Fe Heroes: Fire and Ice

I've gotten into the game recently, so I though why not make a one shot about the newest prince? Namely something that has to do with the title and my inability to settle on an otp outside of a select few.

Hope you all enjoy!

The Kingdom of Askr was, on average, a peaceful realm with a wise pair of rulers and dedicated military that kept threats away. Were it not for the exception of the royalty being able to open holes in space-time and travel to other worlds, it might as well be a post card.

At least, that's what many of the heroes from said other worlds thought of it when they got summoned.

It had never truly occurred to one such hero, the Ice Princess Fjorm, how odd such a situation must've been for the others. They'd been quite literally plucked from their worlds by the Summoner, himself summoned in turn by the royal heirs, and taken it all in stride.

What strange sights had they'd seen to accept such sorcery out of hand?

Shaking her head, the Princess of Nifl started down another corridor in the castle. The sounds of various activities filled the air outside, but the princess wished to speak with someone.

Prince Alfonse.

The young man had been in a meeting with the Summoner, Robin of the Shepherds, Prince Leo of Nohr, and Soren of Tellius for the last few hours and she was curious to hear their next move.

Muspel wasn't known for its patience, no matter the prize the Order had won in the last encounter.

Sighing, Fjorm reached the meeting room and rapped on the oak three times. A moment later, it opened to show a tired Robin. "Good afternoon, Princess Fjorm. What can we do for you?"

Fjorm nodded to him. "I simply wished to see how things were going. Has there been any consensus on our next step?"

Robin opened the door wider and gestured for her to come in. "It's easier to explain inside, but the short of it is we'll be holding on to the prisoner."

Fjorm's eyes widened but she followed him inside to find all the occupants haggard and drowsy. Even the ever-stoic Soren looked ready to fall over.

Alfonse looked up from the map he was studying, eyes lighting up when he saw Fjorm. "Oh, Princess Fjorm, what brings you here?"

He held up a hand as she moved to respond. "Wait, let me guess, it's about the prisoner."

Fjorm nodded, ruing her obvious intentions. "Well, yes, but I also wished to check in. It's been several hours since any of you left this room."

"As I'm sure Mia informed everyone." Soren drawled, hand pushing back his hair. "She really needs to slow down."

Leo snorted. "Then sick Nowi or Fir on her, that'll wear her out."

Alfonse cleared his throat, tuning the two out as they began to snark at each other. "Regardless, we've decided to hold the prisoner in the dungeons until we can see what Muspel would want for them. That may take a while though."

Fjorm shook her head, unsurprised. "Surtr likely doesn't care. The only one we'd be likely to gain anything from is Princess Laegjarn, and that's stretching it."

Alfonse shrugged. "We have to try, what with the prisoner being so quiet. Even Shareena couldn't get a word out of her. Only time she talked was when I was there, and that was just her trying to get information."

Fjorm felt a brow go up. "Truly? Well, then I suppose we have our recourse. Is there anything else I should know?"

Alfonse shook his head and gestured for Fjorm to follow him. "No, we were just finishing up anyway. Outside of the prisoner, all we had to get down were patrol teams and some inventory."

Fjorm nodded and followed him, a slight smile tugging at her lips as Alfonse continued to talk. It was endearing to see the young man so focused, especially when she'd known him to drop everything if it meant helping someone. She'd been on the receiving end of that kindness several times, which made her appreciate her battle partner all the more.

Robin, who watched all of this from the side, groaned. "Blind fool, that prince. Couldn't tell if a woman was interested if he had a sword to his throat."

Leo and Soren were pulled from their contest of wit at that remark. Leo went first. "Indeed. I don't think he noticed how the prisoner went wide-eyed at him giving her food and drink, let alone trying to speak with her."

Soren shivered, remembering the stoic face that had attempted to gut him a few days ago. "Yes, that was a sight. Dare I say it, the woman perks up when he goes to try and 'interrogate' her."

Robin didn't believe his ears. "You're saying that dense man has caught two pairs of eyes?"

Leo sighed and made for the door. "I wouldn't go that far just yet, but it sure seems the guy has a way with princesses too focused on fighting for their own good."

Soren snorted and followed the prince. "In either case, I should check up on Mia and Ike. Heaven knows those two would spar until doomsday without me."

"Tell your wife to stop harassing mine!" Robin called after his fellow tactician. "Cordelia's running out of ideas to get some peace and quiet!"

Soren waved over his shoulder and Robin forced down a growl. After making sure the room was locked and his documents were all together, he set out for the mess hall.

