Fun fact the Marth scene from chapter one was actually supposed to be mirrored in chapter two but I changed it mid-way through writing it and figured Marth training would be a bit more interesting since repeating the same scene doesn't make much sense to me in the long run. Anyways enjoy.

The Prince's Future

Chapter 2: Lost Without You

He still hadn't gotten used to the feeling of it all. The sounds of living things rushed around him as he walked through the dense woods. Everything was so full of life and the air was so clean, free of the stench of death and ash.

He had to relearn how to get used to it all so he wasn't drawing his blade on every little creature that ran by. But he couldn't allow himself to keep his guard completely down, not when he hadn't seen a single trace of his foe, anywhere.

When he heard a noise he was certain wasn't an animal, he resummoned his blade and treaded carefully.

When an arrow whizzed by him, lodging itself into the tree to his left, just shy of his face. He didn't flinch, that had been a good shot. But with a calm and practiced sigh he stepped out from the forest's shade.

Thankfully his attacker wasn't the thing he had chased into this world, and better yet it wasn't bandits.

Two travelers, a young woman, and a young man. He was certain he had seen their faces before if only briefly. The woman's face seemed so familiar. And when he gazed at the young man's sword long enough he noticed an all too familiar hilt, but it seemed undamaged.

So he was dragged exactly where he feared he was. He let out a relieved sigh, "My apologies if I startled you." He readjusted his hood in hopes it would cover enough of his face. "I didn't expect to run into anyone this far out."

The woman watched him carefully for a moment before she sighed, "That's quite alright." She tapped the young man on the shoulder, and he lowered his bow, but his gaze never wavered. "We also didn't expect to run into anyone."

He stepped out fully and un-summoned his sword so he didn't have a weapon drawn. "Are you two lost by any chance?"

Her companion looked away and she let out a relieved sigh, a large smile on her face now. "Hopelessly." she pulled out their map "Would you know where Ylisstol would be?"

He laughed and pointed off in the direction he was headed, "That way," he then pointed slightly to the left, "you should find the road if you keep going that way."

"Oh thank the Goddesses." she let out a breath "Thank you so much," she grabbed her companion by the back of his hood and began to drag him in the direction he indicated to get back to the road. "We'll get out of your hair."

He waved them off and continued to take the direct path to Ylisstol. He didn't have time to take the roads. While he had no idea what exact time he was brought to, he knew one of that bastard's targets had to be the Royal Family and Ylistol castle by extension.

Marth shifted slightly at the sound of his bedroom door opening. He struggled to open his eyes as he heard footsteps cross his bedroom. He snuggled into his pillow and groaned as he heard the sound of a metal tray resting against his desk.

The smell of breakfast coaxed him out of his burrow. He forced his eyes open as he felt a weight shift at the edge of his bed.

He cast his gaze upwards to find Shulk smiling down at him, he sat carefully at the edge, one hand reaching to shake Marth awake, the other holding a cup and saucer.

The Prince smiled as he attempted to shift under the many layers of quilts he was tucked under. "I'm awake." He slurred a bit more than he meant to.

He sat up and regretted it almost instantly, as a chill caressed his back and jolted his mind back into working properly. "Good morning." Before he could start trembling, Shulk offered him the cup, the steam still clung to the cup.

Marth smiled as he sipped the warm tea, thankful as its heat seemed to warm him from the inside. "Thank you."

Shulk leaned back and with a pleasant smile stood up, "Did you sleep well?"

Marth downed his tea as quickly as he could. He placed the empty cup on the bedside table before getting out of bed. "With the thicker blanket yes," He stretched until they heard something pop. "Thank you, by the way."

Shulk only nodded. "It's what I do."

Marth made his way out of his bed, simultaneously eager to get into warmer clothes, and also dreading getting out of his warm night clothes. "It's strangely cold for the Spring." He picked out his new outfit and was quick to undress, and redress. The longer he spent changing the longer he would allow the cold to set in.

"Considering we expected an early spring, it is rather strange." he could hear Shulk remaking his bed, and Marth felt a bit sheepish that his retainer thought it necessary to do so. "Maybe we predicted wrong?"

