The Worth of a Name
Day 2, morning
"You know, Prince Xander... I've been thinking of my time in Nohr."
"I fail to see how philandering, especially that of your caliber, is a thought-provoking thing."
"Do bear with me milord, but I'm not only serious, but a taken man, I'll have you know. Or must you walk in on me and my lovely Felicia exchanging sweet nothings again? Anyways... I have a question, if you have the time to listen."
Chrom walked past the two Nohrians, nodding to his son and the blond prince before turning his head to hear their conversation. Seeing as they stopped talking, Chrom raised his hands in neutrality.
"I'll go if I'm intruding, Prince Xander." After a quick glance to Xander, Lazward quickly shook his head.
"It depends on the topic," Xander answered, balancing himself along the stone of the Ylissean walls that felt so much warmer than those in Castle Windmire. "But this is your castle. You are free to listen to what and whom you please."
"Don't worry about Prince Xander, Father. I'm just having some thoughts... It's about my time as an Ylissean prince," Lazward explained, "It... was rather short-lived. Not entirely my fault, considering there was barely a kingdom left by the time I came of age. But still, with my older sister- with Lucina, the reigning figure, I kind of played second-fiddle and did not have any tangible role. Well, not like Lucina had any more responsibility, but my point still stands."
"What of it?" Xander replied, his tone considerably more parental.
"Compared to my time as a prince, looking back at it now, I would have rather lived the life of service. Admittedly, to you, Xander." The Nohrian nodded slightly, smiling but at the same time worried for his retainer. A dull mood did not suit Lazward in the slightest.
"Why the sudden appreciation of your station? You are my brother in arms just as much as you are my friend. And now, as a prince, you are surely my equal in any term of status." Lazward shook his head.
"I never knew how to live a princely life. But one in service of others? Dancing, laughing, spreading smiles and cheer wherever I go? That is a life I would rather live. Mother taught me the joys of a life like that."
Xander found himself agreeing with Lazward's outlook. The life as crown prince was rather stressful, and he was often jealous of Peri's absentmindedness or Lazward's easygoing affability.
"Why tell me this?"
Lazward shrugged, calmly resting his hand on the pommel of his sword.
"While my true name is Inigo Azure Lowell, second in line to the throne of the Ylissean Halidom, I... cannot willingly accept that mantle, knowing the good I've done as a Nohrian. I prefer the man who was Lazward, retainer to the crown prince of Nohrian royalty, Xander. But at the same time, I cannot disrespect my heritage. While I learned so much and matured so much as a Nohrian... My roots to Ylisse cannot be severed. I can't... I won't let myself abandon my own heritage, as tragic as it was."
"I'm not forcing you to pick a side," Xander calmly replied, placing a hand on Lazward's shoulder. "And if it comforts you to be among your former allies and friends in Ylisse, then I will not stop you. But remember, the Kingdom of Nohr and her crown prince will always be ready to welcome you with open arms, whenever you come by."
"It's not you I'm leaving, milord... I... I plan on staying a Nohrian." He turned to Chrom, eyes close to tearing. "B-but I cannot forget that I'm a prince too. I can't forget that I was your son."
"If it's as a Nohrian you became a man," Chrom offered, "Then by all means, Ylisse will not hold any grudge. Especially the Ylisse you were doomed to live in. You did not abandon me, Inigo. You never disgraced us. If not for your actions, it would have ended in that ruined world. We have hope, thanks to you."
"But Father... Would you leave the country that brought you into this world for a country that raised you up?"
"If you want a good answer... I believe you should ask Corrin," Xander sighed. Chrom found himself smiling faintly at the irony.
"I will not take offence if you would pick Nohr over Ylisse," the Exalt explained. "But remember. Even in Nohr, you are an Ylissean prince. The blood of so many heroes runs through your veins, no matter where that blood flows."
"But I have no merit as a prince..."
"Then be one," Xander laughed, causing Lazward to do so as well. "Lazward, Inigo... There is no difference. There is nothing stopping you from being both a Prince of Ylisse and my dear friend."
Chrom cut in, a coy smile on his face.
