Hello!
It's been a bit since I've posted anything, so I figured I'd keep myself in practice by starting a short fic (though I'm already five-ish chapters into writing it). Here's a bit of an overview: This will be an avatar x Inigo/Laslow story with a few other couples in it as supporting characters. If you'd like to see a story that focuses more on the whole of the Shepherds, read Shepherd's Song. For now, this is just for fun!
Una is the name of the avatar (Robin) in this story.
Happy reading!
Una didn't understand why she had to march with the rest of the group while her pegasus walked behind. Sure, there was some merit in Chrom's theory that it could give away their position, but that was highly unlikely from this distance. At least, that was one of the thousands of reasons she came up with while truding on her sore feet. Una knew deep down that he was probably right to be cautious, but she was a little bitter about the concerned looks he and Sumia gave when they thought she wasn't looking.
The tactician tucked some of her short, purple hair behind her ear self consciously. She had cut her hair in an attempt to seem older than eighteen, hoping that it would stop the Shepherds from treating her like glass. Maybe it was due to the fact that she was single while the rest of the army was starting families, she was entangled in another war, and the whole Validar situation had caused her to lose sleep.
Fortunately, Una was trying her best to see the glass half full. Sure, she may not be a mother, but she was the godmother to practically all the other children. She didn't know what to do with herself during times of peace, so the war was keeping her busy; She would never admit it, but she had grown to miss the thrill of battle. And Validar...at least he kept her mind off the disappointments that followed her around like a shadow.
Her eyes unconsciously flickered to Lon'qu and Olivia strolling a few feet away from her. Despite the hardships of day to day battle, they seemed so happy together. The usually stoic Lon'qu was looking at her so tenderly, and the beam on Olivia's face was brighter than any spotlight. If Una had been the one holding his hand...As soon as the purple haired girl realized what she was doing, she yanked her gaze away. It had been two years. She had long past accepted the fact that he would never accept her feelings, but why was it that when she woke up late at night, she wanted his arms to comfort her?
Una was pulled from her thoughts when she nearly slipped on a pile of pebbles, causing her to wildly wave her arms around until she regained her balance," Why do mountains...," Una gritted through her teeth, making sure to send Chrom a pointed look," have to be so steep?"
He chuckled at her shenanigans, but it was Olivia who handed their tactician her canteen," Here. Have some water."
"Thank you, Olivia!" Una said loudly, smiling to herself when she heard Chrom break out into a laugh. The two were legends in battle, but outside of the field, she and Chrom were constantly joking with each other. What started as a work relationship quickly shifted into one of solace in a dreadful war. As soon as he had gotten a hold of himself, Una gave Olivia a sincere compliment," Really, you're a lifesaver."
The pink haired dancer snorted," Oh, hardly. I just flail around and pretend to dance."
The eighteen year old tried hard not to roll her eyes. As much as she loved Olivia, the girl was too humble. After all, her dancing had caught the eye of many men. Whenever Una tried to dance, she looked like a risen without a head," Your dancing is spectacular, Olivia! It never fails to pick me up, and you know how much your family adores it."
"Oh, no..."
"I do not jest," She assured," Inigo's eyes always light up whenever you dance for parties. I think he might try to take after you," Una regretted the words as soon as they came out of her mouth, because nothing felt worse than watching the mother deflate," I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking..."
Olivia shook her head and plastered on a solaced smile," It's okay. I just miss him so much."
Thankfully, the moment was interrupted by their leader," The bandit's camp should be at the top of this hill, right Una?" She nodded confidently, having spent half the night studying the map inside and out," Good. They've ravaged surrounding towns with impunity for too long. It ends today."
"Right-"
"Wait, what's that?" Una furrowed her eyebrows, her heart practically leaping into her throat when her eyes landed on their target," Gods, that man is fighting them alone! Come, let's lend him a hand!"
"On it," The purpled haired girl let out a shrill whistle, mounting her pegasus as soon as it trotted over," Chrom, split half the group into offense and the other half into defense. We need to make sure the townspeople are safe. It looks like they have a plethora of dark fliers, so Virion," The aqua haired man perked up at the sound of his name," Lead a unit to take them out. I'll rejoin the group as soon as I make sure the man is alright."
Chrom nodded," Be safe."
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Una flew ahead of the group, too used to flying solo to be nervous about charging in alone. This strategy, while dangerous, was fairly custom for the Shepherds. Since she had a flying unit that could easily scoop up refugees, Una often volunteered herself to scout ahead. It was how she met Gaius, Anna, Henry, Say'ri, Owain, and Cynthia (not that she was counting). This was just part of the routine-
Without warning, a gust of rexcalibur caught her straight in the back. Una gripped the reins as tightly as she could, but the force was enough to effectively push her off of her pegasus, Winnie. One second she was in the air, the next she had landed on the ground with a loud thump.
She didn't give herself any time to recover, instead quickly pushing herself up and flipping open her Thoron and shooting at an approaching brigand," That's what you get, jerk!" Una grumbled as she got to her feet and scanned the sky. Poor Winnie was probably in a frenzy without her-
"Ugh..."
Una's eyes widened in horror and she turned around, only to find a boy with messy brown hair collapsed on the ground," Oh my gods! Are...Are you all right?"
"You...," The brunet roughly pushed himself up," You landed on me!"
The eighteen year old held her hands up in defense," It was an accident, I swear! I would never come up with such a ridiculous strategy-But that's beside the point," Una straightened herself," I'm here to rescue you."
