fic: Crowded

[bonnefois]

Title: Crowded
Series: FEH/FE4
Character/pairing: Tailtiu, Tine, Azelle/Tailtiu (background Lex/Ayra, Fred/Olwen, maybe Fee/Arthur, maybe a hint of Reinhardt > Ishtar, but no more than canon.)
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 4415
Summary: Tailtiu has some questions to her daughter about the future.
Author's note:

Takes place right after the Tine forging bonds.

I stand by the headcanon that Olwen and Reinhardt are Tine's protective adopted sibling figures. IDC, I love it.

CW: canon typical Tine awful backstory and Hilda awfulness. The Jugdral one, not the Fodlan one.



Her mother, or at least the version of her that was in this land of Askr, was far different than the woman who Tine remembered. She was cheerful for one. Tine could never remember her mother smiling, not even once. Tailtiu was hopeful even in the face of impending doom.

And she visited Tine nigh daily, even if she had plenty of duties in Askr. Sometimes her mother was so energetic that it was almost overwhelming to be around her. Because Tine wasn't used to such bubbly effervesence from her mother. The woman she remembered was beat down, broken until she had nothing left.

"Tine-y!"

Even though they'd intended to meet each other, Tailtiu was so excited to see her, every single day. She rushed from the marketplace road they were on to be close to Tine, and pulled her into a big hug. Tine closed her eyes and took in the flowery scent of her mother.

At least, a version of her mother. Even if she might not be technically Tine's, Tailtiu had enthusiastically stepped into her role.

"Let's get lunch together!"

Mae, a boisterous and cheerful mage from another era and land was there, too. They must've been training, Tine thought.

"Who's that? A new friend?" Mae said.

"I can't believe I forgot to tell you. It must've slipped my mind! This is my child from the future!"

"Oh, like Lucina? She came to warn you from the impending horrible event coming?"

"Not quite, but close," Tailtiu said.

"Aww, she's cute! I wish some of my future children would come and visit," Mae said.

Mae laughed. "Hope they have nothing but good to tell me about the future, though."

"Aw, that reminds me. I'm supposed to meet Boey for lunch. Seeya later!"

"Bye, Mae! See you another day."

Tailtiu grinned. "We should go to lunch too, Tine-y."

Tine smiled. It was so comforting, and such a moment to treasure. Even if the food was bad, even if the weather was horrible. She got to see her mother again.

*

They got food from the marketplace, and took a seat at the many little wooden tables and seats around the areas, many with large and colorful cloth umbrellas to shade from the sun.

Tine took delicate bites of her cream puff. Mother was so kind, she didn't even scold Tine for making dessert her lunch.

Later in life, Tine had developed something of a sweet tooth. Tine had so few treats in her early life. Though Ishtar and Ishtore were always kind, they never realized that Queen Hilda might deny her access to food to control her, and simply assumed she had the same meals as them.

Reinhardt had always made sure she never was hungry when he found out how Queen Hilda treated her, though he wasn't much for sweets and always gave her healthy foods instead.

So it wasn't until long after that she enjoyed fluffy, soft sweet desserts, and gained quite a taste for them. And Askr provided so many different treats from many diverse lands. The Annas had managed to get lots of recipes off of the summoned heroes, and made quite a bit of money from all these food stalls and restaurants.

Tailtiu propped her chin up with her hands, and smiled. "Tastes good, huh? I should get one of those."

"It tastes wonderful," Tine said softly.

"Good, good! We should treasure the time together and have some girltalk. I'll start. Can you tell me more about the future?"

She was glad that she had already finished her sweet bun, for she surely would've choked.

Tine looked down to her (now slightly sticky) hands.

"But...it's a horrible future. You die in the worst way imaginable. Even thinking of it makes me want to..." Tine sniffled, and tried to hold back tears. She still remembered that cold, dark dungeon that had been their home for many years. Many days she would never even see sunlight. Only the flickering torches was all the light that came through that terrible place. How mother had protected her, and taken Hilda's daily abuse. How Queen Hilda had cruelly smirked as Tailtiu would cover Tine with her body and hold her close, to take every blow. Sometimes Queen Hilda would come to mock and berate Tailtiu. Even more, she used her magic on Tailtiu. Not enough to kill her, but enough to leave massive burns on her skin.

Tailtiu would try and cover the burns with her sleeves to comfort Tine, but Tine knew the scent of singed flesh from a very young age.

After mother died, Tine had been freed from the dungeon. But on the condition that she must train to be a soldier of Friege. Hilda reminded her every day that she was only allowed from there because one day she would die for Friege in battle.

