He wondered if he should be surprised to see the king in his office, sitting in his chair like it was rightfully his, holding one of the few picture frames he had on his desk, usually well hidden from the prying eyes of lazy strangers. Pausing at the door to stare at the old king, watching his eyes glide over the photo with grim nostalgia, Odin simply turned and resettled into his room, setting books on their shelves and his bag on a near chair to be hung up later.

"I wasn't expecting to see you so soon," Odin said aloud, glancing at the frame in Idola's hand as he set a book on a shelf by the windows on the far end of the room, his chair facing back to them. It was a picture of him and his little Claire in the throne room, both quite young. His hair was so short, barely above his shoulders but just as wild and untamed as now. Odin noted that his eyes were brighter, his smile bigger and happy as he easily balanced his firstborn daughter on his shoulder. His six year old angel had the biggest smile on her face, two teeth missing from her toothy smile, laughing as she wound her arms into his hair, her pale blue eyes hidden behind her closed eyes. Her hair was bound up by a red ribbon, a gift from the king that adored her. Odin frowned as he stared at it, realizing sadly just how long it has been.

The old king grumbled a little, the sound stuck in between a broken cough and an angry cackle. "One of the my closest friends betrayed me, sneaking off under my nose to ship off his daughter to the enemy. And now the poor girl sits in the middle of that crow's nest, just waiting to be devoured."

"She is a full grown mare, my king, raised by stallions. Not even a flock of crows could do much against a large fierce animal," Odin eased, whether to himself or to Idola, he doesn't know.

"She was going to be a general," the king bemoaned, "wild and young... she could fight off so many. She would have been so promising and strong. And you doomed her to be a mascot."

"You know as well as I do that there is more to queens than just the king and kingdom's support. You shame your wife with that declaration. I wouldn't be surprised if Ancora is turning in her grave."

Idola looked up at him, scowling, making his wrinkles even more pronounced. "Oh no Farron," he bit out, "you made her cringe first, selling Claire off like that. Turning your back to me. I should toss you into jail for this treason-"

"A noble offering his child to royalty is not treason, Your Highness."

"But to the enemy?!"

"To the chance of preventing a war Idola. I see it every council meeting, every group gathering. On the news, on each reagent's face. They're scared of this coming war. As a lord and your council, I have a right to do what I must to keep the peace, notably when I can avoid a war as best as I can. This is an alliance Idola, one that you spat on."

Furious, Idola turned away, gently setting the picture frame back where it was and simply staring at it. Odin felt that the king was trying to force his will through it, like Claire herself would pop out of the photo and run back to his side, promising him to lead the crusade her father was too scared to do. Reassuring him that he was right. With a dark mutter, Idola informed, "I love her. And Serah. They are the grandchildren I've always wanted and hoped for."

"You have a grandson."

"A bastard."

"He is your family, Nora's son," Odin persisted slowly, turning away to glare outside and watch as the waves slide along the beach. His love was already out there, a big easy smile on her face as she walked bare foot along the rim where the sand was wet and soft taking on the lovely shade of red and gold that Claire loved so much. Odin drooped a little as he realized that she wouldn't get to see her sunsets on the beach as much as she used too. He didn't know if Lucis even had beautiful sunsets.

"We met when you were eleven?"

"Yes."

"The Nabaats, they cut your parents down; I took the Farron side and took you in as my own."

"You did."

"I raised you alongside Nora, taught you everything I know, provided you with the best swordsmen in all of Niflheim to teach you. I relented when you and Nora said that you wouldn't be wed. I let you leave, travel and live off the land to learn from your hardships, to know the kingdom and its people. I accepted your marriage to the commoner you brought back with you. I approved of your choices and reputation amongst the nobles here and outside Niflehim. You were the son I always hoped to have.

"And when your first child, Claire, showed such promise, with such sharp eyes and mind... She was everything I hoped my grandchild would be. So sure and eager, she is perfect in every way, and grew into such a proud and powerful woman that I hoped she'd be. The Farrons were always what I hoped and wanted in life, to have at my side. Your family was strength that I always needed to have. Even more so when Nora left to marry a lesser Accordon lord, so thin and small, far from the strength we are known for."

His face wrinkled darkly, his silver eyes blazing. "It all started with that man. With his lovely words and modesty. My foolish daughter, falling for such a weakling. Insulting our name even more by having that child with him. And then you come out of nowhere, accepting the boy as your own-"

"Idola."

"That was your first betrayal," the king rambled, "but I could ignore such a thing. You were close with Nora, as siblings should I guess. You wouldn't ignore her child when he was in need. And I had truly thought that would be it. But then... you do this! My granddaughter, my perfect heiress, my general; shipped off to breed with a dumb little crow-"

"That is enough my king."

