Make sure you play Anna's theme from Awakening and/or Fates while reading this. You'll thank me later.
Chapter 79 – Annabelle Sharene Ernest (Ethereal Moon)
As the fires within Pallardó's fort began to die down, the students went about tending to the wounded and searching the base for any loot that the thieves had stolen. Anna's merchandise was found among a large hoard of other stolen goods, ranging from chests of gold to pieces of artwork, a few rare weapons, and plenty of esoteric curiosities from other continents.
Needless to say, the students knew it was going to take a long while to sort through it all and see that everything was returned to the right people. For now, they went about loading the goods into several wagons, with Ignatz being in charge of sorting the goods to particular carts.
Off to the side, Byleth and Dorothea were healing two of the Church soldiers, both who gave their thanks before going to help the others.
As the soldiers left, Anna walked up to them and said, "There you two are. Hey, thanks a bunch for helping me out with this. I really appreciate it."
"Don't mention it, Anna," said Dorothea. "We're glad to help."
"You've done a great deal for us over the last few months," said Byleth. "It's only fair that we help you in turn."
"Aww, shucks, By," said Anna. "You don't have to make it sound like an obligation."
"I wasn't…" Byleth stopped upon realizing that Anna was joking with her.
Then, in a more serious tone, the redhead said, "Hey, you two have been really good friends to me, so… You remember how I said I'd tell you more about myself at some point?"
"Uh, yeah, I kinda remember that…" said Dorothea.
"Do you wish to tell us now?" asked Byleth.
"Yeah, I think so. But first, I need you two to follow me. There's something I wanna show you."
Anna then moved toward the entrance to a cavern at the back of the fortress. After a moment's hesitation, Byleth and Dorothea followed the redhead into the darkness.
…
Though the initial descent was made of naturally formed caverns, the passage that Anna, Byleth and Dorothea went through began to change into one that had clearly been built centuries ago. Tiles and brick replaced dirt and roots, with cobwebs lining the walls and ceiling.
As they walked, Anna said, "I've been looking for this place for a little over a year now. I knew it was somewhere in Fódlan, but I was only able to track it down once Seteth let me access the restricted section of the library. The Shadow Library in Abyss had a few records but not the complete picture. When Seteth told me that Pallardó had set up his base right on top of the spot I was looking for, I thought he knew something about it. About me. But, after checking it out, it seems it really was just a coincidence."
"What is this place?" asked Byleth.
"Here we are."
Byleth and Dorothea stopped behind Anna as they reached an opening, showing an old mechanical door made from a very old but very sturdy metal. It didn't look like Magitek but still looked like nothing they had would break through the door.
"What is this, Anna?" asked Dorothea.
Stepping up to the door and placing a hand on it, Anna said, "The old family vault." Looking up at the door, she added, "To think it hasn't been disturbed in all these centuries…"
"Anna?" said Byleth, catching the redhead's attention again.
Anna then turned toward them, the dim light of the cavern making her look far more distinguished than usual.
She then said, "Guess it's time I laid all my cards on the table. First, you need to know who I really am." Taking a deep breath, Anna said, "My full name is Annabelle Sharene Ernest. I was born a noble to House Ernest of Judgral and, technically, I would be the rightful heir of the family."
"You're a noble?" Dorothea asked in surprise.
"I was. I gave that up a lifetime ago." Clearing her throat, Anna continued, "House Ernest actually used to be an old noble family in Fódlan, back before the Kingdom splintered off from the Empire. They were very wealthy, but they made themselves one too many enemies in their time. About 600 years ago, House Ernest was virtually wiped out by its rivals, with the few survivors fleeing across the ocean. They rebuilt themselves in Judgral, but their ways didn't really change. They aren't exactly popular these days and are known for hoarding their wealth. When House Ernest was expelled from Fódlan, they left behind this vault, a treasury containing some of their most precious valuables. I've been searching for it ever since I learned about it when I made a secret trip back home. Heh, my need for nostalgia really landed me a jackpot."
"Wait, if you were a noble, why did you give that up?" asked Dorothea. "Wouldn't you have been happy with all those riches your family had?"
Anna, seemingly offended, then said crossly, "You mean why I didn't want to be a tool in my mother's games with the other noble families in Judgral? Why I didn't want to be married off to someone I hated with all my guts? And why I didn't want to become a trophy wife whose only purpose was to make heirs to the family?!"
"A-Anna!" Dorothea was taken aback by the merchant's sudden bout of anger.