The mercenary choked out a laugh as he regained his footing," You're here to help me? I hate to break it to you, milady, but-" The boy froze as soon as his eyes met hers, and before Una could process what was going on, he had wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her in the air," It's you! The strategy bit gave you right away!"
Una squeaked in surprise, immediately reminded of Owain's enthusiastic response when he was first reunited with her. There was a possibility that she had unintentionally stumbled across another one of the future children, but this one's actions had flustered her so much that she fumbled for the proper response," Who birthed you-I mean," He finally stopped spinning, giving her a good chance to look at his face. He was handsome, that was for sure, but that thought alone was beyond inappropriate," Sorry. Why don't we start off with names?" She cleared her throat awkwardly and whispered," You can also put me down."
The brunet smiled giddily and placed her back on the ground, placing his hands on his hips as he observed her as a bit of pink tinted his cheeks," You look so-ah, sorry. I shouldn't have overreacted, but...Er, yes. Can we please start over?" She nodded,"...Ahem! It was your ravishing beauty that caught me so off guard, milady!"
Una physically recoiled," What?!"
Apparently that was not the reaction he was expecting, because his face blushed as red as Cordelia's hair," P-please don't stare at me like that. I get so...terribly shy."
The purpled haired girl crossed her arms," Aren't you the one who's been staring at me? And-why did that line seem so familiar?"
"Haha...it is most likely a coincidence! We share a common foe, and I'm grateful for the help. Can you trust me to defend this place?"
"I don't know; You seem to be avoiding my questions," He shrank under her scrutinizing gaze," What exactly are you planning?"
He placed his hand over his heart overdramatically at her accusation," I aim to crush the rascals who make trouble for the village, naturally! And once the lot of them are sorted, it's off to tea with a beauty of the fields. Heh heh heh...Right then! If that's decided, I'll be on my way."
Una watched him practically skip back into the fray, only pulling herself from her shock when she realized what was going on," Hey, hold on! I can help!"
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After being reunited with her pegasus and defeating the brigands, Una found herself following the mysterious boy through the Shepherds. He had fought far too brilliantly to be a simple villager, and his drive as he wove himself in between people made it seem like he was looking for someone. He definitely had to be someone's child, so the real question now was...who?
The mercenary finally stopped in his tracks, seemingly locked in on his target," Um... Olivia? Might I have a moment?"
Suddenly, everything clicked in her head. Of course this was Inigo! He had Lon'qu's signature dark hair and sturdy build, was skilled with a sword, and seemed to get just as easily flustered as his mother. It would also explain his reaction after she...well...fell on him. Besides the royal children, Inigo was the one she spent the most time with. Whenever she visited Regna Ferox, the boy was never out of her sight. It comforted her to know that she had a presence in his life as he grew up, even if she died somewhere along the way.
"...Er, yes. You see...," Una shook herself away from her thoughts when Chrom approached her side, sending a subtle nod towards Inigo. She shrugged, even though she had figured it all out in a matter of seconds. This was Inigo's life to share, not hers," What I mean to say is...Goodness, this is much harder than chatting up other girls I've met. I suppose it would be quickest to just show you this..."
Olivia gasped," M-my ring? But... I'm wearing it! How did you...?"
Chrom tilted his head," Did he say-"
"Yes, he's a bit of a philanderer," Una smirked," I don't know how the hell that happened with Lon'qu as his father."
The exalt fell silent at the mention of the swordmaster, his eyes coloring themselves with concern," Are you alright?"
She sighed," Yeah. It's been almost two years, and I am happy for them," Una's lips quirked up when she caught sight of the mother and son hugging and tried to make light of the situation," Besides, I feel that it's unfair if I pay more attention to my pegasus than my potential lover. If it's meant to be, it'll happen. If not..."
"N-no! Impossible!" The pair's conversation was interrupted by Inigo backing closer to them and wildly waving his hands," I'd be far too embarrassed for that! Besides, I'd rather watch you dance."
Olivia's eyes widened to the size of frisbees," What?! N-no! I couldn't possibly!"
"I'm shyer than you are, Mother!"
"You are not!"
The parent and child held an uncomfortably long stare off until the captain stepped in," Alright, would you two stop it already? Now I'm the one who's getting embarrassed..."
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"At last, teatime has arrived!" Inigo sang, rifling through one of the wagon's for a kettle. That pretty girl from the village would be very impressed when he told her about all the bandits he defeated. He felt that he earned himself a sweet kiss, and it wasn't like he had anywhere-
"We're leaving, Inigo."
...to be. The brunet huffed an annoyed groan and sent his most pathetic look towards Chrom," What, right now? B-but...teatime!"
The Exalt's expression remained unimpressed," War is hell, Inigo. Now come with us or be left behind."
Una, on the other hand, seemed much more amused by his theatrical antics," Come on, Inigo. No time to waste!"
"Fine, fine! I'm coming," Satisfied with his response, the two marched ahead to gather up the rest of the troops,"...I suppose there'll be more buttercups blooming along the road ahead."
Okay, so let's clear up some things just in case: Una is eighteen years old (she was 16 during the first war), and is one of the only single Shepherds. She is a bit of a romantic and has had many crushes, her biggest being on Lon'qu. That makes things more than a little complicated, doesn't it? If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment! I love hearing from you guys.
-Uprisingdragon