DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fire Emblem, nor do I own the characters in Fire Emblem. I do, however, own any characters I create for the purpose of this story.

When Swords Cross

CHAPTER TWELVE

The dry Darna wind stung Celice's throat and made his eyes water as he walked through the streets of the city. Gripping his traveler's cloak tighter around him, he made his way to the center square.

Darna was a different place than it was two years ago, when Celice's army had seized it during the war. The city was a much livelier place now, and traders traveling between Grandbell, Isaac, and New Thracia made it a preferred stop. Because of this, Darna was quickly gaining a reputation as a popular trading hub. The fact that Darna was still under Grandbellian jurisdiction made this even more positive for Celice. However, now he preferred to travel the streets in anonymity. He had a specific mission to accomplish, and he felt he could accomplish it far more easily in secrecy.

Celice reached the center square and came to a stop. As he waited, he looked around him. Before him was Fort Darna, the city's namesake. It was at Fort Darna over a century ago that twelve dragons, in human forms, appeared before a rebel army fighting the evil Lopt Empire and granted them powers and weapons strong enough to turn the tide of the battle and destroy the empire and Emperor Galle XVII. These twelve warriors–Baldo of Chalphy, Hezul of Nodion, Odo of Isaac, Dain of Thracia, Noba of Lenster, Neir of Dozel, Ulir of Jungby, Blagi of Edda, Fala of Velthomer, Tordo of Freege, Sety of Silesia, and Heim of Barhara–became known as the Crusaders, and had set up the kingdoms and duchies that still existed. Most of Celice's abilities came from the crusader Baldo, including the ability to wield the holy sword Tyrfing, though he had Heim's blood running in his veins, as well.

"Odlab!" came a voice from behind Celice. "Odlab, is that you?"

Celice turned around and saw Arion, donning a similar traveler's cloak to Celice's, standing before him. "Niad! I never imagined I'd see you here!"

"Nor I you, Odlab," Arion replied. "What brings you here?"

"I'm on my way to New Thracia with my newest wares," Celice replied. "How about you, Niad?"

"I'm on my way back from Isaac, myself," Arion answered. "I made a healthy sum on my wares up there."

Celice looked around. He then spotted who he was looking for. He waved Nanna over. "There you are, Luzeh."

"Have you been waiting long, Odlab?" Nanna asked.

"Not at all, Luzeh," Celice replied. "You remember Niad, don't you?"

Nanna turned to Arion. "Of course. A pleasure to see you again, Niad."

"And a pleasure to see you as well, Luzeh," Arion responded.

"Where are you staying, if I may ask?" Celice asked.

"I'm at an inn down the street to our south," Arion replied. "Goes by the name of 'The Miracle Inn.'"

"Really? What a coincidence!" Nanna exclaimed. "That's where we're staying, too!"

"Really? Well, I don't know about you two, but I'm ready for a warm meal. What say we head over to the inn for some dinner?"

"Sure, I'm famished myself," Celice answered. "How about you, Luzeh?"

"Same here," Nanna replied.

"Well, then, let's go eat!" Celice said, and the three of them headed toward the inn.

-12-

Celice, Arion, and Nanna all sat at a table in the corner of the inn. A waitress came up to them, and the three placed their orders. Once the waitress left, Celice said, "So, did anyone find any leads?"

"I'm afraid not," Arion answered.

"Sorry," Nanna replied.

"Hm, well, I haven't had a whole lot of luck, myself," Celice said.

"Celice, you don't have to do this," Nanna said pleadingly.

"Nanna, I want to do this," Celice responded. "I just can't shake this feeling that she's alive, and if I don't try, I'll never forgive myself."

"And if she isn't in this town?" Arion asked.

"Darna isn't the only town in the Yied Desert," Celice answered. "Maybe she only made it to Melgen, or maybe she lost her bearings and ended up in Phinora. Look, if either of you doesn't want to aid me, you're more than welcome to leave."

"I swore an oath to you, Celice, and I intend to follow through on it," Arion replied.

"And she's my mother, so I'm not going anywhere as long as you think there's a chance of finding her," Nanna responded. "Besides, I hate being separated from you for extended periods of time."

"That makes two of us, Nanna," Celice said. "Well, I thank you both for your support. At any rate, it's getting dark out, so we should probably call it a day. After we eat, let's get some rest."

"Sounds like a plan," Arion said.

