Chapter 2

Days of Rosaria

"Again!"

Clive swings, striking the target dummy with all the force his small body could muster.

"Again!"

He swings. Eyes aflame with determination as his body aches in protest of his training. Lord Murdoch was a taskmaster. He never gave him special treatment for his past actions or his newfound status. The only time he gave him any form of a break was when he did not respond to his name immediately. Even a few weeks in and Clive still sometimes referred to himself as Jon Snow, at least in his own head he did.

"Good, you are learning not to favor the use of your own body weight too much." Lord Murdoch praises "But to be a good and true knight you must understand your body's limits. At your age and current strength, you would gain nothing from trying to use brute force. Trusting in your instincts and being fleet of foot will keep you alive in battle."

Clive wiped the sweat from his brow "Thank you…Lord Commander. What's next?"

"That is enough for today, Lord Marquess." The tall man cast a stern look towards the young shields in training that had gathered to see who it was the Lord Commander had taken an interest in "Away with you lot, back to your drills! If they sent as much time training as they do gawking, they might be the best shields Rosaria ever has."

"If they did that, then I would not need to train as much as I do."

"Was that a plea for more training my Lord?"

Clive stiffened, shaking his head furiously "N-no Lord Commander!"

"Good. Now, rest up," he takes the boys training sword "There will be plenty of time in the coming days for you to train even harder."

"Do you think I can do it?"

Rodney pondered the innocent question, taking note of his young charge's body tensing as the words were spoken "I do. You may be just a boy right now, but you have what it takes, I believe, to be a great shield in service to Rosaria…if that is still what you want?"

"It is…if there is any way that I can repay this debt for giving me a chance, I will return the favor by protecting my new family, my people."

"An answer like that is befitting a son of the Archduke and Duchess, see to it that you do not forget that who you are is always more important than what you are."

Rodney looked like he wanted to say more when a knight, Sir Rex from the looks of it came running up to the pair. He was panting, out of breath, but he was sporting a smile Clive could not place. It was more unusual to not see Sir Cody by his side. The two were renowned as a great fighting pair from what Clive had been told. Mostly by Rex himself.

"What is it?" Lord Murdoch asks, arms crossed over his broad chest as he eyes one of his best men warily "And where is Sir Cody? You two are barely ever alone out here, come on, out with-it Rex."

"Orders from his Grace," Rex flashed Clive a smile as he spoke "You are requested in the Duchess' chambers at once, Lord Marquess."

"Mother's chambers…but then that could only mean…" The boy was off. Rex chuckling as the young lad ran past him, nearly tripping over his own two feet as he hurried his little body to the castle proper.

"So…it is time then?" Rodney muses with a shake of his head "That boy will never stop training now."

Clive could not wait. Elwin had to restrain himself from chuckling at his eldest's nervous habits. In the weeks since becoming a Rosfield, the boy had opened somewhat. He took to his training with dedication fit for a fledgling knight, he listened attentively to what was spoken to him, and above all he did not act in the way that the nobility of Sanbreque would have one believe he would. If it were not for Elwin himself giving the boy fair warning to restrain himself, then he would have seen the young lordling carried out by an old nurse and made to cower in a chair from her glare alone.

"She will be aright you know," Elwin spoke softly, smiling faintly as they waited "First born it may be, our physician is one that you can trust to see her through this like he has seen many mothers through theirs."

"I know…I'm just…"

"You are worried, and rightfully so." Elwin gives a soft laugh "Anabella is a strong woman, but she will be happy to hear how you are worried for her safety as well as the babes."

"What if I'm not good enough?"

"Hm?"

Clive stared down at his hands. Picturing a small baby resting in his arms "What if…what if the baby doesn't like me?"

"You have nothing to fear my boy. The baby will be temperamental at first, it's true, but the child will not know any of us. It might not be slow, but it might not be quick either…but one day, no matter how long it takes, the child will know you to be its big brother. So, it falls to you to do what you feel is right by them and be that brother."

