I figured it was about time I dabbled in some Three Houses fanfiction. This story is simple and ever so slightly romantic. I put it together in a couple of hours. Let me know if you enjoy it or you'd like to see more. I decided to focus on creating a simple protagonist and focusing on interactions this time.
Oh, and if you're looking for an epic Fire Emblem Fates tale to read, why not check out A Night with Corrin - another story of mine focused on a Hoshidan swordsman and the dragon princess. Anyway, let's begin. Shall we?
Songstress
The world is bound by a fragile peace between three mighty kingdoms. I never believed such trivial matters would ever mean anything to someonw like me. After all, I'm nobody important - just a common-born lad of the Leicester Alliance; the son of common parents and humble birth. My ma's a simple dressmaker and my father's a baker. He makes bread for the kitchens of House Goneril. I imagined I'd follow in my old man's footsteps and take up the family trade. So you can well imagine my surprise when he one day slapped a big old bag of gold on the table at dinnertime.
"Son," he told me with a proud smile. "It's your eighteenth birthday. Me and yer mother have been talking for a while now. Fer years we've been setting aside money for the day you came of age. A long time past we reached a decision, you see. We decided that if he ever had children, we wanted them to have better lives then we did. That said, we're sending you to the fancy academy at Garreg Mach Monastery."
I damn near dropped by teacup when I first heard the news. "G-Garreg Mach? You sure about that, dad?" I asked with wide eyes.
"Sure am!" my old man answered warmly. "You've always been happier with a sword than a rolling pin. . Become a bodyguard fer a noble. Live well. Heck, or just aim for the starts, laddie. Above all else... be happy."
Father's dearest wish is for me to be whatever I choose to be; to grow into a man unbound by the ways of class. Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate it 'n all, but I've felt outta place since arriving in Garreg Mach. It ain't my classmates making me feel unwelcome or anything. Oh no, not at all. Sir Claude's a welcoming fellow, always easygoing; and a fantastic schemer to boot.
Not to mention our professor Byleth - she's an encouraging and friendly enough lady. I dare say my heart thunders just looking at her.
But I just... I feel like don't feel like I belong in a place like this. Most of Garreg Mach's students are noble sorts; Heirs and heiresses. They're either born and raised bluebloods, or devout followers of Seiros. I'm neither of those things. I'm a lad who's spent too much time training with the soldiers at Goneril barracks when I should've been kneading bread for the ovens.
I've not made a single friend since arriving here, either And I'm one of the oldest first year students too. I dunno. I don't wanna let Pop down after all he's done for me. But maybe... Maybe I ain't cut out for this. I feel out of my depth.
I need to get out of my room; a walk will clear my head.
Taking a deep breath, I rest my sword on the rack beside my door. It's usually calm by the lake this time in the evening. Might be a good chance to squeeze in a spot of fishing before the monks call curfew too. Heck, it's a finer idea than sitting here and feeling sad for myself. I ain't the sort who enjoys getting weighed down by my feelings. It's a problem I've never been good at solving.
Sunset's lovely orange glow makes the water's surface sparkle. Fish are swimming and flopping about. Then there's the cool breeze; it works wonders at steadying my thoughts. There are plenty of nice things here in the monastery if a fella knows where to look. The waterfront is one of them - without a doubt.
Taking in the lovely scenery for all it's worth. Then I sigh "Sorry Father... I'll do my best 'n make sure I don't Ma down."
I've gotta keep on here and do both my folks proud; Even if I am a commoner among nobles. And even if I don't have much in the way of friends. A man needs to keep his pride intact of nothing else.
A girl's sobbing carries over the breeze. She sounds well and truly heartbroken. I look off in the direction of the sound. And that's when I see her with my own eyes. A tall lass with smooth, curly brown hair and a gentle, snowy white complexion. She gazes tearfully into the sunset, holding a black cap to her chest. Her skirt uniform and leggings appear scruffy and creased.
Has she been hanging around her all day?
It's not my place to go prying into her business, but her crying is utterly heartbreaking all the while. I've always hated seeing women wrought with anguish. My older sister poured her heart out for weeks on end when her husband-to-be went off to fight the Almyrans; poor fella never came home.
If I can do something to ease this lassies' pain (no matter how small) I gotta try.
"Excuse me, Miss," I begin softly, heading on over. She dries her eyes hastily as I join her; she looks pretty darn panicked to see me. I do hope I didn't intrude. "Is everything alright? I simply couldn't bare it; hearing you so beside yourself."
Her lips rise into a weak smile. "I am now," she replies. "B-But don't let my problems bother you. I'm just lost in my head again... It's a habit of mine." The girl puts her cap back on, dabbing away the tears with a handkerchief from her coat pocket. "T-Thank you for checking on me all the same."
The girl bows politely in thanks. "My name's Dorothea," she introduces herself with a fragile smile. "I'm part of the Black Eagle House - the only commoner. But I'm sure you've heard of me before. Most around these parts have."
I rack my brains and give her name some consideration. My mind runs a blank no matter how deeply I think.
"Sorry Miss, but no," I say with shake of my head, "I Can't say I have; I'm just the son of a baker. Spent most of my life tucked outta the way in Goneril. My old man serves Miss Hilda's family from time to time."