Ishtar and Ishtore were kind. Reinhardt was protective and gentle to her at every turn, the kind older brother she'd never had. But she had few allies back then. And Queen Hilda was always nearby...and always reminding her that she could be sent to battle, and her death, at any time.

"Oh, Tiney! I'd never want to make you cry. Come here."

Tailtiu wrapped her arms about Tine and held her close, like she was making up for lost time. Tine shuddered with uncried tears.

Being hugged by mother was different. Back then, mother had been so weary from the constant abuse from Queen Hilda that she could barely muster the strength for a hug. Especially with the pain in her arms from the constant burns. Sometimes she would use what little strength she had to comfort Tine and dry her tears.

But Tailtiu of this era was full of energy and hope. Even the knowledge of what came to pass to her in Tine's era wouldn't bring down her spirits.

"I didn't mean to make you remember anything bad, I'm so sorry, Tine. Don't cry, sweetheart. Mama's here."

"No...it's all right. You have a right to ask of the future even if it's painful. What did you want to know?"

"I just...wondered if you knew who I married. Was it Claude?"

Tine's brow furrowed. "The handsome man with the bow? The one who leads the house of Deer?"

"Not that one. Though he is very handsome. This Claude hasn't showed up yet. He had long blond hair and was so striking and mature. He was a priest, and set off to heal the land."

"I never met father," Tine said softly.

"Oh..." Tailtiu said.

Tine looked down at the cobblestones. Crumbs had fallen, and a few curious pigeons had come closer to her feet.

"You were captured by the new rulers of Friege and taken back. I do not know what happened to father. He might have died on that horrible day in Bellhalla with Sigurd's men. I cannot say. Arthur had never met him, either."

Queen Hilda sure had thought so. She had often told Tailtiu with utter glee how Valflame would've utterly melted the skin from his body. How he would've felt complete agony before he died.

A fitting end for a bastard, Queen Hilda had said.

"The more I hear of this future, the more I feel for you. You were such a strong girl to endure all that."

Tine lifted her head up. Her pigtails bobbed as she did.

"Mother...you endured so much more than me. Even now, if you ever get sent back, you might face the same fate."

"Now that we know, maybe the future can be averted," Tailtiu said. "I mean, it worked for Lucina and Chrom, right?"

She was so hopeful. So many had perished at the hands of fate in their era. Tine still wasn't sure the tragedies could be fixed, even if she was so very grateful to have this chance again to meet with her mother.

"...But, the truth is, I knew who he was. Queen Hilda used it as an insult to me often," Tine said softly.

You were born to a traitor and a bastard. No wonder you're so useless.

"Oh?" Tailtiu said.

"If I say, would it be bad? Maybe I would break the timeline. I wouldn't want that," Tine said.

"I mean, it can't be worse than finding out what happened to me, right?" Tailtiu said.

Tine took a deep breath.

"My father was Azelle of Velthomer."

"Azelle?!"

Tine nodded.

Tailtiu's surprise turned to a soft kind of smile.

"I guess it's not such a surprise. We were such close friends. In fact, he's in Askr as well. Plus, Lex always said that Azelle was definitely going to marry me. Well, he said Azelle was going to marry one of us. He figured it would be me, but if I didn't, he probably would," Tailtiu said.

Tailtiu smiled. "Have you talked to him, sweetheart?"

"I've seen him. He's been kind to me but..."

He was a stranger. And unlike her mother, Tine hadn't gotten up the courage to tell him that he was her future father.

She'd run into him before--literally, even--and barely been able to stutter out a word before rushing off. In fact, he'd seemed troubled, as if he thought somehow he'd offended her. Which only made Tine feel worse.

"We should go see him now. Right now, in fact," Tailtiu said.

"W-What? That's..."

"You don't want to meet him, sweetie?"

"...What if he doesn't like me? What if he thinks it's troublesome to meet me like this? He never asked to suddenly get a daughter, when he isn't even married yet..."

"Awww, who couldn't like you? You're the cutest, sweetest daughter anyone could have. I'm really proud of you and glad to have you as a daughter!"

Tailtiu pulled her close into a hug again.

"Ah...a-all right," Tine said.

*

Tailtiu led her cheerfully to the training grounds. Tine was more reserved, more shy. She knew how many things could go wrong in life.

Tailtiu smiled when she found them.

"Ehe, there they are!"

There was a loud crack, of metal and flames meeting.

"You parried so easily..obviously training with Ayra has paid off," Azelle said.

"Oh, it sure has."

"Azelleeee!" Tailtiu cupped her fingers about her mouth.

