Disclaimer: The following characters and settings of the Fire Emblem series are a belonging of Nintendo and Intelligent Systems. The characters (Mace, Wiz, Zoe, Adrion, Adam, Nicole, Trevor, Keri, Ben, Chelsea, and Mace of Kilvas and Mina of Kilvas) are the only belongings of the author.

Chapter 12: The Withering Tree

-Melior Mall-

"You want us to do what now?" Boyd replied to Oscar's comments.

"Come up with a Christmas family tradition of our own." Oscar repeated, "Come on, Boyd; don't tell me you're not into the spirit."

"I am in the spirit!" Boyd exclaimed, "It's your proposal that's making me choose whether I should be in or not."

Oscar and Boyd were inside the largest mall of Crimea, sitting at a table by the food court. Rolf was not with the brothers at that moment. The mall was crowded of Crimean citizen of all classes, going about their holiday shopping.

Just then, Rolf waltzed down the food court along with Keri, the sister of Trevor. Keri is a skilled valkyrie in service of Begnion's Imperial Guard, led by Zelgius, earl of Kadhol.

"Glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oria!" Rolf sang off-key, "In Exelsis Deo!" Keri followed.

"What are you singing?" Boyd abruptly asked, his hands covering his ears.

"'Gloria'." Rolf replied, "You don't remember that song?"

"Oh yeah, I do." Boyd said. "But it's how you sing it that is hurting my ears."

"What's up with you guys?" Keri asked.

"We're trying to come up with a Christmas tradition of our own," Oscar said, "You want to join in?"

"Can't." Keri replied, "Rolf and I are planning to join in a local choir down the ice rink."

"I'm the lead singer!" Rolf squealed.

Boyd and Oscar looked at each other, "Really? Are you sure?" Oscar asked Rolf nervously. He was not as excited as his youngest brother since Rolf was worst at singing.

"Of course, why?" Rolf asked.

"Well…" Oscar scratched his head, "see, the thing is…"

"Let's be honest here peewee." Boyd wrapped his arm around Rolf, "You can't sing."

"Boyd!" Oscar hissed in hush tone at his younger brother, "No honesty… please?"

"I'm not a peewee!" Rolf argued, "And I'm a singer! A true singer."

"You are?" Boyd sarcastically asked.

Oscar faked a smile, "Anyway Rolf. Go on and sing. It could be part of our plan to create our own Christmas family tradition: Rolf, The Christmas Singer of the Brothers!" Oscar formed the words up the sky. Boyd glared at Oscar in cue.

"That's great!" Rolf squealed.

"Then let's go!" Keri lead the group to the ice rink, "They are about to start without us!"

Rolf and Keri leaped towards the setting. Boyd and Oscar trailed behind, "'Rolf, The Christmas Singer of the Brothers!' Are you kidding?"

Oscar grinned, "Well…"

"Rolf can't sing!" Boyd erupted, "You know that, I know that, the whole world knows that! It could be the worst tradition ever!"

"Come on Boyd!" Oscar implored, "At least let's be a little encouraging to the little guy, even if he can't sing."

"He's fifteen!" Boyd countered, "He's not little anymore."

"Really? He's fifteen?"

Boyd smacked his face in embarrassment. Oscar continued, "I guess I should come up with a Plan-B then."

-Melior Royal Villa-

The royal villa of Melior used to be a haven to King Ramon and his royal family whenever they feel like taking a vacation. Now with Elincia as the only member in the family, the villa now belonged to her. The villa was structured in rich elm wood and a large crystal chandelier hanged from the ceiling, along with many other small safe ones around the walls. Although these lights were only dimmed in the rooms, the villa was quiet and beautiful to be in.

The dining room had many widen windows which featured the oceanic view of the northwestern sea. There were many small sheet-covered tables and cushioned chairs, all arranged nicely with flowers in the center. Centered at the dining room was a cooking and bartending bar, where one could see these hobbies in action. Kieran, Ben, Shinon, Gatrie, and Mia were all setting up the table while Mist was flambéing some delicious meals at the bar. All of them, except Shinon were excited for the Noel feast.

"Thanks for your help guys," Mist complimented, "It does mean a lot to us, Queen Elincia, Lucia and the others to help out on this tradition."

"Oh please. We're very happy to help you Mist." Ben smiled. Ben is a simple teenage Daein citizen who tends to be shy around girls.

"It's too bad Queen Elincia won't be here for the Noel feast this year." Kieran sighed.

"Speaking of the queen, where is she?" Mia curiously asked.

"She's at Begnion with Ike." Mist replied, "the apostle invited them over for Christmas."

"Ooh! Christmas at Begnion." Gatrie squeaked, "I wonder how it is like up there?"

"Bah-ah, Humbug?" Shinon muttered.