"How about... Laslow?" The Ylissean suggested. "That way, you fly both the Ylissean and Nohrian banners proudly, no?" Lazward grinned, nodding at the fusion.
"You just combined both names? But yet..."
"Laslow, Prince of Ylisse, royal retainer to the Nohrian crown," Chrom corrected. "A fine name for a fine young man."
"Laslow... Thank you, Father, Prince Xander..."
"It certainly has a foreign ring to it, but it suits you well, Laslow," Xander confirmed, smiling deeply and resting against the wall again.
"Laslow," Laslow found himself repeating once more. "I... I cannot thank you enough, both of you! You have no idea how much this means to me."
"Well, go ask Lucina if it means that much to you," Chrom laughed. "She's upstairs, I think."
Chrom moved out of the way as Prince Laslow quickly ran up the stairs, a wide grin on his face. Turning to Xander, the Ylissean gave a proud nod in approval to the Nohrian prince.
"I'd put that among my finer moments as Ylisse's Exalt, I'd think."
"And I am proud to call him my friend," Xander replied. "Though... Chrom, what is the current course of action?"
"Our 'Grandmaster' is reviewing the roster of available troops and supplies that we have at our command," Chrom explained. "Once he takes record of all that, he'll call all the leaders for a planning session. As of now, it will consist of himself, myself, yourself, Prince Ryoma, and Princess Corrin. Or should I say... Commander Corrin." Xander cringed lightly at Ryoma's mention, but said nothing of it.
"So be it. Anything else?" Chrom shook his head, oblivious to Xander's recent disdain.
"Nothing of note, no. Though... The Plegian ships will not arrive for another week. I do not know what the Hoshidans are doing, but as far as my Shepherds are concerned, I would prefer to work a sort of group training routine to get a feel of our current status as an army. I'm sure Robin would appreciate that we work seamlessly as well." The Nohrian paused for a brief instant before sighing, slowly nodding his head.
"We are one army, though our past is clearly not worth fighting over compared to the cause at hand. Very well, Prince Chrom. I will arrange for my troops to cooperate with any Ylissean commands. Will that be all?"
"For now, yes."
With that, Chrom left the room, and Xander found Laslow and Lucina entering as their father left. Maintaining his stare just a while longer, Xander relented and let out a sigh, bringing his hand to his forehead.
"While I do not hate these Hoshidans... Forcing us together like this so suddenly is rather bold. Especially from a third party that does not know our history as well as we do."
"My father was... Is... a brash and bold man. You will find Commander Robin to be much of the same," Lucina explained.
"But that doesn't make them any less untrustworthy or thoughtful," Laslow covered. "They know what they're stepping into, forcing us to partner with Hoshido like this."
"So it seems. Well, you heard him. We'll be training alongside your former comrades. Seeing that you are Ylissean, you'll be my liaison between Nohr and Ylisse, among your usual list of duties." Laslow scratched his head, trying to weasel his way out of the awkward situation he was just placed in.
"Actually... I'm only familiar with Odin. Most of the Shepherds here died by the time I came of age. We haven't found most of my friends yet either. As for Luci... she isn't much of a team-player..."
"Do excuse my brother, Prince Xander," Lucina glared, "but if Nohr needs my help, then you shall have my assistance. I cannot thank you enough for helping us with our cause, and it is my duty as your ally to see that your needs are met. I will admit I am more... distant, than the others. But I am certainly capable of being a 'team player' despite my brother saying otherwise."
"I've got an idea..." Laslow brightened, trading glances with both Xander and his sister. "Why don't you two spar in the courtyard where our camp is? Something big like that! Nohr's Prince and Ylisse's future Princess, duking it out with two holy swords and-"
"Inig- Laslow, I am sure we can figure out something more appropriate," Lucina stammered. However, Xander seemed pleased at this idea.
"A show of strength and unity? That seems an excellent plan, Laslow. Princess Lucina, Siegfried yearns for a worthy foe. Her wielder follows suit. Will you accept?"
"...I take it back; Laslow is a stupid name. Okay, Prince Xander. I accept."
