A/N: Robin has been traveling for a decade, so it would make since she gained many skills from odd jobs here and there in addition to those she trained in. However since she was young before staying in South Town, please assume her stats are still lower than Fredrick's.
This comes with the theory of the veteran skill; before fe13 and losing all her memories, Robin already learned many skills and was high leveled. The entire game Robin is relearning.
In reality I just wanted to make sure it doesn't seem to rely on miracle RNG god ass pulls for a perfect Lunatic Classic run through. Story and game should not make separation, that's what Meta is here for. It would be unreasonable if in game Robin had amnesia and didn't have any lost knowledge either. And this is all meaningless because this story diverges from the canon. This not a rewrite or a personal version of Fire Emblem Awakening.
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-~ [o] ~-
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The fell dragon we wait
For our lord we mourn
Robin hums as Allene rushes to her arms. She revels in the blessings and thank you as she spins the young maiden around in her arms. The mass of villagers returns to town. It seems they had hidden near the river. They brought water to put out the fire.
"What do you mean we're not staying!? A nice bed and a dinner indoors, is that too much to ask for?"
The tactician had forgotten all about her miracle warriors. She nicknamed them in her mind but her better judgment kept her from saying it out loud.
"Thank you for your kindness but the Shepherds needs not payment. We must return to Ylisstol at once."
"Ugh Chrom! Fredrick not you too!"
"Ah Milady, we shall make camp and eat off the land."
Robin can't help but chuckle at Lissa's antics. Now that they were leaving she remembers Chrom's offer after their victory. She had not yet replied.
No doubt they would not wait for her. They had worked well but she can see no incentive to follow them to Ylisstol, the capital she avoided all these years. She will take her own leave once things have settled.
The tactician repeats her options and yet her heart tugs tightly. Could this be what she was waiting for? Was this fate at work? After all, these years of wandering left no answers and no ends.
"They are a happy rambunctious group are they not?"
It was Allene's brother.
"I know you have been preparing to leave."
The Plegian had packed her bags a week ago. She stayed when she sensed danger approaching towards the quaint town. It was during dinner the previous night the young woman mentioned she may return to the road soon. Where will you wander they ask. All Robin knows is something inside told her its time.
But to travel with a band of Ylissean Knights could be more dangerous than traveling alone. Chrom and Lissa seem naïve enough to be trusted but for all she knows, Fredrick may impale her at night and incinerate her body like it was never there. Can she join them?
Right now that something inside isn't telling her anything. Allene insisted it was Naga who guided the tactician to this town. It must be predetermined by the Divine Dragon she came. Against the Allene's advice, Robin does not pray to Naga for guidance. She needs no advice from a nonchalant god. She is no follower of Grima and certainly not a devout of Naga.
Whatever path she takes will be her own. Revel and despair accordingly.
"You should go with them. It's safer to travel in a group, especially that group. You may do Ylisse a world of favor if you go."
The man smirks and takes his leave towards the Shepherds to give his gratitude as well. He had always looked out for the tactician. As long as people like him and Allene exists, Robin knows this world is worth living in.
It seems the town's people know of Chrom. Was he a local lord? He could not be or she would have heard of him sooner. She knows little of Ylissean politics aside from the great Exalt Emmeryn, who single handedly saved the halidom through love and forgiveness. It was the only topic to come about during her travels.
Plegian politics on the other hand, she understands as well as she breathes especially when new information comes from the borders frequently. There were plenty of refugees willing to share their story. Her birth land was faring poorly. The Mad King, as the Ylissean call him, attempts to start war. From traveling bards she is told the people there are starved and sickly. Rumors talk of the priesthood attempting to over throw the Mad King.
She does not know what to do with this information. Returning to Plegia was one of her options. Yet to her it seems Plegia is just as dangerous as Ylisse. She doesn't know why she had to leave or if those men who raised her wanted the tactician to return. Surely they must have trained her for some purpose? Who were they to be so knowledgeable?
This was Robin's least favorite topic. She had pondered over this for years and she fears these questions will never be answered. It would be best she turned away from such thoughts to happier ones for now.
The townspeople decided it was well time to celebrate love of life and other things in Chrom's honor; Chrom who was to leave without attending said celebration.
She supposes he truly is a blessed otherworldly being, to be able to act so selflessly stupid and survive to this ripe age of what she guesses 23? Or maybe even as old as 25! Only a miracle could save a man who constantly charges towards his own death.
She could hardly imagine a lord could inspire such enthusiasm in what was a boring little town. Robin feels slightly miffed her own actions were unnoticed by most. Yet it was fine, debt repaid and all that.
"Robin"
She turns towards the caller.
It was Chrom. He smiles as he approaches her.
He looks different, lighter, as though the battle worn frown never existed.
