84So this is my first foray into the Fire Emblem fandom, I am rather new to the game series only having played Awakening and Fates. That said I am eager to jump in with some stories of my own Fire Emblem Fates world. If you enjoy my work please leave reviews commenting on some of the strengths and flaws of my writing.
This was originally planned to be a series of oneshots set in the same universe, but as often happens with me, I am a bit too methodical and I end up building something much bigger than one shots. So join me as we delve into the world of Fates and see what changes I have made and how the world is changed. Note I am changing a bit of the world to make a bit more sense, see the endnotes for specific details of what changes and why is it changed. There is a lot of world building I have done and I will be making changes to the cast that appears in the story, so I hope you enjoy. This story will be split into a series of shorter stories each focusing on a segment of the characters lives, hope you enjoy.
Also a note on the pairings as of chapter twelve the pairings amongst the main cast are: Gareth and Camilla, hints of Leo and Flora. Future romance is planned and will feature more prominently in the later chapters. But as of now these are the revealed pairings, though whether they will be together in the end game, with someone else, or even alive, is something you'll have to stick around and find out. Do note that the romance is slow and up till chapter 13 its rather subtle.
-Cheve 1572 A.G -
After weeks of travel through dusty roads and villages, the Royal Hoshidan party had finally arrived at Avignon, the capital of Cheve. Gazing towards the Chevois royal palace, Sumeragi Masaru, King of Hoshido, noticed that Nohr's royal banner was flying alongside the Chevois banner. Sighing, Sumeragi leapt from his white stallion and turned towards his retainers and his top advisors. But his eye was not on the men and women who strove to protect him or would be invaluable to ending the latest war between his kingdom and that of the King Garon, instead his eye sought out the rather distinctive heads of his twins.
With the capital finally in sight Sumeragi had let his twins Gareth and Eleanor ride their ponies along with the party. Being but five the children were not very skilled at riding, but they had learned throughout their journey how to at least remain seated on the pony that was led by one of the children's guards. Unfortunately, both Gareth and Eleanor had a fierce desire to explore. Thus, it was not without surprise that he found Gareth and Eleanor oh so carefully sneaking away from their guards to play with some of the other children in the party.
With an exasperated grin upon his face Sumeragi began to walk through the column of men and women keeping an especially close eye out for his green haired son, who seemed to take great joy in attempting to hide out among the grass. Thankfully, Eleanor's sun kissed blond hair was easier to spot, within seconds he spotted his blonde daughter trying to encourage young Saizo to join her in play. Striding towards the children Sumeragi suddenly found his retainer Saizo at his side.
"My lord, don't you find it suspicious that the Nohrians have arrived at Avignon before us?" Saizo questioned in a suspicious manner. "I suspect a trap."
Sumeragi considered his loyal ninja's words, but ultimately dismissed them. "Saizo, you know as well as I that Nohr, possesses both a road system unparalleled in the world as well as access to a large amount of horses. I am not surprised that they have reached Avignon before us. In fact I suspect that they have been here at least a week ahead of us."
"Be that as it may, I recommend caution my lord. King Garon Vaas is not a man to be trifled with, do not forget that after the unfortunate attack at the northern Nohrian rivers he had all our captured soldiers summarily executed." The ninja responded, causing his king to quiet as his thoughts turned towards the one fight that greatly exacerbated the declining war.
"My liege, I don't mean to upset you but it is my job to consider every eventuality, particularly the more unpleasant ones. After all it is far better to hope for the best and expect the worst."
Sighing heavily the proud samurai king turned his eyes towards his most loyal servant. "I know, and your caution has saved my life on more than one occasion. Yet I cannot afford to miss this opportunity. Neither King Garon nor myself ever wanted this pointless war, rather it began with our fathers. We might have continued this conflict due to mistakes on both sides, but ultimately the war is meaningless. If we can reach an accord, we can finally have peace between our two nations. My children might actually be able to know a life beyond war."
"I understand Lord Sumeragi. No parent wishes for their children to carry his own burdens." Saizo said as he spotted his own children engaging Prince Gareth and Princess Eleanor in play. "One last question my lord, why did you bring the twins? We could have shaved a few days off our travel time without them, and it would have been far safer for the children back at Shirasagi with your wife."
Finally spotting his two children Sumeragi kept his eyes on them even as he replied. "… To end a war of this magnitude, words alone will most likely not be enough. … I fear, but am prepared for the likelihood that I may have to promise one of my children to one of King Garon's own."
