Chapter 6 Night and Past
"So Emmeryn, this time the left cot will be your bed and the right one will be mine." Lissa pointed to the cots in the tent. "We're only a day's March away from Regna Ferox now. It's important that you get your sleep, buuuuuuuut," Lissa smiled mischievously. "Staying up to talk a little~ longer won't hurt, right Emm?"
"Yes." Emmeryn replied with a smile.
"Great!" Lissa said while plopping herself onto her cot. Emmeryn followed and sat on the cot on the opposite side of the tent of. "Wow, I can't believe that it's already been 2 days since we've reunited with you Emm. Time sure does fly doesn't it?"
"It...does."
"So Emm, what have you learned in the past two days? Did you make any new friend beside me?"
"Well...Tharja...was my first friend here." Emmeryn said confidently which only brought sweat to her younger sibling's forehead.
"T-Tharja?" Lissa gasped in shock.
Emmeryn nodded. "Yes...we make hexes together...we don't talk much, but...I have fun helping."
"Well...I guess if you're happy... Anyone else?"
"Gangrel...is also my friend."
"Wha- Gangrel?! But, why?!" Lissa exclaimed while fearing for her sister's wellbeing around...him.
"People think bad...he is funny and...he can be nice…at times."
Lissa face palmed. "Imma have to keep a watch on who you hang around from now on, Emm. Do you have any NORMAL friends? Preferably someone who won't make me have a heart?"
"Ummmm...Nowi?" Emmeryn responded as if asking for approval.
"*Sigh* I guess Nowi can be put the category of normal... Changing the subject. How are you and Matthew getting along? Has he been treating you well?"
Emmeryn nodded with a smile. "Yes...he teaches me...a lot...he's patient and I...admire him." Emmeryn looked down to her lap. "He's smart...unlike me."
Lissa looked at her sister with sympathetic eyes. "Don't say that, Emm. You are really smart. You're one of the smartest people I know...well, aside from Miriel, but she's not normal."
"Old me...is smart...new me...is not."
"Come on, Emm. Don't doubt yourself like that. You are my inspiration. How do you think I will feel if you start to doubt yourself like that?" Emmeryn looked up from her lap and to her sister who met her with thatmade the former Exalt smile back.
"Thanks...Lissa."
"Hehe! You're welcome sis! Man, it feels like I'M the older sister, hehe. I've always wanted to be an older sibling! If anyone bothers you for any reason at all, make sure you come to me, okay? I'll make sure they get a beating of a life time!" Lissa put her arms up and began boxing the air while Emmeryn laughed at her sister's display. Both girls were interrupted by a knock on their tent.
"Hey, Lissa? Can I come in?" The girls recognized the familiar voice as Matthew's right away.
"Yea, come on in!" Matthew entered the candle lit tent and looked to the two blondes with a questionable gaze.
"Shouldn't you guys be in bed by now? It's getting really late y'know."
"We would, but we couldn't sleep. So I thought we could talk until we knocked out."
"Not happening," Matthew rejected while crossing his arms. "You two need to get some rest now. We are waking up early to be in Regna Ferox before the sun sets, and I know just how hard you are to wake up in the morning, Lissa."
Lissa looked to the tactician with puffed cheeks like a pouting child. "Why do you have to interrupt our fun like that Matthew?"
The tactician smiled. "Because, by being the bigger influence to Emmeryn right now I would hope that you'd lead by example."
"I AM leading by example." Lissa argued. "I'm teaching Emm how to have more fun so she doesn't end up like stern and boring ol' Frederick."
Patrolling the camp somewhere
"AAAAACHOOO!" the great knight sniffled and wiped his nose.
"You catching a cold Freddy?" Sumia asked, a smirk curled on her face as a memory of him telling her that he never caught colds seemed to now be a lie.
"I don't catch colds dear, I've told you this. *Sniff* It's clearly obvious that someone is speaking ill words about me."
Sumia rolled her eyes at her husband's excuse. "Whatever you say, Freddy."
