Hello, Son
"I yield," choked out Corrin as he eyed the sword on his bare neck wearily. His opponent, a white haired young man in a strange cloak- lowered his weapon.
The man smiled pleasantly. "It was quite a refreshing battle. I applaud you, I haven't been pushed this far since- well, since for a very long time." He held out his hand for Corrin to hold. "My name is Robin, a tactician. You are?"
"Corrin, Prince of Nohr," he answered, taking the offered hand.
Robin pulled him up.
"You are quite talented," stated Corrin. "I've never seen such unorthodox, yet effective tactics." Corrin could not help but show his admiration. He knew he was not the best tactician around. He was better at giving inspiration and was more of a leader. But after Leo's teachings, he had thought himself to be adequate.
Obviously, he was mistaken.
Corrin smiled ruefully. "I worked along with Leo and Xander, yet we still could not defeat you."
"I am a tactician. It is given that I am talented in my own field," said the man demurely.
Maybe, this man was what Corrin needed. Maybe with a man like Robin, he could protect Hoshido while conquering it. Maybe the crazy plan he hatched with Azura- could actually bear fruit.
"I really don't have the right to ask this of you, since I have lost. However…"
Corrin looked firmly to Robin. "Would you join our army and fight with us, Robin?" he offered.
The man quickly looked over him, studying him with quick eyes. "Thank you for the compliment, Lord Corrin, but I am afraid that I already am in service to an Exalt."
Then, looking at Corrin's disappointed face paused and spoke again. "I could still help, but I am actually in the middle of a mission." He shrugged. "And joining an army without knowing what they fight for? The only fact that I do know is your brilliance," he teased lightly, "Lord Corrin."
"That is a pity," said Corrin. "Is there nothing to change your mind?"
Robin half-smiled. "Well, some matters first, though. You are captured, and so I have won. We should clear this up."
"Claudius!"
A ranger came, and he had a horned instrument hanging on his neck. "Yes, sir?"
"Tell the soldiers to disengage." Robin nodded to Corrin. "We have captured their leader. I'll release the prisoner to them, and we'll go over to our next destination."
Claudius saluted sharply. "Yes, sir."
Robin's orders were quickly carried out.
With Corrin captured, the Nohrian forces quickly withdrew. In no time at all, Xander approached the two under a white flag. Corrin looked down feeling guilty once he saw Xander approaching with his retainers trailing behind him.
"I am here to negotiate for my brother, mercenary," said Xander gravely.
Robin waved his hands. "As I have said before, it was only a battle that I wanted. Nothing more, nothing less." He nodded in Corrin's direction. "Lord Corrin is free to go. I only kept him to guarantee the safety of my troops after the battle."
Xander raised one eyebrow. "Then there will be no problem in handing him over now, is there?"
"Not at all," said Robin. "Lord Corrin..."
"Thank you, Robin. But if I may…" Corrin scratched the back of his head. "I'm sorry, brother. The challenger was quite capable." Corrin quickly made up his thought. If he couldn't convince Robin to work for them, maybe Xander could? "I've tried to convince him to fight for us, but he has refused, unfortunately. His name is-"
A weak noise grabbed Corrin's and also Xander and Peri's attention.
Xander's retainer, Laslow, was staring at Robin in shock. His mouth hung open, and eyes were wide as saucers. Robin contained himself better, but not by much. His eyes were wide- and latched onto the flirtatious retainer.
"Laslow?" asked Xander, frowning.
….
Then without warning, Robin burst into laughter, loud and clear, breaking the silence.
Corrin gawked at the tactician.
"Well met, Laslow." Robin turned to Corrin. "Actually, Lord Corrin, I think I can take you up on that offer."
"Huh?" asked Corrin, pleased, but bewildered.
Xander's usually graceful retainer, Laslow, fumbled on his feet. Corrin watched, amused, as the young man slowly flushed a bright, bright red. "Wha-What do you mean, take up on that offer?!" He was definitely panicking. "Why, no, how are you here anyways?"
Corrin held his breath.
Robin's face was stretched into a catlike grin, apparently very pleased with himself. "It's been a long time, favorite son of mine. Gee, what a coincidence don't you think?" said the man, openly smirking.
"Father!" shrieked Laslow, in embarrassment or admonishment, Corrin had no idea.
"Father?" exclaimed Corrin. "Wait, Robin, you're Laslow's father?"
"Yes," answered Robin, without sparing Corrin a glance. His eyes were very intent on Xander's retainer. "And the mission I spoke of seems to have been accomplished, Lord Corrin."
Robin's smirk turned into something a bit more sinister, as he directed his words at Laslow. "You do have a reasonable reason to have left the way you did right, Laslow? I really hate anyone breaking your dear mother's heart, I'll have you know."
Laslow gulped.
"I left a note…" he trailed sheepishly.
Robin shook his head mockingly. "I'd love to ground you, sweetie, but well." He glanced to Xander. "It seems that you are needed. No time to waste being forced in your room for a time-out for old time's sake, eh?"
"Laslow?" prompted Xander.
Laslow shook himself out of shock and Robin's cheerful beat down, and gathered his bearings. "Prince Xander, this is my Father, Robin. Dad, this is Prince Xander. I serve as his retainer."
Robin bowed. "Nice to meet you, Prince Xander." He threw a playful smirk at his son. "I hope my boy gave you no trouble."
Xander took things in stride, barely taking a second to answer properly.
"Laslow is talented. I do not think I could have gotten a better retainer, sir-" he left it open. He did not know how to address the man who defeated them in battle, but was his retainer's father while looking altogether too young to be a father of a child, much less Lalsow who was a fully grown man.
"You may call me Robin. I don't think we have much of a difference in age," he said wryly.
He turned to Corrin. "So, is this job offer still open? Because seeing that Laslow is here- I'd love to lend you my sword. It has been ages since I fought side to side with my own son, after all."
Corrin smiled brilliantly. "I meant it when I offered the job. Welcome to Nohr, Robin."
AN: I really enjoyed writing this! No idea if I should continue, so it's a oneshot! Oh, and if you're a reader to my other story, Robin's Family Counselling, no worries on that point! I'm working on the fifth chapter as of now.^^ Hopefully it will be up by this week.
Thanks for reading! Review!