"Great, I'm tired," Nanna added.

-12-

The next day, Celice found himself strolling down a back alley when he heard some noises. He rounded a corner and found an older man being held up by two other men.

"Just hand it over, and we'll leave ya alone," one of the men said.

"I need this money to pay for food for my family," the old man said, his voice quivering. "Just let me be."

"Well, we need money, too, you know," the second mugger said. "Don't be so selfish, you old codger."

"Hey!" Celice shouted. "Let him go!"

The two muggers turned to Celice. "Beat it. This don't concern you."

"I'm making it concern me," Celice retorted. "Get out of here if you don't want to get hurt."

One of the muggers laughed. "And who's gonna stop us, kid? You?"

"Exactly," Celice replied. He lifted his cloak enough for the muggers to see his left hip and motioned to the hilt of his sword, which was resting in its scabbard. "Like I said. If you value your lives, you'll get out of my sight."

The muggers drew knives. "A sword don't scare us!"

Celice drew his sword. "It should, if you recognize it."

One of the muggers turned pale. "That's . . . that's . . ." He then turned to his partner. "Let's do what he says and get out of here!"

His partner turned to him. "Why are you chickening out all of a sudden?" He then turned to Celice and lunged, but in the blink of an eye, the mugger's stomach was impaled on Celice's sword. He pushed the mugger's body off and turned to his partner. "He's still alive, but he will die if he's not tended to immediately, so do that. I then expect you to turn yourselves in to the local authorities. And don't think I won't know if you don't do as I say. Do I make myself clear?"

The mugger nodded his head vigorously, grabbed his partner, and ran off. Celice then sheathed his sword and offered a hand to the older man, who had slumped to the ground. "Are you all right?"

The man took Celice's hand and used it to get back to his feet. "Thank you so much. Now we can eat for another month."

"What is it you do for a living?" Celice asked.

"I'm a physician," the man answered. "But with a combination of taxes and rogues like that, I haven't been able to bring much home."

Damn! I knew I forgot a reform the councilors wouldn't let me enact! First thing I do when I return to Barhara is reduce taxes. "Well, just be careful, all right?" Then, he had an idea. "Just how long have you been practicing?"

"About twenty-five years," the physician answered.

"All right, well, let me ask you something," Celice said. "I'm looking for a particular woman. She would have arrived in this town approximately fifteen years ago. She had long, blonde hair and blue eyes, would have been about half a foot shorter than me, and would have come from Lenster. She was likely wearing some kind of noble uniform, with armor only for her chest and shoulders. I was wondering if you might have seen her."

"Come to think of it, I do recall a woman like that showing up here," the physician replied. "About fifteen years ago, too. I was on the outskirts at the time, when I saw a woman who matched your description amble in from the desert. She had a really nasty gash on her left leg, and I remember being amazed that she could walk. I was able to help her, and stitched the wound shut and called a priest. He did what he could, but the damage to her leg was quite extensive. It wasn't done by any weapon I know of, that's for sure. As a result, we got the wound healed, but a scar was left behind, and her leg was messed up permanently. She could still get around, but needed a cane to do so. I know she took on a job somewhere near my clinic."

Celice's eyes lit up. "Thank you! That helps me a lot!" He then dug in his pocket and handed the physician a small sack of gold. "Here, take this as thanks."

"I can't accept that," the physician replied.

"Come now," Celice said. "Surely you wouldn't refuse a gift from the king of Grandbell." He dropped the sack of money in the astonished physician's hand and walked off.

-12-

Celice knocked on the door of the building the physician pointed out. He heard someone say "Come in," and entered.

Celice looked around. On his left was a desk, where a woman sat. Other than that, he appeared to be in an empty room. "May I help you?" the woman asked.

"Uh, yeah," Celice said. "My name is Odlab, and I'm looking for a specific person. She's got long blond hair down to her waist, and blue eyes. She's also about half a foot shorter than I am, and walks with a cane."

"Ah, you mean Sissy," the woman said. "Wait a moment, I'll get her." She got up and left, and came back a moment later with someone else behind her. Celice did a double take. He felt as if he were looking at an older Nanna. Just as he had heard, she wore her hair long, and walked with a cane. She was also roughly six inches shorter than he was, and was the spitting image of Nanna except for lines around her face undoubtedly brought on by age and stress. He lowered his hood, exposing his full head.

