subject as Lissa snuggled into his side. He clenched his muscular hand into a fist as he continued, "When our father died before her tenth year, he left her quite the legacy: Plegia's desire for vengeance; our own people's unbridled rage. My sister became a target for blame from all sides. Her own subjects began to hurl insults and stones. She still bears the scar from one…"

Lissa hugged her beloved brother tightly. Wordlessly Robin, Morgan and Iniabi joined in the embrace. Lissa impishly took my hand and yanked me into the group.

After long shuddering breaths Chrom smiled slightly and released us, "Thank you all."

"You deserve it Chrom," a faintly embarrassed Robin remarked.

"Emm never let anyone see her pain. Only Lissa and I understood."

Robin wiped a tear away and sighed in empathy, "Chrom. It must have been so hard."

Chrom rubbed at his scalp, and looked baffled, "I cannot claim to know how she does it, Robin. I could never greet such hostility with warmth and patience. While our people mocked and vilified her, she reached out and healed them. She brought soldiers home to their families. She ended the war." Anger crept into his voice, "When Ylisse's spirit was mended and the people 'forgave' her? She never resented them for it. She represents the best of the halidom; the part most worth protecting. She is peace."

Iniabi solemnly added, "You always spoke of her with awe and reverence, Chrom. Now I truly understand why."

Prince Chrom unsheathed Falchion and gazed at his reflection in the blade. His tone became menacing and dark, "Some men would take advantage of my saintly sister. Dastards like King Gangrel. The day he understands peace will be the day death gives it to him." He seemed to finally resolve his mind to commit to a terrible endeavor that could destroy his soul, "So I know I must be death's agent. Emmeryn would never order him killed, nor would I wish her to."

An all too familiar husky voice spoke as a masked figure emerged from behind a statue of the deceased Exalt Luca, "Well spoken, sir."

All of turned to the legendary Hero King. I was now sure he was a hero, but he was not truly Marth.

Chrom managed a bitter smile as he spoke, "Hello son."

Marth seemed to lose his train of thought as he gaped at Chrom and then at Morgan in astonishment. "My brother. M-Morgan, is that really you? I had thought you were lost to the Grimeal for all eternity!"

Morgan beamed brightly, "I'm so sorry, dear Marth. I have no memories of the Exalt who dispatched me on the mission to the desolate ruins of Plegia."

The Hero King looked annoyed and flummoxed in equal parts, "And I thought I had pulled it off so well."

Chrom took a step forwards with Falchion pointed at the grass, "So now, both of my sons are reunited at last."

"Very clever of you. But I am not your son, Chrom," the willowy warrior replied with a stoic expression. "Back to the point. The Exalt's life is in danger."

"Emm, no," a suddenly pale Chrom whispered. He pulled his emotions together, "You know about the attempt on her life based on your knowledge from the Ruined Future, yes?"

Again, annoyance flashed across the pretty boy's face, "Enough talk. I'm about to save your life."

Without warning a hooded figure burst through the shrubbery with his wrist razors glinting in the moonlight. Marth artfully dodged the blow, and ran the killer through from behind using his own Falchion. After watching the cretin's body twitch and fall still, Marth snarked, "I trust this proof will suffice?"

Chrom nodded grimly, "It will. Thank you son."

Marth snapped indignantly, "I told you, I am not your-"

Another assassin leapt into the fray only to blasted in the face by Iniabi's lightning bolt.

The dying foe slashed a disoriented Marth whose feet had slid off the dead assassin's sword. The cut fractured his mask as his long navy blue spilled out in long tresses. Marth fell to one knee as Chrom's sword strike finished off the enemy.

"Gods that was close," Chrom explained. "Are you all right Mar-?"

"Sister," a distraught Morgan exclaimed as he rushed to his sibling's side. "Oh Gods Lucina, are you bleeding?"

'Marth' groaned softly as she ruefully eyed the destroyed mask on the ground, "I'm fine Morgan. I should never employed Kasrin and his Irregulars. They could never keep their mouths shut."

Chrom nearly dropped his bloodied sword, "Wait! Y-you're a woman?"

Chrom's elder child looked to be at wits end as she shook her head and laughed, "And apparently quite the actress too. I'm shocked it took you this long to figure it out."

I was now ready to throttle Iniabi by now for tricking me! I snapped, "Hey you jerk! You told me that 'Marth' was your uncle!"

He chuckled dryly, "Actually I never did. You assumed that Mimika. I said I was Chrom's grandnephew."

I growled, "Dastard."

A sound of a nearby explosion broke up the family reunion.

Chrom waved the ex-Marth to follow him, "Come on, Lucina! Let's save Emmeryn!"

Lucina hefted her blade and nodded decisively, "I-I…yes father!"

Morgan beamed, "Yes, father!"

We rushed the castle as I blew on a horn to rouse the alarm. After slaying the intruders I was quite ready to murder Inby as a bonus!