The Nightmare had ended. The dream world and the waking world had separated at last, Freyja’s cruel machinations for the moment forestalled. The Order of Heroes retreated to lick it’s wounds, the Emblian Princess returning to her home with the threat to Embla ended. For the past week, the Order had been traveling throughout Askr, recruiting the aid of the Ljosalfr to wake the last few victims of Freyja’s sleeping curse. “And with that,” Sharena finished, setting the notepad aside on the bed, “we should have the last few villages taken care of by the end of the week.” She turned to face the bed’s sole occupant. “How are you feeling?”The Summoner for the Order of Heroes shrugged. Or, at least, he tried to, the movement ending in a wince as bandages slid over the still healing wounds. “I’d feel better if I could get out there and do more to help.”Sharena brushed a few strands of hair from his face, fingers lingering for a moment on his cheek. “I know.” A mischievous grin appeared on her face. “But I can’t risk you getting kidnapped again, can I?”“You mean Askr can’t risk me getting kidnapped.” He rolled his eyes and finished sheepishly, “again.”Sharena leaned over him, her lips inches from his. “I know what I said,” she murmured quietly, so quietly that even he could scarcely hear her.“Trick or treaaat!” The sudden bang on the door to their room interrupted the couple, Sharena jumping so badly that she landed on the Summoner’s leg, the young man stifling a gasp of pain. The intruders didn’t wait for an answer, the door opening quickly and a parade of colorful characters sweeping in, Tiki and Ninian leading the pack. “Ah, hello Will!” Tiki beamed at the bedridden Summoner, who tried to muster his best smile in return. “Oh, and Princess Sharena too!”“Hello Tiki, Ninian.” Will nodded to the two dragons who were leading the group, consisting of Nowi and Myrrh, as well as Princess Sakura of Hoshido and a few others. “What brings you by today?”“We’re getting ready for the Autumn Festival and the Night of Fright parade, actually.” Ninian gestured to the group. “We all volunteered to help out in the city, leading the children of Askr around on a parade.”“But before that,” Nowi interrupted, “We wanted to check in with you! You’re going to be participating, right? What’s your costume going to be?!”Will blinked twice in confusion, looking up at Sharena before looking back at the hopeful Manakete. “No,” he started slowly, trying to gesture to his bandaged body. “I don’t think I’ll be joining you.”“Are you feeling any better at least?” Ninian asked, looking concerned. “Is there anything we can do for you?”Sharena answered for him, one hand surreptitiously laid over his bandaged hand. “Just have fun, okay? And save some candy for me!” She started as the Summoner squeezed her hand. “Huh? Oh, right. Us. I meant us.” She glanced back at Ninian. “Have they told you the parade route yet?”Ninian nodded. “Oh yes, it goes right through the castle and past the eyrie and courtyards, as well as down into the city and through the fountain district.” Ninian clapped her hands playfully. “I’m very excited, I’ve never gotten to be part of the festival before! The castle is all decorated and even the guards are dressed up in their best outfits!” She paused, concerned. “I must say, I hope some of the children aren’t too frightened. I’m worried some participants may have gotten a bit ahead of themselves this year.”“We’ve gotten a lot of Heroes to pitch in this year!” Tiki said excitedly. “We’re going to set up some spooky stations throughout the castle for everyone to play games and win some prizes. Miss Selkie and Miss Velouria even promised to make some spooky noises and howls randomly!”“Speaking of,” Ninian said, glancing out the window. “We’d better go check in with Nino and Commander Anna and make sure that the library is all set up.” As quickly as they’d come, the group disappeared again, the door slamming in it’s frame in their wake.“What an...interesting idea,” Will finally said after a moment, Sharena still absently stroking his hand. She glanced at him in confusion.“Hmm? You mean holding the autumn festival.”“Well, yeah.” He shifted under the bed covers, sitting up. “Think about it, the kingdom gets assaulted by literal living nightmares, and now we’re...what, holding a costume contest to see who has the scariest costume?”“You don’t approve?” He shook his head, clasping his hands together.“It’s not that...it’s just...I’m envious, I guess?” He turned his head to look out the window, the sun slowly sinking behind the distant mountains. “I don’t see how everyone can just...move on from what happened so quickly.”Sharena inched closer to him on the bed. “We Askrans are stronger than you give us credit for, you know,” she teased. He turned back to find her face inches from his again. “In many ways, they’re just doing the best they can, just like they’ve seen you do for them.”“Like I’ve done? I haven--”“Surtr,” Sharena cut him off. “Hel. Now Freyja. The people have seen the Order face down these threats and still smile the next day. They’ve seen you out helping to rebuild homes the day after zombies and ghosts burst from the very ground.” She leaned closer. “A little dress up isn’t going to scare us anymore.”“If you say so,” the Summoner finally relented, meeting her gaze. “Are you going to the parade?” He asked quietly.Sharena nodded. “Along with Alfonse, yes. We’re going to be overseeing the festival out in the fountain plaza, while Commander Anna leads the festival with Ninian and Tiki.” She smiled sadly at the Summoner. “It’s not going to be the same this year without you, you know.”“I know,” he murmured, leaning his forehead against hers. “You’ll just have to bring me back some candy, nurses orders be damned.”Sharena chuckled quietly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Gently, so as not to disturb the wrappings over his hands and arms, she took his hand in hers again. “I think that can be arranged.” via /r/FireEmblemHeroes https://ift.tt/2J4jIL7
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