"… I see, I shall pray to the Dawn Dragon herself that you might be spared this outcome." Saizo replied as he carefully separated from his King and began to make ready the column for their entrance into the city.
With Saizo gone, Sumeragi suddenly dashed towards his two most distinctive children, scooping them up and twirling them around causing the little ones to shriek and giggle as they played with their father.
-Avignon Royal Palace Two Weeks Later-
Negotiations between the two royal kingdoms were progressing as well as could be expected. With Chevois knights providing security and elderly Chevois royals Queen Margaret and King Phillip facilitating negotiations, events were proceeding with as smoothly as could be expected. Meaning arguments frequently broke out between the Nohrian nobles and their Hoshidan counterparts. Strangely enough while there was clearly tension and dislike between King Garon and King Sumeragi, they maintained their poise and both did an admirable job in maintaining control over their retinue.
As Sumeragi's late father originally started the war, many of the Nohrian nobility were pushing for reparations, mostly in the form of Hoshidan land. Naturally, this did not sit well with the Hoshidan retinue leading to many outbursts and arguments between nobles on both sides as the Hoshidans pushed for control of the nearby iron mines controlled by Nohr. Feeling justified in their claims as the last six years of the war has seen a far more aggressive and generally more ruthless Nohrian army, doubling the casualties the Hoshidans had suffered during the previous six years of the war.
Soon the talks began to disintegrate as the nobles on both sides began to air out their grievances more than strive towards a fair and reasonable peace. "I tell you that my lands have been ravaged by you Nohrian brutes. I want recompense for the lives and property damage your savage ways have inflicted on my people!" A rotund and richly dressed Hoshidan noble shouted.
A Nohrian commander angrily stood to his feet. "Savages are we!? I will not hear this from some pampered and spoiled noble who has never seen a battlefield in his life. You speak of recompense; well we will have retribution for the death of our Queen."
At this the chamber broke into a new round of shouts and jeers between the two groups. Finally fed up with the constant back and forth Sumeragi dismissed his retinue wishing to speak with King Garon alone. "King Garon, we both know the cost that this war has laid upon our nations, lives lost, fields ruined, villages eradicated. But if there is to be peace, let it start with us. Clearly the nobility have expressed their desires, let us as the rulers of our nations forge the peace that we so desperately need."
"Agreed, Iago," Garon bellowed out to quite the affronted complaints of his nobles. "Dismiss my retinue, together Sumeragi and I will strike an accord to achieve some measure of justice from this conflict." As a tall, lanky, black haired man herded the well-dressed Nohrian nobles and commanders out of the room, Sumeragi felt at last a sense of calmness. Signaling Saizo to dismiss their group, the room was soon emptied of all Nohrians and Hoshidans except for the Kings and their own personal retainers.
Once the two kings were left alone with only the Chevois contingent supervising the negotiations Sumeragi quickly took action and began to outline what his people needed, and what his kingdom was willing to give to receive the needed peace. "These past few years have seen an increase in Nohrian assaults that pushed rather deeply into Hoshidan lands causing the destruction of many of our more industrial cities. Our infrastructure is damaged and with our resources we are looking at decades of work to restore our economy to that what it once was."
"You think to compare the damage of industry to the pain you have inflicted upon my nation!" Garon cried out, suddenly unleashing the emotion he has been feeling since these talks began. "Your cursed father began the war for reasons so petty that they can be boiled down to childish greed. My people have and will continue to suffer the effects of this war for decades to come as the poison your ninjas sown amongst our most fertile land has resulted in widespread starvation. Moreover, let us not forget what this war has cost me personally." Garon declared in a venomous tone.
"Personal loss!" Sumeragi exclaimed tired of dancing around the painful issues that made these talks so difficult. "Yes I know the pain that I inflicted upon you, but need I remind you that you and I would not be discussing anything had you not slain my elder brother! You robbed our nation of its future king and caused my father to retaliate with an assault on your fields! Do not try and paint yourself the only victim here, we have both lost those we love dearly to this damnable conflict!"
The Chevois knights fingered their spears nervously as they gazed at two of the continents greatest warriors revealing their pain to one another, one misstep, and the talks could readily explode into a renewal of the hostilities. At this time the elderly Chevois queen stepped in."King Garon, King Sumeragi, both your nations have harmed one another, just as you have injured each other beyond understanding. Yet despite this pain, you must set aside your own hurts and consider your kingdoms. King Garon your nation needs a cheap supply of food in the coming years, and you King Sumeragi require the materials to rebuild your industry. You both need this peace, without it your nations are likely to decline if not be absorbed by your neighbors should this continue. Please calm yourselves and work towards this peace that you both so desperately need."
