"So Miriel… do you know what's wrong with her?" Chrom was currently sat in the back of one of the convoy wagons as the Shepards slowly made their way towards Regna Ferox, Sully, Miriel and Lissa were also present as this was the unofficial medical cart.
After Corrin's earlier rampage she had seemingly blacked out and although there was nothing physically wrong with her she hadn't awoken which left Chrom and Robin getting into a light debate on who would stay by her side during the travel, in the end Lissa suggested that they take turns if only so she could focus on looking after her patient, sometime into the trip they had called the Shepards resident scientist Miriel, a woman with sharp features, shoulder length red hair, a pointed black hat that matched her refined black attire, and a pair of oval rimmed glasses, since Chrom had asked the question she had been sitting and murmuring to herself whilst writing in her notebook after a minute more she looked up "I'm sorry captain did you say something?" she turned to look at Chrom as she spoke as if realizing he was there for the first time.
"I asked if you had figured out what was wrong with Corrin yet." Chrom fought against the urge to sigh, it wasn't because he disliked Miriel it was simply the fact that she was normally lost in her own world of research and normally unintentionally getting into trouble.
"Oh… Why yes I believe I have a theory, although she shows no signs of physical trauma or interior damage as far as we're aware, however it appears to be some form of ancient magic it has divine qualities similar to what the records tell us was used to seal Grima all those years ago. To see magic that has only been theorized about and speculated upon it truly is a fascinating thing…" Miriel began to trail off and resume her study of the magic surrounding Corrin.
As Miriel buried herself in her research Chrom focused on Corrin he had never felt so concerned or powerless, he had seen allies fall ill or get injured but he had always been able to do something to help now all he could do was watch and wait, on instinct he gently held Corrin's hand I know you're going to get through this Corrin he didn't know why he felt like this there was just something in his heart that urged him to hold her he barely resisted.
After a few hours Chrom moved to the lead of the convoy and Robin took over, Sully remained to watch carefully that and she wasn't allowed to leave until Lissa's stave had regained its arcane charge, as they reached the beginning of Regna Ferox the cold began to creep in Robin placed her coat over Corrin and on instinct she held her hand, it was something that brought her comfort in fact any kind physical contact with Corrin caused her heart and mind race whilst comforting her, as they sat there in silence Sully spoke "Hey, what's the deal with the two of you?" Robin flushed she had no idea how to answer all she knew was that Corrin made her feel safe "I wouldn't know how to explain it… it's like when… hrmm… I just feel safe near her… and comfortable… like this is where I'm supposed to be…" she hadn't stopped looking at Corrin's sleeping form and had only squeezed her hand tighter as she spoke, Sully looked at the two of them "You know, I wish I had something like that but at the same time I don't think I could deal with being protected… kinda makes me more jealous… but eh who needs that crap in their life I intend to find an equal to protect and be protected by" As Sully spoke Robin realised that she didn't stand as equals with anyone even in the battle that had put Corrin in this state she had been protected by her and everyone with that thought in mind she vowed to get stronger.
As the Shepards approached the tundra Chrom noticed what seemed to be an injured white horse nearby, he called the troops to a stop and approached it with Robin, Lissa and Robin "Well, what do we have here?" Robin looked closely at the creature which watched her wearily.
"Hey, is that what I think it is?" Lissa went move a little closer while Robin kept her distance.
"It's a Pegasus, all right. I think it's hurt. Let's just have a look here..." As Chrom approached the elegant creature it weakly reared and whinnied which he took as a fair warning "WHOA! Down, girl! Easy there!"
"Captain, one moment!" Sumia began to approach only to fall face first however she recovered swiftly and elegantly.
"Sumia! Are you all right? ...Those boots of yours again?" Chrom sighed as he watched her.
"No! I mean, yes! I mean..." She sighed heavily whilst looking at the ground.
"Well, come no closer. This beast is crazed!" Chrom held out a hand to keep the Pegasus back.
"It's okay, Captain. I can handle this... Shhh... Easy now, girl. I won't hurt you." With surprising grace and speed Sumia approached the Pegasus and began calming it running her hand gently down its snout and resting her head against its neck.
"How did she calm it so quickly?" Robin looked genuinely impressed at Sumia's aptitude and made a mental note.
