With a sigh, Chrom closed the book before him, moving his hands to rub the tiredness out of his eyes. Night had fallen hours ago, and the candle he had lit to provide a source of light had almost melted into a puddle of wax. He never was one for late night reading and it always tired him out when he did stay up, but tonight, it had failed him. His body was tired and yearned for sleep but his mind was wide awake, refusing to slow down, denying him entrance to dreamland. The past few nights had him falling asleep at his table, on top of his book, but tonight was different.

Every time his eyes closed, an image or memory of Leaf would appear, instantly bringing a surge of emotions with it. Chrom hadn't been lying when he had told her that he still believed in her, that he trusted her, even after hearing everything the other Leaf had to say, but that hadn't stopped the two of them from growing apart. She avoided his gaze whenever he looked at her; when he tried to speak with her, she simply answered with short sentences, and eventually, Chrom stopped trying to talk to her unless it was necessary. They communicated openly about strategies for upcoming battles and routes toward their destination, but that was all. He didn't like the distance between them, but there was only so much he could do.

Rumours had been flying among the soldiers, rumours he was sure everyone had heard, including Leaf, because Chrom often saw his son silencing the speakers with a glare, one that conveyed intense loathing, but thank Naga, Morgan never did anything beyond that. Leaf hadn't done anything either, but Chrom had taken notice that she kept to herself more, busying herself with her books and maps. She hardly left her tent and often took her meals alone, or forgoing them all together, if it weren't for him taking them to her.

He had wanted to scold her for not taking better care of herself, for neglecting her health, but the words had gotten lost somewhere between his throat and lips. He had longed to wrap his arms around her, to feel her skin against his, but there never had been a right moment.

Even now, alone in his tent, Chrom longed for the company of his wife; they had been through so much together and had shared so many memories, both good and bad, that it confused him as to why they were sleeping in different tents. He trusted her with his life, even after seeing Validar control her and having the Fire Emblem stolen from him by her. Even after hearing the other Leaf, the one that became Grima, speak of how the future played out, how Leaf had chosen becoming a god over them, Chrom held no ill feelings toward her. This was the present, not the past or the future, and she had made different choices, choosing them over becoming a god.

He didn't know if Grima would be able to manipulate Leaf like Validar had, but even if the fell dragon could, Chrom felt no fear. Like Morgan, he didn't believe the rumours; yes, it was a big deal that Leaf was to be the vessel for the fell dragon and that she was Validar's daughter, but so what? He had noticed how everyone distanced themselves from Leaf, even before she had detached herself from them, and Chrom couldn't understand why. Perhaps it was a better question to ask himself, for he had been doing the same thing.

The two of them hardly spoke to one another, and from what he had been able to observe, neither Morgan or Lucina had taken to speaking with her much either. While he was lonely at night in his tent by himself, he couldn't even begin to imagine how Leaf must feel.

With a sigh, Chrom shook his head, clearing his thoughts. The light had grown dimmer and dimmer, until it had simply gone out, leaving behind a waxy puddle. Picking up Falchion by the foot of his bed, he left his tent. There was no time like the present, to right a wrong. He simply missed her, every part of her, from her voice to her eyes, from her tactical mind to her endless chatter about tomes. He only wanted to be next to her again.

Checking her tent first, he was met with an empty room. Stacks of books and rolls of maps littered her makeshift table but her bed was untouched. Spinning around, Chrom wandered back outside, shivering slightly against the gust of wind that blew past him. The breeze wasn't necessarily cold but it crawled up his back, making him fidget as if insects were moving against his skin.

The moonlight streamed downward uninterrupted, and far away, in the clearing in the distance, Chrom could make out a figure sitting beneath the night sky. For a moment, he simply stood there and stared. It had been a long time since he had last seen Leaf in such a light. Ever since the first night he had sat with her in the garden at the Feroxi Castle after their escape from Plegia, he had taken to spending time with her, after everyone had gone to bed, out beneath the night sky, where it was only the two of them. Neither of them spoke unless there was something to be said; they merely sat there, in each other's company.

Inhaling sharply, Chrom approached her, the soles of his boots brushing past the blades of grass as he moved silently forward. Temptation to call out her name gnawed at him, but he refrained from speaking, only soundlessly mouthing her name.

A glint in the moonlight caught his attention and he paused, his hand resting cautiously on Falchion's hilt. Looking carefully, he could make out the outline of a sword in Leaf's hand, her silver sword to be precise. Like him and their children, he knew she usually kept a sword at her side for protection, but it was the middle of the night, and as quiet as could be. His grip tightened around his sword as he began walking again, careful to not make a sound.

He didn't like where this was going. Through all their previous battles against the Risen in the past few days, Chrom had never seen Leaf use her sword as she always attacked from afar, with her Thoron tome. It felt out of place for him now, to see her with it out, when there was no danger nearby. Quickening his pace, he strained his ears in hopes of catching bits and pieces of her words, but all he received was silence.

Eventually, he stood a few paces behind her. Chrom didn't know if she could feel his presence or not, but she was so close to him now, that he could simply reach out to her.

"My life will end, to prevent yours from ending." The words drifted over to him, entering one ear and out the other. He watched as her grip on her sword tightened, as she clutched the silver weapon as if it was her lifeline. Having missed part of her monologue, Chrom didn't know what was going on, but he listened intently as she continued on, the blade held high above her.

"You'll have to fulfil your duty as their father, but also play my part as their mother." He could only stand there, staring at her as his breathing quickened and his heart rate accelerated. Instinct drove him to draw his sword, and so he did.

Time slowly passed him by as Leaf's sword hand made a downward motion, the silver blade glinting in the moonlight. He ran, sword extended.

"Mother!"

"No, Mother!"