"I doubt it, the sun has been arriving sooner and yet…" Marth fastened his cloak and turned to find Shulk admiring the newly made bed. "You didn't have to."

"You needn't worry." He then turned to face Marth again, "Anything else I can do for you today?"

Marth considered his request and ran through his schedule. Then as he sifted through the events for the day he let out an annoyed groan. "Actually." he felt a bit shy needing to bring it up but he knew it would be necessary, "can you send for a bath later today?"

"Is this about the meeting with the council?" Shulk smiled teasingly but he had no idea how on the mark he was.

"I'm not looking forward to any meeting, because it always goes the same way," he felt the weight of the day already pinning him down. "Those stingy old bastards have been riding my tail ever since my sister's wedding, asking me when I plan to marry, and while Father and Robin are quick to get the meeting on track it never fails to come spiraling back to me, and my bachelor status.."

"Safe to assume you'll be in the training hall after the meeting?" Shulk took the cup from the bedside table and filled it with the teapot resting on Marth's desk. "Shall I free up your schedule?"

Marth took the cup and peered into his dark reflection, "If it's nothing too important."

"Just a few meetings with a few of the council members about land disputes." Marth groaned and drank deeply from his cup, Shulk seemed to find that a bit humorous as Marth heard him suppress a chuckle.

"Cancel them," Marth sighed, "I feel they have been testing me ever since our trip to Mount Prism."

They lingered in that silence for a moment before Shulk added, "Should I have some tea and sweets prepared for after your bath?"

Marth finally looked up to meet Shulk's gaze, what would he do without this man? "That sounds absolutely amazing, please, and thank you." At least he always had Shulk in his corner.

"Chrom, please," Robin sighed as he rested a hand on the Exalt's forearm, "let go, I need to get dressed."

Chrom squeezed Robin just a little tighter. "No."

Normally, Robin liked having Chrom's bear chest pressed against his back. However, It was noon, and Robin still had yet to get dressed. They both had things to do and as much as he wanted to sleep in, they had a long list of things that needed to get done. "Chrom." he tried using the sternest voice he could considering the situation.

But when he turned his head to look at Chrom, he was met with the biggest and saddest puppy face Robin had ever seen on his other half.

Robin didn't mean to laugh, but he gave Chrom a kiss on the cheek to assure him it wasn't out of malice. "Come now, we're already late and you have things to attend to." He ran his fingers through Chrom's hair, "Get all your work done before dinner and I'll make it up to you."

Robin could almost see the fire spark to life in Chrom's deep blue eyes, "Deal." The determined smirk worried him just a bit. He gave Robin one more slight squeeze before letting him go,

It had taken years, and Robin had told himself he would wait longer. But nothing was easy with Crhom. It had started with coming into work for the council, then he was staying the nights. Until they were where they were now, a ring short of being one. United in everything but by title, but that was okay. Staying at Chrom's side was enough for him.

Despite the events with Chrom's father, despite running away, and even after kidnapping Lucina, Chrom had left a little spot in his heart for Robin and the tactician thanked Naga every morning for the love this man held for him.

Chrom smiled at him with that same charming and radiant smile that had Robin's heart full to bursting. Then he reached forward and helped tie Robin's cravat, "Ah before I forget." Robin rested his hand on Chrom's. "We got a response."

Chrom raised an eyebrow, his head tilting ever so slightly to the side, much like a confused puppy. Some things never change. "From who?"

He took a deep breath and smiled, how could he best break the news? He decided to reach over the table to grab the three letters on the nearby table, the ones he had brought with him to bed last night.

He made sure to have the most important one on the top, that dark purple wax seal leaving an unsettled tingle down his spine.

Chrom's eyes widened, "Oh."

He had stopped on the other side of the lake for dinner. He had often forgotten the calmness of Ylisse's countryside, he wasn't that far from the city now. He should be there soon.

However just as he was about to bite into the apple he had picked a loud splash sounded on the other side of the lake.