"Shinon!" Ben cried, "Christmas isn't a 'Bah-ah Humbug.' It's like the best holiday ever!"

"Yeah! For children." Shinon opinioned, "I mean, can't you see that the decorations, the tree dressed in lights, the peppermints candies, the presents, that jolly old St. Nicholas who doesn't exist, are nothing but fairy tale stuffing?"

"Ayah!" Mist freaked out, "I forgot to put the stuffing on the turkey!" She ran for the cabinet and pulled out croutons and other ingredients for the stuffing.

"Wait a minute. St. Nicholas do exist." Kieran said.

"Oh yeah?" Shinon snorted, "prove it."

Kieran pulled out a pocket book of 'Yuletide Legends' and read, "St. Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus or Father Christmas, travels around the world in one night, as he brings with him all the gifted treasures of Christmas to all children of all ages, blessed by the Christmas Spirit of Tellius."

Shinon blinked as Kieran closed his book, "See?"

"Please… you believe in a book?" Shinon snickered, "I never saw him with my own two eyes."

"But he does exist Shinon," Ben continued, "He leaves evidence of his existence: the Christmas gifts."

"What a load of…" Shinon cleared his throat and smiled, "in any case, after this feast, I'll be hibernating until Spring comes."

Mia laughed hard. Shinon stared at her, "What's so funny."

"Hibernating." Mia wiped her tears, "How can you hibernate? You're not a bear!"

"Tee-hee!" Gatrie snickered as well, "Good one Mia. Come on Shinon, join in the laughter."

Everyone, except Mist who was too busy with the stuffings, joined in the laughter and Shinon simply clicked his tongue, "Tsk." And seized the laughter.

"Looks like somebody is been a Scrooge this season."

-Serenes Forest-

Ike, Elincia, Titania, Soren, and Rhys walked down the avenues of the Serenes Forest, as they followed the heron Chelsea. During the long walk, many herons—men, women, and kids—took time to greet the company with warmth and open arms.

"We're here." Chelsea said as the company arrived at their setting. The Serenes Christmas Tree stood in front of them. The tree was not in its prosperous green color. It was however withering and its leaves were falling.

"This is… the Serenes Christmas Tree." Elincia breathed in awe.

"It's the greatest tree of all Tellius." Rhys added, "it overlooks the continent at this time of year."

"But something's wrong…" Ike said, "the tree is dying."

"That's the reason I have called you here." Chelsea said.

"Ah yes." Soren said, "According to 'Yuletide Legends', this tree is the essence of Christmas in Tellius."

"You speak right Soren," a voice confirmed, "but you're missing one important piece of evidence."

The company turned around and met face-to-face with Reyson and Leanne.

"Reyson!" Ike smiled, "It's good to see you."

"Good to see you two Ike." Reyson replied. Leanne greeted the company as well.

"My lord Reyson," Elincia implored, "Please tell us what is happening to the tree."

"Yes." Reyson nodded, "if you please follow us to the treetop, we'll tell you more."

Chelsea reached for a switch and the tree's branches formed an escalator. The company marched up the treetop, reaching the tree's altar.

"We've reached our destination." Reyson said.

"One question before we get into this." Ike interrupted, "was it just me or did the Laguz hasn't forgotten about Christmas?"

Reyson hesitated, "No we haven't. Actually it is us, the heron tribe, who haven't forgotten. Everyone else did."

The company stared at the tree's altar. Reyson continued, "The reason is because we strongly believe in the magic of Christmas. As you can see, this altar is worn out. It is missing the quintessence of this tree, and Christmas itself."

"Which is what Reyson? Please tell us!"

Leanne spoke and Chelsea translated, "The Seven Crystal Ornaments. As Lady Leanne is saying, they are what makes the Christmas Spirit of Tellius. Without it, the Serenes Christmas Tree withers, resulting in the end of Christmas." Leanne then shed tears.

"That's… awful." Elincia was about to cry as well. There was a slight silence among the group and Reyson continued, "Some creep stole the Ornaments last night. And so we're in deep desperation to recover these treasures before it's too late."

"When we discovered that you were the only ones who haven't forgotten Christmas," Chelsea added, "we decided to take action and get to you."

"We must get those Ornaments back." Ike intended.

"But how can we?" Soren inquired, "we don't have any witnesses and the culprit's footprints must have faded before dawn."

"But still, we must catch this thief!" Titania countered.

"I know who did this." A soft voice called from behind. The company turned around and saw a known monk standing. The monk was dressed in an aqua blue gown fashioned with a white scarf around his neck. His blonde long hair rested upon his shoulders, and his clear cerulean eyes were pure with honesty.

Ike approached the monk in two steps, "Who are you?"

"I am called Lucius." The monk said, "Like you, I am worried about the holiday fading away. But trust me on this: I know who did this." He formed a fist, "I know who is stealing Christmas!"

NEXT CHAPTER…