Through Whatever Fate May Bring

by writingshark

She was different, but then again, so was he. While she surrounded herself with people, he remained alone. They were light and dark, two halves of a greater whole, even if they couldn't see it at first. Slight AU.

5. Chapter 5: The Boy and the Wyvern

Although they had worked for peace, it seemed as they struck one evil down, another had risen in its place and Roo found herself looking over a map of Valm only a week after Gangrel had been defeated. "Sheesh, these people," Roo grumbled to herself. "It's like they're scared of doing nothing. Everybody's gotta have a war, it's the latest craze! Half off and a free massacre with every tenth buy!"

Beside her, Robin squawked in agreement. He had gotten bigger, now the size of a large dog. He was also much stronger, having grown out a bit more, but in odd places, like a teenager whose hands and feet were too big for his body. Only the small wing still remained relatively unchanged, folded against his side. "Don't you have friends? There are other humans to bond with besides me, you know," Roo teased as Robin shrugged and put his head on his mother's knee. There was truth in her words in that while Robin visited with the other Shepherds, he never really stayed around them for long, always more content to stay with Roo or train with Gerome. Still, training was not the same as playing and Roo often worried about how her son would grow socially if no one else understood him apart from his mother and trainer. "One day, I guess," Roo sighed, rubbing Robin's head as he cooed softly. "Just don't turn into a sourpuss, ok?"

Looking out over the Shepherds and their daily lives at camp, Roo couldn't help but feel a sense of distance. Most were married and others had been finding loves or companions. Couples were more frequent, sneaking kisses when they thought no one could see them. Even Chrom had been seen with Sumia more, no doubt to her pie dedication, which pleased Roo, as she and Sumia would sit together late at night and devise strategies to which to torment Chrom the next day. The only oddballs were Inigo and Marth, who had the most volatile on again, off again relationship Roo had ever seen, although it may have been due to Inigo settling his eyes a little too long on village maids when he thought Marth wasn't looking. In addition, Gerome, who true to his self-declared nature, stayed away from everyone. Even though Roo had seen some of the younger ladies try speaking to him, he was short and gruff in his responses and they never stayed for long, searching and finding someone more suited to their tastes. It never seemed to bother Gerome, who would continue to ignore them all and train away with his strength building exercises. Roo had once asked him why he was so doggedly focused on his training, but the answer was a short, "to be strong on the battlefield," and she had left it at that.

Despite the sun shining and a nice breeze blowing, Roo sighed irritably and leaned back while sitting upright in her chair. Having the wind blowing through the war council tent just reminded her that she had misplaced her coat somewhere and no one had seen it or knew where it might be. This meant she was walking about camp in strange and hastily bought clothing and several times people had completely missed her presence or some like Vaike, not even recognizing her. She understood what Kellam felt like most of the time.

"Taking the day off?" Chrom's voice said to her as Roo opened her eyes and looked up at him standing behind her, looking down.

"I wish," Roo pouted, pushing her chair around and turning to face him. "Just looking over the plans for Valm. Chrom, we might need some help on this one."

A grim look came over Chrom as he walked around to sit in a chair to face Roo. "I've heard the stories," he said. "Walhart, the Terrible. Walhart the Conqueror. The Undefeatable, the Brave, the Warlord. For once, I would like to hear about Captain Flowers or General Altruism."

"I don't think we'll be so lucky," Roo chuckled. "For now, we just have Mad Kings and Bloody Conquerors."

The laughter died as the sinking feeling they were in for another bloody war settled on them both. "Do you really think we can do this?" Chrom asked quietly so that no one would hear him. "Do you really think…I'm not just becoming my father?"

Roo stopped and looked at him, the same way she always did when she was telling him something important and he had to listen. "You're not your father," she said. "Parents are just examples. They're not rules."

A small reassured snort came from Chrom. "It's a shame you don't want any more children," he said. "Human children, I mean. You'd make a great mother."

"I have enough on my plate, thank you," Roo grinned as Robin irritably snapped his teeth. "Besides, you're one to talk. People are complaining the kingdom doesn't have an heir."

"I'll do all that when I'm ready," Chrom said. "For now…I've got bigger problems on MY plate."

She didn't see it, but Chrom's eyes had flicked over to the training grounds where Gerome practiced his stabs and sweeps. However, Robin had seen and when Chrom turned his head back around, he had to hide his shock as the little wyvern stuck his tongue out at him and then innocently turned away as if nothing had happened.

On the training field, Gerome sighed as he stopped for a short rest, wiping his forehead with his hand. Just a short week and they already found themselves on the edge of another fight and secretly, Gerome was grateful for it. Although he would never admit it, battle gave him a sense of purpose, of a goal, and when he thought about it, he wasn't sure what he would do if peace had come. Would he return to his world, full of ruin and suffering? Would it even still be his world if peace reined in the past? Or, he thought to himself as he looked up to where the war council tent, would he stay where he was?

He could see Chrom sitting with Roo and Gerome turned his head again, only mildly aware of the bitter taste in his mouth. If he stayed here, it would be foolish, he thought. If he stayed here, there wouldn't be a reason to do so.

But still.

Even if there was no one, even if he found himself alone in the end, it didn't change the fact that leaving this world put a weight on his heart that he didn't understand. Gerome was so wrapped up in his thoughts, he didn't even hear the warning signs of an attack until a little roar rang in his ear and he was tackled from behind, the weight of whatever hit him forcing him to a knee.

"Enemy Wyvern Rider defeated!" Roo cackled as Robin stood triumphantly on Gerome's back and shoulders. "Victory is ours! Raise the trumpets!"

A buzzing tune came from Roo and Robin, mimicking instruments as Gerome grinned. "Thanks for the warning," he said to Minerva who turned her head and scratched at her chin, ignoring him. Getting up, Robin jumping to the ground, Gerome smiled at Roo who put her hands on her hips.

"You're super distracted if we can get you like that," she mused. "What the matter? Worried about some girl?"

"Hardly," Gerome snickered back, turning to grab a package from the sidelines. "And don't think this is over. I'm planning a revenge that will crush your forces."

"Ooh! A challenge!" Roo cried out, looking back at Robin as they both leaned back in surprise, mirroring each other. "Well, I look forward to it, sir knight. Your bravery is unparalleled if you think you can get one past-mmpft!"

"Revenge complete," Gerome said, watching as the package he had thrown at Roo's face slid off her forehead and into her hands as she looked at it in surprise. "That's for you."

"Is it a dead mouse?" Roo asked, her voice flat. "I know wyverns think it's some gesture of kindness, but I really-…"

"Just open it!"

Brown paper rustled in Roo's hands and fell away. "Oh…Gerome…" Roo gasped as a familiar purple cloth fell into her fingers. "This is…"

"You didn't look like yourself," Gerome said as Roo held up her old coat, completely repaired and looking as new as if it had just been bought. "Forgive me for holding it from you for so long. It needed some work."

"No, are you kidding me?" Roo said brightly as she threw it over her shoulders. "How can I ever thank you?" Then, smiling at him, "How does it look?"

Having Roo in such unfamiliar clothing had put Gerome in surprising unease. Without her old coat hiding whatever was underneath, Severa had happily picked out more form fitting, fashionable items that made Roo look more like a lady in waiting. He wasn't blind to the looks and surprised eyes of approval whenever she walked about camp and although he felt she should be able to wear whatever she liked, something stabbed at him whenever she stood together with another man, Chrom especially. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought they were together in more ways than friendship, and Lucina's words about not remembering her mother ever since she passed through the gate rang in his head. They could be, his mind told him as he watched Roo point at some map or other, Chrom sometimes brushing his hand against hers. It could be him and not you.

This last thought bothered him the most, and Gerome wasn't quite sure what to make of it. He was supposed to be a lone wolf, a stranger in these lands, but at the same time, the past events with Roo and even sometimes his parents conflicted with the image he wanted to portray. He had hoped with time, such feelings would fade, but it seemed as if they were just growing stronger and Gerome had to fight hard not to say or give his inner thoughts away when he saw either of them, alone or together.

"You look like yourself," Gerome smiled as Roo flipped her hood over her head, reveling in its familiarity. "You look happy."

Another bonus of Roo wearing the coat was that it hid the scabs that had covered her arms where her old gear had torn into her. While the salve did a good job and Roo had written the wounds off as being clumsy, there were still suspicious looks from all but Laurent who was hiding his own bruises when Gerome had stormed into his tent and made it very clear that he would never help Roo make such another contraption again. He had then taken the plans and given them to Minerva to burn, leaving Laurent to come up with a stammering excuse of how he lost them when questioned by Roo who never pursued the suspicious turn of events. It was only when Laurent realized Gerome's actions were out of concern for Roo did the friends resume speaking to each other, although Noire would still give Gerome deadly looks every now and then.

But Gerome didn't care. This moment of watching Roo spin around, a smile on her face made it seem like it was all worth it.

"Enemy Wyvern Riders!" Roo suddenly cried out, looking up at the sky.

"Oh please. I'm not going to fall for that one again," Gerome frowned, but suddenly, Roo leapt for him, tackling him to the ground and Gerome found himself staring up at the shining claws of a huge green wyvern that would have take his head just a second before.

