Finally got away from school long enough to upload this. Please note some characters may be a little OCC. If you see errors in the story please let me know. Also much longer than the first chapter. One last thing, I chose not to showcase all the marriages since my plan originally was to circle around the Avatar's family so if I don't mention one you really wanted to see very very sorry about that.


Chapter 2- Return

Meanwhile in a dark place where no light existed a man walked around raving to himself. It was all he could do to keep himself from going insane.

"NO NO this is all wrong dammit!" he shouted. "How could I have been defeated so easily and by my own son no less? Then Grima at the height of his power is destroyed by his hand as well". "What was the flaw in my plan? I had waited more than 20 years to ensure its perfection." He was so absorbed into his rant he didn't see a purple orb appear from behind him.

"Validar", it whispered. The sorcerer turned around and his eyes widened in fear, something that didn't happen often.

"M-M-M-Master G-G-G-Grima", he stammered. "Is that really you? I thought my dastard of a son killed you".

"Yes the boy killed me, destroyed our link, and made me incapable of resurrecting my dragon form, but light cannot exist without darkness so I still live. Now I shall return to destroy him and all he holds dear to his heart".

Validar could not believe what he had just heard, "You mean to tell me there is a way for you to return"!

"Yes there is, but I will require your services", replied the fell dragon. With those words darkness overtook Validar's vision as Grima filled his mind with the plan and sent him back to the mortal world.


Back in Ylisstol Robin was still worried about the party. He was nervous about this god founded speech. He was nervous about the nobles. He was especially nervous to see all the Shepherds gathered again. Sure he had been in large gatherings before with them, but never had total attention been on him. Gods I feel like I'm gonna hurl he thought. He kept himself busy by checking Balmung in its scabbard. He was so far inside his head he almost didn't hear his wife talking to him.

"Robin", asked Cordelia. "Are you alright? You've done nothing except check your sword and fidget like a Pegasus with a flea problem."

"I'm sorry Cordelia. It's being the center of attention and giving this darn speech".

"Did I ever tell you about the time I played harp at Chrom's birthday party?" she asked him. "I was the center of attention for half an hour in front of every person of royalty in Ylisse."

"I can only imagine how you got through that", remarked Robin.

"It's quite simple really", she said. "I just imagined I was performing for only one person, someone I really cared about."

"Hmmmm", Robin mused getting an idea for how he could use this bit of advice. "Thank you I know how I can do this now."

"We're here", called Stahl from outside. "Get ready because there's a large crowd going in."

"Thanks Stahl", called Robin as he and his wife opened the door and stepped out.

"Bout time you got here", said a rough voice. Robin and Cordelia looked around and saw Sully walking towards them. "Chrom is waiting for you two inside", she told them.

"Thank you", said Cordelia. She and Robin began to walk to the entrance of the castle. Suddenly Rob felt a strong grip on his shoulder he turned to see Sully behind them.

"Just out of curiosity", she asked with a smug grin on her face. "Stahl didn't happen to mention going by that pastry shop while he went to get you two did he?"

"Uhhhhhh… not that I know of", Robin replied quickly.

"Same here", said Cordelia. They turned and resumed walking inside. They're lying thought Sully. That dastard I call my husband is gonna get when we get home tonight. As they left Sully behind them the couple began to look for Chrom or any other familiar faces.

They saw Gaius over by the buffet table eating some sweets to his heart's content while his wife Panne in a formal taguel outfit watched him quietly and tried to hide her embarrassment. Olivia and her husband Lon'qu were out on the dance floor. Neither of them were the least bit red. Gregor was at a small table arm wrestling with some of the younger nobles with his wife Nowi standing beside him cheering him on.

At last Robin and Cordelia saw Chrom. He seemed to be talking to a man and woman who were dressed in strange outfits. At first Rob thought they were both wearing dresses, but when he got closer he realized they were wearing long robes. He also recognized the woman the man was with.

"- you just look so different without it", Chrom was saying when his best friend walked up. "Hello Rob" he said "Oh and to you to Cordelia".

"Hello Chrom", Robin replied and Cordelia did the same. Turning to the woman he said, "Hello Say'ri".

"Hello Robin", she said.

Robin turned to Say'ri's companion, "Hello to you as well. I don't believe we've met".

"Actually we have" replied the man. "It's me Kellam."

"Kellam!" exclaimed Robin. "I would have never guessed". "Out of curiosity what are you two wearing?"

"Ah tis formal wear in Chon'sin", replied Say'ri. "They are called kimonos".

"They are very beautiful", said Cordelia. "But Kellam why are you wearing one".

"Oh multiple reasons", he replied. "People notice me, don't freak out when I speak, and my wife says I look good in it."

"Your wife?" Robin asked. "Who is she?"

"Aye", said Say'ri holding up her hand where Rob and Cordelia could both see a bright ring.

"Congrats Kellam", Robin said. "If you'll excuse me I need to talk to Chrom.

Robin turned to his lord while Cordelia went off to find Sumia and have a small chat like old times.

"So when am I to give this speech?" Robin asked.

"Right before the feast", said Chrom. "Which shouldn't be too long". This proved true as time flew by rather quickly after that. Robin ran into some of the other Shepherds and their spouses. He got into a drinking contest with Basilio, his wife Flavia, Vaike, and Sully. They all spent the next half hour getting the alcohol out of their systems. Maribelle gave them a stern telling off with her husband Ricken apologizing for it immediately after. Pretty soon the feast was about to begin and in turn Robin's speech. He sat at the front table with his wife and the royal family (Chrom, Sumia, Lissa and Vaike,). He looked around at all the faces as Chrom stood up to welcome everyone.

"Friends", began Chrom. "Welcome to our second anniversary banquet of Grima's death". "Today as many of you know we have a new reason to celebrate". "Our great tactician and beloved friend Robin has returned to us". Robin smiled as thunderous applause followed this statement. "Tonight he will speak to us once again as he used to, but now he doesn't command us in battle; instead he reassures us that Grima is gone forever.

As the applause died down after Chrom's little speech Robin stood up and began to recite the speech he had been working on for two straight months.

"To my former comrades who sit before me tonight and the many others out there I tell you that Grima is dead and that gives us much reason to celebrate. There were also those we felled who sought to resurrect him. There was the Plegian woman Aversa." Cordelia grimaced at hearing this name. She still hadn't forgiven that witch for killing her former captain Phila. Robin went on to list other people who had been their enemies in the war. "Finally there was the mighty sorcerer Validar", he concluded. Robin had trouble forcing out his father's name. Validar's true identity was a secret shared by Chrom, Lucina, his wife and himself. Not even his own children knew who he was.

"So now", Robin said. "Let us cele-"

Suddenly a giant explosion blossomed in the middle of the hall. The fires were glowing a dark purple color. A tall man in sorcerer's robes stood in the middle of it. He slowly turned around and Robin gasped recognizing him instantly.

"Hello my son", said Validar.


Man this took waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long. Hope you enjoyed this. Validar's scheme will be revealed in the next chapter I promise and the story will finally pick up.