If he knew anything, it was that everyone would want to know what was going on, and that meant standing on a table and yelling as loud as possible.

Why oh why did Frederick have to be on patrol today?

-Alfonse-

It was fascinating being amongst so many heroes.

While Alfonse had met several heroes over the years he'd been in the Order, this had to be the busiest time he'd ever seen and with more legends in one place then he dare name. Were it not for the Summoner, he'd likely have never met these heroes, or seen just how far he had to go.

Nor, truthfully, would he have met Princess Fjorm. She was a serious young woman who cared deeply about her country, and Alfonse had felt a kindred spirit in her after the first battle with Muspel. Frankly, they worked well together in battle, almost as well as he and Zacharias had once been.

That reminder had been… chilling, pardon the pun, for the prince. It was why he'd slowly started distancing himself from the princess, as he'd done with everyone else save the Summoner, but the woman would not be deterred.

They shared stubbornness too by the looks of it, a similarity Alfonse privately cursed.

Why was all this important?

Simple, Alfonse had been walking with Fjorm through the castle, catching her up on the various choices made during the strategy meeting, when they'd walked by Sakura and Elise. The young princesses had greeted them before Elise began to tease that they were on a date.

Alfonse was too busy glaring at the smug girl to notice Fjorm's cheeks turn pink, but the implication had made him grow quiet and excuse himself shortly thereafter.

Which led to his current thoughts as he wandered through the castle halls, greeting the heroes he saw absently. It's not like he wanted to distance himself from Fjorm after they'd spent so much time watching each other's backs, but he'd been hurt like that already.

Then again, Fjorm wasn't cursed like Zacharias, and he'd had more than one chuckle at seeing the princess of an ice kingdom erupt into fiery, passion fueled speeches or charge into the fray.

She was quite lovely when that happened.

Alfonse shook his head of that thought, instead focusing on the group walking towards him. There were Marth and Caeda, hand in hand like always, with Roy and Lilina just behind them.

"Good afternoon, Prince Alfonse." Marth greeted, getting a nod in return. "Did the meeting end?"

Alfonse licked his lips and sighed. "It did, though we only decided to continue detaining the prisoner for now. Beyond that, we don't know yet."

Caeda sighed as well. "She's… so stoic. Detached really. I can only imagine what it was like having Surtr as a father."

"Her blade and her name are one in the same." Roy noted, face falling in sadness. "That's no way to live if you ask me. When you consider yourself nothing more than a tool, life's not worth living."

Lilina squeezed his hand. "That's what we're here for, right? Battle isn't everything, especially if we can show her that there's more to life than Surtr's will."

Alfonse crossed his arms. "So, you believe that we should give her the benefit of the doubt? No offense, but that doesn't sound like a good idea."

"We're not saying that." Marth said, waving the idea away. "We just think she should see what life's like beyond war and a cell. Supervised, of course, but even the smallest seed can break a mountain."

Alfonse frowned, but began to consider the idea. After a time, the others could see he'd be taking his time. Alfonse barely noticed them say goodbye and leave before he started walking towards the dungeons.

It wasn't a bad idea, if he really thought about it. After all, he could keep the prisoner from the important areas while trying to break through the stoic mask she wore at all times. Maybe, if he was lucky, he could show her that there was something to what Fjorm and the Order were trying to save.

That would be a big victory.

The problem was convincing his sister, Commander Anna, Fjorm, and Princess Gunnthra of the idea. Not to mention the more skeptical members. While Shareena was the forgiving sort and Commander Anna wouldn't turn down a potential advantage if she could, the Nifl royalty would be another story.

It was hard to forgive invaders, after all.

"Yo, boy wonder, what's got you down here?"

Alfonse blinked before looking around. Apparently, he'd made the dungeon while buried in his head. After taking a moment to collect himself, he turned to face Hector. "Terribly sorry, Lord Hector. I was lost in thought."

The large man laughed. "I could tell. Did you come to try again with the little lady in there?"

He jerked his thumb down the hall, a lone torch lighting an otherwise unoccupied set of cells.

Save one, of course.

"I… have an idea." Alfonse answered, pinching his nose. "I'm going to need to speak with her alone for a time, so would you mind standing by the entrance? It shouldn't take too long, and I know for fact her sword is nowhere near here."

Hector raised a brow but shrugged. "Alright kid, your choice. Just let me know what goes down, ok?"

