Chapter 4

"Three years? I've been… gone three years?"

Emmeryn sat, center of attention, in the small room we had commandeered in the elder's house, staring into space as she spoke. Only myself, Chrom and Lissa were with her, and Lissa kept shooting me dirty looks as she had been treating the bump on her sister's head.

"Yup," I said. "More or less, anyway. I'm not even sure what day it is, honestly…"

Chrom and Lissa both shot me a glare, but I huffed and leaned back in my little basket-weave chair.

"What? It's true," I said. "She won't come to terms with it if you two keep fart-arsing around the issue."

"Yes, Emmeryn, you've been gone for three years," Lissa said, turning back to her sister.

"And you remember none of it?" Chrom asked.

"No, I… the last thing I remember was… the desert," Emmeryn said, furrowing her brow as she haltingly told her story. "I remember begging the people of Plegia for peace… and then… I fell."

She looked up, meeting our gazes in turn before continuing.

"I take it you managed to escape unharmed," she said, evidently trying to lighten the mood.

"Emmeryn," Chrom said, his voice thick. "If… if we had known… we… never would have left you-"

"There was a literal army of archers all pointing their bows at our faces," I said. "We did the only thing we could and escaped to fight again another day. With all due respect, that Emmeryn survived at all is… it's improbable. That she's lucid now is damn near impossible."

"How did you manage that?" she asked.

"Cognitive recalibration," I said quickly.

"He bonked you on the head," Lissa huffed. "Which shouldn't have worked! That's not how head injuries work!"

"Oh, I see how it goes," I frowned. "First I find her. Then I bring you to her. Then I fix her, and I'm still the bad guy!?"

"I am still confused on what, exactly, was wrong with me," Emmeryn interjected gently.

"You were… ah…" Chrom started, trailing off.

"You were in a persistent child-like state, possibly due to head trauma, possibly to emotional trauma," I supplied as clinically as I could. "I think it was a little of both. That's my prevailing theory at the moment, anyway."

"I… see," Emmeryn said after a moment of silence. "And… what happened in those three years?"

"Short version?" I said, before Chrom or Lissa could speak. "We beat down a massively demoralized Plegian army, killed Gangrel, and have been working on stabilizing Ylisse ever since."

"We?" Emmeryn asked, quirking a brow.

"Oh yeah," I grinned. "I'm a Duke now. We all got promotions. Oh, and Chrom and Lissa are both married, and you already have two nieces."

Emmeryn's jaw dropped, and I smirked at the scandalized expression on Lissa's face. Chrom just ran a hand down his own.

"I've been looking forward to telling her that for a week, you jerk!" Lissa fumed.

"Surprise," Chrom said weakly.

"I hate you so much right now," Lissa hissed at me.

"This is all… a lot to take in," Emmeryn said, looking down.

"Take all the time you want," I said, rising to my feet with a small grunt. "Personally, I'm gonna go look at getting the ships ready to sail. Oh, Ylisse has an army and navy now, too. You're welcome."

"Ben, will you stop!?" Chrom finally snapped. "Can't you see you're throwing too much at her!?"

I glanced down at the other man, before shrugging.

"So… what is to become of me now, then?" Emmeryn asked.

The former-Exalt was met with silence. None of us had an answer for her.

I stood on the deck of the Arturia, leaning my elbows on the railing of the forecastle deck and letting the salty spray of the breaking waves mist over me. My hands fiddled with one of my knives and a block of wood, whittling away absently as I let my mind wander. I would occasionally stop to watch the little wood shavings disappear in the cresting water at the front of the ship, staring as they bobbed away on the ebb and flow of the tide.

It was just something to keep my hands busy. There had been some scraps after my attempted-carpentry back in the village, so I'd helped myself after I'd seen some of the Marines killing time the same way.

The sun had set some time ago, and the stars were beginning to come out as the sky darkened from purple to black. Behind me I could hear the ship's night shift coming up from below deck, meaning I had been at this for some time now.

We had been back at sea for a full day at this point, traveling further to the west to return the girls we had rescued from the pirate fortress home. It wasn't as glamorous as daring rescue missions and slaying pirates, but it needed doing.

There was also the chance, I'd realized the day before, to recruit Cynthia early here. I wasn't going to make it a priority, but the idea had stuck in the back of my head.

We had ended up spending another two days at the village, whose name I hadn't been bothered to learn, if I'm entirely honest. During that time, Emmeryn had been mostly holed up in the mayor's house with her siblings and my dog. It had honestly been a little lonely without Archer constantly following me, but I survived.

I was, admittedly, a little worried about Emmeryn. She had all her memories back, thanks to that whack in the head I'd given her, but she was being pretty tight-lipped. Shock, I guess. I'd say that anyone would need time to process after being told what she had been. But the way she seemed to be soaking up all the attention, moping about, was extremely out of character for the woman.

It was with these thoughts in the forefront of my mind that I was joined by the lady herself.

I started a little as Emmeryn suddenly appeared beside me, looking out over the waves. A breeze tousled her hair, blowing her fringe away from the gnarled knot of scar tissue over where her Brand used to be.

"Uh… hello?" I said slowly.

"Good evening," she said after a short break.

I shrugged and went back to my whittling. I was firmly of the camp that she would process in due time, and didn't need to be minded constantly. Chrom felt otherwise, though. He hadn't left her side since she had been 'cured', and I'd tacitly stayed right the fuck away from all of them, busying myself in work with Yemuel and Cean. Of course, Yem being the canny bastard he was, saw right through me, and as soon as we were at sea, he told me to get lost.

With an internal shrug, I decided to see just how much of the old Emmeryn had come back.

"What do you mean? Do you mean to wish me a good evening?" I asked, repeating something I'd read in a book once with a small smirk. "Or do you mean to say it is a good evening weather I wish it or not? Or that you feel good on this evening, or that it is an evening to be good on?"

Emmeryn turned slowly towards me, a blank look on her face. She studied me for a moment, until I turned my grin on her and she let out a little, very Lissa-like, snort.

"I see that even after three years you are still insufferable," she said.

"The ladies love it," I shrugged.

