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Idunn was not a woman who had ever indulged in the simple pleasures of life before. In the first months she'd spent at Zephiel's side, her shattered soul had rendered her incapable of such emotions, and later on as her soul and heart had slowly recovered, she'd found little to take joy in.

Sitting here, enjoying the taste of the humble but tasty meal on her lips, the satisfying feeling of her previously empty stomach now being comfortably full, and the warm stone of the floor beneath her feet… She hoped to get used to this.

"Well, milady, you seem happier now that you've been fed. I hope the food was to your liking?"

Idunn nodded her agreement, absentmindedly brushing some crumbs away from her lips with a cloth napkin that had been given to her along with the food.

"I do not wish to endlessly repeat myself, but I feel I cannot thank you enough for saving my son's life. Truly, if you have nowhere else to go, you are welcome to stay in the castle for as long as you like. Pherae isn't the largest, nor is it the richest province in Lycia, but the castle is still large, and has many rooms available. More than that… I would be happy to aid you in finding a purpose here at Pherae."

A purpose? What did he mean by that?

"Ah, my apologies. I should've spoken more clearly. It's just… pardon me, my lady, but earlier you made it sound as if you had no home to return to, nor friends or family awaiting your return. If you are willing… I'm sure Marcus, Merlinus, myself, or even Ninian could help you find a role with which to occupy yourself."

Ah, that was what he'd meant. The lord of Pherae was offering her a job! Idunn's heart soared at that… and then fell when she realized quite abruptly that her skillset was rather lacking. She knew that there were all kinds of jobs humans did to get by each day, but by her own admission, the Demon Dragon didn't have the faintest idea how to work for a living.

Oh dear. Well… it was a bit much assuming that someone who had been sealed away for a thousand years would retain any sort of knowledge on how to live in a village… Idunn knew the most basic aspects living day to day; fundamental processes like making sure to clothe herself properly, bathe regularly, and eat when she was hungry. But she had no idea how to do even simple tasks like mending torn clothes or prepare food so that it was safe to eat.

What skills or services could Idunn offer the Pheraen court? Her knowledge of human politics was, well, sparse at best.

A frown spread across her face. She had never needed any skills beyond her unique ability to create war dragons, but that ability, unique as it was, served no purpose in a peaceful world. She would have to think of some way to contribute to the family that was being so accommodating for her.

"My lord, if I may interject…"

"What is it, Marcus?"

"Well, from what I observed earlier… young Roy was clearly scratched up quite a bit during his ordeal earlier, that much was evident from his clothes."

"Oh… yes, Roy was hurt when I found him. Though I killed that bear before it could reach him, his rush through the woods left many small cuts on him. I… I did not wish him to remain in pain, so I healed him before bringing out of the forest." Idunn spoke, recalling the myriad scratches and cuts that had covered her new friend when she'd first met him.

Marcus said nothing, probably recalling the memory of the strange, tall woman carrying his wayward lordling out of the woods in her arms with unexpected tenderness for someone who had only just met him. Eliwood had a thoughtful look on his face.

"Oh, you have some skill with healing magic? That's wonderful news! In fact, Marcus, I don't believe having a trained healer at the castle would be a bad thing."

"No, Lord Eliwood, it would not. Pherae would benefit from having a healer in residence. And while the knights and guards seldom have serious injuries, it would let me sleep a little easier to know that I can count on more than just vulneraries and bandages to tend to their wounds."

"Well, milady, does that sound agreeable to you? I know that it is hardly a pleasant task, being asked to care for the wounded-"

"I'll do it." Idunn's voice was no less quiet than normal, but the firmness of her tone took both Eliwood and Marcus by surprise.

"Excellent! Now, as you seem agreeable to joining the castle's staff as a physician, I must ask… how much training in the healing arts do you have? Pardon me for saying so, but you do not exactly have the look of a healer about you."

Idunn knew there was no fault in him asking a question like that. Though not universal, dark mages usually wrapped themselves in thicker robes than practitioners of anima or light magic. She herself looked like a rather stereotypical dark mage, garbed head to toe in her form-obscuring purple robe.

"I can mend most injuries. I… I do not wish to speak of my past, but you have my word that I am experienced at treating injuries both light and severe."

Eliwood and Marcus exchanged a brief look, but neither of them pushed Idunn about her past.

"Very well. You've given us no reason to doubt or distrust you, so we'll respect your privacy. There won't be any problems with that, will there Marcus?"

