It was the afternoon and Morgan was strolling around the courtyard. She stopped to look at her reflection in the fountain and grabbed a gold coin from her pocket. She closed her eyes and made a wish while tossing the coin in. The water slowly rippled as she hoped for her wish to come true. She stood there for a minute before turned around and thought about what to do next when she saw Chrom walk through the grounds. Morgan smiled and loudly called out to him.
"Hey Grandpa!" She beamed as she ran over to him.
Chrom groaned and he slapped his head, "Morgan, would you please stop calling me that?"
"But your reaction is so fun to watch!"
"Ugh, it is just Chrom okay?
"Okay Grandpa!" She smiled.
Chrom sighed, "...What can I do for you today?"
"I was just wondering how your trip was."
"...Shouldn't you ask Lucina that question?"
"I tried, but Robin whispered something in her ear when she got home and they immediately sprinted for the barracks. I tried to follow but they would not let me and I have not seen them since."
"Oh, they haven't told you?"
"Told me what?" Morgan asked curiously
"Nothing, it's not important." Chrom looked away from her.
"Tell me what?!"
"Nothing."
"What is it?!" She pleaded desperately. "I won't say a word and I'll pretend like I never heard it."
"Look." Chrom dropped to his knees and stared in her eyes. "You trust Robin and Lucina right?"
"Of course!" She raised her hands in the air and looked at him funny for saying such a silly question.
"Then don't ask them about this okay. Just trust that we are taking care of it."
"Is there any way I can help?" She asked concerned
"Just keep smiling." Chrom patted her on the head.
"Grandpa." Morgan said quietly
Chrom winced, "Yes little one?"
"Does this have anything to do with the Risen or Grima?"
Chrom chuckled "Of course not."
"...Are you sure?"
Chrom smiled and grabbed her hand. "I swear to you on my life that we will never have to worry about them again Morgan. This is an entirely different matter."
She stood there motionless as she tried to think it over. It would plague her thoughts for the rest of the day. Of course she didn't have time to think about it during the evening. She was too busy concentrating all of her energy on tonight's board game. This was a game where her parents could not help each other in any way. It was called 'Real Life.'
It is a simulated game where the players starts their life by going to school. After a certain amount of turns they would move on to their next life changing goal such as, getting a job, buying a house, and eventually retiring in luxury, or work to their graves with mountains of debt. However the catch is that the players are at the mercy of the numbered spinner to decide where they would land. It determined the fate of every outcome, and every disaster.
It was a close game the entire way through. No one held the lead for more than three turns at a time and the final score ended with the victor winning by only 300 gold pieces. She gasped in awe and could not believe it as she looked at her colored piece. Through all the chaos and the certainty of defeat in this game; she persevered.
Lucina had won the game with her final spin, and Morgan slammed her head on the table.
"Stupid fountain!" She smashed her fist on the wooden furniture.
Robin patted Morgan on her shoulder. "It's just a game Morgan. We do this to have fun remember?"
"I know, but my wish didn't come true!"
"What wish?" Lucina asked
"I wished to win tonight. But I still lost! I want my money back." She growled.
Robin chuckled watching her sulk, "True, you didn't win, but you know what?"
She hesitantly raised her head and looked at Robin, "What?"
"You beat me." He smiled and pointed to his piece. " I came in last, and that counts for something right?"
"I guess." She perked up a little.
…
The night came to a close with Lucina telling her about the great time she had with her parents, and Morgan told her about the cooking catastrophe they had. However, once again it was past midnight, and her parents managed to get her to lay down in her bed.
Robin sat down and leaned back in his chair and smiled watching Morgan struggle through the covers. He had told Lucina to tuck her in extra tight tonight, and now Morgan couldn't move a single muscle. Only her eyes could move around and they were fixed on Robin sitting next to his wife. Morgan was clearly waiting for something, and Robin chuckled at her excitement. He stretched his arms and let the memories flood back into his mind.
After the assassin attack; we packed up as quickly as possible to seek aid from Regna Ferox. Strangely enough the rogue Gaius and a Taquel named Panne joined us. Meeting the two was an interesting experience to say the least, but we could not afford to turn down any ally we could get.
We had marched for a full day without rest on the dirt trail. It hurt Chrom that his sister would have to travel under such rough conditions and a hurried pace, but she insisted that we go at full speed. Too many lives were at stake.
"...How are you holding up Robin?" Chrom asked as we walked on the road.
