Fire Emblem Three Houses: Five Years War
I don't own Fire Emblem Three Houses, or any of its characters. This will be a series of one-shots concerning the five years timeskip that occurs right as the war starts. It will contain spoilers for the Azure Moon storyline, and the supports of some characters.
I will treat everyone from the Black Eagles as being recruited by either the Golden Deer or the Blue Lion house, except Hubert who's impossible to recruit. I will attempt to put the shipping to the side as much as possible, but here's what you can expect: Dimitri/F!Byleth, Claude/Hilda, Ferdinand/Dorothea, Petra/Linhardt, Caspar/Bernadetta, Felix/Annette, Dedue/Flayn, Lorenz/Leonie, Sylvain/Ingrid, Lysithea/Cyril, Catherine/Seteth. It will also contain the Ashen Wolves, who will get a dedicated chapter.
I might operate some minor design changes for some of the characters who don't have any post timeskip designs (Catherine, Shamir, Seteth and Flayn for example). By the way, the Great Tree Moon is the first month of the imperial calendar, just as a reminder.
That said, I hope you enjoy your read.
Chapter 9: Sylvain "Lords of the Frost" Around the Great Tree Moon (April) of year 1183
Even as the winter ended on Fodlàn, the snow was merely stopping to fall in the south of Faerghus. The Fraldarius territory however still suffers from heavy snowfalls around this time of year, forcing it to provide its food from the more southern counties, or the Alliance. Yet, a banquet was to be held at each beginning of a new year, perfect for friends to reunite and lords to discuss about the upcoming year and its challenges.
Sylvain hadn't seen anything else than the border to sreng territory for six months, which was really boring. No ladies to sleep with, guard duty all day long, setting the example for the soldiers as the lord of the land. But the six other months, he spent them fighting the forces of that traitorous dukedom, rarely with his friends. So it was a relief really to have something to look forward to.
His father, the margrave Charles Gautier, was by his side as they were riding their horses in the Fraldarius county, his face as stern as ever. "You didn't put off your armour." The margrave noted. Sylvain chuckled "Surprising phrase, coming from you."
"You're not on the border, young man, you're in safe territory. The dukedom isn't going to attack anytime soon, as they will celebrate the new year too. Added armour is nothing but a pain to the shoulders at that point. And please, don't try to seduce one of the maids this time, I still hear Rodrigue complaining over it." Charles had the same kind of face and hair as Sylvain or Miklan, one that was soft, though a scar went over his right cheek.
Sylvain smirked "You hurt me, by believing such nonsense" Charles sighed "Tell that to Rodrigue's face, next time." He remained silent for the rest of the journey towards the Fraldarius estate. The sun was beginning to rise, as Charles and Sylvain rode for most of the night from the Gautier county.
They crossed great iron gates leading to the Fraldarius manor. Rodrigue was already waiting for them in front of the entrance. They climbed down their horses and Charles saluted Rodrigue "Count Fraldarius, I wish you a happy new year." The long black haired count smiled. "It's always a pleasure to have you both at our table for the celebrations, Charles and Sylvain. Although this time, Sylvain, I will ask you to restrain yourself for one more night."
Sylvain smirked "Sure thing, Rodrigue. Do you know where Felix is?" Rodrigue sighed "At the training grounds, as usual." Charles looked at Sylvain "Go and spar with him." "It's been six months I've been sparring." "Is that disobedience I hear?" "Not at all, just an observation." "That's what I thought."
Rodrigue sighed as Sylvain left to the training grounds. Charles scoffed "I'd rather have quiet kid such as yours rather than a skirt chaser like mine sometime." Rodrigue chuckled "I guess he didn't just inherit your physical appearance." The margrave smiled for once "I wasn't the only one who ran after pretty girls when we were young."
…
Sylvain walked there, seeing Felix swing a training sword around on a dummy. He watched him swing back and forth before clearing his throat. "Hey Felix." Felix just stared at him. "Mind if I spar with you?" This hooked Felix's interest. "Sure."
Sylvain grabbed one of the wooden swords, made heavy to simulate the weight of a real sword. They sparred for most of the day, Sylvain falling on his back multiple times throughout the session. "You're weak, Sylvain." Sylvain smirked "Hey, what's up with the cold attitude?" Felix grumbled as he left the training grounds "Nothing."
Sylvain got up, and huffed "Of course." He was kind of frustrated seeing Felix getting even colder than at the school. It had been three whole years since the siege of Garreg Mach, and Sylvain had been using that time to get used to his new life. But there was one thing that he couldn't settle with, no matter how hard he would try.
