"So, has anyone actually tried talking to him?" Robin asked as he put his coat on and took in his appearance. He was still a little pale, but that was not entirely out of the ordinary for him. His poor coat had some holes in it making him furrow his brows. He would get those patched later.

"I'm not sure, but it doesn't seem like many have if any. Sumia's been keeping watch over him, but from what I gathered, he's been unresponsive," Lucina replied from the door. She had been busying herself that morning. Given her recent revelation, she wanted to keep her mind occupied.

"Well," Robin turned from the mirror, "Let's change that, shall we?"

"What did you have in mind?" Lucina asked as she followed Robin out the door.

"Round the Shepherds up. We're going to have an intervention. It's about time someone snapped him to his senses."

"What are you going to do?"

Robin smiled at the woman, "I'm going to make him see reason whether he wants to or not."

Robin walked out into the arena where Chrom was sulking. Sumia had spent hours just watching him here, and even now Robin could see the prince refused to so much as look in her direction.

"Afternoon," Robin announced his presence after walking beside him. Chrom should have noticed him earlier, but if he had, he had said nothing.

"Robin?" Chrom barely looked up, but he did at least slightly move his head, "It's good to see you about, friend."

"I should apologize," Robin admitted looking at the far side of the arena, "I should have surmised that Plegia might be connected to the Risen. It's my job to account for the unaccountable, but I failed to do that. For that, you have my apologies."

"It wasn't your fault," Chrom finally took on some sternness, "You couldn't have reasonably predicted they could summon them at will."

"Then it wasn't yours either," Robin turned to look at the prince sternly, "There's nothing you could have done at that point."

"Don't you see? That's exactly the point. She did it for me, Robin. She knew I couldn't live with the choice, so she made it for me. I was too weak, and she knew it." Chrom looked away in shame, "And then I almost got nearly my entire team killed."

"You're human, Chrom. They all know that. No one will blame you for being in distress, and when the time came, you made the right call."

"You didn't see the fear in her eyes, Robin."

"Whose eyes?"

"...Sumia's. I pushed her on reflex when she tried to stop me. I could see it. Fear. She was afraid of me, Robin! I can't blame her either."

"So that's why you won't talk to her. Chrom, do you think she'd have spent the past several days watching over you if she did not care about you? The same goes for all of us. We're with you. Emmeryn made the choice she did, because she knew you could do this. She knew you could lead your people. She cared about them too much to leave them with someone she didn't trust."

"But what if I can't? What if I can't uphold her ideals?"

"You don't have to be your sister to honor her memory. You can still be yourself. And right now, that's what we need. We need you to lead us. To fight for your sister's ideals. To fight for your own. Whenever you do that, I'll always be right there with you. Brains and brawns in equal measure. We are sort of two halves of the same coin, you and I."

"And what if I just pull you down with me?"

"Well, who said it was just me?" Robin smirked.

"Yeah!" Lissa jumped out of the shadows, pumping her fists, "No more crying! Let's end this, for Emm."

"House Ylisse has suffered under my watch as a knight," Frederick bowed, "I will endeavor to fight even harder for you, milord."

"Gladly would I fight and die for House Ylisse," Stahl bowed, "I'm with you."

"Gladly would I fight and kill for House Ylisse," Sully punched her palm.

"I can see it now," Virion spoke with a gleam in his eye, "You are strong indeed. A leader I would be glad to lend my support."

"Heh, consider class in session," Vaike flexed.

"You gave a farm hand like me a shot," Kellam smiled, "I'd be honored to keep fighting by your side."

"Based on my observations," Miriel adjusted her glasses, "You have a superb talent for leading troops. Charisma, I think it is called. I believe you are best suited to lead us to victory."

"My duty is to my people and House Ylisse," Maribelle propped her parasol between her hands, "And I daresay that both are in good hands. I know you to be a good man. Lesser men would have broken."