"Man, I just got this thing!" Roo snarled, picking herself off of Gerome and brushing the dust away from her coat. "Gerome!"

No words needed to be said as Gerome launched himself towards Minerva, grabbing an axe on the way. The alarm had been raised and Gerome could see as Minerva took off into the sky, the other Shepherds scrambling for battle positions as the cries of enemy Wyvern Riders swarmed into them.

"Weapons ready!" Chrom shot back, ducking as a Wyvern Rider sailed over his head. "Roo!"

"I'm on it!" Roo called as she dashed for his side, Robin keeping up beside her. "Archers, form a line! Sages behind them! Aim for THAT one!"

Instantly, a string of arrows flew, followed with Elwind casts and the lead Wyvern Rider fell from the sky, arrows sticking out of his chest and his wyvern torn to pieces in the air.

As the battle raged on, Frederick quickly rode up to Chrom who had just struck down an enemy with Falchion. "Sire!" he called. "Their armor is from Valm! These men were sent by Walhart!"

"An act of war then!" Chrom hissed, Roo catching up to his side, Robin right behind her. "Walhart must be confident if he thinks he can just snipe at us like this!"

Suddenly, they all had to duck as a Wyvern Rider sailed over their heads. A familiar cry was heard and Roo looked up to see Minerva tear towards the Rider who had just passed them by. She smashed into the Rider, tearing at the enemy wyvern with her claws and teeth, Gerome on her back, slashing at the rider before they broke away, leaving the bodies to fall to the earth.

However, the rider was not yet dead and with his last bit of strength, grabbed a horn at his side and blew – a long dying note before he fell away and hit the ground with a thud.

"Reinforcements coming!" Roo shouted, and as if on cue, several more Wyvern Riders burst from the surrounding woods, sailing into the air and then coming down for the Shepherds, their claws outstretched for blood.

"COVER!" Chrom shouted, and several soldiers threw themselves to the ground, just out of their enemies reach.

There were now too many and the sounds of frantic Pegasus rang out through the sky as Sumia, Cordelia and Cynthia swept to and fro to avoid stabs and slashes that nearly took off their heads. Cherche had returned to the ground to pick up Virion who was shooting arrows as fast as he could, Noire and Laurent giving support on the ground, but there were too many and the Shepherds were growing thin. "Regroup!" Roo called, getting up and rushing out into the open to survey the land around her. "Get the-AUGH!"

"ROO!" Chrom screamed as he watched helplessly as her body was torn from the ground by a wyvern's claws. "NO!"

Hearing Chrom's cry, Gerome turned his head to see and his heart froze as he recognized the small figure in the enemy's hand. With a cry, he spurned Minerva towards them, but he was too far and the Rider was too fast, already gaining an updraft to help him escape.

Struggling against her captors, Roo suddenly realized they were starting to climb higher and higher into the sky. "You're the one!" the Valmese soldier growled down at her as Roo looked up at him in horror. "The tactician! I'd recognize that coat anywhere. Lord Walhart will be pleased to have you delivered to him!" A wicked smile grew over his face as he stared into Roo's frightened eyes. "Or maybe I should just save him the trouble and drop you to the ground."

The claws opened and for one horrible second, Roo hung in the air, completely alone before she felt her body fall, watching the ground rush up to her. In her side view, she could see Gerome and Minerva, speeding towards them and thought she could faintly hear her name from his lips and his hand reaching desperately for hers, but he was too far. Too far, like everyone else busy with their own battles to help and she knew as she closed her eyes, this was the end.

Suddenly, an unfamiliar roar burst through the air and the last thing the enemy Rider saw was a flash of light and a large white wyvern speeding down towards the tactician he had just dropped from the sky.

Ahead, Gerome's eyes went wide as the white wyvern shot like a rocket towards Roo's body. The wyvern turned and Gerome could see the distant form of its rider, standing on the wyvern's back instead of seated, pluck Roo from out of the sky before the wyvern turned and blasted over Gerome's head towards the battle.

It was so fast, Gerome wasn't even sure what he was seeing as the wyvern ducked and rolled through the air at speeds he wasn't even sure Minerva could do in her youth, the rider casting fireballs and swinging an axe, knocking man after man out of the sky. It wasn't long before the enemy had been vanquished, only a few survivors turning tail and running back to their base of operations and the Shepherds found themselves staring in awe at a glimmering white wyvern, roaring triumphantly.

"Roo!" Chrom cried out as the white wyvern landed gently to the ground. However, Chrom suddenly stopped dead in his tracks and took in a deep gasp.

The rider stood silently, holding Roo's unconscious body in his arms, but as the Shepherds gathered around, whispered began to flurry through the crowd. As Gerome landed, finally getting a closer look at the rider, he could see why.

A young man, standing strong and proud on top of a wyvern whose wing on one side was smaller, a mechanical extension strapped to his side to expand out into a full sized matching wing with golden eyes, faced them. The man was standing in a saddle that allowed him to be on both feet, free to move about.

However, what shocked him was the same familiar purple coat that he wore, the same markings, the same patterns, if only a bit faded in color, and as Gerome noted, the same patches and seams that he himself had given to Roo just moments earlier. Throwing back his hood, the man frowned down at all of them, his blonde hair blowing through the breeze. "Who are you? Friend or foe?" he demanded, using a free hand to reach for a tome, the other clutching Roo to his chest protectively. "Answer me, or I'll torch you all!"

"Torch nothing!" Chrom snarled, brandishing Falchion. "Let her go this instant or I'll-…!"

The spell was cast and the Shepherds cried out as a fireball raced towards Chrom. Swiftly, Gerome flung Minerva in front of the prince, swinging his axe so that the fireball reflected off the blade and hurled itself towards the young man, whose eyes went wide with shock.

Suddenly, the white wyvern roared and swept his good wing, reflecting the fireball up and away from the people where it dissipated into the air. Turning back, Gerome felt the wyvern meet gazes with him and Gerome recognized the way in which its eyes fell through him, the same soul searching stare he had seen in only two others before.

"Robin," Gerome whispered and the older wyvern growled softly and tilted his head.

"Robin?" Chrom echoed as Gerome slid down off of Minerva. "Who's Robin? You mean this Robin?" he pointed to the smaller dragon who was staring up in frozen awe at the larger one. The realization hit Chrom like a sharp blow to the head and he snapped his head around to study the newcomer more closely. "You mean…" he gasped.

Noticing Chrom meeting his gaze, the older Robin snarled, deeply and dangerously, showing razor sharp teeth and his rider pulled back on his shoulder. "Easy there, brother," the young rider said. "We don't know if it's him or not."

Immediately, Chrom sheathed his sword and took a more passive stance. "My name is Prince Chrom of Ylisse. I'm the head of the group known as the Shepherds. Please…that woman…she's one of us. I beg of you, don't hurt her."

A look of shock crossed the young man's face. "Hurt her?" he echoed. "Never. This is our mother."

It would have been humorous from an outsider's point of view, but all mouth's dropped open in shock as they stupidly stared at the young man. Then the crowd exploded with questions, comments, whispers and it took a mighty roar from the white wyvern to drown them into silence. "Listen…whoever you are," Chrom continued, "We're friends of your mother. Surely you would know us?"

At this, the man frowned. "I'm sorry, I don't remember," he said, a snarling growl from his wyvern, agreeing.

"Then just stay with us until she wakes," Chrom protested, trying to hide the urgency in his voice, cautiously stepping closer. "I swear no harm will come to you both. We just want to make sure she's alright and then we'll work on whatever we have to from there."

Another dangerous snarl came and Chrom jumped back to avoid teeth taking off his arm. "Hey!" the man snapped as the wyvern looked up at him. "Don't be an ass!"

An indignant snort followed and the wyvern turned his head. Rolling his eyes and shaking his head in disapproval, the man turned his attention towards the Shepherds. "My name is Morgan," he said. "This is Robin. I'd say where we're from, but…couldn't. Having some head trouble."

Suddenly, Roo's body began to shift and Morgan turned his attention to her. "Oh, good," Morgan said as he looked into Roo's opening eyes. "You're awake."

Immediately a scream came from Roo's mouth as she struggled against Morgan's grip. "Get off, get off!" she shrieked, Morgan letting her go as she fell to the ground. "I don't know you! Oh god, I don't remember…!"

"Roo!" Chrom cried, reaching for her, but froze as he watched Gerome leap from Minerva's back and rush to her side, the young Robin following closely behind.

"Shhh, it's alright," Gerome whispered, gently taking Roo's shoulders into his hands. "Just breathe. You do remember. You know us. You know me."

The panic in her eyes faded and Roo stared up at Gerome, sinking into his hand when he placed it softly on her cheek. "Gerome, oh god, I remember…" she gasped. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Gerome said as he moved aside to let the young Robin reach up and embrace his mother in a tight, reassuring hug. It was then that he saw the look on Chrom's face, just a flicker before it faded away, distracted by Frederick whispering something into his ear. The look was something dark, almost evil, and Gerome felt as if this newcomer who had called himself Roo's son, who had hair that a pairing of Roo and Chrom would never achieve, would only bring bad news.

Nervously, Morgan and the older Robin had been watching, concern in their eyes, but they were calm, as if they had seen this many times before. "Mom…?" he said softly and Roo turned to face him, an irritated look on her face.

