Maribelle and Forrest - From the Same Cloth
(AN: Once I catch up to this Chapter, you'll see 'Day XY')
"YOU ARE NOT MY SON!"
"Ma, just hear me out for a second-"
"Away from me... you... you scoundrel!"
Leo chuckled in amusement as Brady and Maribelle continued their tirade with the priest chasing the troubadour about despite him being on foot. Whenever the future child would get close enough, Maribelle would rear her staff back in attempts to knock some sense into the insistent healer. Of course, being that Maribelle's physical prowess was as lacking as her social graces, Brady didn't have to try too hard to catch right back up.
"What do you make of this?" Xander asked Leo, halting his mount alongside his younger brother's.
"There are many mysteries in the world we share," the Nohrian Prince began, glancing quickly at the Crown Prince of Nohr. "A child bearing obvious similarities to that of his deceased mother is not one of them."
"Selena tells me that this Brady... always has been rather blunt, to the point of arrogance," Xander explained, watching the purple-robed priest chase Maribelle's horse around the area. "Much like the troubadour before us."
"Their noise will attract every bandit and Valmese soldier on the continent," Leo decided, resettling his feet in his stirrups and making way towards the two healers. Maribelle noticed the Nohrian first and, before could Leo could say anything, had rattled off her singular request.
"Ah, Leo darling, would you mind KEEPING THIS BRUTE AWAY FROM ME?"
The Nohrian instantly cringed at Maribelle's rapid shift in tone, but put on a stern face of command nonetheless. With a subtle yet firm hand gesture, both Brady and Maribelle stopped their argument.
"Are we done here?"
"No," both replied simultaneously.
"..."
"...Yes."
"That's better," the Prince sighed, shaking his head while rubbing his temples. "Now... before we alert every living and undead thing within a hundred leagues to our position, I suggest you two lower your tone. Actually, anything short of telepathy or mental osmosis and my head may just split open. Am I clear?"
Maribelle nodded slowly, but Brady crossed his arms, his staff resting against his shoulder.
"Who made you in charge, fancy pants?"
Leo pretended Brady did not just insult his superior sense of Nohrian fashion, instead turning around and riding to the far-side of the village where some of the scouts were patrolling. Looking at the black tuft of hair that clouded his vision, Leo reminded himself that his Hoshidan disguise (to avoid alerting any Nohrian spies in the area) was still active.
"The area is clear, Milord. No sign of bandits, ruffians, Valmese, Nohrians, et cetera," Cordelia called down, her lance dangling lazily by its owner's hip.
"Good. Send one of our fliers back to Commander Robin, tell him to relax. We're just about done here: just a few villagers and homes to attend to."
"Shall I send for our engineering team as well?"
"It would be for the best. Nothing was too severely damaged, I hope," Leo affirmed, looking around and assessing the damages a second time. "It wouldn't be too hard of a job to repair their homes."
With that, Cordelia flew off, arcing over the treeline and back towards the main Shepherd convoy. Leo leaned back in his saddle, watching the remainder of the village begin the slow process of reconstruction. After another glance, Leo let loose a small smile.
"This isn't so bad."
"Where's Prince Leo? I'm up to my head in wounded and this... this buffoon will not cease pestering me!" Looking pleadingly to Xander, Maribelle watched as the High Prince nodded to Selena, who rolled her eyes at the subtle yet blatant request.
"You owe me one, blondie..." Selena muttered under her breath, addressing both Maribelle and Xander with her remark.
Clearing her throat, she meandered up to Brady, wrapping her arm around his neck in a forceful embrace.
"Long time no see, buddy!" the redhead mercenary exclaimed, nodding to Maribelle as she peeled the priest away from his future-mother.
"S-Severa! H-hey! Didn't expect to see ya..."
The two trailed off, prompting the healer to release her held breath into a sigh of relief.
"At last, peace is restored in the land..." Maribelle sighed.
"Pardon Leo's absence, he has other things to attend to. Don't take his neglect of you personally."
"What?" Maribelle gasped, feigning shock, though the notion did leave a tinge of jealousy in her innermost being. "Don't be exaggerating, Prince Xander. I can handle myself without your charming brother's company."
"In that case, I take my leave, Lady Maribelle," Xander responded, shifting his attention elsewhere.
"..."
"Now then-"
"Excuse me?" a new voice interrupted.
"Oh, for the love of..."
