In the Northern Fortress of Nohr, a girl awoke to her retainers standing beside her bed. "Time to wake up, Lady Lauren!" said one of them, a maid named Dia. Another maid named Kathlyn stood over her, a smile on her face. "Hey, wake up, Lady Lauren! Up and at 'em!" Lauren was tempted to try and sleep just a little longer, but she knew her retainers would just drag her out of bed, so she did as they told her. She looked out the window, yawning. "What are you talking about? It's still dark outside." "Listen well, Princess," Gunter said. "It may be dark, but it is indeed morning. You have practice today." Right. Occasionally, her father, King Garon, would allow her out of the fortress to train with her oldest brother, Nick. "I have taken the liberty of readying your armor, and, er, pounding out the dents. Your brother is a fearsome opponent, is he not?" Jakob, her butler, said. Lauren sighed, smiling just a bit. "Fine. I'm still not completely awake though..." "Oh, we can help you with that!" Dia said cheerfully. "Kathlyn, would you please assist me?" "Sure thing!" Kathlyn said, and they both put a hand to Lauren's face. Lauren yelped at the sudden cold and blinked the sleep out of her eyes. "Cold cold cold! I'm awake! Totally awake now!" Dia and Kathlyn were from the Ice Tribe, so of course it felt colder than usual. Lauren stood up, rubbing her cheeks in an attempt to get the warmth back to them. "That's how we deal with slugabeds in the Ice Tribe!" Dia said, smirking. "Trust me, I know," Lauren said. That was how they usually woke her up when she didn't want to get out of bed. "I wish I could've finished the dream I was having though..." "Interesting," Jakob said. "Do tell—what kind of dream was it?" "It was... strange," Lauren began. "Some people who looked like Hoshidans kept calling me their sister. But all of my siblings are here in Nohr..." Dia tensed up slightly, though she quickly covered it up with a smile. "Ah, Lady Lauren, perhaps we should talk about your dream another time?" "It's time for you to get going, milady," Kathlyn said. "Prince Nicholas is waiting for you!" Lauren was confused as to why they dismissed her dream so quickly, but nevertheless, they were right. She didn't want to be late. She hurried off to get ready, still wondering what her dream could've meant.

~

Later, on the roof of the fortress, Nick and Lauren fought back and forth, while Carlos stood nearby observing their training. Lauren had yet to land a direct hit, yet Nick had done so many times. "That's our brother for you," Carlos said. "You won't beat the strongest knight in Nohr by sleeping all day, Lauren." "Giving up so soon, Lauren?" Nick said, raising an eyebrow. "I expect more of you. You are a princess of Nohr! Pick up your sword and try again." "But Nick, I-" Lauren started, but she was quickly interrupted. "We train like this so that we can defend ourselves from our enemies. Father has been tracking your progress. If you can't land a hit on me today... he may never permit you to leave the Northern Fortress. Ever," Nick said, his words like ice. He was right. If Lauren wasn't successful, King Garon may never let her out of the fortress. She'd be stuck there for the rest of her life, with only her retainers and her siblings to keep her company. Nick saw the look on Lauren's face and spoke. "Motivated, are we? Then use that fire to best me in battle, little Princess." Fine then. If this was how she had to be allowed outside, then so be it. Lauren charged forward, her sword hitting Nick's armor with a loud clang. Nick wasn't going to make this easy, however. He lunged at Lauren, acting as though they were enemies on the battlefield. This was necessary, though. If they didn't fight with the intention to inflict damage, then they wouldn't get anywhere. Lauren backed away to recover, then attacked again. They kept at it until finally Lauren had pierced Nick's armor, making sure not to wound him.