"Well, regardless, you both need to get some sleep. We can't have you two falling asleep during tomorrow's march."
"Ugh, fine!" Lissa pouted. "Sorry Emm, but frog boy here has ruined all our fun, so we have to go to sleep." Matthew's eye twitched at the nickname he was given and retaliated.
"Thank you, snake girl. I hope you both sleep well." Matthew bowed, then left the tent.
"Bye, frog boy!" Lissa yelled out to the tactician.
"Whatever, snake girl!" Matthew called out in the distance.
"Geeze! The nerve of that guy coming all the way here just to ruin our fun! Am I right, or am I right, Emm?!" No answer. Lissa looked back to her sister who was still looking at the flap of the tent Matthew just left out of. "What are you staring at Emm?" Lissa asked, but still didn't get a reply from the Exalt as she continued to stare. "Hellooooooo? Emm? You there?" Finally the older blonde jolted out of her trance and looked to her sister who was staring at her with concern. "Is there something wrong Emm?"
The former Exalt shook her head. "Sorry...didn't mean to...worry."
"Oh, it's ok Emm." Lissa face turned from one of concern to an evil grin. "You were staring at Matthew, weren't you?" Lissa didn't know whether or not knew she hit the nail on the head, but her sister looked back to her with a blank expression didn't say she was completely off the track. "Aawwww! It's good to know that you have a crush on someone Emm! And here I thought you were always gonna be alone, but it seems you have your eyes on someone you haven't known even a week!" Emmeryn still didn't say anything. She just turned her head away from her sister and began moving her sheets to her cot back.
"I'm sleepy." Emmeryn stated plainly while slowly getting under her covers and pulling the sheets over her head. Lissa giggled at her big sister's embarrassment.
"Goodnight to you too, sis." Lissa stood out of her bed and walked over to the candle that lit the room with a beautiful orange. She gently blew it out and let darkness overtake the tent.
"Matthew? Are you in here?"
"Ah! Your Gra-I mean Emm. I'm over here."
Emmeryn turned the corner to the library corridor and saw the tactician sitting at a round wooden table with a book open and many more stacked on top of each other. "Fast at work I see?" Emmeryn commented as she walked over and took a seat next to the brunette.
"Not this time." Matthew corrected. "I took a break for the day and thought I'd do research on the Hero King Marth that I've heard so much about. I have to say, after reading this book I have found him to be quite the legend."
Emmeryn smiled and nodded. "Yes, he was kind, strong, and always put the people first. He was forced out of his home at a young age and was able to regain it with the help of the bonds he made from others with his kindness. No one could even mumble a bad thing about him. It is because of him that I am able to be the person that I am today."
"You really do praise the Hero King, don't you Emm?" Matthew asked and was replied with a shake of the head from the Exalt.
"I don't praise him, Matthew. It's more like admiration." Emmeryn smiled warmly and closed her eyes while placing a hand over her beating heart. "I want to bring back the vision my ancestor had when he still yet lived. The vision where peace always reigned throughout the world, and where we will no longer have to turn to war in times of desperation and continental advancement. If I could do that, then, and only then, will I feel like I've truly reached my goal." Emmeryn opened her eyes and looked back to the tactician who returned her gaze with a blank stare.
"That's some weight you have on your shoulders, Emm." said Matthew with a hint of concern in his voice. "That's far too much to take just on your own."
Emmeryn nodded. "Yes, it is indeed a big and nearly impossible task to complete, but if I can have just a glance at the vision that King Marth had, then I feel like I can truly be at peace when I hand the thrown over to my brother." Emmeryn suddenly let out a short chortle as she imagined her brother taking the throne. "Hehe! If you hadn't notice, my brother has a good heart, but prefers to talk with his sword rather than his mouth. I can't really imagine him being stuck on the throne most of the day."
