AN: Fire emblem is owned by Intelligent systems and Nintendo
The last time she remembered seeing her mother alive and well was a few hours before the end of the battle. Her blue eyes were bright and full of light and determination, but her once soft pink hair had faded to white, and the color was draining fast. She'd been using most of her powers to keep shields up around Seiros's officers whose army was clashing against Nemesis.
She'd sat down beside Cethleann and pulled her close. The girl had become exhausted from healing allies, and she was shaking. Her mother's lips kissed her temple as she pushed her hair back.
"You need to slow down Cethleann. If you don't, you'll…"
"But mother, there are so many that need help. How can you tell me to slow down?" the now blonde-haired girl told her and the woman beside her nodded as if understanding.
"I know, it's hard. But you cannot save all of them. The more you use, the more you'll use up your energy, and then you'll pass on to meet Naga," she shook her head. "And I don't think you're ready to meet her just yet."
"You say that, but look at yourself," Cethleann had told her and reached out to touch the faded hair. "Your powers… you can't keep up the shield for this long."
Her mother sighed. "I know you're right. But I need to do this, Cethleann. I have to protect them, if I don't…"
"This isn't like then, mother. You have to pull back some."
The pink-haired woman pulled the smaller girl to her and hugged her tightly. "When this is over, we're going fishing, and we're going to get the biggest catch ever. And your father will just have to deal with fish for half a year for dinner."
"Mother…" Cethleann reached out to her, and then pulled back when the woman stood up as an officer came over.
"Lady Kaidia, we need help. The mages are dropping fast…"
Cethleann saw her mother nod, and she leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Rest here, my love, and remember, you have the blood of the ancients flowing through you. Don't forget that. I love you with all my being, Cethleann."
Those were the last words Flayn heard her mother speak before she left the world and moved onto a new one. When her father had buried her, Flayn had passed out while helping him. She remembered staying in a state of deep slumber for ages, only to be woken up eighteen years ago, three years after the fire that devastated her Aunt Rhea.
Her father had left her in their little house near where her mother lay, and had been there when she had woken up, hungry and groggy, asking where mother was. The loss was a fresh cut to her heart as her memories of so long ago had come flooding back, and the world as she knew it had been drastically changed. So much so that Flayn feared she would never fully understand it all. It had been a struggle to just learn so much in the short time she'd been awake, and she wanted to know more, to understand just how much the world had changed.
To be revered as a saint had been surreal, and learning that there were those who worshiped her and called for her divine help made her feel strange at times. Even after five years of living at the monastery, she still had yet to make it feel like home. She wanted to take classes, to learn to be a stronger person, to understand the humans that now lived where she had once. Where her friends had once.
Yet father still refuses to allow me the pleasure of learning with others of my age. She sighed as she walked down the hall on the second floor, seeking him out. Seteth had been direct with her when she had come those five years ago. No one was to know they were father and daughter, and under no circumstances was she to speak as if she knew anything about the saints directly. She was to be his sister, and Rhea was not to be related to them. At most, they were distant cousins.
Flayn hated it. Calling her father her brother had taken time to get used to, and she wondered how mother would have felt about all of this. But, being the dutiful child that she was, she'd played along, and made the role hers. She was the devoted little sister of Lady Rhea's assistant. At first it had been fun, students enjoyed having her around, but over time and new students coming in, the eagerness of the earlier students had given way to more cynical types who found her annoying and thought that she was too childish to have around. So she had avoided trying to make friends with them.
Until now. The new Professor, a Miss Byleth Eisner, had intrigued her. She was different from the others there. Not that Manuela or Hanneman were the bad sort; they engaged with her when they had the time. Manuela would even teach her songs when she had a moment to do so. But they were older adults, and she was still a child, even for her dragon age. So her connections to them had been less as friends and more as mentors. Byleth was different. She was only a few years her senior, and friendly.
