Chapter 3 - Moonlit Ideals

When Chrom and Lissa had entered the audience chambers back in Ylisse, they were wearing smiles, ready to deliver the good news that Regna Ferox would support Ylisse. But when Phila came running past, Robin suspected their smiles might be absent when they emerged.

The chamber doors burst open, and Robin's prediction was unfortunately correct. Chrom, Lissa, and Phila exited in a rush. Chrom spared no second to turn to Robin.

"Robin, Frederick, you're with me," Chrom said. Robin jogged for a few moments to catch up. "Let's go to the meeting room. Phila, could you bring us the latest sightings from the border?"

"Of course, milord," Phila said. She turned away and hurried elsewhere.

"Milord..." Frederick began, before Lissa cut him off.

"They've taken Maribelle! Those animals," Lissa said, cursing them.

"Emmeryn doesn't want a war. But I'm not letting those Plegians get away with whatever they want," Chrom said. He pushed some doors open and before anyone realized, they were circling around a giant table in the meeting room. "Frederick, the border map."

Frederick selected a rolled up scroll and unfurled it across the table. Chrom leaned on the table, looking at the map. Chrom pointed at an icon on the map.

"Robin, this is the region of Themis. Over here, the Plegians attacked a village and took Maribelle."

"Maribelle," Robin said, recalling his meeting with the Shepherds. "Okay, go on."

"Hmm." Chrom thought for a moment. "We may need to wait for Phila to give more precise information. But I can provide background information on the Plegians."

Robin studied the map for a moment. "If we assume that they struck only recently..." Robin thought aloud. This had the unintended effect of causing everyone to lean closer to listen. Robin's finger was on Themis. He traced a line straight to the border with Plegia. "The Plegians moved significantly deep into our territory."

Chrom slammed his fist on the table. "I know! Gods, their arrogance!"

Robin ignored his outburst. "They will take significant time to march back to Plegian lands," he theorized.

"Possibly, yes," Frederick said, nodding.

"What is the composition of Themis's defensive forces?" Robin asked.

"I'm sorry, but they only have a local militia. Villagers armed with spears, for the most part," Chrom said, shaking his head sadly.

"Could you estimate their numbers?"

"Twenty at a moment's notice, perhaps forty total? Enough to stop the bandits you saw at Southtown," Chrom said.

"Then the Plegians would have needed numbers or a well-equipped force to ensure success. Logistically, they will need more time to move their forces," Robin surmised. "This is just a guess, but we may be able to intercept them before they reach their land."

"Then should we leave now?" Lissa asked, gripping her staff. Robin held his hand up.

"We will need time to prepare, too. I'm sorry, Lissa, but there would be too many unknown variables to guarantee success if we left now."

"I understand," Lissa said, sighing. "Maribelle..."

"Don't worry, Lissa. We'll get her back safely," Chrom said. He pulled Lissa in closer for a hug.

Phila came in, her arms full of papers. "Excuse me, milord!" she said. She dropped them onto another table and selected a few relevant packets to show Robin. "This is the report on the attack in Themis. And these are the latest reports from our border patrols and scouts.

Robin scanned the papers given to him. "So the alarm bell rang around then..." He looked at another packet. "Their troop composition," he muttered to himself.

"I am not sure if you are aware, Sir Robin, but Lady Emmeryn will be accompanying us as well," Phila mentioned.

Robin was too absorbed with reading materials to look up from what he was reading. "Understood," he said. Then, he paused for a moment. "Forgive my inattentiveness. I mean no disrespect," he said.

"Don't worry about it, Robin," Chrom said. "What do you need from us?"

"Yeah, let us help!" Lissa said. "Does anyone want some tea or coffee?"

"We should not be thinking on an empty stomach," Frederick said. "It would be a dishonor if we did not perform at our best, all because we missed a meal."

Everyone began to move around. Robin remained in the meeting room, studying the materials and thinking. He ate and drank somewhat mechanically, barely aware of anything else going on. As night approached, people had gone to pack, train, or sleep. Robin had been studying and thinking for hours. He decided to take a break. He poured himself a cup of tea and decided to walk around the castle. He found himself gazing out a window. The moon illuminated the trees and courtyard outside.

Robin extended his hand out toward the moon. The sign on his hand was covered by shadows. "How long has it been since my memory began? Has it been more than a month already?" Robin was losing track of the days. So many had been spent marching to Regna Ferox and back. Between marches, there would usually be a battle to be fought. "Now that I think about it, this might be the only down time I've had. If this can be called down time..."

"Robin?"

A voice called Robin away from his thoughts. He turned to see Emmeryn walking up to him. She looked as graceful and formal as always. Robin's eyes widened, and any sleepiness in him disappeared. He became conscious of his disheveled appearance. He snapped his body into a 90 degree angle and bowed deeply. "Lady Emmeryn! Welcome! ...I mean, it is a pleasure to see you!"

"Please, relax," Emmeryn said, gesturing with her hand for Robin to stand up. "As much as possible in these times, that is." She spoke her last sentence with a sense of sadness.

"Worry not, Lady Emmeryn, we will get Maribelle back safely," Robin said, standing straight again.

Emmeryn summoned a smile, though Robin was a little surprised to see that it was lacking in comparison to her usual warm and positive smile. This smile seemed more forced and was not contagious as usual.

"I believe you. I know Maribelle will come back to us." Emmeryn joined Robin by the window and looked outside. She allowed herself a sigh. "It is war that makes me feel uneasy. Is war really inevitable?"