"Yeah!" Ricken cheered from beside the noblewoman, "You saved me at the risk of your own life. You're my hero. I'm with you to the end!"

"I've stuck around this long," Gaius stretched with his head leaning against his joined hands, "Not about to give up this gig just yet."

"The Exalt showed me kindness," Panne looked away from the former thief, "For that, the last of the Taguel shall champion her cause. That means I shall champion yours as well."

"I am with you, Chrom," Cordelia stood at attention, "I will avenge the Exalt and my sisters."

"I've seen some pretty sick people," Anna reminisced with a finger on her chin, "You're not one of them. Trust me."

"You helped save me and gave me new friends!" Nowi beamed, but when she opened her eyes, her age shined through a little, "So, please don't beat yourself up."

"Hmph," Lon'qu pushed himself off the wall, "Your band's many antics test my patience to no end. However…it is clear that your methods have some merit. You stared into the face of great pain, but you did not break. I…appreciate that. My sword is yours."

"C-captain," Sumia took a breath before standing tall, "You went through so much. You were so angry. But you never hurt me. You couldn't hurt me. In the end, you listened. You're the strongest man I know. It would be my honor to stand by your side."

"You see?" Lucina hopped from the wall around the perimeter of the arena, "We all still believe in you."

"Everyone…" Chrom closed his eyes before opening them with a smile, "Thank you. Your words mean the world to me." With a determined expression taking the place of his smile, the prince nodded, "I will not falter again. You have my word."

"Now that's more like it!" Basilio grinned from ear to ear as he and Flavia joined them, "I was wondering how long you'd be sulking."

"My apologies, Khans. It won't happen again."

"Mourning is all well and good, but we do have business to attend to."

"Gangrel," Chrom clenched his fists.

"Yes," The West Khan, shook his head, "No doubt rallying to hit us while we're licking our wounds."

"Let him try. We'll be ready for him. I hate to ask anymore of you, but…"

"You don't even have to ask," Flavia smirked, "All of the Feroxi army is yours to send crashing against him. It's time we end the Mad King's reign."

"Thank you, Flavia. Looks like we have preparations to make."

"Hahahaha!" Basillio smacked Chrom in the shoulder making him wince, "That's more like it, boy! You got some growing to do yet, but I think you'll grow tall."

As everyone dispersed to prepare for the coming battle, Chrom did pull Robin aside, "You planned to have them all here, didn't you?"

Robin smiled in response, "What? Your majesty, what would give you that idea?"

Chrom smirked back, "Thank you. I mean it. Thank you."

"Don't mention it," Robin nodded feeling a bit more confident himself, "Now, what do you say we end this war?"

"Sounds like a plan."

"Sir Robin, a word?"

Robin looked up from the maps he was looking at. He gave everyone else a quick nod and followed Frederick out of the room. Once they were out of earshot, the knight pulled a turnabout.

"I fear I owe you an apology."

"Oh? What for?"

"I have been incredibly harsh on you. Questioning your loyalty, but you nearly died to ensure that milord and, dare I say, most of our party survived. For that, I cannot question your loyalty. More than that, you engineered getting milord back on his feet. I cannot thank you enough for either act."

"Really, Frederick, I just did what needed to be done."

"All the same, it took a firmer hand than I would have been comfortable providing. While I would die for the prince or princess, had I been in your position, we'd likely all lie dead or captured. I see now that we need someone like you. If you would be willing, I would like to work together under a clean slate."

Robin blinked a few times making sure he did not just imagine that, "Alright," He put out his hand, "I'd like that."

"Thank you, Sir Robin," Frederick took the hand, "Now, how can I help?"

"Well, I could use your opinion on the effectiveness of cavalry on our potential battlefields."

"I shall lend you what knowledge I can," The knight bowed before they re-entered the war room."

Chrom sighed as he looked into the chest. Closing his eyes, he leaned his forehead against the lid of the trunk. He did not like the way his reflection stared back at him.

