Rating: T

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem: Awakening and the story line or characters.

During a Break from their campaign, the Shepherds stop near Frederick's hometown. He introduces Robin & Morgan to his mother. Requested by Meme

Chapter 11: Gladiolus

"Everyone, prepare to settle down for the night. We will be resting for a day and then continue our march toward Valm. Muriel, Laurent, Libra, Sully, and Kellam will take the first watch." Lord Chrom could not help but curb his smile as his Shepherds sighed in relief and began setting up camp. The atmosphere immediately tranquilized as the earlier struggles and weariness of the day began to melt into the late afternoon haze.

The sun was already sitting low in the sky signaling that it would be dusk soon. Surrounding the Shepherds was a ring of tall pine trees and a couple of standing log cabins that proudly displayed the flag of the Halidom of Ylisse. The rest of the houses were shielded by the dancing shadows of the tallest trees- their lights brightening up the woods and the soldiers' hearts. Although the company had started marching since four in the morning, they were nowhere near Valm.

The large band of soldiers may have been deep into the mountains, but they were far from lost. In fact, they had only made it far into the rural mountains that were still under the jurisdiction of Ylisstol. The rich, mountain air was enough to instill energy into the most fatigued soldier. This small village that was hidden deep in the mountains was in fact the hometown of Ylisse's famous Frederick the Wary.

Nearby, the blue haired exalt watched quietly as his most trusted knight and tactician began to head off further into the woods- with their newly recruited son Morgan in tow. With a critical eye, Chrom noted the somber look and attitude Frederick was sporting. The knight was very rigid in his stride on top of his warhorse- more so than usual. The knight stared naught but straight ahead- as if seeing a hidden path and veered his horse on autopilot deeper into the woods. Robin was seated right in front of him on his horse and held her own gaze in a look of concern toward her husband. However the couple kept on riding into the woods in silence. Their son was a couple of strides behind, quietly taking in the beautiful scenery.

The blue haired royal let out a weighty sigh and watched as the small family disappeared further into the trees. Although this was the stoic knight's hometown, the man himself had not visited in years due to one reason: This place held very painful memories for the man.

An hour had passed as the small but powerful family of three marched on into the woods. Although the environment surrounded Robin in a state of peace that only nature can provide, she felt anything but tranquil.

Their son Morgan had caught up to their horse and was now quietly walking beside them. She had felt her beloved husband seated behind her become more rigid as time passed. His gloved hands gripped the leather harness of his horse tightly and his face became more solemn. As she turned to look at her confused and concerned son beside them, the tactician shot Morgan a gaze that simply stated, "Let me handle this".

"..My love, where are we going? We should be setting up camp.." Blinking as if waking from a stupor, Frederick kept his eyes scrutinizing ahead as he could feel his wife and son's concerned gazes on him.

Shaking his head and keeping his mouth in a thin line, he only spoke in a thick gruff voice, "I'll let you know when we get there". Shooting perturbed glances at each other, both mother and son kept quiet and transferred their eyes to whatever grabbed their interests.

After wandering for an hour in a straightforward line, Robin and Morgan's faces went slack into shock as Frederick quietly whispered that they had arrived. In front of the trio, the dense forest opened into an open clearing that showed the setting sun.

The open field stretched onward and blended into the cliffs that presented an amazing view of the mountains ahead and the small town down below the cliff. Upon surveying the area, the mother and son soaked up the gorgeous view of the myriad of flowers that grew all over the grass clearing. "These flowers are magnificent! Father, what are they?! I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life and-" Morgan babbled as he bounded closer to the field in excitement, scanning what laid before him. The flowers themselves shot upwards and stood tall: purple, pink, red, white, and yellows were proudly shown off as far as the eye can see. An orchestra of flowers that created a pleasant symphony of colors and scents that could even lull the hardest of hearts.

With a somber but proud smile Frederick merely answered, "These are called Gladiolus flowers. I planted them myself long ago when I was a boy. I'm pleased that they are alive and healthy."

Robin too had absorbed her eyes in the elegant display, but the tactician's smile wavered when her eyes landed on a stone structure that stood lonely in the midst of the field. Robin knew that Morgan saw it too when he had quieted down. Together, the trio slowly strolled their way past the field of flowers carefully and straight to the worn stone monument in the center.

Gazing down, Frederick stood to his fullest height with his hands behind his back and waited silently for the full attention of his loved ones. Robin stood quietly on his left and Morgan on his right. "Hello mother… It's been quite a while hasn't it? It has been about eighteen years since I last came to visit you. I hope you forgive me..It has been rather.. painful to come here.." Frederick murmured.

Ever so slowly, the stoic knight bent on his knees and gingerly ran a hand over the words carved on the tombstone. Eyes glazed over, Frederick somberly continued, "Mother, I would like you to meet my beloved wife and son: Robin and Morgan. I know you would have loved them unconditionally". The two at his side quickly followed Frederick's actions and bended their knees once they quietly read its words:

Eleanor Emilia of Ylisse

Gave her life protecting her son from a wolf

"In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! We are not bound forever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory."

Facts of inspiration:

-"Gladiolus" is a flower used to mourn someone who displayed strength and character in life. A sympathy flower, its message is full of upliftment during a time of loss. It's a beautiful flower!

-In the game, C Support of Frederick and Panne: Frederick states that when he was a boy he was attacked by a mountain wolf in the forest near his village. (He almost died) He was afraid of Panne when she came to him in her Taguel form.

-The quote on Frederick's mother's gravestone is from Appendix A of Lord of the Rings- It was Aragorn's last words to Arwen before his death.

-Hello! It has been TWO YEARS since I've uploaded anything. This is my first time writing again. I will continue to write and catch up on things during stay at home order. Please stay tuned for the next story!