This is such a cute fanfic! Frederick and Emmeryen, I ship it sooo much! Thanks for writing this masterpiece of a story!

Perf
10/10
the feels
ouch

Another amazing story that I didn't discover until now but wow am I glad I did. You already know how hard I ship these two after your stories converted me, and the feels in this one made me love them all over again.

The falling metaphor was great. I don't even care if it was obvious, it just felt so profound knowing what happens later (honestly, all stories involving Emmeryn feel like I'm reading a Greek tragedy where you know what's coming and it makes it all the harder to see it unfold). And oh my the part where Frederick tries to tell her he loves her and she keeps cutting him off and then he feels guilty about hurting her with his feelings. Stop. It's too angsty but so good at the same time. Keep writing!

It's amazing meticulous you are with your diction! The smallest word makes the biggest difference, for example when you wrote that Emm smiled FOR Frederick. Usually one smiles AT someone, but the "for" conveys how much Emm does for everyone and how she cares for Frederick. I know it's silly, but I literally couldn't stop smiling over that one detail. And the rest of this story! Gosh, to see Emmeryn like that, the vulnerable side that DOES want to be just another person, rather than stand on the ethereal pedestal she's been raised on so young. Yet she is still so strong; Frederick summed her up perfectly: "She wanted to be somebody else, anybody else...And she did not allow herself to be any of these things." What a fitting and poetic description! It was also interesting to see Emmeryn's and Frederick's past and interactions from his point of view. While I've said this before, I enjoy how you make those two characters interact; they bring out the best of each other, and parts of their personalities you wouldn't expect, or they wouldn't show, otherwise. The last bit was touching, when Frederick talks to Chrom. Poignant way of ending it! Also, for the sake of making sure this doesn't sound like empty flattery, I thought it did seem odd that Frederick would have snuck around to court Emmeryn, as he holds his duty above everything else. Can't think of anything else to critique, as you show thoroughness and skill in all your stories. Sorry if this review is long and rambling, but that's how much this story affected me!

This is such a good character study! I have now fallen in love with Frederick/Emmeryn.

I love the part where you wrote, "That Look, Chrom and Lissa called it, for there was simply no better way to say it . . ." Perfect description; Emm really does have a Look. And I also love how you put in Frederick's chivalry too. And the ending sentence. Ack, these characters are so well written!

Don't stop writing!

-Feather

I've already spoken to you about this briefly, but thought I'd leave you a more thorough review.

Firstly, I still enjoy your still of writing. I think you do an especially great job here, too, because Em is a bit if a...weird (?) character to write, only because she is so serene and untarnished that I would almost be afraid to really say anything negative or bad about her; however, your descriptions of her feel appropriate, and she does seem rather mystic which is good, I think. I loved the part about the books being more hers than her fathers', that's the kind of subtle detail I'm talking about.

You write Fredrick well, as always. We've seen it in other stories but it's certainly evident here as well.

Critique:
Like I've said, I don't really find this story wholly believable-and I hate saying stuff like that because we should be able to take liberty with characters. But Fredrick getting down with his exalt just didn't really connect with me and it really dampened the whole experience of the story for me. As I said to you, I would have liked a little more of past Fredrick to see what he was like BEFORE hooking up with Em. Like, was he not so apprehensive, or maybe was he? I'd like to see what was going through his head, whether it was misgivings or youthful carelessness that ultimately led to heartbreak and made him so attentive to detail. I don't know, maybe others felt differently, but that's my take.

Still a good job. Sentury out

Emmeryn annoyed me for the very short time she was allowed. She was literally made to be the character who was too good for this world, and it showed in her every action. She was brave, noble, caring, self-sacrificing, and strong. She was utterly without vice or weakness. It made her death predictable, at least in my opinion.

A story like this was exactly what she needed. It humanizes her, gives her flaws and weaknesses. Instead of gazing at her on a pedestal, it brings her down to the rest of us. She feels and wants and has human hopes and dreams like the rest of us. All of her sacrifices really ARE sacrifices because there's an imperfect person behind the perfect facade.

While the overall metaphor was about as a subtle as a brick, it was appropriate nevertheless. I also felt Frederick's last line in italics was particularly deep, insightful, and appropriate. I can't help but wonder if the PC's supports with Emmeryn (though I won't pretend to imagine what kind of time travel bullshit that required) humanize her as well...

In any case, thanks for showing me a character I didn't care much for in a new light.