"Of course not, Lord Eliwood. But I must ask, miss… something that has been on my mind since earlier. It is no easy feat to slay a raging bear, let alone to do so with little effort. I pray that it is never needed, but it may benefit Pherae to have a healer serving the castle who can defend herself in times of emergency. Which elder magic spells are you capable of casting?"

It was a simple, innocent question to ordinary ears, and as such the hidden meaning was lost on Idunn, who was only barely able to understand the concept of dishonesty, but Eliwood recognized his knight commander's hidden meaning.

'How powerful are you, Idunn?'

"If you are worried that I am too weak to defend myself, do not be concerned. I can cast both flux and nosferatu." And every other spell in the school of dark magic, which she didn't say out loud. Idunn had learned fighting alongside Zephiel that practitioners of elder magic were seldom seen in a favorable light, and that casually revealing herself capable of master-level dark magic spells would invite unwanted scrutiny. Hopefully that answer would satisfy the old knight.

"Hrm… very well." Phew! It looked like the veteran had more on his mind, but to Idunn's good fortune he spoke no further. The lord of Pherae chose that moment to speak once again.

"Marcus, can you speak to Merlinus later? Have him ensure that there are spare healing staves in the castle's armory and see to it that the maids prepare a room for Idunn. Make sure they understand that she will be staying much longer than just a single night."

"It will be done, my lord." Marcus complied, leaving to find the man Eliwood had mentioned.

Idunn was an unusual woman, but if Eliwood had learned anything in his nearly thirty years of life, it was that everyone had secrets. Being distrusting of a woman for keeping secrets from him would've been hypocrisy of the utmost degree; considering the secret his wife had entrusted him and his knight commander to keep from Pherae. A secret they'd successfully kept for 12 years.

Idunn would be allowed to keep whatever secrets she had. Eliwood may have been known across Lycia as a paragon of knightly virtues; honesty, trustworthiness, and courage, but as the ruler of an entire province he had a duty to his people to guard them from whatever threats might endanger them. Still, Idunn had given him no reason to suspect her of ill intentions, and so long as she didn't threaten his people she would be welcome at Pherae- both its castle and any surrounding village- for as long as she liked.

Furthermore… Marcus was right. It had been two years since castle Pherae had last had a resident physician. Eliwood's dear mother Eleanora was currently the only other person in the entire castle trained in the healing arts, and though she was always ready to treat any sick or injured subjects, it was hardly a task befitting the widow of the former marquess.

That led Eliwood to his next line of thinking. Idunn was clearly a woman of many secrets. First, she was a dark mage, which were seldom seen in Lycia. Many townsfolk across the land still viewed dark mages as bringers of disaster and misfortune, and as such practitioners of elder magic rarely found welcome outside of Sacae, where those skilled in the shamanic arts were welcome. Likewise, Bern was the only other country on Elibe where dark mages were commonly found, as any spellcaster of reasonable strength could find work as a soldier regardless of which branch of magic they practiced.

That she was trained in healing on top of dark magic… that meant that Idunn had likely received the title of druid, which implied either many years training and learning… and she did not look old at all, or…

Well, Eliwood had learned firsthand that combat was the quickest teacher of all. Were he a more pragmatic marquess, he would've already been trying to find out about Idunn's past. Were he an outright distrusting one, he would've tossed the woman out of his castle with nothing but the clothes on her back. But he was neither of those. Idunn was a guest in his home, free to stay as long as she wanted to.

Observing the woman who was still seated at the table she'd been enjoying her 'breakfast' at, Eliwood summarized what he knew so far.

One, Idunn had been found, or rather found Roy in the woods. Where she'd come from, he had no idea, but if she was a native of Pherae, or even of Lycia, he'd eat his own boots. More concerning was the fact that Idunn didn't seemed to own any possessions beyond the robe she was wearing. It was as if she'd fled from somewhere in a hurry… Two, there was her appearance. She was unusually tall for a woman- he himself might not have been a tall man, but it was unusual that he actually had to look up to look Idunn in the eyes, and between that and the woman's admittedly beautiful features mixed with her unusual eyes- each one a different color, Idunn would be a woman who stood out wherever she went. Her purple robe was long and shapeless, completely obscuring the shape of her body. It was also hooded, though Idunn had left the hood down the entire time she'd been present in castle Pherae.

Third, there was her magical skill. Healers who weren't affiliated with the Elimine Church were a rarity in Lycia, even more so for someone whom healing was a secondary skillset.