He was training with a tall man, strong and dashing, with slicked back blue hair. This must've been Lex, who she had heard about many times. The three of them had been childhood friends. Sometimes when mother had more strength, she spoke about the past. That was the only time she saw her mother smile, remembering childhood mischief she got into with Lex and Azelle. (To be fair, it was her and Lex who got in the mischief, while Azelle fruitlessly tried to stop it.)

Lex smirked.

"Your girlfriend's here."

"She's not....never mind," Azelle said.

Azelle blushed. His hair was a deep red, the color that much of House Velthomer had. He had on a red tunic and white pants, sullied by dirt from training, and scuffed and dusty boots.

(She had to smile a bit at that. He must've fallen in the dirt. Reinhardt would never stand to be so dirty, even in battle. Then again, Reinhardt was so powerful that he rarely got even slightly dusty in battle.)

"Azelle! We're getting married!"

Azelle's blush deepend. "W-What?! This is....sudden..."

"Not now, silly. In the future! I'm here with our child from the future! We get marrried! Also, there's some death and gloom. But I'm not focusing on that part. Time to be a good daddy to our future kid, Azelle! She needs lots of hugs! I mean lots and lots. She really had a rough time of it."

Azelle bent on one knee to better see Tine.

"U-Uh, hello? Oh, you're the girl I almost ran into before. I'm sorry about that. I wanted to find you again to apologize, but I didn't know your name. And I didn't realize you were...er, my daughter, either."

He cleared his throat.

Tailtiu stuck out her tongue. "What~ disappointed you didn't marry Lady Edain?"

"And are you disappointed her father isn't Claude?" Azelle said.

Lex looked from one to the other and shook his head.

"Nope!" Tailtiu said cheerfully.

Azelle cleared his throat.

"You resemble your mother's side of the family, I see."

Lex couldn't stop laughing.

"Lex."

"I knew it, Azelle. I told you, and told you. 'Oh, we're just friends.' Friends, my ass."

Tailtiu quickly covered her daughter's ears. And gave Lex a death glare. "Language! My little girl from the future is here!"

"Sorry, Tailtiu," Lex said. Though he didn't look very sorry. He looked on the verge of laughing.

Arthur appeared. His hand protective at Tine's shoulder.

"Oh, and this is our other future kid. He constantly wants to fight people. I think he got that from your side of the family, Azelle," Tailtiu said.

"Maybe Lex rubbed off on him. I'm sure he demanded to be godfather," Azelle said.

"I'm sure I did. I bet I spoiled you kids rotten," Lex said.

"Um, actually you..." Tine's voice was very soft.

"...Died in the battle of Bellhalla, alongside your wife."

"At least I went down in a blaze of glory," Lex said. His voice was surprisingly casual for such dire topic.

"And wife, you said? So Ayra and I do get together."

"Yes, and you have twins."

"I thought those two looked familiar. Ayra didn't want to talk about it. She even blushed. I should've known," Lex said.

"Anyways, I can fix that now. You want a pony?" Lex said.

"A-A pony?!"

Arthur appeared on the battlefield at the side, his tome in hand.

"What about you, Arthur? I'll go buy you a pony," Lex said.

"I could better protect Tine with more mobility," Arthur said thoughtfully.

"Good, consider it done. Ponies for everyone," Lex said.

"Even me?" Tailtiu said.

"Everybody means everybody. Except Reinhardt. He already has one."

Tine giggled at that.

"Oh, wow. How cute. You really are a sweet girl. And Arthur looks like he's taken wonderful care of his sister," Azelle said.

"Um, thank you..." Tine said shyly.

"I'm bushed. We should all go eat," Tailtiu said.

"But we just came from lunch," Tine said.

Tailtiu waved that away. "Oh, if you're any daughter of mine, I bet you have plenty of room for more," Tailtiu said.

"I suppose a little more won't hurt," Tine admitted.

"See, I knew it. I'm so proud of you," Tailtiu said.

And she gave Tine another hug.

*

Reinhardt was an imposing figure, even scary to many. Though in Askr he usually was busy in the libraries,doing guard duty or other rounds, or spending time with Olwen, or Princess Ishtar.

This time, he had an armful of what would be lunch, she presumed, considering what part of the marketplace they were at. Though she couldn't see in the satchel.

Reinhardt smiled. "Tine, there you are. I'm glad to see you're all right. I take it you are more accustomed to Askr now?"

His voice was deep and calm. She had always felt comforted in his presence, and now was no different.

(At least, once she got used to him. When she first met him, he'd been kind of scary. Ishtar had always told her that Reinhardt was the kindest man she'd ever met, and would never hurt her. And he proved that a thousand times over in the way he protected her from Queen Hilda again and again. He would ensure she was never in the same room with Queen Hilda, and keep her seated far away from the queen's wrath.)