"Miss Sissy, this young man is here to see you," the woman said. "He says his name is Odlab."

Sissy nodded. "All right, thank you. I will talk with him in private." She led Celice into a nearby room and shut the door.

Celice looked around and was startled to see that this was a bedroom. Sissy sat down in a chair and motioned for Celice to sit on the bed. He complied. "I must apologize, ma'am, but my real name isn't Odlab. It's--"

"Celice Baldos Chalphy," Sissy replied. "It's been nearly two decades since last I saw you, but I know it's you."

"Then I was right," Celice said. "Your real name isn't Sissy. You're just using that name to conceal your true identity . . . Lachesis."

The woman sitting across from Celice nodded. "Guilty as charged. You're probably curious as to how I recognized you?"

"I guess," Celice replied.

"Your face looks very much like your father's," Lachesis replied. "Except your eyes. Aside from their color, they're the exact same as your mother's. Your eyes also haven't changed one bit since the day you were born."

"I hope you will forgive my asking, but what exactly happened?" Celice asked.

"You mean how did I end up here?" Lachesis asked in response. Celice nodded. "Well, it begins with the Battle of Barhara. I'd rather not go into too much detail on that, as it either causes me to cry or to break something."

"I understand," Celice replied. "I'm not too keen on listening to the story myself."

"Thank you. Anyway, I managed to escape with my life, and I took my husband's advice and fled toward Lenster. The reason I headed for Lenster is that I knew that my sister-in-law had family down there, and that is where she had taken Aless. When I reached Lenster, I was in no condition to look for my sister-in-law and my nephew, as I was heavy with child by that time.

"After Nanna was born, I attempted to search for Aless and his mother, but my searches were fruitless. I couldn't do much, though, as I had a newborn to attend to. Shortly, however, I was joined in the village by Sir Fin and Prince Leaf, who had been driven out of Lenster by the Grandbell military. Together, we raised Nanna and Prince Leaf. I acted as a surrogate mother for Prince Leaf, and Sir Fin acted as a surrogate father for both children.

"As time passed, however, I began to feel guilty. Here I was, fulfilling my maternal duties for Nanna, while Delmud was in Isaac and would likely grow up never remembering his mother. Five years after I initially arrived in Lenster, I made up my mind to travel to Isaac. I left Nanna in Sir Fin's care and left. Unfortunately, I had failed to realize just how treacherous the Yied Desert had become in those five years. The desert was literally swarming with Lopt priests, and they didn't take kindly to undocumented travelers. I was ganged upon by several dark mages, and though I managed to defeat them, I suffered a grave wound to my leg. I made it here, to Darna, where a physician and a priest patched me up. However, the dark magic was too strong to repair with healing staves and medical science, so I'm forced to walk with a cane for the rest of my life. And worst of all . . . instead of being a mother for at least one of my children, I was unable to be a mother for either . . ." Tears began to flow down Lachesis's face.

Without realizing what he was doing, Celice got off the bed and gave Lachesis a hug. He then broke away when he realized what he did, and said, "Oh, I'm sorry. You look so much like your daughter when you cry that I just acted reflexively."

"It's all right," Lachesis assured him. "In fact, that was very sweet of you. It's something either of your parents would have done. You're going to make some girl very happy some day."

"Well, that's what I came to talk to you about," Celice said. "Lachesis, I . . . I'm in love with your daughter. Not a moment passes where she doesn't enter my thoughts. When she's with me, I feel . . . complete. We've been through so much together, and we've come out of it all by each other's side. I want to take Nanna's hand in marriage."

"Oh," Lachesis said. She then looked past Celice, at the wall behind him. "I remember once talking to Nanna . . . I told her, one day, the son of Sigurd the Hero would ride into Lenster. I told her that, if he was anything like his father, he'd be worthy of her aid and even her friendship. I told her that when that day comes, ride out to meet him and help him in whatever way she can. I guess, in a way, she's acting on my advice." She then smiled warmly at Celice, and he felt himself blush. "If that means being by your side forever, then I have no objections at all. Besides, from what I've seen and heard, you're brave, just, kind-hearted, and a real charmer. And you're cute when you blush." This last remark made Celice turn even redder. "I can't imagine a more perfect husband for my lovely daughter."

Celice smiled, almost giddy with joy, and leaped off the bed, grasping Lachesis's hands. "Oh, thank you, thank you so much! You don't know how much this means to me!"

