Return to Us - A Fire Emblem Fanfiction - Part 37

    “And for this I am eternally in your debt Sir Chrom,” Say’ri said with a polite bow and Chrom gave a small smile.

    “You have no reason to thank me Say’ri, you played as much a part in the battles as any of us did,” Chrom commended and the Chon’sin princess gave a smile.

    “I am honored to be given such praise, but such a feat would have been nye impossible without the aid of you and Milady Robin,” Say’ri responded before raising her glass up before her, “Say the least I propose a toast, a toast to the freedom we all bleed to earn.”

    “To freedom,” Chrom agreed and a cheer rang through the assembled group.

    “Oy, the party was not to be starting without Gregor?” A strong voice called out and many turned to see a familiar green clad mercenary as he welcomed himself inside, much to the annoyance of the guards who had been at the door.

    “Hey Gregor, it’s been far too long,” Danos greeted with a grin as he got to his feet, welcoming Gregor with a firm handshake, “How did you find yourself all the way here in Valm?”

    “Little Bunny wish to see more of strange country, so Gregor bring her here,” the man laughed as Panne stepped silently into the room, her bare feet making almost no sound as she walked.

    “Indeed, the air here is soothing, it was a shame we only saw it coated in blood,” Panne said as she stepped up beside Gregor who gave a wide grin as he put an arm around her.

    “It is great to see the two of you,” Chrom smiled and Gregor gave the Exalt another grin.

    “If it isn't favorite employer and Gregor must say, Gregor had hard time believing that tactician had made of her return!” Gregor said as he gave a polite bow to Robin who had been carefully studying the two since their arrival.

    “I am very sorry to hear that your memory problems have worsened,” Panne said to Robin, “But it pleases me to know you have returned.”

    “Th-thank you,” Robin answered with a faint smile.

    “Gregor heard that there was to be drinking!” Gregor announced and was happy when Danos handed him and Panne a glass.

    “Fluffy,” Lucy marveled as she cautiously reached out towards Panne’s ears, though too shy to touch them.

    “You may touch them if you wish small man-spawn, but do please be gentle,” Panne said with a smile and Lucy cautiously brushed them in wonder.

    “How has your journey in Valm been so far?” Lucina asked, stepping up to the two.

    “It is wonder, many great adventures!” Gregor chuckled but Panne only looked curiously at Lucina. Lucina was surprised when Panne leaned in close to her, her ears twitching the way that they do whenever she is listening intently.

    “U-uh, Panne?” Lucina asked after an awkward moment.

    “I hear a heartbeat …” Panne muttered and Lucina blinked in surprise.

    “Ah, a heartbeat?” Lucina asked in confusion and Panne looked up at her curiously.

    “Indeed, a quiet one, one that beats as yours does,” Panne answered as she stood up tall.

    “I don’t …” Lucina muttered but stopped as realization dawned on her, “W-wait do you mean …?”

    “Did you not know?” Panne asked curiously and Lucina shook her head.

    “What didn’t we know?” Cynthia asked and Lucina blushed deeply as she realized all eyes were upon her.

    “That our Foreseer carries a little one,” Panne answered nonchalantly, “It is a common occurance for man-spawn who are bound by oaths is it not?”

    “It is Panne, we just simply weren’t aware,” Danos said with a smile, putting an arm around Lucina who looked up at him, “It’s merely coming as a bit of a surprise.”

    “Wait, Luci’s going to have a baby!?” Cynthia exclaimed and Lucina gave a dazed nod, “That’s amazing, I’m so happy for you two!”

    “I’m going to be an uncle, cool,” Morgan grinned.

    “Can I be the aunty!” Lucy asked excitedly.

    “Of course you can,” Morgan chuckled and Lucy cheered as she clapped happily.

    “Congratulations, it seems we are being blessed with miracle after miracle,” Say’ri said with a smile before glancing over at Chrom who looked distracted, “Is something the matter Sir Chrom?”

    “N-no I’m fine,” Chrom muttered, blinking as he brought himself back into reality, before offering a faint smile, “It … It’s just strange to think I’ll be a grandfather, it makes me feel old.”

