A/N: Just in time to end the year. Hope I still haven't lost my touch for this, or for writing in general. Enjoy, I hope.

Wedding

Chrom surveyed the masses of people gathered in the cathedral of Naga, awaiting the ceremony that was soon to take place. From where he stood before the altar, he saw them jostling and fidgeting impatiently. In truth, he was more than a little impatient himself, but for an altogether different reason. Today was the day he had waited for since his return to Yilsse, the day that had seen him through the loss of Emmeryn, even through the drudgery of his new station as king.

It was the day that he and Sumia would be joined together in wedlock, from now until the end of their lives.

"Your Majesty," said the priest, giving voice to the question Chrom himself held, "if I may ask, where is the bride?" At first, Chrom said nothing, but as he looked towards the door, a small spark of realization lit in his mind.

"I think I know," he said, partially to the priest but mostly to himself, as he hurried down the aisle.

Moments later, he was standing in front of the room where the bride would make herself ready, and he found the door tightly closed. Chrom knocked lightly on the wood.

"Sumia," he called. Silence met his ear in reply, and he knocked again. "Sumia," he repeated. "I know you're in there."

"Please Chrom, just give me a minute," came the voice of his beloved. Her voice, almost a frantic pleading, did not go undetected by the man standing in front of her chamber.

"What's wrong?" Chrom asked.

"Nothing," she answered quickly. "I'll be there soon. Besides, it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding."

"I don't believe in luck, Sumia," he replied. "Now, please let me in." Chrom heard nothing at first, not even the sound of footsteps. His thoughts drifted between knocking again or jokingly threatening to have Vaike break the door down, and Chrom was certain he could. He had no need to consider either course as the door opened. As his eyes fell upon Sumia wearing her grand gown, Chrom could not help but feel overcome by her beauty, though the look of distress upon her face saddened it.

"What is it, Sumia?" he asked.

"I can't do this, Chrom," she answered quickly. "I can't go out there in front of the whole kingdom. I'll trip; I know I will."

Chrom let out a grateful, yet inaudible sigh relieved to know that was all that concerned his beloved. Sumia continued to pace back and forth as words from the fears of her heart poured from her mouth, and all the while, he simply listened.

"Chrom, tell you love me," Sumia pleaded at last, "even though I'm just a klutz like everyone says." With a smile, Chrom closed the distance between them and placed a tender kiss upon her brow.

"I can do better than that," he said, offering her his arm. "I'll hold you up." With her arm in his, Chrom led her towards the door before turning to her one last time before they would walk down the aisle to take their vows.

"And I do love you, Sumia," said Chrom, "falls and all."