"Ha! You can say that again!" Matthew agreed with an audible laugh. "But I believe he could do it. I've heard many things from the Shepherds about our leader. He is kind, thoughtful, and well known for smashing any and everything out of frustration. I remember one time he completely bent a knife simple because he thought it was the reason he wasn't cutting the carrots correctly!" The tactician's joke earned him a soft giggle from the blonde Exalt. "But, all in all, he cares about every one of us and the people of Ylisse even more. I believe he will make a fine ruler someday."
Emmeryn nodded in agreement and said, "I believe so too, but that hopefully won't be for some time. I want to realize my dream in full before I turn the throne over to my brother. But, like you said, I will need help getting there." Emmeryn smiled warmly at the tactician who seemed to turn red from the action. "Matthew, I've only known you for less than a month, but it feels like I've known you most of my life. That's why," Emmeryn leaned closer to the tactician and placed a hand on his hand that currently rested on the table with the rest of his arm. Matthew blushed furiously from the physical contact and went completely stiff.
"E-Emm." Matthew choked out nervously. His mind flipped through many different thoughts like a chapter book. W-We can't be this close! He told himself. We can't have this sort of relationship! I-I couldn't do that to Chrom! Looking into her pleading eyes only made his heart beat faster and his face turn redder. B-But if she's okay with it, then maybe-
"When everything has calmed down and the conflict with Plegia is finally over, will you...help me accomplish my vision of peace as the Grandmaster of Ylisse?"
...Of course.
Matthew began to visually relax and let out an unsatisfied sigh which only made the Exalt's drop in concerned. "I-I know this is a selfish request of mine. You can refuse if you want..."
Matthew shook his head. "No, I gladly accept Emm!" he replied with excitement in his voice. "Nothing would make me happier than to help you realize your goal!"
Emmeryn showed the biggest smile she had ever shown since arriving and tightened her grip on the tactician's hand. "Then it's a promise!"
Matthew awoke with a jolt. His vision was blurry, but he could still tell it was night from the way the owls howled outside. "I must have dozed off." He mumbled. The tactician slowly lifted his head off of the wooden desk he slumbered on and groggily studied the book of tactics that lay on his desk. He could hear the wind blowing against his tent and the candle on his desk threatened to blow out. No doubt the other Shepherds are asleep at this time of night.
Matthew looked to the candle. The fire had burned the candle all the way down to nearly the bottom. "No point in continuing I guess." Matthew folded the corner of the page he was on and closed the book. He gently blew out the candle then walked over to his cot and laid himself down. He laced his fingers together and put them behind his head as he gazed at the roof of his tent, unable to close his eyes anymore. "Emm..." The tactician was quickly alerted to the sound of the flap to his tent opening and closing quickly. Matthew quickly jumped up and reached into his cloak to grab his hidden fire tome. He stopped halfway in shock as he peered through the darkness to see the green robes the figure in front of him wore. "Y-Your Grace?!"
Emmeryn looked back to Matthew with a nervous grin.
"Hi...Matthew..." she whispered.
"Your Grace, what are you doing up this late? Is there something wrong that you need to tell me about?"
Emmeryn shook her head. "I couldn't...sleep..." Emmeryn looked to Matthew with hope in her eyes. "W-will you...talk to me...till I...sleep?"
Matthew hated to say no to her, but he could not let anyone see she was in his tent, especially this late at night. The last thing Matthew wanted was to be known as the player who took advantage of the former Exalt's feeble condition. He could only image what Chrom and Lissa would think of him if they found out. Matthew tried to think of a nice way to turn her down without hurting her feelings.
"Look, Emmeryn," he started. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can. I wouldn't want people to start spreading rumors that-" Matthew heart sunk when he saw Emmeryn's face. Her face mirrored someone in deep anguish. Matthew tried to continue, but could not find the heart to send her away.
"P-please?"
That was it. Matthew knew after those words left her mouth he would feel torn if he sent her away.
He was defeated.
"...Alright...but not too long okay?" Emmeryn face lit up like a child receiving a present for Christmas. She ran to Matthew and nearly tackled him off his feet when she embraced him.
"T-Thank you." Emmeryn whispered.