"You all go on ahead. I'll dress her wounds and catch up as soon as we're able." Sumia smiled gently and pulled out a medical kit.
"We can make time to wait for you" it pained Chrom to say it with Corrin out of commission but he didn't want to leave anyone behind.
"Thank you, Captain. But I can manage. Every moment is precious when all of Ylisse is in danger." Sumia smiled and gently began applying the bandages.
"Right, then. Be safe, Sumia." Chrom nodded and somewhat begrudgingly turned to head back to the convoy.
"As you command, sir" Sumia saluted before resuming her tending of the Pegasus.
After a few days they reached the snowy tundra that lead up to Regna Ferox's border Corrin finally stirred upon hearing this Chrom and Robin rushed to the makeshift medical cart, once they were inside and settled Chrom spoke "So… I don't want to pry but what exactly happened to you Corrin?" as he spoke he noticed tears beginning to form unbidden in her eyes "Ha… which part… the rampage or the comatose state?" she seemed to barely holding it together.
"Look Corrin… You don't have to tell us anything you don't want to" Robin spoke quickly whilst squeezing Corrin's hand.
"It's... it's fine we all need to face our demons eventually why not do it in trusted company." She sniffed a little and before she knew it she had a white cloak and a warm purple coat on top of her the minute the fabrics were settled Corrin could smell the scents she associated with both of them and mentally chastised herself.
"Well take your time… we've still got some time before we reach the border proper" Chrom smiled and held Corrin's other hand once again he had no idea why it just felt like the right thing to do.
"So… You remember the war I fought in?" Chrom nodded whilst Robin looked surprised she had assumed Corrin had seen combat as a queen but not an entire war "Well… the war as it turns out was against a truly evil, formerly divine, dragon named Anankos… my father, in a sense it was his human form that fell in love with my mother, he had become close to the king of Valla and upon his death turned to madness, as the story goes…"
Whilst Corrin explained the intricacies of Anankos' downfall both Chrom and Robin were still reeling from the revelation that Corrin was the daughter of a divine being "after that he went mad and brought Valla to ruin, but that's not the part you want to hear. After I had been ruling for a year Anankos decided to return however he did it in a way that proved troublesome, he returned through the very foundations we were rebuilding on, his madness infected me and we began to fight over my soul and just as it seemed I was about to lose someone very close to me appeared her name was Azura…" as Azura's name left her lips she began to cry before Chrom could begin to figure out how to comfort her Robin laid down beside her and coiled her arms tightly around her
"I'm fine… but… Azura as it turned out had gone to Anankos' chamber and… in exchange for her life recreated a legendary seal called the seal of flames… it allowed me to call upon fragments of my father's power however the seal was forged of Azura's spirit and after all this time I couldn't let go of her… she was my first love.." that surprised Chrom and Robin slightly "During that fight when I lost myself my father's madness crept through and Azura… she stopped me… however it came with a price… apparently I have more purpose to protect me and she felt as though it was her time… I had to… relive my worst nightmare…" Corrin finally broke down as she did robin held tighter and Chrom simply gripped her hand tighter.
After a few minutes she finally calmed herself "She's finally gone… She won't be there if and when I return home and nothing will change the fact that I killed the woman I loved and ran away from the consequences for four years… I would go down to talk to the memorial that her family had put down there for her… I became distant… lost… I feel as though coming here was just another escape" Chrom finally sighed and looked straight into Corrin's eyes again she looked as the same as she did when Robin had been comforting her "I told you I didn't want to see you looking like that again, I'm sure that Azura never blamed you and… that she loved you… Corrin anyone would be glad to pay such a price for you… so don't ever think such thoughts, I'm sure Azura would tell you the same thing" As he finished Corrin smiled and squeezed his hand tighter she hadn't realized he had removed his glove, his hand was warm, soft and strong against her better judgement she pushed her head into it, Sully cleared her throat which jolted Corrin just enough to reign her instincts in Okay… that was weird "Well I think that I'm well enough to walk again and laying here is driving me a little crazy" She sniffed a little "and I think the fresh air would do me some good" As Robin let go of Corrin Chrom pulled Corrin to her feet as he did Robin pouted and puffed out her cheeks as she did Chrom let Stahl now to slow the cart down before Corrin hopped off the minute she did she shivered and regretted not wearing shoes for most of her life, then again she had dealt with worse.