"Who are you calling 'mom'?" she snapped and Morgan could only give her a nervous smile.

---

There was no denying the older Robin being who he was, the small wing being pretty conclusive evidence. It seemed like in this world and time, it wasn't unusual for people to find children of their future, but now that it was happening to her, Roo found it a bitter truth to swallow. "I can't say I can accept it right away," she had told Morgan and tried not to feel too much pity for his crestfallen gaze. "But…I guess we can pretend family for now. At least until I get things straightened out in my head."

That seemed to brighten his spirits and Morgan quickly dashed over to his wyvern to tell him the good news. It seemed between the two, Morgan was the talkative one, bright and curious about everything, especially since he had lost his memory. He seemed to follow everyone everywhere, helping however he could and soon became one of the most well-liked members of the team. He was happy, friendly and everything he did from training to eating seemed to have a drive that rivaled even Kjelle's. Morgan clearly took after his mother; the same laugh, the same untamable hair (color aside,) the same sense of sarcastic humor that had gotten him in trouble with Maribelle more than once. Even how he rode Robin through the sky – standing up – reminded everyone of Roo and her horse, although Roo hadn't gotten the hang of riding the older Robin and fell continuously. "It's ok, you'll get it," Morgan told Roo as he helped her off the ground. "In this time, Robin's not even big enough to carry you. You haven't had the practice like the future you had."

This didn't stop either of them from bursting out of the camp on their days off, poor Frederick now having to duck twice, once to the side and once more for above.

On the other hand, the older Robin was distant and quiet, a hint of sullenness about him. He stayed away from most, content to wait by Morgan's tent as Morgan dashed his way through his day or sit in the shade just on the borders of the camp. "He reminds me a bit of you," Roo joked with Gerome who growled and promptly ignored her for the rest of the evening. The older Robin only showed any kindness when his brother or his mother were involved – nuzzling their heads gently or nipping softly at hair – and for whatever reason, showed intense hatred towards Chrom, glowering at him, teeth showing or stomping away whenever Chrom came near. This antagonism also seemed to extend to Lucina and Cynthia, although to a lesser extent.

"It's because of his hair," Morgan said to Roo when she asked him about the bigger wyvern's bad temper. "We don't remember much, but he's convinced someone with his hair did something bad to us. To you."

"Chrom wouldn't hurt me," Roo replied confidently, but the older Robin snorted and looked away.

The one thing the brothers had in common was the love for their mother and Roo found it difficult to keep her initial strategy of keeping them at arms length when they brought her flowers, studied books and strategies together and had a game they called, "Double Hug Team" when the older Robin nuzzled Roo from one side and Morgan latched onto her from the other. "We used to do it more when we were smaller," Morgan said. "But even though we're older now…we missed it."

Despite all the perks, the worst thing about their reunion was, unknowingly, Morgan himself. The bright blonde hair on his head was a stark contrast to his mother's black and as far as anyone could remember, most parents who had dark hair also passed it to their child. Rumors once again whirled about camp and although Roo did her best to keep Morgan away from them, a hurt look still crossed his face every now and then. "I don't remember my father," he said sadly. "Neither does my brother. I wish we did. I even tried bashing my head into a wooden post. Do you think a stone wall would work better? Robin suggested it."

Roo had sighed and ran a hand down her face, feeling the beginnings of a migraine take hold. Morgan's almost frightening drive to remember his father coupled with the fact that most all of the blonde haired men in the camp had been married off or were with someone else, whispers of a secret lover came about and Roo had a hard time getting through a day without a headache.

However, Roo and Morgan weren't the only ones hurt by whispering hisses. Gerome found himself in the fray as well, soldiers whispering about how his constant presence around Roo and her newfound family would someday affect whatever blonde suitor Roo would possibly leave him for. Headaches came much more easily, and Roo and Gerome often compared who had it worse. Even so, he kept a diligent eye on all of them, such as when he was helping Laurent take inventory of their weapons while Morgan, delighted that his older brother was now also his younger brother, played with the younger wyvern in a distant field while the older one looked on. "So the young one is Robbie and the older remains Robin?" Laurent asked, noting the yearning look on his friend's face. "Very astute. I believe you came up with that moniker yourself?"

"No. And we need nine swords."

Laurent shrugged, knowing the truth, but decided it was best to leave things as they were. "Gerome, forgive me, the number has slipped my mind, but how many swords did you mention we needed again?"

"…Five."

Looking down at his notes, Laurent sighed as the number six written by the words, "swords needed" stared back at him. "There is something you wish to ask me," he said quietly so that only Gerome could hear, "Yet I feel as though something is preventing you from doing so. I do not wish to remind you, as I trust you would already possess such knowledge, that we are friends and such secrets do not need to be hushed over." There was no argument and Gerome let his shoulders sag in defeat. Laurent frowned. "You wish to know if I believe in the possibility in Roo giving birth to the future Morgan out of wedlock," he deduced. "Hence, explaining the boy's curious hair color…and why it is not, to say, blue."

Gerome shot Laurent a vicious look and Laurent's hands raised themselves in defense. "I mean a dark blue!" he stammered out. "Such as Prince Chrom's, or Lucina's! Oh my, that last example doesn't sound biologically possible…perhaps Virion?"

A snarl told him he had taken a step too far and Laurent shut his mouth. "I don't mean any of that!" Gerome spat, Laurent hoping this encounter wouldn't end up like the last time Gerome was mad at him. "I mean…the way things happen traditionally…"

Trailing off, Gerome sighed, unable to finish, but Laurent frowned in understanding. "You mean her status in our customary restrictions," Laurent said. "Gerome, an unorthodox individual such as Roo would not be affected how others perceive her, at least not to a damaging extent according to my observations. It is irritating, perhaps, but as she says in her own words, 'they can all shove it.'"

Hearing the familiar phrase caused a smile to break out on Gerome's lips as he looked up at the war council tent where Roo had fallen asleep, or more possibly, resting in her usual odd position of hanging her feet on the bench and her back to the ground.

"They CAN all shove it," Roo said to Gerome, who seated himself properly beside her. "That's such a silly thing to me anyway. Marriage and THEN children. When did life have to have a guidebook?"

"Then you don't believe in tradition?" Gerome asked as Roo looked up at from the ground.

"No, I'm not saying that," she said. "I'm just saying things happen. Sometimes events are unplanned. Whether you want kids should be on an individual basis and if the choice is right for you, traditionally or not. As for me…I've got kids falling out of the sky, hatched from eggs and trying to kill Chrom every time his back is turned. I think I'm good." Smiling up at Gerome, "Why? Do you want kids?"

At this, Gerome let out a pondering sigh and looked into the distance. "Perhaps one day," he said. "But I must agree with our current child status. Training Robbie is enough."

"Our?" Roo echoed, a surprised look on her face.

Immediately, Gerome's neck went red and Roo figured much more besides that was hidden under his mask. "Your," he quickly corrected. "Forgive me, I didn't mean…Robbie is…"

Roo couldn't help but smile at the nickname Gerome had given her youngest son. It was in times like this, when it was dark and everyone else was asleep that they found the chance to sit together, chatting idle thoughts, serious discussions, or whatever came to mind. Sometimes they didn't speak at all, perfectly content with the other's company, and if Roo fell asleep, she would find herself waking in the familiarity of her room or if Gerome finally found rest, he would have a blanket around his shoulders in the morning. "Don't worry about it," Roo said, settling back down. "You spend just as much time with him as I do. You've trained him to be an impressive fighter and he loves you, I know he does. You're as much a father to him as anyone could be."

A light sigh of relief came from Gerome. "Thank you," he said quietly.

"Come to think of it, Morgan might want to watch you, as well," Roo continued. "After all, he was practically raised by Robin, so he says. It would be natural for Morgan to be curious about what Robbie does." Trailing off, Roo sighed. "What a problem…"

"What problem?"

"Morgan," Roo said sadly. "Forget the whole marriage and children argument. The fact remains, I'm not married or seeing anyone. How is Morgan sired? Have I just not met that person yet? I guess it's possible – Cynthia doesn't know her father. Or maybe…in this day and age, terrible things happen…if he happens to have the same hair or look similar, should I even try to fight? Does it even matter?"

Gently, Gerome moved from his position from sitting next to Roo to moving close so he could look into her eyes. "Do not think that," he said sternly. "Never let a man do what he wants to you if it's not consensual. You have never backed down from anything you dislike, so don't start now." A dangerous ferocity entered his voice, "For if you don't kill him, I will."

Roo's eyes widened, surprised. "Sure thing," she said and Gerome pulled back to resume his original spot.

"I shouldn't have made you think on the matter," he said. "I'm sorry."

A small smile drew itself over Roo's mouth as she held out her hand and closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling as Gerome naturally put his hand into hers. "Don't be."

---

Gerome and Robbie had originally begun training at three days a week, but seeing himself in his much larger, more impressive form, Robbie had pushed himself to join Gerome every day, and Gerome couldn't find the desire to tell him no. "Move your foot left," Gerome said as they worked together, using the flat of his lance to tap Robbie into place. "Good."

Rustle. Rustle. Rustle.