He put some new clothes on in his room on the second floor of the Fraldarius manor. His clothes had been neatly put on his bed. He put a shirt on, followed by a jacket, and finally, a black garb with fur on the collar, typical of the lords of the north. He looked pompous as hell in this, and he wondered if he shouldn't wear his armour instead. But he'd get told off by his father if he did.
When he went downstairs, saw Ingrid and Annette discussing, both wearing dark blue dresses, although even from where he was, Sylvain could see Ingrid wasn't comfortable. He smirked "How are you doing, ladies? Might I add that you both look radiant tonight?"
Annette chuckled "Flattery won't work, Sylvain. You look good tonight yourself, though." Sylvain scratched the back of his hair "Yeah, no, I just look like another random ladies' man." Ingrid raised one of her eyebrows. "How is that different from usual?"
Sylvain feigned hurt "Ah, once again, you unjustifiably strike me in the heart, Ingrid." Her face reddened. "Sure…" Felix came down the stairs of the main hall of the mansion and joined them. He was dressed a similar outfit to the one Sylvain was wearing. He grumbled as he followed the others to the dining hall.
There was Rodrigue and Charles discussing with Seteth, who was wearing the clothes he used to have in the monastery, only without the cape, and Catherine, who was wearing a silvery dress that let her shoulders bear, her left arm was in a scarf, gloves covering both arms and her left eye was covered by a white headband. Meanwhile, Flayn was dressed in a dark pink robe, that covered her up to the collar. She smiled as she saw her old comrades arrive.
Seteth's glare made Sylvain choke on his next words destined to the ladies. Ingrid took his place for the formalities. "Seteth, Flayn, Catherine, how nice to see you here." Flayn smiled "Well, it has been quite a while since we have not seen each other."
Flayn went to discuss with Ingrid and Annette while Sylvain and Felix went closer to the Knights of Seiros. "How did you lose your eye, Catherine?" Felix asked, before Sylvain elbowed his ribs "Be a little more polite, would you?" The wielder of Thunderbrand chuckled "Well, they say you're only one bad decision away from dying, on the battlefield." Seteth cleared his throat "It doesn't apply to you, as far as I know..."
Charles came towards them "Seteth, Catherine, would you mind if we would discuss of… business somewhere else?" Catherine and Seteth nodded "Of course." They left Sylvain and Felix alone, who went to join Flayn's discussion with Annette and Ingrid.
"Hey Annette, do you know where Gilbert is? He was here last year, yet I can't find him tonight." Sylvain asked as he approached the ladies. Annette seemed a little frustrated. "Last time I saw him, he told me he would send guests in his stead, before leaving with Ashe towards who knows where."
That launched Sylvain into deep thoughts, which Felix took notice of. "Watch out Sylvain, you might faint if you think too hard." "Har har, very funny, Felix." Ingrid looked worried "What is it, Sylvain?" "A small hope." Annette raised one of her eyebrows. "What might that be?" But before they could discuss further, a maid -who was perfectly Sylvain's type- came into the main hall to tell them it was time for the dinner.
They went to sit at the table, the elders sitting on one end, silently talking about whatever they were discussing of before, as Sylvain felt Felix eyeing him across the table full of delicious looking food. Sylvain and Ingrid were both sharing pork's ribs, each taking a side set on a silver dish, as Flayn was keeping the majority of the pieces of a smoked ham for herself. She seemed to commit herself to the Faerghusian tradition rather easily.
Annette, although usually not one for big meals, was emptying a bowl of sauce on a baby wyvern's wing she was sharing with Felix. Then, a guard knocked on the hall's door, and opened "A sealed letter for you, lord Rodrigue." He raised an eyebrow as he was chewing a chicken's wing, as he looked the sign of the seal on the envelope. "That's the Dominic seal…" He opened and read the content of the letter after wiping his hands.
He left the room to accompany the guard outside. Sylvain was staring at the door that Rodrigue closed behind himself, as if he was expecting something important to open it back. The guests didn't mind and returned to the food, save Ingrid, who looked at Sylvain thoughtfully. Felix seemed to have a knowing expression, but then returned to his wyvern wing.
Rodrigue entered the dining hall again, and cleared his throat, stopping the guests in their feast. "Your attention, please. Two young people wish to become citizens under his majesty's court, from the recommendation of Gustave, ward of the King. Once we finish eating, I will ask the lot of you to head down to the chapel so we can start the ceremony." Sylvain looked immediately disappointed, which made Ingrid frown.
