BIG EDIT: I am so sorry I pushed out an unpolished chapter. I didn't make any big changes. This is just a proofread I neglected.

I just started FE12. I can't believe you get a lvl 10 Flier so early with good bases and growths, good weapon rank, and a Silver Lance. Also. my-unit is broke as hell.

Some more notes:

FE11 lacks support conversations. You just sort of find out your favorite characters get married. I kind of wanted to explore Caeda and Marth's relationship since you, the player, don't see it develop in FE11. Plus it's more content for you all.

[Foot of Aurelis: 16:50]

"A good win nonetheless, sir," Jagen assured him. "The losses are tragic, but you cannot demand perfection out of yourself. These men loved their country enough to die for it."

"Thank you, Jagen, but I could have done more to prevent these men from having to make that sacrifice," Marth stopped walking for a second. He turned away from Jagen with his hand on the door to their next room. "An entire fireteam of my best men will not experience the joy of victory because of my decisions."

"Prince Marth…" Jagen placed his hand on his shoulder. "You can't save everyone."

"I know. It's just-" Marth took in a heavy breath. "I can't bear to see the loss of life like this."

"Sir-" Jagen began but slowly stopped. Marth shook his head.

"I suppose I've just forgotten the pains of war," Marth laughed painfully at himself. He turned towards Jagen. "The contact. Have you kept him well?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. We'll see what we can do with him." He opened the door into the next room. There was a man of average height, red hair, and light clothing sitting in the room, flipping mindlessly through the channels on the television. He bore a striking resemblance to Lena.

"Ah! You must be Matthis, Sister Lena's-"

"ACK! Y-you're Prince Marth! Aieee! S-s-stay your weapon, I beg you!" The man rolled over onto his bed and placed his arms over his face. Marth jumped back startled himself.

"…What has gotten into you?"

"You mean…you haven't come to stick me like a pig for fighting under the Macedonian standard?"

Marth looked at Jagen, clearly confused. Jagen looked back at him and shrugged his shoulders.

"Er, no…"

"Really?" Matthis sat up, uncovering his face. He then moved to a position of attention on his feet.

"Relax. Really and truly."

"Oh! Uh, right then… Sorry about that little display. I guess Lena was right. Just goes to show not all princes are cut from the same cloth!"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, well, our prince- Prince Michalis of Macedon, that is- he's strong, and proud…and an utter tyrant. They say he put the soldiers who look the most scared in the front lines on purpose."

"Hmm… Prince Michalis of Macedon…"

"Don't worry, sire, I won't mistake you for him again! Altean princes I can trust!"

"I see… Colonel," Marth turned to Jagen. "He's yours for tasking."

"Understood. Come, Matthis! Let's discuss your employment."

[Encampment off Highway Ultra: The Next Day 03:00]

"Feels good moving without worrying about an ambush," Gordin said.

"It feels good to sit for a while after that," Draug commented.

"You always were one for sitting down, weren't you, you fat bastard?"

"Do you talk to your superiors like that?"

"What's so superior about you, the amount of fat in your blood?"

"Quiet you two, some of us are trying to sleep!" Ogma interjected harshly.

"You don't sleep, Ogma," Barst commented.

"It be true! Mate don't sleepa bit!" Darros laughed.

Ogma grunted. Gordin and Draug resumed exchanging jabs. Outside, Abel was sweeping up the area outside of his tent, while Cain slept soundly in the next one over.

"After all these years, I'm still cleaning up your mess," he mused. He thought Altea for a moment and contemplated how much he'd like to start farming, maybe open a shop, after the war. Certainly, Prince Marth would allow him to leave, after his faithful service. He mused over these thoughts for a second. He thought about marrying a woman and raising a family as well. All these things flowed into and out of his head.

No, he sighed. I have work to do.

In the next trailer, Marth and Merric were discussing a safe route into North Fortress.

"And you're certain your contact is here?" Marth asked.

"Certainly, sir. We exchanged communication earlier. T'would be only death that'd stop him from aiding us."

"I see. That'll do. See you at sunset," Marth sighed. Merric saluted him, which Marth lazily returned. He slid deeper into a seat in the trailer. There was a knock at the door, to which Marth responded "Busy". "I know you're not," the voice on the other end said. Caeda peeked into the room.