Emmeryn quirked a brow, but went back to watching the waves.

"I suppose, in answer to your earlier questions, yes," she said. "To all of them."

"You don't sound particularly sure of yourself there," I pointed out.

"I am still… trying to sort through my feelings," she said. "Trying to think of what to do now."

"Well, take all the time in the world," I said. "You're free to choose now."

"That is what I am having trouble with," she admitted. "I have… never not had a purpose. Never not been the Exalt of Ylisse. I feel… lost."

"Freedom can be frightening when you've never felt it," I sighed, nearly nicking my thumb with my knife. "May I be frank, Emmeryn?"

"Please," she said.

She finally turned to face me, then, her eyes full of hope and desperation that I might make sense of all this for her.

"I can barely understand you with that pity-dick in your mouth," I told her.

She blinked at me for a moment before her brow furrowed, but I barreled on heedlessly.

"You lost three years, and that sucks," I told her. "But who you are hasn't changed. You just don't have a crown anymore. You want to help the people of Ylisse? Great! Do that."

"How!?" she hissed.

"Fucked if I know," I shrugged. "Open an orphanage. Start a soup kitchen. Join the army as a healer for all I care, we could use a couple more. You're used to thinking big. You have to start thinking smaller. I think that was always your problem."

We stood there for a moment, looking at each other, before I went back to my whittling.

"You know, I never liked you much before you died," I admitted. "You were so hung up on being what everyone else wanted, you were never what you wanted to be, and that grated on me. So, I think you need to start there. What do you want to be?"

"I never wanted to be the Exalt!" Emmeryn screamed at me. "I never had a choice! What would you know of duty!? All you ever did was sit around and… and… sponge off my brother's good will!"

I tossed the whittling and the knife aside on the deck as I spun back to face her. I had been trying to play the tough love card, hopefully give her a little balance with the way Chrom and Lissa were babying her, but I wasn't anyone's kicking puppy. Not anymore.

"You wanna talk about a sponge?" I growled. "You've spent the last three days soaking up nothing but platitudes and honeyed words from everyone, and you come out here to me looking for more!? I'm sorry, Emmeryn, but you need to pull your head out of your ass. We all moved on, and I don't have time to baby you anymore."

"You… you jerk!" Emmeryn seethed, tears running down her cheeks now.

I stepped closer, getting right into her face.

"Life ain't fair," I growled. "You want help dealing with it, fine. But don't expect me to pat your shoulder and say there-there-"

My head snapped aside from the slap I hadn't even seen coming. I turned back slowly as Emmeryn's breathing started to hitch.

"You… I had thought… y-you and I… were friends," she sobbed.

I frowned as she turned away and fled across the deck, the sailors and marines watching her passage before turning disapproving looks in my direction. I ignored them all as I bent down for my knife and my block of wood, and continued to whittle.

I awoke the next morning feeling, without mincing words, like shit.

All the excitement and strain of the previous days were starting to catch up with me, even with the crazy amounts of training I'd been doing over the last few years, and the last two days at sea, with no room to keep moving, were starting to tell. I think I was starting to get old.

I sat up slowly, groaning with the effort. My back and shoulders were still sore from rappelling down the wall at the fortress; I think I'd pulled something in my right shoulder, doing it one handed. I didn't regret it; there was no way in hell I was leaving Archer behind, but it still hurt like a bitch. My knee was sore, too, from where I'd knocked it against the wall. I hadn't noticed at the time, but when I'd taken my pants off the night after, I'd finally noticed the large, dark bruise covering the side of my leg. Add to that the general feeling of fatigue I'd been dealing with for the last few months, and I was having a pretty bad morning.

I ran a hand down my face, trying to blink my vision clear as I sat on the edge of the hard pallet that was my bed on the Arturia. Not that I was complaining too loudly about that; I had my own room and it didn't have a hammock.

I'd let Archer out a few hours ago, and I could already hear him barking at the seagulls that were starting to flock around the ship. We were due to make landfall today, so of course there would be gulls. I hated the gulls.

I rose to my feet with a hiss, pulling my pants on with as little actual movement as I could. I stretched my arms and shoulders a little as I shuffled over to the cistern on the little table in the corner, helpfully filled with fresh, clean water by Su'ko as I'd slept, but decided against trying to shave.

The ninja girl was almost as frighteningly helpful as Elle was…

I splashed some water on my face, hoping it would wake me up. When it didn't, I growled, and dunked my head into the cistern. I held it there, the cold water invigorating against my tired skin, and I braced both hands against the wall as I kept my head submerged. I closed my eyes, feeling my chest start to ache as my lungs screamed for air, but I kept my face under. I gagged, bubbles rising around me, but still kept my face down. Finally, as the world began to spin and darken at the edges, I pulled back with a coughing gasp, water flying all over the room. I leaned there, against the wall over the cistern, gasping and dripping, blinking my eyes clear now as adrenaline flooded my system and I finally felt awake again.

I shook the last drops of water from my beard before pulling on my shirt and grabbing the little toothpick I'd carved last night and clenching it in my teeth, before stepping out into the bright sunlight of the Arturia's upper deck. Below me, the marines and sailors were the usual hive of ordered chaos, scurrying about to do whatever it is sailors do that keep us from drowning.

Cean was leaning against the railing in front of the cabins, and glanced over his shoulder as I emerged. Archer was sitting at his feet, and looked up as I emerged, tail wagging excitedly.

"Morning, General," Cean said. "You're up early."

"Habit," I grunted, shuffling over to the railing and trying hard to make it look like I wasn't limping. "You're up early, too, I see. Thought you marines were exempt from shipboard duties."

"We're pulling double-duties," Cean yawned. "Some'a the boys had to go over to the ship we 'commandeered', so the marines are helping out here."

"Surprised you're not over there as acting captain," I said, leaning against the railing.

"Someone has to keep the VIPs in line," Cean grinned.

I scoffed, reaching down to pet Archer. The big dog excitedly licked my hand a few times, before looking down and letting me pet him.

"Yes, because we're such a rowdy bunch," I said.

"I'm not the one that had a screaming match with the priority objective last night," he said mildly.