Robin didn't know how to answer the question. Emmeryn wanted to achieve and maintain peace without fighting, an ideal that Robin found beautiful. However, he would be lying if he said he believed fighting could be avoided to earn and maintain peace.

"I cannot begin to feel the weight of all of Ylisse on my shoulders, a burden I'm sure you are all too familiar with. A burden you may call a blessing, because I know you love your people so much. But a heavy burden, nonetheless."

"Robin..."

"But I do know your beliefs can succeed. Ylisse loves you back. I have heard the people in the streets. I have heard people in the remote villages. Everyone who knows you loves you. The only people who are aggressive are those who do not know you, those who refuse to know you."

"Your words are flattering, as always," Emmeryn said.

"Flattering, perhaps, but truthful."

Sincerity was beginning to return to her smile. The effect lasted only for a moment, when Emmeryn continued to speak. "But how can I spread my ideal to those of Plegia?"

"You must let their people know who you are and what you believe. It is unfortunate, but it seems their king refuses to listen, and yes, conflict is inevitable with such a king. But if you can show the people of Plegia your commitment to peace, I am sure the people will love you, too. A king without the support of his people will fall, and the conflict will be short."

"But how can I show the people of Plegia? Their King Gangrel only incites hatred. It is a hatred that is not completely undeserved." Emmeryn showed her bitterness at her words. Robin was a little confused.

"You have done nothing that deserves anyone's hatred," Robin said.

A bittersweet smile formed on Emmeryn's lips. "Ylisse fought and oppressed the Plegian people. We were antagonists. We killed many of their people. We burdened many of our own people." Emmeryn sighed again. "Unfortunately, our past binds us."

Robin did not speak immediately. Emmeryn glanced at Robin. He looked pensive, staring at a random star outside. "I suppose I have the luxury of being free of my past. And I won't be so naive as to say we should discard our past. But we are in the present, and our efforts should be concentrated on changing the present for a better future. If the Plegians focus all their efforts and motivations on the past, then they are doomed. They have no future. But I have to believe most Plegians don't see that way. They want peace as much as we do. Have faith in that, and if we forge bonds with the people today, then I know our future will be bright."

There was a moment of silence that allowed Robin to let the immediate situation sink in. He stared at the ground for a moment, then scratched the back of his head and grinned. "Heh. Or maybe I'm just a silly amnesiac."

A hand brushed across his cheek. Robin looked up from the ground and saw Emmeryn's warm smile had returned. Her warmth spread to Robin's cheeks as he blushed and looked down at the ground again.

"Thank you, Robin. And I didn't mean to burden you with my problems."

"It is no burden at all, Your Grace! I am here to serve."

Emmeryn giggled briefly. For a moment, she seemed like a young girl, rather than an adult and exalted leader of the people. "Robin, I do enjoy your company. But I must say, I like you more when you aren't so formal."

"But...Your Gr... Emmeryn..." Robin's blush intensified. His eyes found great interest in a spot on the floor.

"I suppose it will take time. But so will our efforts for true peace." A serious tone reappeared in Emmeryn's voice. Robin was able to look up at Emmeryn again. "But you have given me some confidence. I won't be able to convince Plegia of my commitment to peace if I myself doubt my commitment."

"And please remember, Your...Lady Emmeryn. You are not alone. I, the Shepherds, all of your people support you. We will work for this peace as well. If you stay true to your dream and commitment for peace, then the idea will be unstoppable. We will succeed."

Robin was beaming with confidence. As the silence continued for a few epic seconds, Robin once again realized who he was with, and his shy formalities threatened to return. Before he became a babbling servant again, however, Emmeryn extended her hand for a handshake. Robin looked at her hand, and at her warm smile again. He accepted the handshake. Emmeryn put her other hand on top of Robin's.

"Thank you once again, Robin. I am glad Chrom has you by his side. You make my peace seem possible."

"Thank you, Lady Emmeryn."

"When we have no need for a tactician, I would love to appoint you as an advisor in my court."

Robin didn't know what to say. "I... er... thank you. You honor me with your words." He continued to shake her hand energetically.

Emmeryn giggled. "Again with the formalities. But worry not, I won't steal you from Chrom just yet." She released Robin from the handshake. "You should rest, Robin. I know we have a long march ahead of us tomorrow."

"Ah, of course. Thank you. Good night, Lady Emmeryn."

"And good night to you, Sir Robin." Emmeryn folded her two hands in front of her and gave Robin a little bow, before walking away. Robin returned the bow two-fold, and maintained his bow as she walked away. "We'll have to work on dropping the formalities later," she said as she walked. She turned one last time, waved and smiled, then disappeared around a corner.

Robin stood up straight from his bow. He felt energized and motivated, ready to defeat an army by himself. He felt a little unsure if he'd even be able to go to sleep. "Well, back to the maps," he said to himself. "Maribelle, be safe. Hopefully I can plan so that minimal blood is shed to pave the way for Emmeryn's peace . But if blood must be shed, better by my hands than Emmeryn's..."


A/N

Please comment and criticize! Thank you, TaciturnReader, Guest, Guest, Gunlord500, Muggzy, Lushard, and Mrperson01 for your reviews! Keep up your efforts in quality control! Yeah, I'm a huge fan of this pairing too, and there are precious too few other fanfictions of them.

This chapter didn't really have much action, so sorry. Unless that's what you want, in which case, you're welcome.