The day she'd seen her peeking into the classroom, she'd come out after to find her and gave her one of the extra textbooks to read. She'd said if she really wanted to study with the class she could, and she'd be happy to look over her work for her. The way her blue eyes were, they reminded her of her mother's. The look of determination behind them when they spoke, and the kindness in her voice. She wanted to get to know her more, and maybe have an older sister on the property to hang around with during the year.
It was early afternoon, and she'd made her way to the second floor, and had already checked in the Audience Chamber, and her father's office for him. He wasn't there.
"I think he went to see Captain Jeralt," a guard had informed her, and Flayn had thanked him. Crossing down the hallway, she waved at Cyril, who, for once, waved back. The young Almyran was always busy running around, trying to do his best to please Rhea. She still wondered why he had not wanted to study in the classes or with the instructors. So many things which the cardinals and other clerics did in the name of the church bothered her, and she couldn't speak up on them, due to how it would look rude from someone who had been given refuge at the church. Her aunt had said that it was important for them to guide the people and protect them. But protect from what?
Knocking on the door, Jeralt's voice beckoned her in, and Flayn opened the door. Inside the Captain's office, her father sat on a chair talking with a standing Jeralt. The larger man smiled she entered.
"Captain Jeralt. I am sorry to disturb you, but have you seen my brother?"
"I am right here, Flayn. I was just discussing important matters with the Captain; is there something that you need?" Seteth stood and came over to her and she smiled at him.
"Oh, I am sorry Brother," she gave a bow to him and then to Jeralt, who waved it off. "I did not mean to bother you. But it's a lovely afternoon, and I was curious if you had time to go fishing with me?"
Seteth closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh. "Flayn, while that would be delightful, I have several reports to address. It will have to be tomorrow."
Flayn stared at him and her brow knitted ever so slightly. "But Brother, isn't tomorrow the day of preparations for the mock battle? Would you not be assisting Lady Rhea in the organization?"
The green-haired man bit his lip. "Then we can do it after the battle, Flayn."
She became irritated. It was always like this. Reports came first. The Knights of Seiros came first. Aunt Rhea's whims came above other aspects of their life. It felt more and more that her father was being pulled away from her.
"Hey, Seteth, you know, this talk we're having can wait." Jeralt offered and her father looked at him.
"No, it cannot Captain. I have other people to meet with later, and this was the only time I could block out for you."
"Perhaps, when you have an opening, you can block out some time for me too, Brother," Flayn snapped and then looked at her shoes and bowed to Jeralt. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude, Captain. If you'll excuse me."
She turned and ran out the door, her father's voice calling her name, but she ignored it. Down the steps, she rushed as she wiped the hot tears from her face. How foolish she was thinking he would spare a moment or two for her. Her mother would have, but she wasn't there, and other than Rhea, she was alone. As she slowed her walk, she wandered into the Dining hall and leaned against the doorframe. Her mind wandered as she watched the students coming to and fro with nary a care in the world, she thought.
How lucky they are to have such an education. Their parents must care about them deeply.
Her mind was wandering back to when she was a child and playing with her friends. How happy those times had seemed after the horrors of all that had come before it. As she rested, Flayn could hear the sounds of chatter, and then someone come close to her and she opened her eyes.
"Miss Flayn?" It was the Professor. She was leaning over her slightly. "Are you well?"
"Oh, hello there Professor." Flayn stood up and bowed to her fully. The young woman stared at her curiously and she smiled. "Yes, I am well. I'm sorry to have worried you."
Byleth shook her head. "You seemed distracted."
"No, I was not Professor." She winced some. "Am I allowed to call you that? I'm afraid I'm not a student here myself…."
"Well, that's a shame. Why is that? I would think that the academy would allow you to be." Byleth asked her and Flayn held in a snappy comment about her father being overprotective.
"My brother is a bit worried about my health, you see. But, should the opportunity arise, I would love to become a student and begin my studies in earnest." She explained, and the Professor nodded.
"So then, why are you living here?"
Flayn knew this story by heart; she had said too many times to count.
"The monastery is kind enough to provide a sanctuary for my brother and I; he's the only family I have. So we live here with the blessing of Lady Rhea."
