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[FIC] abalation| fire emblem: heroes - metastable; chapters 3&4
title: metastable
series: fire emblem: heroes
sub-series: feh originals, smattering of various other fe titles
characters: helbindi, sharena, alfonse, kiran, ylgr, hrid- all of the feh originals basically
rating: T
warnings: mentioned canon deaths, canon-typical violence, fjorm's chronic illness
previously: metastable, chapters 1&2
next: metastable chapters 5&6
--
Chapter 3
"You might as well ask what you wanna ask if you’re gonna keep looking at me like that.”
King Hríd had a brief expression that reminded him of Ylgr when she had (poorly) tried to swindle the keys to her and Veronica’s cell from him. Caught. He doubted any of them could lie, period. The wrinkle between Hríd's eyebrows smoothed out from the surprise and he turned away from the roses and towards him.
They stopped their slow, aimless wandering around the gardens.
“You’re very perceptive, Helbindi.” He was smiling again and Helbindi crossed his arms as if to ward it and the compliment away. It didn’t work. “I do have questions, if you’ll hear them out.”
He considered lying about going back to guard duty, even with his shift taken over by Prince Alfonse, and dismissed the thought.
“No promises I’ll answer any.”
Hríd nodded.
“Would you consider staying here in Nifl?”
Whatever questions Helbindi thought Hríd would ask, that was not one of them. Frustratingly, Hríd got to witness Helbindi stumble for words and for his expression to land on outraged bafflement.
"What- why?”
“As Ylgr’s personal retainer or as an advisor,” Hríd said. “She has immense fondness and trust for you, and I believe in her judgement. Not only that, but I would like seek out your perspective and opinion. You have had a unique position in life and I- I find that very refreshing.”
Hríd waved an arm over the freshly planted gardens and Helbindi met his cloudy winter stare evenly.
“Nifl is very sheltered, still even now. From what I’ve witnessed, Helbindi, you are the most honest soul I’ve had the pleasure of knowing in some time.”
“Flattery is free,” Helbindi heard himself saying even when he caught himself looking up at Hríd’s wind burned cheeks.
“You would be well compensated, and given residency here in the palace. Or in the city, if you wished.”
Helbindi managed to refrain from spitting in disbelief. “You’re fucking serious.”
Hríd nodded, expectant and unruffled by the swearing.
“I-” Helbindi looked away and blew out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. Damn Nifl royal family. He didn’t even know if he’d take up the offer, blindsided as he was.
Something inside said yes when he cocked his head to look back at this new king. To really look at him. Hríd didn’t stand like a soldier or a tyrant, but solidly, patiently, and with a glint in his eye. Hopeful, not naive.
“If you’ve got work I’m not going to turn it down.” From the way Hríd began to smile, Helbindi had to amend his naive assessment. Maybe he was a little after all. “But I’ve got a job to fill right now. Don’t get your hopes up.”
Hríd stepped forward smoothly and took Helbindi’s hand once again. He didn’t hold it to his heart again, a memory that sent Helbindi’s mind spinning, but he shook back evenly.
“I thank you for considering it. When you return from Múspell our doors will remain open to you.”
“Right.” Helbindi had to wonder how open those doors would be if his sister didn’t come back alive.
“Truly, I am grateful you will consider it. The thought has been pressing on my mind since we last spoke.”
Of course, the promise. Helbindi interrupted Hríd before he could follow that up. He had nothing to ask of the man.
“And your other questions?”
Maybe Hríd was tired or too polite to take it personally, but he nodded. “Several. Some regarding are the position, but I have wondered: how have you been?”
Again, not quite the line of thought Helbindi had been going down. Was this guy yanking his chain? Somehow he doubted it. Hríd seemed to have mistook his stunned expression.
"Perhaps I should have lead with tha-”
“Your Majesty?”
Helbindi and Hríd both jumped at the new voice. Alfonse stood in the archway to the little garden, face pink as he looked everywhere but at the two of them.
Abruptly Helbindi realized how close they had been standing together beneath the plum tree, and of their clasped hands. They released each other’s hand immediately and Helbindi swung around to leave as soon as possible.
Behind him he heard Alfonse apologize for the intrusion - did the kid have to say it like that?! - and something about a name. Zacharias.
Well that was none of his business.
-
Chapter 4
They would leave the capital before midday.
Thankfully, breakfast had been a quiet affair filled only with jaw cracking yawns, pleasantries, and eating. That had all suited Helbindi just fine so that he could focus solely on his meal and to refuel for the march to Múspell - and not to over analyze the polite “good morning” or glances Prince Alfonse gave him. Even more thankfully Hríd’s attention had been focused onto his sisters, where they had what had probably was the first meal they had had together in over a year.
