Title: Forever Yours

Author: xChocolat

Date Published: 06.10.13

Disclaimer: Fire Emblem: The Awakening and all its characters belong to Nintendo.

Summary: A twist on Chrom and his tactician. Romance, angst and betrayal ensues.


Robin let out a heavy sigh as she trudged alongside everyone, en route to Carrion Isle, where they were to meet with the King of Plegia.

"You know Robin, that's the fifth sigh in a row now."

"Huh..? Oh! Tharja! I didn't notice you behind me…" Robin exclaimed softly, easing into a warm smile as she slowed her pace down to match the dark mage's.

Tharja's eyes shifted to the side, her gaze darkened just a bit as she smirked to herself before replying, "Oh Robin, I am always close by."

Robin relented and let out an airy chuckle.

She's the same as always…

"So…why the constant sighs? I'm pretty sure my last hex did not have such a known side effect…But then again, I seem to have casted more than usual since you came back…"

Robin's eyes widened a little at the threat of strange hexes and silently prayed for Naga's protection before replying. "Ehh I think I'm just not used to being on the road again. I forgot what it was like." She followed it up with a bright smile to which Tharja noticeably faltered to. "Tharja? What's wrong?"

"…I can only speak for myself…but I have never forgotten what it was like to be with you Robin."

Upon hearing Tharja's honest confession, Robin sobered up immediately. "Tharja…"

"…Why did you leave?"

Robin bit her lip and struggled to form a suitable answer.

I want to answer honestly but I don't think it'd end well…But it is Tharja…and she can keep a secret…

But this is between Chrom and I…

Is it alright for me to just share it?

Robin looked towards the front of the line and found Chrom and Sumia riding on her Pegasus, chatting comfortably together.

…Though there really is no 'Chrom and I' anymore…

Seeing the conflict in her eyes, Tharja held her tome tighter to herself before she spoke again in a calm low voice.

"You do not have to answer me. I already know. The reason why you left that is."

Her attention snapped towards Tharja, her heart instantly pounding against her chest.

"Wh-what…?"

Tharja kept a steady gaze. "I know everything about you…"

Robin's eyes betrayed a flicker of pain as memories began to play in her head. Memories that made her yearn for him and tempted her to abandon everything just to be with him.

But Robin's logical side also imagined what chaos they would cause, and thought about all the people they would hurt in the process.

Unable to say anything more, she could only plead. "Tharja…you won't tell anyone…right?"

Tharja shook her head once. "You should know by now…that I am on your side."

Robin couldn't help but let a small smile slip. "Of course… Thank you Tharja."

If she squinted, she could've sworn that she saw a genuine smile from Tharja just then. "Anything for you Robin…But in return… I could use a bit more of your hair…"

Robin feigned a gasp of terror, brought her arms up and crossed them in a feeble attempt to ward her off.

Tharja laughed darkly for a brief moment then resumed looking ahead with her usual unreadable face. "Your resistance does not concern me. I shall help myself when you are asleep."

Robin's arms went limp at her sides and heaved her sixth sigh for the day. "Oh fine…"

Pleased with her submission, Tharja muttered under her breath. "You won't have anything to worry about Robin… I'll make sure the others do not find out." Thinking about trying new hexes always gave her a thrill that sent tingly tremors up her spine.

"Hm?" Robin tilted her head in confusion. "Did you say something?"

Tharja allowed herself another dark smile. "No, nothing at all."

Robin gave her a skeptical look but did not want to even try to pry it out of her so she dismissed it.

Her mind wandered again.

I wonder who took the throne after Gangrel..?


After arriving at the small island, Chrom had his troops begin to pitch up a camp for them to stay the night. To appease Frederick's wariness, Robin gathered a small entourage to accompany Chrom to the venue where he was to meet up with Plegia's king.

Keeping their arms stealthily hidden, Chrom, Robin and Frederick entered the dreary mansion, their backs towards the setting sun as they walked further into what they feared would be a trap, their only light was the flickering flames from the candles on the cold stone pillars.

They stopped in their tracks when they heard the click of sultry steps headed their way. A familiar dark beauty appeared before them.

"Greetings, Prince Chrom. Plegia welcomes you," she spoke in a seductive voice.

"Aversa!" Chrom was taken aback from the rather unwelcome surprise.

Robin watched the exchange between the three with an indescribable foreboding of ill to come lodged in her throat. She swallowed and quietly grasped for her tome in her cloak as the sinking feeling spread from her chest.

Validar...

Grimleal...

Grima...

Why...does this all unsettle me so much?

"...Ah, here is my lord now." Aversa's announcement snapped Robin out of her trance.