"I can understand that. My father is the only family I have as well," Byleth told her, and Flayn's eyes went wide.
"Oh, is that so? So you too lost your mother then?" Flayn asked her, and Byleth nodded. "I see. Well, I am sorry. I know that pain all too well."
"Thank you, but I didn't know my mother well, or hardly. She passed on when I was born." Byleth told her and shook her head. "Though, may I ask why you were standing here then, Flayn?"
The dragon smiled softly. "I came here on a whim. I had gone to see my brother to see if he had some free time to come fishing with me. But he was very busy today, and it's a very important day today."
"It is?" Byleth looked at her, confused, and the green-haired girl nodded.
"Yes. You see, there is a ceremony related to Saint Cethleann that requires a rare fish. And I have not yet caught such a fish."
"Fishing? Well, my father taught me how. Though I can't say I'm as good as him." Byleth smiled. "Why don't I help you with catching that fish?"
Flayn's eyes lit up. This young woman was truly wonderful. She wondered if her mother had sent her there to help them. No, she was certain of it. She grinned and nodded vigorously. "Would you mind helping me obtain some Professor? I would be very grateful."
"If it helps you out, of course!" Byleth smiled and Flayn hurried to lead her outside, and down the steps towards the fishing pond they had in the back near the greenhouse. As they walked, the girl explained to the Professor about the fish they would need and how many. She only stopped when the Professor did as a boy she recognized from the Blue Lions' class came up the steps and waved at them.
"Good Afternoon Professor. I'm sorry to stop you." The silver-haired young man said and bowed to them. "Oh, and hello to you too, Miss. I don't think we've met. I'm Ashe Ubert."
"Flayn, I am the sister of Seteth, the assistant to Archbishop Rhea." She bowed to him and Ashe grinned.
"I think I saw you on the first day of school. You were with your brother and the Archbishop."
"Yes, you are correct. I was there." She was so happy that someone remembered her being there. Ashe politely begged their pardon as he had a question about the assignment the professor asked them to do. Flayn observed as she easily went over the questions, and Ashe thanked her.
"Well, thank you. I'll be on my way." Ashe was saying when the Professor stopped him. "Is there something you need, Professor?"
"Actually, yes. Flayn needs help catching a rare fish for a ceremony for Saint Cethleann, and I was wondering if you have some time to help? If not, we can handle this."
"No, it would be my pleasure to help you out. I didn't even know that it was a devotion day to Cethleann," Ashe shook his head and smiled. "I used to fish with my older brother, Christophe, though I'll admit I might be rusty. But having three could get us the fish faster."
"Yes, that would be wonderful if possible!" Flayn squealed and hurried down the steps, with the two following her. "First, we will need to get the lures and the rods from the fisherman near the pond."
"And bait," Ashe included as they walked, "You always should have some form of bait." He glanced at the Professor. "I didn't know you could fish, Professor."
"Well, I don't as often, but yes. When we had no jobs, my father would teach me how to fish. He found it relaxing." Byleth explained to him.
Flayn was the first to arrive at the pond and hurried over to the fisherman to get three sets of rods, tackles, and bait as the other two came over. She handed the duo the rods with a smile.
"Now if you would watch," she put together the rod, "This is how to do this safely." She attached the line, then the hook, and then displayed it proudly to the other two. "See simple."
"You did that really fast, Flayn. I take it you've done a lot of fishing?" Ashe asked her, and Flayn beamed at him.
"Oh, yes. My mother was an excellent fisherman. She taught me and my father how to fish."
"I see. But it's only your brother here with you," Ashe inquired as he put together his rod and Flayn quickly looked aside.
"I lost both my parents to fighting a while back ago." It was true, her mother was dead, and her father may as well be, given how much he focused on her aunt's passions over his own needs.
Ashe grew quiet and said with a sad smile. "I lost my parents, too. There was a pandemic that infected the holy Kingdom a while back in Lord Lonato's territory where I come from. They passed from that. So it's just me and my younger brother and sister."