"Hold the lance steady," Gerome said, pushing the training lance higher into Robbie's grip. "Easy…"

"Ow! Bro, stop it! You're stepping on my foot!"

A heavy sigh escaped from Gerome as he ignored a large bush suddenly snap forward and back as if something had been pushed into it from behind. "Dude, not cool!" Morgan's voice very obviously hissed through the leaves. A growl of a wyvern could be heard in response. Morgan let out a groan. "You're such an ass," Morgan snapped.

Another cry from Morgan was heard and he came tumbling out, leaves and twigs in his hair. "Hey! Mom said no shoving!" he shot back to Robin who had casually stood from behind their original hiding spot and stomped a few paces away, sitting down so that his back faced his brother.

"Morgan."

Letting out an, "eep!" and spinning around, Morgan gulped hard as Gerome stared back at him, his arms crossed. "Oh, hey Gerome," Morgan laughed nervously, swinging his arms back and forth to appear innocent. "How's, uh, how's training? Pretty hard stuff, training. Reminds me of when my dad, or I think it's my dad…some man, really, but I guess it wouldn't be mom, so it would have to be dad…anyway, he would take me out to the training grounds behind the house and kick my butt. Yep. Training. It's great."

"You dishonor your family by using such a common term. If you believe it to be so, you should address your father by his proper title," Gerome snapped and Morgan coughed to clear his throat.

"Father!" Morgan corrected quickly. "My father and I trained all the time. Man, I'm bored. Probably could use some training riiiight nooooow."

Gerome gave Morgan a long, slow blink. "Would you like to join us?" he said, speaking in a delayed, deliberate tone.

"Oh gosh, really?" Morgan gasped, his face lighting up. "That would be awesome – um, I mean…sure. Why not?"

Roo's prediction had come true, and Gerome had to give her credit as he grabbed a lance off a rack of nearby weapons and tossed it to Morgan. "Since I don't know your current strength, so how about a light spar? Robbie will observe."

Obediently, Robbie shuffled over to the sidelines where Robin sat. Noticing his new companion, Robin turned his head to look at Robbie who stared back up at him before seating himself so that he imitated Robin with a defiant squeak.

On the training grounds, Gerome twirled his lance and took a fighting stance. "Ready?" he said, a dangerous tone in his voice.

However, the lance fumbled in Morgan's hands and he looked up nervously at Gerome. "I guess I missed the lance day," he admitted. "I remember tomes pretty well – more so since mom has been helping me now."

"Didn't you just say you've trained with your father?"

"I have!" Morgan protested. "Or at least, I think I have. Uh, let's see…axes! That's it! He used an axe." Quickly, the weapon was switched. "Ok," Morgan said. "Ready now."

Gerome could tell that Morgan was more at home with an axe and felt a twinge of surprise watching Morgan take a competent fighting stance, but it was still clear he was nervous about combat. Perhaps it was the distance between fighters that tomes allowed instead of the close up fray of blades that gave Morgan enough confidence to fight in the first place, but Gerome silently mused that Roo might have looked similarly nervous if she ever took up a weapon.

"Begin."

Morgan was pretty good, Gerome would give him that, but… "Your attacks are too passive!" Gerome snapped, striking again as Morgan blocked. "Defensive! I have the disadvantage. Why aren't you exploiting it?"

"Sorry!" Morgan said, blocking another attack, steadily losing ground.

"Don't apologize!" Gerome roared. "Fight back!"

"O-ok!" Morgan cried out, swinging his blade and missing Gerome by at least an arm's length.

Gerome stared in shock at the boy. "Let's stop here for a minute," he said, putting his lance down.

A heavy, disappointed sigh escaped Morgan. "I don't remember too much," he said, "But I don't think dad…" a disapproving look came from Gerome and Morgan coughed. "…FATHER liked fighting and killing. Mom didn't have much of a problem, though." Pursing his lips together, Morgan raised his eyebrows. "No she did not," he said quietly to himself.

Curiously, Gerome tilted his head. "Your mother in your time killed?" he asked. "I've seen you dispatch enemy units before. You clearly do not hold Roo's same ideal, or at least, not as much."

Morgan nodded. "Robin and I talked it over and as for us, we understand this world is dangerous. There are some bad people in this world and we want to defend our family," Morgan frowned, trying to remember. "But I don't remember mom saying she was a pacifist when she was younger like she is now…kinda strange, isn't it?"

"Does she…look the same?" Gerome suddenly asked, not even sure why the words had come out, but it was too late to take them back or stop them.

Morgan closed his eyes to think, a habit Roo had as well, Gerome thought to himself amusedly. "You know, come to think of it, not really," he said. "I mean, it's kind of like, I look at her, and there's mom, but something is…different. Not bad different, just different. Like she's a parallel person. But…that's right, because she is in a different time. Or maybe it wouldn't?" A heavy sigh gave Morgan pause before he spoke again, scratching the back of his head. "Am I making any sense?"

"How did you get here?" Gerome asked again, undaunted. "To this world, I mean."

"The Outrealm Gate. How else?" Morgan replied. "Although I don't remember it being called that before when I was younger. Actually, I don't recall hearing about it at all before I came here. But then again, all of this might be wrong. I'm not the most reliable source."

Curious. Very curious, Gerome thought to himself, his own thoughts trying to make sense of what he had learned, barely hearing Morgan asking him if everything was ok. "Yes, it's nothing," Gerome said, pulling himself back to the present. Deciding it was better to change the subject for now, he continued, "It doesn't matter where you're from. The fact that you have a pitiful excuse of a blade skill is unacceptable. I don't know who your father is, but he should be ashamed of himself if that's all he taught you."

Morgan grimaced. "What about your brother?" Gerome continued, not feeling sorry for his previous comment.

"Oh, he actually got his training from our…father," Morgan said. "He can use an axe and lance too – actually, far better than me. He tried to teach me, but we ran into some…uh, body-type differences."

It was a logical conclusion. Robin stood several heads higher than Morgan and he had learned with wings and jaws, while Morgan simply had his hands. "He can't breathe fire, though," Morgan said, the older wyvern letting loose a growl. "Hasn't figured it out."

This resulting in Robin unleashing a snarl and flicking his tail so that the tip whipped Morgan in the back of the head. "Ow! Hey!" Morgan snapped, rubbing his new bruise. "SUCH an ass!"

"You two should make your own comedy show," Gerome grinned. "But in the meantime, here."

A surprised look came over Morgan as Gerome tossed a lance to him. "I prefer lances over other blades, which is what I am teaching your little brother," Gerome said. "You will find it is difficult to copy, but you may join us and try to learn our technique."

It would be hard to explain the elation that came over Morgan's face as he looked up at Gerome. "All right!" he cheered, holding the lance close. "I can't wait! Although I will admit, I'm a little nervous to face you."

"You should be," Gerome said.

---

It came out so naturally that neither Gerome nor Morgan noticed it, but the first time Morgan had called Gerome "Dad," neither of them realized until hours had past. "Do you mind?" Roo asked Gerome when Morgan couldn't bring himself to face Gerome of his own volition.

Gerome thought about it, looked up, and with a confident voice said, "No."

A pause passed.

"Although I TOLD him not to use such common terms. I have to confess, your allowance of him calling you simply 'mom' is completely unacceptable and undermines MY rules of etiquette..."

Roo huffed softly as an amused smile spread over her and she folded her hands across her chest, letting Gerome rant on.

Training with Morgan and Robbie, sometimes even Robin, continued and Gerome figured Morgan's impressive talent for rapidly learning came from his mother. It wasn't long before Gerome found himself in difficult spars with the two of them, even while he had an advantage by riding Minerva. Robbie was also accelerating at an alarming speed, only hindered by his smaller physical size when pitted against his brothers.

Training together, sitting together during meals, late night talks with Roo and sometimes, if he had the patience for it, spending time with Virion through training or playing chess where a short conversation or two might happen, Cherche and him having tea or sewing the holes in the Shepherd's clothing and Gerome thought of how such a life would have been unacceptable to him just a few short months ago. It was when he was standing with them all together, Morgan and Robin, Cherche and Virion, Roo and Robbie, him and Minerva as they chatted between each other, that he understood, if only a little, what it meant to have a family again.

He felt as if once again, everything was going to be all right as long as nothing came to destroy the perfect balance.

"Morgan," Roo said to her son one morning before the camp had woken up, "Are you comfortable talking about the future? I'd like to know more."

It had caught him by surprise, but Morgan quickly recovered. "Sure, mom," he said. "Ask away."

Roo took in a deep breath for confidence. "What…what was I like?" she asked carefully. "I mean, what you remember?"

Sadly, Morgan looked down. "Not much," he admitted. "But I don't remember the impending doom that Marth speaks of so much, like, none at all. Man, that guy and Inigo really get into it sometimes. Are they dating or something?"

"It's never been announced, but it's a fairly obvious conclusion," Roo said. "However, do me a favor and don't do anything stupid. Whatever they want to do that makes them happy is their business and not yours."

"Yes, mother," Morgan teased. "Actually, that's something that I think is new. We joke together a lot more now than I remember. You were more…quiet, more passive. I mean, don't get me wrong, I remember when you had to get into it, you really got into it. It scared some people."

"Guess it's cause I got older," Roo chuckled, but Morgan frowned.