She looked forward and saw a cruel looking man whose sinister smile curled just enough to show a hint of his teeth, making his eyes crinkle into narrow slits that glowed an unfriendly yellow. His wiry frame made him look shrewd but his height made up for his lack of presence. Having to crane one's neck just to meet his eyes made one feel like quivering mouse beneath a venomous snake's deadly gaze.

But neither Robin nor Chrom was willing to let the new king shake their resolution.

"An honor to finally meet you sire. I am Validar, king remnant of Plegia." His low voice carried an disconcerting rasp.

"The honor is mine, good king..." This man...I know him from somewhere. And I may not remember right this instance, but for some reason, I know that I do not like this man. Where have I seen him before...? Before he catch himself, he had already vocalized his surprise. "Gods! It can't be."

He whipped around and frantically searched for Robin's eyes. She looked straight back at him, a connection established. Though somewhere deep in their hearts, they were happy to finally look into the other's eyes, this was not the time nor place and so they quickly repressed the rising feeling that threatened to overflow.

Robin!

I know!

They thought the same thing. He looks just like the assassin that came after Emmeryn...

Frederick noticed the subtle exchange that went on between the two and he immediately felt the anger starting to bubble up in his veins.

Either unable to read the atmosphere or he simply did not care, Validar cut in. "You must be Lady Robin."

Robin felt a cold chill travel up her spine but composed herself just enough to reply steadily. "You know of me, sire?"

"The whole world knows of Ylisse's tactician! And indeed, I see the sparkle of wisdom in your eyes."

A compliment from such a man only served to disgust her. She looked for Chrom's eyes again and found them waiting for her.

We killed him, Robin...!

I know but...the resemblance...it's uncanny...

How could he possibly-

"My, the negotiation hasn't even begun..." mused Validar as he tapped his fingers along his crossed arms.

"...My apologies, King Validar. We meant no disrespect," hastily replied Chrom, tearing his eyes away from Robin's for only that second.

Chrom? What should we do?

Nothing for now. But stay close, and be ready for anything...

"Then let us get to it." Both Robin and Chrom turned to Validar and nodded slightly in response.

Aversa interjected, "Plegia can offer no soldiers, but will provide 800 warships and 200 transports. In addition, we would be pleased to fully fund the campaign against Valm."

Their offer literally doused the flames of fury that Robin and Chrom had unknowingly fanned in Frederick. "That is...surprisingly generous of you, milord. We could not ask for more, quite literally. You offer most all your assets..."

Validar looked pleased with himself. "I would give troops as well, but our army remains in shambles from the last war. I trust the gold and ships will suffice as a sign of our commitment to the cause?"

Whatever hesitation Chrom felt towards the ease with which he received support for his cause, he put it aside for now. "Of course it will. Thank you, King Validar."

"The honor is ours, my prince. I look forward to building a strong bond between our two nations."

Though Chrom still held reservations about Plegia and its king, he decided to simply go with the flow for now. "As do I. Then, if there's nothing else? My men and I must hurry back to Port Ferox."

"Oh, so soon?" Aversa feigned injury as she rested a hand daintily over her heart. "But I have one more introduction to make."

I knew that this was too good to be true...As if this affair would be that simple.

Chrom inwardly sighed. "...Yes? And who would that would be?"

Validar swept his hands out in a grand motion, the pride in his words were unsettling. "A hierophant, the highest of her order in all Plegia."

At his introduction, a heavily cloaked and hooded figure walked out from the shadows towards them.

Robin decided to talk first. "So you lead people in worship?"

There was an unusual air of suspense that befell them as they waited for the new addition to speak. A few more moments passed in a disconcerting silence before Robin tried to address the hierophant again.

"...I'm sorry, have I said something to offend you?"

"...The heart still sleeps, but the blood flows through it. And the blood is strong..."

"...Huh? Beg pardon, were you talking to me?" It may have been her imagination, but that voice sounded very...

Losing his patience at last with the barely responsive addition, Frederick cut in. "Good hierophant, I would ask you lower your cowl. In Ylisse, it is a courtesy expected of one in the presence of royalty."

"...You are a long way from Ylisse, sir...But very well..." A pair of small pale hands pulled down the hood revealing a face they all knew well. "Is that better?"

Robin's soul almost jumped out of her skin. "What?!"

Even Chrom jolted in surprise. "By the gods!"

If there are two Robins...I won't be greedy! I just want one of them...! Luckily, Chrom had managed to keep his commentary to himself. He knew better than to allow his mind to wander like this, bitterly laughing off the thought.

Frederick's eyes widened. "What manner of sorcery-"

Her heart shuddered. "She...looks just like me."

The hierophant spoke. "My name is Robin. Oh and that was YOUR name as well, wasn't it? What a strange coincidence..."