"I did not know that Ashe," Flayn looked surprised, and the Professor nodded in agreement. "I am sorry for making you feel sad. This is supposed to be a happy day of celebrations."
"No, it's okay, really," Ashe told them seriously. "While I do miss my parents, Lord Lonato has given me so much love and care. He's like a second father and I have my siblings, so while I feel sad sometimes, I still have their memories to spur me on."
Flayn nodded understanding as the Professor joked. "So with that spurring. Let's catch some fish!"
He laughed and joined them on the pier as they set up to throw their lines in the water. As Flayn was sitting to the left, Ashe took the right side, and the Professor was taking the edge of the dock, they heard someone walk up to them and stop.
"Professor, please be excusing...no, please excuse me. What are you doing here?"
Flayn turned to look up at the young woman from Brigid. Petra stood out, much like Dedue, in the academy, so it was not long before a number of students knew who she was. Flayn, though, had known about the princess for longer than that, thanks to her mother.
"Oh hello there," Flayn said and stood up along with Ashe as the Professor walked over to the Black Eagle student. Her long wine colored hair was in a braid similar to how her mother would keep her deep pink hair.
"Petra, it's nice to see you," Byleth said to the girl, and she nodded.
"It is good to be seeing you too, Professor."
Ashe smiled cheerfully, "I don't think we've met." He bowed. "I'm Ashe Ubert of the Blue lions."
"And I'm Flayn, of no house, but my brother is the assistant to Lady Rhea." She followed Ashe's actions.
Petra bowed. "I am Petra Macneary of the Black Eagles. I am pleasing… No, I am pleased to meet both of you."
"We were just helping Flayn catch a fish." Byleth explained to her, and the girl looked on curiously.
"May I be asking, what for?" Petra thought a moment and seemed to debate something in her mind. "Is that correct? May I be asking?"
Ashe smiled, "I think it can be. It's very formal though. You could try, May I ask what for? Or Just simply why or what for?" He laughed, "Or you could really go local and say wot you doing there?"
He blushed some as the girls looked at him. "Ah… That may not have been a great joke at the end there."
Petra shook her head, "No it is different than I have heard, but if I am to learn the language of Fódlan I will be needing… No, I will need… no I should learn… everything I can about it."
"Even local slang." Byleth chuckled, and Petra nodded. Flayn happily jumped in to explain to the girl why they were going for a rare fish, and her eyes lit up.
"You are celebrating this day as well?"
Flyan nodded to her, and Petra looked excited. "I would like to join in."
"I hadn't even heard of this day," Ashe told her and Petra glanced at him and looked serious.
"In Brigid, there are festival days that we celebrate different heroes. Here in the Empire, they are being called…" she shook her head and corrected. "They are called Saints. But in Brigid, they are called Heroes. There are many of them, and many different kinds. Though I cannot practice such devotion while I am here in Fódlan."
Flayn saw the Professor narrow her brow. "Why is that exactly?"
The dragon sighed softly. She didn't want to say it was because of her aunt and her choices in how she set up the church. "When Seiros first founded the church, she clarified that there was to be only a certain type of worship. It's unclear as to why. People can worship at home, but here at the monastery it wouldn't be looked too kindly upon others for worshiping anyone other than the four saints or Seiros."
Byleth looked at her, and Flyan noticed the Professor seemed less than pleased to hear that. "Is that so?"
Petra nodded, but then tried to change the subject. "It is okay, Professor. I am doing my worship away from eyes of the clerics here." She blushed some.
Ashe grinned, "I read that fishing and water are important to life in Brigid. Is that true?"
Petra raised her eyes and smiled at him. "Yes, very true, Ashe. I am being pleased… no… I am pleased you read about that. In Brigid, we have an ocean, and many beaches from which we can swim..." she paused again, "or go swimming from?"
"It really sounds like an amazing place," Ashe told her, and the young princess smiled happily at his compliment.
"I will be… no, I thank you very much, Ashe."
