The fight at the village had been tough, the bandit chief Roddick had put up quiet the fight, Donnel one of the villagers had fought alongside them and had performed better than any of the had expected with the protection of the shepherds and the instruction of Fredrick throughout the skirmish he had improved considerably, after the last of the bandits had been routed Donnel had asked the shepherds to take him with them Chrom had agreed which meant the shepherds had gained a new ally with great potential.

As the Shepherds made their way back to Ylisstol Corrin noticed a large structure just off the mainland, it was connected by a land bridge that Corrin assumed made travel to it reliant on the tides, as she looked at it she decided to ask Miriel about it "Miriel would you mind if I ask you something?" the redheaded mage didn't respond she continued to stare at the book she had been reading "Miriel?" no response "Miriel!" the mage jumped slightly.

"Wah! Lady Corrin I do wish you would make your presence known… however this maybe a strange phenomenon that would indicate…" Miriel began murmuring much to Corrin's frustration.

"Miriel!" Corrin snapped her fingers a few times to bring the scientist out of her thoughts.

"Ah yes… you had a question, my apologies" Miriel adjusted her glasses as she spoke.

"Yes, what is that structure over there?" she pointed at the structure as she spoke making sure Miriel knew which structure she was inquiring about.

Miriel looked closely at the structure before checking her book "Oh that is the Outrealm gate, it is said to lead to other worlds, the past or even locations somewhat parallel to ours. There are many interesting hypothesis as to how to how it functions…" as the mage continued her ramblings, Corrin caught up with Chrom and Robin.

"Chrom? I know we have to return to Ylisstol but I was wondering if we could take a closer look at the Outrealm gate" As she spoke Corrin couldn't explain what was drawing her towards the gate but something was.

"I suppose we could spare a day, Emm would insist that we don't take our duties too seriously, after all the Feroxi sent men to Ylisstol after we left so we've earned some time to relax a little." The prince smiled as he looked at the queen, she had a curiosity to her that was refreshing and made him want to explore the lands he knew so well.

"Thank you Chrom, I can't explain why but something is drawing me towards that gate…" Corrin turned to begin heading towards the gate, as she did Chrom had Frederick relay the orders to travel to the gate.

The travel there left the shepherds in awe the land bridge felt familiar to Corrin, she couldn't explain why but as they got closer to the gate the pull felt stronger, the gate itself was ancient and intricately carved it depicted two dragons clashing, Corrin thought she recognized them but they were quiet worn so the closer details were indecipherable however as she attempted to look closer at one of the inscriptions the gate opened and as it did Corrin couldn't help but gasp as a familiar face exited.

"Corrin…" there was no mistaking the voice that left Corrin's heart racing.

"I… Wh-What happened to you, you just disappeared" Corrin ran forwards and wrapped her arms tightly around the speaker.

"Dammit Corrin I'm going to have to start charging you for making my heart hurt…"The speaker laughed between tears.

Corrin giggled "I think you owe me in that case, you just disappeared!" the two of them laughed and chatted for a time while the shepherds just looked on in confusion eventually another voice spoke.

"Sis! Don't tell me you're trying to steal my customers!" A red headed woman wearing a traditional merchant's attire stood there with her hands on her hips.

"Sis! I wouldn't do that! I was… visiting an old friend" the speaker that had her arms wrapped around Corrin looked offended.

"Oh yeah? Who is she then? Come on Anna I'm waiting!" the red head looked at Anna whose face was turning as red as her hair.

"This is… Lady Corrin… the queen of Valla, Lady Corrin this is my Sister Anna" Anna looked between her sister and Corrin.

Anna's eyes widened as she rushed up to Corrin "So you're the one!"

"Uh… I am?" Corrin was suddenly confused as to why this woman was accusing her of something, and then the confusion only escalated as the other Anna wrapped her arms around her.

"Yes, you're the one that put my wayward younger sister on the straight and narrow and made an honest woman out of her! I mean I'm not judging her, mum and dad would have loved more granddaughters but hey welcome to the family sister." Anna spoke quickly and bombarded Corrin with a part of her past that both she and Anna had tried to avoid.

"Uh… I am and thanks, would you mind giving me and Anna sometime it's been a while after all." Corrin smiled as the other Anna nodded.

"Of course take all the time you need, heck I'll give you a family discount on a soundproof tent if you'd like" Anna smiled as her sister and Corrin turned red and politely declined before heading towards the shepherds as they did Chrom folded his arms and patiently waited for an explanation.

"So… Chrom let me explain, this is Anna she fought by my side during the war and well… after the war we got very, very drunk and went to a small place in Nohr at the suggestion of a rather dubious friend of ours known as Niles, and we got married… She then disappeared a few months later with little more than a tear stained apology note and a heft bag of gold to cover the cost of the wedding and the ring she left with." Corrin could feel Anna lean into her as she spoke in an attempt to avoid the prince's gaze.

"So… you were married, to a woman and uh… you still legally are under a different kingdoms laws… well I guess it could have been worse." Chrom half smiled as he looked at Corrin, it was a difficult situation but not unconquerable.

Anna looked to the prince as he spoke and couldn't deny the pain in her heart, the way Corrin looked at him and he looked at her reminded her of what she had thrown away as she looked at the two of them she smiled "Hey blue blood!" Chrom and Corrin looked to Anna "Look after her, I think this is where she was supposed to all along, with your permission and if it won't be too awkward I'd like to travel with you, to keep her safe and make up for all the time I stole from her"

Chrom approached Anna and smiled holding out his hand which she took as the two of them shook hands the prince spoke "I'm fine with you travelling with us, I'm not so petty as to deny you the chance to heal the wounds you two carry and I think that Corrin would appreciate someone who knows her travelling with us." The merchant thief smirked and nodded.

"Of course, I'm guessing she didn't tell you about her array of retainers?" Anna did her best not laugh as Corrin began looking frustrated.

"Wait an array of retainers?" Chrom smiled as he looked at Corrin who turned to leave.

"yes although I think she still remembers my teasing about it, I'll tell you another time she can be quite terrifying when she is in a mood" Anna giggled a little and smiled at Corrin who was currently talking to another silver haired individual, probably complaining "You're a lucky man your highness"

"Its Chrom and thank you I believe I am, I trust I can rely on you for support if something somehow goes wrong?" Chrom smiled as Corrin looked over at him.

"Please, its one thousand gold per cheat your highness and two priceless jewels if you so much as look at another woman in a lecherous fashion" Anna smiled sweetly and made her way over to sit next to Corrin as she sat down Chrom couldn't help but notice that Anna snuggled closer to Corrin and rested her hand on the queens, a few minutes later Robins face turned crimson as Corrin explained her relationship with the Merchant thief.

Chrom frowned and began helping set up the camp, he wasn't used to jealousy it was a strange feeling and certainly not one he liked as the night settled and the camp was completely set up Chrom could have sworn he saw something come through the gate, a shadow maybe? He decided not to think on it, blaming his rampant thoughts before saying goodnight to Corrin and retiring to his tent.

Apologies for the shorter chapter, I'm just recovering from a bug everything will be back to normal soon, as ever thanks for sticking with me – R.J