A/N: I-N-S-P-I-R-A-T-I-O-N! I finally found it! Only took me, what, half a year? :P I am so, so, so, SO SORRY for making you guys wait this long! It was never my intention to abandon this story for such a long time! So if you've, like, lost all your patience with me I completely and totally understand. As I said in previous chapters, I was having trouble figuring out where to go with the rest of the story. I spent literally probably a good month brainstorming ideas, trying to envision them in my head, ya know? But I really couldn't come up with anything that I though would work. Yesterday I was reading through the story so far, and all of a sudden, I had the urge to write more. I really don't know how it happened haha! But I really hope it happens more often! :) I would really like to get back to updating like once every 2 weeks, but I just don't think I can commit myself to it right now. (College is a bitch :( lol) So, I guess, you guys will get another chapter whenever I get around to it? Fair enough? :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem. All characters belong to Nintendo/Intelligent Systems

The Crimean Army, once again under Ike's command, marched out of Melior the following morning. Their first stop was Castle Delbray, and Rafiel projected that they would arrive there in about a week's time if they kept a steady pace. The relentless winds and frigid temperatures were proving to be a hindrance, however. By late afternoon, the temperature began to drop dramatically. Luckily, it wasn't quite cold enough for anyone to get frostbitten, but many of the troops were still bundled up in their warmest of clothing, Soren in particular. Ike would look back at him occasionally, trying his best to hide the smirk that kept wanting to plaster itself onto his face.

Mia treaded alongside Ike silently, and it was evident to the commander that something was bothering her. He could tell by the way she nonchalantly ran her fingers through a clump of her hair. Deciding it was in Mia's best interest to get whatever it was off her chest, he engaged her in conversation. "You look upset," he pointed out, wrapping his arm around her. She in turn looked up at him with somewhat plaintiff eyes. Ike didn't like the look on her face at all.

Mia sucked in a rather large breath of air before she answered him. "I was just wondering if we made the right choice in leaving Erin back in Melior with Queen Elincia," she said, her gaze transferring back to the ground in front of her.

Ike knew how much she missed their sweet little daughter. He missed her as well. But when Elincia announced that she would be staying in Crimea while the army traveled to Hatari, Ike inquired that she look after Erin while they were gone, and to care for her indefinitely if something were to happen to him and Mia. Of course, Elincia agreed. Everyone knew how much she loved children. "I trust that the Queen will look after her and guard her with her own life," Ike answered, slowly rubbing his partner's back.

Mia nodded, however solemnly. "I trust her as well, but what if something happens in Melior while we're away? What if there's another attack?"

Ike realized he wasn't sure how to go about answering this. "Best not to worry for now," he said instead, gently pulling Mia closer to him. "Focus on the task at hand." Mia nodded again, this time seeming a little more sure of herself. A few moments later, Ike heard footsteps directly behind him, and he hadn't noticed how close Soren had gotten to them.

"We should probably stop here and make camp for the night," the tactician mumbled underneath his many layers of clothing. "I think some people are starting to get tired." He looked back at Mist and noticed she was dragging her feet a little.

"Right," Ike nodded in approval. He then gave the order for the troops to halt, and everyone breathed sighs of relief. They had been marching since dawn and hadn't had a single break. "We make camp here for tonight," Ike called out. "So start setting up."

Within minutes, there were already tents pitched and fires started on the frozen solid earth beneath the snow. Oscar had began preparing the evening meal, using some of the rations that Queen Elincia had given the army. After everyone had eaten, they retreated to their tents to turn in for the night. A select few, however, were gathered in Ike's tent to discuss what the rest of the journey would bring.

Soren took a map out of his bag and laid it flat across a small wooden table. "At the moment, we're about right here," he said, pointing to a spot on the map. "I'd say we'll probably be in Delbray in less than four days."

Rafiel nodded in approval. "We're making better time than I had originally thought, then."

"Although," Soren continued, his impatient tone showing once again that he didn't like being interrupted. "We haven't taken into consideration how long it'll take us to get over the mountains." There was a moment of silence in the room, as clearly no one but Soren had thought about crossing over the mountains. "That alone could take the entirety of the four days, depending upon how fast we move."

"Well, we birds can fly, so it won't be a challenge for us," Tibarn put in. Reyson dutifully nodded in agreement, then he looked over at Rafiel, who's gaze was directed toward the floor.

"Most of us, anyway," he added.

"But even so, the air is thin up in the mountains," Rafiel said. "It wouldn't be wise to fly up that high."

"Prince Rafiel is right," Soren agreed. "You'd be better off walking."

Tibarn obviously didn't like this idea, and he showed it by frowning and crossing his arms over his chest. "Very well, then," he said finally.

It was silent for a moment, then Ike spoke up. "On the bright side, it looks like it's a straight shot to Delbray once we cross the mountains," he said, pointing at the map.

"Yes," Soren said quietly. Then he added after a moment , "if there aren't any intrusions."

"Intrusions?" Titania questioned, speaking for the first time since they had called the meeting to order. "What kind of intrusions?"

"Gallian dispatch forces," Soren answered her. "They could be anywhere all over this continent by now."

"Hmm, a valid point," Titania acknowledged. "We can't let our guard down for a moment."

"By the way, I just had a thought," Tibarn called attention to himself. "Has anyone considered where Goldoa might stand in all of this?"

Everyone in the room contemplated Tibarn's words. All except one person. "I really don't see a reason to involve the Dragons in this war," Soren, ever the cautious one, spoke out. "Their country has been neutral for centuries, therefore, they won't want to get involved."

"But that was back when Dheginsea was king," Reyson reminded him. "Our dear friend Kurthnaga has since succeeded him."

Soren could maybe fool everyone else in the room, but he couldn't fool Ike. The commander knew the only reason Soren was against this idea was because of his uneasiness toward the Dragon Tribe. Ike still didn't know what it was about them that made his friend feel that way. "Well, for one," he began, "it would mean increased numbers and fighting strength in our army."

"My point exactly," Tibarn stated. "If we can get not only Hatari on our side but Goldoa as well, the Beasts really don't stand a chance."

"Come, Soren," Titania urged the tactician. "It's worth a shot, isn't it?"

Soren looked like he wanted to punch everyone square in the face, but he conceded to their plan, nonetheless. "I suppose it could work to our advantage."

"Wonderful," Tibarn said. "I'll tell Janaff to send word to Kurthnaga right away."

"Very well. Meeting adjourned," Ike deemed. One by one, everyone filed out of the tent. Everyone except Soren, who just stood there staring at the map. He seemed completely oblivious to the world around him. Noticing this, Ike clapped a hand to his friend's back, making the sage nearly jump out of his skin. "Meeting adjourned," he repeated.

"I heard you," Soren answered flatly after he had regained his composure. "I was just thinking." He folded up the map and put it back into his bag. All the while, Ike was giving him a knowing look. Soren could feel the commander's eyes on him. Reluctantly, he stopped what he was doing and gave small sigh. "What?"

Ike simply shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not going to ask you about Goldoa again-"

"Then please, don't pry," Soren nearly begged. "It's not that I don't respect the Dragons, because I do. I just get this really strange feeling when I'm around them and I don't know what it is." Soren paused for a moment to massage his temple. "That's what bothers me more than anything."

"Well, I think your giving yourself a headache thinking about it," Ike put in. "Just go get some sleep, okay?"

Soren sighed, coming to terms with the fact that his head was starting to hurt quite a bit. "Understood, Commander."

A/N: Yes, I know. Filler, filler, and more filler :P But just think, it's all leading up to something very important :) See you guys in chapter 15! Hugs! :D