The toothpick bobbed up and down in my mouth as I pursed my lips, and Cean shrugged.

"Small place, a ship like this," he explained. "Not a lot of room for secrets or privacy, I'm afraid."

"And I assume you have something to say about it?" I deadpanned.

"Me? Not really," he shrugged again. "I'm inclined to agree with you. Life goes on. We adapt, or we die. Some'a the other boys, though, aren't impressed. Respect for a lady and all that."

"Well, I'm sure the 'other boys' know well enough not to fuck with me," I growled.

Archer glanced up at the dangerous tone I took, his tail freezing mid-wag. I reassured him with a few more swift pats, and he started panting happily again.

"When are we due to make landfall?" I asked.

"Spotted the island this morning," Cean reported. "Should be sometime in the next few hours. We'll have to take the dinghy to shore, though. No port on this little backwater, either."

"Good," I said, pushing myself up off the railing. "I'm gonna go find some breakfast and then do some training. You come find me when we're ready to go."

"Aye-aye, skipper," Cean said, saluting lazily.

"That's General," I told him over my shoulder, with a small grin.

He just made a vaguely affirmative grunt, not looking up from the men beneath us. Archer followed at my heels as I made for the stairs, and hopefully a breakfast one of the 'other boys' hadn't spat in.

I'd be happy when we were back in Ylisse, where my authority was absolute, again.

"Damned mouthy, opinionated sailors," I muttered to Archer with a fond grin.

I stepped onto the sandy beach with a profound feeling of relief. Despite my earlier notion of wanting to become a sailor, I was really more at home on land.

Archer bounded off down the sand, and the toothpick still in my mouth bobbed up and down as I smiled slightly, watching the dog. Behind me, Chrom was doing the gentlemanly thing and offering his hand to first Lissa, then Emmeryn as they climbed out of the rowboat, coming ashore after me.

Three of the Arturia's four rowboats had been pressed into service to bring the last of the kidnapped girls ashore. Surprisingly, we'd picked up a lot more than I'd initially thought. There was also a group of sailors that would be running to the local villages for supplies, and the marines that were making up our security.

It was a decent sized group, and well-armed, which no doubt made the locals quite nervous when they'd spotted us.

Cean limped up beside me, and I frowned as I watched Yemuel climb daintily out of one of the other rowboats.

"Shouldn't he stay on the ship?" I asked.

"First mate's got things in hand," the ex-pirate said. "Besides, I think the Admiral is still cross about missing all the fun last time."

Yem looked around curiously at the beach, moving with that odd, rocking motion that some sailors get after years at sea. He wore his cutlass on his hip, but otherwise was only clad in his uniform. I felt positively over-dressed in my mail.

"Alright, gentlemen!" Yemuel called to the marines and sailors. "You know your roles! Those escorting the ladies to the villages on the far side of the island, hop to! Those gathering supplies, remember not to over-tax the local economy! Everyone else, prepare to march!"

I watched as the gathered men began to move with new purpose, frowning slightly. It felt weird not being the one giving orders. I could only imagine how Chrom felt about it.

Huh. So that's why he was such a pain in the ass about my orders…

Hello, perspective.

Instead, I whistled to call Archer back as I began to shuffle towards where the others were gathering around Yem. Lissa caught my eye and frowned, and I mentally prepared myself for an earful about being a dick to Emmeryn. Emm, herself, was doing her best to ignore me, while Chrom spoke with the marines about something.

"Why are you limping?" Lissa asked with a huff.

This got Emmeryn's attention, and she glanced at me out of the corner of her eye.

"Knocked my knee when we made our daring escape," I grunted.

"But that was nearly a week ago!" Lissa gasped. "Why didn't you say anything!?"

I quirked a brow as Emmeryn turned to face us fully now, her own brow furrowing.

"It's only been, like, five days. And it didn't seem important," I shrugged. "Besides, I'm used to it. There're not enough healers in the army yet. The Church is being very stingy about it, so all we have are some volunteers from the smaller abbeys and stuff."

"Hold on, let me get my staff…" Lissa said, running back to the boat.

"Lissa, don't bother! It's not that… and she's gone," I said, before throwing my head back and sighing.

During this exchange, Archer had trotted up, happy as can be, and parked his arse squarely on Emmeryn's foot. She blinked down at the dog, a curious expression on her face as he looked up at her, waiting for pats.

"Well?" I asked. "Are you gonna pet him? He's waiting."

"I… don't, ah…" she stammered.

"You were all over him before I thumped you on the head," I smirked. "He's used to it now. You spoiled him rotten."

As if to back up my argument, Archer gave a little wuff. Emmeryn tentatively reached down, and froze when Archer moved to sniff her hand. Deciding that it was, in fact, the hand of the woman who had been fawning over him constantly until recently, he licked her fingers a few times before looking away. Emmeryn blinked, before gently starting to stroke his head. A smile broke out on her face, and I nodded.

"Good dog," I said softly.

Lissa reappeared, hefting her staff with a disapproving frown as she looked around.

"Alright, now who else among you he-men is being so stupid as to hide injuries from me!" she shouted. "Line up so I can treat you!"

"Is the reprimanding optional?" Cean asked, holding his hand up. "Because, I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm kinda missing a leg here…"

Lissa snorted, struggling to maintain her cross expression before bursting into a fit of giggles.

"Cean!" she exclaimed. "I'm trying to be mad, here! And if you don't have the leg to reattach, I can't do anything!"

"Oh, uh… ha ha… yeah," Cean laughed stiffly.

I grimaced as Lissa pointed her staff at my knee, looking at Cean.

"Please tell me you don't still have the leg," I sighed.

"Not… all of it," he mumbled awkwardly. "Just… a couple bones. As a memento."

Lissa blanched, but otherwise focused on healing my leg.

"Oh you sailors are so damn weird," I groaned.

"Even to me, that is strange," Yemuel laughed. "Are there any more minor injuries? Sprains? Strains? Speak up now, or the Princess won't look at you!"

One of the local girls stepped forward, cradling her arm.

"A-actually…" she muttered. "I… bumped my arm while we were escaping. I didn't want to say anything…"

She looked down, flinching when one of the sailors stepped up.

