A/N:
Dear readers,
Good morning/afternoon/evening! Here is 7/13's update. Tomorrow's update, TBD.
...I'm running out of stock...that is bad...(surprised it didn't happen sooner...)
...I hope you enjoy today's reading? Kudos and comments appreciated!
I do not own or have the rights to Fire Emblem Awakening or any of the characters.
Age 21
The night's sea breeze was soothing, especially after the hectic morning that the Shepherds had. Defeating Walhart's forces at sea, even though they outnumbered them at least 2-1, if not more, had definitely been a confidence booster to all involved. To Robin though, the true victory came from knowing that there were no casualties. After Lady Emmeryn's death, keeping her family whole became her top priority, thus her mantra before every battle became, "I will not let my family die." Having all the Shepherds survive another day was a small victory, built on thousands of Valmese deaths, but if that was the price, she would pay it with interest.
She had never been on, or near, the sea before this war, or at least that she could remember. Although the rocking was difficult to get used to, there was something calming about being on the vast ocean, knowing that she was only a tiny ripple in this pond of a world. If, and when, the war finished, Robin knew she would travel by boat again.
"Robin?" Hearing her name, the woman turned, seeing her boyfriend walking forward. "Are you well?"
"Better than you, Frederick." Reaching her, he placed his hands on the rail, encircling her with his body. A sweet kiss on the top of her head finished the greeting.
"Are you not cold? There is a chill in the air."
"Truthfully, I find it refreshing, but I won't turn down your warmth." Looking up, she sees a blush on his face. Although obviously fazed, his hands find hers, intertwining them slightly. She is also tickled pink that his armor is off, decreasing the distance that his protection usually gave. "Have you finally gotten your sea legs?" The poor dear had been kept from battle; sea sickness taking a toll on the knight. Although, in all honesty, he would have been withheld from the battle due to being a heavily armored, horse riding unit, that would sink when jumping overboard, so strangely, it was all for the best.
"Not yet, no, but the medicine Libra has given is helping enough. Either way, I could not remained cramped in the hold much longer; I was going stir-crazy." A simple hum was her response. "I'm surprised you're doing so well; you're more hardy then me, it seems."
"Maybe I was a whale in another life."
"I would like to think dolphin or mermaid, but if you prefer whale." She slapped him lightly, causing a chuckle in response.
The tactician and knight had started dating soon after her nineteenth birthday. They were taking it sickly slow, only revealing their relationship to Chrom and Maribelle, his new wife, after six months, then the other Shepherds a month later. Frederick had actually wanted to inform Lissa after the first six months as well, but knowing her, Robin vetoed the idea. Still, she didn't mind the slow pace; after all, she was young and career oriented at the moment. Having a full-on, lovey-dovey married life was not quite on the agenda. True, it was sometimes too slow, being that it took over a year and a half before the knight even held her, and they have yet to even kiss on the lips, but each small experience was rewarding.
However, having an engagement ring on her finger would calm her nerves a bit. Frederick didn't have wandering eyes, but there were many in the courts who wished his attention. As well, the Shepherds had many lovely bachelorettes. If he suddenly fell for any of those other beauties, she would hurt, but also understand; Frederick deserved better than what a Plegian could give him. Yet, even knowing who her father was, he remained doting, until they stepped on the boat…Then the poor thing became a sick mess.
"I-I know this is not the best place," His sudden voice and surprising stutter recaptured her attention. A stutter was very un-Frederick, but she had known several occasions, all under some sort of emotional stress, that caused such an occurrence. She looked up to show he had her complete attention. "Nor the proper time; you have been more than patient with this novice in the arts of love, and I appreciate that kindness immensely."
She had been surprised to learn that Frederick, in all twenty-seven years of life, prior to her, had never once been in love. He was not a saint, as many believed, especially not in his hormonal teenage years, but none of those romances, if they could even be called that, were based on love, from either party's standpoint. Still, she somewhat understood the reasoning; Frederick, since the age of eight, had trained and lived his life for the Exalted family. As a soldier, the thought of romance and falling in love had been beaten out of him. For whatever reason, only after meeting her, did he finally start having such feelings. To know that she was his first true relationship, going through the strange dance called courtship, if that was all she was for him, she could be happy when letting him go to a more deserving person.
"I am the on-" His right pointer finger gently touched her lips.
"I'm sorry, Robin, please; I know that it was rude of me to interrupt, but if I don't say my thoughts now, I may not be able to find the words, or courage, to do so for some time." Although scared, although nervous, she nodded, giving him his full attention.