Alfonse nodded, and Hector left. Taking a deep breath, Alfonse strode down the row of cells before stopping before the torch and looking into the last one.

Red eyes stared back from a tanned face, the occupant's normal outfit replaced by prisoner garb. "What do you want?"

Alfonse crossed his arms and glanced at the cell floor, a plate of food and a cup of water untouched. "You haven't eaten."

"What use is a tool that gets captured?" Laevatein asked rhetorically. "I'd rather starve then remain your prisoner, as you well know."

Alfonse shook his head. "Yet, our prisoner you remain. I've come to talk about… an idea. A deal really."

"I will not betray my father." Laevatein stated, eyes narrowing just a tad. "So, you can leave that idea at the door, fool."

Alfonse took a seat, naught but iron bars separating them. "I'm not asking you to betray your father. Instead… I wanted to ask if you wanted out of this cell, to see our kingdom."

Laevatein blinked, a brief widening of her eyes conveying the shock. "What?"

"I wouldn't let you go unsupervised." Alfonse continued. "Nor would you be able to see the routes we take. All of this is to try and… make you see, I guess. That there's more to life than just war and conquest and killing. There's more to life than being a tool."

Laevatein stared at him before sighing through her nose. "There's nothing you could show me that I wouldn't use against you. We are enemies, not allies, but my failure is too complete to ever return. Just execute me and be done with it."

"I have no other reason to exist."

Alfonse stared in turn before leaning forward and leaning on the bars. "That's my point. If nothing else, I will at least try to give you a reason, a new reason. I won't allow you to give up because of one failure, I'd be no prince if I let those around me do so."

Laevatein leaned back, arms crossed. Silence stretched for a time before the princess shook her head. "Very well, if that's what you wish. I am your prisoner, do as you will."

She expected him to leave after that, not reach his hand through the bars and hold it there. Laevatein stared at the hand, knowing he was aware that she could break that limb like a twig. "What are you doing?"

"This is how we seal agreements in Askr." Alfonse answered, gaze focused. "That's what this is, an agreement. You get out of this cell and see the world at large, that's my part. Your part is to promise to try and see what peace gives and what else life has to offer. Deal?"

Laevatein stared at the hand a little longer before nodding and taking his hand. The two shook and Alfonse smiled, the sight making Laevatein pause. "What?"

"Nothing," Alfonse said. "Just glad. There's a lot to show around here, so I'm looking forward to showing you around."

He stood and bid the princess farewell, not noticing the young woman stare after him. Once he was gone, Laevatein stood and went to the bars, looking for the guard. "Guard."

Hector grunted as he walked over, staring down at the smaller human with curiosity. "Yeah?"

"Is it possible to get a bath? The grime is unbefitting."

-Alfonse, Night-

When Alfonse realized that the idea he'd been given was going to happen, he knew there was going to be hell to pay.

He was right.

Shareena was all for it as was the Summoner and Gunnthra, but Anna and Fjorm had disagreed vehemently. To the point that, when Alfonse revealed he'd already made the bargain, Anna started swinging at him.

The words she used were not for virgin ears, but suffice to say, she made her displeasure at the possible security breach well known.

Fjorm though, just gave Alfonse the most disappointed gaze he'd ever witnessed. While he knew that the idea of letting an enemy out to roam, especially one that had assisted in the conquest of Nifl, wouldn't be taken well, this was something else.

It was why he found himself outside of Fjorm's room and trying to explain himself. Considering she'd yet to open the door, Alfonse wasn't having much luck.

He pounded on the wood anyway. "Fjorm, please! I know you hate me right now, but at least let me explain myself!"

"You already did." Fjorm answered through the door. "I still disagree, no matter what you say, and that's final."

Alfonse groaned and gestured to his compatriot, a confused Eliwood handing him a set of keys. "Fjorm, don't make me have to come in. Please, I just want to explain the decision. And if you think I've somehow betrayed our cause because of this decision, I wish to allay your concerns."

All was silent save the crackle of torches before Alfonse heard the latch click and the door opened. Fjorm stared at him from behind the oak, eyes focused on the keys in his hand. "I thought you would kick the door in."

"And have to fix it?" Alfonse queried, giving the keys back to Eliwood. "Thank you, Lord Eliwood. This shouldn't take too long."

Eliwood blinked before a smug look crossed his face and he bid the pair farewell, a conspiratorial smirk shot over his shoulder at Fjorm. The princess blushed lightly but kept her attention on Alfonse as he followed her inside. "Go on then."