The tactician smiled. "Don't mention it, Emm." Emmeryn broke away from the hug and sat down calmly on cot in the tent. Matthew grabbed another on his desk and lit it, then grabbed the chair that was by his desk. He pulled it out and sat it in front of Emmeryn who waited for him patiently with a childlike smile. Matthew sat down in the chair and looked to Emmeryn. "So, what do you want to talk about?"
Emmeryn looked to the roof of the tent and put her index finger to her jaw. "Hmmm," many ideas came to her mind, but there was one thing she wanted to know the most. "Can you...tell me more...about my...past self?" Matthew nodded and thought back to Emmeryn before the 'incident'. So many things came to his mind that it was hard to just pick one, so he decided to start from the beginning.
"When I first met you you were walking down the streets of Ylisse. Everyone around you smiled in your presence. Not a soul thought to look away from you as many cheered your name. You were like this pillar of light that shined over all of Ylisse. You were kind, smart, headstrong and beautiful." Emmeryn blushed a little at the tactician's descriptions of her. More at the word 'beautiful' than the others.
"Heh, I even spoke to you that same day. I was kind of surprised that the people I was traveling with were actually royals of Ylisse! My heart pounded when they said they would take me to meet you face-to-face. And, just like that, you, your brother, and sister all accepted me into your country with no interrogation. My image of you ever since that day has never changed. You were completely against any violence. You strived for peace and your vision was seen through the people of Ylisse. Your tongue was your cannon and your words were your ammunition."
Emmeryn looked confused at Matthew's last words. "Canon? Did my words...hurt...people?"
Matthew laugh. "It was a figure of speech Emmeryn. Your words didn't really hurt people. They helped them. I know that you are not back to your usual self yet, but I promise that I will try to help you regain your memory in any way I can." Emmeryn smiled at Matthew's determination to help her, but something didn't sit right with her. She remembered back a few hours ago when Lissa had told her about the tactician's lost memories. How they found him without any and have yet to remember even a single fragment of who he once was. Just…like me. Emmeryn thought to herself.
"...Memories." the former Exalt mumbled.
"Hmm? What was that?"
"What about...your memories?"
"Ahh, you don't have to worry about me. I have the memories that I've gained from being with your brother and sister for the past 2 years. That's good enough for me."
Emmeryn shook her head. "Not...fare...If you help me...I will...help you." There was a brief pause before Matthew sighed.
"Fine, Your Grace. If that's what makes you happy."
"A-Another..." Emmeryn's eyes trailed off to the cot sheets and blushed. "C-Can you...call me Emm...from now on...like Lissa and Chrom…do?" The tactician froze for a minute. The sudden request made him flash back to the first time Emmeryn, before her fall in Plegia, ever asked him to call her that. Then all the conversations they shared afterward. How close they became, how they always talked about their problems, and how they would always laugh a the stupid jokes the tactician would make. It was quite painful to remember all those memories at once and the tactician could feel tears welling up in his eyes. The brunette didn't notice, but Emmeryn's brows curled in concern at the tactician's sudden twist in behavior.
"Are you...okay?" Emmeryn asked as she leaned forward and put her hands over the tactician's. Matthew jolted back to reality at the sudden physical contact and looked to the worried former Exalt in front of him. He could feel a tear slowly fall down his cheek and he immediately wiped it away with his sleeve.
"S-Sorry. I just remembered something heartwarming from the past."
"You are...remembering?"
"Not exactly. It was just something from two years ago. It's all just...hard on me now..." Matthew could feel Emmeryn's grip tighten, so he looked up to her. Instead of showing a face of acknowledged grief, she showed a warm smile that completely ran away any sad emotions in his heart.
"Don't...cry." said Emmeryn. "It will be...alright."
Matthew smiled and reached out to pat the noble woman's smooth, golden hair. "Thanks, Emm." Emmeryn grinned happily as she leaned into his touch.
Matthew continued telling Emmeryn the things and thoughts he had about her. An hour went by and Matthew could feel his eyes starting to close.
"I think we've talked enough for tonight Emm. It's gotten really late and you should be resting."