"I have been thinking on this subject for a while, pushing back the opportunity again and again, believing that the next day would be as good as any. However, now that war is on us again, I know I have waited too long.
"At first glance, you seem a small and helpless creature, yet, you are one of the cogs that keep the Shepherds running; you are the glue that keeps us all together. Not only due to the small, menial errands you do, but also the connections and respect earned from each soldier. You are a strong, wondrous woman, carrying the weight of the army on her shoulders, and I, only a sword, cannot fathom why you would choose one such as myself, but I am honored that you have been with me for this long.
"I know my feelings are unreasonable, being jealous that you interact with so many of the men in our army, even those I call friends, but I cannot help but worry; worry that I could lose you at any moment, and if that happened, I don't know if I could bear such pain, being that I have finally found such love with you." Robin's heart was pounding; this was definitely not a speech a lover would give when planning to dump someone. No, quite the opposite in fact… Could he be…? N-no, he couldn't, could he?
"As I said before, I know this is not the proper time, with the war ahead of us, but with this final month at sea, before reaching Valm, I would like to offer you this." His right hand left hers, soon reappearing with a small box in it. "I know I will be teased immensely for how tacky this is, doing this on your birthday, but…" He looked down at her, as he had been now and again throughout his whole monologue, noticing the surprise on her face. "…You forgot it was your birthday today, didn't you?"
"…Am I twenty-one?"
I deep rumble shook her bones as the man laughed. "You are the strangest creature at times, my dear. You can remember the minutest details to a map, the strangest facts from a book, the simplest answer to save all our hides in battle, and yet, you forget your own birthday? Yes, Robin. You are twenty-one. My, aren't you old?"
"Oh, gods! I am, aren't I?" Removing her hands from his, she starts patting her face hysterically, truly worried about wrinkles.
"My love, 'twas only a jape. I am soon to be twenty-nine; you are still plenty young."
"It's different for men and women! There's so much more I need to worry about!"
"You are overreacting, Rob-"
"HEY! Lovebirds!" They turn, seeing many of the Shepherds in the shadows near the doors to the lower deck. "We know you're being lovey-dovey, and we're all totally fine with that," Lissa is the one shouting. "But hurry up! We can't start the party without the birthday girl!"
"Umm…Lissa," Stahl stepped forward a bit, his face still half covered in shadow. "I-I think we have a bit of a problem…" He pointed to Gaius, already a slice of cake in hand. All attention turns to the recently promoted Assassin.
"Gaius! Not again!"
"Easy there, Blue!" The prior Thief puts his free hand up, trying to keep the Great Lord at a distance. "Not my fault Bubbles and Sir Knight have yet to get to the sugary, sweet proposal! I needed some sweet to keep this baby running." The ginger runs his hand down his chest, to his outer thigh.
"But to take the first slice of cake, again?"
"Hey! Not my fault Sir Knight made it look so tempting! ...Wait, if he marries Bubbles, he's Sir Bubbles now!"
"Oooh! I like that, Gaius!"
"Not you too, Lissa!"
"Anyway, Frederick," The blonde returned attention to the lone couple on deck. "Hurry up and get to the kissing!" Many of the Shepherds cheer, whistling and shouting encouragement.
"…This was not how I imagined this to be…"
"S-so," The knight's face was redder than she could ever recall; certainly her face must at least match his hue. "Y-you're proposing?"
"THANKS TO A CERTAIN SOMEONE!" Frederick raised his voice purposefully for all to hear.
"Sorry Sir Bubbles!"
"…I-I am proposing." His volume normal, only for her ears alone. Getting down on one knee, he holds out the small box again, opening it to reveal a simple diamond ring. "Will you marry me, Robin?"
Like her birthday two years ago, tears start falling, and she could only reply, "Do you even need to ask?"
"I-is that a-?" She silences him with her own finger. Shakily he takes out the ring, placing it on the right hand's ring finger. Screams echo throughout the night, making it feel as if the boat may tip over due to all the turbulence. As Frederick stands, most, if not all, rush forward, greeting the second pair of Shepherds to get engaged.
Squished together by the mob, they laugh, but Robin can feel something momentous coming. Although still shaking, the brunet's hands gently catch her cheeks, leading whistles to start all around. She feels his warm breath, inching closer to her lips. Before their first kiss, she hears a whisper, "Darling… Happy birthday."