"I got a crick in my neck from sleeping on the ground, Princess," he said.

"I could use some relief for my back. That rigging is heavy…"

"I been gettin' headaches something fierce, m'lady."

"Can you do anything about this rash?"

"Okay! Okay! One at a time!" Lissa laughed. "Sis, can you help me out here? There's a spare healing staff in the row-boat."

"Why did you bring two?" I asked.

"Because Emm's a healer, too. Duh," Lissa said.

"I… it has been a long time," Emmeryn stammered.

"C'mon, you can't exactly make things worse," I chuckled.

Emmeryn gave me a complex look, before nodding and nudging Archer off her foot. She then turned to the boat, and as Lissa finished up with my knee Chrom came over to me.

"What was with that look?" he asked.

"Nothing," I said.

"Ben, you are a good man, and I trust you," Chrom said seriously. "But I swear by Naga, if you even think about seducing my sister-"

Chrom's threat was cut off as the top of a healing staff bopped him on the head. We turned, to where a blushing Emmeryn was glaring at us both.

"Chrom, I can take care of myself," she said, before stalking off.

Chrom and I exchanged a glance, and I grinned.

"Feeling any smarter, or should we hit you a few more times?" I asked.

"You are… insufferable," he laughed.

"You're not the first person to tell me that this week," I scoffed.

So it was, with moods and spirits high, we separated into our teams and proceeded with our assigned tasks. Chrom, Emmeryn, Lissa and I went with Yem and a few of the other marines to escort the girls to the closest village. Cean, once more drawing the short straw, had to limp clear across the island with his team, to where there were three minor villages to return the girls to.

Only two were from the closest village, and funnily enough they were Hily and Jane, the two girls we'd found with Emm. They trotted along behind Emmeryn, seemingly having imprinted on her during their time in captivity, although both girls looked far healthier than they had before, even if Jane was still limping a little. Hopefully, with time, they would make a full recovery.

The villagers were, predictably, overjoyed to see us returning their errant daughters, and this time I hung back to let the more picturesque leaders, Chrom and Yem, take the limelight. I shook a few grateful hands, traded some inane pleasantries, but otherwise I hung back at the rear of the group with Archer. Again, predictably, we were invited to a great celebration, and the entire affair took on a festival atmosphere almost immediately.

I let myself be dragged along with the flow of the crowd, and eventually Archer decided that it would be more productive for him to seek pats from the local children than hanging around me, so I found myself wandering alone through the village as a 'great feast' was prepared.

Of course, it would probably be pretty tame compared to the feasts that Chrom or I could afford to put on, but it was the thought that counts.

My brow furrowed as I walked, and I realized that I hadn't actually spent any money on anything for more than a year.

I was fucking loaded, and I wasn't doing anything with it.

"Milord Ben! Sir!"

I turned at the call, and must still have been frowning in thought, because Hily flinched back slightly as I faced her. In fact, I found both girls, Hily and Jane, standing before me, looking far more animated now than they had been before.

"Yes?" I asked, softening my expression a little.

"We wanted to thank you," Jane said, stepping forward. "We… spoke to the marines and the sailors. They said that this was all you. Your plans. You were the one that rescued us, got us out of that horrible place. Thank you."

The words you were just an extra died on my tongue as I did my best to smile at them. I wasn't actually sure what I should say in a situation like this, so I just shrugged.

"You're welcome," I said.

Hily surprised me, then, by surging forward and throwing her arms around my neck, pressing herself to me in a tight hug.

"Thank you so much," she told me.

As she drew back, blushing heavily, she planted a sweet little kiss on my cheek. I blinked, but before I could rally, the movement was repeated by Jane, and once more I found myself being hugged by a scrawny island village girl. At least this one didn't kiss me.

Admittedly, I was caught somewhat wrong-footed here. I wasn't used to being thanked. In fact, I specifically left the job of accepting gratitude to the junior officers. I'd never been good at this kind of thing, even before coming to Ylisse, and as the girls drew away from me, they giggled a little at my blank, confused expression. With rosy cheeks and further giggles they raced off, back towards their families and their village.

"You will race into danger, heedless of your own safety, to rescue people you do not know, yet two little girls can fluster you?"

I turned, glaring weakly as Yemuel approached behind me. He grinned as he sipped from a halved coconut, and I could smell the acidic-sweetness of the tropical fruit juice within from where I was standing.

"Bite me," I growled. "I'm used to rough, ugly soldiers, not…"

"Fresh young things, brimming with gratitude?" he asked, his voice practically cooing. "Is that why you turned away our lovely former Exalt last night when she came to you, seeking comfort?"

"Don't start, Yem," I sighed. "I don't have time for charity cases."

I started to turn away, but his hand shot out and gripped my arm, surprisingly tightly.

"Yet, that is exactly what this was," he said, his tone becoming colder as he stepped towards me.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked tiredly. "Apologize?"

"I think that would be a good start," Yemuel said, releasing my arm and sipping coolly from his drink again. "But I think you should follow your own advice, and 'pull your head out of your ass'."

"Whoo, you kiss your mother with that mouth?" I smirked.

"Do not try to dodge the issue," he snapped. "She came to you. Opened up to you. She hasn't spoken to anyone else about her ordeal. Only you."

This brought me up short, and my cocky little grin faded.

"I didn't know," I admitted.

"The Exalt and Princess are worried for her," the Admiral went on. "Because she won't talk to them."

"And I bit her head off like an asshole," I sighed.

"Indeed," Yemuel said, sipping his drink again.

"Okay, where did you get that?" I asked. "I want one now."

"Oh, the villagers are handing them out," he said airily, waving his hand dismissively. "Look for the man chopping the coconuts in half with a machete. He is hard to miss. So?"

"So?" I repeated.

"Are you going to speak to Emmeryn?" he asked, speaking slowly, as if I were an idiot.

In matters such as these, I may as well have been.

"I don't know," I sighed, rubbing the back of my head. "I'm not… really good at the whole apology thing. What do I even say? Like, un-fuck you, or something?"

