A/N: Yeah, I know. I've been gone for a while again. How long's it been anyway? Like half a year? Honestly I was a bit surprised when I saw that it hadn't been updated since October, because for some reason I felt like I did another chapter in like January, but maybe that was another one of my stories. So yeah. I need to get my stuff together again. BUT guess what? My first year of college is done! I'm more than pleased with the fact that I survived! So I'm definitely hoping to get a lot more done on this story. I do have a part time job for the summer, but it's only that: part time. With luck, I will have loads of free time to work on the next chapters. Also, I'm doing another playthrough of PoR, so that's giving me a little inspiration as well :)

So what are you listening to me ramble for? Get going and read the chapter! :P

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

After finally arriving in Delbray, the army was given news by Janaff, who had just returned from Goldoa. King Kurthnaga wished to hold council with Ike to discuss the matter of Goldoa becoming involved in the war. The entire army rejoiced at the thought of the legendary Goldoan dragons fighting on their side.

"He said he'll meet us in Nevassa," Janaff informed everyone sitting around a small table inside Castle Delbray. "He'll probably be arriving before us, so he said he and Nasir will wait for us there."

"This is very good news," Tibarn said. "At least he's considering joining our alliance. I know that he doesn't care much for war, but Goldoa's strength would be of great use to us."

"Oh, but he also told me to tell you another thing," Janaff suddenly remembered. "He's bringing his sister, Lady Almedha with him. He wouldn't tell me why. He just said it would be best if she came along, too."

"But she's lost her birthright and therefore would be useless to our cause," Soren put in. "On top of that, she's not exactly the most stable person in the world. I fail to see how she could benefit us in any way."

"Soren!" Titania scolded, slapping the sage's arm. "You can't say things like that about people!"

"I'm merely stating facts," Soren insisted. "We'd be babysitting her, more than anything."

Ike sighed deeply. "As rude as Soren's words may be, I'm afraid they still hold some truth. Without her ability to transform, Lady Almedha is as weak as a common citizen. I also don't understand why Kurthnaga insists she come with."

Janaff shrugged his shoulders. "Like I said, he wouldn't tell me why. I guess it's a mystery." Soren crossed his arms over his chest and grunted quietly, clearly not satisfied with that answer.

"Very well, then. Everyone should turn in for the night. We've still got a while until we reach Nevassa," Ike concluded. One by one, they left the small gathering room and returned to their bunks, except for Ike. He went to the infirmary to check up on things. There were still many wounded soldiers being treated after the Beasts' brutal attack on their camp. When he first entered the large room, Ike found Oscar sitting by Rolf's cot, watching his baby brother sleep.

"Hey, Ike," the green-haired knight looked up as he saw the commander walking in. "How's it going?" Ike noticed that Oscar's voice held no levity in it as per usual. Then again, when your youngest brother was injured as badly as Rolf was, it was understandable.

Ike also took a seat by the cot. "It's fine, I suppose," he answered, being as honest as possible. "How is Rolf doing?"

Oscar glanced at his brother again. "He's going to be alright," he replied. "Rhys was with him for nearly four hours healing him. Now all he needs is rest. He should be back on his feet in a couple days."

"I'm glad to hear it," Ike said, smiling a little. "He truly is irreplaceable. Not only as a soldier, but as a member of our mercenary family, as well."

Oscar finally allowed a grin to appear on his face. "Thanks, Ike. You know, every day you become more like your father. He would've said the exact same thing."

A few more weeks passed, and Ike's army now stood just outside Nevassa. And they couldn't have had better timing. Temperatures were starting to get much colder than they had been before, being they were now in the heart of Daein. Ike allowed himself to wonder how these people were even able to survive winter every year, but he supposed they all just knew the necessary precautions. As they entered the city, the citizens bustled about around them, all looking calm and peaceful for the moment. Ike scolded himself for thinking the people would be the same as they were before Micaiah and Sothe's reign. Daein was a changed country now, and it was all because of them.

"Micaiah is a very kind-hearted woman," Ike heard Ranulf speaking to Zeyd behind him. "It's because of her that Daein was able to liberate itself from Begnion after the war five years ago. She truly is an inspiration to all of Daein's people."

"She sounds like an absolute goddess," Zeyd said, in awe of the woman described to her.

Ranulf chuckled softly. "Well, time was she would've been. During the war, people did call her a goddess of sorts." Zeyd's eyes glimmered when she heard this. "Another interesting fact about her: she's actually a Branded, of Heron blood."

"You're serious?" Zeyd asked, truly curious. "And the people still accept her?"

Ranulf shrugged his shoulders. "They've no reason not to. She's done many great things for them. They'd be foolish to turn her away for something as simple as her lineage."

"I see," Zeyd said. "Yes that would be very foolish, indeed."

"She's handled her mixed blood well, and she's used the abilities given to her wisely. Such traits make for a great ruler. She's shown the people that she's not afraid to embrace who she is."

"Sorry, but you said 'abilities'," Zeyd interrupted. "What kinds of abilities? Branded don't normally receive the powers of their Laguz parents."

"Ah, but the Herons must be different," Ranulf mused. "Well, she can heal others by giving some of her health to them. She can also read peoples' auras much like the Herons can."

Zeyd's eyes turned downcast, and she seemed troubled by this. "Read auras, hmm? That is an impressive ability."

Ranulf noticed her sudden dismay. "Sorry, have I said something?"

"No," the female cat replied, trying her best to smile. "I was just thinking about what would happen if she were to read Lethe's aura. Would she see her as a bad person?"