Almost all together.
Any conversation that stirred up from dawn until they left the castle had some way of turning to the late Queen Ymira or Princess Gunnthrá. It was an echoing sadness that slowly crawled its way in and leeched the joy from everyone like morning frost and by the end of it Helbindi was more than glad to see the doors close behind them all. So he, the Askr royalty, Fjorm, and Kiran all trundled to their awaiting carriages and steeds. Pegasi couldn’t pass the jagged and frozen peaks that surrounded Nifl - that he knew from his time climing the ranks during the invading forces - and they would have to all squeeze into the carriage again until they were closer to decent climates.
Hríd and Ylgr, followed closely by attendants that looked more like harried hens, came to see them off.
“I’m terribly sorry I can’t stay,” Fjorm apologized, holding each of Ylgr and Hríd’s hands in hers. To her credit, she didn’t cry. “And to help with the ceremonies. But I will be back, I promise.”
Her siblings gathered her into a hug even as she started coughing again. Ylgr had been right - it was getting worse.
"The ceremonies and celebrations are being put off,” Hríd told her, even if everyone knew that wasn’t the true reason behind his consoling. “Nifl will be better off putting those funds to the reconstruction efforts than watch a silly parade.”
Helbindi turned away as they finished their goodbyes. Partly because it felt like intruding, partly because he heard someone stepping out from one of the carriages.
“Alright!” Came the cheery but forceful tone of Commander Anna. She dipped into a perfect bow. “I greatly hate to hurry you, Your Majesty, but we really must be going. We’re on a race against the winter weather before the Wolf’s Fang Pass gets buried in snow.”
"I understand,” Hríd dipped his head, and Helbindi spotted Ylgr glaring at Anna from around her hold of Fjorm.
“I’m not done with goodbye!” Ylgr announced, and was suddenly before Alfonse and Sharena to shake their hands. She tipped her head back to put on her haughtiest, most princess-y tone. “It was such a pleasure to have you with us.”
Helbindi snorted in amusement. Ylgr’s little spiteful prolongment would bite them in the ass, but it was worth seeing Anna’s eye twitch when Ylgr insisted Kiran stay with them for holiday sometime.
“Askr has exclusive contract rights to the summoner!” Anna barged in while Kiran, blissful and being polite to Ylgr, was nodding in agreement.
That changed soon enough as the squabbling arose over contracts and loopholes and gods knew whatever the hell they were talking about now. Kiran was on something about lawyers.
The snow crunched and Hríd stepped beside Helbindi. He hated how his stomach abruptly decided it wanted to start flying its way to Múspell, only to get caught fluttering around in his ribcage.
“It will be very quiet without company,” he said, almost fondly, as he and Helbindi watched Alfonse try to break in with reason.
“I would ask a great favor-”
“Yeah, I’ll watch over her.” Cutting to the chase was his specialty, and neither of them would have much time once the bickering moved into the carriage. He looked sideways at Hríd knowingly.
Hríd’s smile of utter relief - or was it gratitude? - was just as dazzling as the sun on the snow. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Helbindi waved a hand dismissively. “She’s an alright kid, it’d be a shame to see her potential go to waste.”
Helbindi could hear the others’ voices evening out. Ylgr stuck her tongue out at Anna and turned on her heel towards he and Hríd.
“...I trust you will also think of my proposal.”
"'Bindi!” Ylgr threw herself against him into a hug before he could answer - dirty rotten cheaters, Hríd had to have timed that - and he patted her back even as she tried to squeeze the daylights out of him. Tried.
“Train some more and maybe you’ll be stronger than a wet noodle.”
“I will!” She declared, stepping back to put her hands on her hips. “So you better come back soon and see how good I got!“
-
Helbindi watched as Ylgr’s tutor lectured her about something - probably her grammar - until they passed through the palace gates and onto the high street leading out of the capital. He had chosen to ride on horseback to avoid listening to Kiran and Anna and settled back into the saddle with a sigh.
One of the Askran soldiers glanced at him and Helbindi growled “what” at him. Old habits of keeping soldiers in line died hard. Just as the soldier offered a quick apology and faced forwards once again, the shadows of buildings fell over them. Helbindi looked up and into the distance, seeing the distant white peaks and mentally began plotting out how far until the air shimmered with the heat of volcanoes and hot springs.
Then he thought of warmth on his hand, and of a heartbeat under his palm.