Yemuel made a sound halfway between a laugh and a frustrated sigh, shaking his head.

"General, I have the good fortune, I believe, to call you my friend," he said. "And as your friend, I wish to help you however I may. In the spirit of that… if you do not march up to the former-Exalt and apologize immediately, I will leave you both here on this island until you do. With Exalt Chrom, after I tell him what you did."

I went very still at the threat, eyes narrowing.

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

I sighed and threw up my hands.

"Fine!" I said. "Fine! You win! I'll apologize!"

"There's a good man," Yemuel said, slapping me on the back. "She is, conveniently, over near the coconut pile. Go get some drinks, give one to her to break the ice."

"You're lucky I consider you my friend, too, you busy-body," I growled.

"Yes, yes, we can have all the sappy male bonding we want once this matter is put to rest," he said, waving me off. "Now. Go. Shoo. You have work to do."

I laughed as he shooed me off, shaking my head as I began to work my way back towards the press of villagers. True to Yem's words, there was a group of villagers passing out little tropical drinks in coconuts in the village square, where a half-naked man wielding a machete was chopping coconuts and fruits like a maniac. I took two from some very grateful villagers, exchanged some more pleasantries with some of the marines, and went looking for Emmeryn.

I found her resting in the shade of an awning, looking out over the square with a thoughtful expression. Her face darkened when she spotted me, and she actually looked like she was on the verge of walking off as I approached.

"I come bearing fruit juice," I said, by way of greeting. "Yemuel said it was good, so… I brought you one."

I finished lamely and held out the drink to her. She glared at me weakly for a moment, before accepting the coconut half. Honestly, I was expecting her to tip it on my head, but my fears were apparently baseless, as she took a tentative sip from it instead. I followed suit, immediately gagging at the strong taste.

"Agh! Pineapple!" I spat. "God dammit, I hate pineapple!"

Emmeryn just took another sip from her drink, glaring at me over the rim of the coconut. I sighed, tossing my coconut aside.

"Look, Emm, I'm sorry," I said. "I was an absolute bag of dicks last night. I… wanted to do the whole 'tough love' thing, to try and balance out how Chrom and Lissa have been treating you, but… well… it backfired. And I'm an idiot. And I'm sorry."

Emmeryn's face softened somewhat as she cradled her drink in both hands, and eventually she looked down.

"Would you… stay with me? For a while?" she asked softly.

"As long as you want," I told her.

I stepped under the awning, crossing my arms and leaning back against the hut.

"How is your knee?" she asked.

"Sore," I sighed. "Lissa still needs practice on bruises and contusions. She's good with lacerations, though."

"She always did have trouble healing what she couldn't see," Emmeryn said with a small smile.

We stood in silence for a while, me simply watching the villagers and marines, while Emmeryn stared into the depths of her juice.

"I spoke to Yemuel this morning," she said after a time. "Chrom and Lissa… they haven't told me anything. About what you've done. What you've accomplished, in two short years. About… the stress you have put yourself under. The strain you bear, for a country not your own."

"Well, Chrom kinda made it my country," I muttered. "Against my will, I might add."

"I am sorry," she went on. "I was acting selfishly. I did not mean to burden you."

"You weren't burdening me, Emm," I sighed. "If I wasn't such an asshole, I would have seen that cry for help for what it was a mile away. Don't feel guilty for needing help. We all do, from time to time. And… I know it's late, but… I'm listening now."

Emmeryn gave a small chuckle, her shoulders shaking as the laugh turned into a little sob. She bowed her head, beginning to tremble, and for a terrifying moment I didn't know what to do. I took a deep breath, stamped the old haphephobia down, and laid my hand on her shoulder. Like a dam bursting, Emmeryn threw herself at my chest, dumping her juice all over my boots in the process. She clenched her eyes, burying her face in my shirt as she quietly sobbed.

"I d-don't kn-know what to… what to d-do!" she sniffled. "What sh-should I do? Ben? Help me. Please. I don't know… I don't… please."

I shushed her, gently rubbing her back and praying she couldn't feel how tense her touch was making me.

"It'll be okay," I told her. "We'll work this out."

After all, I'm already hiding five or six people, I added in my head. What's one more?

"I d-don't… know what to d-do!" she practically wailed. "I c-can't… go h-home! I can't go home!"

"Okay, okay, let it all out," I told her, looking around awkwardly.

A few of the marines were watching curiously, but looked away when I met their gazes. The villagers, though, were being a damn sight more respectful, and ignoring us completely. Of Chrom and Lissa, I caught no glimpse; no doubt that blessed busy-body Yemuel was keeping them occupied.

Eventually, Emm quieted. She clung to me as she gave a last few hiccups, and I continued to rub her back. She felt… thin. Frail. Like the vital energy that had let her rule Ylisse as a paragon of pacifism was missing now, and had left behind only a scared young woman.

Eventually, she pulled back, wiping at her eyes and nose without looking up at me.

"I… I'm sorry," she said. "I… I shouldn't have…"

"Stop apologizing already," I said. "I may be a shitty friend, but… I'm here for you."

"You are… my only friend," Emmeryn sniffled.

"I call bullshit," I scoffed.

"It is true," she said, leaning against me again. "I could never meet other children my age before… my parents passed. And after I became the Exalt…"

"Oh, you poor thing, I am the absolute worst to have as your only friend," I laughed. "Yemuel. We'll make him your friend. And then… I can think of at least five more at the barracks who'll be lining up to be your friend."

Emmeryn chuckled, going quiet again for a time, before shuddering against me.

"I almost died," she said quietly.

"Join the club," I scoffed.

She flinched, and I instantly realized what I'd said.

"That came out wrong! I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way!" I said quickly. "I… uh… shit…"

She looked up at me, blinking almost owlishly.

"I… fell," I told her softly. "After we thought you died. During the last battle. I was… surrounded. I thought I was done. And when they managed to bring me back, a rumor spread through the Plegians that I was immortal. It's… kinda stuck. But… it was kind of a shock, being ready to go and then suddenly waking back up."

Emmeryn looked down again, nestling back into my embrace.

"Do you… dream about it?" she asked.