As the two rulers regained themselves under the calm and controlled gaze of the Chevois queen, the door to the chambers was cracked open instantly drawing the attention of all inside as inquisitive young eyes peeked inside. Startled at the attention the young intruder inched back away from the door making to get away from the attention of the adults. "Enter the room young one." Garon called out in a gentle command.
Stepping into the room Garon saw two young children, both with red eyes and pointed ears with faces similar enough to be that of siblings, twins, unless his guess was off. The boy with hair unkempt and green as the grass of a healthy field stared at the black king with the bold curiosity of youth. While the girl stood shyly beside her brother looking uncomfortable with the eyes of unknown strangers gazing upon her in curiosity, twisting and playing with her long blond hair in a nervous habit. The children turned to Sumeragi and quickly gathered around him. "I take it that these children are yours then Sumeragi." Garon declared staring at the young children in curiosity.
"Indeed, they are. This is Eleanor," Sumeragi pointed out as he lifted the girl up into his arms where she snuggled closer to her father. "And this little one is Gareth. I suspect you understand why I brought them with me." Sumeragi declared with a heavy heart as he turned his attention towards the Nohrian king.
Tearing his attention away from the children he regained his calm and regal demeanor as he returned Sumeragi's gaze. "…It would be an excellent manner to cement the peace, very well let us get down to business. We each require what the other has in some measure, so I propose a trade …." And so, the meeting went with the royals negotiating and bargaining with one another on supplies and materials, continuing for hours while the two children eventually left the chamber to find some food and some games to play.
Day turned to night and the discussions between the two rulers were proceeding well, they would call in a noble or two to assist with some matters from time to time, but the kings themselves, with assistance from the Chevois royals on occasion, were hammering out largely the terms of the treaty. Late at night Garon and Sumeragi broke from their talks and began to head their separate ways.
As the kings exited the Avignon royal palace they met up with their guards and began to head back to their personal camps. King Garon turned towards Sumeragi who was carrying his two young children in arms. "Sumeragi, why don't you and your children come join me tonight for some refreshments, and we can introduce those little ones of yours to some of mine and we can see if there is anyone in particular that they hit it off with, so we can set up a beneficial and potentially happy engagement for one of your children."
Glancing down at his still sleepy children Sumeragi nodded and signaled for his guards to follow him. "Saizo return to camp and let them know that we will be returning a bit later than expected." Sumeragi said in agreement, as he turned and followed King Garon towards the Nohrian camp. Saizo hesitated a moment before making his way quickly towards his lord's camp to carry out his command, despite the unease he felt of leaving Sumeragi alone with the black king.
"Iago why don't you run ahead and wake Charles, Marie, and Leo, tell them that we shall have some distinguished guest visiting, also be sure to let the servants know that we need to prepare some warm wine." Garon ordered.
"It shall be done as you command, my liege." Iago replied with a greasy smile, as he disappeared with a flash of magic towards the Nohrian camp.
Taken aback at the rather casual use of powerful teleportation magic that the young advisor displayed, Sumeragi was once again made aware of the might that this King was able to field. Swallowing his nerves the Hoshidan king made to follow Garon towards the black king's own camp. Travelling through the chilly and snow laden streets, Gareth and Eleanor ended up curling up against Sumeragi more to keep warm, although Eleanor was coming awake now that she was exposed to the chilly air of the outside.
"Papa, are we home yet?" Eleanor asked in a sleepy voice as Sumeragi rounded a corner.
"Not yet sweetheart, first we are going go see and meet some new friends, doesn't that sound like fun?"
"Mmm, afterwards can I get a sweet cake?"
"Alright we'll see what we can do, although when we get back home let's not tell your mother that I let you have sweets so late. She's rather firm about this kind of thing." Sumeragi agreed. Glancing up towards the night sky he noticed one of Saizo's sons on the roof of the adjacent building. "Hey Eleanor, isn't that Kaze, over there?"
"Huh, where papa?" Eleanor asked as she turned around trying to find her friend. Glancing up she suddenly saw him. "Kaze! What are you doing up there?" The dark green haired ninja in training turned his gaze towards the blond-haired child, and a strange puzzled expression came over his face. He opened his mouth as if to say something before he turned away in confusion and headed back towards the Hoshidan camp.
