DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fire Emblem, nor do I own the characters in Fire Emblem. I do, however, own any characters I create for the purpose of this story.

When Swords Cross

EPILOGUE

One year later . . .

As soon as the first ray of sunlight filtered into the royal bedchamber, Celice's eyes snapped open and he all but leaped out of bed. Today was the big day. Somehow, he had managed to get to sleep the night before, despite his nervousness. Now, however, he was in serious business mode. He strode over to his wardrobe and pulled from it the outfit he had picked out the night before–the same dress uniform that he had worn to the ball over a year ago, only with a full, sweeping gold cape. Then, a thought came to him–he should eat before getting changed, lest he stain his outfit. With that, he sprinted down to the kitchens.

-E-

Several hours later, Celice was standing in a side room in the cathedral. He was trying to make some last-minute adjustments to his appearance. He did not want so much as a single hair out of line on this day.

"Your Majesty, please calm down," Oifaye said. "The ceremony will not be very long."

"I know, Oifaye, but I still want to look my best," Celice said.

"If you're too tense, you'll be more likely to make a mistake," Arthur chimed in.

"Yes, I'd like to see how you fare in my shoes, Arthur," Celice replied. "So, uh, how do I look?"

"Your Majesty, you've asked a thousand times," Johan replied. "You look fine. Really. Seriously. You don't need to impress anyone out there."

-E-

In another side room, Nanna stood getting ready, with stylists adding the finishing touches to her outfit.

"How do I look?" Nanna asked.

"Nanna, you've asked that at least a dozen times," Julia replied. "Really, I doubt my brother is this uptight."

"I just want to look perfect," Nanna said.

"Nanna, you look wonderful," Tinny said.

"That's right," Leen added. "When you go out there, you are going to knock everyone off their feet, especially the groom."

-E-

Celice stood before the altar, doing everything he could to not faint from nervousness. When the music began, he felt his adrenaline spike. He had not felt this nervous even before he engaged Alvis in battle. As he watched, the bride slowly emerged from the doorway.

The normally beautiful princess looked absolutely breathtaking in her wedding gown. She wore a strapless, all-white silk gown that flowed outward from her hips. The body of the gown had a different pattern from the rest of the gown, making it look somewhat like a corset. The gown fit her perfectly, accentuating her figure. She wore a veil that was made of the same white silk as her gown, and it seemed to cascade from her head like a waterfall. Around her forehead, securing the veil in place, was the tiara Celice had bought for her. She held in her hands a bouquet of beautiful flowers. As she approached the altar, it took Celice every ounce of his strength not to let his jaw drop. Then, he felt someone prodding him in his back.

"Your Majesty," Oifaye whispered out of the corner of his mouth. "You've stopped breathing." Celice inhaled very deeply, stunned by the vision of loveliness that walked down the aisle. She finally stopped by Celice's side and waited as the music ended. He then cleared his throat.

"Before we begin the service, I would like to address the people here to witness this happy day. There are many people in attendance who helped me get to where I am today, and for this, they deserve my thanks.

"Oifaye, Shanan, you took care of me for most of my life. You kept me well-fed, healthy, and fit. Words cannot express my gratitude to you.

"Skasaha, Lakche, Lana, Lester, and Delmud, you were all like the siblings I never had. Thank you for sticking by my side.

"Julia, my dear sister, without you, I would have succumbed to the pressures of my office. Thank you for always being there for me.

"Likewise, I'd like to thank the various dukes–Oifaye of Chalphy, Lester of Jungby, Arthur of Velthomer, Corple of Edda, Johan of Dozel, and Tinny of Freege. You've supported me through thick and thin, and I am especially grateful for your support in the brief civil war we had last year with the rogue councilors.

"Leaf, Fin, you both looked out for the woman by my side today. Thank you for this.

"King Faval, King Aless, King Sety, King Shanan, and King Leaf. Thank you for being great allies and even greater friends.

"Lachesis, it's because of you and your late husband, Beowulf, that Nanna is here in the first place. Thank you for bringing the love of my life into being.

"I'd also like to thank Levin, wherever he is. He was the inspiration of many a winning strategy during the war, and he also looked out for my well-being.

"And lastly, though they aren't here, I want to thank my parents, Sigurd and Deirdre. Without them, I wouldn't be here. And in that last battle . . . Father had ordered Shanan and Oifaye to take me to Isaac and away from him. I can't imagine the amount of pain that put him through, knowing that he might never see me again. And it was all for my sake. So the two of them have my eternal gratitude and my undying love." His speech finished, Celice turned to the altar and the bishop behind it.

"Dearly beloved," Bishop Palmark began, "We are here to witness a union of a man and a woman. However, this is no ordinary marriage, for we are talking about the king of Grandbell and the woman that will become his queen." He paused. "If anybody has any objections, speak now or forever hold your peace." Another pause. Silence. "Very well, we will now begin the vows." Celice and Nanna turned toward each other.

"I, Celice Baldos Chalphy, do take thee, Nanna of Nodion, as my loving wedded wife, to have and to hold, for rich or for poor, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." He carefully slipped the ring on Nanna's finger. Now it was Nanna's turn.

"I, Nanna of Nodion, do take thee, Celice Baldos Chalphy, as my loving wedded husband, to have and to hold, for rich or for poor, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." She slipped the ring on Celice's finger.

Bishop Palmark then looked at the bride and groom. "Now, we shall seal this marriage with a kiss." Celice took a step closer to Nanna, lifted back the veil, placed a hand on Nanna's cheek, and kissed her. A moment later, they broke apart and faced the congregation.

"By the power vested in me by the gods, I now present to you, the congregation, King and Queen Celice Baldos Chalphy." The congregation stood up and applauded the newly-married couple, and Celice and Nanna led the procession out of the cathedral.

Along the way, though, Celice reached out and scooped his new wife into his arms. Nanna let out an "Eek!" in surprise, but quickly relaxed. She nestled herself against Celice's chest and wrapped her arms around her husband's neck.

The pair passed through the large oak doors and out into the sunlight. However, Celice came to a complete stop. There, only twenty feet away, just like that day on the beach, stood Celice's parents. Sigurd was standing tall and proud, with a great smile on his face as his eyes rested on his son, and next to him, his arm wrapped around her, with tears of joy streaming down her face, was Deirdre. She wore a smile similar to Sigurd's, and Celice could see that her eyes were filled with love.

Nanna looked up at Celice's face, concerned. "Is something wrong, Celice?"

Celice looked down, into Nanna's big, blue eyes, and smiled warmly. "Not at all. Everything is perfect."