Author's note: I'm very glad you all liked the last chapter so much; while it shall probably forever hold the title of "best chapter", I hope what remains of this story does not disappoint in the shadow of King Garon's triumph.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Fire Emblem.

Chapter twenty-two: Aftershock

One by one, the royal children and Niles filed out of the king's audience chamber. No one could speak; the shock was lingering over all of them, and even Elise couldn't immediately find the words to express herself at that moment.

The moment passed, followed by several more that came and went without a word to interrupt the silence. Xander had thrown his weight against the wall and simply stood there, too weak to walk all the way down the hall. Everyone had done the same, and he wondered if they felt as jolted as he, or whether it was a case of following his lead.

More time passed, when Niles finally asked, "Why is it so freakin' hot in here?"

The spell had been broken. Immediately, Leo lashed out at Xander, exclaiming, "Why did you start to tell Father about the engagement? Obviously he was not in his right mind! How could you do that?"

"Leo, please," whispered Corrin, glancing at the wooden doors that separated themselves from King Garon, "calm down! Someone might hear you."

Elise scoffed loudly. "I doubt it! No one's supposed to be in this hall unless they have special permission from Father. And Father certainly won't hear us talking about him — he's way too smashed for that."

"Elise!" Camilla reprimanded. "Inebriated or not, King Garon is your father and king, darling — you must treat him with the utmost respect." She glanced at Niles and said more forcefully, "And I expect everyone to adhere to that rule."

"Corrin," Xander said, directing his answer to her rather than Leo, "when I began to tell Father about the engagement, I wasn't trying to be malicious. I realized that Father was — naturally or not — in a good mood. I thought it was a perfect time to broach the subject, rather than wait for him to return to his…" He hesitated, thinking. "His less than merciful self."

Xander finished with a sigh. He hated feeling as though he had to explain himself. His siblings had never questioned his judgement before, and certainly they had never accused him of being malevolent. But Corrin's grateful smile quelled his raising temper.

"I knew you had a good reason," Corrin said. "Thank you. And thank you, Leo," she turned towards her brother, "for looking out for us."

Leo started and blushed. "Well, of course!" he spat. "It's no big deal. No need to get gushy about it."

Corrin laughed; but her mirth was cut short by Elise's scream. Xander's attention flew towards his sister, but Elise was staring at Niles. He was doubled-over, clutching his chest. His face was white, fading quickly into grey. His lips were blue, and his one good eye rolled into the back of his head as he collapsed sideways.

"Niles!" Corrin shouted as she lunged forward, catching him before he could slam his head against the stone floor. She tried to support him in her arms, but she was shaking. "He's not breathing," she panted. "Someone, please — he can't breath!"

"Elise!" Xander called, but she was too shocked to respond. He spun her towards him, ripping her focus off of Niles. "Elise, your staff!"

"I… I don't have it!" Elise exclaimed.

"Run and fetch it!" he ordered. Elise sprinted down the hall.

Camilla was kneeling beside Corrin. "Hold his head higher," she directed gently. "Higher, Corrin." Corrin's shivering wouldn't let her obey, and Camilla had to take Niles into her own arms.

Leo and Azura were watching, Leo hovering directly above his friend, while Azura stood as far back as the door to Garon's room. She whispered, "This isn't a curse, my song won't help him."

"It's magic," Leo declared, his expression fierce. "Dark magic, extremely powerful, too. It's… It's too strong for me to counter! He's going to die!"

Corrin choked back a sob. Xander glared at Leo, though he couldn't bring himself to reprimand him. Xander's mind raced, trying to process what was happening, how it had happened, and what would stop it. Quickly, he found the answer, and he screamed, "Iago!"

There was no answer.

Xander's fist clenched around Siegfried's hilt. "Iago, you coward! if you don't stop this at once, I'll personally see you buried with him!"

Again, nothing happened. Xander grimaced. He had only guessed — was he wrong? Even if he was right, would Iago be intimidated by Xander?