Realizing her tone, Anna said apologetically, "Sorry. Thinking back on that stuff gets me all riled up. I gave up being a noble because I wanted to be free. To do what I wanted when I wanted. To not be tied down to family obligations or by an arranged marriage. I wanted to have control over my life." Then, in a tone that showed her dislike of her memories, she said, "Mother didn't exactly like it when I told her all that. So, when I tried to run from home, she sent me over a cliff into a raging river. She thought me dead, and I feel that was for the best."
Byleth and Dorothea were both shocked at learning this.
"Anna, I… I never knew…" Dorothea said in disbelief.
"Hey, you couldn't have known, Dorothea. I make it a habit of not telling people my history unless I really get to know them. You two, you've shown me time and again that I can trust you."
"You've done the same for us, Anna," said Byleth. "I'd trust you with my life."
"B-By…! That's… Aww, you're gonna make me cry here."
Then, realizing something, Dorothea asked, "Hey, wait a second. You're telling us that all this happened to you, that you've been all over the world, but you barely look like you're in your twenties. How much of that is actually the truth?"
Surprised, Anna said, "Heh, you got me there. But you're assuming I'm only in my twenties. I never told either of you my real age. But, in my defense, you're asking a rather rude question, Dorothea."
"Huh?"
"You're basically asking how old I am." With a smirk, Anna said, "Truth be told, I've actually lost track. I've gotta be pushing mid-70's by now, at least."
"M-M-Mid 70's?!"
"How is that possible?" asked Byleth.
"Lemme show you." Anna then turned back to the vault door, inspected it briefly, and then said, "Yep, just as the records said. The door's activated by a Blood Seal. Needs the blood of one who carries the bloodline of Ernest."
Anna then drew her silver dagger from its sheath and pricked her right thumb with its tip, drawing a few drops of blood. She then pressed her thumb against a panel on the vault door. The door began to rumble and shift as the seal was activated.
"Open sesame."
Dorothea and Byleth watched in awe as the vault opened, revealing a sight that made their jaws drop. The vault was filled with chests of gold coins, jewelry, fancy platters and goblets, and all manner of valuables. Though much of it was stained and some of the items had rusted, it was still worth a vast fortune.
Dorothea expected Anna to be ecstatic at the sight, but the redhead's gaze was centered on a pedestal in the middle of the vault. Atop the pedestal was an immaculate bracelet made of untarnished Mythril. The metal had been woven in a pattern akin to a scaled serpent that was attempting to devour a large aquamarine gem at the tip of its tail, creating the circular band. The gem had a strange design carved into its surface that looked like a Crest, but it wasn't a Crest that Dorothea recognized.
"There you are," said Anna as she walked through the vault, ignoring the piles of treasure as she went up to the pedestal.
As the other two followed Anna in, Byleth asked, "Anna, what is that?"
Without answering, Anna picked up the bracelet and, after staring at it for a moment, slipped it onto her left wrist. The gemstone began to shimmer as the metal began to shift, as if the serpent upon it were alive. Byleth and Dorothea watched with worry as the bracelet began to shrink in size, conforming to fit perfectly to Anna's wrist, but the merchant showed no signs of worry or discomfort at this.
Anna then turned around, raising her left hand to her side with her palm facing upward as a Crest began to manifest over her hand. It was the same design as on the bracelet's gemstone.
"Anna… You have a Crest?" asked Byleth.
"Yep. The Major Crest of Ernest. One of the reasons my mother was so eager to get rid of me when I told her I wanted no part in her political games. She didn't want some family getting the benefits of it." She then moved her arm to show the bracelet she wore as she said, "This little treasure is the Relic of House Ernest. It's called Andvari's Gift. Supposedly, you can use it even if you don't have a Crest, but I dunno how accurate that is. Either way, since I bear the Crest of Ernest, I'm technically the rightful owner of it."
"It doesn't look like a Heroes' Relic," said Dorothea.
"It isn't. Supposedly it's more akin to the Relics of the Saints, but there's not actually a lot known about this thing's origins. Lost to history, I guess."
"So, that's what you've been looking for?" asked Byleth.
"Yep. I learned that one of my relatives, a distant cousin of mine, was planning to look for this thing, so I figured I'd beat him to it. I'm not looking to take my place as the family heir; I wanted this Relic for myself."
As Anna smiled at her words, Dorothea let out a short laugh and said, "That's just like you, Anna."
"So, what does this Relic do?" asked Byleth.
"Supposedly it makes the wearer lucky, but no one's really sure. It's clearly magical, though, so it's gotta be handy for something. Only Ernest himself would really know."
"Who was this Ernest?"
