And One More
Chapter One
Robin stood perfectly still, despite the nagging itch from the collar of the formal robes he'd been asked to wear. In his outstretched palms, a lavish, velvety, sapphire pillow with gold trim held up an ornate silver band which sported a ludicrously large blue gemstone, featuring an equally absurdly spectacular design of the Brand of the Exalt.
"...in sickness and in health, so long as you both shall live?" Libra finished, eyes concentrated but joyous.
"I do!" Sumia replied excitedly. Robin smiled, he could practically see the joy bubbling up to her face as Chrom took the ring from the pillow and slid it on to her finger, whereupon their eyes locked in a pair of fawning stares.
"Then by the power vested in me by the might of the Divine Dragon, Naga," Libra picked up the book he had been reading and clapped it shut in his hand, "I now pronounce you man and wife."
The elaborate, ivory-colored walls of the castle erupted with cheers and applause. Lissa was inconsolable as she wept puddles of joyful tears onto the floors and ruined scores of handkerchiefs. The men and women of the Shepherds, as well as those of the noble houses of Ylisse began to stand and approach the bride and groom, extending handshakes and congratulatory hugs and kisses, from the more eccentric among them. As they finished their congratulations, each began to pour into a colossal hall which had been adorned with beautiful crystal and gold chandeliers which shone like second sun. Music began to play and the whole building was consumed with the cacophony of a hundred separate voices.
Robin was... distressed? Uncertain? He couldn't put it to words. He was, of course, delighted for Chrom, but an odd sense of remorse began to clutch at him. A sense of emptiness and lack of fulfillment which seemed to tighten his stomach. He sat alone in a corner of the hall as the party carried on gladly.
Chrom continued to shake hands and nod his head as the elder nobles advised him, a glass of champagne far from unattended in his hand. Sumia hung at his side smiling sweetly, not daring to speak or move, for fear of exposing her lack of any conceivable tact. Slowly, the gray-haired men began to fade from view, and Chrom caught a glimpse of his tactician sitting alone, staring contemplatively at nothing. He beckoned his wife to follow him as he strode over to his friend. "Robin!" he announced affably, excitement and contentment painted on his face, "What are you doing back here? Why don't you join the others? Laugh a little, have a bite to eat or something to drink."
"Uh... My stomach is a bit unsettled at present, thank you," Robin covered weakly.
"There's wine as well. That may loosen you back up," Chrom laughed.
"I... er, don't imbibe, thank you. I'd really just like to remain here until my stomach rights itself," Robin prevaricated, all but pushing his friend out of the way.
"If you say so. Let me know if you need anything," Chrom turned away, Sumia on his arm, leaving before Robin could thank him once more.
"Good choice. Nice and secluded," a sinister voice complimented. A scantily-clad dark mage slid herself down next to Robin.
"Oh, uh, Tharja, was it?" Robin backed away a bit, "Thank you, but I'm feeling a tad ill. You may just want to join the others."
"Forget the others! What are the symptoms of your illness?" her eyes widened.
"Tharja, really, thank you, but it's just a little stomachache. I'll be fine," Robin sighed.
"All right," she settled herself.
"...And I'd like to have some time to myself," he rolled his eyes.
She stood, "Another time, then," and hurried away.
Anna scanned the crowd. It was the size of one of her family reunions! But this wasn't her family. Her sisters were all on separate corners of the world. These were the Shepherds and Ylissean nobility, among whom she hadn't made a single friend except... "Robin?" she poked, taking a seat across from him.
"Look, for the hundredth time, I'd like to be left alone!" Robin breathed.
"Yikes. You're usually so calm, what bee got in your bonnet?" she smirked.
"I- my stomach is upset, that's all," he dismissed.
"Seems to me it's more than your stomach that's upset," Anna pressed.
Robin froze. Could she tell? Would she know anything more about what he was feeling? After all, it seemed to lessen when she was around, "I don't know. I feel strange. I'm happy for Chrom, but at the same time, I feel sort of... lost. What do I do now?"
"Seems like your memory loss is causing some 'I-don't-have-a-homesickness," she grinned.
"This isn't funny," he pouted, "It... hurts. In a way I can't seem to address."
Anna raised her index finger to her chin and thought a moment, "Maybe you'd care to go on a little journey, to take your mind off of armies and Exalts?"
"I suppose that couldn't hurt. I do like to travel," Robin considered.
"Maybe meet a little lady, that you can take home to Uncle Chrom," Anna teased.
He blushed, "Anna!"
"What? Ask any of the girls and they'll agree, you need to let your hair down a little. And your cloak, if you catch my drift," she cast a sardonic smile.
Robin's face flared an even deeper crimson, "Honestly, is this what you all talk about during a war?"
"You won't hear me complaining. Gossip's a currency, too, in a way. Maribelle thinks you're probably really muscular under that robe and Olivia says she likes your hair. She says she thinks you're cute, Robin. What do you think of that?" Anna continued.
"I think hearing talk of Maribelle fantasizing alone is worth some decent coin," Robin dodged.
"Hello!" Anna lightly tapped her knuckles on his forehead, "What about the lovely, voluptuous dancer who thinks you're cute?"
"That's... I don't know, nice of her, I just- Anna, this feels strange..." Robin's eyes searched the room.
"Don't try to push me away! What about the super busty, super-obssessed-with-you dark mage? Why did you turn her down?" Anna leaned in.
"She's sweet, I suppose, but she's crazy, Anna! She asked Gaius to steal a hair from my pillow, for Naga's sake! Now, I'm done answering these silly questions!" he growled frustratedly.
"Oh, I get it," Anna tapped her index finger on her forehead, a knowing smile playing across her face.
"Get what?" Robin cocked an eyebrow.
"You don't have to be all embarrassed about it. It's kinda sweet, in a way. I suppose Chrom's got a rather captivating air about him..." she looked at the Shepherds' captain.
Robin's face was now indiscernible from a ripe tomato, "Anna, you will stop that line of thinking right there! I do NOT, uh, go that way."
"Oh yeah?" she smirked, "I've yet to see proof to the contrary." She stood, "Hey everyone, Robin is-"
He leapt over the table and draped his arms around her, locking her into a kiss to silence her. Breaking it, he followed her announcement, "taking a leave of absence. With Anna. Yes, I'll be leaving Ylisse for a while." The eagerly attentive crowd returned to what they had been doing, unimpressed. He turned to Anna, whose turn it was to blush now, "Are you insane?"
"Says the man who jumped a girl to keep her quiet," she scoffed. "And prove a point, I hope," she whispered.
He sighed and rolled his eyes, "I guess I'm coming with you for certain now, then. When do we leave?"
"At the second crow of the rooster tomorrow morning," Anna patted his head. He stood to leave, but she placed a hand on his shoulder, "It wasn't exactly smooth, but that was a pretty nice move. Thanks," she winked before striding out herself.
Chrom ran over to his tactician, "Robin, what was that all about?"
"I'm not sure, myself, honestly," he stared at Anna as she left.
"Don't be ridiculous, you don't have to hide it from me. I think Anna's a wonderful woman. I'm glad you've found someone, too. I only wish you would have told me sooner," Chrom patted his dearest friend on the back.
"It's not really like that..." Robin knew his response would be ignored.
"Nonsense, you just shared a kiss! She seemed to enjoy it, too. Seems your more of a romantic than I thought," Chrom chuckled.
Robin exhaled sharply and began to walk out, "I need some rest."
"I imagine you do. Sumia and I will be getting some 'rest' tonight, too. Won't we dear?" he smiled suggestively at his wife, who nodded, blushing.
"Gods, what is with everyone today?!" Robin stormed out of the palace.