Before her stood a young woman, wearing elegant pink fabric not unlike her own. The newcomer's blonde hair was daintily maintained, culminating with a cute pink beret. Shifting downwards, Maribelle noted the woman's pants were slightly muddied, though not quite enough to hide the blood splatters amidst white cloth.
"Oh, you must be one of the villagers," Maribelle observed, changing her tone instantly. "A-are you hurt? Do any of your ilk need assistance?"
"My i-ilk?" the stranger wondered, not sure what the noble had meant by that odd choice of words. Disregarding it, she shook her head and smiled in gratitude.
Her voice is oddly deep for such a darling little girl...
"Oh, my apologies," Maribelle quickly corrected. "Do your friends or family need help?"
"In a way, yes," the woman shrugged. "I know how to use a staff; I was wondering if I could assist you in healing our wounded. You look rather overwhelmed."
"Oh, of course!" Maribelle gratefully accepted, twirling her staff around as she extended towards the newcomer. "It's still got a relatively full charge, though I have more if you need them."
Humming in relief as she reached into her bag to pull out another staff, the noblewoman paused to look at the pink-clad healer.
"Say, I have a question for you, darling, if I may."
"S-sure," the younger cleric responded.
"You're a villager in this... err... village, correct?"
"My tenure has been less lengthy than most, but yes, milady."
What a charming individual! To find such refined manners in the 'sticks,' as Donnel would say.
"That... Brady fellow. What do you know of him?"
At the mention of the name, the healer's face contorted to one of distaste. It was clear that whoever this villager was, she was not a fan of the alleged future-child. Then again, as things were, neither was Maribelle.
"Oh, Brady? He's a jerk is what he is! We showed up around the same time to this lovely little village, and the first thing he does is make fun of my clothes! Then he calls my book weird, and says he's a better violinist than me. Okay, maybe the last part's true..."
"Oh dear," Maribelle tsked. "If he truly is my child from the future, I must beat into that dense skull of his not to insult a lady's-"
"I'm... a man."
"H-huh?"
Maribelle did a double take, looking at the pink clothes that so resembled her own. "B-but... everything about you is so... elegantly composed! Surely you-"
"I appreciate the well-intended compliments, as innocently as you offer them, milady," the healer sighed, "But I'm afraid I am what I am. And as effeminate as my attire may be, a man yet breathes underneath this cloth. I suppose it is misfortune for me to have such... odd tastes for a boy my age. Of any age, really."
"Nonsense," Maribelle disagreed. "There is nothing but the insignificant opinions of others stopping you from enjoying what you do! Besides, being a noblewoman myself, I will be the first to say your taste and your mannerisms are a breath of fresh air in this nauseating swamp of unrefined filth!"
The boy laughed, bowing his head in gratitude at Maribelle's blunt compliment. "Thank you again, milady. You are the first to tell me such uplifting words... And might I dare add to suggest that I find your atmosphere most exquisite as well?"
The duchess curtsied from horseback, reveling in her praise. "I thank you, kind gentleman. But enough compliments for now. Your friends need help, do they not? Well, fear not! Duchess Maribelle of House Themis, serving the common rabble with her talents!"
"Lady Maribelle," the boy repeated, liking the name. "My name's Forrest. Of House Nohr, if that means anything. No one here seems to recognize the name, though."
"Nohr?"
"Yes," Forrest sighed, looking wistfully past the treeline. "I'm afraid I've been victim to a rather unfortunate circumstance." Before Maribelle could respond, another voice interrupted their conversation.
"Hey, there you are!" Brady called back, walking up to Maribelle and Forrest. As expected, Brady was met with both healers scowling at his presence. "Now, before you both clobber me with your rods, hear me out, okay?"
"Make it concise, you beast," Maribelle scoffed.
"Geez, Ma, your tongue holds no restraint for anyone," Brady remarked, before returning to his message. "Anyway, Sevvy just brought it to my attention that you guys are on your way to stop Walhart! Well, seeing how that is, I've decided to join you and the Shepherds!"
"I feared as such," Maribelle groaned. "You may do as you wish. But be forewarned-"
"Yeah yeah, no 'common-rabble' stuff in your presence. Got it. Which reminds me," Brady turned to Forrest now. "You!"
"M-me?"
"We still gotta find your family, right?"
Forrest looked at Brady in surprise, craning his head.
"Y-yes, but I was under the impression that you disliked me-"
Brady appeared offended at the idea, raising his hands in innocence.