Later,
Rex

omg. I literally can't right now. "I will die first." gaaah.
Emmeryn is just perfect in this. Not that Frederick isn't, but skljfhsdlkghj.
Also, "Falling...she would never be rid of the deep nausea of plummeting." WHY WHY WHY.

Did I say this was sad? OMG it's sad. I love it, though. I love the idea of Frederick loving Emmeryn and of Emmeryn not always being this pillar of strength and badassery that her brother and sister probably would like to think she is. I feel sorry for her, really; that's a lot of stress to be on just one person, especially after all of the crap her father pulled. To be suddenly thrown into all that and have to make peace with it and yourself and everyone else? Uhh, and with neighboring areas like Plegia? Yeah, Emmeryn has it really tough.

(Plot twist: Frederick moves on after Emmeryn's death and marries Cordelia but then the party finds Emmeryn alive but not at all like herself how do you think Frederick would feel then? OMG.)

My favorite part of this are these lines: [he was nothing if not thorough. He was also so much younger then; so much more foolish. He'd planned to lie with her then and there: it was so perfect and symmetrical, both virgins, both newly promoted, neither ready.]

It makes me sound like a complete perv to link those but man I think they say so much about Frederick as a character, and Frederick as he's grown as a person before the game even begins-heck, before Emmeryn loses her life (let's be real, even if she doesn't die, she loses her life). He's really bold, and not embarrassed, and he knows what he wants and he's foolish enough to actually go for it. It's pretty amazing. I think with most of your "devoted knight" characters, they don't act that way-or can't, or wouldn't. Kent would never be so bold, I don't think, and Seth? Uh, no. And then Geoffrey? I doubt if he could. But then we have Frederick who really is in his own category, like the others, and distinct from them in this way. He's not terrible with women like Kent, or willing to push his lady away like Seth, or a pacing worrywart like Geoffrey; he is a man of action through and through and you really showcased it here!

BAM!

Also this was sad as heck: ["No harm will come to you," he swore. "I will die, first."] Abloobloobloo.

Lovely just like everything you write, my Kenderbro. I love this piece so it gets into my FAVORITES. More fic! More fic! More fic! More fic! You know what fic needs a part three, hm? ;) (/noogies you and runs)

LOVE,
Manna

Things I have learned: hates me.

Okay, let me try to remember my review. Sigh. Basically I loved this. I also quoted these lines:

[he was nothing if not thorough. He was also so much younger then; so much more foolish. He'd planned to lie with her then and there: it was so perfect and symmetrical, both virgins, both newly promoted, neither ready.]

As much of a perv as it probably makes me, I thought these lines were a big deal. They say so much about Frederick when he was younger and Frederick when the game begins. I thought it was super in character. I won't bore you with my original rant but I feel like that helps set him apart from other knights in the FE series. He's the token "serious, loyal" knight but he's really not like Kent/Seth/Geoffrey/etc. He's a man of action and even if he was/is in love with his lady he's more likely to act if that's what she wants. Aw yiss. Also a thorough man, oh la la. ;)

The obvious metaphors were fun of course. Hehe.

[And she did not allow herself to be any of these things.] This was nice, too. I like how you write Emmeryn as this strong, almost stoic figure, but deep down she's still a fairly young woman who is dealing with a lot more than anyone should have to deal with. It's really well done. And lovely. I feel sorry for her, and sorry for Frederick, who can't do enough to help.

And the worst part is, no matter whether you decide Emmeryn lives or dies, she loses her life either way, and after Frederick says: ["No harm will come to you," he swore. "I will die, first."]

I wonder, then, how Frederick in this universe would feel after getting over Emmeryn, after moving on and marrying Cordelia (obviously the only option!11one), and then finding Emmeryn alive but in the state the game leaves her in. Even if it doesn't break his heart, that's a huge slap to the face. It's sad.

Anyway a lovely job on this! It's definitely my headcanon now, though it's probably fifty percent knight/princess bias! :)

LOVE,
Manna

To expand on my tumblr reaction: why can't these two be canon?

Once again, you have such an excellent grasp on Frederick (I can see why you play him!) I can read every line in his voice. Not to mention Emmeryn-we see fairly little of her in the story, that you really flesh her out while keeping her true to character. I also like how understated this piece is-it doesn't go the full-on sappy romance route but the feelings of each are palpable. When she tells him not to tell her that he loves her-my heart ;A;

I am incredibly grateful that you dedicated this piece to me! Thank you so much 3