“Fuck,” Helbindi spat.
series: fire emblem: heroes
sub-series: feh originals, smattering of various other fe titles
characters: helbindi, sharena, alfonse, kiran, ylgr, hrid- all of the feh originals basically
rating: T
warnings: mentioned canon deaths, canon-typical violence, fjorm's chronic illness
previously: metastable, chapters 1&2
next: metastable chapters 5&6
--
Chapter 3
"You might as well ask what you wanna ask if you’re gonna keep looking at me like that.”
King Hríd had a brief expression that reminded him of Ylgr when she had (poorly) tried to swindle the keys to her and Veronica’s cell from him. Caught. He doubted any of them could lie, period. The wrinkle between Hríd's eyebrows smoothed out from the surprise and he turned away from the roses and towards him.
They stopped their slow, aimless wandering around the gardens.
“You’re very perceptive, Helbindi.” He was smiling again and Helbindi crossed his arms as if to ward it and the compliment away. It didn’t work. “I do have questions, if you’ll hear them out.”
He considered lying about going back to guard duty, even with his shift taken over by Prince Alfonse, and dismissed the thought.
“No promises I’ll answer any.”
Hríd nodded.
“Would you consider staying here in Nifl?”
Whatever questions Helbindi thought Hríd would ask, that was not one of them. Frustratingly, Hríd got to witness Helbindi stumble for words and for his expression to land on outraged bafflement.
"What- why?”
“As Ylgr’s personal retainer or as an advisor,” Hríd said. “She has immense fondness and trust for you, and I believe in her judgement. Not only that, but I would like seek out your perspective and opinion. You have had a unique position in life and I- I find that very refreshing.”
Hríd waved an arm over the freshly planted gardens and Helbindi met his cloudy winter stare evenly.
“Nifl is very sheltered, still even now. From what I’ve witnessed, Helbindi, you are the most honest soul I’ve had the pleasure of knowing in some time.”
“Flattery is free,” Helbindi heard himself saying even when he caught himself looking up at Hríd’s wind burned cheeks.
“You would be well compensated, and given residency here in the palace. Or in the city, if you wished.”
Helbindi managed to refrain from spitting in disbelief. “You’re fucking serious.”
Hríd nodded, expectant and unruffled by the swearing.
“I-” Helbindi looked away and blew out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. Damn Nifl royal family. He didn’t even know if he’d take up the offer, blindsided as he was.
Something inside said yes when he cocked his head to look back at this new king. To really look at him. Hríd didn’t stand like a soldier or a tyrant, but solidly, patiently, and with a glint in his eye. Hopeful, not naive.
“If you’ve got work I’m not going to turn it down.” From the way Hríd began to smile, Helbindi had to amend his naive assessment. Maybe he was a little after all. “But I’ve got a job to fill right now. Don’t get your hopes up.”
Hríd stepped forward smoothly and took Helbindi’s hand once again. He didn’t hold it to his heart again, a memory that sent Helbindi’s mind spinning, but he shook back evenly.
“I thank you for considering it. When you return from Múspell our doors will remain open to you.”
“Right.” Helbindi had to wonder how open those doors would be if his sister didn’t come back alive.
“Truly, I am grateful you will consider it. The thought has been pressing on my mind since we last spoke.”
Of course, the promise. Helbindi interrupted Hríd before he could follow that up. He had nothing to ask of the man.
“And your other questions?”
Maybe Hríd was tired or too polite to take it personally, but he nodded. “Several. Some regarding are the position, but I have wondered: how have you been?”
Again, not quite the line of thought Helbindi had been going down. Was this guy yanking his chain? Somehow he doubted it. Hríd seemed to have mistook his stunned expression.
"Perhaps I should have lead with tha-”
“Your Majesty?”
Helbindi and Hríd both jumped at the new voice. Alfonse stood in the archway to the little garden, face pink as he looked everywhere but at the two of them.
Abruptly Helbindi realized how close they had been standing together beneath the plum tree, and of their clasped hands. They released each other’s hand immediately and Helbindi swung around to leave as soon as possible.
Behind him he heard Alfonse apologize for the intrusion - did the kid have to say it like that?! - and something about a name. Zacharias.
Well that was none of his business.
-
Chapter 4
They would leave the capital before midday.
Thankfully, breakfast had been a quiet affair filled only with jaw cracking yawns, pleasantries, and eating. That had all suited Helbindi just fine so that he could focus solely on his meal and to refuel for the march to Múspell - and not to over analyze the polite “good morning” or glances Prince Alfonse gave him. Even more thankfully Hríd’s attention had been focused onto his sisters, where they had what had probably was the first meal they had had together in over a year.