"Yes, I'm getting used to it. Though the amount of festivals can be quite overwhelming. There's just so many...Bunnies for spring, swimming during summer, a harvest festival, and so many more. I can hardly keep up with them. Mother loves to attend all the festivals, though she always forgets a costume," Tine said.

"Yes, they do get rather into such affairs," Reinhardt said dryly.

"You don't attend them much," Tine said.

"I did once go dancing. I felt the need to escort Princess Ishtar, you see."

He smiled fondly at the memory. "Ah, what a night it was. I took her hand and we danced until quite late."

"It sounds like a fun night," Tine said.

"Ah, it was. Do you dance, Tine? If you wish, I shall teach you some steps."

"I never learned. But I should like to," Tine said.

"Consider it done."

"Will Olwen come too?"

"Of course, she would not have it any other way. She's asked of you often ever since you were summoned here, and well before in fact."

Arthur was near her in a second. Reinhardt's gaze was cold upon him. She could feel the static in the air as they faced each other down. Like a storm was brewing.

"I trust that you are not scaring her and bothering her?" Reinhardt said icily.

"Who are you? And who are you to ask about Tine?"

"Reinhardt Schutaeze of Friege," Reinhardt said. His voice was noticeably sharper as he sized Arthur up with his dark eyes.

Usually, just a mention of his name would cause most anyone (but Julius and Kempf) to back down. But Arthur was not quite so easily swayed.

"Who you are doesn't matter. You are of Friege," Arthur said. His voice grew bitter.

Reinhardt studied Arthur.

"And so must you be a relative of House Friege. You gained the distinctive looks. Are you related?"

"I am. Who are you to ask?" Arthur said coldly.

Tine stepped between them, before thunder started flying.

"It's okay, Arthur! Reinhardt protected me back then. He was like the older brother I never had."

"But, I'm your older brother," Arthur said.

"I didn't even know you existed then. I was so alone. But, Reinhardt was always kind to me. He watched out for me. He even...helped protect me from Queen Hilda."

Ishtar and Ishtore had also been kind, but they hadn't realized just how hard living under the rule of the House which had killed her mother had been. They didn't know what Queen Hilda was like.

"And Olwen, his sister, she was always so kind to me too. She said I was like a little sister to her, and that she'd crush anyone who ever made me cry."

She smiled at the memory. Olwen had even made a fist with her hand to emphasis the point.

"I'm glad to see you've found more of your family then," Reinhardt said.

And just like that, the tension of thunder in the air ceased.

"...I apologize for my coldness. House Friege stole everything from me," Arthur said.

"No offense taken. I am glad to see Tine is not so alone any longer."

He paused a beat before he continued. "I should return to my sister."

"Why don't you stay with us?" Tine said shyly.

"I promised I'd meet up with my sister--and I wished to check upon Princess Ishtar again. She's rather sorrowful as of late. I should hope to lighten her mood, if for but a moment."

Princess Ishtar hadn't integrated into Askr quite as well as Reinhardt had. Julius was in Askr, but he now lived in a cave and was incapable of human interaction, and was so consumed and corrupted by the dragon Loptous that he only left his cave to fight. And Ishtore hadn't been summoned yet, either. Though Queen Hilda had, much to Tine's displeasure.

At least Queen Hilda couldn't harm or torment them via contracts, and spent most of her time scheming with other people as vile as herself.

Tailtiu leaned in, a silly little smile on her face.

"Whatcha doing, sweetie? Did you make a friend?"

"Ah, I was just going," Reinhardt said.

"Stay already," Arthur said. "I owe you one for taking care of my sister."

"I must return to my liege and sister," Reinhardt said.

"Oh, that's easy. Bring them along! They're part of Friege, right? It'll be neat to meet more people from future Friege," Tailtiu said.

"I am not sure 'neat' is the word I would use, but I shall ask them if they wish to join you," Reinhardt said.

*

The table was quite noisy and bustling by now.

To her surprise, Princess Ishtar had come, and Olwen as well. Ishtar still didn't look too good, but between being fussed over by Reinhardt and the lively table, her spirits seemed to lift, at least a little.

Olwen and Arthur almost came to blows over portions, (much to Reinhardt's and Lex's amusement). Tailtiu and Azelle sat together, Lex right beside them.

"Oh, is that Ayra? She looks so much like Larcei," Tine said.

"That she is. She's one hell of a beauty," Lex said.

"Go on, invite her," Tailtiu urged.

"Mother, we're running out or room," Tine said.

"That's okay, we can just scoot over. Or some people can just climb into each other's laps. Isn't that right, Azelle? Or should I call you future husband?"