It was difficult for Robin to describe. His airy mood infects her. His teeth were tiny pearls shining in place. She focuses on that strange detail. It was as though a smile belonged on his face like the sun and the moon in the skies. His eyes twinkled like the stars when he looked into hers.
"I did not realize you had a family here. It was foolish of me to ask you to leave."
He gestures towards Allene and her brother.
"Family? Ah they are like one but I am a mere traveler they've brought kindness upon."
"My apologies, I had thought you and the young lady were close."
He is awkward as he fumbles his words slightly. Diversion was not his strong suit. Robin makes note he would be a poor noble in politics. From the distance she can see Fredrick sighing. The knight must have asked his master to proceed with more tact. Chrom who could not see what she sees decides to jump straight to his intention.
"If you are a wanderer then it would be alright to travel with us. The Shepherds needs a tactician of your skill. I can hardly believe how capable you are on the field as well. I would feel safe to know I have an ally like you by my side."
Fredrick and Lissa approach the two on cue. The healer jumps on to her with arms wide open.
"If your leaving anyway then you have to come with us! Come on Robin!"
The tactician twirls around the girl like she had done so with Allene.
"Wary as I am to welcome a wolf in prowl, I agree with milord. A tactician of your skill may turn the tide on future battles."
"Yeah you were so cool! Can you teach me magic too?"
"If you join us, we are willing to fund for supplies in tomes and weaponry."
It was rare to be acknowledged for her prized skill. It was difficult to use tactics when there were no trustworthy subordinates willing to follow. Today was almost fun in a thrilling way. It was as though she was once again in the dark corridors playing board games, moving her pieces blue pieces against her teacher's red.
She is attention starved. Attention did no good as a traveler but right now it felt much more than good.
"I suppose with such incentives there are no reasons to object."
Chrom and Lissa smile brightly in rejoice. Robin wondered if it was possible to be related to the sun itself. She allows the darkness to buffer their radiance.
"Come on Fredrick, you should be happier!"
Lissa giggles as she pokes the knight.
"Calm now Lissa, he would not be Fredrick the Wary if he were not so dreary."
Chrom joins in on the teasing.
"Hilarious milord. Perhaps I will be more trusting, if we are allowed to our tactician's face."
The Plegian woman had forgotten she had not let her hood down. It kept her face safe from fire and smoke on the rooftops. There was no reason to hide. Her hands reach to uncover where the darkness once loomed.
Slowly she reveals herself. Snow like hair falls out framing her pale face, she looks up to see Chrom startled. He stared at her burnt red eyes and rosy lips before stepping back.
"My apologizes, I-"he stutters "I-thought you were a man."
She wills herself not to smack him.
This battle she allows herself to lose.
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-~ [o] ~-
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In love
There's shame
"Of course you can't just say that to a woman! Chrom you're so stupid sometimes. She doesn't even sound like a guy."
Sporting a heavy bruise on the left side of his face, Chrom sits at camp failing to convince Lissa to heal him. He lets his shoulders slump before turning to the other lady of the group.
"Robin I'm sorry. It was not my intention to offend you."
She ignores him.
"Fredrick please back me up"
Fredrick ignores him.
Chrom groans. Pay back is petty he wanted to say. How long could they possibly ignore him?
Longer than anticipated was his answer.
He throws his hand into his blue hair in defeat. Never challenge against his tactician he learns, not when she gains his own as allies so quick. His mind slumps as Chrom decides it'd be better to reflect on the future than pity himself.
Soon it will be the end of his first official patrol around the borders. Closer to Ylisstol, he had recruited a number of people for the Shepherds. Some he met on his closer ventures near the capital. He had found a natural fighter and a scholar. He also had some knights who volunteered from his vassals.
But none were like the young woman that sits beside him. She was a wanderer; clearly her origin was not from Ylisse for she knew little of his status. She realizes he is at least a lord however this current treatment is that of an equal. This is good he thinks. This is what he wants from the Shepherds.
And yet a part of him desires special attention. He wants to know more about her. But that was impossible now that he carelessly offended her. Does she hate him already?
"Fredrick, may I have more bear meat?"
"Of course Robin."
Fredrick prepares more meat while Robin watches the flames dance. The two takes turns keeping the fire alive.
Even with the light of the flames, Chrom can't help notice her eyes are dark like the night sky, willing to absorb light whole and reflect nothing back. At the same time it was muddy like the earth and soil he stood, sturdy against the test of time.
Yet earlier today when her face was hidden, there were moments in the heat of battle, he thought he saw glowing red jewels where Robin's eyes should be. Red trails of light danced from the darkness as she gauged the enemy. Was it the heat of battle that created such illusions?
The sweet smell of smoked meat fills his nostrils. The prince looks down to see a slob of freshly cooked bear held out in front of him.
"Here, you haven't been eating."
She smirks at him before returning her eyes to the fire. Before long her smirk turned into a chuckle, to a laugh and so joined Lissa.