As they began walking Chrom fell into step with her "You really do shoulder the weight of the world don't you?" he smiled gently as he looked at the slightly shorter woman after what she had revealed to them Corrin suddenly seemed much smaller and… "hey remember our promise, that if we had burdens we would share them glad that they weren't just words, I just wish I had known that you were bearing such horrible memories I guess it's true what they say, that scars run deeper than they seem… If I overstepped by saying that…"
Corrin smiled before responding "No… I think… I think it took me hearing that to realise that I've never really healed from any of my injuries; I just stood up and pushed on even after I took a strike from a Wyrmslayer I just felt that… if I stopped I'd give up and if I gave up then I wouldn't be able to face anyone… after the war I kept training, sparring and fighting with whoever would accept the challenge… am… am I crazy?" She looked to be on the edge of tears as they were out of sight Chrom did the only thing that came naturally he hugged her as the snow began to fall "I don't think you are… Corrin I think that you are a great woman and a strong leader but do me a favour and never feel that if you stop moving you're giving up, it's okay to stop and take a break every once in a while…" Corrin giggled softly into Chrom`s chest "It sounds like you've been told this yourself" It was Chrom's turn to chuckle "Yes… however I was told this for a less serious reason, just know that you can lean on me when you need to" Corrin nodded and pushed her face into Chrom's chest more… until there was the sound of someone clearing their throat "Hey! We got the border comin up captin, you an the lovebird there wanna head up to the front" Vaike smiled as Corrin's face turned crimson "We're not… uh… okay Vaike" As Chrom finished talking Corrin's heart raced he hadn't denied it properly does that mean? Not the time Corrin lets fix his kingdom first then ask your first boy out at the age of… best not think about that She just stepped back but before she could start walking Chrom gently cleared his throat "You'll get sick… or frostbite if you continue walking if you want I could give you a piggy-back for a while" his face was crimson as he held out his hand "Only if you insist" She didn't want admit how happy she was as she took his hand and she hopped on to his back.
Within the hour they could see the snow covered ramparts of the border wall and while Corrin was nuzzled into Chrom's warm back Lissa shivered near Fredrick "Brrr! F-F-Frebberick! I'm f-f-freebing" the knight laughed as he moved his horse closer "Stand beside my horse, milady. She'll shelter you from the wind."
Corrin leaned her head on Chrom's shoulder and looked over the fortress "So this is the fortress?"
Chrom nodded "Yes, the Longfort. It stretches along the border of Ylisse and Regna Ferox." He smiled as he saw Corrin's wide crimson eyes taking in the view and he had to admit it was pretty beautiful.
"The khans that rule Ferox have grown quite wary of foreigners. Still, don't mistake a lack of hospitality for open hostility. This simply calls for a bit of diplomacy." Fredrick gave Chrom a warning glare as he spoke.
"Negotiation's not my strong suit, but I'll do my best. Remember, everyone: your actions here reflect back upon Ylisse." Chrom looked towards the rest of the Shepards who were leaving the convoy in the safe hands of the small company of soldiers they had to guard it.
As they neared the Longfort Fredrick's brow furrowed and he leaned towards Chrom "Trouble in the wind, milord: the Feroxi Guard are mobilizing." Chrom quickly set Corrin feeling bad as she tried to keep her feet warm "What?! Why?" He and Corrin spoke at the same time both had shock in their voices.
"Who can say? But they look ready to let fly at a moment's notice. We'd best prepare for combat, just to be safe. Perhaps we ought pool our supplies and select which Shepherds to deploy? Loath as I am to trust her, Robin might offer some valuable insight in this..." Fredrick's eyes flicked towards the purple robed figure as she hastily approached.
"Indeed, she IS our tactician, after all. So, Robin? What do you suggest?" Chrom looked towards Robin who seemed slightly irritated and like she had hardly rested.
"I can offer insight into what?" She rubbed her eyes but quickly straightened up when she saw Corrin's concerned look "Oh right the fortress… we can approach carefully with Fredrick close to you Chrom in case they do let loose, me and Corrin will bring up the rear and provide support." She smiled brightly at Corrin.
With that they approached and prepared to deal with the Feroxi guard…