Ranulf put an arm around Zeyd. "Listen to me, Zeyd. I know Lethe. She's definitely not a bad person. She's just confused about where her loyalty should lie. She's been blinded like so many other Gallians. This isn't her fault." That answer seemed to satisfy Zeyd for the moment, because she didn't have anything more to say. Ranulf kept his arm around her as they continued toward the inner city.

When Ike and his forces arrived at Daein Keep, they were greeted personally by Micaiah and Sothe. "I'm delighted that you made it here alright," Micaiah chimed, taking one of Ike's hand in both of hers. "I pray that you and your army are well?"

Ike sighed, and Micaiah released his hand, knowing all too well where this was going. "We actually ran into quite a bit of trouble on the way here. The weather's not been kind to my soldiers, and we were attacked one night when we were just outside of Delbray." Sothe joined Micaiah at her side as her hands flew up to her mouth.

"Oh dear! If only we'd known you were coming sooner. We would've sent troops and escorts to guide you here safely. Our soldiers are much heartier when it comes to freezing conditions." Sothe's hand came to rest on Micaiah's shoulder.

"What's done is done, Micaiah. Don't stress yourself out by concentrating on the 'should haves'," he said, proceeding to rub her shoulder softly. "Well then, Ike. You and your army can come inside. Kurthnaga and Nasir are waiting for you."

The young dragon king greeted Ike with a hug, something the taller man wasn't quite expecting. Kurthnaga strained to stand on the balls of his feet, causing the scene to appear quite humorous to the bystanders. "It's so nice to see you again, Ike," Kurth said after his hug was finished. "Though I do wish it were on better terms. It's awful to think that we are once again at war."

"What's more, absolutely no one even saw this coming," Nasir added. "The whole thing is such an interesting ordeal. To think Skrimir would let power go to his head like that. It's so strange, almost surreal."

"When you think more about it, it is surreal," Kurth added. "Skrimir may be hot-headed, but deep down he has such a kind heart, filled only with pride and love for his people. I just don't understand what could make him go berserk like this."

"We know it isn't the medallion," a new voice spoke up, as Lady Almedha entered the room. "Yune was released and the medallion destroyed. Considering it was the only known object that could do such a thing to a person, Skrimir's recent behavior remains a puzzle."

"Al!" Kurth spoke to his sister in a reprimanding tone. "What are you doing out of bed? I thought you said you were ill this morning?"

Lady Almedha smiled softly. "I'm feeling better now. Besides, I wanted to greet the visitors." As she said this, her eyes darted toward Soren, who happened to be looking away at that moment. She looked back at Kurth, and the two of them shared a knowing glance. "It's nice to see all of you again."

"And you as well, Lady Almedha," Tibarn bowed his head slightly. "So you've been in Goldoa for the last two years, then?"

"Actually, I just returned to Goldoa about four months ago. Right after Pelleas left," Almedha answered, her voice growing softer.

"Oh? Pelleas no longer resides in Daein?" The Hawk King inquired.

"No. Last I heard from him, he was in Begnion. But that was a while ago now." Almedha began toying with her hands. "He no longer feels that he has any ties with Daein."

"How so? He's the true heir to the throne, is he not?" Reyson asked. Everyone else was starting to become confused as well.

Almedha sighed, still intertwining her fingers together. "Well...no. He isn't."

Soren's ears perked up at this. "So you're saying that Pelleas isn't actually your son, then? And that we've all been led along to believe that he is?" Almedha stiffened noticeably at his harsh words.

"Yes," she replied. "Even I was fooled. As I'm sure you all know, my son was taken from me mere months after his birth. Ashnard dropped him off somewhere in the hopes that he would die. After many years, an old man named Izuka came to me, claiming he had found my son. For all those years, I raised Pelleas as my own, thinking he truly was my son. It was only until two years ago when he told me he wasn't. Naturally, I was devastated, but Pelleas provided me some useful information. He told me that my true son still lives."

"But surely that's impossible," Reyson said. "A babe that young couldn't survive on his own."'

"Unless he was found by someone immediately after Ashnard abandoned him," Tibarn added.

"That very well could be," Nasir said. There was a moment of silence among them, then Nasir filled it once more. "Well, we can discuss this another time, Almedha. Let's all gather in the meeting hall to go over the plans for our next departure."

"Right, I'll see the rest of them inside," Micaiah offered, then headed toward the large castle door. Standing right outside were Ranulf, Mordecai, Zeyd, and the rest of the laguz refugees.

"Ah, well met, Queen Micaiah!" Ranulf greeted kindly, bowing to her.

"Greetings, Ranulf," Micaiah said, taking his hand. Then she looked over at Zeyd. "And who might this be? I don't think we've met before."

Ranulf turned to Zeyd, noticing her eyes were trained on the cobblestones beneath them. "This is Zeyd," he took her hand, causing her to glance up quickly. "She's a little shy."

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I'm feeling a bit ill at the moment," she said meekly.

Micaiah's eyes became sad. "Oh dear, I'm sorry. Would you like me to escort you to a stay room so you can recover?" Micaiah reached out to take her hand, but Zeyd took a quick step back.

"No, please don't trouble yourself with such matters, your majesty. I should be able to find one on my own." And with that, the small female cat rushed inside the castle, not even glancing back.

"I'm terribly sorry about that," Ranulf apologized to Micaiah. "I guess being around Daein royals makes her a bit nervous."

Micaiah sighed deeply. "I guess it just goes to show that Daein will have to really work hard to mend the scars that our ancestors left on the laguz."

A/N: Thanks to all you guys who have stuck around long enough and have put up with my sporadic updates! I know it can be hard to keep interest in a story that gets left alone for so long, but you guys are the best! See you in chapter 17! :)