"Is this really the time for this?" he recognized that voice and peered over at the lake to find the two travelers he had run into earlier. "We have food in our packs, you don't have to do this." The man was diving into the water to fetch two fish that were bobbing up to the surface, a few arrows still embedded in them.

He couldn't hold back a smile, as he gave a quick whistle to get their attention. She turned and he could hear the relief in her voice as she spoke. "Oh, it's you."

"Are you two alright?" he got up and got as close to the lake side as he could.

"We may have gotten lost again," he could hear the embarrassment lingering as she called out to him from the other side. "It is that way, correct?"

She raised her arm and indicated the way he had come from. He couldn't help but laugh, he had walked off the path to find food, needless to say, they were far off the trail. "No, not even close."

He heard her let out an exasperated sigh, and he couldn't help but call out "Would you like me to take you there? I happen to be headed that way myself."

"Please and thank you." She then looked down, as her companion climbed out of the water, the fish he had grabbed were nowhere in sight, where he put them wasn't worth thinking about. "Let's find a way around this lake."

Perhaps it was teasing or a way to ease her exasperation but instead of climbing out of the water fully he yanked her in. She screamed but he didn't mistake the sound of her laughter as her friend pulled her along.

She splashed him as they began to swim their way over in his direction. He didn't miss the smug and playful look on the young man's face as she splashed him on their way out of the lake.

On her way out, she yanked him over her shoulder and flung him back into the lake. However, the smug grin only widened as he laughed in turn. "Perhaps I should let you two dry off, I still have yet to eat."

"Actually," she cast her glance down and finally helped the other man out of the water, "let us make you something, as a thank you."

He sighed "Why not." He still had time, didn't he?

Corrin gave her wife a loving smile as she shyly inquired about the request they had made a few weeks ago. The woman behind the counter gave Lucina a disappointed sigh before reaching into the back and returning with a box. "You might want to try it on, first."

When Lucina tilted her head asking a silent question, the woman continued, "Might as well make sure it fits, as it's been a while since I've taken your measurements."

Lucina nodded and walked into one of the back rooms to change into the repaired outfit. Corrin took her chance and leaned over to whisper into the woman's ear. "I have a special request I would like to commission you for."

The woman looked up with an amused smile crossing her face, "Will Princess Lucina be paying for this one as well?"

Corrin only shook her head, her cheeks pinkening at the thought of her wife asking about a strange payment made in her name. "Actually I was hoping for this to be a surprise," she pulled out a rather heavy coin purse, "so if this can be our little secret."

The other woman smiled and took the purse, shifting it in her hands as if trying to guess how much was inside. She then tucked the purse away and flashed the princess a pleased smile. "What'll it be for my best customer?"

Corrin began to twirl one of the silver strands of hair that fell over her shoulder. "I was told you were the one who made the matching suits for the Royal Twins…"

The woman beamed, "Some of my finest work."

"I would like one for myself," she felt a bit flustered asking. She knew she didn't give off the same dashingly handsome energy her wife did but she hoped that maybe she could give Luci a taste of her own medicine.

The seamstress looked pensive, "I don't think the style would suit you …" but before Corrin could slump in disappointment she noticed the woman's smile twist into a smirk, "But if it's a suit you want I could fashion something that would fit your personal style."

That had her beaming, "Wonderful, then it's a deal."

The seamstress nodded approvingly and as she was about to speak again the back door opened to reveal Lucina in a lovely skin-tight one-piece outfit. There were dark blue cups covering her chest, matching the cuffs on her wrists. The outfit came with a soft blue vest that covered her front, fashioned like a tailcoat that framed a cute little white puff ball at the base of her spine. There were little white frills that traced her hip bone and fanned out almost skirt-like but they didn't go far, matching the short puffy sleeves that covered her shoulders.

"Thank you for making the last-minute repairs." Lucina's face was glowing as a soft pink dusted her cheeks. "I didn't mean for it to get damaged before the parade."

"You're lucky my schedule was open." the seamstress teased. "Speaking of which." she glanced at Corrin, "will your wife be attending the parade? Should I make her an outfit as well? We still have time."