Charles smirked "Isn't it supposed to take weeks to organise this sort of thing? Gustave has some nerves to interrupt us despite his absence." Rodrigue shook his head. "We desperately need the most manpower we can gather, as quickly as possible. I believe these two will fit right in the royal army, as I already have fought alongside them when routing bandits in a village near Fhirdiad."
Seteth rose an eyebrow. "Then how come they not already be citizens of Faerghus?" Rodrigue came to sit back to finish his meal. "They come from the Empire." Charles grumbled "I will have to say a word or two to Gustave next time I see him."
Rodrigue chuckled "Well, as I just said, I find them both trustworthy, and I don't think I am the only one who would think that way. They were classmates of these young lads we have here." The concerned remained quiet, until the dinner was finished. Everybody left the table to get themselves prepared with the artefacts of the different families.
...
The size of Crusher seemed rather ridiculous for Annette's petite figure. It was radiating with red energy, and despite its oversized appearance, Annette was easily holding it against her shoulder. Meanwhile, Rodrigue had the Aegis shield attached to his arm. The crowd slowly gathered in the small chapel of the Fraldarius domain, the count Galatea and the margrave Gautier standing by Rodrigue's sides, holding Lùin and the Lance of Ruin respectively.
Catherine and Annette were standing in the front row, both holding Thunderbrand and Crusher, along with Felix and Sylvain. Ingrid was standing back with Seteth and Flayn. Two guards opened the door of the chapel, to let the two future warriors of Faerghus inside. Sylvain recognized them immediately as Ferdinand and Dorothea, though he almost laughed at the length of the hair of the noblest among nobles.
Ferdinand was wearing a red garb over a white shirt, and red trousers, along with a dark blue cape, which was covered with armour on the shoulders and leg junctions. Dorothea was wearing a dark red cloak over a red gown to keep herself warm from the Faeghusian weather. They both stepped towards Rodrigue.
"Ferdinand von Aegir, and Dorothea Arnault, do you take oath to serve the prince of Faerghus, Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, and him only?" They both nodded and answered with a solemn 'Yes.' Rodrigue nodded back "Count Galatea, Margrave Gautier, do you both give your approval?" They both answered 'Yes.' with a stern voice. "Then it is decided. By the authority the prince has given me, as well by the approval of at least two other lords of Faerghus, Ferdinand von Aegir and Dorothea Arnault, you are now both subjects of the crown of Faerghus. We bid you welcome."
He clapped his hands together. "Now for the dessert, let's head back to the mansion." The small group headed back to the mansion, while Sylvain could see Felix clenching his fists hard enough for the knuckles to turn white. He slowed down his pace, which made both Ingrid and Felix slow down too, leaving the group ahead.
Sylvain cleared his throat "What is it?" Felix glared at Sylvain "Nothing." Sylvain chuckled "Sure, you wouldn't have stopped if you didn't have anything on your mind." Felix grumbled "This fool really has no shame. He lets in potential traitors, and gives himself the authority of a dead prince."
Ingrid sighed "We have no proofs Dimitri has been executed, we haven't been shown his body. As for Ferdinand and Dorothea, I don't think they are opportunists, as we clearly not are the winning side."
"Then it's even worst, they came here out of loyalty for a dead teacher or a dead boar. Disgusting." Felix hissed. Sylvain frowned, starting to have enough of Felix's attitude. "Can you speak about Dimitri with more respect?" Felix scoffed "Why should I, he's dead."
"You certainly helped."
Felix gritted his teeth. "I beg your pardon?" Sylvain looked at him with scorn. "I said, with how you berated him back at the monastery and how you danced around the class singing 'I told you so' when he snapped, you certainly helped."
Felix frowned "Ah, it has always been like you, Sylvain. Always so quick to ignore the problems. It's clear it helped his majesty's mental health..." Ingrid intervened "Stop. Both of you. Now." Felix looked at her. "Sure. But I'm starting to think that this is the altitude that led us to what happened at Conrad tower..." As Felix was walking away, Sylvain crushed his foot and sent a punch in his face.
Felix rolled on the snow, and looked up to see the scorn in Sylvain's eyes. Felix rubbed off the blood on his lower lip. "What is it, Sylvain? No witty banter?" Felix then tackled Sylvain to the snowy ground, stood up, and was going to kick him in the abdomen, but Sylvain caught his foot and twisted it. He rose up, and Ingrid tried to retain Sylvain, but he simply pushed her off. However it gave enough time for Felix to stand up, and he sent a few blows towards Sylvain's head, which he evaded, except one, which grazed his cheek.