Garon turned and looking back at Sumeragi seeing the young king enjoying his time his daughter caused a cold grin to cross Garon's face. All too soon that foolhardy king will pay recompense for the tragedy the he has visited upon my kingdom and my family. Rounding the corner Garon saw what he had been waiting for, two squads of his best archers with arrows at the ready merely waiting for the command to enact their vengeance upon the swine who murdered their queen.
Seconds later Sumeragi rounded the same corner and was met with the sight of twenty bowmen at the ready. With a cold and grim motion from Garon half the archers unleashed their first shot ending the lives of Sumeragis guards in moments with the dedicated soldiers caught unawares, their weapons at best only half drawn. Acting quickly Sumeragi spun and tossed Gareth and Eleanor behind him into a snow bank before turning back to Garon and his forces. Quickly drawing his blade Sumeragi charged forward incensed at the duplicity of the black king, and at himself for believing that the man would so easily put aside his grief. But no matter, he would end the threat of the black king to his family once and for all.
With another command the archers released their arrows pelting the long-haired king, with the twins behind him there was no choice but to stand his ground lest a stray shaft kill one of the children. In seconds, the proud king found himself littered with arrows, his armor worthless in the face of so many arrows. Crumbling to his knees in anguish the Hoshidan king heard in his last moments his darling Eleanor cry out in horror at the sight before her, fully rousing her brother.
Grabbing an axe from one of his soldiers Garon made his way towards the fallen and bleeding king. As he neared the injured man Sumeragi spoke, blood filling his mouth even as he spoke his last words. "Why do this Garon? We were to have peace; my people will never forgive you or your kingdom for this betrayal. You have brought only further danger to your nation."
"I do this for the lives you took from me. Your actions at the battle of the Falkier Rivers cost me not only my beloved Katerina, but you also cost me my unborn child. You who know the loss of a brother and a father, still cannot begin to comprehend the well of anguish I have found myself in these past years. But worry not, you will." Garon declared as he made his way past the fallen Sumeragi and towards the utterly stricken Eleanor who seemed to have gone into shock and the recently awoken Gareth who was staring with horror at the scene before him. "I will take your children as my own and raise them as part of my kingdom."
Realization dawning in his eyes Sumeragi struggled to rise to his feet as he watched in utter horror as this vengeful king reached down and grabbed Gareth in a possessive hold. "NO! You cannot do this!"
"Oh, but I will." Garon declared before he flung his axe casually at Sumeragi splitting his head and ending his life then and there.
1) My date system for the world of Fire Emblem Fates. It essentially means either Anno Gethin or Anno Gerel, literally meaning in the year of Gethin or in the year of Garel. Gethin and Garel are the names for the Dusk and Dawn dragons respectively. This system of dating is used by Nohr and Hoshido after the end of the Dragon Wars. The Dragon wars lasted approximately for 800 years. Prior to the wars between the First Dragons the world was at peace, more or less, for several hundred years until the First Dragons began to war amongst themselves and began to use humanity in their wars upon one another.
2) Masaru is the dynasty that Sumeragi is a part of. The Masaru family, in ages past, were chosen by the Dawn Dragon Garel as one of her champions, immediately after the war they held a high position in what would become Hoshido, eventually assuming the royal throne for a few hundred years before falling from power over the next several centuries assumed a low but powerful noble position. Two hundred years prior to this story the Masaru family has once again claimed the Hoshidan throne and again rules Hoshido.
3) Yes, I created a capital for the Chevois nation, it rather needs it, and I am not a fan of a capital being named after the nation, or as happens more often the nation taking the name of what becomes the capital.
4) Vaas is the name of Nohr's current royal family. Much like in Hoshido the Vaas family has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Unlike the Masaru family the Vaas family has been reduced to the fate of commoners in the past. In some of the wars prior to this story the Vaas family demonstrated their courage and were again raised to the status of nobles. Years passed and the Vaas family in the last hundred years has reclaimed the throne of Nohr.
5) The war mentioned in this chapter is and shall be referred to as the Twelve Years war and at the beginning of the war Sumeragi was actually second in line to the Hoshidan throne. His elder brother was in fact the High Prince until his death at the hands of Garon. Yes I know that Sumeragi was originally the eldest prince, but I have decided to go in this direction as it will play a rather important role later on in the story.
Thus begins the story, hope you enjoyed it.