"Well done, Lauren," Nick said. "You're getting stronger every day." Lauren smiled. "Thanks, Nick. I couldn't have done it without your, uh, tough love." She really couldn't have, if she were being completely honest. Nick shook his head. "I disagree. I believe you have natural talent. Someday, you could be the greatest warrior in all of Nohr." Lauren sighed. "Now you're just teasing me." "You know me, Lauren. I never joke about serious matters. I mean what I say. You could be the one to bring light to our kingdom so long shrouded in darkness," Nick said. Carlos rolled his eyes. "Typical. You do know that true strength is more than simple swordplay, right?" "Carlos, he didn't mean-" Lauren said. Nick chuckled. "Calm yourself, little brother. You really are competitive to a fault. As I've always said, you're a talented mage with formidable magic abilities." "Hmm. Well, just remember that pointy metal sticks are not the only path to power," Carlos said. "Oh, that reminds me of something I've been needing to tell you, Carlos," Lauren said. "Something important enough to derail this conversation?" Carlos asked. Lauren hesitated, a slight smile on her face. "Well... your collar is inside out." "What?!" Carlos exclaimed. It was indeed inside out. "It would appear someone got dressed while still half-asleep," Nick said, smiling. "Ugh! Why didn't you say something earlier?!" Carlos said, rushing off to fix his collar. "Haha, sorry Carlos," Nick said as he left. "But that sort of thing is what makes you so very lovable." Lauren turned, seeing Ollie and Ethan nearby. Carlos soon returned as the other two approached. "Are you alright, Lauren?" Ollie asked. "Did you get hurt at all during practice? If you did, let me know right away so I can take extra-special care of you." "I'm perfectly fine, Ollie. As always, thanks for your concern," Lauren replied. "I was worried about you too, Lauren!" Ethan said. Lauren laughed. "I know, Ethan. You wouldn't visit me all the time if you didn't care so much, right?" Ethan smiled sheepishly. "Do you like when I visit?" "Of course!" Lauren said. "I'm not allowed to leave this fortress, so visits are all I look forward to!"
"Yay! I'm glad to hear that. Spending time with my sister makes me so happy!" Ethan exclaimed. Carlos sighed, smiling. "Ethan, when do you intend to behave like the adult that you technically are?" "Well, I for one think his cheer is a good complement to this gloomy kingdom, Carlos," Ollie said. "Well said, Ollie. Every one of you is so dear to me," Lauren agreed. "You've all been so patient and mind since I lost my memory. I don't even mind being quarantined when I'm with you. I'm so grateful to have you all." Nick smiled. "We are grateful to have you as well. But, Lauren, I have some-"
"Let me tell her, Nick!" Ollie butted in. "We have wonderful news, Lauren! Father asked us to take you back to the capital!" "Really?!" Lauren exclaimed. "Does that mean...?"

"Yes. It means you can finally leave tis drafty fortress," Ollie said. "You must have been so lonely all this time, separated from the rest of the world. But now you'll be free!" "Isn't that wonderful?!" Ethan spoke up, a big smile on his face. Lauren smiled back, surprised by the news. "It... It really is. Thanks, Ethan. Wow... I'm finally leaving this place... Maybe now I can join you all as a soldier, fighting for Nohr?" "There will be plenty of time to discuss the details with Father. Let us depart," Nick said.

And so, they prepared to leave the fortress. When they arrived at the first floor, Lauren's retainers were already there, as well as Lilith, her attendant. Lilith stepped forward, a smile on her face. "I hear you can finally leave the fortress. You must be very happy, Lady Lauren. Gunter has asked me to go with you to the capital so I can look after your horses." "Glad to hear it! I'd miss you if you weren't coming along too," said Lauren. "Lilith, are the horses ready?" Nick asked. Lilith nodded. "Yes, milord. Everything is ready, and the horses seem excited for the trip. They are all very fond of Lady Lauren. Probably from all her time in the stables." Ollie giggled. "Our Lauren does love animals. Such a kindhearted soul. Why, she even nursed an injured baby bird back to health one time!" Lilith hesitated, whispering something to herself under her breath. Lauren noticed this and became concerned. "Lilith, is something wrong?" she asked. Lilith shook her head. "Oh... no. It's nothing." "Isn't it obvious, Lauren? Lilith is sad because she's going to miss you!" Ethan said. Lauren furrowed her brow. "Miss me? But she's coming with us." "Oh, right!" Ethan said, giggling slightly out of embarrassment. "Well then, I bet she's sad cuz she won't have you all to herself anymore. You've always been especially fond of our sister, haven't you, Lilith?" Lilith flushed, though whether it was out of embarrassment or anger was hard to tell. "I, er-" she stammered, finding herself unable to continue. "As gripping as all this is, we should be on our way. We mustn't keep Father waiting," Nick scolded them. "Yes, let's go!" Lauren said. "Dia, you and Jakob will remain here to watch over the fortress. Kathlyn and I will accompany Lady Lauren," Gunter said. "We may be gone for some time. Take good care of the place." Dia nodded. "Of course! You may rely on us." Jakob smiled at Lauren. "I wish you safe travels, Lady Lauren." "Thank you," Lauren replied. "I hope to see you both again soon. Just not here!"

She wasn't particularly excited to see her father, but she was finally leaving the fortress! She'd get to stay in the castle with her siblings, and they'd get to spend more time together! Nothing could go wrong, right? They'd all have fun like a family is supposed to.

Yeah... nothing could ever ruin this day. Not even her father, or Nick scolding her, or Carlos being smug, or Gunter and Kathlyn worrying about her.

She'd be happy with the family she knew and loved.

~

And that's the end of chapter 1! That took forever. Oh yeah you should probably expect another story soon (it's gonna be Voltrooooon) if I decide to actually go ahead and write it. If I don't I'll probably end up doing it tomorrow so yeah.