"Father…" Clive winces somewhat, memories of a past life lost to him flashing before his eyes "Were you ever…like me, when you became a big brother?"

"I was much worse," Elwin chuckles "I spent every moment I could helping my mother when she was getting closer to term…got so bad my father had to order the guard to keep me from bothering the staff. Even had a nursemaid carry me out of the room the day Byron was born. But for all that trouble I caused then, nothing compared to the trouble he and I caused after. We were inseparable as children…it was no doubt our fault that our father had so many grey hairs."

Clive felt calmer hearing the story, tales of Elwin's youth and how he was were…different than what he had heard of Ned Stark's youth. Both men were what he had hoped to have in a father. Honorable, men of duty, loyal, friendly. But where Ned Stark was the Quiet Wolf of the North, Elwin was more like a warm light that protected and supported those basking in its glow.

The doors to the chambers opened, great wooden barriers creaking as they were pushed apart. A tired if not jubilant maid bowed before the pair, the smile on her face was far wider than Clive had seen on anyone's before. "Your Grace, Lord Marquess, there is someone who would like to see you now."

Elwin watched Clive jump to his feet, a smile on the boy's face easing the bundle of nerves that even he had felt growing with today's excitement. "Well go on then," he says to the boy "We shouldn't keep your mother waiting too long, she might just have both our heads if we are late to greet the little one."

Clive gulped, falling into step with Elwin as he led the way in. Maids were scurrying about, bloody towels passed off and rushed for a cleaning. The head physician checked the Duchess over as she lay in bed looking no worse for wear. She spotted them, giving the faintest of smiles she could muster in way of greeting.

"Took you long enough," she muses as Elwin kneels at her bedside "Didn't like the thought of missing the birth?"

"Didn't fancy losing my head for being late more like," Elwin squeezes her hand gently "How are you feeling?"

"Really Elwin…all of that, and the first thing you ask is how am I feeling? What ever shall I do with you?"

Clive slowly slinked away, avoiding whatever conversation those two would be having was a smart decision in his mind. The less time spent when they were gazing into each other's eyes, the better. It was as he stood by the wooden crib, a small baby bundled up in linen, that he had a revelation. Staring down into those blue eyes that just seemed so full of wonder as they took in his face…something inside the boy warmed as he stared right back.

"I think he likes you," Elwin's soft chuckle brought Clive out of his staring contest "You know, I think that you will make a fine older brother. What do you think my love, do you think Clive has what it takes?"

Anabella gave a gentle laugh, smiling over at Clive as she nods her head "Joshua is your responsibility Clive when your father and I are not around. Do you understand?"

"Yes, mother…Father?"

"What is it?"

"I think I know what I want to be…as a knight of Rosaria."

Elwin cast a brief glance of confusion at his wife. She offered him no support, simply content to lay back and rest as she watched the show of her lord husband and their two sons. The Archduke rose to his feet, contemplating as he approached his oldest and took in the sight of his youngest for the first time. "What's this all about?"

"I know that you agreed to allow Lord Murdoch to train me to be a Knight, a shield of Rosaria. But what if I were to be his shield?"

"The role you may be thinking of is the First Shield of Rosaria," Elwin informs the boy "To be chosen as First Shield you would have to be well equipped and trained…but more importantly you must be chosen by the Dominant of the Phoenix. And right now, your brother is far too young to show any signs of inheriting its power."

"But if he does?"

"Then I have little doubt that any would prove more worthy than you Clive."

"Again!"

Clive swung, training blade clashing against Lord Murdoch's.

"Better…but not yet there I'm afraid." Murdoch applied a little force, pushing the young boy back into a stumble "Do not be discouraged, you are only a boy of ten years. Not even your father nor I could ever boast that we were full trained knights at that age."

"Uncle Byron would beg to differ."

Rodney rolls his eyes. Knowing all too well the boasts that Lord Byron Rosfield would make in his youth…and even now. "Yes well, it is always better to back your boasts with half the skill you claim to have. Shall we proceed?"