Byleth clapped her hands together once, and they all turned to look at the Professor. "Right. So, we only have three fishing poles, and I take it Petra, you know how to fish?"
"Very well Professor." The girl nodded, and Flayn handed Petra her pole. The girl blinked as she stared at it. "But will you not be needing that to help you fish, Flayn?"
"No, I can watch, and when someone gets tired, we can switch out." Flayn held out the pole to her and Petra nodded, smiling. "Then I will be taking your place, and do my best, I believe."
"Yes! And any extra fish we catch I can make us a meal from it." Ashe told her and the girls looked to him.
"You know how to cook?" Byleth inquired and Ashe nodded.
"My parents ran a restaurant, and I helped them out a lot. I used to also cook for my siblings. I know a few fish dishes."
"That would be wonderful." Flayn gleefully danced, a bit excited. "I would love to try your fish dish."
"It would please me… no, I would be pleased to also eat your meal as well, Ashe." Petra told him and Ashe grinned happily.
"What about you Professor? Did you have lunch yet?" He inquired and Byleth shook her head.
"Sylvain already fed me. So I'm good." She waved her hand and shook her head.
"Fed you, like a cat or a dog?" Flayn teased her and the Professor laughed.
"Is that not the right term?" Petra asked and Flayn quickly explained the joke and she soon giggled.
"I see. The professor does eat a lot, I have seen."
Flayn sat down in the middle of the group as they each resumed their posts. Petra was now to the left, Ashe still on the right, the Professor standing front and center. Flayn stared for a long moment and briefly in her mind she saw a flash of her friends as they were when she was little. She could still hear their voices.
"Cethleann… I got one for you!" shouted the one she called waterfall.
"I bet it's small!" called out the second one, whom she had named sunflower. "Compared to my catch, don't you think so, Cethleann?"
"I'll have you know, my dad was the best fisherman ever," the third one cried, named tree. "Right Cethleann! I bet he fished with your dad a lot…"
She blinked, and the memory faded to the wind, leaving her there hearing the laughs of the three young people on the pier with her. They called out to her to look at the fish they had caught, rating them how rare they were. She happily ran between them, giggling as she did so. This was the best festival day ever!
When enough fish had been caught, she carefully selected the one she wanted to present to the Saint and tucked it in a bag. "I will bring this in a little while. Right now, I'm starving."
"I as well am hungry," Petra told them and Ashe grinned as he helped Petra pick up the bounty of the small fish they had gotten.
"Well then, allow me to make you both some delicious grilled fish sandwich with a side of spicy fish soup."
"Yes, that would be most delicious, Ashe." Flayn told him as they bid farewell to the Professor who went off on her own to speak with her father.
It was long after lunch that she went to the cathedral and to her statue, a prepared fish dish in hand. She, of course, intended to eat it long after the Artisan had left, so it was okay to leave it out for the moment. Walking into the small off-shoot room, she nearly dropped her plate when she saw her father there, laying some flowers down at her statue's feet. Her mother's favorite flowers.
Flayn walked slowly over to him and spoke softly, "Brother?"
Seteth turned his head and looked at her, "Flayn," He stood and met her halfway, looking down at her. His voice was soft and tender.
"Flayn, I am…" his shoulders slumped, and he shook his head, "So so very sorry. I have been so busy with work that I forgot what day it was. In my earnests to keep up with Lady Rhea, I forgot how important this day is to you." He took the tray with the fish. "Can you ever forgive me?"
She looked into his green eyes and nodded slowly. "I believe I can, yes. Did Captain Jeralt remind you?"
"Indeed, as did Lady Rhea."
She smiled, so her aunt recalled today's importance. It was the day she first met her old friends. Flyan touched her father's hands. "Then let us share this together. As I am sure the heroic Kaidia would have liked us to."
"It would be my pleasure." Seteth whispered to her. The two dragons waited till the Artisan had stepped from the room and quickly made haste with the meal back to a small corner of the cathedral where they could eat together in peace, reminiscing about the days of old.