"I don't know if that was it," he admitted slowly. "I remember…that even though you said you were happy, you always seemed a little sad. Like something was missing, but you couldn't tell me what. Robin thinks it had something to do with dad."

Roo frowned, the tone in the conversation taking a sour turn. "I wasn't happy being married, huh?" she mused.

Morgan looked up at her, his eyes boring into hers. "No. You weren't."

An uncomfortable silence passed. "Now I really wish we knew who your dad was," Roo said, trying to uplift the mood. "It sounds like I'd dodge one hell of an arrow."

"You've never thought about marriage?"

Roo shook her head. "Now, look, I'm only telling you this because Aunt Sumia is involved and she and I both have an understanding," she said, Morgan looking at her curiously. "Some…people (idiots)…have been saying Chrom and I are an item. I just don't feel that way about Chrom, but Sumia does. I don't want you spreading or believing what you should know to be the truth and hurting her."

"Yeah, I figured that," Morgan said. "Anyway, I think Robin would rather eat his own heart than to hear you getting married to that guy. By the way, he lit Chrom's cape on fire again."

A groan escaped Roo and she rolled her eyes. "Again? He can't even breathe fire!" she sighed. "I swear, he's going to arson me out of house and home."

Morgan sighed, unsure of what to say in defense of his older brother, when he happened to look over at the training ground where Gerome was practicing, or rather, should have been practicing and was instead staring straight at his mother. The smallest tilt of his head told Morgan that Gerome realized he had been noticed and he quickly turned as if suddenly occupied with something about Robbie's stance and corrected him sharply. Suddenly, a look of shock came over Morgan as a realization dawned on him. "You know," he said slowly, "Robin never torches Gerome's armor."

A dead silence.

"You stupid kid! You better take that back!" Roo snarled, threateningly shoving her fist into Morgan's face.

"Why? Because you don't like hearing the truth?" Morgan shot back, threatening Roo with his own fist in kind. "I thought you told me truth and justice over all! Where's your god now?"

"You…you little brat!"

"Don't blame me if you're too scared to admit it! Oh, look at the big, scary tactician of Ylisse! Oh, mommy, protect me! Oh, wait, that's you! Darn!"

"I'm gonna…!"

Looking up from the training grounds, Gerome sighed heavily as he watched Roo and Morgan tackle into each other. "It's your turn," he said. Robbie gave a heavy groan and trudged over to break up his mother and brother yet again.

---

This is a bad idea.

"It's a GOOD idea, if you don't mess it up," Morgan hissed to Robin as they sat in Robin's stable room alone, plotting in the cover of darkness. "Look, regardless of who dad is, don't you think mom deserves to be happy?"

This might affect us.

"No, it'll affect me, and I don't care about that," Morgan replied. Taking a breath in and slowly letting it out, Morgan's face slowly melted into a sad frown. "You told me how you also remember mom being sad back home. I…I don't how I know, but I know you're right. Besides, maybe it'll work out."

How?

"Maybe Mom actually dyes her hair and really is a blonde?"

A flat, sarcastic look came from Robin and Morgan threw up his hands in defeat. "Look, just be glad it's not Chrom," he said exasperatedly. "Now will you help me or not? Pleeeeease?"

He could never refuse his smaller brother, especially when he was looking up at him with large, hopeful eyes as he was seeing now. An irritated growl came from Robin as he nodded, grabbing a shovel in his jaws.

---

The next day, Roo opened her tent flap, yawning as Robbie waddled out behind her.

"Mom! Mom, come quick!" Morgan's voice called, his arms waving excitedly. "Over here!"

A frown crossed Roo's face as she stared in confusion at Morgan who excitedly waved his arms again, undaunted by her look. He was standing in the training grounds, Robin sitting behind him with a furious expression on his face, both of them covered in mud. "Morgan, what is it? Half the camp is still asleep," Roo sighed as she headed towards him. "Shouldn't you- whoa!" Stopping short, Roo smiled as she tilted her head in amusement at the carefully disguised grass just on the edge of the training ground's dirt. "A pitfall! Classic!"

"You saw it? But we spent all night on this thing!" Morgan despaired.

"Well, it's nicely disguised," Roo grinned. "But you're out here at this hour and not training? Unusual for Gerome to be late. Speaking of which, where is he?"

A muffled voice from below the grass said, "Down here."

Once the grass had been pushed back, Roo struggled to hold back her snorting laughter as Gerome glowered back up at them, his eyes stabbing into Morgan. "We got him last night," Morgan explained, Gerome letting loose a particularly nasty snarl. "We were just going to drug him asleep, but when he fell in, he hit his head and it did the job for us! It was awesome! But you didn't fall for it, so half awesome, I guess."

"You're doing TWO HUNDRED laps for this!" Gerome fumed as Roo cracked and burst into laughter.

---

"WE GOT IT!" Morgan cackled a few hours later, dashing through the camp and holding something high in his hands, Robin following behind, looking irritated. "WE GOT IIIIIT!"

"Got what?" Roo snapped as Morgan came to a screeching halt in front of her, Robin giving her a sympathetic look from behind Morgan's back. "Oh my gods, is that…?"

"Gerome's mask!" Morgan triumphantly announced, showing high the black shiny mask in his hands for all to see. "It took a mountain of brilliant planning and help from my beloved assistant, Robin, but we got it!"

Roo stared at her son, wondering if he had somehow been adopted. "Why?" she finally demanded.

Morgan shrugged. "He's probably handsome, who knows?" he said. "Come on, we should go see! It'll probably cost me another two hundred of those stupid laps for this, so here's hoping he's a looker!"

"Actually," Gerome said, coming up like Death's shadow from behind Morgan, "It'll cost you five hundred."

All eyes turned and mouths dropped open in shock. "Gerome…!" Roo gasped. "You…"

Gerome simply tapped his face, still covered with his old mask as if nothing had happened. "Spares," he explained. "I keep several hidden around camp for this very reason."

"Oh…" Morgan managed to eek out. "Hey Robin-…"

The wyvern had vanished. Realizing he was alone, Morgan felt his heart sink as Gerome silently loomed over him. "I'm screwed, aren't I?"

"Pretty much," Roo said, clapping a hand on Morgan's frozen shoulder before leaving him to his fate. "I'll save you some dinner."

---

It was in the evening when Gerome angrily strode up to Roo and plopped a blue book on the ground next to her at the war council table. "Here," he said curtly. "Despite his sticky fingers, he took care of it."

"Figured," Roo sighed, leaning her head back into the grass and crossing her feet on the bench. "Gerome, I'm sorry for all this. I was expecting one or two pranks, but not through the whole day."

"Expecting?" Gerome questioned, sitting down on the grass next to her and Roo nodded sheepishly.

"I told him about Chrom and Sumia," Roo admitted. "I didn't want him to hear it from someone else and get the wrong idea. I think that's when he decided to set his sights on you. He wants us to get together."

He could feel the blood rushing up his neck and Gerome was grateful for the darkness and Roo's hood pulled over her eyes. "That would be…" Gerome muttered, unsure of what to say. "Strange…"

"I agree, actually," Roo said, an amused tone in her voice. "It's hard to think of such a thing when we're about to charge headlong into another war."

"It's an inconvenience."

"Not tactically sound."

"Too much to worry about. On the battlefield, anything can happen."

Roo gave a small shrug. "Well, I'm glad we both are on the same page," she said, neither of them catching the hint of sadness in her voice. "Besides, we have another problem." Watching her get up and look at him, Gerome grinned at the mischievous glint in her eyes. "I've been thinking of some crafty strategies," she continued. "Would you be interested?"

"Fighting the enemy together? Very well. Two are more powerful than one," Gerome mused. "What did you have in mind?"

---

The next morning, Morgan awoke bright and early. "This is going to be perfect," he said, stepping out of his tent, a plan already in his mind. "They're never going to see it coming-GAH!"

A flurry of grass and dirt and then Morgan found himself suddenly looking up at the clouds above him, clods of soil still raining down around him. "What…what the…?" he stammered.

Suddenly, a fistful of dirt hit him on the top of the head and Morgan looked up to see Roo and Gerome, dirty and muddy, but with huge smiles on their faces looking down at him. "That's what you get, you little craven!" Roo cackled, dirt falling from her fingers. "The next time you want to want to play pranks on someone, make sure they're not going to get revenge!"

"Enjoy your stay, Morgan," Gerome chimed in. "If we feel compassionate enough, we may allow you to join us for dinner. And I don't need to remind you that I did say, IF."

"Wait, no, you can't do this!" Morgan's cries could be heard coming from the hole in the ground. "Come on, guys! I didn't mean it…!"

Ignoring the protests, Roo brushed herself off as she and Gerome began to walk away. "Another battle brilliantly won," she crowed. "We had to stay up all night digging that hole, but it was worth it to see the look on his face."

"Highly agreed," Gerome said, his grin only broadening. "It was…"

"Fun?"

Stopping in his tracks, Gerome looked over at Roo. Even though her hair was a sticky mess, her clothes, face and hands stained the color of earth, her eyes shone through and into him. "Yes," he almost whispered, reaching out and taking her hand in his without even realizing what he was doing.

"Ahem."

