Author's Note: Hey everyone, I hope you all are doing well and staying safe! I've been really itching to getting back to writing and posting recently, even though it really hasn't been that long. I had fun writing this chapter, even though it deviated slightly from what I had originally envisioned, but hey, these things happen in the course of writing. Hope you all enjoy how this story turned out, and have a great week; stay cool and protected!
Half-beastdragonsoul2013: Well, Byleth IS a pretty observant individual; while I would imagine she may not immediately recognize Fjorm's romantic attraction to Kiran, it would be obvious to her that the two share a very strong, close bond to each other. Also, you are absolutely right about chamomile! It also happens to be one of my preferred types of tea irl.
Bloodline's Blessings
"Hyah! Grahh!"
Fjorm shouted in exertion as she flipped forward through the air before bringing Nifl's Bite crashing into the floor of the training grounds, the resulting impact throwing up a spray of dust and frost. Panting, Fjorm withdrew the blessed axe from the earth and hefted it in both hands, pausing her training exercises to catch her breath. As she did, her mind wandered to events that had transpired not too long ago.
With Muspell successfully sealed away, Fjorm had managed to not only fulfill her bargain with Nifl and thus protect her homeland and all other realms, but she also managed to save her friend and fellow princess Laegjarn from Muspell's sadistic stranglehold. Not only that, prior to her departure, Nifl had deigned to restore both Fjorm's life to her as well as allow her to retain the ruler of ice's divine blessing to use as she saw fit.
Taking a deep breath, Fjorm looked down and peered at her reflection in the crystalline blade of the axe in her hands. Swinging an axe was still a foreign sensation for her, not to mention maneuvering in such heavy armor. Even so, she would continue to push herself to truly master this power bestowed to her, so that she may be able to continue protecting those she held dear…especially…
"That was truly an excellent display, sister."
"Ah?!" Snapped out of her thoughts, Fjorm turned at the unexpected praise she received, her eyes focusing on three individuals entering the training grounds. "Oh, Hrid. You surprised me."
Hrid smiled proudly as he approached his sister, Gunnthra and Ylgr following close behind him. "My apologies. I simply wished to commend you on your training. Your skill in wielding Nifl's power is nothing short of breathtaking."
Beside him, Gunnthra nodded with her own gentle smile. "Hrid is right, Fjorm. You've grown so much from the little sister I remember. It warms my heart to see your growth with my own eyes."
"Yeah! You're amazing, Fjorm!" Ylgr gushed in excitement. "The way you move and how you do all those cool flips, wow! My big sister is the best there is!"
Fjorm smiled bashfully in the face of her sibling's unexpected praise. "Everyone…you all are too kind. Much too kind." Her smile dipping just slightly, Fjorm gazed down to take in her weapon and armor once more. "I…still have so much farther to go. I must continue to prove myself worthy of this power."
"I suppose some things do not change," Hrid chuckled as he shook his head. "You always were hard on yourself, sister. Personally, I believe you have already proven your worth; to us, to Nifl, and to all our people." The crown prince of Nifl fixed Fjorm with an approving stare. "I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone who would disagree with such a notion."
"Even so," Fjorm stared back at her brother with her own resolute gaze. "I will not take this power for granted. I will continue to push myself to be able to wield Nifl's power with all my might, so when the time comes to protect what matters to me, I will not falter."
Gunnthra chuckled in amusement despite herself. "My, that was quite well spoken, Fjorm. Though I must say, its quite surprising to see you so impassioned. Where, I wonder, is all this fervor coming from?"
"O-oh, well…" Fjorm faltered, her earlier zeal seeming to evaporate at her older sister's inquiry.
"Ooh! Ooh! I know!" Ylgr shouted with excitement. Once all eyes were on her, the youngest princess of Nifl turned to Fjorm with an impish grin. "It's because of Kiran~!"
"Wh-what?!" Fjorm nearly shrieked, almost losing her grip on her axe in the process.