"What do you have there?"

"Oh!" Chrom quickly shut the box, "Sumia! What's going on?"

"What are you hiding?" Sumia put her hands on her hips, "Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you, I just…" Chrom trailed off into a sigh before opening the trunk to show her the contents thereof.

"A suit of armor?" Sumia admired the craftsmanship, "It's beautiful, but why would you try to hide it?"

"Emmeryn commissioned it. I had forgotten about it, but she ordered it for me after I founded the Shepherds. She had ordered it sent before her surrender. She had this made for me knowing what I'm like. Knowing how swift I am to answer with violence."

"Because she trusted you," Sumia assured, "She trusted you to find your path."

"We were fundamentally different in so many ways. Yet, in the end, we both wanted what was best for our people. Perhaps…I wanted the easy way. I can't say I fully regret it though. Sometimes, the sword is needed."

Chrom picked up the Fire Emblem that he had set next to the chest, "Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between. I will never stop being Ylisse's sword, but sometimes I may need to be her shield as well. I vow, here and now, that I will always try peace, but I will never hesitate to act when that fails."

"That's all we could ask for."

Chrom turned and smiled looking up from the shield, "Thank you. For everything."

"My pleasure! Now, let's see how it fits!"

Lucina cut, slashed, and stabbed her way through a large quantity of training dummies. Through it all, she could not get that image out of her mind. The brand. Why does she have the brand? Who or what is she? Some illegitimate child? Why did she apparently come from the sky?

"Wow, you've really done a number on those dummies," Lucina stopped mid swing as the energetic princess joined her, "They insult you or something? Or worse, insult Robin?"

The jab was ineffective as Lucina stood straight, "No, I was just distracted."

"What about? Tell ol' Lissa all your problems."

Sheathing her blade, Lucina smiled, "Thank you, but it is a bit personal."

"Thinking about how to confess your love for Robin?"

"W-what?" Now, that got a reaction.

"Hehehe, don't try to hide it. Better scoop him up before some other lady beats you to the punch. He's quite a catch after all."

"I…wait, you don't…have designs on him, do you?" Lucina narrowed her eyes, though Lissa could only see one. She did not need to know her left eye was doing well.

"Hmm, and if I did?" Lissa could only keep the facade up for a few seconds before busting out into a giggling fit, "You should have seen your face. Don't worry. I have my sights set elsewhere, but I'm sure plenty of girls would love to get their hands on him."

Lucina furrowed her brow, "Well, they would be getting a fine man."

"Aw, don't count yourself out. You just have to put yourself out there a bit more. Just let him know you're available. He seems a bit slow on the uptake on that front."

"I…don't…what makes you think I am interested?"

"Please, you're about as good at hiding your feelings as Frederick is at relaxing."

"I…well, we have a war to finish. Childish crushes can wait."

"Hehehe, fair enough, but after this is over, we'll revisit this."

"Lovely," Lucina groaned, but she had been distracted at least.

"I think that's the last of it," Robin finished off his checklist. "We're as ready as we'll ever be."

"Do you think we'll manage to win?" Lucina asked as Robin came down from the last wagon he had inspected.

"I do," Robin nodded, "Don't ask me why, but seeing everyone rally has me confident. We'll find a way to push through to the heart of Plegia's aggression. We'll take out Gangrel."

"Well said," All eyes shifted to their leader as he stepped out in shining silver armor with the Fire Emblem on his arm, his cape billowing in the brisk Feroxi air, "We end this quickly. Emmeryn wouldn't want unnecessary bloodshed. We strike, fast, hard, and precisely."

"I was thinking the same thing."

"Good. Then let's end this war. Ride with me, my friends. To bring peace to this land!"

The Shepherds gave a rousing cheer as they set out. This war's days were numbered one way or another.

"Milord," Frederick entered the command tent on the morning of the climactic battle, "A report."

"Well, let's have it," Chrom folded his arms.