Standing in front of them, Chrom frowned in disapproval as he watched Gerome and Roo's hands break apart. "Roo, when you're done, I need to speak with you," he said, his words souring in his mouth. "But if you're busy, then I can leave you alone."

"If it's important, I'm on my way," Roo said. "Although I should probably clean up first. Ok, quick change, and then I'm on my way." Turning to Gerome once more, Roo grinned again. "Maybe again sometime?" she asked brightly.

"Of course."

Another smile was flashed to him before Roo practically skipped away towards the bathing tents, leaving Gerome and Chrom by themselves, a heavy silence growing between them.

"What are you doing?" Chrom finally asked, his face turning into a scowl.

Two could play at that game and Gerome glowered back, his gaze matching Chrom's. "I don't know what you're talking about," he snapped.

"Roo, that's what I'm talking about," Chrom spat back, his hands tightening into fists. "How long are you going to hover behind her like a wraith?"

"Don't tell me what to do," Gerome snapped.

A hiss came from Chrom. "Then don't just play with her," he said. "Either get married or let her find someone else."

Gerome's eyes narrowed. "It won't be you," he said quietly.

Suddenly, Chrom reached out and grabbed Gerome by the collar, holding him at arm's length, but tension reverberated through him. "Don't tell me what you don't know," he snarled. "I've just kept from exiling you from this camp because I haven't forgotten how you've saved my life from Morgan's flame, but don't think I won't take other factors into consideration!"

"Be careful, Prince," Gerome sneered. "You're starting to sound like your father."

That sent shock running through Chrom like lightning, causing him to release his grip and back away from Gerome. Seizing the opportunity to leave, Gerome quickly turned on his heel, leaving Chrom behind, but the feeling of dread still aching in his heart.

---

"I'm sorry," Laurent said as he stared at Gerome, the beaker of some strange powder still hanging from his hand, just on the verge of dropping. "Please repeat your inquiry?"

A heavy groan came from Gerome as his shoulders sagged and he tightened his arms folded across his chest in irritation. "I SAID," Gerome droned slowly, "How do you…court…someone?"

"Ha…hahaha! Oh, you're serious," Laurent coughed and put down his instruments, trying to ignore the death glare Gerome was giving him. "Well, be as it may, I will always contribute to spreading the joy of knowledge to any who ask it of me. But allow me to quickly counter with a question beforehand…why did you conclude that I was an appropriate resource?"

Another heavy sigh and Laurent had to stop himself from wincing in recoil for the punch he was sure that was coming. "Laurent, you are the most intelligent man I know," Gerome said, his words curt and simple, as if he had practiced them many times before, "You are happily married and you are my friend and comrade. I would just seek your advice-opinion. I mean, opinion."

Pushing his glasses up his nose, Laurent took in a deep breath. "May I assume it has something to do with-…"

"No."

"But surely-…"

"NO."

"Alright! Alright, transparently understood," Laurent sighed. "Well, I can only withdraw from my own experiences on such matters, so I will instruct you to speak from the heart. A poetic display of true thoughts and desires will surely bring the conclusion you seek! I do so with Noire and enjoy immensely pleasurable results."

Gerome furrowed his brows. "I should ask Roo to slap me?" he asked.

"No!" Laurent cried out before stopping himself and clearing his throat, hoping to regain some of his dignity. "No, you most definitely should refrain. Perhaps another trail of thought is required…"

Suddenly, the tent flap to Laurent's room exploded open and Gerome and Laurent looked up in shock as Noire glowered back at them with a snarl that even made Gerome wither. "D-Darling!" Laurent choked out as Gerome gave him a sideways glance and edged away. "What brings you here from training so early? I thought you had at least another hour before you were released?"

"BLOOD AND THUNDER!" Noire roared, grabbing the table Laurent was working on and flipping it over with one hand, sending its contents shattering against the floor. "Laurent, DEAR, I had finished early and was passing by and thought I heard you saying something about slapping? Without ME?"

"W-well, that is a highly misunderstood interpretation of the recent past events…!"

"I'LL SHOW YOU SLAPPING!"

Whatever happened after that, Gerome didn't see, for once Noire lunged at Laurent like a wild animal, he had taken the opportunity to dash out the Noire-shaped hole in the front of Laurent's tent and quickly make his escape.

---

"Oh, chatting up the ladies?" Inigo said, Gerome standing in front of him like a miserable puppy. "Good choice to speak to me, my friend. What am I? The first option for impeccable romantic advice? You thought to yourself, of whom do I know that would be perfect for guiding me on my path to love and happiness? Ah! Inigo! That's who! How could I NOT remember his charm, his way with the ladies! Sounds correct?"

"Actually," Gerome frowned, his mouth a hard thin line. "You're one of the last."

A frigid silence hung on Inigo's lips as he stared wide-eyed at Gerome. "Oh," Inigo finally said, blinking rapidly. "Well, no matter, I suppose. I'm still being asked and I guess that's what counts. Am I really the last? Who else did you go to?"

"Every other man in this camp except Chrom, Frederick and…Chrom and Frederick," Gerome said. "All of the responses make me wonder how we don't have a matriarchy in place."

Inigo had to admit, at least he wasn't dead last, but now wasn't the time to dwell on rankings or the definition of "matriarchy" and what it meant to him. "Since we're in my personal tent, I can tell you all kinds of secrets," Inigo grinned, elbowing Gerome in the ribs who frowned and moved away. "I mean, Lucina – I mean, Marth – no, wait, we're alone, so Lucina. Anyway, as far as we're concerned, all you have to do is make her smile. That's what Lucina loves about me. I make her smile every day, even though she's always talking about death and destruction…sometimes even MY death and destruction...more so once her dad finds out about us…"

"He knows," Gerome interrupted, causing Inigo to shriek in surprise. "The only reason why you're still alive is because he doesn't know he's Lucina's father."

"Thank goodness for small mercies," Inigo said. "Anyway, a perfect way to making a lass smile is a proposal of flowers and a bended knee. Here!" Walking up to the front of his tent, Inigo grabbed a small bouquet he had prepared for Lucina earlier and bent down in front of Gerome, giving him his best smoldering gaze. "I used to say this to all the ladies," Inigo hummed in his sexiest voice, "But truly, you're the only one for me."

A dead silence hung in the air as Gerome looked down at Inigo and his slightly puffed lips and squinting look. "I'm leaving," Gerome quickly said.

"What? Why?" Inigo protested as Gerome pushed past him. "That was perfect! Even Chrom would–EEK!"

Stepping past Lucina as she glowered at Inigo from the entrance of the tent, Gerome gave a slight nod. "Lucina," he said as a rapid greeting, practically running past her.

"Gerome," Lucina responded, not taking her burning, hate-filled glare from Inigo who was trying to hide behind his flowers.

"No, no, they're really for you-OW!" was the last thing Gerome heard before he escaped into the shadows.

---

There was only one person. One person left he could ask that wasn't Chrom or Frederick and Gerome found himself wondering if a Risen gnawing on his arms wouldn't have been as bad as this. "Oh, ho, ho!" Virion gloated as he wiggled his eyebrows up and down at Gerome. "Ze boy has interest in women at last and he goes to no one ozer zan dear old dad!"

"I'm not your son," Gerome said, his words curdling.

"Zen even better!" Virion cackled, his gestures wide and boasting. "For I will tell you zings zat no father would dream of telling his son! Here's a free sample. Did you know zere's a part of a woman zat if you lick-…"

"Enough!" Gerome shot back. "I came to you for assistance, not to listen to your buffoonery! If you do not wish to help me, then just say so, but I refuse to sit through your foolish prattle for any longer!"

A small, amused huff came from Virion as stopped mid-flourishing gesture to settled for a more conservative resting his hands on his hips and looked down at Gerome. The young man suddenly looked very small, his face puffed and pouting, his hands half-hidden behind his back and his feet shuffling from nervousness. It was quite adorable to see him so flustered. "Very well, you win," Virion said in mock defeat. "Even if you do not consider us family, it makes me happy to zink you can ask for my help, regardless. Did you know that I once tried to court Libra, mistaking him for a woman? Ha! We laugh about it now. Hahaha! Oh, look! Zere he is! Hellooo, Libra!"

A distance away, Libra stared emotionlessly back, pulling his sharpening stone over his axe in a long, slow, deliberate stroke.

"We do laugh," Virion confidently chuckled, turning his attention back to Gerome. "Anyway, you must care a great deal about…whoever it is…" Virion coughed, bending two fingers in the air and Gerome couldn't stop from rolling his eyes, "…To be taking such efforts. And so, as a show of respect towards such dedication, I shall offer ze best advice I can." Gently, Virion placed a hand on Gerome's shoulder and smiled as Gerome looked up at him in a surprisingly child-like fashion. "Do not waste time wiz silly gifts and empty promises of story tale love," he said. "Instead, find somezing zat shows you understand her on ze deepest level. Zat you are a second half of a whole. If zat is ze case, zen you will know what to do."

"And if I do not know what she will say?" Gerome asked, his voice small and meek.

Virion gave him a small pat. "Gerome, if she knows you and accepts you as you do for her, do not fear of being turned away. Zat is what I did wiz Cherche. Zat is what you must do if you truly care about her."