"What? Nah. I mean, sure, you have funny clothes and smell more like my mother than one'd expect, but all in all, you're a pretty nice guy! I figured if you joined up with me, Ma, and the rest of the Shepherds-"
"The Shepherds, My Mother, and I," Maribelle corrected, not even missing a beat.
"Right. If you joined up with us, I figured it would make it easier for you to find your family again! Then again, it isn't my call though. Whattya say, Ma? Can we bring Forrest with us? He's a pretty darn good violinist just like yours truly! Though... his literary tastes are a little weird."
"I doubt your violin facility is remotely near impressing me," Maribelle scoffed, "But as for you, Forrest... I'll see to put in a word to the Commander, pull some strings, but I assure you I will secure a place for you in the Shepherds!"
"T-thank you very much! This means so much to me..."
Forrest bowed, meekly smiling as he did his best to hide his tears.
"Aw, c'mon Forrest! Grab your stuff and we're off to save the world!"
With that, Forrest left, gracefully clambering away as fast as his dress would let him. Brady whistled in amusement, turning to Maribelle whom he caught glaring at him.
"I know my first impressions haven't been too great, but Mother..."
"Yes?" Maribelle answered absently.
"I swear that I'll do everything within my power to make you proud of me, just like you were before you... before you... Ahem!" Brady turned rapidly, covering his face with his right hand while nonchalantly batting away tears with his left. "Excuse me..."
"Before I died?" Maribelle wondered, softening up.
"...Yeah. I won't let you die in this world, Mother."
"It's not so much me dying that scares me," Maribelle scoffed, recomposing her gruff demeanor. "But the fact that my own son would so much as exist without knowing the aspects of civilization-"
"Ma, if you wanna hear me ramble about the great thinkers' rhetoric or rattle off Nils' Concerti on my violin, then you'll have to wait till I'm settled in!"
"Rhetoric... Concerti? Do you even know what that means? Or did you find that inscribed on the walls of whatever cave you crawled out of?"
"Ma, you practically shoved philosophy and the rest of society's graces down my throat. I know a thing or two about the finer things. Heck, I even like a few of 'em too, if we're gonna come to specifics."
"Proper grammar was not one of them, that much is apparent. But, I suppose I'll have to make do with what I have. You have potential, at least. A sculptor does not complain about pliable clay."
No matter how disgustingly-
"Thanks, Ma."
"Thank you, Mother."
"Thank you, Ma."
"Thank. You. Mother."
"Mhm."
"I'm assuming, by the silence at least, that things are settled? Or perhaps one of you died without warning me?"
"Oh, your humor never ceases to arouse the coyest giggle from me!" Maribelle laughed, as ladylike as she could manage.
"We're waiting on another, but yes, Prince, we're just fine," Brady responded, not to thrilled at the stranger's familiarity toward his mother. For emphasis, he made sure to add an iota of sarcasm to Leo's title. Ignoring the jape, Leo looked at the lanky priest in curiosity.
"So, you're to join our ranks. I can't say I have anything to look forward to, but a healer is a healer."
"Hey, don't be so-"
"Two healers, actually, my dear prince," Maribelle clarified. Pointing at Forrest who stood timidly behind her, the boy walked into the open, now wearing a small bag and clutching a book in his arms.
"And you are?"
"Forrest, Milord. I'm a-"
"Child of House Nohr," Brady interrupted. "I figured you might know a thing or two about that?"
Ignoring Brady's pretense, Leo looked genuinely surprised at the claim.
"H-house Nohr?"
"You... you recognize the house?" Forrest brightened, looking between Leo and Maribelle in excitement.
"More than recognize... I hail from it! But... how? Are you one of King Garon's children? I always had hope that more children survived the Concubine Wars... Perhaps that Nohr and Hoshido have emerged from the Valmese Sea, maybe you found your way here by chance?"
"Concubine... no, you have it all wrong! My Father was an honest Prince of Nohr! He loved my mother dearly!"
"Prince?" Leo repeated, the claim not quite computing in his sharp mind. "I'm afraid King Garon had no siblings. At least... none of them bore children."
"I don't think you'll believe this, but... I got... teleported here."
"Like... through a portal?" Brady inferred.
"I think so," Forrest admitted. "It comes back to me in pieces, but yeah. I think it was a portal or something that led me from my castle in Windmire to Valm."
"Huh," Leo hummed, rattling through his memory at the other children that had claimed from Nohr in the past. While none of them had any claims or proof of royalty, they all shared some sort of claim to the country itself. Was royalty that far out of the question? "Windmire, you say?"
"Yes. A cold castle with purple-dark skies, but it was the company of others that warmed my spirits, not the climate."