"W-Wait!"
"Hm?" Matthew looked to the blonde as she pulled out a thin book that was concealed in her robe and held it out to the tactician. The book had a picture of a black dragon breathing fire at a blue head swordsman. The title of the book drew in Matthew's attention. "The Shadow Dragon?" Matthew quizzed.
"C-Can we read? I promise...this will be it. Then...bed." Matthew scratched the back of his head unsure of Emmeryn request.
"I don't know, Emm. It's pretty late and I shouldn't be keeping you up. Rest comes first after all."
Emmeryn looked at Matthew with pleading eyes. She was tired, but for some reason it was 'fun' to talk to the tactician and it put her heart at ease everytime he was around. She wanted to stay with him even if it was just a little longer. "Just this...I...promise." Matthew was about to refuse, but made the mistake of looking into her beautiful, pleading brown eyes.
Damn it. Matthew thought.
"Alright, but after this it's straight to bed, okay?" Emmeryn nodded in agreement. Matthew stood from his chair and walked to his desk where another chair sat on the side. He picked it up and brought it next to his. Matthew sat back down and looked to Emmeryn who stared at him questionably. He patted the center of the chair. "You can sit next to me this time, Emm. It's a picture book so you would want to see the pictures, right?" Emmeryn hesitated for a minute, but stood from the bed and sat in the chair next to the tactician and handed him the book. Matthew took the book and read the title with an epic drag in his voice. "The Shadow Dragon, by Athena."
"Uuuwaaaaaaahh" Lissa yawned loudly. She looked around the tent with blurry vision. She almost mistook the tent for her room if it wasn't for the sun beaming through the roof. Lissa heard the tent flap opening and closing. She slowly turned her head to the entrance and was met with a blurry red head.
"I see you are awake princess." Gauis spoke.
"Yea bwut," Lissa yawned again and stretched her arms up. "I could use a few more minutes."
"Well, Blue told me to come fetch you and Emm to get ready to move out. We only have about half a day till we reach Regna Ferox."
"Uuuuuwaaaaah...okay Gwaius. I'w be weady." Lissa replied groggily. "Hey Emm, time to get up."
No reply.
The two Shepherds looked over to the opposite side of the tent to see an empty cot with folded sheets. Lissa's eyes shot open in concern. "Where is she?!"
"Maybe she went for a walk?" Gaius replied.
"What do you mean she went for a walk?! She can't be alone out there!" Lissa threw her sheets aside and jumped out of her cot. She quickly took off her nightgown, ignoring the thief who turned his head blushing. In less than a minute she was fully dressed aside from her missing ribbons that put her hair in pig-tails. Lissa looked at the side of the thief's head with worry and urgency in her eyes.
"What are waits for Gaius?! Let's go find her!" she yelled.
"S-Sure thing princess."
Lissa burst into Matthew's tent, Gauis quickly following behind. "Matthew, quick! Emm has gone missing! We've looked everywhere but we couldn't-" Lissa quickly put a hand over her mouth when she finally registered what she was seeing. There Emmeryn was, sitting in a chair next to Matthew with an opened picture book resting in her lap, asleep. Emmeryn's head rested on Matthew's shoulder, while Matthew's head rested on hers. The two looked so peaceful that Lissa and Gauis didn't want to bother them. Lissa looked up to the thief who looked back to her with a smile.
"I think they could use another five more minutes, no?"
Gaius nodded in agreement. "I think they do."
A/N: So we are now getting into the romance part of the story(finally). Emmeryn is spending her second night with the Shepherds! Kinda not surprising, but I loved writing this chapter none the less. Anyways, don't really have anything important to say this chapter other than thanking everyone for the favorites and follows and getting me up to 3000 views! It makes me happy that so many people are reading this, and that tells me i'm not doing as bad of a job as I first thought I was :'). All the favorites, follows, and reviews keeps me motivate to keep writing, so don't stop!
I'm currently editing chapter 7 so if it's not out tomorrow then it will be out Sunday! See you all soon!