"Hey, you," Caeda took a seat right next to him. She placed her head on his shoulder, and she smiled up at him. Marth gave her a look without smiling and resumed looking at his tablet. Caeda's smile faded into a look of concern.

"You alright?" Caeda placed her hand on his.

"The second battle in less than 48 hours," Marth said flatly. He slid his hand from under hers and hit the power on the tablet and threw it into its carrying pouch. "And I can't seem to make the decisions that save my men." He pressed both his hands into his forehead.

"You did what you could," she said, placing her hand on his back. Marth looked back at her dully.

"I can always do more," he responded. "I could have done more."

"Hey…" she comforted, "Do you remember what you used to sing to me when we were kids?"

His look changed to a look of confusion.

"Hold onto Hope. Remember that holiday song? You used to sing it to me all the time."

"I- I remember." He said. He began awkwardly laughing. "Why are you bringing it up?"

"You loved the song because you said living without hope would be meaningless. Remember all those nights you came by the palace during my Flight School? How you told me to keep trying even though I thought about giving up."

"Yeah, well, you were a good pilot," he said, turning away. "And you weren't acting like yourself that entire block."

"That's not my point," she laughed a little at him. "In these times, we all need a little hope. Something to believe in. Marth…" She turned him to her. "We - your men, our friends, everyone - they believe in you. You are what we put our hope in. You're the star for our future. I just..." She sighed. "This isn't the Marth I know."

Marth sighed. "I really have forgotten how to handle the pains of war," he said. "Perhaps I am naive for believing I can save everyone."

"I think it just means you have a good heart," Caeda said. She hugged him, to which he finally reciprocated. He pulled her in tightly.

"You smell good," Marth commented.

She giggled. "I know."

Marth started laughing as well, and they shared a few minutes together in a happy embrace. There was a moment of tender happiness in Marth's life for just a few moments, and he felt like time stopped and he was just a kid again in the palace walls.

"I'm sorry for being difficult," he whispered.

"It's okay... You've always been a bit dense," she whispered back.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" he said. She started trying to suppress her giggling, but she ended up laughing. Her watch started beeping, abruptly ending up her laughter. She pulled away from him and smiled.

"Pre-flight. I'll see you later," she said. She kissed him on his cheek and went away.

When she left, Marth sighed. He melted a bit into his chair for a moment. He pulled his tablet out again and resumed playing with the formations once more.

[Foot of North Fortress: 18:30]

"Where is he, Merric?" Marth asked. "Can't advance into enemy territory without this."

"He should be… Oh… Master Wendell! Teacher!" Merric went on ahead. Marth hung back a bit.

"Well, hello, Merric! What a surprise! Good to see you haven't blown yourself up yet." A short, greyhaired man emerged from out of the woods. He wore the robes of a master mage. Merric smiled.

"Not yet, sir. But I did find Prince Marth, just like I said I would. I've joined the Altean army in the fight against Dolhr. …Why are you here, Teacher?"

"Hmm… It's Khadein, lad. The land is not as you remember it. That fiend Gharnef seized power, and now he's draped the city in darkness. I fear Khadein is doomed… I could not stay and serve him. So, I snuck out alone."

"Very brave of you, sir. Hmm… Why don't you join us, then? If Gharnef is helping Dolhr, then he's a bitter enemy of ours as much as he is to yours and Khadein's. We couldn't possibly leave the city in his clutches. And I'm sure the prince would be pleased as pie to have magic as robust as yours in his arsenal."

"Hmm, you do know how to argue a point. I've no taste for war, but war is what I've been served. Come, Merric. We'll fight together." Marth approached them.

Merric shifted to a stance of attention. Wendell bowed to Marth.

"Prince Marth, I am Wendell, a pontifex of Khadein, City of Magic. Our pleas for peace have failed, and Khadein has been taken over by one of the other pontifices. His name is Gharnef, and he and the many mages who swear allegiance to him have allied themselves with Dolhr. Prince Marth, I ask you now: please lend me your help in thwarting his vile ambitions."

"I will, teacher." Marth motioned for him to relax. "Please. Show us the way through these woods."

"Very well," he said. "Come, the road is best by nightfall."