AN: I do not own Fire Emblem or Touhou Project

I took a little time to think about how I was going to do the 'Years Past' arc and I eventually came to a conclusion. One chapter for each of the Nohr royal children, one for Takumi, and one for the other children of the next generation. Then we FINALLY get into the next arc, where Arashi/Marisa, Nitori/Mizu, and Alice/Chikyu are the main characters for a while.

But without further ado!

Let the Conquest begin!

Xenolouge: The Northern Fortress

BGM: Fire Emblem 8 Remastered - 56 Armories

It had taken the better part of a week, during which Garon had arrived with Gunter, but with everyone working together the fortress was cleared out and ready for the children. Minerva had left to get the convoy with the children, as well as gather servants from Krakenburg to assign them to the fortress.

However, at the moment Garon was speaking with Kilma, discussing things with the leader of the Ice Tribe. "So in exchange for my services, I asked that should my daughters be provided sanctuary here they be treated well, and that the Ice tribe remain autonomous from Nohr, and a little bit of gold doesn't hurt either." Kilma said as Garon nodded. "I can see those terms working, we have a deal lord Kilma." Garon said, raising his hand for Kilma to shake it. "Alright then." Kilma said with a smile, shaking Garon's hand as a large caravan of carriages rode onto the rocky terrain surrounding the fortress.

At the forefront of the caravan was Minerva, riding on her horse, Albus, and in the carriages were the children. Riding alongside the carriages was several soldiers on horseback, alongside the remaining Knights of Renvall that had stayed behind to help gather the remaining children.

Garon watched alongside Kilma as the caravan of carriages rolled up to the gate of the fortress before they stopped. "It appears the children have arrived then." Garon said as Kilma nodded. "Shall we greet them?" Kilma asked as Garon nodded, the two of them walking down the nearby staircase into the front of the fortress. The two leaders opening the gate together as the carriages started opening for the children to come out.

"Daddy!" Somone called, Garon and Kilma looking to the side as Garon smiled, seeing Corrin run up to him as his siblings followed, Elise being carried by Minerva as Garon opened his arms to hug Corrin. "Come here Corrin!" Garon laughed, Corrin jumping into his arms and laughing as the other royal children came up to him, Minerva slowly following as Kilma watched the sight with interest and a small smile on his face.

"Father? What is this place?" Xander asked as Garon looked at him and sighed. "It's your new home Xander… after losing Azura I don't want to take chances, I can't afford to lose any of you." Garon said as Elise started babbling in Minerva's arms, trying to reach out for Garon after seeing her brother being hugged by him.

Putting Corrin down Garon carefully took Elise from Minerva, holding her close as she tried to grab his crown. "No, you can't have that Elise." Garon said with a small smile as Corrin hung behind Garon's leg.

The other children were already being led inside by the knights as the royal children stayed around their father, Minerva standing a few feet from Garon before speaking. "Garon, I'm going to be staying here for a few years… Elise needs her mother." Minerva said as Garon looked up at her, Elise trying to pull on his collar. "She can be taken care of by the nurses Minerva, and I need you as well." Garon said as Minerva nodded. "I know that… but I'd rather be in my daughter's life for a few years instead of being absent for most of it. Besides, someone has to help take care of the children." Minerv said as Garon spoke.

"That's what Gunter is here for, he knows what to do. But don't worry Minerva, we'll be able to visit often, at least once a week, I don't plan on being out of my children's lives either." Garon said as Kilma tapped him on the shoulder. "As heartwarming as this conversation is, we are the last ones here, so I suggest you two vacate the area before I put of the blizzard." Kilma said.

Looking down at his daughter he slowly handed Elise over to Minerva, who walked past him into the fort. "I'll be able to pass through the blizzard, take the carriages and get away before it starts and wait for me." Minerva said as Garon nodded, walking over to Albus and getting on the white horse.

As Garon led the carriage away Minerva and Kilma walked inside with the royal children, who were all staring at the inside of the fortress. The sounds of their shoes, and Corrin's bare feet hitting the floor the only sounds inside the main hall as the other children had been led to the dining area where they would be eating. Handing Elise to Xander Minerva spoke. "Go to the dining hall, it's three doors down to the left. We have to do something." She said as Xander nodded, leading the other royal children as Kilma and Minerva went to the courtyard, where the large ice structure that would act as the eye of the blizzard was.

"Shall we get started?" Minerva asked as Kilma nodded, the leader of the Ice Tribe throwing his arm out as blue ice started to encompass it. The ice shot from his hand into the ice pillar, which started to glow an unearthly blue as the wind started to pick up, the air already getting colder as the two looked up. "Shall we watch?" Kilma asked as Minerva nodded the two of them going up a nearby staircase onto the wall of the courtyard to watch as the blizzard started.