Lucina's eyes turned on Corrin. It was at that moment that Corrin realized she had stopped breathing. She let out the breath she had trapped in her throat and tried to keep her face from burning. "Luci?"

Lucina's eyes widened, "Oh!" she blushed and started to shift her weight slightly, "Corrin, I forgot to tell you about the Spring Festival, and the attire we wear for it."

Corrin only nodded as Lucina continued. "Father, Marth, and I normally wear outfits like this along with bunny ears and participate in a parade to celebrate the start of spring." Corrin's mind was set on fire as it imagined Lucina, in this outfit wearing bunny ears.

The seamstress nudged Corrin out of her blind gay panic and in the second it took her to recover she realized that this would be a good excuse to give the seamstress her measurements. "Let's do it, I'm a member of this family too now, right?"

That had Lucina's face beaming and a soft pink on her cheeks made it all the more wonderful. "Exactly." Corrin couldn't wait for this parade.

Marth dipped his quill into the pot of ink as he thought up an accurate response to this particularly annoying count when the door to his room opened, revealing his loyal retainer. "Sorry I took long, the cooks just pulled these out of the ovens."

Marth returned his quilt to the pot and shifted his work aside as Shulk rested not only a fresh cup of tea but a still-steaming apple-filled pastry in front of him. "You are truly a godsend, Shulk."

Eagerly and almost impatiently he took a bite from the pastry, forcing himself to swallow the still hot gooey fruit filling down. The sweet and faintly sour taste was worth the soft pain of burning the roof of his mouth. "Chew your food, Sire."

Marth felt his face burning as he lightly put the pastry down and sipped at his tea. "Er, right, sorry." Today had been rough, and he almost lost himself at that moment. "Any news?"

"As a matter of fact," Shulk reached into his vest and produced two opened letters. "Your father said to give these to you, as he had already seen them."

Marth stared at the two beautifully signed envelopes and flipped them over, to find the winged crest of Hyrule and the fearsome lion crest of Pherae. His heart skipped, he hadn't seen that red wax sigil in years. Eagerly he reopened the letters.

Impatiently he opened the letter and was convinced someone else had written this note. This was nothing like the childish script from his memories, now the strokes were confident, even elegant, truly stunning. The letter confirmed that Pherae would be attending the twin's upcoming birthday. Marth couldn't stop smiling.

He hadn't seen Roy since he was a teenager, how had he been? Was his father doing better? So many thoughts spun through his mind as he read on looking for answers, but sadly the note revealed nothing, simply ending with a solemn apology for their long absence.

Then he read the other letter, Zelda's script never wavered, despite the years of silence, her penmanship seemed just as immaculate as in his childhood. The words themselves however weighed heavy on his heart, things had not been easy for Zelda in the years since her father's passing, and it seemed her trials were too many to put to paper. The end had his heart soaring again, as she spoke of recounting everything to him in person, with luck very soon.

When he lowered the letters he found himself smiling, his heart dancing at the thought of seeing his childhood friends again. "Well?" Shulk's voice snapped him into reality.

"Old friends plan on visiting," he smiled into his tea. "Perhaps very soon."

"Ah right, Robin spoke of another letter arriving." Shulk smiled but there was some worry deep in his bright blue eyes. "From Plegia."

"Plegia?" Marth almost choked on his drink. "As in, the kingdom we almost went to war with over a misunderstanding, Plegia?"

"Yes, them," Shulk gave a soft nod and Marth didn't miss the flustered expression on his face. "I said I was sorry, and it was an honest mistake."

"It's not a declaration of war, is it?" There had been rumors going around about the kidnapping situation last year. Marth prayed that nothing would become of a dumb rumor.

"Thankfully no," Shulk refilled Marth's cup. "They are inviting your father and his tactician over for peace talks."

"That's good," Marth looked deep into his cup. His eyes met Shulk's, and in a calm and determined voice he asked, "Have you had any visions lately?"

Shulk sighed, "Yes."