"Good, a little tired, but I am not looking forward to the snow..."
"Yeah... We should reach the border tomorrow." Chrom said depressed as he looked at the ground below him. It was obvious that he had thought about the war ever since we left.
"Relax Chrom, we will stop them. It is only a matter of time." I tried to cheer him up.
"I know, but even as we speak men are dying at the front lines, and I cannot help in any way." Chrom balled his hands into a fist.
"But you are helping them. With Regna Ferox's support we can stop this war before it truly begins."
"It still doesn't sit with me well. I should be fighting with every other Ylissean. Every second we wait is another one that our soldiers spend fighting without us."
I patted him on the back. "Then we better hurry before the war ends with our victory."
*Sigh*
"Come on Chrom, Emmeryn would be worried about you if she saw you like this." I looked behind my shoulder to see Emmeryn and Lissa talking to each other a little further down the column of marching boots.
"You're right... But it is just hard not to think about the assassination attack. Those swine tried to kill my sister, and if anything went wrong then we all could have died."
Well, it appears that you have a guardian angel over your family Chrom." I pointed to his Falchion.
"Yeah. She has saved all of our lives." He stopped walking and concentrated his attention at his sword. "But why does Marth have a sword like mine. This blade was passed down in my family for ages; it's one of a kind."
"It's probably just a forgery. A really good one. I mean after all, has your sword ever turned blue?"
"No it hasn't, but I don't know a blacksmith in the world that could forge a weapon like mine."
"I didn't know that Vaike could burp the entire alphabet at dinner either...but it happened."
...
We continued to march on the long dirt road until a white Pegasus swiped down from the air and stopped in front of Chrom. The rider got off as quickly as she could and hurriedly gave us her report.
"Captain! I reached the Feroxi border just like you told me. They sent a messenger to let the Khans know of our arrival, and our purpose. They should meet us at Longfort about the same time we arrive."
Chrom nodded and he was relieved to finally hear some good news. "Thank you Sumia, you and your Pegasus have saved us a days march. I hate to keep you busy, but could you scout behind us and see if any Risen are around us?"
"Yes Captain! I'll make sure the path is safe on all sides!" She said eagerly before she ran back to her winged horse and flew off into the bright blue sky.
"That saves us a full day of marching. We will be at the front lines just in time to end the war." I said cheerfully. There was a long silence and I waited for Chrom to respond. "Chrom?" I asked, but he ignored me because he was too busy watching the Pegasus fly away. "Chrom?" I tapped him on the shoulder and it snapped him back to reality. "Heh, admiring the Pegasus?"
… "Nonsense, I was just-"
"Just staring at Sumia?" I teased and his face turned red. "Ha ha, I didn't know royalty could blush like that. It doesn't seem like very regal thing to do Milord."
"Would you prefer that I ordered your execution then?" He said embarrassed
"My apologizes Milord." I bowed in front of him "I won't mention the stars in your eyes, and the thumping of your heart."
"I-I am just concerned for her safety is all."
"Suuure Milord."
"Augh, would you stop calling me that!"
I gracefully moved my arm and lowered my head, "As you wish my prince, but I do hope that you enjoyed that nap yesterday at breakfast."
"Huh? ...How do you know about that?!" Chrom asked uneasy.
"Heh, I was talking to Gaius yesterday when we saw Sumia trip on the ground. She shrugged it off and walked over to a royal blue Ylissean tent." I faked a tone of surprise and curiosity. "Even stranger, a few minutes later she left the tent and came over to me. She informed me that you would be delayed for our meeting. Naturally, I was curious to know why you would be delayed and I walked over to your tent. Upon entering I found my answer, a brave and fearless young Lord was sleeping like a baby. "
I grinned as I watched him tense up "Er I was-"
"Don't worry your royalness, I am glad to see you were able to sleep so peacefully."
He relaxed slightly, let his shoulders fall and tried to explain, but I interrupted him.
"Almost as if you slept thinking of something pleasant and sweet that rides a white Pegasus."
Chrom glared at me with a bright red face. "Are you done yet?"
"No" I laughed "Not even close." I slapped him on his back and continued
I had to keep his mind off of the war. Even if he wanted to kill me later It was my job to give him some peace of mind.