"All the time," I admitted. "It's… not pleasant. Grasping hands, from the soldiers I killed that day, all trying to drag me down to hell with them. That kind of thing."

I was hoping that by talking about this kind of thing I could get her to open up. Kindred spirits, and all that. I'd never actually told anyone else about the dreams. Not even Tharja. In fact, when I'd woken her up one to many times with my nightmares, she'd kicked me out of my own damn bed.

Bitch.

"I was fully prepared to die," Emmeryn said, bringing me back into the present. "Gangrel didn't torture me. He didn't let his men… put their hands on me. He wanted me pure. Unbroken. So he could break me up on that rib. I… I desperately wanted the fighting to stop, but… I also… wanted to defy him…"

She began to shake again, gently sobbing.

"To think, my most selfish act… is considered in retrospect… to be my most virtuous," she sobbed brokenly. "I… my people's memory of me… everyone's… is a lie…"

"Emmeryn, you're only human," I shushed her, rubbing her back again. "It's alright. You did want the fighting to stop, and it did. Everything else was just extra. You completed your main objective. There's nothing to feel guilty about."

"I'm… I-I-I'm sorry…" she sobbed. "I'm so sorry…"

"I forgive you," I told her. "But only on the grounds that you try to forgive yourself."

"How?" she asked weakly.

"I have no idea," I told her. "If you figure it out, let me know."

She shuddered again, but the sobs trailed off.

"Do the dreams… ever stop?" she asked.

I paused for a moment, contemplating lying to her, but instead just shook my head.

"No," I said truthfully.

"O-oh," she sniffled.

"But you learn how to deal," I told her. "And I will save you the time, and tell you that alcohol does not help."

She gave a little chuckle, and pulled back again.

"So. Now that that's out of your system, let's think," I said with a reassuring smile.

She looked up at me, her eyes red-rimmed and watery, that same look of desperate hope flashing through them again. I left my arms around her, though, still holding her in what I hoped was a comforting way.

"So, no staying at the palace in Ylisstol. That's fine," I shrugged. "Plenty of places we can put you up. I have a barracks full of strays already, so you'll fit right in. Or, you can go to Baham. I'm sure Helman and his missus would be delighted to have you around the Keep."

"But… I thought you were Duke now?" she asked with a sniffle. "Wouldn't that mean Helman…"

"Oh, he's very much alive," I grinned. "Long story. Basically, he runs the territory as my steward. I didn't even kick him out of the Keep. But! First, you need a new name."

"I… I do?" Emmeryn asked.

"Yup," I nodded. "We can pass you off as a look-alike, now that your brand is, well, gone. But it'd be too on the nose to just leave you with the name Emmeryn. So, a new identity is in order. Hm… Any ideas?"

"I… don't know…" she muttered.

"Emelia?" I suggested. "That way you can even keep the 'Emm' nickname."

She looked up at me for a moment, and I quirked a brow before I realized her lip was trembling again. Then, she resumed her position on my chest as she began to bawl again.

"What?" I asked hurriedly. "Is it that bad!? I'll think of something else!"

"Th-thank you!" she said, shaking her head against me. "Thank you! Thank you!"

I resumed gently rubbing her back, this time now stroking her hair with my other hand. Of course, there was a look of perplexed horror on my face that some of the marines were starting to chuckle at, now, too.

"You are a genius," Emmeryn chuckled tearfully. "An insane genius."

"I think, it's what I do," I said awkwardly.

"Emelia," Emmeryn said, trying the name on for size. "Emelia… yes, I think I like it."

"As for where you end up, don't worry," I told her. "We're not just going to leave you out in the cold. You'll… just have to deal with room-mates."

She looked up at me, giving me quite possibly the brightest smile I'd ever seen.

"I think… I think I'd like that," she said.

"Good, because one of them is my daughter," I told her.

"You're married!?" Emmeryn practically screamed, jumping back from me.

"No!" I shouted quickly. "She's my little-baby-bastard, I'm not married! Gods above, no!"

We looked at each other for a moment before we both began to chuckle. Soon, we were bent over with hysterics, Emmeryn actually holding herself up against my shoulder as we both roared with laughter. As we quieted, Emmeryn sighed and wiped at the corners of her eyes with the cuff of her blouse. I didn't fail to notice that her hand was still on my shoulder.

"No, seriously, though, I have a kid now," I told her.

"I don't doubt it," Emmeryn chuckled. "In fact, I'm surprised you only have one."

"That is… I… shut up," I stammered.

Emmeryn laughed again, then, before turning and wrapping her arms around me in a warm embrace.

"Thank you, Ben," she said softly into my shoulder. "I… was so frightened. So worried that… I wouldn't have a place here, anymore."

Automatically, I wrapped my arms around her, resting my chin atop her hair.

"Any time, Emm," I told her. "Any… time…"

I trailed off, breath catching in my chest and eyes widening as I caught sight of Chrom and Lissa. Watching us hugging, quite intimately, I might add. Chrom's eyes narrowed as Lissa's face broke into a wide grin.

"Oh god," I moaned.

Emmeryn pulled back, looking up at me curiously before turning around and spotting her siblings. Lissa skipped over to us as Emm stepped away from me, a light blush dusting her cheeks now.

Chrom and I didn't break eye contact as he approached.

"So, when's the wedding, you two?" Lissa teased.

"Lissa!" Emm admonished, her blush intensifying. "Ben and I are… friends. Just friends."

"You hear that, Chrom?" I asked nervously. "Just friends. Just. Friends."

"I heard," he said dangerously.

"So, take your hand off your sword, please," I said evenly.

"No," he growled.

Emmeryn huffed and crossed her arms as Lissa giggled again, the older sister glaring at Chrom beneath arched brows.

"Chrom, do you remember when I didn't say anything about your bungled courtship of Sumia?" Emmeryn asked sweetly.

This made Chrom flinch, and he finally looked away from me as he started to blush.

"It wasn't bungled," he said, sounding for all the world like a pouting teenager. "We got married, didn't we?"

"You're welcome, by the way," I said.

Chrom's gaze snapped back to me, and he frowned in confusion.