Niles shuddered. Everyone cried out, lurching forward, afraid it was his last breath. But his gasp was really a sigh, and was quickly followed by more shallow gulps of air. Niles was unconscious, but he was breathing again.

Xander sighed. Corrin did cry, now, and Camilla gladly switched places with her sister, so Corrin could support Niles' head once more. She bent over him and kissed his forehead, laughing and crying in relief.

"Milord!" Iago shouted, appearing behind Xander in the hall. Xander spun around, the sudden appearance startling even him. Iago bowed low, whimpering as he babbled, "Please don't be upset with me, my lord! I was only trying to make myself useful to your most excellent self!"

As Iago's words grated on Xander's ears, Xander felt his fluster turn to anger. He glowered down at Iago, as he had seen his father do. "So it was you who attacked Niles. Was it on my father's orders?"

Xander held his breath; he imagined Corrin did the same. Iago answered, "No, my lord — His Highness the King is at the moment installed in his bubble bath, trying to recover from the effects of his medication. He will not be in a state to make decisions until tomorrow at the earliest."

Xander could have sighed with relief, but wouldn't show any emotion besides rage in front of Iago. "Then you admit to attacking without my father's orders!" he exclaimed. "You attacked an innocent, unarmed man without provocation — how shall you defend yourself against that?"

But Iago had the nerve to snicker. "Innocent, my lord?" he repeated. "I don't think it's as black-and-white as that."

"I do," Xander said, bearing down on Iago with his voice. "Niles has done nothing wrong, and certainly nothing deserving death!"

"This sewer rat has dared to ask for one of our princess' hands!" Iago exclaimed. "Surely such boldness is worthy of a fate far worse than quick and painless suffocation!"

"That is for the king to decide," Xander said gravely.

"But why bother His Highness when the answer will so obviously be nay! He will probably hand that upstart over to me anyway in the morning for punishment."

"If you're so confident, wait 'til morning."

Iago raised his head from his feigned position of respect, glancing at the cold faces of Xander and his siblings. He sneered. "I see — you all think that rat is no more than a mouse. You think his pretentious nibbling is sweet in its pitifulness, while I'm the ruthless cat who doesn't understand his sorrows. Bah! I bet your father won't see things your way."

"You're treading on the verge of disrespect, Iago," Xander warned. Iago immediately bowed his head again. "You'd best leave, before either of us says or does something we'll regret."

Iago grimaced. "Yes, my lord." He rose and began to retreat back down the hall; he paused to throw over his shoulder, "I look forward to seeing what the king has to say about this tomorrow." And he disappeared in a cloud of magic.

Xander sighed when he was gone. He turned and focused on Niles. "Is he all right?"

Corrin nodded. "He's still not regained consciousness, but he's breathing regularly, now." She smiled up at Xander. "You… You saved Niles' life, Xander. Thank you."

Camilla declared, "I never would have expected you to defend him so vehemently. I'm in shock!"

Azura smiled widely. "Though you distrust him, you showed a nobleness worthy of a true king. I'm so proud of you!"

Leo smirked. "I honestly wondered whether you were going to just let him die. You surprised me as well!"

Xander frowned, feeling flustered again. "I… I only acted like any man would in this situation. Stop making such a fuss about it."

Corrin shook her head. "Never! I'll never forget this moment, Xander, and I will tell Niles who saved his life when he wakes up. I promise."

Corrin smiled so eagerly, Xander couldn't keep a small one from growing on his own face. Camilla sighed at the sight. "Goodness! It seems everyone has left me and gone on to Niles' side," she purred, sounding hurt. "I can't wage war all alone, and I'd rather give up than side with that monster, Iago. I suppose, if Xander is so for him, I'll have to learn to accept Niles as my brother, too."

"Brother?" Xander muttered, frowning. "I wouldn't go that far…"

But no one heard him, for Corrin was laughing and everyone was chattering in delight at being all together on the same side once more. Happiness began to bloom in Xander's own heart; the tension and discord that had separated their family had finally left for good. In the end, Xander had been made to give in and trust Corrin's judgement — but that didn't upset him anymore. He was still wary of Niles, but Corrin's eager devotion kept Xander's doubts barred in his mind.