He followed up with a few punches to the ribs, which made Sylvain stand back. He charged towards Felix, who didn't expect such move, and got tackled to the ground. Sylvain was going to punch him in the face, when the vibrant blade of the Lance of Ruin touched his throat. Likewise, a sword was resting on Felix's throat.
Charles spoke severely to his son. "That. Is. Enough." Rodrigue looked down on Felix "I would rather not have such childish fights when we are in war." Charles held up Sylvain by the collar, while Rodrigue gave a hand for Felix to stand up, which he refused. "Now, go say sorry to Ingrid." Charles pushed Sylvain towards her, only to see her on the ground, a bruise forming on her forehead from her fall.
Rodrigue sighed "We will leave you. If I see you fighting each other again, you will spend the rest of the night in jail." They both left, as Ingrid rose up to her feet. "Felix, Sylvain, come closer." They obeyed, and Ingrid slapped Sylvain on the cheek with all her might, who hardly held back a yelp. And before he could ask anything, Felix was smacked on the same cheek.
"Sylvain, you really thought it didn't pain Felix to see Dimitri in his frenzied state? You really thought he took any pleasure out of it? And you, Felix, how would you feel if Rodrigue ordered you to kill Glenn?!" The two were dumbfounded and Sylvain whispered "Sorry, Ingrid..." Ingrid shook her head "No, say sorry to Felix." Felix looked ashamed "Sorry, Sylvain." Sylvain sighed "Sorry, Felix."
They walked back towards the mansion in an awkward silence. As they entered, it seemed the everyone was in the dining hall, except Annette. When she saw the bruises on everyone's faces, she huffed and let her hand glow with golden energy. "What happened back there? I saw count Fraldarius and the margrave Gautier come back quite worked up."
She started by healing Ingrid "Nothing of much importance." Annette eyed them suspiciously "Sure…" She finished with Felix, and then they all headed towards the dining hall.
…
"Oy, wake up. We're leaving." Charles shook his son to wake him up. Sylvain grunted "Already? We could stay for more than a day..." The margrave huffed back "Not with how you behaved last night, you almost seduced a maid. Again. While drunk." Sylvain chuckled "What can I say? I have some natural talent with women, I can't do anything about it. Er, never mind, we're leaving" He said quickly as he saw his father's glare. "That's what I thought."
Sylvain walked down the stairs, where Rodrigue and Felix were waiting. Rodrigue chuckled when they arrived in front of him "I see you are truly incapable of restraining yourself, Sylvain. Maybe I should train my maids against your charms, next time you come around. As for us, well, we will keep Ferdinand and Dorothea with us."
Sylvain chuckled "Sure you'll be able to handle them, Felix?" Felix huffed "I'm able to handle Annette on a daily basis. You don't have to worry." "What about Seteth, Cassan- Catherine and Flayn?" Charles asked. "We provided them rooms to wait for Catherine to recover from her injuries." Rodrigue smirked "Truthfully, you are the only guests we bid farewell along with the Galatea."
Rodrigue went to embrace Charles "Don't go die on me this year, you crusty bastard." Charles smirked while embracing back "As if I'd give you the right to die before me, you idiot." The two sons looked at their fathers embarrassedly.
They waved towards the Fraldarius as they left their domain. The margrave took a stern look once again, the perfect one for Sylvain to tease. "So." He started. "So what?" Sylvain smirked "What did the adults deem too mature for the children to hear?"
The margrave huffed "You're assigned to the Galatea county. I'll send you there with some reinforcements, so you can help with the situation against the dukedom." "Sure you'll be able to handle the border alone?" Charles smirked "I wouldn't send you out if I couldn't."
Sylvain was satisfied with the answer, and continued his ride silently along with his father.
"Sylvain gets cock-blocked (by Seteth, Rodrigue and his father)" The chapter. More seriously though, I think I finally finished Ferdinand and Dorothea's little adventure across Fodlàn, although we will see Ferdie fight alongside Felix, since, you know, he's not gonna sit around doing nothing. I didn't want them to steal the spotlight, so I hope it didn't happen in either chapters they appeared in (except the one focused on him, obviously).
Next up will be a character I really don't like, but I hope I will make it justice.
Next Chapter: A matter of Loyalty