I don't know why I went and blurted out so much of my family life; I just I had to say something. It feels mighty silly coming over to a young lady as demure as Dorothea without much to say. The Last thing I want is to sound like a blithering idiot.
"O-Oh... Is that so?" Dorothea chuckles, much to my surprise. Then she reaches out and clasps my hand. She's soft and warm. The feeling reminds me of a girl I once took to the fair back home. "Color me surprised. You haven't heard of the Mittlefrank Opera Company at all?"
"Can't say I have," I answer. Most of my time as a young lady was focused on swordplay and kneeding bread; everything was fairly quiet until I got here."
"I see, I see," Dorothea nods understandingly. "Then tell me," she continues, giving my hand a comforting squeeze. "What's your name? I haven't seen you around before. You'd think I would've; a Strapping fellow like yourself. And with such sharp features and wavy black hair. Gosh," she utters in a slightly smaller voice, her cheeks reddening, "I've been missing out on the good ones."
My heart kicks in my chest. It's been a real long time since a lady's said something so sweet to me. And especially one so darn beautiful.
"Rolan. Rolan Gesalt," I tell Dorothea with a smile. " A Simple and boring name, I know. Got it from my grandfather."
"Well then, Rolan..." Dorothea brings my hand against her cheek. She smiles warmly and flutters her eyelashes; I feel hot under the collar. "You've been a real sweetheart. Not many men care about a girl's feelings instead of her looks. Your concern means a lot to me."
I can't help but get lost in Dorothea's eyes. The longer I look at her, the harder it gets to pull away. I could stay with her like this until the midnight moon rises high into the sky. Even so... I have to keep my senses. "Why were you crying, Dorothea? You sounded so upset..."
"Don't fret over little me," the singer answers softly, inching her face closer to mine. "I just worry, that's all. Will an urchin girl like me ever find her place in this big old world? It's a question I ask myself all too often these days," Dorothea sighs. And it gets me down sometimes."
"I think a lady like yourself should strive for whatever she wants," I tell Dorothea from the heart, to reassure her. "And you shouldn't cry, either... Whatever troubles darken the day, It's a terrible waste to let them spoil things for you. And especially when you seem so kind."
"T-Thank you, Rolan."
"Don't worry about it. You could've ignored me when I came over here. But you didn't."
"I-I'm kind," Dorothea recites my prior words at a whisper. Then coils her arms over my shoulders and cuddles me to her chest tightly. I breathe in her perfume; my head swims at the peak of delight. "It's nice of you to sweet-talk me, but be careful which girls you choose around here. Flatter the wrong one and she might just break your heart, myself included."
"A risk I couldn't care less about," I answer. Hardly anyone's given me the time of day since I arrived at the monastery. So- I suppose what I'm saying is-" I pause nervously, "I'm grateful to have bumped into you out lhere. I won't forget it. Thank you for talking with me tonight Dorothea; for being my friend."
Dorothea holds on tightly; it's almost like she's afraid to let me go. "You're welcome," she whispers.
For the longest time we stay together like this, joined as one.
"I could kiss you for being so sweet, Rolan," Dorothea tells me with an affectionate undetone. But she backs away despite her words.
Shr then brushes works through some of the creases in her jacket and bows as though she's going to leave. I return her polite gesture.
Dorothea then pauses however. Raising a finger to her chin, she ponders. "Rolan. Might I have a moment more of your time?"
"But of course," I nod approvingly. "What do you need, Dorothea?"
"A question, actually. If I weren't attractive... would you still welcome me? Even if I were plain and boring, would you listen to my problems?"
I don't need to think twice to find my answer. "I certainly would. You've been kind to me today, and that's what matters more than anything to me. And besides, that's three questions," I add with a smirk, folding my arms behind my back.
Dorothea smiles cautiously, almost hopefully. "And you'd still be my friend, even if I had nothing to my name...?
Another question I've no issue answering. "A person's possessions aren't the be all and end all, so yes, I would. My Ma's a seamstress; she was lovely enough to be a noble consort when she was younger. And she still married my father in the end, a wanderer with little to his name."
Dorothea bows graciously, her cheeks flushed pink. "I prayed you'd say something like that, Rolan. "Men like Lorenz and Sylvain could learn a lot from a gentleman like you. Now, you have a lovely rest of your evening; It's been a pleasure meeting you." She blows me a kiss. "Take care..."
Without another word, the mysterious girl turns and heads off in the direction of the dorms. I'm left alone in the moonlight. And for the first time in so long, I feel strong and hopeful. There are some kind people here at Garreg Mach after all.
"I hope I see you again, Dorothea," I utter near-silently, my heart thumping in my chest.
Something about the girl makes me light-headed.
I breathe in and out to steady myself. Then I sigh.
"Steady there, Rolan," I caution myself with a chuckle, "you've just met her..."
Although, poets say chance meetings awaken new perspectives. A sentiment I agree with after tonight. Being here at Garreg Mach is my one chance to change things. I doesn't matter if I don't belong. All that matters is I succeed.
To be continued...
There you have it. Another tale comes to a close! Did you like it? Would you be interested in more stories in future? Feel free to leave some feedback and share your thoughts. Until next time, keep on supporting Fire Emblem. See you again soon!