Alfonse took a deep breath before sighing. "I honestly believe that Princess Laevatein is just as much a victim in this war as you are, Fjorm. Surtr killed your mother and conquered your kingdom, that is beyond reproach, but Laevatein has known nothing but war and death all her life. In her mind, the blade she holds, and her body are one in the same."

"Both father and daughter see a tool, not a person. I want to change that."

Fjorm sat on her bed, eyes narrowed, and brow knit together. "That… how true do you know that to be? This could all be a well-rehearsed ploy to lower our guard, give them valuable information, and open Askr for attack."

"Not if what I've seen of Surtr is true." Alfonse answered back, taking a seat in an armchair. "He cares little for anyone besides himself, and I have little doubt his daughters are no exception. Capture may as well make Laevatein dead to him, and I found her not eating or drinking."

Fjorm stared at him before resting her head on her hand. "Your kindness continues to astound me. Not accepting that I owe you all a debt, working to return your friend from Emblia's curse, and offering sympathy to an enemy? Truly, Askr is lucky to have so compassionate an heir."

Alfonse blushed at the praise and scratched his head. "Well, that's very kind of you. So… are you ok with the idea now?"

"Of course not." Fjorm chirped, a mischievous smirk making itself known. "But, I know you'll be the one supervising her visits, so I'll be coming along."

Alfonse wanted to protest that, but Fjorm's words held all the finality of sunset. "…Very well then. Just, try not to provoke her and don't rise to her taunts, should that happen. We're just going to be wandering around the villages and cities for a few weeks, nothing dramatic."

Fjorm continued to smile, which made Alfonse nervous. "Well that's perfect then. I've wanted to see more of this kingdom as well, so who better to be our guide then you?"

Alfonse had a feeling he'd just been bamboozled. "Alright, if that's what it takes to get you on board. I know it's not the most pleasant thought, Fjorm, but thank you for agreeing to at least try."

Fjorm stood and strode to Alfonse side, her hand going out to help him up. "That's all I can promise, nothing else."

Alfonse took the hand and stood but froze as Fjorm leaned close and her breath tickled his ear. "Though… I look forward to having a good time. Do show me one, will you?"

Alfonse gulped, but was able to keep his voice steady. "I'll, uh, do my best. There should be a lot of things to do, so… yeah."

Fjorm giggled at Alfonse's flustered words. "Well, then I wish you goodnight. Do let me know when you decide to start this expedition, I wouldn't want to be late."

Alfonse wished her goodnight as well before all but fleeing from the room. Fjorm watched him go, shut the door, then flopped on her bed and began to cry into her pillow. She'd never been so embarrassed in all her life, not even when Gunnthra had given her the Talk.

"I'm so proud of you!"

Speaking of, the elder Nifl princess came from behind her hiding place of a large cabinet, beaming. "You just went and got a few weeks with Prince Alfonse, I knew you could do it!"

Fjorm buried her head in her pillow, not strong enough to face her sister.

"Come now dear." Gunnthra laughed. "Yes, you'll have to be there with the Muspel princess, but no one's going to arm her, and you'll be having fun with Prince Alfonse! You can finally tell him and get on with your love life!"

Fjorm groaned, voice muffled. "I don't want to hear you talk about my love life. I'm more concerned that doing this is going to give Muspel something to work with, like sending an assassin or something. That's why I'm going, not because…"

She trailed off, making Gunnthra smile wider. "Come now, sister, why not just admit it? You fancy Prince Alfonse, and it's only become harder to deny as you've fought and trained alongside him. Why, I remember spotting you two on more than one stroll around the castle and eating together."

Fjorm wished a hole would open and swallow her. "Y-you don't know what those were about! We were talking about strategy and formations and-"

Gunnthra cleared her throat, making Fjorm look at her. "Fjorm, please, stop the denial. It's well known amongst most everyone that you hold feelings for Prince Alfonse, save you and him apparently. Just say it, you'll feel better."

Fjorm blushed heavily and hid her face in the pillow again, a muffled answer reaching Gunnthra's ears.

"Try again, clearly please."

Fjorm groaned before turning her head away, voice clear this time. I… may like… Prince Alfonse…"

Gunnthra would gladly take that level of progress. "Then I shall leave you be for tonight. Please, just give it more thought. Even if he turns you down, at least you'll have tried, and there's no shame in that. It's better than remaining silent and watching someone else steal his heart."

