After the Shepherds had returned to Ylisstol they get their new recruits settled while Chrom informed Emmeryn about their trip, as he did Phila charged into the throne room a look of alarm on her face "Your Grace! M-milord! Forgive me, but I bring alarming news!"

Emmeryn stepped past her brother to address the captain "Phila! Slow down, please! What's happened?" as she spoke Emmeryn's voice seemed to calm Phila enough for her to compose her thoughts.

"Plegian soldiers have been sighted inside our southwest border! They attacked a village in Themis and abducted the duke's daughter." Phila spoke with urgency in her voice and a sense of dread filled the room as she spoke.

"B-but that would be...Maribelle! Chrom, we have to do something!" Lissa's voice was filled with fear as she spoke, her eyes remaining focused on her brother.

Phila spoke before Chrom had a chance to "There's more: King Gangrel of Plegia claims Lady Maribelle invaded HIS country. He demands we pay reparations for this "insult.""

Chrom barely contained his anger as Phila spoke "And we're to believe a dastard like the Mad King of Plegia?" Corrin had never seen Chrom act this way part of her was concerned for him but her draconic instincts said this was very attractive Not the time Corrin

"Peace, Chrom. We must keep our wits about us." Emmeryn seemed to be doing her best to keep her brothers temper in check as she spoke.

"We should put a sword in his gut and be done with it! The Mad King has been trying to provoke war with Ylisse at every step! He won't stop until he drags this whole continent to hell with him!" Chrom barely resisted the urge to yell, as he finished speaking he felt Corrin's hand run along his bicep as it did he felt calmer and a little confused.

"I agree with the prince, Your Grace. We must demonstrate to Plegia that such actions have consequences." Phila spoke with zeal in her voice which surprised all present.

"I understand your feelings, Chrom, Phila. Truly I do. But if we give him the war he wants, then we lose, no matter what the outcome. Our last conflict nearly ruined the Halidom. It left Ylissians homeless and starving. We cannot repeat that mistake. I will offer parley with King Gangrel." The regal way Emmeryn spoke left Corrin envious, she was the definition of a ruler.

"Emm, no! You can't!" Lissa's fear was running rampant she seemed to understand the weight of her sisters action and the consequences if things wet poorly.

"Please reconsider, Your Grace. He cannot be trusted to act in good faith!" Phila's zeal seemed to vanish at the idea of her liege being in the mad king's crosshairs.

"So either we choose to march to war or leave Lady Maribelle to die? No. I will not accept that." Emmeryn spoke with a noble intent that seemed to inspire all that heard her.

"...Forgive me, Your Grace. I spoke out of turn. I know you will stand always by your own principles. Pray, allow the Pegasus knights to accompany you, though." Phila lowered her head as she spoke, the dedication in her voice reminded Corrin of Jacob and Felicia when they spoke to her and about her.

"I'm going too. ...Someone has to save you from your good intentions." Chrom seemed to have calmed himself down however Corrin could see the embers of anger in his eyes.

"And I want to be there for you AND Maribelle!" Lissa pepped up returning to her old self at the thought of rescuing her friend.

"As you wish. Thank you all. Your strength will be mine." Emmeryn lowered her head to all present in thanks before giving the order for Phila and Chrom to gather supplies for the trip and the necessary forces.

As the forces were gathered Corrin and Chrom found themselves alone in the courtyard, the night sky above them, Corrin moved closer to Chrom enjoying his warmth against her "So… are you feeling okay? You got pretty riled in there" Corrin spoke softly and nuzzled as close as she could.

"Yes… I'm sorry for concerning you, Gangrel has done so much to hurt the Halidom and my family I honestly think that the world would be better without him…" as Chrom spoke he sounded unsure of himself, for the first time since travelling with him Corrin could see the man beneath the bravado, she could see the Prince that was constantly questioning every action he was making.

"Chrom… there are some people that deserve that but you aren't the kind of person to think like that, if you truly believe that this 'Gangrel' deserves death then I'll believe that your judgement is sound, now…" Corrin's face turned crimson "Can we go to bed?"

"I thought you wanted to take it slow?" Chrom smiled, he had clearly forgotten his worries for the moment.

"I do, it's just that… I haven't been sleeping well and I thought being held might help it's something my elder sister used to do to help me so I thought…" Corrin hid her face as she spoke.

"Okay Corrin if that's all you need then I'm happy to provide" Chrom smiled before sweeping Corrin off her feet and carrying her to his room.

As the morning sun disturbed Chrom he was disappointed to find Corrin absent the feeling quickly faded as he saw her silhouette the balcony, he spent the early morning holding her and simply enjoying the time they had before marching to Plegia to save Maribelle.

Sorry for the shorter chapter I've been having technical difficulties hopefully everything will be back to normal soon - R.J