Italics = Thought

I do not own Fire Emblem.

Cross published on A03

It was barely dawn when two figures dragged Azura from her bed in the still ruined palace. It was only via the muffled giggles and laughter that she didn't panic.

The pair took her into a side room and she finally saw who her 'captors' were.

"Morgan? Mozu? What are you doing?"

"Shush." Morgan demanded cheerfully. "I'm doing your hair, Mozu's sorting your dress out. Your wedding is hours away and you need to get ready."

"But I-"

"I said shush!"

"Really my lady, it will make things easier for all of us.." Mozu smiled.

Azura sighed deeply, allowing the two other women to work. From what little she knew of Morgan, once she got going, very few things could stop her.

At least Corrin will be having an easier time of things…

"What the hell am I meant to wear?!" Corrin cried out in annoyance.

"Not your armour." Lilith said simply. In any other circumstance, Jakob would be assisting him, but Corrin had sent him to assist Felicia and Anna with preparations. With Flora now leading her people, this let him with only Lilith to listen to his protests.

"I only have this armour Sister, and it's still dirty!"

Lilith stared at him in disbelief. "You have a deeprealm gate that can take you literally anywhere and anywhen yet you haven't used it to get some decent clothing for your own wedding?!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I was too busy killing a God!" Corrin shot back.

A smug grin crossed Lilith's face. "You got engaged after you killed Father. Lucky for you, your little sister did go and get you suitable dress for this occasion."

Corrin sighed, smiling faintly. "You're too clever by half, Lilly."

Lilith played with her braid. "In this case, it's a good thing," Her grin widened, and her tone turned teasing. "Big Brother."

Corrin scowled as he tugged at the sleeves of his doublet. It was a dark, almost black blue, with pale cream sleeves. It completely lacked any defensible capability and Corrin was eager to be rid of it. He had managed to convince Lilith to allow him his usual leg armour, however.

It was only by the awed gasps behind him that he could tell Azura had arrived. Her dress was, surprisingly understated, although she didn't look any less radiant in it. It was pearl white, and hugged her curves. It lacked a veil, and the train wasn't too long, barely reaching three feet behind her. She look a little uncomfortable about having every eye on her, and was soon standing next to Corrin at the end of the hall.

It was Gunter, his dark armour gleamed in the torch light, that was officiating the wedding. Due to the number of gods worshiped in Haven, it had been decided that the wedding would not be conducted by any priest. As someone who had earned the respect of a great many people, Gunter had been selected for the honour.

"In sight of the Gods, both foreign and native…." Gunter intoned, allowing the importance of his words to hang heavy in the air. "We are gathered here, under an alien sky to join these two people in matrimony."

"Marriage is a scared pact." He continued. "An agreement between two people stating that they will love and cherish one another until death do them part."

"My lord Corrin Isauros, do you take Lady Azura to be your lawful wedded wife, in the sights of Gods and Men?"

"I do."

Gunter nodded, before turning to Azura. "Lady Azura Isauros, do you take Lord Corr-"

"I do." Azura blurted out without thinking.

"Do not interrupt, girl." Gunter chided. "Do you take Lord Corrin to be your lawful wedded husband, in the sights of Gods and Men?"

"I do." Azura repeated, more calmly this time.

"Very well. Before these two are bound to one another, does anyone object to this union?!"

Gunter's voice carried across the large chamber. Save for slightly unnerved breathing, the room was silent.

"…In the sights of the Gods, and in the sights of Men, It gives me great pleasure to give you the Lord and Lady Isauros!"

Thundering applause rang out, and expectant looks followed on the faces of the crowd.

"You uh...may kiss."

Azura grabbed her now husband by the collar, and crashed her lips against Corrin's. To the resounding sounds of cheering and catcalls, Corrin loop an arm around his wife's waist, and dipped her deeper into the passionate lip lock.

The feast Anna manged to put on was, frankly, immense. It was so vast, so varied, that in all likelihood it could have fed most of the Nohrian Army. It was certainly enough then, to fill the bellies of each and every Havenite. Alcohol flowed like water, and the same air of warmth and home that had filled the air during the feast to celebrate the victory over Anankos.