Fjorm stewed silently. Seeing nothing else would be done tonight, Gunnthra gave her sister an affectionate pat on the head before leaving. Once outside, the elder princess wandered through the halls before happening upon Hector and Stahl lugging a basin of water between them while Gwendolyn carried another pair of buckets behind them.

Gunnthra blinked before she found Clair staring at her, arms filled with clean linen and soap. "Good evening, Princess Gunthra, can we help you?"

Gunnthra nodded. "Why yes, you can. What's with all the bath supplies? Did something happen?"

Clair nodded. "Yes, this is by Prince Alfonse's request. Well, that and Princess Laevatein's. She wished to clean herself of the grime in her cell according to Hector and she finally started eating after Prince Alfonse visited her earlier today."

Gunnthra felt disbelief grip her breast. There was no way Alfonse could have captured the interest of the Searing Steel just by visiting her a couple times, was there? This wasn't swiftly turning into the plot of a trashy romance novel that the ladies loved to read but would die of mortification if found out?

"I don't blame her." Clair continued, unaware of Gunnthra's thoughts. "Sitting in a cell for a week was bound to make anyone grimy and that's unbefitting of nobility, no matter their allegiance. That, and the food she's gotten came from Stahl and Peri, so who wouldn't give in eventually?"

Gunnthra nodded absently. For all of Peri's childish bloodlust, she made amazing pastries. "Thank you, Lady Clair. Please, go on your way, I don't wish to delay you further."

Clair nodded and left, calling instructions to the others after she caught up. Gunnthra, for her part, cupped her chin and began to think.

It may be that my advice to Fjorm came right on time. If Alfonse has truly caught Laevatein's interest and he continues his usual string of kindness and empathy… it may end up being Muspel who gets that alliance after Surtr is defeated, not Nifl.

Well, if you asked Gunnthra, that meant one thing.

Time to play matchmaker.

-Laevatein-

They'd actually brought a bath. Linen and soap too.

Laevatein was more than a little surprised by this, especially when they'd given her clean clothes and combs as well. Is this why the dungeons were so empty? If the people of Askr were so generous, small wonder it looked like there was no crime.

Regardless, once Laevatein had been left alone in her cell with Gwendolyn replacing Hector as guard, she'd stripped off her prisoner's tunic and used a bit of her inherent fire magic to heat the water. Could she have fried any other poor sap, of course, but her guards were far from ordinary.

It didn't stop her from letting out a sigh of relief as she sunk into the steaming liquid, two more basins set aside for her hair and a final rinse, but this was glorious after not bathing for a week.

As she scrubbed the grime away, Laevatein couldn't help but think on her predicament. She'd been captured in a skirmish between Askr and Muspel, her escape route cut off by the great Lord Sigurd himself. The only consolation was that her capture allowed her elder sister to escape, but before she could unleash fiery hell upon her foes in a last act of defiance, a blow had sent her to the world of dreams.

That was how she'd found herself bound in a cell with the blade that was her very existence taken away, the fire within snuffed by its absence. It was insulting to have been captured, to have to wallow in how much she'd failed as a tool, but now…

Laevatein lifted her leg into the air, studying the expanse of cocoa skin. This body had been trained for battle alone, every muscle a coil of steel wire, but it had also leant her a great deal of beauty. Well, sex appeal really, only her sister was truly beautiful rather than a sword that had lost its edge.

But, it looked like she could still serve one last purpose. Muspel and her father may have lost this weapon, but she could at least provide another to replace her. There was at least that advantage to holding a womb.

And if that womb held a child from a man that was… sweet and a little naïve, but still strong enough to duel her to a standstill, all the better.

Laevatein returned her leg to the water and let a smile cross her lips for the first time in ages.

Maybe her stay here wouldn't be a complete failure on her part. Well, so long as they didn't defeat Father, but everyone knew that was impossible, so who was she to fret about impossibilities?

Time to… indulge.

With that thought, she stood from the water and made for the other basins. If she was going to make this work, she'd need to look her best. And maybe get some tips on how seduction worked, since sex appeal could only go so far.

No one knew it, but the next few weeks would be…

Interesting.

Would anyone believe me if I said this idea popped into my head shortly after seeing the Book II trailer? While Alfonse certainly gets the short stick for much better units in game, I felt it only appropriate he get thrown into this odd love triangle.

Question is, who will die of embarrassment first? All I know is that this story won't be focusing too hard on the goings on of the other heroes or overall threat. Instead, we get these three and some brief appearances from the others for the few chapters this has.

Hope everyone enjoys, because I plan on writing it all out by the time spring break ends!

Bye!