Clive gave a nod, sword raised. This had been his life for five years now. The people were accepting of him as the eldest son. None but a few knew the truth and had sworn themselves to secrecy. Clive Rosfield was the dark-haired oldest son, presumed heir to the throne until his younger brother at age four showed the first bit of magic from the Phoenix. Most days, Clive would train in the bailey, taking Lord Murdoch's words to heart and honing his body to be a weapon no different than his own sword.

Unfortunately, wherever Clive went Joshua would follow much to their mother's constant aggravation. Anabella Rosfield was not a perfect mother by any means. She was, however, a worried one when her youngest would just up and vanish just to be found wherever his older brother was. The pair of boys were inseparable to be sure, but it would not do for the youngest to venture out and get hurt trying to emulate his big brother.

For once, Clive had thought ahead of it all. For his last birthday he had been gifted a chocobo chick, a chick from his father's own chocobo mount covered head to toe in white feathers. Joshua, being eager to help and happy to have a playmate more his size was left under the watchful eye of Sir Cody, no doubt covered in feathers and smelling like a chocobo stable. Small victories like this were what counted…even if it meant his mother would be quite cross with him when Joshua must take multiple baths. It would be worth it.

"Focus Clive!" Murdoch barks as he swings, testing the boys guard and easily breaking it "You need to focus. You may be just a boy today but one day you will be a knight, and no knight can survive if he does not know how to fight in full. Attack and Defend. That is how you will survive in battle."

"Dodging helps too," was the quick retort.

"Aye, that it does, but not always will you be able to dodge your foe."

Clive readied his weapon again. He would do it…he had to. "Whenever you are ready, Lord Commander."

Rodney raised his blade. This swing would not be as hard as the last, but it would be just enough. As the blade came down Clive braced for impact.

"Clive!"

Rodney stumbled, blade missing its mark as the young lord Marquess sidestepped his swing with a smile on his face.

"Joshua! What are you doing here?" he asks as he approaches the fence "You were supposed to be in the stables with Sir Cody and…Ambrosia?"

There was a soft chirp. Joshua smiled up at his brother, clutching a small chocobo chick to his chest. Said chick seemed to bask in the attention while Clive just chuckled at the pair of them. Boy and bird both not seeing anything wrong with this little venture. Clive just sighs, shaking his head before petting Ambrosia gently on her head.

"You both should not have abandoned Sir Cody like you did," Clive tried to look every part the stern older brother but with Joshua and Ambrosia looking up at him…it was a losing battle.

"Clive is right," It was Rodney who came to support him, dusting his armor off while shooting the young lord a sharp look "His training is very important, as is your safety. You shouldn't stray from your guards."

"I'm sorry," the way the boy said it made Rodney flinch. "But…we just wanted to support Clive."

"Be that as it may…your parents will be hearing of this my lord."

The look Joshua made earned him no sympathy from his brother. Clive had once been afraid of disappointing Elwin and Anabella, that was until Joshua was born; ever since that day there was trouble to be found and the boys found plenty of it. Now he just did his best to not get caught if he could avoid it.

"I'll see Joshua back tot eh keep, till tomorrow, Lord Murdoch," Clive gave a short bow, grasping his brother's hand.

"Till the morrow, Lord Rosfield, and do try to stay out of trouble, won't you?"

"I'll do my best, but trouble finds me wherever I hide."

Rodney shook his head. Truer words had not been spoken yet in Rosalith. That boy found trouble faster than Chocobos smelling gysahl greens. Still, life would not be boring with the pair of them running around.

Anabella frowned, a faint wince flashing across her face before she schooled her features. Headaches. The physician had said they would pass but that was months ago now. She felt a chill run down the length of her arms. Even indoors fully clothed she found herself cold where there was no chill of the wind to blame. It only occurred after the headaches had subsided, but she could still feel them linger.