We eventually stopped to rest and eat lunch and I decided to give Chrom some space since I teased him the whole morning. Everyone ate around the camp fire and the royal family was together with Emmeryn at the middle, Chrom to her right, and Lissa to her left. There was an open seat next to Chrom and Sumia nervously asked to sit down there. I grabbed a piece of bread from my supplies, but I did not join them. I watched a little ways off as the campfire was dead silent. No one spoke, but sat still. The Shepherds morale was low, and everyone's minds were on the war.
...
Chrom got up from his seat and spoke to the anxious band.
"Before we eat, I have a few things to address first." Chrom said seriously "First and foremost, I would like to request that no one disturbs Maribelle during her tea time with Lissa. "Chrom glanced at Vaike who had a few bruises on his chest, and everyone smirked. "Second, no one is to steal Gaius' cache of candy." Everyone looked over to Vaike and held in a few chuckles. "Finally, in the event Frederick asks you to help him with the morning chores, DO NOT do it. You will be exhausted beyond belief." Everyone broke into laughter and stared at Gaius whose arms felt like they were rag dolls. "Okay, I think that covers it. Now lets eat.' Chrom smiled and sat back down.
Everyone stared talking and laughing. Many were teasing Vaike and a few condolences were even given to Gaius' arms. I was amazed at how he rallied everyone's spirits and the whole camp seemed to be alive with joy. I looked at Chrom to see him smiling as he sat next to his sisters and Sumia.
I walked away from the campsite, and ate a piece of my bread. As much as I would have liked to join them I needed to think about the future. I heard the faint sounds of shouting and laughing as I walked to a ridge and sat down on a rock. I looked out to see the white mountains in front of me and just sat there in thought.
Heh they are one big happy family, it must be nice... I wonder if I ever had one. Do I have a brother or sister? Did we do crazy and stupid stuff together too? I wonder what I left behind in that field. Perhaps a nice home, a mother and a father. Or was I an orphan? I know Lissa said my memories would return...but what if they don't? It's been a week and nothing seems different but I suppose it doesn't matter now. Those days are lost just like me.
…
I sat there for an eternity thinking about who I was. Until I felt a pair of eyes staring directly behind my head. Someone must have followed me from camp, but only one person would be quiet enough to achieve this without me noticing.
"Heh, how long have you been standing there?" I turned around and expected to see Kellam.
"Not long." The voice called back behind the bushes but I did not recognize it.
Wait,that's not Kellam... "Who goes there!" I cried and went for my sword.
The figure walked out of the bushes with her cerulean hair blowing in the breeze. "M-marth? W-what are you doing here?"
"Just making sure Emmeryn is safe." She said in her real voice. I had heard it before, but not without chaos distracting my thoughts.
"...You are following us?"
"Yes."
"Why?" I asked confused
"I can only see so much of the future. Now that it has been changed, I must make sure that it does not lead to the same effects."
"Ah I see, I think. It is still hard for me to imagine being able to predict the future" I pondered for awhile in "If you are worried about Emmeryn then why don't you join us? Chrom would be-"
She shook her head. "No, I cannot."
"But it would help both of-"
"I cannot not risk altering history any more than necessary." She said idly
"...Okay."
She took a step forward and looked at me strangely. "Robin, why are you out here and not with the company?"
*Sigh* "I am dealing with some troubling thoughts, and I didn't want to ruin the morale. Everyone already has enough troubles to worry about. Especially Chrom. No sense worrying him over my issues."
"What is troubling you?" She asked in a tone almost like she was interrogating me.
"My past, or my lack of one. You see, I have amnesia. I don't remember anything about my life other than the time I have spent with the Shepherds. They treat me great, but I feel like an outsider. I don't know if I belong here or anywhere for that matter. I am lost and confused in this strange world but I guess this doesn't make sense to you." I sighed.
"It does actually, it is something I think and experience every day." She said in deep thought
"Really?" I asked surprised
She tensed up and looked away from me. "I must get going." She started walking away without warning
"Wait! Marth..." I tried to think of something to say, but I couldn't and she already faded behind the bushes. She left me with more to think about and even fewer answers. I heard some laughter from the camp and I decided not to dwell on it. I had been gone for a while, and someone would notice my absence sooner or later.
...
I returned to camp to see Chrom and Sumia talking to each other and everyone else laughing about something Stahl did.
"Hey look!" Sumia said and pointed to the sky "Is that a Pegasus?"
Everyone raised their heads to see the white horse in the sky and watch dive straight down. The Shepherds stood up to watch and a few moments later the Pegaus' hoofs touched the ground. In a panic, the rider quickly got off and ran straight to the camp worried. She had bright red hair and held a hand to her stomach as she ran for us.