Gerome turned his head. "I…understand," he said quietly.

"Of course!" Virion said brightly. "I believe in you, Gerome. Not in victory, but in your heart. Despite what has been said about your…social skills, you are a kind man. Here!" Reaching into his pocket, Virion presented Gerome with a pendant, its stone the color red with flecks of blue that shimmered as it was turned. "It's from my House," Virion explained, pushing it into Gerome's hand. "I know I said gifts were silly, but zis one is special. I'm supposed to pass it on to my child, but considering everyzing, you should have it."

He couldn't help the small smile that crept over his face. Looking up at Virion beaming down at him now, Gerome could almost see what he had longed to see ever since he and his mother had received a short letter and the remains of a broken bow. "Thank you," he said. "I'm sorry I…treated you so poorly…Father."

Virion's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Did you just call me, 'Father'?" he stammered rapidly.

"Don't get used to it," Gerome hissed, his old attitude returning. "I'm leaving."

"W-wait! Gerome, son! Let's hear it just one more time!"

---

It was just as the sun was going down and Roo frowned to herself as she sat alone and upright on the war council bench. Gerome had been missing since this morning when they had trapped Morgan together and eventually, Roo had to pull Morgan out herself. What was even stranger was that when she asked about his whereabouts, every single one of the men in the camp suddenly grew a panicked look on their face, as if Death were standing just behind them and refused any knowledge on the subject of Gerome on a whole. Only Chrom and Frederick seemed genuinely confused, but they each gave short, one word answers and looked like they had just eaten a lemon.

So now she was by herself, trying to ignore the growing seed of worry in her. Sighing to herself, Roo rolled her eyes and slouched in her seat. Maybe he had gone off training by himself – recently, he did spend a lot of time with people and probably just needed space. Or maybe he went scouting and got lost. If he got lost, it's possible he could have run into the enemy. If he ran into the enemy, he might have been outnumbered and then-…

"Roo," Gerome said, suddenly appearing next to her. "You're sitting upright. Is everything ok?"

His presence caused her to gasp in shock and she recoiled before shaking her head and clearing her thoughts in an effort to recover. "Sorry, Gerome!" she gasped, Gerome grinning as she flustered about. "You scared me! I was just thinking…you're alright! Where have you been? Are you hurt?"

A confused frown crossed his face. "No," he said curiously. "I've just been…preoccupied."

"I see…" Roo breathed. "Yeah, no, I mean, I was just sitting here. Waiting for you, I guess. Oh, I pulled Morgan out. He's dirty and pouting, but fine."

"Good," Gerome said again, his voice growing soft and his head turning away to look at the ground, nervously.

This did not escape her and Roo sat up and bent her head forward to try to see his face. "Gerome, are you sure you're ok?" she asked. "You've got that look that makes me think you want to ask me something."

"I do."

"Well?"

A shaky breath was drawn and then Gerome looked up, bravely meeting Roo's gaze. "I'd like to take you somewhere," he said quietly. "I'd like you to fly with me."

It was only a second that passed, but to Gerome it felt like a lifetime before Roo slowly smiled and nodded. "I'd love to."

---

They had gotten Minerva from the stables and left Robbie with Morgan who had given Gerome a surprised look and then a wink before they left. Taking his hand, Roo lifted herself onto Minerva's back and was seated behind Gerome so that her arms wrapped around his chest. There was the sound of a sweep of wings beating against air and then they were off, rocketing into the sky and Gerome could feel Roo gasp and clutch herself against him. However, it wasn't long before the adventure and the thrill set in and he felt her grip relax and heard her laugh in his ear as she relished in the wind moving around her.

The destination was a small clearing deep in the woods and Gerome gently helped Roo down from Minerva's back. "We're going to have to travel on foot from here on," Gerome said as he took Roo to a small lake. "I hope you don't mind the water."

"Psh, please," Roo grinned, giving him a friendly nudge. "Who do you think taught you how to swim?"

"I know," Gerome smiled. "I'm actually counting on that."

"What-…" Roo began, but before she could get anything else out, Gerome grinned mischievously and gave her a small push and she tumbled back into the water. Coming back up and sputtering, Roo coughed, playfully glaring as Gerome snickered at her. "You ASS!" Roo laughed. "Your bravery IS unparalleled if you think you're going to get away with this!"

"You can get revenge after we return," Gerome mused, jumping into the lake next to her. Coming up for air and pushing his hair away from his eyes, he reached out and took Roo's hand in his, paddling towards a small outcropping of rocks complete with a waterfall. "I should thank you," Gerome said once they had gone through the waterfall and to the other side where the rocks opened to a path. "Without your teachings, I never would have made this discovery."

"Where exactly are we going?" Roo mused.

They stepped out into a wooded clearing and Gerome gently led Roo down to the middle of the grass that came to their knees. "Back when I stood alone, I would often wander," Gerome said. "I found this place. I thought it would make a happy memory for you."

Even though the night had just begun to come in, the trees surrounding them closed the space in so that it was dark, but still a hint of sunlight could still be seen, giving it very drab lighting. "Wow…" Roo coughed, trying to find something positive to say. "It's…quaint."

Gerome smiled. "Wait for it," he said, his hand giving Roo's a gentle squeeze.

It happened as soon as the light vanished from view. The entire forest around them came alive with tiny, flashing yellow lights of insects and they flickered like glittering stars as hundreds more poured out from the grass beneath them. Roo stood, frozen in place, feeling as if any movement would somehow shatter this dream she had been placed in, but she couldn't stop the smile on her face and her gasp of wonder as the little bugs flew around them like floating lanterns.

They stood like that, watching the world around them, their fingers intertwined until the last of the fireflies had vanished and dawn was about to break. Gerome flew them back, feeling Roo's arms around him grow tight once more, but not from fear.

It wasn't long before they were back at camp and Gerome stood in front of Roo's tent. "Oh, I forgot," he mumbled nervously, digging into his pocket to retrieve the pendant Virion had given him. "This is also for you. I thought it might help for when you wake up and forget. That way, you'll always have something to help you remember tonight. It might be easier to remember one item than many."

He placed the stone in her hands and Roo frowned. "Gerome, this thing looks like it costs a fortune," she said. "I mean, I'm not trying to be rude or anything! Or that I, um…I mean to say…"

"It's nothing," Gerome quickly excused. "It's just a trinket Minerva picked up from somewhere. Still, I thought it would suit you."

Roo gave him a sympathetic smile, her fingers closing around the stone. "I'm sorry. I love it, I really do," she said. "It's just caught me off guard that this is the first gift anyone has ever given me. At least, the first that I know who the giver is." Seeing Gerome's confused look, Roo continued, "When Robbie was still an egg, I found a wyvern scale blanket someone had draped on me. I've been asking around, but no one knows where it came from. I've been meaning to give it back once I ever find out who the original owner is, but it has come in handy with Robin when he's trying to burn Chrom."

"You should keep it," Gerome said, a smile growing on his face, memories of Roo swinging the blanket over Chrom still fresh in his mind. "It might be useful in case Robbie ever discovers his fire. Trust me, raising a wyvern might have some unexpected arsons."

Holding the pendant in her hands, Roo looked up at him, straight into his eyes. "Thank you, Gerome," she said, her voice almost a whisper. "This night has been the best gift anyone could ever receive."

Then, reaching out, she took his chin in her hands and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek, letting him stand wide-eyed and frozen as she ducked back into her tent. "Revenge complete," she grinned before the flap closed between them. "Good night."

"Yes…good…night good," Gerome stammered back, his body remembering to stiffly march away back to his own tent, but his heart dancing inside his chest.

---

Even though they had grown closer, it seemed the war was driving them apart as Chrom's army moved against Valm, Walhart countering them wherever they went. They eventually recruited another warrior, Sa'yri, and made moves against her brother, Yen'fay from Chosin, who had sided with Valm. "They are indeed a brave group, I'll allow them that," Walhart growled in his castle, his tactician, Excellus, by his side. "At this rate, we'll need more soldiers to oppose them. Excellus!"

"Yes, my lord?" the man bowed in front of Walhart, noting to always keep and eye on his lord's Wolf Berg axe at his feet. "How may I serve you?"

"We need a new strategy!" Walhart demanded. "I'll see what you come up with." A flicker of something that Excellus did not understand flashed in Walhart's eyes and Excellus looked away, unable to keep his gaze. "Do not disappoint me," Walhart growled, a warning tone in his voice.

"Very well, sire," Excellus said as he bowed his head once more. "I will do as you command."

Stepping away, Excellus allowed himself a small cackle. The opportunity had come, just how the Plegian woman had told him it would. "A heart of darkness…what a bunch of fairytale tripe," Excellus sneered to himself as he walked down the halls to his room. "How is it that these idiots are the ones in power while I am still a servant?" Looking down at his desk where a large green tome lay, Excellus smiled as he ran his hands over the gold lettering. Let the rats run their maze, he thought to himself. If Walhart wanted war and Plegia wanted a heart, then he could deliver and take his prize while they all ate each other.