Lachesis could not help but laugh. "Seeing you like this lightens my heart. I should be thanking you."

Celice regained his composure, but did not suppress his grin. "Sorry for getting so worked up. I'm just thrilled is all." He then looked around. "So, what is this place?"

"We're affiliated with the local church and a clinic," Lachesis replied. "They send their sick and injured here, and we help care for them. I figured it's the least I could do after the way I made my way into this town. Well, I think I can leave it safely in Ellen's hands."

"What do you mean?" Celice asked, confused.

"Well, I'm returning to Grandbell with you, aren't I?" Lachesis replied.

"You don't need to," Celice answered.

"I want to, though," Lachesis said. "We haven't been getting many patients anyway, and I want to see Nanna again. I also want to go to my homeland to see my son and my nephew."

"Well, Nanna is in town with me," Celice said. "You don't have to wait until you reach Barhara to see her. As a matter of fact, I'll go get her."

-12-

Arion and Nanna waited at the designated spot. "He's late," Nanna said.

"Maybe he found something," Arion replied.

"Maybe," Nanna said. "He could also have gotten held up in some other fashion."

"I don't deny that that is possible," Arion responded. "Hey, there he is. Why's he running?"

Celice ran up to Arion and Nanna, breathing hard but with a big smile on his face. "I found her!" he exclaimed.

Nanna's eyes went wide with shock. "You found her?"

"I found her!" Celice repeated. He then grabbed Nanna's hand. "Come on! Let's go!"

-12-

Lachesis waited patiently for Celice's return. When he did return it was with two people in tow. One was a man slightly taller than Celice, with long, brown hair. The other was a woman who was the spitting image of herself, only three inches taller with shorter hair. The moment these two women saw each other, their eyes widened.

"MOTHER!" Nanna shouted with joy as she threw herself into Lachesis's arms. "Oh, Mother, I've missed you so much!"

Lachesis's eyes clouded over with tears. "Oh, Nanna, my dear, sweet daughter . . ."

Celice and Arion looked at each other, nodded, and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind them.

Mother and daughter stayed in each other's arms for a moment, each shedding tears of joy. They then broke apart, and Nanna sat on the bed across from Lachesis. "Oh, Nanna, you've grown so much . . . and just look at you! You're so beautiful! I'm sure you had your pick of any guy you wanted!"

Nanna blushed slightly. "Perhaps, if I'd tried."

"Well, I'm more than happy with the one you picked," Lachesis said. "He's very nice, and handsome, too."

"That's only part of it, Mother," Nanna said. "He's an absolute sweetheart! We were in Agustria a while back, and I got injured and was unconscious for five days. He waited outside my room the entire time. He even ate and slept there. He told me he wanted to be the first person I saw when I woke up."

Lachesis smiled. "Well, he certainly takes after his father, then. I never knew Sigurd was such a romantic until he met Deirdre. Every time I saw them together, they seemed to be in a state of bliss. Sigurd went out of his way to do all sorts of things for his wife. They were so perfect for each other.

"Anyway, why were you in Grandbell? I'd have expected you to go to Agustria with Delmud and Aless."

"Well, I did originally," Nanna replied, "but after about a year, I convinced Aless to let me serve as the Agustrian ambassador to Grandbell."

"That was just a ruse to get closer to Celice, wasn't it?" Lachesis remarked.

Nanna blushed. "Yeah, it was. I've had feelings for Celice ever since he saved my life in northern Thracia, though I didn't realize that that was what my feelings were until the war's end."

"Wait, what's this?" Lachesis asked. "He saved your life?"

Nanna nodded. "Twice. The first time, we were defending Lenster from Blume's forces, and I was wounded. Celice scooped me up, climbed atop his horse, and rode to Conote at top speed. The second time, I also saved his life by jumping in the way of a sneak attack aimed at him. He ran at full speed toward the nearest town. That's also when he first told me he loved me."

"In that second instance, it sounds like you broke even," Lachesis said. "You saved his life, and he returned the favor."

"That's not the only time I saved his life, either," Nanna replied. "In Velthomer, during the war, Celice emerged victorious from a battle with Manfloy, but collapsed, victim to some magic spell I'd never seen before. I ran over and kept a constant stream of healing magic flowing into his body to keep him alive until someone who could purge the magic came along."