"Cordelia!?" Sumia asked in surprise and everyone watched her approach the Exalt. The red-haired woman bowed in front of Emmeryn and grimaced from the pain. There was a large gaping hole in her armor at her stomach and her hand was bright red from holding the wound together.
"Y-your Grace! My prince! Run! As far and fast as you can! ... More Plegians are coming... not a half day's march behind you!
"What?!" Chrom said astonished "How!?"
"The border has fallen... my m-my knight-sisters... erg..." She winced in pain. Her wounds were serious and it looked like a spear punctured her stomach.
"Lissa, Maribelle please help her." Emmeryn said worried
"Forget about me your Grace..we need to get you safe..."
There was a long and bitter silence as everyone was speechless.
Emmeryn shook her head and I could see the pain in her eyes. "I have to get back to Ylisstol and help the people. They need me now more than ever. Here, Chrom. I entrust this to you."
"The Fire Emblem?"
"No part of House Ylisse matters more than the Emblem. It possesses tremendous power. I hope it finds a better guardian in you than it did me. Take it to Ferox...to safety."
"Emm what do are you saying? You are coming with us, you can't possibly mean!"
"I am sorry Chrom, you will need to make this journey without me."
"Emm, please! This is madness! Walking to your own death will not bring peace to anyone! Ylisse needs you."
"WE need you!" Lissa cried and hugged on to her.
"... I love you two. Both you and Lissa are my everything. As for the peace I seek... You cannot see who it is for. I have to go. I'm sorry...I truly am. Let us embrace again in Ylisstol when you arrive with Feroxi reinforcements. I know you will come."
"This is a stupid plan you will get yourself killed!" Chrom yelled in hysteria
"I must do what is necessary to preserve peace." She calmly replied
"I wont let you be held a hostage!" Chrom cried.
"Chrom, you are not thinking about our people. Too many innocent lives are at stake." She started walking over to where Cordelia's Pegasus was.
"Emm, I wont let you do it!"
"We don't have a choice Chrom, but don't worry, I will see you in Ylisstol with the reinforcements."
"Emm!"
"Cordelia, I must ask to borrow your Pegasus. I will return it I promise" Before anyone could stop her, she climbed on to the saddle. "The blood of the first exalt flows strong in us Chrom. You and I will keep Ylisse safe. I believe it with all my heart. Safe journey, Chrom. Safe journey, Lissa." She flew away before anyone could reach her.
Frederick and I had to do everything in our power to prevent Chrom from trying to follow the Pegasus on foot. We each held one of his shoulders and dragged him away before he finally resigned.
We rushed as fast as we could to the Feroxi border. No one spoke the entire way there, and when we got there Chrom pleaded for the Khans to lend aid. They agreed, and within an hour we marched back to Ylisstol at full speed. Unfortunately, on our way back to Ylisstol our scouts told us that Emmeryn had been captured and was being led to the Plegian Capital. Gangrel had a publicly stated that we needed to bring the Fire Emblem to him or they would kill her.
With the entire Feroxi army behind us, we headed to Plegia in a desperate attempt to save her. Chrom was extremely worried the entire time and Sumia had to 'slap' him back into his senses. Along our way Cordelia's Pegasus flew back to us, but without its rider. The Pegasus found her way back to its owner but seeing it only made us more anxious. Chrom was greatly worried, but Sumia and I were there to help him.
…
"We will save her Chrom." Sumia said to comfort him
"...It's my fault I never should have let her go." Chrom said in agony
I could only imagine the pain he was suffering. "She felt that she had to do this Chrom. Nothing we could have done would have stopped her."
"Why? Why does she think throwing her life away would solve anything." Chrom kicked a rock on the ground. We were in too much of a hurry to have Frederick remove them from the path.
"I don't know, but you said that she witnessed the problems of war back when she was little. Maybe she knows something that we don't." I put my hand to my chin and thought it over. "Did she ever talk about the last war?"
"...No, but I know it hurt her greatly. One day when we were little she went to the front and told us we could not come with her. She came back in tears, and for a long time she wasn't herself."
"I can't imagine what she must have seen on the battlefield." I said quietly
"...I failed her. She has to witness that barbarity again. God, what if they shackled her and forced her to walk. How could I let this-"
I could not let him fall into despair so I cut him off and raised my hand to point over the small hill we were reaching. "We are almost to the Plegian border. It won't be long now before we end this."