Suddenly, a pair of footsteps echoed in the hall; Elise came rushing in, breathing fast, her face flushed. "I'm here!" she cried. "Is he dead?"

"Not at all," Camilla answered for everyone, "thanks to Xander."

Elise stared wide-eyed at her brother. "You… You saved him?" she asked, still breathless. "You didn't… You didn't have to resuscitate him, did you? You know — like kiss him? 'cause I don't care what politics allow, you and Corrin both kissing Niles would be weird!"

"Elise!" Leo muttered, slapping his palm to his head. "I am finally rescinding your library card!"

Xander patted Elise's head, trying not to feel embarrassed. "I can assure you, if next time Niles' life depends on my kissing him, he'll definitely die. This time, he was fortunately only in need of an intimidating prince to tell off Iago."

"Iago?" Elise repeated, her mouth agape. "I should have known that meanie was behind this! Just wait 'til I get my hands on him — he made me do all that running for nothing!"

"Save that energy for the morning, Elise," Camilla suggested. "Niles may need you as an ally against Father. I'm afraid Iago will make the most of this story and cause more than a little trouble."

Leo nodded. "He'll get his revenge by twisting what happened and feeding it to Father. Then Niles will really be screwed."

Corrin shook her head. "No. Niles and I have come this far — a little man with a spiteful streak won't stop us now. Especially not when we have all of you rooting for us." Corrin lowered her head. "You are rooting for us, right?"

Camilla hesitated. "Maybe not rooting," she admitted, "but I don't want to see Niles capitally punished anymore. I'm still partial to the beating-and-eternal-exile plan, myself."

"I am also not entirely convinced," Xander said gravely. "But for your sake, little princess, I hope it all works out for the best, however that may be."

Elise huffed loudly. "Well I'm rooting for you guys! I wanna be a bride's maid!"

"You have my support as well," Azura whispered.

"And mine," Leo said.

Corrin smiled. "Then we're unstoppable!" she declared.

Xander glanced down at Niles, thinking. "He should recover consciousness soon," he mused aloud. "I don't think we should take him to the infirmary — it's too public, people are going in and out all the time. Leo, what if he were to share your room tonight? I think one of us should stay with him until this matter is settled with Father."

"That's fine," Leo agreed, "but you're helping me carry him there."

Xander sighed. "I suppose I must," he agreed. Together, the brothers took Niles from Corrin and supported him between their shoulders. Almost immediately, Niles stirred; he raised his head and glanced about in a slow, dazed fashion. When he noticed Xander and Leo, he started.

"… Wow," he murmured, "I haven't had this dream in awhile."

Xander grimaced. "Well, Corrin, it seems a slight case of suffocation has done nothing to change your fiancé's charm. How fortunate for you."

Corrin laughed. "I prefer him not to change, actually." She darted forward and kissed Niles. Niles kissed her back, pulling against her brothers as he tried to lean closer to Corrin.

"Hey!" Leo exclaimed, blushing. "Can't you do that latter?"

"Knock it off!" Xander demanded, feeling his own cheeks coloring. "Or I'll drop you right now."

Niles and Corrin separated, one grinning while the other smiled. "Sorry," Corrin apologized in a weak voice.

"I'm looking forward to continuing this discussion later," Niles told her. Leo kicked his shin, causing Niles to swear. "All right, geez! I'll behave from now on, I promise. Lead me away, my lords — I'll follow your lead."

"Want to dump him in the moat?" Xander whispered.

Leo smirked. "Maybe later."

Niles grimaced. "You know what? Maybe I can walk…"

Ending note: Next chapter, Iago and Garon will establish their ruthless scheme for the final leg of this story. I can't decide, however, whether Garon should still be loopy from his medication or not... Ah, the happy conundrums of a writer!