"There is…a matter we need to discuss." Marc stated carefully. He stood himself up, and looked around the long tables. He sighed, and kept his tone calm as he addressed the occupants. "The matter of Haven's leadership."

A ripple of murmurs went around the chamber. The topic that had hung over their heads had finally been brought up. Most were glad it wasn't them that had been to the one to do so.

"I believe now would be a prudent time to discuss it, given we are all here." With little more than a polite inclination of his head, Marc sat back down.

It was an elderly Plegian Mage who stood up. With a long, wispy white beard, a beak nose with a pair of eyeglasses perched upon them, a robe that hung loosely about his form, he appeared to be an evil wizard from straight out of children's tales. However, unlike the aforementioned tales, when he spoke, it was in a grandfatherly tone, both warm and respectful, yet still managing to show off many years of knowledge and experiences.

"We do have a King, right here." The elder man stated, gesturing to Marc, who fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat. "However, I doubt you and the other forces will consent to following a…refugee King from another world."

Corrin smiled kindly. "You're sadly correct in that assumption, my friend."

"I will follow you."

Four words were all it took for every eye in the chamber to fall upon Marc. Still seated, he smiled. "I am not so arrogant as to think I can lead cultures I know little about. And I am not so ungrateful that I'd assume to lead you¸ Corrin. So… I and my people will throw our lot in with you. Wherever you go, the Plegian Remnant will follow…"

Marc paused as he stood and, and took a bow.

"My King."

A deep chuckle broke the ensuing silence. Vallen Droht, the bandit leader, thumped his mug down onto the table.

"Aye. I'll drink to that." Vallen said, lifting his mug in salute. "You've offered us a home and forgiven our banditry. You at least have my respect….and my loyalty."

"No!"

Every eye fell upon a younger man amongst the bandits.

"Why should we bow to him? He's a transforming frea—"

Vallen sighed, and reached up to grab the young man by the collar. With a single tug, he slammed the younger man's head against the table.

"Hold y'damn tongue, Brat." Vallen said cheerfully. "Or I'll cut it out and feed it to you."

"Oh crass." Gensei, the Ronin leader sighed. "But! You gave myself and my brothers a chance for redemption. The peace of Haven will be our reward. King Corrin, wherever the path leads, the Akaikusa will follow."

"And as always, you have my loyalty." Gunter decreed on behalf of the Greyshields. "I will admit, I never expected that I would be calling you King, but if anyone is deserving of my sword, it is you."

"That looks like four for four Love." Azura grinned. "I guess you're the King. Speech. Now."

Corrin raised an eyebrow. "What the hell is going on?"

"It looks like we've elected you our Leader, My King." Flora said calmly, a smile settling on her face.

Corrin slowly stood up. "Right yes…speech." He cleared this throat. "Havenites! Brothers and Sisters in arms…I will admit, I had not expected you would all give me your faith and confidence to lead you into the future after the death of Anankos. But I swear to you all, Haven will not break!"

"What of Valla?" Came a voice from far down the hall. "This place has a name already!"

"Let Valla die. Let the Vallites rest. From the ruins and the ashes, Haven will rise! And we will stand together. Look at what we are capable of when we do! A God lies dead at our feet, a Kingdom stands ready to be taken! So let us take it! Let us forge a new home here!"

Quiet mutters of agreement flittered around the chamber.

"And I promise you now…twenty years of peace! That is my gift to you all. Twenty years of keeping ourselves out of others petty conflicts. Two decades to live life as you want, without being dragged into yet another war!"

This earned some cheers.

Morgan grinned, and stood up. "We stand together then." She said happily. "Yes, Haven will rise….WE'LL STAND TOGETHER!"

The bandits cheered out, stamping on the ground and thumping their mugs on the table. It only took mere minutes for everyone (even the Hoshidan Ronin) to join in, three words were on every tongue.

"WE STAND TOGETHER!"

"WE STAND TOGETHER!"

Whew! I finally made it!

Fun fact: Isauros was the dynastic name of several Byzantine Emperors (And an Empress!).

Only the Epilogue is left, and that should, hopefully, be up later this week.

Thank you so much for sticking with me all this time, it means a lot!