AN/ I'm gonna try something new for this chapter. If you guys and gals have ideas please tell me.
Cordelia watched as her eldest daughter stepped out from the war tent. Severa's clean, purple tactician's robes swayed over the grass as she strolled hungrily toward the mess tent. A thought crossed Cordelia's mind as she watched. "Why did she follow Robin's tracks?" In truth, both their children were becoming grand tacticians, but Morgan's fascination was understandable. Robin and Morgan were almost the same person, Severa on the other hand was very...independent.
"Mother, you are staring." Severa snapped her out of her thoughts. Cordelia didn't even remember sitting down across from Severa.
"Sorry Dear, I must have gotten lost in thought." Cordelia just kept staring at her daughter.
"Uhh, is there something you want to ask me?"
"Do you mind if I-?"
"Usual deal first?" Severa motioned toward Cordelia's serving of pudding.
Cordelia had forgotten about the bowl of sweet goo. Weeks of similar trades had mad her accustom to no deserts. "I was gonna give it to you anyway Dear." Smoothly, she pushed the bowl across the table. "Last month, when I asked why you didn't become a Pegasus night, you looked like you were about to vomit. What makes tactics so much more important? Is Robin just a better parent than me?"
"Gawds Mother, you make it sound so bad. I just wanted to be able to take some work off of his plate. Dad needs the help."
Cordelia could not believe her daughter would go so far out of her war just to take some work off Robin's table. She had to have another reason. "But he has Morgan for that, if you don't-"
"Are you saying I'm not smart enough to help Daddy?" Severa slammed her fist down on the table hard enough for it to shake. "You can't just let me believe I'm good enough can you!"
Cordelia had spent enough time with her to know when Severa was just playing her emotions to dodge a subject. What did she have to do for a straight answer from the girl?! Morgan was at least honest if not a little predictable, but Severa, everything was held so tight. "Listen, Robin said that you really enjoy it when I make those ginger cookies." Severa seemed to momentarily snap from her stewing anger at the mention of the sugary food. "Just like your father, fastest way t his heart is with food" Cordelia chuckled.
"That could make me feel a little better." A small smile broke through her brick wall of irritation.
"Well, I'll make a whole batch for you."
"Then what are we waiting for?!" Severa seemed to get really exited.
"I'll make them once we've dealt with Grima."
"But..."
"You just have to make one deal with me."
"That being?"
"You tell me why you really became a tactician. And I promise, once Grima is put back to sleep, we will have the best cookies I can make."
It was amazing how comforting a promise that sounded like to Severa. Cordelia was effectively promising to survive the fight with Grima. This time it didn't seem as hollow. They had everything they needed. Chrom had the fire emblem, Falchion had been awakened and they were less than a days march from where the fighting would begin. "And Father. That is my last condition."
"Well of course sweetheart. Robin and Morgan."
"Alright... it was because of Morgan."
"What do you mean?"
"When I first came through the portal I thought she was... gone from my life, like you and father. She was the last thing I had in my life."
Severa was now starting to stream tears. Cordelia stood up from her seat, took the girl under her arm and guided her out of the mess tent. Leading her toward Robin and her tent,Cordelia held onto the girl just trying go sooth Severa's fragile state. "It's alright dear, we are here now."
"Morgan was the last thing I had in my life. She became the most important thing I had. When I lost her and I arrived here, I had to do something to honor her."
"So you became what she wanted to do."
"Yes... it was the best way I could think of."
"But you don't have to anymore, she's alive."
"No... she's not" Severa trailed on. "My Morgan would remember me. I watched her die."
"Just as you watched me die." Cordelia began to comb through her daughters hair. "Think of this as your second chance. We failed you the first time around, things are better now."
Severa didn't answer. This was too comforting. She hadn't been held by her Mother since the last seen her true mother. Resting her chin on Cordelia's tear soaked shoulder she finally finished with "I love you, don't you go and die on me again, got it!"
"I know Dear, I'll always have your back."
