Chapter Text
The setting sun shed a soft pink light on the peonies that covered the hill as far as the eye could see, softly blowing in a breeze which smelt just a little bit like the ocean that she knew laid west of the mountain, just out of view- but not out of reach, not for the seagulls and eagles that flew high above, at the very least.
With a weary sigh, her shoulders relaxed. Sometimes, she wished she was one of those. Alas, the Imperial eagle was nowhere near at her peak, sunbathing above the white cottony clouds. She was still stuck on the ground, as she looked endlessly for the wings she had misplaced.
The wings of the Hegemon.
“Three years today, professor”, she hummed softly. “Come back to us… Come back to me”, she murmured.
“You know someone lives here, right ?”
Edelgard was pulled from her nostalgia as she nearly jumped, and turned to face whoever had spoken. Walking up the slope of the small garden and walking past the cottage, the young’s man bloody grin was illuminated by the same fiery shades which lit up the world around them.
“I… am sorry”, she started, slowly, as she eyed him suspiciously. “I have been hiking for a while, and thought it best to take a break here.
“You’re hiking around with an axe ?” Came the reply. The young man finally reached her, and laid against a tree as he planted what looked to be like a decorated shield into the soft earth. The emperor’s eyes widened a little as she took in what looked like a skull embedded on the surface, before she looked back up at him. From closer, she could see the black and red fabric of his toga was damp, and darkened in some spot. She followed the way the open wounds on his body rose up to his face, up to his mismatched eyes. She squinted a little, trying to figure out if his eye was truly black or if it was just a trick of the light or a bruise.
“And do you often come home covered in blood and half-dead ?” She answered, her tone a bit more curt than she had wanted to- and a little worried, too.
The young man looked down at his strange attire, grimacing as he took in the gravity of his own wounds. It was a miracle he could even stand- it was evident he needed medical attention, and fast. Her disbelief only grew as he shrugged, “Ah, this ? Don’t pay attention, it’s nothing. And it’s my mom’s old place, actually. I just come around to make sure the garden doesn’t fall in complete disarray now that she’s moved back in… It’s a long story. Anyways, I’m here to water the patches of lavender. Name’s Zagreus, you ?”
“I…” She must have looked just as confused as she felt, given the understanding smile he gave her, letting just a little bit of blood trickle down his chin. He couldn’t be much of a threat in that state, she decided, and gave her honest answer. “I am Emperor Edelgard von Hresvelg, leader of the Adrestian Empire.”
“Oh. Aren’t you one of three nations at war ?”, he stated like it was nothing. “My boyfriend mentioned you. Anyways”, he moved to pick up a watering can. “I better get farming.”
Whatever was wrong with this odd character, Edelgard and Hubert could discover it later. However, if he started making strenuous physical efforts now, he would surely perish fast.
“I think not”, she commanded. “You will come back with me to Garreg Mach monastery, where you can be treated for your wounds. Then, we will see about the logistics of your… gardening. You won’t go far in such a poor state.” She watched in horror as he struggled to even lean forward, clutching his arm to his bleeding abdomen. Was he in such a state of shock he didn’t realize that death was coming ? She had seen many strange things on the battlefield, the erratic behaviors of delirious soldiers who knew they would never make it home. Was that the case ?
He grinned, although it was clear he was hurting. “Don’t worry, my boyfriend is coming to pick me up. Oh- ouch, ouch- ouch-” he fell down on the ground. “I’m running out of time already- gods damn it”, he swore under his breath, more annoyed than anything. She rushed to his side and laid him down before tearing the fabric of her red cape to try and make a useless bandage, being stopped by his hand on her forearm. Their eyes met, as he struggle to make out the words:
“Could you water the lavender for me ?”
Her answer was cut short by the chiming of a distant bell. She instinctively looked up to see where it was coming from, and when she looked down, all that was left was blood, so much blood. Blood which drowned the soil so much it couldn’t even seep through. Blood which would water the flowers all around. She didn’t even bother to look around, as a deep sense of dread and certainty washed over her; he was gone.
Another person she had failed to save, she supposed.
She softly let out a tire smile as she raised and grabbed the watering can.
At least she could honor a man’s dying wish.