This led Eliwood to the conclusion that whatever path in life Idunn had walked up till now, it had been one she'd left in a hurry.

Well… so long as Idunn didn't endanger his people, there was no reason for him to turn her away. She could stay and build a life in Pherae if that was what she wanted. His father hadn't turned away people in need, and neither would he.

"Well, Milady, if you'd like, I can show you around the castle. Or… perhaps you'd be wiling for Ninian and Roy to join us? Ninian can't walk too quickly, but I enjoy spending each moment I have with her."

What he wasn't saying was that both he and Ninian were painfully aware their time together was coming to an end. Ninian's poor health had started ever since Roy had been born, and she'd only grown weaker with each passing year. Now he cherished each moment, each memory with her, because… Eliwood honestly didn't know how many more he would have with her. Ninian was the love of his life, and though he was still a young man, he knew that he'd never meet another woman like Ninian.

But there was no need to trouble Idunn with such private, personal matters.

The marquess and his guest left the kitchens, heading back to the garden where Roy and Ninian were waiting.

"Ah, Eliwood, you've returned! Roy was quite excited at the thought of spending more time with his new friend."

"Yes! Now you're back, and we can show you around the castle!" The little boy exclaimed, practically bouncing up and down with energy." Ninian smiled at her son's exuberance, though her expression wavered after a moment.

"Well… I'll do my best to accompany you all, but I fear I may slow you down."

"Not to worry, dear. I'll support you all the way, and if you need to, I can take you back to our chambers to rest." Eliwood stated, helping his wife up from the bench she'd been sitting on.

The quartet set off through the castle, Ninian and Eliwood walking arm-in-arm, while Roy practically led Idunn about by one hand.

"Roy, slow down! Poor Idunn will think you're trying to yank her arm off!" Roy's mother rebuked her son, though Idunn just smiled gently at the mother's chastising words.

"I do not mind, I do not have any trouble keeping up with him." It was very helpful that her legs were much longer than Roy's.

As the group passed through the halls, Roy excitedly naming each room they passed, Idunn drank in the sights around her. After several minutes had passed, the marchioness spoke up. Idunn listened intently to the other dragon's words.

"Miss Idunn… please do not take this the wrong way, but… do you have any possessions with you?"

"Hmm? No, why do you ask?"

Idunn had the sinking feeling her answer had been unusual, unexpected, or both. The entire Pheraen royal family was looking at her with mixed expressions of dismay and concern.

"Er… I have my robe…" Idunn said, indicating the large, hooded garment she'd grown so accustomed to wearing. Unfortunately, her answer did little to placate her new benefactors.

"That won't do at all! Don't worry, Idunn. I don't know what circumstances brought you here, but we'll see to it that you're taken care of! I may not have any experience in such matters, but I'm sure my mother would find great pleasure in helping the local tailors and seamstresses get you fitted with some new clothes. More than that, she dotes on Roy, and I'm certain she'll jump at the chance to aid the woman who rescued her grandson."

New… clothes? That was a novel idea to Idunn. She'd been wearing this same robe for so long, the idea of wearing something else had never even occurred to her. More than that… well, Zephiel hadn't cared for her beyond her ability to create war dragons for him. She'd been fed and given a bed to sleep in, but he'd never once bothered to provide new clothes for her.

But then again, Zephiel had been a man who could not take pleasure in even the simple things in life.

"Very well. If you say so, I will look forward to it." Judging by the smiles on the marquess and marchioness's faces, that was the right thing to say.

The little group continued through the halls of the castle, though Eliwood did step aside at one point when the old knight returned, pulling his lord aside to hold a private conversation with him. Whatever was said, it evidently wasn't the knight commander delivering bad news to his lord, because Marcus (by Idunn's judgement) had seemed to be in a good mood, and Eliwood had nodded, satisfied at whatever he'd been told.

Other than that brief detour, Idunn found most of the afternoon occupied by trundling behind the exuberant Roy as he took her from room to room in the castle. Eliwood and his wife retired after an hour or so, excusing themselves so that Ninian could return to their quarters so that she could rest.

Idunn didn't voice it aloud, but she was very glad that the marquess apparently trusted her with his son's safety enough that he didn't see a problem in leaving her alone with Roy unsupervised.

Not that she'd ever do anything to harm the boy. She'd made a solemn vow the instant she'd met him in this new timeline- she would protect him from any and all threats that could possibly harm him.