"Uh huh!" Ylgr continued, her expression becoming even more mischievous at the sight of her sister's flustered expression. "I'll even bet that's why she was doing all those fancy moves during her training. She was probably hoping Kiran would walk by and notice her training!" Ylgr then feigned an awestruck expression as she spoke in her "best" Kiran impression, "'Oh, Fjorm! You're so strong and cool and beautiful! Please, marry me~!'"
"Ylgr!" Fjorm exclaimed, her face glowing in mortification as Ylgr proceeded to laugh at her expense. "That's quite enough! Kiran would never say something so r-ridiculous anyhow!"
"Is that so, sister? I do not see what's so ridiculous about it."
All eyes immediately darted toward Hrid, his serious expression matching his tone. Gunnthra blinked in surprise at her brother's bold declaration, and even Ylgr was stunned into silence. Fjorm, meanwhile….
"B-brother?!" She managed to stutter out in growing horror at how this conversation was progressing.
Unperturbed by the attention he had garnered, Hrid continued to speak his mind. "Kiran is an exceptional individual. He is wise and knowledgeable, yet humble and approachable. He is widely admired and respected by many in the Order of Heroes. Not to mention, his role in defeating Surtr alongside you, Fjorm, has greatly endeared him in the eyes of our people." Nodding to himself, Hrid added, "Were he to choose to remain in Askr and ask for your hand in marriage, I'm sure the people of Nifl would welcome him with open arms. I would also be more than willing to give you two my blessing-"
"Hrid, please! Enough!" Fjorm exclaimed, feeling she may soon faint from embarrassment should her brother speak another word. Her outburst prompted a round of giggles from both Ylgr and Gunnthra, though the latter was significantly more reserved and sympathetic.
"Alright, I believe that's enough teasing." Gunnthra gently chided her siblings, prompting a whine of complaint from Ylgr and a confused expression from Hrid. "I'm sure Fjorm is exhausted from her training. Let's leave her be."
Fjorm gave a thankful smile to her elder sister as Gunnthra began ushering Hrid and Ylgr out of the training area. Ylgr turned to wave goodbye as she was gently pushed along, a smug smile on her face as she left. Hrid, meanwhile, darted his head back and forth between his two sisters with a slightly befuddled expression as he managed a short goodbye before Gunnthra ushered him outside the training area, until it was just Fjorm and Gunnthra.
"Thank you, sister." Fjorm sighed in relief, grateful for the end of that humiliating conversation. "I cannot believe Ylgr or Hrid. To say such things…"
Gunnthra chuckled lightly. "Now, now. You know Ylgr was just teasing. And Hrid was just being considerate, in his own way."
"Yes, you're right." Fjorm relented as she shook her head. Suddenly, she felt more worn out from the previous conversation than from her training. "Well, I believe I'll go wash up and prepare for dinner." Making her way towards where Gunnthra was standing near the exit, Fjorm paused next to her sister. "Would you like to join me for dinner, sister? Hrid and Ylgr as well if they can promise not to speak any more nonsense."
Gunnthra nodded, pleased. "Of course, Fjorm. That sounds lovely. We will meet you in the dining hall."
Enthused by her response, Fjorm nodded as she began making her way to the bathhouse to refresh before dinner. However, as she was leaving, her sister called after her from where she still stood.
"Oh, and Fjorm?"
"Yes, sister?" Fjorm replied, pausing in place.
With an innocent expression, Gunnthra's smiled as she said, "Please feel free to invite Kiran to dine with us as well. I'm sure he would appreciate the invitation, and I would love the chance to give him my blessing as well!"
"S-Sister!" Fjorm choked out aghast, caught off-guard by her sister's surprise statement. Attempting to hide her furious blush, Fjorm spun on her heel and stomped off, the soft sound of Gunnthra's giggle pricking her ears as she left.
As she made her way through Askr's castle, Fjorm stewed over all her sibling's comments. Honestly, what were they thinking, making jokes like that? She expected such juvenile behavior from Ylgr, but from Hrid AND Gunnthra? The Nifl princess shook her head, still reeling from their teasing remarks. Yet despite everything, Fjorm knew she couldn't be truly upset with them for their comments. In fact, a part of her felt comforted…emboldened…
"Whoa!"
