The Missing Stone

Calm Before the Storm

A cloaked man kneels in the sands by the ocean, foaming waves lapping softly at the shore. He leans against a steel lance, strands of raven hair escaping the confines of his hood and swaying in the sea breeze.

It's nearly time, he thinks, sharp eyes gazing north where the Kingdom's banner once again flies in place of the Empire's. He pulls out a parchment, signed by Duke Riegan himself, asking for assistance against the hordes of Imperial soldiers invading Alliance territory.

Sighing, he brings himself to stand, nearly a decade of guilt weighing on his shoulders. Father is dead... What he wouldn't give for a chance to apologize, but saving the others is most important. He faces east, where they're hiding...

Filthy vermin. The man stalks north, intent on delivering the message lest they be too late.

-

"...hell did she mean!?"

"...please be quiet..."

"...sounds weird."

Her throat hurts. So does her chest. And her head. She can barely think, voices echoing, circling, swirling in an endless confusing cycle-

"Milly!"

She squeezes her eyes shut, turning away from the sound.

Have pity on me and let me sleep...

"Everyone is starting to think you're dead. Wake up!"

Her consciousness rushes back into her body, and to confirm that she is indeed alive, she raises her hand straight up and drops it back down. A snort from her left.

"Well that's one way," Aelura mutters. Mildred wants to roll her eyes. Unfortunately they're closed. She studies her surroundings with her other senses, the smell of medicinal herbs and the softness of a cot against her back. Hushed voices murmur in the background.

I really do need to stop passing out.

"Agreed," all three say in chorus.

She turns her head towards the murmurings, recognizing one of them. The tips of her fingers are numb, most likely the painkiller herbs the healers must've given her. She can't feel her legs much either.

"Mercie," she whispers, attempting to move her body. She's terribly thirsty...

"Oh my," Mildred hears the healer say, suddenly at her side and dabbing a wet linen over her forehead. "I suggest that you not move yet. Is there anything you need?" Mildred pries her eyes open then, peeking through her lashes.

"Water please," Mildred croaks, internally blessing Mercedes as she helps her sit up and sip the waterskin. She sighs when she's done, leaning back against the pillows.

"How long has it been?" Mildred says, wiping the side of her mouth. Mercie smiles, bright and cheery.

"Not that long, we just finished cleaning up!" Mildred sags in relief. At least it wasn't nearly three days again.

Sylvain appears in the doorway. "It's time," he says, a wide smirk on his face to match Mercie's bright smile. She starts after the door but stops when Mildred speaks.

"Time for what?"

"Oh." Mercedes moves back to the bedside. "Will you be okay here?"

"Can I come with you?"

Mercedes turns back towards Sylvain who is leaning against the doorframe with an amused smirk.

"Well," Mercedes starts. "You've healed remarkably well considering your wounds, so I don't see much harm in it. Just be careful." Mildred nods in thanks, moving to follow them out. While her legs are a little wobbly, she's sure she can move around without much difficulty. They follow Sylvain out of the infirmary and upstairs, where a grand room opens up to a large balcony. Mildred can't even see what's outside but she can hear the roar of cheers coming from below.

The three of them join Dedue, Ingrid, and Felix by the balcony, both of them expressing different levels of positivity. Sylvain grins at the sight of the latter and sidles up beside him. Mercedes stands beside Dedue, Mildred by Ingrid's side. Ashe and Annette join them some time later. Moments pass, making Mildred, or rather Mao, impatient.

"What are we waiting for?" Mao complains. Chester 'hmphs' off to the side, and Aelura whines quietly in agreement.

"Is something supposed to happen?" Mildred asks, echoing Mao's question. Felix tilts his head at her.

"We're waiting for the boar to stop being a coward and face his people," he says, ignoring both Ingrid and Dedue's slight glares. Ashe and Annette frown at his response. Why is Mildred not surprised? What happened between the prince and Felix for them to become so tense around each other? Mildred doesn't get to think about it long, as Gilbert enters the room with His Highness, soon to be Majesty, and the professor.

The prince looks like he's about to bolt, but is stopped by the assuring presence of his professor beside him. As soon as he hears the sound of cheering and not screams of agony, he blinks in confusion before rushing to the edge of the balcony.

"What..." His Highness breathes out in disbelief. "What is this?" Gilbert stands behind him on his right side, offering him a proud smile.

"As you can see, the people are rejoicing at the return of their king." They are rejoicing alright. Some are crying tears of joy, others calling out the prince's name, some chanting, more just yelling in excitement, and children have even climbed atop the shoulders of adults to see. It is certainly something to behold.

"Even though I turned my back on them, and fled the kingdom in disgrace..." Dimitri trails off, huffing something between a laugh and a sob.

"Even so..." Gilbert says, turning towards the people again. "The spectacle before you does not lie. We are a kingdom in need of a king. A hero to save them from their long oppression. Your Highness... It is truly a blessing that you have returned." At the end Gilbert closes his eyes in contentment. The blond's breathing increases slightly to an erratic pace.

"Do I really have the right to stand here? Will they accept me as their king?" Dimitri turns his head down, hands braced on the railing. "Bloodstained as I am... " His voice breaks, and the professor turns towards him in confused concern. "Am I fit to be king?"

The professor looks like he wants to give the prince a hug, and Mildred can't disagree. "Don't cry, Dimitri," he admonishes gently instead, keeping a respectable distance between them. "This is a happy time." The blond looks up at him, which confuses Mildred since he's taller than the professor.

"These are happy tears, my friend," Dimitri assures with a watery smile and tears in his eyes. "I am finally home again... Faerghus... How I missed you..." Mildred hears Aelura shriek in indignation.

"'Friend!? FRIEND!?"

"I'm gonna cry," Mao says, sniffling. Mildred smiles. This is indeed a happy time.

A/N: This is a good place to stop for now. Get some rest, eat some food. The story will wait for you :)