Almost all together.
Any conversation that stirred up from dawn until they left the castle had some way of turning to the late Queen Ymira or Princess Gunnthrá. It was an echoing sadness that slowly crawled its way in and leeched the joy from everyone like morning frost and by the end of it Helbindi was more than glad to see the doors close behind them all. So he, the Askr royalty, Fjorm, and Kiran all trundled to their awaiting carriages and steeds. Pegasi couldn’t pass the jagged and frozen peaks that surrounded Nifl - that he knew from his time climing the ranks during the invading forces - and they would have to all squeeze into the carriage again until they were closer to decent climates.
Hríd and Ylgr, followed closely by attendants that looked more like harried hens, came to see them off.
“I’m terribly sorry I can’t stay,” Fjorm apologized, holding each of Ylgr and Hríd’s hands in hers. To her credit, she didn’t cry. “And to help with the ceremonies. But I will be back, I promise.”
Her siblings gathered her into a hug even as she started coughing again. Ylgr had been right - it was getting worse.
"The ceremonies and celebrations are being put off,” Hríd told her, even if everyone knew that wasn’t the true reason behind his consoling. “Nifl will be better off putting those funds to the reconstruction efforts than watch a silly parade.”
Helbindi turned away as they finished their goodbyes. Partly because it felt like intruding, partly because he heard someone stepping out from one of the carriages.
“Alright!” Came the cheery but forceful tone of Commander Anna. She dipped into a perfect bow. “I greatly hate to hurry you, Your Majesty, but we really must be going. We’re on a race against the winter weather before the Wolf’s Fang Pass gets buried in snow.”
"I understand,” Hríd dipped his head, and Helbindi spotted Ylgr glaring at Anna from around her hold of Fjorm.
“I’m not done with goodbye!” Ylgr announced, and was suddenly before Alfonse and Sharena to shake their hands. She tipped her head back to put on her haughtiest, most princess-y tone. “It was such a pleasure to have you with us.”
Helbindi snorted in amusement. Ylgr’s little spiteful prolongment would bite them in the ass, but it was worth seeing Anna’s eye twitch when Ylgr insisted Kiran stay with them for holiday sometime.
“Askr has exclusive contract rights to the summoner!” Anna barged in while Kiran, blissful and being polite to Ylgr, was nodding in agreement.
That changed soon enough as the squabbling arose over contracts and loopholes and gods knew whatever the hell they were talking about now. Kiran was on something about lawyers.
The snow crunched and Hríd stepped beside Helbindi. He hated how his stomach abruptly decided it wanted to start flying its way to Múspell, only to get caught fluttering around in his ribcage.
“It will be very quiet without company,” he said, almost fondly, as he and Helbindi watched Alfonse try to break in with reason.
“I would ask a great favor-”
“Yeah, I’ll watch over her.” Cutting to the chase was his specialty, and neither of them would have much time once the bickering moved into the carriage. He looked sideways at Hríd knowingly.
Hríd’s smile of utter relief - or was it gratitude? - was just as dazzling as the sun on the snow. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Helbindi waved a hand dismissively. “She’s an alright kid, it’d be a shame to see her potential go to waste.”
Helbindi could hear the others’ voices evening out. Ylgr stuck her tongue out at Anna and turned on her heel towards he and Hríd.
“...I trust you will also think of my proposal.”
"'Bindi!” Ylgr threw herself against him into a hug before he could answer - dirty rotten cheaters, Hríd had to have timed that - and he patted her back even as she tried to squeeze the daylights out of him. Tried.
“Train some more and maybe you’ll be stronger than a wet noodle.”
“I will!” She declared, stepping back to put her hands on her hips. “So you better come back soon and see how good I got!“
-
Helbindi watched as Ylgr’s tutor lectured her about something - probably her grammar - until they passed through the palace gates and onto the high street leading out of the capital. He had chosen to ride on horseback to avoid listening to Kiran and Anna and settled back into the saddle with a sigh.
One of the Askran soldiers glanced at him and Helbindi growled “what” at him. Old habits of keeping soldiers in line died hard. Just as the soldier offered a quick apology and faced forwards once again, the shadows of buildings fell over them. Helbindi looked up and into the distance, seeing the distant white peaks and mentally began plotting out how far until the air shimmered with the heat of volcanoes and hot springs.
Then he thought of warmth on his hand, and of a heartbeat under his palm.
“Fuck,” Helbindi spat.