"Reports are saying that the Plegian forces are deserting en masse. Gangrel is trying to stamp out the rebellions, but to minimal effectiveness. Only a small force seems to remain loyal to Gangrel directly."

"But how…Emmeryn," Chrom closed his eyes and smiled softly.

"Yes, milord. Reports say they chant her name. What's more, it seems the rebellion is being led by the general from the Midmire."

"She knew this would happen. She knew the Plegians desired peace as much as we did. She proved you could make a difference." Chrom looked his tactician and lieutenant in the eyes, "We're ending this. Today. For Plegia too."

"Aye, milord. Gangrel seems to be held up half a day's journey to the south."

"Then south we go. Let's put an end to this, gentlemen."

Chrom led the Shepherds onto the battlefield with confidence. He glared down Gangrel and his remaining troops with contempt, but he reminded himself that he was here for justice, not vengeance.

Gangrel, to whatever little credit he deserved, took to the field himself. Probably did not have much of a choice as under manned as he was. Still, they could not underestimate these troops. They were his elite guard. They needed to be careful, and Robin was already adjusting his strategy to fit what he saw.

"Shepherds!" Chrom called, not taking his eyes off of Gangrel, "We end this today. If we stamp out Gangrel, Plegia can know peace. You have your mission. Let's put an end to this."

Robin kept their formation tight as they outmaneuvered Gangrel's forces by moving down the eastern side of the battlefield, taking fort after fort. With much higher morale than Gangrel could have expected, the Ylisseans began to roll over his vanguard. For all their skill, they could not match the Shepherd's as a unit. Something both Chrom and Robin took note of that day.

"Gangrel!" Chrom yelled as he finally got close to the Mad King, "Surrender, and end this needless bloodshed!"

"Bwhahahahaha! What's this?" Gangrel twirled his levin sword, "Less than a week ago you were declaring how you would kill me."

"Oh, believe me, I want to, but it's not what my sister would have wanted. I'll have your answer now."

"Oh that's rich coming from you," Gangrel laughed like the mad man he was, "I'll say no."

"So be it." Chrom brandished Falchion, "I'm here to end you, Gangrel."

"That's more like it," The king smirked as he approached crouched like some predator, "You're more like me than you'd like to admit. When given a problem, you answer with violence. You are me!"

"Wrong! Maybe I would have been had I been alone, but my friends saw me through. They saw me at my worst and stuck by me, pulling me out of my own despair. They saved me from becoming you, and for them, for my sister, for my people, and for your people, I will end you."

"Bah, may I vomit now? Men are beasts, nothing more. They only follow," Gangrel lunged, his sword crackling with power, "So that they may stab you in the back!"

The lightning impacted harmlessly against the shield of flames before Chrom launched his counter attack. Gangrel was, despite being a despot, surprisingly agile. It was starting to make sense how he had survived over the years. However, while he could hold his own in a fight, he paled in comparison to Chrom.

Gangrel was not stupid though. He very much tried to keep the distance between himself and the prince. He was doing a decent job of it too. That was, until his escape was blocked by the shaft of a lance.

Being forced to face Chrom in direct combat did not end well for the king. Cuts led into slashes, slashes into gashes, and before long, the Mad King of Plegia was bleeding profusely as he weakly staggered towards Chrom in one last, sad attempt on his life.

Chrom sidestepped with ease before unceremoniously planting Falchion in his gut. With one last wheeze, Gangrel sniggered in Chrom's ear, "All hail…the bloody exalt…just wait…till they abandon you…"

The prince glared at the now corpse as he let it slide off his blade. He actually felt somewhat bad all things considered. The man was a monster, but he was almost pitiable.

"Milord," Frederick rode up on his war horse, "With their king dead, the remaining Plegians are surrendering."

"Order our men to stand down immediately."

"At once, milord."