"Puh-lease," I said, rolling my eyes. "You really think I didn't pull any strings and play matchmaker? Watching the two of you pussyfooting around each other was painful."

This got another laugh from the girls, and I turned to Lissa.

"Don't look at me like that, I know you didn't set me and Lon up," she huffed.

"Who do you think suggested him for body-guard duty?" I asked.

Lissa's face dropped, and she blinked at me in shock.

"Oh my god you absolutely did," she whispered. "You set us both up!?"

"I'm two for two," I shrugged. "Now I just need to find Emelia here a man and I'll be the official royal matchmaker."

"Emelia?" Lissa parroted.

"Ben has suggested, and I agree, that I need a new identity to be in Ylisstol again," Emmeryn said, lifting her head proudly. "He suggested 'Emelia', and I found it agreeable."

Chrom and Lissa exchanged a look, and the Exalt shuffled awkwardly.

"We… were talking about what to do," he said. "But… hadn't quite, uh, figured anything out yet."

"Well, short term she can bunk in the barracks," I said. "I've still got room in the officer's quarters. I think. She can stay there as long as she wants. As for what she can actually do in Ylisstol… well, that's up to her."

"I will gratefully accept your hospitality, Duke Ben," Emmeryn said playfully.

"It would be my greatest honor to play host to you, Lady Emelia," I grinned back, giving her a little bow.

"Ohmygod! You two are in love!" Lissa squealed.

"Emm, I'm sorry, but I have to kill your sister now," I sighed.

"I will hold her for you," Emm said, as we both turned to Lissa.

"No!" Lissa laughed, darting behind Chrom.

For his part, the Exalt was just watching us with this weird little look on his face. I guess he was torn between being happy and relieved that Emmeryn was acting a little more alive again, and tearing my head off and spitting down my neck for flirting with his sister.

Fortunately, lives were saved when Yemuel made his appearance, laughing and smiling as he slid into the group next to Chrom and Lissa with all the grace of a born courtier.

"It is so nice to see everyone getting along again," he said with a wide smile. "And, my lady Emmeryn, may I say that I was right in assuming you are far more beautiful when you are smiling?"

"You may not," Emmeryn said, turning up her nose slightly.

"Ah, I meant no offence," Yemuel said smoothly, bowing contritely.

"You may not say it, for Emmeryn is no longer my name," she said, breaking out into a grin. "My name is Emelia now, Admiral."

Yemuel laughed, placing his hand over his heart and bowing deeply.

"Then it is my great honor to meet you, Lady Emelia," he said. "I look forward to our future friendship."

I elbowed Emm as Yemuel rose, grinning.

"Told ya," I whispered.

Emm just giggled, earning me another dirty glare from Chrom.

That evening, as the sun began to sink below the sea, I took a deep breath of the fresh, salty air as I wandered along the beach near the village. Archer trotted along at my side, tongue lolling and tail wagging.

I bent down, retrieving a stick of driftwood, and held it up to the old mongrel.

"Wanna fetch?" I asked.

The dog's ears perked up as he tilted his head, and I tossed the stick into the distance. Archer took off like a shot, doing that thing that dogs do when they're super excited and running so fast that his arse was trying to out-pace his front. He skidded to a stop over the stick, picking it up in his mouth and racing back to me.

So, we repeated the process.

I was in a good mood. Things had gone well with Emmeryn, now insisting everyone call her Emelia, and she was busy making plans with Lissa and Chrom for when they got back to Ylisstol. She was going to be staying at the barracks in the short-term, and after that… well, I guess that's what they were planning.

However, me being the introvert that I am, I decided I needed a little space. So, while there was still enough sun to see by, I decided to take Archer for a walk on the beach and just decompress.

Now that I was alone, I was truly content. I could truly relax.

Not that I didn't like the others, but I was, simply put, peopled-out at this point. I needed a break, and there wasn't anything quite like walking along an empty beach with your dog for a break.

Even if I still maintain I'm a cat person.

I wound back and threw the stick again, but Archer stopped about halfway to where I'd thrown it, head perking up. I was instantly on guard, hands going to my knives as Archer began growling at the underbrush above the beach.

I realized, then, just how far I'd wandered from town, with only my old dog as backup. I cursed as a rustling sound came closer-

An old, ragged looking pegasus burst from the foliage, freezing in its tracks as it spotted me.

We looked at each other for a moment, and, before I could think myself stupid for having a staring contest with a flying horse, Archer gave a loud bark. This startled the creature, causing it to rear back and neigh wildly.

"Archer, heel!" I commanded.

I held both my hands up and out, slowly advancing on the creature. I got a good look at it as it pranced nervously in a small circle. There was a saddle still strapped to it, and while there were no supplies or saddlebags, the thing looked well maintained. It also still had a bridle strapped to its face. Clearly, it wasn't wild.

"Whoa, there," I said gently, keenly aware that pegasai were notoriously androphobic. "Whoa. No one's gonna hurt you. Easy, there."

The beast snorted at me, and just as I was getting close enough to reach out and grab its bridle it neighed again, spun, and raced back into the sparse forest above the beach.

Archer and I looked at each other for a moment, before I quirked a brow.

"Think we should follow it?"

"Wuff."

"You say that to everything."

Archer tilted his head and whined, and I chuckled as I reached down to pat his head. Making up my mind, I followed the creature into the underbrush.

We didn't have to go far, finding the creature standing over a form wearing battered old Ylissean Pegasus Knight armor, lying face-down in the grass. I hurried over, a feeling of apprehensive excitement blooming in my chest as I caught a glimpse of dark blue hair.

"Hey!" I called, coming to my knees at her side. "You alive!?"

Just as I reached out for the girl, she stirred, groaning weakly.

"What?" I asked.

Cynthia looked up at me, blinking weakly as she struggled.

"Are… you… Chrom?" she asked.

"Girl, do I look like I have blue hair?" I asked with a snort.

"… so, that's a no?" she asked.

"That's a no," I confirmed.

"Oh," she managed to sigh, before falling face-down again.

I looked at her for a moment, before looking back up at the pegasus still looming over us.