Five years had come and gone since they had adopted the young Jon Snow into their family. Life was well enough now that they had Joshua, a proper heir to the throne. Anabella scowled as she thought of that revelation. The people were excited and celebrating for a week straight when they broke the news that their boy had been chosen by the Phoenix. The story she and Elwin had conceived for why Clive was not chosen being that he just was not the right one. Of course, Elwin dressed it up but what could she say? The boy wasn't theirs; he was not born for this lifestyle.

Anabella clutched her head. That wasn't right…Clive was a good boy. He wasn't theirs, but they had chosen him all the same. He was happy and they too were happier with him around…weren't they?"

"Get it together," she mutters in the silence of her and Elwin's chambers "The boy isn't the problem…he's your son…" There was a knock at the door. The sudden noise startled the Duchess, she nearly jumped out of her skin, eyes staring almost inf ear of the door and what lay on the other side. "Who is it?"

"Sir Cody, your grace."

"Enter."

Sir Cody was an anomaly amongst the shields. While not the Lord Commander he was Rodney's second just as he was Elwin's second. Cody was from Stillwind, a studious sort who far exceeded the expectations of his people by being one of the best strategic minds in Rosaria, and quite possibly all of Storm.

"What is it?"

"Your Grace," he gives the Rosarian salute "Archduke Elwin has sent back a report. The Silvermane should be willing to sue for peace after the latest battle."

"Our losses?"

"Minimal." Cody shuffles in place "Lord Rosfield says that they have recently lost Shiva's Dominant. He did not elaborate but that is what his report says. He believes that he should only be gone for a few more days, maybe a week or two if negotiations take too long."

"Thank you," she says carefully, another headache building "I…am thankful for men like you keeping Rosaria safe in these trying times."

"Your Grace, it is an honor to serve the House of Rosfield the best I can. If you will excuse me, I should go and make sure that the young Lords are not getting into any trouble with Sir Rex."

As he left, Anabella wanted to cry out. The pain. It would not stop. Her thoughts drifted to those that brought her comfort. Her parents. Her friends as a girl. Her love. Her children. The pain ceased suddenly as it had come. The Duchess was just as perplexed as ever by the events that unfolded. "I…I should rest," she says, panting somewhat "See the physician on the morrow…perhaps a stronger potion will clear this up?"

As the Duchess drifted into slumber the realm was quiet. Joshua slept peacefully in his bed, unaware of his importance to the land around him. Clive, however, was out on the balcony, stargazing as had become tradition for the boy. Stars in the North always seemed so far away and distant. Gazing up at them, however, was difficult in the cold towers of Winterfell. But here in Rosalith, in a far warmer land, the stars looked beautiful. Each little twinkle capturing his attention and fascination.

"What I would not give to see them up close," he mutters, "If the Gods made this world…made all of us…then what, I wonder, made all of you up there?"

There was a twinkling light up above. A red star close to the moon. Clive found himself drawn to it, but he could not say why that was. Nor could he explain why he felt at ease gazing upon it. As the boy made to leave and return to his chambers, however, he winced in pain as his head ached.

"That's…new, maybe I spent too long training with Lord Murdoch today?"

Far away from Rosalith, pouring over maps tirelessly, was Elwin Rosfield. The Archduke had much to think about. Battles still to be fought with Silvermane and his people, potentially a Dominant of Shiva to locate if one were to be chosen so soon after the lasts passing, and of course his family back home.

"Were it all so simple," he muses, eyes roaming over a map of the land "And even more mysteries abound. How did you lose a Mothercrystal I wonder?"

Battle was something Elwin took great pride in managing. He never sought conflict where there was none but as Archduke his most important duty was to see his people to safety. However short his tenure might yet be when Joshua comes of age, for now his duty was clear. His people were to be protected, and their enemies to the north were not to be taken lightly.

"And what of you, my small friend?" a chuckle escapes his lips as his eyes glance to the side, a small bundle of grey fur curled up by a trunk "To think one so small would be out here alone, perhaps you are not so different from another I know."