Eldercapt paused, glancing back to Odin, meeting cold and furious green eyes that blazed down at him. For a moment, the king was startled, his eyes wide as he stared up at the lord. Before his eyes narrowed back at the lord and straightened up, not letting himself get intimidated by Farron. "It is truth my boy." Idola spits out with his own growl. "You've gone too far with this."

"Get out of my home," Odin declared. "I will not hear you speak about my son that way, about Nora's son, your grandson this way. And I will not here you go on about this mistake I've made. Claire is bound to Prince Noctis and will rule at his side as queen regent. They were presented to Etro herself and approved of. Would you truly go against the goddess' will? And endanger our own kingdom with unnecessary strife? If you cannot see this, then there is no reason to continue this. I will see the throne free of you. Now. Out. Of. My. Home."

Idola turned away and stalked off towards the doors, stopping as he grabbed the handle. Glancing at the furious lord over his shoulder, Idola said solemnly, "I would have made you a king. I'm sure you would be a very good one. But you were never one for thrones. I'm sad to see that I was wrong."

The doors closed behind Idola, leaving Odin breathing hard as he glared at the doors, his hands gripped tight at his side. Muttering a dark curse, Odin stomped to his desk, absently straightening as he cussed over and over in his head. So absorbed he didn't notice the door open as a pale pink head peeked in, curious nervous teal eyes staring up at him.

"Dad?"

Odin looked up to see Serah staring up at him, frowning slightly.

Without a word he waved her over, wrapping her up into a warm hug once she was close enough. "Its going to get really rough from now on, isn't it?" she mused, glancing at the photos he had up on his desk, looking at memories she didn't know and recognizing others. Odin rubbed her shoulders gently as he pointed to certain pictures, telling and retelling her the story behind each one as the sun slowly slipped down behind them.

Noctis was nervous as he led Claire down the hall to the gala where Stalla loved to spend time at, playing the piano, gazing out the window, or up at the painting of Etro they had hung up. It was one of her favorite rooms in the manor, and it was hard to tear her away from it.

And now it was going to be Claire's first time in the room which Stella saw as her own personally castle, a home away from home.

He was unsure on how this meeting was going to go.

The two would either get along, or at each others throats.

"Stella's a childhood friend," he found himself prattling as he guided his wife along. "We've been playing together since we were little so she is practically family." Claire hummed behind, showing no disdain of any kind at this new development. Making the prince unsure on whether or not that's a good thing or not. When she glanced up at him curiously, he stiffened a little, tasting the question on her tongue.

She didn't ask as they stopped before the gala doors, hearing the pleasant music singing through the wood. Opening the doors, their eyes immediately locked onto the blonde in a ivory sun dress smiling as she played the keys expertly, swaying slightly with the music. As beautiful as ever, Noctis nodded to her as he silently introduced Stella Nox Flueret. Eyeing her up and down, Claire stepped past her husband to see her, taking in her petite and softer figure. So much gentler than those in Niflheim.

Even her mother, who was considered a delicate feather, could crumble a warrior to his knees. This woman didn't look like she could much in a fight.

She silently reminded herself never to judge a book by its cover. Hailing from a noble family, royal or not, all were taught to fight.

When the blonde showed no signs of sensing their presence, Noctis cleared his throat as he said aloud, "Stella?"

The keys hit an off note out of surprise, the young woman turning to them, her blue eyes widening before a smile bloomed over her face. "Noctis!" she exclaimed, practically jumping out of her seat as she ran towards them in two big bounds, the prince barely having time to catch her as she leaps at him, laughing all the while. Claire respectfully took a step back as her husband was nearly toppled over from the attack. "H-hey," the prince managed out, straightening up and letting her fall back on her feet, giggling all the while.

Immediately her light purple, almost blue, eyes turned to Claire, looking at the future queen's figure up and down and straying on the pale pink hair on her head. Stella reached and felt her hair, rolling the rosy strands in her fingers in absolute fascination. "I've never seen hair like this before," she notes to herself, completely in awe at the bizarre coloration and just how soft Claire's hair was. "Is there a certain dye that you use?"

"Its natural," Claire said, stepping away so her hair fell out of the lady's hands, making her blink back into reality before smiling up at her. Clasping her hands, she rolled on her heels, rocking herself lazily as she pressed, "So your Claire Farron, Lucis' future queen?"

"I am," she confirmed, offering a hand to Stella, "and you're the infamous Stella Nox Fleuret?"

Stella giggled, "I don't know about infamous."

"I think its very well placed," Noctis murmured, ignoring her as Stella sharply shushed him. "I am not crazy Noct. Its all your own fault for being just so lazy!" Turning to Claire, Stella ranted on, "I can't even start on telling you just how often he falls asleep! Its a wonder that he gets any work done! Maybe its a good thing you two married, you can whip him up to shape."