---

Meanwhile, at the Shepherd's camp, Chrom stood with Roo in the war council room, debating over maps and strategies. Being here, in this room was the one chance Chrom ever had with Roo alone and each time, he relished in having her undivided attention. However, a new presence stood between them, Gerome now a constant by Roo's side if he wasn't with her children. The new pendant that hung from Roo's neck did not go unnoticed either, and Chrom had to swallow a bitter taste in his mouth as he watched Gerome share secret smiles and brushed hands with his tactician. "Don't you think it's a bit…inappropriate?" he asked once his patience had run out for seeing Gerome's hand pass over Roo's once more.

A confused look passed over Roo's face, but Gerome met Chrom through a sideway glance with a frown of his own. "What's inappropriate?" she asked.

"This…you…this!" Chrom stammered, unable to find words. "I mean, what I meant to say is that behavior demonstrated should be professional and conservative and traditional…"

"Oh gods, not this 'tradition' thing again," Roo frowned. "Look, I know the rumors about my background have been picking up again since the fighting did as well, but I though we talked about this…"

"It's not about your background!" Chrom roared, his voice booming over the air, but Roo's shocked faced caused him to stop dead and he drew back in shame. "Roo…I…" he began, but paused as he noticed Gerome narrow his eyes at Chrom, silently placing a hand on the table between the prince and the tactician, and Chrom couldn't help the fire rise inside him once more.

"SIRE!" a voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Chrom's thoughts as a messenger dashed up to them, a note in his hands. "Urgent news from the south!"

Chrom couldn't stop his irritated sigh and rolling eyes, so Roo took the note, giving Chrom a disapproving stare as she did so. "Walhart's tactician has been seen heading south for…the Outrealm Gate?" she read aloud. "Why would he send his strategist away at this time?"

"If he's sending his tactician, it's nothing to our benefit," Gerome offered. "We should look heavily into this matter."

"Good point," Roo said, giving Gerome an approving nod. "We should send a force down there to take him on. Walhart's not leaving Valm unprotected and chances are his tactician didn't want us to know what he was up to. If we send a small, but powerful force, we can stop a small problem from turning into a catastrophe." Putting down the note, Roo turned to Chrom. "Keep Walhart's eyes on you and march on Yen'fay, but I'm going on that trip south," she said sternly. "If Walhart's tactician is there, I want to know what he's thinking."

"No," Chrom immediately countered. "You need to stay here with me. What if Yen'fay is more powerful than you think?"

However, Roo shook her head. "I doubt it," she said. "Men like Yen'fay understand strength in what a person can do, not an army. Sa'yri is more than a match for him, even if she doesn't know it. With her, you can take him on, but if that tactician succeeds in what he wants to do, we're all screwed."

There was no more point in arguing and Chrom sighed heavily and shook his head. "I don't agree with this," he said pointedly. "But take who you think you need. Sumia and Cordelia can both fly hard and fast."

"Actually, I'm not taking them," Roo said and Chrom turned to her in surprise. "I'll take Morgan, Gerome, Sully, and if you don't mind, Frederick," she said. "Although all of them ride hard and fast and we'll need to get there, beat them and come back quickly if we want to stay unnoticed. Pegasus aren't built as sturdy as wyverns and horses."

The only saving grace in her statement was that he could force Frederick to go with her and Chrom gritted his teeth bitterly. "Very well," he spat out. "I'll speak to Frederick on the matter."

---

At the Outrealm Gate, Excellus smiled to himself as he stood back and admired the stone carvings of the gate against his fingers. "How lovely," he said to himself, a small army of twenty men standing behind him. "To think that it activates on desires and dreams. Marvelous."

"Sir," a man in black armor said as he walked up to him, "Scouts have reported a small band of Ylissean soldiers have been seen coming this way. They're moving fast and should be here soon."

"Let me guess…is that tactician with them?" Excellus sneered.

"We believe so, sir."

"Excellent!" Excellus laughed, clapping his hands together in delight. "I knew she wouldn't be able to resist my charms." Turning back to his men, Excellus swept his hand out over them. "Prepare for battle!" he cackled. "Leave the other tactician to me, but have fun with the rest. Let's hope they aren't too boring of a kill."

---

It had been a hard flight, but they were coming up on Excellus's position. "Is Morgan really ready for this?" Roo said to Gerome as she flew with him, beside them their children. "He's never really seen a real war before."

"Don't underestimate him," Gerome said back. "Even without my training, he is a competent enough warrior and with Robin and myself, we will keep him safe. Besides, I have more concern for you than anyone here."

"The no killing thing?" Roo winced, but Gerome turned his head to look back at her through the corner of his eye.

"No," Gerome said. "Only for you to stay by my side, where none can harm you."

An amused smile came from Roo as she felt Gerome's hand rest on hers and give it a reassuring squeeze, but Minerva couldn't fight as well with two people on her back and standing near a rampaging wyvern was bad advice all around. Still, she appreciated the gesture and gently put her face against Gerome's back to silently acknowledge his concern.

They were coming up on Excellus's team now and Roo frowned bitterly at the silver weapons in the enemy's hands. Good thing she left Robbie with Sumia, Roo thought bitterly. Below them, Frederick and Sully rode, Sully giving them a sharp whistle. "They're up ahead!" she called out. "Let's go!"

On the ground, Excellus looked up to the cry of a wyvern and saw four shapes coming for him and his men. "Only that many?" he mused to himself. "How disappointing. You would think she would bring a larger force-..."

Suddenly, there was an ear-shattering buzzing noise and the man to Excellus's right flew backwards, a javelin in his chest. "Arms!" Excellus screamed, dashing for the safety of the Outrealm Gate. "Kill them!"

The men aligned themselves and arrows flew into the air towards the Shepherds. "Now!" Roo called and Minerva and Robin swept in, Morgan and Roo both casting Elwind spells to hurl the arrows harmlessly away, clearing the path for Frederick and Sully to smash into the tightly packed group, slaying several as they passed through, easily able to move about as Excellus's men stumbled over each other.

"Get back into position!" Excellus screamed as his men began to scatter, the confusion for them only mounting as Gerome and Morgan sniped at them from the sky. "There are only four of them! What are you doing?"

However, the men were in a panic as Excellus snarled and turned towards the Outrealm Gate. Excellus squeezed his eyes shut as hard as he could and focused before a blast of deep sound rang out and his mouth twisted into a smile as he watched the stone Gate glow with a magical blue light.

"Roo!" Sully called, too busy with fighting off the men around her and Frederick. "He's going to get through!"

"I'm on it!" Roo called as she leapt down from Minerva's back, ignoring the cry of protest from Gerome before he was distracted by an archer's arrow.

It was just the two of them and Excellus turned to face Roo, a tome in her hand. "Well, well, well," he sneered from the steps of the gate. "Here is Roo, the famous Ylissean tactician. Or Plegian? Who's side are you really fighting for?"

"Get over yourself," Roo spat over Excellus's laughter. "Move away from the gate and surrender."

"Oh, to what? To a supposed soldier who doesn't kill?" Excellus sneered. "I've heard the stories. Don't think I believe that lie about you painting a tower with the blood of fifty men, I know rumors when I hear them! And you…" he pointed a fat finger at Roo's face, "Thinking you're so clever. Well, I bet I've got a few tricks I could show you! Like this!"

Excellus snapped his idle arm forward and Roo gasped as a fireball rocketed towards her. "Elwind!" she cried, summoning the winds to cast down the blaze before striking back with her own.

"Predictable!" Excellus huffed and threw his hands with effort as a magic spell Roo had never seen before whirled around him, causing a blinding tornado to form around him. "Like it?" Excellus laughed. "It's called Rexcalibur! I made it just for you, just for now!"

Dust was swirling around her, blinding her as Roo tried to call out, but found her voice drowned out by the howling winds. In the distance, she could open her eyes just enough to see Gerome reaching out for her, Morgan and Robin right behind him, but it was then, as the world turned upside down, that she realize she was flying through the air towards the portal, and the last thing she saw was a flash of blue light before everything went dark.

In an instant, she had vanished. Just like that, she was gone and Gerome could not tear his eyes away from where Roo had simply disappeared, the gate closing behind her. The winds had died now, and in its place was the howling laughter of Excellus. "Gone! Gone to the very place where she was devoured!" he screeched. "But I guess I should have taken some precautions so she wouldn't fall right into a mass of Risen! Or maybe just land straight onto a pike and end her life mercifully!"

Excellus's laughter cut through the air again and Gerome slowly closed his fist, his shock giving way to rage. "You…" he whispered hoarsely as he shot up from his place and dashed for Excellus's throat. "YOU!"

However, just before his fingers were about to close around flesh, Gerome's target flashed with yellow magic and suddenly he disappeared, causing Gerome to crash into the ground. Another flash and Excellus reappeared in front of Gerome who picked himself up halfway, trying to understand what he had seen. "Don't think I came as unprepared as that foolish woman did," Excellus sneered down at him. "I'd like to see you take on Walhart now!" Another infuriating laugh, a flash of light and Excellus once again was gone, leaving the bodies of his men still in the dirt.

"Mom…" Morgan whispered as he fell to his knees, staring up at the portal, Robin growling furiously beside him, his eyes shut with pain. Behind them, Frederick and Sully stood silent, not knowing what to do or say. Only Gerome, who pulled himself to his knees before the gate, let out an animalistic cry that embodied all the pain and sorrow a human could possibly possess.