Elwin bid the pup one last look before he exited his tent. The crisp air of the north hitting his face full force. Snow dusted the ground, just enough to crunch beneath his boots but not enough to hinder his army in their march. For right now however, he was just thankful they had won the day and had no reason to fear their enemy attacking in the dead of night.

Sentries patrolled the grounds. Men standing on watch in hastily made towers. None of the craftsmanship that Rodney and Cody would have ensured, but it was just passable as to be useable. As he made his own rounds, checking on his men, keeping their spirits up, Elwin caught the arrival of one of his own scouting parties. An older knight of Rosaria, Gregor, led the small troop into camp.

Gregor was an old war dog of his father's time. Tough as an Adamantoise, fierce as a Behemoth and as old as one too. He had been Elwin's personal guard in his youth, now he served his Archduke as one of his most lethal weapons.

"What news do you bring me Gregor?"

The old knight hardly looked up as he got his party settled by the fire, a pot of soup boiling as he begins to hand out the rations "Nothing good."

"Silvermane?"

Gregor huffs "That one is still holed up in his castle. No, we just had to deal with the local wildlife."

Elwin felt his brow furrow in thought "Wolves?"

"If only," Gregor hands off the last bowl to his men, taking his own in hand "Morbol's, at least three of them before we got back. And one of those mighty stone beasties too.

"Truly?"

"Aye. I had fifteen me when I left…this is all that are left," he gestures at the six other men seated by the fire, making a meal of their soup "Fifteen of us and only seven returned."

"We are fortunate you could bring so many back home alive."

"Should've been all fifteen."

Elwin placed a hand on the knight's shoulder, squeezing it "You are our best, our most skilled…if you could not bring all of them home, I doubt many would be able to bring back even half of what you did."

"I need not your praise my lord. I know I am old, and my time on the field is slowly waning." Gregor slowly looked around at what remained of his men "If I can still serve however I can, I will do so. Still have a few more years left in me if you will have me that is."

"You were one of my father's best men, how could I ever turn you away Gregor?"

The knight looked pleased though he didn't say any further on the subject. The fire was beginning to fade, flames weakly licking at the air as the wood burned. "Sooner this war is over, the sooner the next one will start."

AN: For clarification's sake this author's note is after I finished the game and tidied this up somewhat. Yes, before anyone comments on canon lore and characterization, this is AU and if you need further information then pay attention readers: There is a plan for this already in motion as I have plotted out quite a few big events and small ones leading up to it but not all of the story is planned out at such lengths, that said my planning was done without the full scope of the games story already witnessed or explored so do not expect that everything will be the same as many things will be different. For inclusion's sake I am not changing that one character as the detail many might not like does not detract form their personality at all. For another, some things will be similar, but this is a blend, not just putting one character into one world setting.

Reviews though…before I upload this, I will address every review that was posted before the chapter goes live. So do not feel that I am ignoring you, for now it's just a matter of time but in the future could be that I have too many new reviews and not enough time to address them all before uploading a chapter.

Jamieoeyes: I was honestly going for that big 'what if'. Given how the two are similar it made sense for the comparison, but my line of thinking has been more about how different things would be in Clive's life were he to be someone who int eh beginning was raised differently than he was. To be a 'bastard' for five years and then grow up being shown human kindness and decency, to build his character up rather than tear it down…of course there's still some of the original Clive and Jon personalities in there, but you'll just have to wait and see.

Ardyn 1997: …can I just say that is probably the only character form FF15 that I would say was really well done? Anyway, you are right she is not the same as she was in game but I have plans for her that will make her more tragic than anything. I wont give out every detail but let's just say that what I have planned for her is probably the biggest shift for a character, maybe even bigger than Clive, but no this is not meant to be a 'redemption' for Anabella. In fact, I think she is a royal b***h and was quite happy when a particular scene happened.

Black Wolf 101: As I said above with Ardyn, there are plans. This is not a redemption story for her though I hope to make her a bit more tragic or at the least likeable before the Anabella we all know and hate comes out in full. There will be positives, but its the negatives that will be a plenty. Just be patient.