"I am not that bad!" Noctis defended, red faced and scowling.

"Last month you hurt Lord Harvey's feelings by falling asleep during his speech!"

"It was taking him thirty minutes to say thank you!"

Raising an eye brow and quirking her lips up into an amused smile, Claire lent back and watched as the two squabble, distinctly remembering that Harvey was a neutral noble family caught right in between Lucis and Niflheim, having the political favor of Lucis and the warrior skill of Niflheim they were quite famous and highly respected. Though Claire recalled that the current head of the house, Cecil, was known to be quite a bit of a preacher...

She didn't blame him for dozing off in the lord's presence. She knew very well how Lord Cecil could go on and on.

"I wouldn't worry too much about it Stella," Claire cut, interrupting the old childish argument the two have and drawing both their eyes to her. "A queen's job is to council and help her king. Part of that is making sure he doesn't fall asleep in front of important guests." While Noctis flushed, Stella beamed, her eyes shining even brighter. "I'm so glad someone finally gets it! This really will be a good match for you Noct," she declared, "she's not going to take any of your shit."

"Stella!"

Laughing, she took Claire's hand and pulled her along, saying, "You haven't seen the garden yet have you? Its absolutely beautiful! And along the way, I'm going to tell you every embarrassing story I remember about Noct. And you Noct, go take your nap or something, it looks like you haven't slept in a while. Don't worry we'll be fine!"

Amused smiles on their faces, the two women disappeared before the stuttering, red faced prince could stop them. Already he could hear the tall tale of second grade, when he was sick and accidentally threw up in Stella's favorite lunch box. "And it was an antique!" the blonde added dramatically to the air.

Claire decided that she liked Stella.

Hyperactive and friendly, she was a healthy mix of two treasured friends back at home, bringing her a small sense of familiarity and nostalgia to the rosette. For the moment though, she focused on the stories Stella was eager to share, laughing with her as she imagined each one, trying hard to picture them. Stella was just as eager as Claire, quieting and listening when the future queen had her own tales to share, and laughing with her.

It was a natural friendship between the two, ones that Claire always adored finding in life.

"The Ballads have always been at odds with my family, but both sides always desired to get past that, both our fathers had tried to convince me and Caius to befriend each other, perhaps even get engaged, but we just didn't get along enough too. Once I was so mad at him, I pushed the wedding cake off the table and right on top of him," Claire said, chuckles escaping her as her eyes gleamed in absolute mirth.

Stella chortled, "Reminds me of the tight Noctis' friend, Gladiolus, dumped worms in my hair once. He was actually aiming for Cor Leonis, head of the royal guards. I was at the wrong place and time unfortunately."

"I bet that wasn't fun."

"Oh dear heavens no," Stella shuddered, "I rather I had a cake dumped on me. Would have been tastier."

Claire smiled, completely relaxed as she snickered. Stella smiled along side her, skipping lightly as she clasped her hands behind her back. "I'm glad your enjoying your stay so far," Stella admitted to her. "I know how scary and lonely it can be when stuck in a new kingdom for a while. I was studying up in Solheim for a year, it wasn't fun at the start."

"Isn't Solheim a little full of themselves?"

Stella shrugged, "I'd say each kingdom is a little full of themselves, but they each have their reason for it... So, how you like Noct so far?"

Claire hummed, noting that this is where the interrogation begun. She was suspecting it much earlier, as soon as they were out of Noctis' earshot. "He's very sweet," she said evenly. "A little shy, but I think we'll get along just fine."

"I think he was a little scared of you," Stella offered, giggling, "I know I was. There were so many scary rumors around your family. And when I saw a glimpse of Odin," Stella shivered, "it was a little scary. Walking by him was like walking by a tiger. Meeting him and then all that we heard about you, we didn't know what to expect."

"I'm glad things are working out much better," Claire said. "Better to be amongst friends than enemies."

"Especially when you know that they are on your side," Stella added, stopping as she turned to face Claire, her smile dropping as she took upon a more serious expression. Claire faced her respectfully, equally serious. "I am aware that the Farrons are very closet to King Eldercapt. Very, very close. I doubts its easy to go against family like this, much less have it so divided. Most lords wouldn't go against their king like that, that they would stand by their side and try to survive through the war... your family actually made an effort to stop it and your getting a civil war as thanks for it."

"We didn't do it blindly," Claire assured, "we expected Ido, King Eldercapt to turn against us. But most lords in Niflheim are on our side, this won't be a long struggle."

"Still," Stella insisted with a small bow, "thank you."

Ancora is an OC i made for a future lightis fic, and i decided to include her as Idola's late wife. her name is latin for hope

there really needs to be more fics resolving around lightning's parents, at least i wouldn't mind seeing more. i'm very curious about what people thought what sort of family the farrons where while they were together.