Chapter Text
The bed was comfortable for her. Well-folded and washed, newly-stuffed pillows, and surrounded by people she loved.
She looked at her children. Ethel, a brave woman and the firstborn, who had quickly taken after her mother’s approach to life. Mylan, a handsome man that inherited his father’s logical thinking to better himself. And Mikasa, the youngest yet possibly the most determined of them all. They were the legacy she and Byleth had created together over the years.
Raising such a large family had proven difficult, no doubt, but she’d loved every moment of it. Their mercenaries were widely successful across the lands, working hard while ensuring no one was left behind. Hardly anyone was unaware of the Blade Breakers’ continued efforts to do the good and bad jobs of Fódlan.
Here, now, she finally believed that peace did in fact exist.
For Shamir Nevrand Eisner was dying.
Surrounded by her three children- all grown-up -along with those who remained including Claude, Hilda, Marianne, Cyril, and Catherine, an elderly Shamir lay in her bed. Her last moments of life were happening right now.
Also present were Seteth and Flayn, the former of whom hardly looked any different. His daughter was now a grown woman, yet still sported many of the same familiar features that she’d had in her supposed youth.
And the last person present was Byleth Eisner, Shamir’s husband for several decades. He too had not physically changed much at all since they met and won a war together, so long ago.
Byleth had figured out around the time of their union that his Divine Dragon blood slowed his aging to the point of near immortality, effectively meaning that he would outlast all of his peers without much effort. He and Shamir had discussed this more than once; ultimately, Shamir had accepted it knowing that Byleth was never an ordinary human to begin with.
It was time for her to go, though she would never be forgotten. All of her hard work over the years- restoring Dagda, quelling the Agarthans, traveling around Fódlan for business, raising her children into worthy mercenaries, maintaining relationships with her friends, and of course being close to her husband -had cemented her name in recorded history forever.
Marianne had already said her prayers, still a practicing woman of faith even at her tender age. As Shamir’s eyes began to fail her, she remembered- barely -how much these people had all affected her life.
Her face began to relax. She had lost the ability to speak some time ago, slowly losing more abilities as she aged. No words could be spoken for those who were still alive to say their last goodbyes, but the smile never left her face.
“Goodbye, Mom!” Mylan spurted aloud.
“I’ll…I’ll miss you…” Mikasa choked up.
“We’ll always love you…” Ethel wiped tears from her blue eyes. “Always and forever.”
With her hearing also failing her, she could only make out her children’s movements via the remaining strength her vision had. They each reacted differently, but all broke down into tears over the loss of their beloved mother.
Moments away from her body giving out, Shamir felt a familiar hand grasp her own. Just before her eyes closed, she bore witness to Byleth’s ever comforting appearance, smiling at her with watery eyes.
Then, everything went dark.
On that day, Shamir Nevrand Eisner passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family alike. A beloved wife, mother, mercenary, knight, and freedom fighter from the faraway land of Dagda who had overcome many impossible odds. A hero that lived her life out to the fullest, and died without any regrets left.
So too were the words spoken in eulogy by Byleth Eisner at the funeral for his beloved. As he stood at the altar, seeing how many people had physically aged while he barely looked any different now made his curious mind wander.
When all was said and done, after Shamir’s body had been entombed by her will, Byleth Eisner said farewell to his children and disappeared. He left behind enough to inform those wondering that all was well, and that he trusted his many allies to carry on without him.
Ultimately, Byleth was never seen again. As his children married and had their own kin, they shared endless stories of what amazing things their own parents had done for Fódlan in recorded history. Scholars too became interested in what had transpired in the time that the so-called “Ashen Demon” and “Distant Archer” had been around.
Some looked back with criticism, feeling that Byleth should have annexed Fódlan as king with Shamir as his queen or royal guard captain. Others felt that King Claude and Queen Hilda should not have let them go easily, reigning their skill sets in for greater use than quiet mercenary lives. Regardless, the pair had left behind an incredible legacy, a story that would be recounted for generations ahead.
All those involved agreed on one thing: Byleth Eisner and Shamir Nevrand had loved each other since the day they met, and that love had shaped a powerful relationship that changed Fódlan forever.
Whether they were saints or war criminals, they had made a difference. And that, scholars agreed, was a beautiful thing.
Fin.