Return to Us - A Fire Emblem Fanfiction - Part 17

    “Don’t stop there daddy,” Lucy frowned and the adults gave Chrom a series of apologetic looks.

    “I … I think it would be best if we continue later,” Chrom said much to Lucy’s disappointment, “besides its almost time for you to go to bed.”

    “Do I have to,” the young princess complained and Chrom gave her a confirming nod.

    “Come on Lucy I’ll go with you,” Lucina said offering a hand out to the younger princess. Lucy pouted at first but eventually accepted, allowing Lucina to lead her out of the room and already chatting away happily. Chrom smiled to himself as he watched them go before choosing to excuse himself and calling it a night.

    “Where have you been?!” Lucina scolded, Danos giving the princess a calm smile despite her evident irritation. It had been early in the morning when the black haired tactician had made his way into the castle and was greeted by Alaya at the courtyard gates. Lucina had been talking with her father when news reached her of Danos’s return and she had immediately stormed off to “welcome” him.

    “I was never too far, simply investigating some of the southern ruins ,” Danos shrugged and Lucina shot him an angry glare.

    “And what about these ruins are so important that you couldn’t tell anyone where you were?” Lucina questioned and Danos winced, surprised by how upset she was.

    “I’m sorry I … I went to investigate some very … specific matters,” he corrected, a silent understanding passing between him and Lucina.

    “Did you learn of anything important?” Chrom asked, believing that the short lived dispute between the couple had come to an end and Danos shook his head.

    “Not much I’m afraid, however some rather unfortunate events have come to my attention,” Danos said and a frown came over the Exalt’s face.

    “What sort of unfortunate events might you be referring to?” he asked and Danos gave a long sigh.

    “I have yet to uncover the cause but it would seem that we are experiencing an influx in risen activity … I merely fear some of these attacks are more coordinated that I would have thought ...,” For a moment silence befell the trio before Chrom was the first to speak.

    “You believe this to be the work of surviving Grimleal don’t you?” Chrom asked going straight to the point that Danos had been dodging around he furrowed his brow as he shook his head.

    “Its impossible to say for sure, but I can think of very few alternative possibilities.”

    “I understand … I’ll have the guard stay on full alert, thank you for the warning …” Chrom muttered before turning to leave.

    “Do you realize how worried you made me?” Chrom heard Lucina scold as he left.

    “I’m perfectly capable of defending myself, you mustn't worry yourself so much,” Danos reassured but Lucina remained persistent. Chrom couldn’t help but smile to himself, the young couple reminded him so much of what he and Robin had been like.

    Chrom walked slowly through the hallways of the castle, his mind lingering on his son-in-law’s warning. He was walking towards the Ylissean training grounds but at his distracted pace he wouldn’t make it for some time, allowing him time to think. The idea that some of the Grimleal had survived the events of Grima’s fall had occurred to him many times in the past but to hear it from someone else had him on edge. With Grima dead Chrom was confident most of their powers had likely been stripped from them, but it still was still unsettling.

    Chrom stepped out into the castle yard and approached the area where the knights did their daily training. The Exalt found Kyun speaking with Alaya and Cynthia and he called the pegasus knight captain aside in order to convey the message given to him by the Ylissean tactician. Kyun took the news with her normal professional stoicism and reassured the exalt that she would double up the pegasus knight’s efforts in patrolling the halidom and give them orders to keep a look out for any possible Grimleal activity. Chrom thanked her and she wasted no time going to work the two future children following close behind.

    Chrom had hoped that perhaps alerting Kyun might help calm his nerve but he quickly realized it had only done so much to help. Chrom knew what else was nagging at him, though he tried to convince himself that it wasn’t. He knew that later that day Lucy would ask for him to continue his story and he feared that it may be too much for him. Reminiscing upon his memories with Robin had already been difficult enough but to recall the event with Emmeryn, the first time in his life he truly learned what it felt like to be completely powerless.

    Chrom gave a long sigh, doing his best to mentally brace himself. He couldn’t afford to look weak; he was the Exalt, the figurehead of the entire nation of Ylisse. Emmeryn had spent years being a strong leader despite the vile treatment she sustained, while he was being brought down simply at the thought of facing his past. He had to stay strong for Ylisse, for the Shepherds, for Lucina, for Robin.

    Later that evening, Chrom found himself sitting at the table amongst the Shepherds. Lucy was chatting happily with Danos and Lucina; the toddler and the young woman trying their best to force the details of Danos’s journey out of him, the poor tactician caught between his wife and the energetic girl. Chrom did his best to hide his anxiety but he guessed by the series of concerned glances he was getting that he wasn’t doing a very good job. It was late into the meal when Lucy turned her attention to her father calling out with her usual enthusiasm.

    “Daddy, can you continue your story?!” All eyes turned over to Chrom as the Exalt gave a long sigh, bracing himself mentally.

    “Of course Lucy … We had finally arrived at the Plegian castle and easily overcome the forces which surrounded the castle …”