Neither the marquess, marchioness, or knight commander realized it, but on top of gaining a new healer in-residency for the castle, they'd also gained an unfailingly loyal bodyguard for their son.

That was how Idunn's afternoon at Castle Pherae passed. Roy had practically zoomed from room to room at the speed only an excited seven-year old could muster, while Idunn had dutifully followed along. Still, even Roy's youthful energy couldn't last forever, and after an afternoon of rushing around at full speed, he succeeded in tiring himself out.

At present, the sun was still shining in the sky, though its hue indicated that it would be starting to set soon. Idunn was sitting in a large, comfy armchair in her bedroom, which was one of the castle's guest rooms which the castle maids had prepared for Idunn at Eliwood's request. According to him, the castle's quartermaster was making sure their medical supplies were in order, and that she could expect to officially begin her duties as the castle's resident physician within the next few days.

"Mmm…" Idunn's eyes rose from the book she'd been reading, and the druid looked over at her drowsy companion. She'd placed Roy in the armchair next to her, and the small boy had been napping for the past half-hour.

"Oh… I didn't mean to fall asleep…"

"It is of no concern to me; if you are tired, you should continue resting." Despite her words, Roy got up out of his chair.

"Oh no… I'm going to be late! Ah! Sorry, Idunn! I hafta go! Oh, Gran's going to be so cross if I'm late to my lessons with her!"

Before Idunn could say anything, Roy was already speeding out of the door in a blur of red and blue. The woman stared wide-eyed at the space where her diminutive friend had once been.

She hadn't wanted him to leave, but then, she wasn't going anywhere, and neither was he. There would be time to spend with her friend- her first friend tomorrow.

And… now that she was alone in her new home, Idunn could resume her newfound hobby. She had never had a hobby before, but the book covers on the bookshelf in her room had been colorful and eye-catching, and on a whim, she'd picked up one of them.

She had only just started reading the tale of the swordsman Kelik and his companions, but she wanted to know more! Reading was a pastime she'd seen many humans engage in, and reading a novel was a new experience for Idunn.

She hadn't even realized how immersed in the story she'd been until there was a knock at her bedroom door.

"My lady? The marquess sent me to inform you that dinner will be held in a half hour, and he'd like you to attend. One of the other servants will show you to the great hall if you need assistance finding it."

Idunn saw no reason to turn down a request from Eliwood, and if she was being honest with herself, she was hoping that she would enjoy dinner at the castle just as much as she'd enjoyed her breakfast. After giving her reply to the woman outside her door, the servant departed.

With a half hour to wait before she would be summoned for dinner, Idunn placed her book down, contemplating the events of the day.

One day.

That was all it had taken to completely change her life.

This time yesterday, she'd been almost nauseous with distress, and had ended the night attempting to end her own life.

This morning, she'd woken up to a dream made reality.

So much had happened! Zephiel's war wouldn't happen for years, judging by Roy's age. That meant everyone who'd died in his war was still alive! That alone was such a relief to Idunn that it almost made her weep. But not only had all those noble, good souls been given another chance at life, she'd been given a new home! A home, and a purpose that involved saving and protecting lives, rather than taking them!

That alone was a blessing greater than any Idunn had ever known. To so many people it would've been just another day, but this was Idunn's first time experiencing life without being bound to the will of another! She was free to live as she chose to, and Idunn was determined to never again use her powers for destruction.

As the dinner hour neared, Idunn closed her book and mentally prepared herself. She wasn't sure if there was some sort of official announcement that the marquess would make regarding her, but it stood to reason that he would want to introduce her to the rest of the castle, especially if she'd be taking up such an important role at the castle.

A knock came at Idunn's door.

Time to go and meet the other residents of the castle.

That's another chapter!

Ugh... I think my biggest worry with this story is Idunn's characterization itself. I'm trying to write her believably, but there's really not much to go off of seeing how little actual dialogue she has in the entire series (FE6 and FEH.) The story is still just starting out, but I do hope to show more of the world from Idunn's point of view. Honestly, I think the second chapter was my favorite to write out of the four chapters I've done so far.

Anyways, enough of that.

Uh... Just so it's clear for everyone, I don't have a set schedule for releasing updates. They'll come out whenever they're ready, but I'm really hoping to at least maintain a window of 1-2 weeks (7-14 days) between them. I get antsy enough after even 1 week of not finishing/releasing a chapter.