He let out a deep sigh. "Hold on Emm, we are coming." He whispered and looked at the landscape.
All three of us looked above the hill simultaneous and we gasped in horror. There was a huge cloud of black smoke up in the air and it was close by.
"Something is on fire!" I yelled in a panic
…
The Shepherds and I ran to the spot as quickly as we could, but what we saw was worse than we feared. The fire came from a city that was set ablaze. Every building in the town was burning and the heat was unbearable the closer we got. Plegia must have attacked it on their way back to their homeland.
"BASTARDS!" Chrom yelled at the top of his lungs,
We ran to the burning wreckage and searched through the town in a desperate hope to find survivors, but there were none. We passed dead body after dead body as we moved through the streets braving the violent heat of the inferno. Plegia spared neither man or woman, and left their bodies to rot. Everything of value or importance had been stolen or destroyed, and they left only death behind.
I searched the end of the street for any survivors and I am came across a boy with an ax in his stomach. He couldn't have been older than six, and the bastards didn't even take the ax out as he was abandoned to die a slow and painful death. My heart ripped apart seeing the child lay there covered in blood. I fell on my knees next to him and tried not to break down when I saw his fingers slowly twitch. With a faint hope I checked his wrist for a pulse. The second I touched the boy he opened his eyes and looked at me. His eyes were filled with suffering and he whimpered from his stomach hurting, but he fought back the pain to whisper to me.
"Mister... pwease end the pain... I want to be ….with my mom and... dad."
I held my breath and my face went pale, but I was relieved that he was still alive. There was still a chance for him to make it through this, and I desperately yelled back at the burning village. "LISSA! Get over here!" She ran over as fast as she could and I turned back to the boy. "Don't worry, I have a friend that can help you. I can take you back to your parents; by any chance do you know where they are?" I asked as I felt the heat of the fire melt my face.
The boy struggled to keep his attention and moved his arm up in the air as he groaned in severe pain. I thought he wanted a hand up, and I was afraid to move him. He pointed straight to the sky covered in black smoke, and I did not understand.
"My parents are up there."
A tidal wave of emotions overcame my body hearing this. The boy's parents were dead, and he wanted to join them. It took everything in my power not to give into the madness; I had to keep calm.
Lissa reached him and started healing the boy as fast as she could. She said that the boy would probably survive and she asked Maribelle to help her. That was the only good news we would hear. The heat and smoke continued to bombard my face and I had to leave this accursed place. I walked away from the town hearing the flames roar behind me. My body was covered in soot and sweat when I reached the top of the hill. I took a deep breath to regain my composure but it caused me to choke on the fumes.
…
As I look backed at the burning wreckage my mind pictured what happened... On that hill I could hear the screams of the woman and children. I could see the Plegian army mercilessly destroying and looting as they set the buildings on the fire. On that hill, I saw the boy get cut in the stomach, and his attacker not even giving it a second thought as he ran passed the dying boy. I saw nothing but death and it consumed me. I felt empty and devoid of any life.
I-I fell to my knees and gave in to the despair. The pain, the agony they suffered...I felt it. I yelled in unbearable suffering "GRAAAAAHHHHHH YOU BASTARDS!" Tears ran down my eyes, and I dropped my face into the ground.
That's...That's when I felt Chrom's hand on my shoulder. I didn't need to look, I didn't need to hear, but I felt his torment. In that moment we shared the insufferable pain. We grieved together, and pledged our lives to end this war, and any other destruction that would ever threaten lives again. This is what Emmeryn had seen. Chrom and I knew it and we could do nothing but devote our lives to prevent it from ever happening again.
…
"Dad are you okay?!" Morgan asked worried as she saw her father fight back the pain. He gasped for breath and removed a stray tear from his eyes. Lucina comforted Robin by holding his hand and he grabbed it tightly.
...
"I am fine." Robin sighed as the pain faded away with the touch of his wife's hand. She shared a part of the feelings and it became bearable to deal with. "But...it's time to go to sleep."
Morgan didn't say a word as Lucina helped Robin out of his chair. They said their goodnights to their daughter and walked to the door.
"Dad..." she whispered and the tactician turned around.
"...Yes angel?"
"I wish I could have helped you." She said feebly
"No Morgan." He shook his head. "I pray every night that you will never see that sight. I wish what every father does. For you to live a happy life free of these burdens, and I will throw every gold coin I own it the fountain to make sure it comes true."