    “It is indeed a strange thought,” Robin agreed quietly with a nod.

    “Gregor think this call for celebration!” Gregor declared, thrilled at an excuse to get another glass of the Chon'sin sake Say’ri had been offering them. Everyone raised their glasses in agreement, even Lucy lifted up her little cup of juice as she tried to imitate the adults.

    “To our future,” Danos announced, holding up a glass in one hand while he held Lucina tightly in in his other arm.

    “To our future,” the others agreed in unison.

    “Future!” Lucy cheered, sending a bout of laughter through the adults.

    The following day the Ylisseans prepared to move deeper into Valm, planning to make their way to the Mila Tree. As they continued on Say’ri, Cherche, and Henry elected to accompany them while Gregor and Panne departed on their own way. As they convoy traveled Lucina found herself being doted over by the others and they constantly asked if she was alright or needed anything. Eventually it got to the point where Danos had to step in, in order to keep her from getting overwhelmed.

    The great Mila Tree loomed over the horizon as the daylight began to fade and before long they were already falling under the shadow of the massive tree. Lucy was quick to become excited as she began to chat happily with the others, asking all sort of questions and relaying her discoveries to her mother, who was still struggling with any memories she may be able to scavenge of Valm. It was hard for the others to see the queen this way, especially Chrom, as she struggled against her own mind. She was able to describe quick flashing images such as a conversation with Cherche or reading over a book of some kind with Henry but try as she could she couldn’t present any details and it only brought her frustration and headaches.

    “It’s all the way in the clouds,” Lucy muttered as she stared up into the sky from where they stood in the small town at the base of the gigantic building sized roots of the larger than life tree, “How high does it go.”

    “It goes way up above the clouds!” Cynthia said waving her arms in an elaborate gesture.

    “Miss Tiki sleeps all the way up there?” Lucy marveled.

    “I used to very often,” a voice said from behind the two and they turned to find a young looking green haired woman, garbed in red, approaching them.

    “Miss Tiki!” Lucy happily exclaimed, the young princess having met with the manakete several times in the past when she visited Ylisse.

    “Er, ah, hello Lady Tiki,” Cynthia grinned with a quick bow.

    “Hello Cynthia it is good to, umph,” Tiki grunted as Lucy gave her a big hug, “good to see you and you as well Lucy.”

    “Lady Tiki,” Say’ri’s voice rose up as the Chon’sin princess approached the manakete, giving a polite bow, “I pray you fare well.”

    “Of course Say’ri, you don’t need to worry,” Tiki giggled and Say’ri coughed before having to recollect herself. “I got word that you were traveling through Valm, I simply had to come for a visit.”

    “Yeah!” Lucy cheered happily.

    “So Lucy, is it true that your mother has returned?” Tiki asked, kneeling down to better level herself with the young child.

    “Yup!” Lucy grinned happily, “Just like daddy said she would, do you want to go see her Miss Tiki?”

    “Yes that would be wonderful,” Tiki smiled, allowing the little princess to take her hand as she directed them back towards the bulk of the group. The others welcomed Tiki warmly and the manakete was clearly happy to have the company. Similar to all of her other encounters, Robin struggled with the familiarity she felt from Tiki, but no matter how hard she tried she could conjure no memory beyond a fuzzy image of the two of them talking together.

    The daylight began to fade as the group talked amongst themselves and eventually Chrom made the decision for them to remain in the town for the night and continue on the next morning. Tiki remained with them as they set up camp, aiding Lucina and Danos as they prepared the night’s meal, which remarkably didn’t end with any mishaps. Once everyone had settled in Lucy as quick to take advantage of the situation, asking Lucina if she would continue the story.

    “After our victory over Walhart we return to Ylisse where we began our search for Sable, the final gemstone,” Lucina began as she leaned back, recalling the memory, “We had two days of quiet as the search began but everything changed when we got a message from the Plegian King, Validar, claiming that he had the final gemstone and that he wished to present it to us in person …”