"H-Huh?!"
So caught up was she in her thoughts, Fjorm nearly collided with someone as she rounded a corner. "Oh, dear! I'm so sorry!" Fjorm began apologizing as she turned back to face the person that had narrowly avoided slamming into her armored frame. "Pardon me for not paying attention to- Kiran?!"
"Phew, that was close!" The summoner chuckled good-naturedly. "Sorry about that, Fjorm. Didn't see you there."
"No, no! I should apologize for not paying attention!" Fjorm protested vehemently, which only caused Kiran to chuckle again.
"Well, let's just agree we both should have been paying more attention and leave it at that." Gazing at Fjorm's armor, Kiran commented, "So, you were training again with Nifl's power? Are you getting used to it?"
Calming down, Fjorm nodded. "Yes, it is becoming much more natural. Soon, I'll be able to truly wield this power to its fullest potential." She then smiled warmly at Kiran. "Then, I'll be fully capable to protect those close to me…like you."
"O-oh…that's good." Kiran mumbled, a bashful smile on his face. Fjorm, realizing the implication of her words, also averted her gaze as her cheeks turned rosy once more, allowing an awkward silence to hang in the air.
"Well, um, I won't keep you." Kiran finally spoke up, his smile slowly reverting to its usual carefree expression. "You looked like you were in a hurry earlier. Keep up the good work!"
"Oh! R-right!" Fjorm responded quickly, nodding in agreement. However, as Kiran began to walk away, Gunnthra's teasing words continued to echo in Fjorm's mind. "U-um, Kiran?"
"Huh?" Kiran stopped and turned upon hearing his name called. "What's up, Fjorm?"
"W-well," Fjorm began timidly. "I…was going to go wash myself after training and then join my siblings for dinner afterward. If…if you are not busy, would you…like to join us?"
Kiran blinked before nodding enthusiastically. "Sure! That sounds good to me. I was just going to stop by my room really quick before going to get something to eat myself. I suppose I'll meet you there then?"
Fjorm breathed a sigh of relief as she responded brightly, "Yes, I will not be long. Thank you, Kiran!"
Kiran laughed. "Um, shouldn't I be the one thanking you for inviting me?" With that, he began to walk off again, waving as he departed. "Anyways, I'll see you there!"
Fjorm nodded as she waved back until the summoner was out of sight. A beaming smile plastered on her face, Fjorm began to quickly make her way to her to her intended destination, a new lightness in her step.
Once she was finished bathing and had dismissed Nifl's power in favor of her normal appearance, Fjorm strode into the dining hall. After obtaining her dinner, the Nifl princess immediately began scanning the room for her siblings and Kiran, finally finding them at a table not far off.
As she began to approach, Fjorm noted how cheerful and at ease Kiran was with her siblings, and vice versa, with the summoner chatting animatedly with Ylgr, causing both Gunnthra and Hrid to chuckle alongside the pair. As Kiran grinned at something the youngest Nifl princess said, Fjorm couldn't help but stare and appreciate that expression as she drew nearer.
Drawing close to the table, Kiran spotted Fjorm and waved her over with a smile, the rest of her family turning to welcome her as well. Nodding at everyone, Fjorm took her seat at the table, which was conveniently right next to Kiran, who scooted over slightly to make space for her. Setting both herself and her dinner down, Fjorm spared a quick glance at Kiran, who returned it in kind, the two sharing a quiet, lighthearted moment.
The way Kiran's smile was so welcoming and radiant, how he fit in so well with her siblings…Fjorm couldn't be happier, as if this were all a dream. As Kiran turned to reply to something Hrid said and as she began to enjoy her meal, Fjorm couldn't think of anything that could ruin this perfect moment.
"Hey, Fjorm. When you and Kiran have kids, could I babysit them? Please?!"
"YLGR!"
On a side note: at the time of writing this, I was unaware that, if equipped with an offensive Special, A!Fjorm STILL somersaults in the air while attacking, despite wielding a giant axe and wearing heavy armor. Fire Emblem Heroes, ladies and gentlemen.