"He has the description right," the Prince noted.
"But this doesn't make any sense," Brady noted. "I would've known if you came through the portal with us. You... didn't."
"Do you know your parents' names, by chance?" Leo suggested. Forrest shook his head.
"I'm afraid not, Milord. All I have is this."
Timidly, the blond stretched out his arm, extending the brown and purple tome in his hand towards Leo.
"See, told ya he reads weird stuff," Brady groaned, rolling his eyes at the foreign-looking text. Maribelle craned her head at it, swearing she had seen that specific cover before.
Wait.
"Isn't that..."
"Brynhildr?!" Leo confirmed, pulling out his own copy of the same text. "The Holy Tome of Nohr. Last I checked, there were no 'Holy Tomes' of Nohr."
"Is that what this is called?" Forrest wondered, "I can't read a single word of this. I wasn't even aware this was a tome!"
"Never mind that," Leo said worriedly, "Where did you get this?"
"My father gave it to me, from what little I remember," Forrest reminisced. "I remember... him telling me to run... he told me to run away and keep this safe, because one day I'll need it to save the world. And judging by Brady's story, I don't even know where I am anymore..."
"So, you came through a portal, like us then? Maybe..." Brady pondered the thought, before suggesting his own theory. "Maybe this isn't your world. I wouldn't doubt if Naga would let just the small group we had through and shut it right after, right?"
"Are you suggesting I'm from the same world as you, Brady?"
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. What I am suggesting is that the world we're in now, the ground we're standing on... it ain't ours. This timeline, this... existence, it isn't our own. We're here to save it, to save our future."
"So... you're saying that I'm not even in my own timeline anymore?
"..."
"..."
Another voice spoke up, clear and strong in comparison to Brady and Forrest's timid discourse.
"No, you're not. This isn't your world and this isn't your time. You were forced through a portal, and it spat you out into a world that seems to have nothing to do with you."
The four blondes turned, seeing Commander Robin and the Shepherds waiting patiently at the treeline.
"But..."
Robin stepped forward, continuing his explanation. Holding Kiragi's version of Fuujin Yumi in one hand and Takumi's Fuujin Yumi in the other, he gestured likewise towards the two Brynhildrs across from him.
"You're in the right one nonetheless, Forrest, future Prince of Nohr."
AN: Welcome back me! And welcome back to you devoted and new readers. As you can tell, I've had a bit of trouble reordering the chapters of this fic (Everytime I switch around a chapter the story bumps itself to the top of the archive, much to my distress and the readers' disappointment.) Overall though, the rework process is in very good stride. I'm somewhere in the 30's now as far as chapters that are up to my established canon. Unfortunately, I've had to make some changes which, when the time comes, I'll have a filler/monologue chapter where Grima (the current acting Robin) explains his plan and goes over the divergences from the game's plot. Here they are for reference, just in case the Ch. 1-27 haven't been too clear with the proper context.
1. Emmeryn is dead as in dead dead now.
2. Scarlet and a good number of the recruitables have yet to join with the Shepherds (as such, the Scarlet and Emerynn chapter was replaced with Orochi's (To Die Smiling) chapter of explaining the Dream-Spell that Iago has used against Robin and Corrin. Be forewarned that that one isn't in its intended place either. Sorry to the anon who requested that one. You can request another one and I'll see how to work a filler chapter into the plot.
3. There are no Deeprealms; all the children-units are from the future. (The Ophelia and Soleil chapter have been updated to show such developments) but as of the date of upload, The Justice Cabal arc still has inconsistent information which I'll update soon when I get to those chapters. Sorry Midori and friends. You'll have to wait a bit longer to have a validated existence.
4. The story flows mostly chronologically now, with flashbacks and jumps (and every chapter in general) being indicated by 'Day XY' prefixes. Various Lore-building and worldbuilding chapters are being planned to be inserted between various arcs (To Die Smiling) for example
5. Grima is still plotting behind Naga's back to win the war through his own means, but still has his deathwish of wanting to end his immortality of being the Fell Dragon
6. Anankos is a thing still
7. Will explain how Grima has set all the pieces in place, including Morgan, the future children, and Robin and Corrin's kidnapping.
8. More to follow the more inconsistencies I have to revise. I'm coming up with a filler chapter where many of the child units already in the Shepherds (Justice Cabal and future kids) are recruited, adding to the army's confusion. Think of along the similar realm of world-building as the Orochi chapter titled To Die Smiling
