A/N: Hello everybody! Welcome to the new chapter.
Now that I've introduced Rogue's Mother Aerin, I feel that I should give her Roster/Barrack entry:
Name: Aerin
A mysterious young woman found by Robin. She hails from a mysterious country that specializes in warfare. The most terrifying in battle. Born on July 31st (The day I submitted the fanfic)
Rogue's roster entry will come when she's introduced to the Shepherds in the present timeline.
4 months after Robin & Aerin meet
Though Robin never found any clues on how the Risen continually keep popping up, all was not wasted as he was able to spend time with Aerin. The two weren't exactly lovers, but anytime they passed a village to resupply or rest for the night, what the passersby would think was the exact opposite.
True to her words, Aerin proved to be a capable fighter. Robin even thought of introducing her to the Shepherds. But when he brought it up to her, she thanked him for the offer, but politely declined, stating that she would rather prefer to train back at her homeland.
As they were finishing up the investigation, one of the Ylissean messengers was able to track down Robin and deliver him the following message, and I quote:
"Sire,
The Exalt Chrom and Queen Sumia request that you head on back to Ylisstol Castle immediately."
The messenger came with an escort carriage (Obviously under the orders of Exalt Chrom) to accompany him home.
As Robin knew that he had no choice but to head back to Ylisstol, he knew that it also meant parting ways with Aerin.
Robin requested to the messenger, that he'd go back on his own. The messenger insisted, but Robin was stern. Left without any other choice, the messenger and the carriage returned to Ylisstol, without him.
Port Ferox
After being led to the ship that would bring Aerin back home to Risdom, the two shared a tearful good-bye.
"I guess this is good-bye huh?" Robin said to her, clearly trying to hold back his tears.
"Don't say that" Aerin assured. "Who knows, we might be able to see each other again."
A brief pause between the two, "Well, just in case," Robin began digging into his pocket, pulling out a brown handkerchief, designed to look like a tome. "Here to uh, remember me by. Sorry, it's all I can give for now." Robin said rubbing the back of his head.
Aerin however, held it tightly. "Well, it's the thought that counts anyway. I mean, you pretty much helped me get back on my feet."
Just then, the captain called out "All aboard! Last chance for those headed to Risdom!"
"Well, guess I better get going." Aerin suddenly kissed Robin on the lips. "Thank you for everything. And good-bye."
And with that, Aerin boarded the ship, and it sailed of. Robin continuously waved good-bye, until the ship vanished.
As Robin walked backed to Ylisstol, he murmured to himself, "Hopefully, we WILL meet again."
5 Months later
Risdom
"You're pregnant?" Aerin's mother said, shocked on what the doctor had just told them.
Aerin too, was shocked at the realization. She should've known. All those pains and the sudden cravings should've made it obvious.
"How did this happen?" Her mother asked angrily.
"I don't. I don't really know…" It was a struggle for Aerin just to get the words out.
"You don't know?!" Her mother said. At this point, her head was close to exploding. "How could you not know that you could've been spending time with some unknown man?"
Though Aerin knew what she said. In truth, she actually knew how: Ylisse's famed tactician, Robin. Ever since she decided to start traveling with him, they have been getting closer. Never have the two considered themselves lovers, but the townspeople in the cities have thought otherwise.
She knew she had to tell her mother the truth someday. But with the risk of Robin possibly being sentenced to death because of this possible scandal, she couldn't. Thinking quickly, she told this to her mother.
"I didn't know because, I was knocked unconscious. Yes! The people that kidnapped me could've done this. If only I could remember who they were…"
Whether it was pure luck or Naga's blessing, her mother believed her story, but said this at a response:
"Well, I suppose that could be a possibility… But, nonetheless, if you want no scandal in your hands, then you must get rid of the child as soon as you can."
"Wh-What?!" Aerin was shocked by her decision. Get rid of the child? But, that would mean aborting the child. "But mother!" She pleaded, "There has to be another way."
"I'm sorry…" She apologized with no clear hint of emotion change "But, my mind is made up."
"Well, if you want the child gone, then kill me as well." Aerin said confidently
Her mother grew shocked at this "Now Aerin, this is getting ridiculous. Imagine what would happen if the entire country, no. All of Ylisee were to find out about this." Now her voice changed from stern to pleading.
"I'm sorry… But, MY mind is made up!" She mockingly said.
Suddenly, a new voice interrupted the two. "There shall be no killing of any child in this house!"
The voice came from an old man, whose arms were covered with scars, scars that came from the brutal training of the country.
"Grandfather! You heard everything?"
The man slowly made his way into the living room, sat down on one of the chairs and spoke, "Oh, I've heard just enough." He then turned his attention to Aerin's mother "Elma, you should be ashamed of yourself! Neither I nor your mother had once decided to get rid of a child. Regardless of whom the father was."
"But father," Elma said, "Even though the child is to be your future great-grandchild, the child is the son of a man whose blood isn't pure. I simply refuse to let the child live."
"Neither were you Elma, neither were you." The man said, slowly moving his head downward.
"Father. But, I don't understand." To say Elma was in disbelief was an understatement.
"I grew up a thief in these areas." His voice began to struggle. "I stole from the rich just to help my family. I constantly escaped from the guards, just so my family would live another day."
Both Aerin and Elma just stood there, speechless.
"Believe me; I'm not proud of my past actions. But without it, I would've never met your mother; you wouldn't have been born." He then looked up to the two girls.
"You may berate me and Aerin all you want, but please. Just please let the child live." He was close to crying at this point.
Elma hesitated for a while, "All right then… I'll let the child live." She then turned to Aerin, "Aerin, I hope you can forgive me…"
Aerin walked up to her mother, and hugged her. "Oh mother, of course I can."
Her grandfather just sat there, happily eyeing the two while keeping a close look at Aerin's large stomach.
4 Months later,
A cry was heard in Aerin's bedroom. It was clear that Aerin had already given birth.
"It's a girl." The midwife declared. She carefully cleaned the newborn, before wrapping her up and giving her to Aerin.
Though Aerin was weak from her ordeal, she was carefully holding her child, who had a whole head of black hair and maroon streaks. She then noticed something on her child's right arm.
The child had a birthmark. The mark was a pair of evil looking eyes connected by a single line. It was eerily familiar to the 'Mark of Grima'.
Both her grandfather and mother came in just as the midwife finished cleaning up. Both were smiling as their eyes lay on to the newborn child.
"Now that's a beautiful baby if I ever saw one." Her grandfather said.
'Why did I ever think of forcing her to kill such a beautiful child?' Elma thought to herself. She then shrugged off the thought and asked,
"Well Aerin dear, have you decided on the name yet?"
Aerin smiled at both her grandfather and mother, and then turned to her child, "I have mother, how 'bout Rogue?" As if to reply to her mother, the baby let out a small babble. "I guess that's a yes then."
Her grandfather and mother moved closer to Aerin to see the newest addition to the family.
A/N: Well, that's another chapter done.
I did mention abortion in this chapter. Please tell me this can still be rated T?
Originally, Aerin was supposed to die in this chapter giving birth, but I've decided on something better, so she lives. YAY!
Also, just to make this clear, Rogue's birthmark IS NOT the Mark of Grima.
Next chapter: The meeting with Lucina and hopefully we'll be getting back to the present timeline.