Marth braced himself, "Have you told my father?"

"Not yet."

Marth sighed in relief and then took a small sip from his tea to calm his nerves. "What did you see?" He wanted to hear it from the seer himself. After the last time, Shulk's vision should be evaluated with a calm mind and an unbiased lens. While he loved his father, the man wasn't exactly impartial, and there wasn't a soul alive that didn't believe him impulsive.

"There will be an attack while your father is traveling, whether to or from Pleagia I'm unsure." Shulk let out a breath, clearly unsettled by what he saw.

"If they are random bandits, then denying their invitation would be seen as spiteful." Marth frowned, "but if this is all planned, then it would put my father at risk."

"Should I tell Robin?" Shulk straightened himself in preparation to leave.

"No," The prince shook his head. "If Robin thinks they will be attacked he will tell my father, and then the suspicion they show at the meeting would be interpreted as hostility." Marth leaned back in his desk chair and thought for a moment, "Tell them bandit activity is on the rise by the border." He looked clearly displeased with the secretiveness of keeping information out of his father's hands, "Then on the way back tell them about your vision, but do not mention any details that might lead them to think it was Plegia."

Shulk frowned and pulled up a seat by the prince's desk. It was clear he could see past Marth's mask, he knew the guilt weighing on his stomach. "Plegia isn't dumb enough to attack them anywhere else but the border, so making them more cautious is a safe call." he rested his hand on Marth's arm, and the prince's heart skipped. "They should figure it out afterward."

Marth swallowed. He knew what implication lingered, he had to say it, if only for himself, "I'll need you to go with them, your spontaneous visions will be a good excuse, especially if the attack is arbitrary."

"Are you sure about this?" There was a deep sadness lingering in the seer's eyes. "You'll not only be picking up your father's duties but you'll be doing it alone this time."

Marth let the moment linger, and when he had had his fill of the comfort, he flashed Shulk a reassuring smile, perhaps trying to be a bit more charming. "Worried about me? You shouldn't be. It shouldn't take that long."

"It's just." Shulk sighed but he gave the prince a caring smile, "Very well, just take care of yourself."

Marth couldn't keep the mirth from his words, "What kind of Prince would I be if I fell apart the moment my retainer left me alone?"

Shulk raised an eyebrow and as if to tease him, pinched off a corner of his pastry, "A normal one, honestly,"

Marth chuckled a bit at that "Consider it me providing proof that you can take a few days off at any time without worrying about me." In a softer voice, he added, "Sometimes I feel like I'm overworking you."

"Marth, I serve because I want to." Shulk's face softened, "Honestly, I feel you don't give me enough to do. You put so much on your shoulders, I just want to help you."

"I know," Marth smiled and had to close his eyes to keep his composure. "Talk to my father about this, tell him you want to come for safety, and I'll take care of things on this side."

Shulk finally let go of Marth's hand and stood up, "I'll do that first thing tomorrow morning," then before he walked out the door he peeked over his shoulder. "Do try to get some sleep, you've been staying up late and haven't been sleeping well.

"I'll head to bed soon." Marth laughed as he picked up his pastry again, hoping it hadn't gotten too cold. "Just let me enjoy this first."

AN/ A little slower than I expected it to feel but I like it.

Fun facts

1. Lucina's outfit is based on her Spring Festival outfit from Fire Emblem Heroes.

2. Chrobin was originally going to be another waking-up scene but I liked the image of Robin trying to get dressed and Chrom just clinging to him. So that's what I wrote.

3. This chapter was written because after finishing it and before I started working on Chapter 3 I ended up reworking the entire story so I needed to edit Chrobin and Marth's second scene. And ended up completely rewriting Corrin's and Lucina's scene after trying to edit it for two weeks. I ended up deleting it all and starting over.

4. The scene with Marth and Shulk was actually a lot less … affectionate before the rewrite, when I came back to I only came to fix continuity and ended up giving them a moment. I had no control the words just came out and I didn't even try to stop them.

Anyway, I hope to see you next chapter where I decide to trigger the plot.

~ (6/26/2024)