Columbine and Honeysuckle Chapter 1
Author's Notes: This is to be the first in several chapters of a story that depicts the growing bond between Robin and Lucina during the events of Fire Emblem: Awakening. Having never written a story this large before (I hope to have about 12-14 chapters by the time i'm finished.) starting this adventure is a touch daunting, but I hope to produce a story that people can have a good time reading.
Try as he might, Robin was unable to focus on his study of Naval warfare. All he could currently think about was how he had been so utterly outsmarted by Lucina. Once he had seen who 'Marth' really was, he had cursed himself mentally for not seeing who she was. Robin noticed that she left deliberate clues so that Chrom could figure out the truth… her blade identical to Chrom's… her answer to where she learned swordplay from… her knowledge of the covered cleft in the castle wall. And yet he failed to figure out the puzzle like Chrom had. He found her use of half veiled deception intriguing and yet frustrating at the same time.
But she was also from a future where Chrom and his shepherds had all died, leaving Lucina to lead an ultimately futile battle to save humanity. Perhaps if he asked her, she might tell him information that would be useful in their efforts…
His mind made up, he decided to seek her out. He saw that Lucina was near the helm of their ship speaking to Chrom about the future, and how time seemed to favor its original course. He took a moment to observe her before coming closer up to speak with her. She was moderately tall, with a petite frame and long flowing hair that came from her mother. But the way she wore her Falchion and the look of tempered steel in her blue eyes made him think that he was looking at a second Chrom.
As she spoke of how time might find a different way to end Chrom's life, Robin could see the amount of doubt that was eating at her despite her father's efforts to console her. He went to open his mouth to speak but Chrom asked Lucina a question…
"Do you know how I die?"
"I know only of the rumors..." Lucina said with a shake of her head. "I was told you fell in a great battle, in an attempt sway your destiny. ...but you were murdered—betrayed by someone dear to you."
With those words he felt a surge of pain through his head that threatened to keel himself over. Chrom asked what was wrong, but the pain passed quickly enough for Robin to brush it off and walk away as he heard Frederick call out to Chrom that the Pegasus knight scouts were returning. Confused about what had just happened he decided that perhaps another time would be a better chance to approach Lucina about the events of the future…
When Lucina first saw Robin and Chrom talk tactics, she was intrigued by how close the two were. Despite the difference of social status they talked freely and without restraint. Robin did not want Chrom to lead the planned assault on the General of the Valmese fleet, but Chrom laughed it off and said no one could make him stay behind, which only improved Robin's confidence in the plan. To her eyes the bond that they shared was incredible. What surprised her the most was how little stock Robin gave destiny.
"We're not pawns of some scripted fate Chrom. I believe we're more. Much more." Robin said thoughtfully.
"What do you mean?" Chrom asked. Robin took a few moments before speaking again.
"There's some connection… Something that keeps us together... Like...invisible ties that keeps us together and gives us strength... Connections we forged and maintained together. we strengthen them. If we preserve them, or break them, it will be our choice, not made for us by some 'destiny'."
Chrom looked at Robin seriously for a few moments before he erupted into a belly laugh that Lucina hadn't heard in years.
"I think this salty air might have gone to your head Robin!" Chrom said jokingly.
"Hah, fine! I'll stop with the philosophy for today!" Robin said as he bowed mockingly.
Despite how everyone else approved of the plan Robin had conceived, the conversation made Lucina feel off edge. Didn't Robin and Father both see that the future of despair was still looming over them and that the death of Emmeryn despite her actions was proof that destiny was a very powerful thing?
And the fact that Robin was so obviously close to Chrom made her feel that he was a likely candidate for being Chrom's murderer. And the knowledge that she never got to know Robin growing up roused her suspicions further. She would have to speak to Robin very soon so she could figure out Robin's intentions. She hoped that she could trust Robin, but if she found him lacking he would not remain alive for long.
She wouldn't lose her father. Not a second time.
And that's Chapter 1, not that exciting since it's just the start of how Robin and Lucina first take notice of each other. Any comments and ideas to improve the quality of my work would be greatly appreciated.