"Again, I dunno. No records of who he really was exist anymore. All that's known is he wasn't one of the Ten Heroes, and he wasn't a Saint or an Apostle. He's an enigma, that's all I can say. One of the few things that's known about him is that wherever he went, prosperity followed."
"So, you bear his Crest, and that's why you barely look like you're in your twenties?" asked Dorothea.
"Yep. Supposedly, Major Crests end up giving people longer lifespans. At least it's the case for me. It has other uses too; I try not to use it, but it's saved my butt more than a few times. I also like to think it subtly helps me with my merchant lifestyle."
"Speaking of which, what are you going to do with all of this?" Dorothea gestured to the treasure around them as she said this. "With this much treasure, you'd never have to work another day!"
Giving it all a look for a moment, Anna said, "Honestly, I think I'd rather just leave this stuff here for now."
"Huh?!" Dorothea had not expected such an answer from Anna. "But it's gotta be worth–"
"A king's ransom, I know. And I love getting gold, but this… it doesn't feel like I really earned it. Sure, I did my homework and found this place, but I only got in because of something I was born with, not because of my salesmanship or skill. I've always found gold is so much sweeter when I earn it as a merchant."
"Anna…" Byleth said in respect.
"Besides, if I were to come out with all this treasure right now, I'd have to have it out with the Church. They'd surely want a big piece of it, but technically it's mine by right."
"So, you don't want it, but it's still yours?" Dorothea asked in amusement.
"Hey, I get the irony. In any case, I think keeping the treasure here will keep it safe for if I ever need it. Never know if I might need some hidden assets."
"I think that's a smart decision," said Byleth.
"Well, if that's all, we should probably get back to the others," said Dorothea.
"Yeah, they're probably wondering where we snuck off to," said Anna. "Oh, but before we go, can you guys promise to keep all this between us? I'd rather not get too much attention for being an ex-noble with a super rare Crest and a stash of hidden gold."
Dorothea and Byleth nodded in agreement to this.
"Thanks, you two."
The three began to exit the vault, but after a few steps, Anna stopped in her tracks. The redhead paused for a moment as she looked back at the treasure trove she was leaving behind.
Then, with a sneaky smile, she said, "Oh, what the heck! One small bag for the road!"
Dorothea and Byleth turned with amused smiles as Anna took a coin purse from her belt, grabbed a large handful of gold coins, and dropped them into the sack. She then tied the bag to her waist before stepping out of the vault and placing her hand on the ground before the door. The vault door shifted back into place, sealing the trove away once again.
Then, seeing the amused looks on Byleth and Dorothea's faces, Anna said, "What?"
Dorothea giggled as she said, "Oh, it's nothing. But, since we're such good friends now, do you suppose I could have a bit of that gold?"
Byleth would have berated Dorothea for such a request, but she knew by the singer's tone that she was joking.
"Heh, sorry, Dorothea. I don't do handouts like that."
The three laughed as they left the cavern and ventured back to the surface.
It's a shame Anna didn't get a 3H rendition of her theme. And it's even more of a shame that 3H Anna didn't get a backstory like this, or even Support chains.
I've been working toward this backstory for Anna for a while now. I didn't want her to be one of those Outrealm Anna's, but to be a unique individual who could legitimately fit into the 3H story. I hope you all like how I've fleshed her out. Don't worry, though; Anna's role in the story is far from done.
And yes, I know her in-game age in 3H is 25-26, but I'm having her be MUCH older to account for her worldly experience. After all, Jeralt's supposed age is over 120, so it's not an unreasonable idea for Anna to be mid-70's and still look so spry.
EDIT: It's been pointed out that long life is only for first-generation Crest bearers, or those who are given their Crests by a Nabatean. Well, Anna's epilogue text shows she's around for centuries after the events of the story. You could chalk this up as other Anna's, but I have it as the Major Crest of Ernest giving a long lifespan even when it's not first-generation bearers.
As for Anna's Relic, I got the suggestion for it from the Fire Emblem Reddit. Andvari's Gift, also known as Andvaranaut, is a ring from Norse mythology. I know several of the 3H relics have their basis in Arthurian lore, but some do have other sources (i.e. Aymr). Big thanks to BlueIsForPlayers on Reddit for the suggestion.
In-game, I'd have Andvari's Gift grant +1 Movement, Miracle, +10 Luck, and HP regen to its wielder; the HP regen would be stronger if the wielder has the Crest of Ernest. Sounds situational (or maybe a bit OP), sure, but it fits for Anna being a rouge rogue. ;)