Hello!

Whilst I must sadly report Darkhearts is on hold/coming along slowly, this new idea came to me, this time for Awakening.

This is, unsurprisingly, an AU. There will be some departures from canon, but they only matter for later in the story. The main one for now is that the 'Crusade' occurred one Exalt further back than in canon, i.e, it was Chrom's Grandmother that launched it, not his father.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem.

….So it is with concern towards the future of both our nations that I put forth this offer: That our Heirs, Robin and Emmeryn, marry, thus binding our nations together as one, so that peace might finally settle on this shared continent we call home.

In Grima's name, I offer this in good faith.

-Validar Alexios, King of Plegia and First Son of Grima

"That is the offer presented to us by the Plegian King."

In the sunlit council chambers of the Ylisstol Palace, with its many windows, and large, round table in its centre, the newly crowned Exalt Nicholas Lowell set down the missive on the expansive table, and sighed as his councilors broke into argument. Including himself, two dozen people sat around the table, and argument was the most common state of affairs.

The din was barely tolerable, but he supposed it would do some good, allowing them to vent. His Mother's Crusade had cut deep, both in the Plegian people, and his own, the Ylissean's. His court was divided into three main factions. The Isoldian's, who were allies and supporters of his mother, who advocated for war. The Bulls, who took their name from the bullion that made up their wealth, who were advocates for trade. Lastly came the Irises, supporters of peace and isolation, and usually members of the priesthood in some way or another. He could count on the support of the majority of the Bulls and Irises, but the Isoldian's were another matter.

"You cannot be serious." It was Lord Claudius Bradshaw whose voice cut through the squabbling. He was a staunch Isoldian, and had been one of the previous Exalt's most loyal allies. He was old, with greying hair, green eyes and wore flowing robes of white and red. "Your Radiance, this...this must be a jest, yes? You are not actually truthful in this?"

"I am, my Lords and Ladies." The Exalt responded calmly. "King Validar of Plegia has offered peace, bound by the marriage of both of our heirs. A political union that would result in the combining of our nations into one."

This declaration was met by out right hissing of distaste, and even calls for the Exalt to sit, a great show of disrespect by a councillor. Nicholas shot them all a cold look, and they fell silent.

It was Bradshaw that spoke first out of the councillors."A vile thought. They wish to pollute our society and faith with their death-worshiping ways. Naga forbid. That is not peace, that is capitulation! To them!"

There was a round of murmured agreement, before a second Isoldian stood up to speak.

"I am afraid I must agree with my Lord Bradshaw." Lady Fall commented. She was young, barely an adult by Ylissean law. Her father had been a Mage, and she had followed in his footsteps. Old Lord Fall had died in the final battle alongside Exalt Isolde, and Lady Cintra Fall had not taken it well in the least. "Peace, especially this 'Peace by Union' is unacceptable."

"I understand your hesitation, Lady Fall" Nicholas sighed. "You have lost more than most that sit amongst this court during my mother's Crusade. But we must consider it. Both Ylisse and Plegia are on the brink of collapse. This union, however unpalatable we might find it, would likely put an end to internal wars on the continent forever. Is that not enough? How many dead must there be on both sides for this to truly be on the table?"

"As many as it takes to wipe out the Plegian population in its entirely.." Lady Fall replied coldly. "As Exalt Isolde intended. Nothing less than the total annihilation of their people will suffice as justice for the fallen."

"Trust an Isoldian to advocate butchery." Another man drawled. "But I suppose a little girl who knows nothing of war would rush in for worthless glories."

Duke Martin Bloodman was a consummate member of the Bulls, being that the largest, most profitable harbour in the Halidom was in his lands. He had proved supplies for the Crusade, but had withheld his troops, which had earned the ire of Exalt Isolde. The man was fat, balding, and maintained a bushy brown beard. He wore Valmese styled clothing, which garnered him a number of glares from even members of his own faction.

"Hold your tongue, coward!" Fall bit back. "It is traitors like you that caused this mess. You even had the temerity to marry one of those heathens."

"Perhaps we ought to take time to calm our tensions." A member of the Irises, the current Hierarch of the Faith, spoke up now. He was young for his position, barely into his forties. Herschel Norris had not been Hierarch when the crusade, but as his predecessor had retired in disgrace for supporting the war, he had stepped up to fill the position. "A serious matter like this ought to be debated with cooler heads, no?"

Please, Please work. Nicholas mentally prayed.

And it did…

For all of ten seconds.

"How can a man of the Priesthood even say that?" Bradshaw spat. "This is not a serious matter. This is a joke. Unworthy of our time. Let us finish the work our beloved Exalt Isolde began, and wipe the heathen scum from the earth!"

Another round of murmured agreement came from the other Isoldian's and even a few of the Bulls, and Nicholas honestly felt like screaming. The Isoldians had a habit of repeating the same arguments over and over again. Nevermind that they were the newest political faction on the council, and the only reason he couldn't remove them was the fact that they represented the military, and his nation was still at war. All of this...racist bigotry was what he thought to be simple greed, and a hunger to remain relevant in what he hoped would be the new normal of peacetime.

"And what of those that follow our faith within Plegian borders?" Herschel shot back. "You would have us kill our fellow faithful for the crime of being Plegian?"

"If there are true, Naga-worshipping citizens amongst the heathen rabble, they ought to have the decency to sit and let us do our holy work, bloody though it may be. They don't, they interfere. And so therefore we must conclude there is not a scrap of good in any of their black, Plegian hearts." Lord Bradshaw said firmly, turning his attention to Nicholas once more. "Your Radiance, I do not doubt that we should strive for peace, but we should not mock the notion by entertaining this...insult of an offer."

Nicholas stood up slowly, and every eyes was on him.

"We will discuss this further...but not today." He told them. "The next council meeting will be a week from now, at which point I will make my final decision. The Crown Princess will join us, so tailor your language accordingly. Naga's Blessings to you all."

"Naga's Blessings." Came the muttered response as the council proceeded to file out.

Bloody politicians. Nicholas thought with a sigh and slumped in his chair, hoping to Naga that his counterpart in Plegia was having an easier time of things.

Oh who was he kidding. If he had to suffer like this, it was only fair that King Validar had to too.