"I assume you expect me to do something about this?" I sighed to the creature.

The pegasus snorted and stomped in place, looking at me like I was an idiot.

"And now I'm not only talking to a dog, but to a flying horse," I sighed, shaking my head. "That's it. I've lost it. I've gone crazy."

I shook my head again, before reaching down to gently turn Cynthia over.

The pigtails were a dead giveaway, honestly.

She groaned as I laid her on her back, blinking up at me.

"Are you hurt?" I asked.

"Hungry," she groaned.

I barked out a laugh, and Archer just barked.

"Well, I'm not letting you eat my dog," I told her.

"I need to… find Exalt Chrom," she said weakly. "Of Ylisse. I need to…"

"Cynthia, right?" I asked.

She blinked, shock plain to see on her face as she nodded slowly.

"I'm Ben, the General of the Ylissean army," I told her. "I'm well acquainted with your sister."

"Ugh… Uncle Ben?" she asked slowly. "You… you've seen Lucy?"

"I have, indeed," I chuckled.

"How… well do you… know her?" She asked haltingly.

"Well, I know for certain that she's a natural bluenette," I muttered.

Cynthia just looked up at me with a confused expression.

"I told her she has a beautiful muff," I shrugged.

"What's a… muff?" she asked.

"Ask your sister," I said. "She's back in Ylisstol, where I'm heading now. With your father."

"Oh. Good," Cynthia nodded weakly. "I… hate to bother you, but could you bring me some food? I haven't eaten in nearly a week…"

"When did you get here?" I asked.

"A few days ago," she sighed. "I can't find any food…"

"Did you try going to one of the villages?" I asked.

"… there's villages on this island?" she responded.

"Oh, you are definitely Lucina's sister," I laughed. "Tell you what. I'll take you to the village we're all camped at. Your father and both your aunts are there. But you have to promise to keep the whole time-travel thing a secret."

"Lucy did say something about keeping it secret, yeah," Cynthia agreed.

"Alright then," I nodded.

I then scooped her up in my arms, and aside from some weak protests, proceeded to carry her back to the beach, princess-style.

Which was fitting because, ya know, princess.

She blinked weakly up at me, a slight blush creeping across her cheeks as I carried her.

"I can walk," she said.

"You can't even stand," I shot back.

"I am… an Ylissean Knight!" she said. "I can walk!"

"I will drop you."

"Please don't."

"Whoop, you're slipping!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please carry me!"

"That's what I thought," I laughed.

Cynthia just groaned in my arms.

We made an odd procession, me carrying a strange young girl, being followed by a flying horse and an old hunting dog, as we approached the town. But, the best thing about being General?

Nobody questions your shit.

So, I just traipsed back into the village carrying a strange young woman, followed by my dog and a ragged-looking pegasus, and parked the girl in front of a cooking fire.

"Feed her, please," I said pleasantly. "And some feed for the flying horse, too. Please."

The pegasus snorted and nudged me in the back with its muzzle, glaring sidelong at me. I rolled my eyes.

"Pardon me," I said sarcastically. "Feed for the glorious pegasus, please."

Cynthia's pegasus snorted in apparent satisfaction.

The lady cooking at the fire blinked a few times before she smiled and went right back to stirring whatever was in the big communal pot. She ladled out a bowl and handed it to a shaky Cynthia, who proceeded to inhale the soup and hold the empty bowl back out.

"Seconds, please!" she said loudly.

"Well, I see you've made a new friend."

I turned, finding Cean watching with some curiosity.

"You know me, I just love picking up strays," I sighed.

"I am no stray!" Cynthia declared, jumping to her feet. "I am-"

She squeaked and I pushed her back into her seat with a gentle nudge, shaking my head.

"Eat, you hyperactive, ADHD cinnamon roll," I laughed. "Posture later."

Cynthia grumbled, but set into her new bowl of soup with gusto. It was some local concoction, no doubt full of shellfish.

"I feel like there's a story here," Cean said thoughtfully.

"Strictly need-to-know, Lieutenant," I said with a smirk. "Strictly need-to-know."

Cynthia gave a very un-lady-like belch behind us, and I sighed and shook my head.

"Definitely Lucina's sister…" I muttered.

Chrom chose that moment to appear, one of those little coconut drinks in his hand.

"Ah, Ben! Here you are," he said. "Have you tried these drinks? They're amazing! I… who is this?"

He leaned around me, to where Cynthia was inhaling her third bowl of soup.

"Ah, this? I asked with a shrug. "She's… well… you did tell me not to seduce your sister…"

"Oh for… really!?" Chrom sighed. "I cannot let you out of my sight for a moment, can I!?"

"Jesus, Chrom, I'm joking!" I said quickly. "She's a new recruit. Has her own pegasus and everything."

"I am a mighty knight!" Cynthia declared, with a mouthful of bread. "I live only to serve Ylisse, and her soverign!"

"So… me?" Chrom asked.

Cynthia finally looked up, eyes going wide as her jaw dropped.

"Da-"

I clamped a hand over her mouth before she could finish, grinning at Chrom and laughing awkwardly.

"Sorry, she's a little… out of it," I said, before turning my head to hiss in her ear. "Secret! Remember!?"

Cynthia nodded, and I released her. Chrom's eyes narrowed, but he didn't otherwise comment.

"I think you and I need to have a long discussion about your treatment of women," he deadpanned.

Okay, so he commented a little.

Dick.

AN: I actually managed to get this chapter done and uploaded exactly on Christmas for the Patrons, a fact I'm quite proud of. And, as an apology for the douchey cliffhangers lately, no cliffhanger this time. Because I loves y'all. But! I hope you're enjoying the new story. A lot of the comments I've gotten about the previous one boiled down to 'the ending left a bad taste in my mouth', and I'm hoping that these last few chapters have helped ease us into a new beginning, almost. So. What do you think of the new story, and the new direction? Let me know in the reviews!

Follow me on twitter to find out how you can support my work! -metalloverwrite

There's a Discord channel you can join to chat, too! It's pretty chill, but it's hella fun.

Check it all out, links are all on my bio page! Thanks for reading, and Nagaspeed!