Chapter Text
Aymeric’s office door burst open, making him jump, a blot of ink landing on the document he was about to sign off on. Ameline strode in, looking windswept with eyes flashing as she planted both hands on his desk.
“We are leaving. Now.”
The gears in his head jammed as he looked up at her.
“Leaving? Why? Where? Darling, what’s going on?” He scrambled to follow in her wake as she stomped out of the room and made her way to the building entrance. “Did your mother do something again?” She flung the doors open with a well-placed Aero, revealing three saddled chocobos ready for travel. He saw her pause, and look around.
“Oh, no you don’t…” She growled as Aymeric caught up, and she raised her cane. There was a yelp and from a rooftop hurtled Estinien, clearly against his will. Once he was (relatively) safe on cobbled ground, Ameline swung herself onto a bird and glared down at both of them. “Come on, I don’t want to stay here any longer than we have to.”
Estinien and Aymeric looked at each other in bewilderment.
“Dearest,” Aymeric coughed after a moment. “I cannot simply leave on a moment’s notic-”
Ameline cut him off with a look that clearly indicated that she was only a heartbeat away from tearing Ishgard down stone by stone with her bare hands if they did not do what she said. Aymeric looked back at the Congregation doors to see Handeloup, Lucia, and several other knights gathered there, watching them. A couple of the junior knights flinched as Ameline shifted her glare towards them.
“We will hold the fort, milord.” Lucia said with a bow. Aymeric and Estinien looked at each other again, then mounted their own chocobos in defeat. Without another word, Ameline spurred her bird into a full run towards the Arc of the Worthy.
It was a rare clear and sunny day in Coerthas, but the relatively warm weather couldn’t distract either man from the questions that pulled on their tongues. Ameline, however, didn’t give them time to ask them.
As soon as they were past the Gates of Judgement, instead of heading west towards Dragonhead, Ameline wheeled around eastwards, nearly leaving the other two in a cloud of fresh powdery snow. Estinien clearly had enough, and followed as fast as his mount could go, with Aymeric following close behind.
It wasn’t until they nearly reached the entrance to Dannifen Pass that Ameline had slowed down enough for the others to catch up.
“What in the seven hells is going on, Ameline?!” Demanded Estinien as he rode around to block her way. “I hadn’t even knocked on the manor door when you dragged me to the Congregation and stormed in for Aymeric!”
“And as much as I appreciate the change of scenery, I too would like an explanation.” Added Aymeric, pulling alongside her. He watched as her grip on the reins tightened, her hands shaking until…
“I AM GOING TO KILL THAT WOMAN SOMEDAY!” She roared, her voice echoing through the valley and shocking a flock of birds into flight. Both men looked at each other in surprise, then back at Ameline as she huffed for a few moments… Then slumped in her saddle as if someone had cut her strings. The other two quickly moved their chocobos closer and reached out for her.
“What happened?” Asked Aymeric in a low voice, taking one of her hands while Estinien stroked her shoulder.
“I had stopped by Fortemps Manor for tea, and Edmont had mentioned that my mother had been bemoaning my absence to whoever would listen. So…” A heavy sigh left her even more deflated. “I went over.”
Estinien and Aymeric exchanged a look. Lady Asturmaux was a notorious entity amongst the lower houses. Self-absorbed and clueless to any whims outside her own, she viewed her only child as little more than a doll she could dress up and play matchmaker with. Thanks to that, Ameline declared that she had developed an allergy to ruffles and lace, glaring at anyone who dared to question a fully trained White Mage. Both Estinien and Aymeric had witnessed her grumbling over new sets of robes, doggedly ripping out any offending accents and piecing the parts back together in a more suitable style.
“Full glad am I to see that you managed to return to us hive-free.” Estinien said solemnly, though Aymeric caught his jaw flexing with the effort to hide a smile.
“I haven’t been to see my parents since… Since we stormed the Vault. I thought they’d be interested in hearing about what I’ve done around the Star since then. At least Father had the good manners to look mildly interested when I told them about Nidhogg, liberations, and even visiting another swiving world! But Mother? The moment I finish, she’s pulling out one of those horrible scrapbooks with more grotesque dresses she wants to put me in, and tells me she’s been talking to House Beauchemin about marrying their third son. You know, Didier? That fop that makes Emmanellain look like a brave and competent hero?” Both men groaned and rolled their eyes in genuine sympathy.
“Were you able to tell her that you’re already involved with us?” Aymeric asked softly. Another heavy sigh.
“I tried to tell her I was already involved with someone , but she didn’t pay attention since I didn’t give specifics. Clearly whoever I’m with isn’t good enough if I chose him, and I’m loath to give names lest she start clawing at either of you for coin and favors. Besides, she’d start wedding planning and…” A shudder ran through all three of them. They had already agreed that if they were to move to that next step, they’d find a discreet way to throw Lady Asturmaux in a gaol before anything was announced, and only let her out once the honeymoon was over. Ameline shook herself, sitting up a little straighter. “I left shortly after that, and…”
Both men nodded, and Estinien straightened up in his saddle.
“Well, now that we’re all caught up, where are you leading us, my lady?” He grinned. Ameline smiled back, and Aymeric kissed her hand before letting her fingers slip through his.
“Gridania. Spring has arrived in the Shroud, and I will not let another Hatching-tide go by without you two by my side!” Her voice was full of spirit again, warming both men’s hearts as she urged her mount forward.
“Wouldn’t it have been faster to go through Dragonhead and the Observatorium, Dear?” Aymeric frowned, looking at the road ahead that curved into Dannifen Pass.
“I’m allowed to take the scenic route sometimes.” She said with a faux haughty air, making her lovers chuckle.
“Aye, that you are, love.” Said Estinien, and both men let her take the lead, now more at ease with where they were going.