Chrom sighed even as he retreated to the nearest captured fort to meet with the khans. He shot a nod to Robin who was talking to Lucina. He was glad they made it through along with the rest of his Shepherds. Lucina seemed to be scolding him mildly for something, but even that act put a small smile on the prince's face.

"Good news, Chrom," Flavia walked up, hand still on the hilt of her blade, "Plegia was quick to surrender. We're withdrawing our troops as we speak."

"Good, that's…good. It's strange. We won, but I don't quite feel like celebrating."

"Victory can be bitter as well as sweet," Basillio sounded oddly serious for a change, "Best you learn that now, boy."

"Yes," Chrom nodded, "It was a costly victory, but hopefully a lasting one. What will you do now?"

"Rebuild our army," Flavia grimaced, "This was rough on our troops."

"I'm sorry. If there's anything I can do, just name it."

"Well, why don't you just hand over the Fire Emblem then?"

"I…" Chrom's mouth moved but failed to properly produce words for a moment there before Flavia burst into laughter and Basillio shook his head.

"Just a bit of Feroxi humor Chrom. Don't you worry. Reparations will fall to Plegia, and I've seen their coffers. They can well afford it."

"Never stand between Flavia and a full treasury," Basillio muttered, but Chrom smiled.

"I'll have to remember that when you visit Ylisstol. Both of you."

"Chrom!" The three leaders looked over at the entrance of the fort as a certain brunette barreled in, and, to her credit, did not trip once on her way to Chrom.

"Sumia!" Chrom blushed while the khans snickered as the pegasus knight carefully looked him over for injuries. Eventually the prince was able to pull her back to arms length, "Sumia, I'm fine. How about yourself?"

"I'm fine. I just got so worried for you as you fought Gangrel."

"Please, he was nothing." Chrom and Sumia smiled at each other until the West Khan cleared his throat.

"I think we got business to tend to, Flavia."

"Quite right. I think I'll go pick Robin's brain for some ideas for our army's restructuring."

The remaining lovebirds blushed a bit as they were left alone. Chrom was the first to break the silence.

"I'm sorry I had to bring you into all this. You deserve more than a battlefield."

"It's alright, Chrom, I want to help."

"I…I was selfish. I wanted you along…I wanted to be near you."

"O-oh," Sumia blushed even deeper which did not help Chrom's blush either.

"I'm so very lucky to have someone so…so…gifted with pegasi!" Chrom finished lamely already smacking himself internally.

"Er, well, I'm happy to help.

"Wait, no," Chrom closed his eyes and winced, "I'm messing this up. Let's start over. I…am not very good at this so bare with me. We've known each other for a while now, and you've been quite dear to me for some time. I feel we've only grown closer as of late. I…well, maybe this will make my intentions clear. I'd like you to have this."

Sumia looked wide eyed at what he was offering, "I-I can't take this! This bears the mark of House Ylisse!"

"I know. My father had it made to commemorate my birth. Sour as my memories of him may be now, I've always intended to give this to the woman I would marry." Chrom got on his knees before the blushing beauty, "Emmeryn tried to be there for us, but there hasn't been a proper, loving royal couple in the castle for far too long. I'd trust no one else to bring some warmth back into those cold halls as you. If you'll have me, that is."

"I-I…yes! Oh, this is the happiest day of my life," Sumia pulled him into a hug, "Oh, we'll have the most loving royal home in all the realms! Oh…but what if I mess up at being queen?"

Chrom chuckled in response, "You'll do fine. The people will love you, and I'll handle the court. Though, I will need to ask for some patience. We'll have to cement my rule and start rebuilding first. They might want a coronation too."

"I'll wait as long as it takes," Sumia smiled, starry eyed.

"Wonderful." Chrom, for the first real time since Emmeryn's death, felt happy again.

A/N: If you don't like Chrom and Sumia's support, I do suggest letting them auto marry. Even if you do, I prefer the auto conversation.

But yes, now it's time for the time skip period.