Fredrick pats his shoulder and whispers.
"Sir, you best close your mouth, else we may assume your jaw was displaced earlier."
Fredrick muffles a smirk and returns to his spot. The three continue to laugh at his expense.
"I'm glad you've all had your fun. Now Lissa will you please heal me."
When Chrom was healed, dinner was mostly over. Lissa takes time whining over the taste of bear meat as their wary knight teases her for being delicate.
His stomach full, the lord takes another survey of their new member. Her white hair glows as she burns the remains of the bear. The sparks do nothing but remind him of thunder streaming out from tiny pale hands covered in silky black cloth. The way she elegantly danced with thunder blasts and sword arcs could only be from experience. The wary Knight is not the only one who is curious.
"So, Robin, would you be willing to share some of your past?"
His tactician continues cleaning the bear carcass, to her it was a mundane task. She explained to Fredrick it would be wise to not attract other possible predators to the area. Robin smiles at him.
"Ah Chrom I am also curious what band of vigilantes I am now devoted to."
"I see. It seems we've offered little explanation. The Shepherds travel around Ylisse to protect towns from invaders, brigands and such. When we get to Ylisstol I'll introduce you to the rest of us."
He watches her contemplate his answer. It was only on Fredrick's signal he realizes she changed the topic. Lissa who has yet to notice continued his answer with more frivolous details.
"It's good to know I didn't join a group of radical crusaders."
There's a pause.
Should he urge her to speak more? She stops her task and sighs.
"I think you should know I'm from Plegia."
Chrom mouth opened to say something. As always, that something is never there.
"What really!?"
Lissa gasps. Robin nods slowly. The healer remains stiff. She must be regretting the slurs she spoke of Plegia so casually before. Fredrick makes no move. Did his knight already know?
"I know the barbarians we saw today were from Plegia too, but I hope you will understand I am not like them."
She replies to Lissa slowly before she looks to him with pleading eyes.
"I've been traveling for nearly a decade now; through Plegia to Ferox to Ylisse. I was force out of my home during the final years of war. I don't mean Ylisse any harm; I just no longer know where to go."
Her dark eyes are morning dew reflecting the sun's rays. Tears do not fall freely to the earth nor glide down on softened cheeks. They were held back with a strong heart accustomed to pain.
"Wow I had no idea. That sounds so rough! You must have been really young."
Lissa sniffs but it does not stop her from crying.
Robin turns her head away from their sight briefly. He wonders if she is afraid to show them weakness. Even if she was afraid, it did not stop her from reaching out to him.
Fredrick does not look satisfied.
"I heard from the villagers you stayed with that family for many months. I don't suppose to intend to return to Plegia."
Emmeryn did not turn away from those in need. Neither does Chrom.
"She has fought for Ylissean lives and that is reason enough to trust her."
The wary knight nods.
"It would be unwise to bring a wolf into our flock but yes, the villagers' favorable opinions are convincing."
Lissa hugs the Plegian woman and speaks words of comfort.
They should sleep now. It would be wise to awake early tomorrow.
Lissa rests her head on Robin's lap.
Robin smiles down at her. Lissa was always able to touch the heart of others. Chrom can't help but feel envious in that regard.
"Tell me about Plegia Robin."
Lissa asks, her eyes barely open. During their father's time, the previous exalt forced all information regarding Plegia destroy.
It would not do well to sympathize with the enemy he once told his son. In reality the once Exalt desired to rid the world of Plegia and leave no residue. For the sake of Naga he said. Chrom does not forget what led to the ruin of his country, for the sake of God and fate.
"I think we'd best go to rest. I could sing you a Plegian lullaby."
Lissa snuggles a bit.
"Oh did your parents sing to you as a child?"
Their mother sang to them when she was alive. Chrom remembers faintly of some tunes. But the words were lost now like his mother, gone like his father. Em faced a broken country, at night she held just enough strength to hum what remained of their family.
"Ha-ha no, I learned no songs as a child. There was a bard in South Town who was once traded in Plegia. I only knew one line of a hymn. So I asked him to teach me the rest. Even then he only remembered half."
There was a bittersweet look upon Robin's face. Chrom decides it must be her parents she missed.
"So lady Robin sings, I too would like to hear a bird's tune."
"Thank you Fredrick, I can hardly tell you're mocking me this time."
Maybe she misses Plegia. It does not matter Chrom thinks.
She is coming home with him. It does not matter.
And so the Shepherds fall asleep to Robin's song.
Beware the devil's nest of jesters and woes
For as long as the Promise
To the Crown it's known
Death sleeps through
A millennium of scorn
The fell dragon we wait
For our lord we mourn
In love
There's shame
Beware the woman
With hair of red
With her
The crown has bled
A/N: Thank you for reading thus far. And thanks for the reviews!
Chapter three draft is written and I would like some help proof reading. I think there are some issues with the flow.