Lachesis's gaze suddenly dropped to the ground. "Nanna, I . . . I want to apologize to you. I up and disappeared when you were still a child, and never returned. I couldn't be a mother to you."

"Mother, don't beat yourself up over that," Nanna replied. "I have no hard feelings against you. You did what was expected of you as a mother. If anything, it was selfish of me to want you all to myself when I had a brother who grew up never knowing his mother." She then took Lachesis's hands. "But it's time for you to fix that. We'll make sure you get to Nodion to see your son again."

-12-

While Nanna and Lachesis caught up on old times, Celice and Arion held a discussion of their own in an adjacent bedroom.

"I never did learn," Arion said, "how did you and Nanna meet?"

"Well, Nanna grew up with Prince Leaf and his caretaker, Fin, in northern Thracia. She was part of the army that retook Lenster from the Empire. When Alster's forces set out to retake Lenster, my army rushed to their aid. That's when I met Nanna," Celice said.

"Was it love at first sight, or was this one of those relationships that developed over time?" Arion asked.

"Well, I had noticed soon after meeting her that she was indeed a beautiful young woman, but it took some time for romantic feelings to develop," Celice replied. "I'm not even entirely sure when I truly fell for Nanna, as I didn't realize it until a year after the war ended, after she had asked me to dance with her at a ball in the royal palace."

"Also, if you'll forgive me for asking you another question," Arion began, "but what is in the bag you've been carrying around? You've been treating it very gingerly."

Celice handed the bag to Arion. "Here, take a look for yourself."

Arion accepted the bag and looked inside. When he saw the tiara within, he let out a low whistle. "This is a real work of art," he said. "I don't think I know a girl alive who wouldn't love this tiara."

"Exactly," Celice said. "I'm giving that tiara to Nanna right before I propose to her."

"So you're going to sweep her off her feet and drop the bombshell while her guard is down," Arion commented. "This must be the famous Chalphy strategic mind at work."

Celice laughed. "I'd like to think tactics have practical uses outside of war, but that isn't exactly what I had in mind."

Arion then handed the bag back to Celice. "Well, take care of that–and her, as well."

"Indeed I will," Celice said. A few moments later, Nanna and Lachesis emerged from the room in which they had been talking. Celice got up and said, "Nanna, if I could talk to you in private for a moment?"

"Sure," Nanna said, and they walked into the room where Celice and Arion had been talking. Arion got up and left the room, closing the door behind him. "So, what do you want to talk about? Or was that just an excuse to do something else, you naughty boy?"

Celice turned red. "No, I, uh, really meant that I want to talk to you." He regained his composure and handed her the bag with the tiara. "Here, this is for you."

Nanna, surprised, took the bag and opened it. When she saw the contents, she gasped, eyes wide as saucers. "Oh my god, oh my god! This tiara . . . it's so gorgeous! And this is for me?"

Celice nodded, but was cut off as Nanna tackled him and pinned him to the bed. She then grabbed his collar and kissed him forcefully, just like she had back in Agustria. This time, however, Celice relaxed, and when she pulled back, he was not blushing. Instead, he commented, "You like it that much, huh?" He sat up and felt Nanna hug him tightly.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" Nanna exclaimed. "I love it! This is the best gift I've ever gotten!"

"I can do one better," Celice replied.

Nanna pulled away. "And what would that be?"

Celice took Nanna's hands. "You're looking at it right now. It's me. I want to take you as my wife." Much to Celice's surprise, however, Nanna began to cry. Uh-oh. Perhaps I overdid it? "Why are you crying?"

"Because . . . because . . ." Nanna began. She then threw herself on Celice again. "Because this is the happiest day of my life! I get my mother back, get the most beautiful piece of jewelry ever made, and the man who means more to me than anything in the world has just proposed to me!"

"Does this mean you accept?" Celice asked.

"Yes, Celice!" Nanna exclaimed. "Yes, I accept!"

Celice smiled. He then pushed Nanna back slightly and took her face in his hands. Very gingerly, he wiped the tears from Nanna's face, then kissed her just as gently. When they broke apart, however, they did not move. Instead, Nanna nestled herself against Celice's chest.

"I can't wait to tell my mother the good news," Nanna said softly.

"Not yet, though, please," Celice said in response. "I want to sit here like this for a while longer."

"You read my mind," Nanna replied.