BGM: Don't you put any stock in this destiny hogwash! - Fire Emblem Awakening

Slowly the wind turned into howling gales, the wind picking up around the outside of the fortress, encompassing it in its entirety as snow started to fall. The ice and snow being picked up by the winds and forming a wall of swirling snow and ice around the fortress. The blizzard slowly peaked as from inside the fortress the children were clambering at the windows, watching the blizzard pick up outside as the snow kept falling, covering the ground in a sheet of white.

The blizzard soon took on a dome like shape around the fortress, encompassing the entire thing in a dome of swirling ice and snow. On the nearby ridge Garon was watching as the blizzard made the fortress disappear from view. Silently hoping nothing would go wrong as the dome stabilized, remaining in a constant state of swirling winds of ice and snow.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Kilma asked Minerva as the cold air buffeted both of them, neither even flinching as Minerva silently thanked her acquired cold resistance. "It's certainly something Kilma. Thank you for doing this." Minerva as she bowed slightly as Kilma. "My pleasure, now I hope that my daughters remain safe here. I must be off." Kilma said as he took a few steps back as Minerva watched him, slightly puzzled as Kilma took a running start before jumping off the fortress walls and into the blizzard, the ice itself slowing his decent as he hit the ground running, taking off as ice formed beneath him, allowing him to practically slide across the land as he disappeared from view, more than likely going back to his village. "Show off." Minerva muttered as she walked down the stairs to leave through the blizzard.

Inside the mess hall all the children were in awe, all talking to each other in amazement at the blizzard that had formed suddenly outside. Gilliam was standing alone in a corner, smoking a cigar as the maids and butlers all were scrambling to get to work as the knights were all preparing, having a section of the fort all to themselves where they would store their weapons and armor.

Gunter however, was at the front of the mess hall, watching over the children with a small smile on his face, spotting his daughter in the crowd, and scanning the crowd with well-trained eyes before focusing on several children.

The royal children were all together, inseparable as they all had their own little moments. Corrin putting his bare feet on the chair he was sitting on as Camilla tried to tickle Elise, Xander trying to keep his younger sister from hurting Elise as Leo read a small book that he had been given.

Ephraim and Lyon the children of the border generals were sitting next to each other at the table. Both silent as they watched the storm outside, which was rather hard given many of the children had gotten up to watch from the windows.

Gunter also noticed a few children that should have been here were missing. Reports said that Raymond Cornwell and his friend, Lucius Limont had disappeared a few days ago. Those who knew about it feared another kidnapping but Gunter knew better. The boy had likely gone after the kidnappers in an attempt at revenge and his friend had gone with him. There were others missing but most were orphans that likely hid from everyone during the round up.

BGM: Here we are! The Shepherds' garrison! - Fire Emblem Awakening

"Attention everyone!" Gunter shouted to get the attention of the room on him. Most of the children turning towards him at his outburst, even the ones at the windows looking at him as he started speaking. "My name is Gunter, and I welcome you to your new home. Don't worry, your parents will all be visiting whenever they can. I'm guessing most of you are questioning why you are all here?" Gunter asked as he paced in front of the tables.

After no one spoke Gunter spoke up again. "I'm not going to lie, after the recent kidnapping, a plan was made to keep you all safe. That plan is happening right here, and right now. This is the Northern Fortress, your new home, where you will all be safe from harm, and from any attempts at kidnapping you. I'm sure all of you lost someone in the recent kidnapping, be it a friend." Gunter said as Lyon winced. "A family member." Gunter continued, noticing the forlorn looks of the royal children at that statement and the anger welling up in Ephraim, or someone you knew. This place is meant to make sure that doesn't happen to you. Here, you can do pretty much as you please. Just don't do anything stupid and the knights won't get on your tail for it." Gunter said as all the children kept staring at him.

"But on that note, I welcome all of you, to the Northern Fortress, your new home. Make some friends, play some games, and do as you wish. Your future, is up to you." Gunter finished off as the children started talking again. 'This is it… the end of an era. And the start of a new generation.' Gunter thought as he took one last look out over the sea of children.

(Stage Clear)

AN: I know, the shortest chapter ever, but it wasn't meant to be anything special. It was just to establish that this was basically the final chapter of this arc. However, the next seven, yes seven, chapters focus on the children, one for each royal child barring Azura and most of the Hoshido kids, and one more chapter for the rest of the kids, mostly Ephraim, Lyon, Mia, Raven, Lucius, and the kids in Hoshido.

Sorry for the short chapter, but I promise the next will be even better for the first child of years past… is Corrin.