Azelle blushed, unable to even speak. Lex laughed so hard he slapped the table. With a mischievous grin, Tailtiu climbed into Azelle's lap and draped herself over him.

"See~ Plenty of room for Ayra now. Bring her in."

"Oh, they learned the future?" Ishtar said.

"Yes, Tine told them of what is to come, both good and bad. Are you curious?"

"I....I am afraid that have no future to reveal," Ishtar said. Her voice was filled with sorrow.

"We are in Askr now. The future is before us, and a new path," Reinhardt said.

"Yes, you're right. Still...I wish Ishtore and Liza were here," Ishtar said.

"I shall beseech the summoner to summon them once more," Reinhardt said.

"You've been asking?"

"Nearly every day. I am sure Kiran is tired of seeing me by now."

"I doubt it. Kiran always sings your praises for how much you help. She must have a soft spot for Reinhardt, considering how many versions of him are around," Olwen said.

"I... see," Ishtar said. Her brow furrowed. She looked towards Reinhardt uncertainly. "I did not realize you and Kiran were so...close."

"I doubt Kiran would show such favoritism, sister," Reinhardt said.

"Are you kidding? Have you seen how many Lyns and Camilla's are hanging around here?" Olwen said.

"And all of them are quite helpful to Askr society, I would presume," Reinhardt said.

"Most of them at least," Olwen said.

As the princess of Isaach walked by, Lex got up from the table.

"He's going to get a sword in the face, that's what he's going to get," Olwen said.

"A man like him would probably enjoy it," Reinhardt said.

Olwen covered her mouth with her hand. "You're probably right."

"Oh, he definitely would," Tailtiu said. Azelle nodded, still unable to speak.

More familiar faces passed by.

"Ah, Fee. I didn't see you there," Arthur said.

"And Ced, too," Tine said.

"Is that your girlfriend, sweetie?" Tailtiu said. Azelle was still so overcome that he could barely speak.

"Er--She gave me a ride. We're..." Arthur couldn't quite describe what they were.

"Sit down, sit down. Friends of my kids are always welcome," Tailitu said, from her perch on Azelle.

"There's not a lot of room," Ced said dryly.

"Then we'll just have to scoot in," Lex said. He'd returned with Ayra.

"I daresay more laps will have to be filled," Reinhardt said.

"Not mine," Olwen said. She took another portion of food, right away from Arthur.

"Perhaps you might consider sharing," Arthur said.

"Perhaps not," Olwen said.

Olwen looked straight at him and took a bite of the drumstick she'd swiped.

"It's a fight you won't win. Trust me, I've had many a dinner with my sister. Never get between her and a meal, lest you wish for death," Reinhardt said wryly.

Olwen took a big bite, and nearly choked when another familiar face came into view. She swallowed, nearly coughing.

"Are you all right, Lady Olwen?"

"I'm fine, I just got a little carried away. Anyways, Fred, you're finally here. I didn't even see that you were summoned."

"Yes, I just got here. I was trying to find out and--I found all of Friege, and then some."

"It is rather crowded, even cramped, one would say," Olwen said.

"But I rather like it," Tine said.

And how it summed up her life now. Rather crowded, but full and happy.

"Come on, sit down--"

"There's no room, I'm afraid."

"More to be made."

"More laps to be filled," Tailtiu said. Her tongue was between her teeth, too silly to stop.

"Laps?" Fred said.

"I'll make room," Olwen said.

Fred looked to Olwen, then Reinhardt.

"...I shall die soon, but I will die happy," Fred said quietly.

Though Reinhardt paid him no heed. He was too busy, his arm at the side of the table, ready to dire thunder anyone who got too close to his liege. It was as it ever was with him.

And they found room. In a crowded little bench in a world of Askr. This was the kind of thing Tine never got to experience back in her world. The lively, bustling family that tragedy had taken from her. Mother, slowly killed by Queen Hilda. Father and Lex, dead at Bellhalla, before Tine had ever had a chance to now them. Ishtore and Liza died at Melgen. Despite the many times she'd tried to reach out to Ishtar, she'd chosen death in the end. Reinhardt had fallen in battle at the river Thracia. And Arthur she had lost many years with. So many years she'd been alone.

Such a lively place, full of godfather, friends, family. She wasn't alone any longer.


Author's note: MAY EVERYONE THAT READS THIS INSTANTLY GET TINE AND AZELLE AS FREE SUMMONS IN FEH IF YOU PLAY. <3<3<3

I'd say Tailtiu, but let's be honest. Everybody has a +10 Tailtiu sitting in their barracks, just waiting to be used when Hilda comes back around in GHB revivals.