Robin opened her mouth to spout out more questions but Validar quite happily interrupted her.

"Why that IS rather curious, now that you mention it...What are the odds?" Robin could've sworn that he turned to her for just that moment to mock her before returning his attention to Chrom. "In any case, I believe we are finished here. We will let you be on your w-"

Just as Validar was waving them away, Chrom couldn't help but raise his voice in protest. "Hold just a moment!"

Aversa tilted her head slightly. "Milord?"

"What is the meaning of this? Why do your hierophant and Robin-"

She wagged a finger to hush him. "I'm afraid we've no time for such trivial matters now, Your Highness. We have aid preparations to attend to, and you have a long, hard journey ahead... Oh, and do be careful on your way back to Port Ferox. This time of year the highroads of Plegia an be quite treacherous..."

With that, Validar turned around with Aversa and the hierophant at his tail, disappearing into the shadows.

Baffled and defeated, they returned to camp.


Robin sighed and tossed off her blanket.

"...It's no use. I can't sleep. Who was that woman? How could she bear the same face as me?"

'Robin...'

...Who is that?

Robin quickly rubbed the restlessness from her eyes and sat up, fully alert.

'Heed me, Robin...'

"Who's there?!" She slipped her feet into her boots and threw her cloak around her shoulders as she hurried outside. Robin broke into a sprint and checked the perimeter, but there wasn't any sign of an intruder anywhere. She slowed to a stop and took deep breaths to calm her racing heartbeats. "Th-there's no one..."

'Heed my call, Robin...'

"Nngh..." Robin's head started pounding. She brought her hands to her ears in a feeble effort to keep her head from splitting. "This voice is...in my head! Who are you?! What's happening?!"

Suddenly, the image of the man that Robin wished she would not have to see again anytime soon materialized before her.

Robin's heart nearly stopped. Her eyes squeezed shut to shut out the illusion but he was still standing there, unfazed with his lips curled into a malicious sneer.

'Why do you close your heart to him, Robin?'

"V-Validar?"

'Have you truly forgotten?' His eyebrow arched in mild bemusement.

"You were...calling me... Augh!" Robin clutched her head in pain, keeling over as she tried to calm the rapid pulsing in her head. "My head! Get out of my mind!"

Validar's demeanor soured all of a sudden. 'Such arrogance! You dare take such a tone...with your own father?!'

The blood in her veins chilled and all color drained from her face. Robin could not hold back the goosebumps that arose along her arm and the shiver that crawled up her spine. "...My what?"

He huffed theatrically as if he resigned to her ignorance. 'You are of my flesh, but of sacred blood. You are to serve a glorious purpose! You already know it is your destiny...'

"No..." Robin shook her head furiously. "Get...out..."

His eyes betrayed a glint of fury as his patience with his daughter grew thinner. 'Why do you resist us, Robin?' His hand swept gracefully out towards Robin. 'Your rightful place is at my side. Not wasting your time with these doomed servants of Naga!'

Robin tried to argue back but when she opened her mouth to speak, she felt a sharp pain splitting her head.

Validar lifted both his arms up in triumph. 'Give yourself to Grima! Let me join your strength to the fell dragon!'

Robin felt herself slipping between reality and the darkness that she was losing herself to. Her eyelids were heavy as she succumbed to the unknown.

"Robin!"

Chrom...?

As if waking from a deep slumber, Robin forced her eyes open, steadying herself as she straightened her stance.

Validar growled. '...Pah! Not this one again... No matter. In time you will see the truth.' He started to fade away. 'In time you will see the truth. And that is all it will be- a matter of time...' The pitch black fog dissipated along with him, giving way to the forest clearing that she last saw.

"Robin!" Chrom hurried to her side and held her by her shoulders. "Are you alright? I heard shouting." His eyes frantically wandered from the strained look in her eyes to the rest of her body, to check for any sort of injury.

Thank goodness...it looks like she's not hurt...

"Nngh..." Robin leaned into Chrom as the throbbing in her head waned. "Ahh..." She fought to clear her head and to calm her breathing. "I-I think so.." Nodding to confirm herself, she looked up at him and smiled as best she could. "Yes, Chrom, thank you. I'm...I'm fine."

Seeing her weak smile, Chrom's arms wrapped around her protectively and possessively. He closed his eyes and buried his face into her hair. "'Fine' is a poor choice of words! What's happened?!"

His stern and concerned voice made her heart ache. Her eyes lowered and she replied hesitantly. "...King Validar, he..." Realizing how ridiculous she was about to sound, she chewed on her bottom lip before continuing. "He spoke to me... in my mind. He said I was his...daughter..."

Chrom's eyes widened incredulously as he jolted back from surprise. "What?!" He shook her firmly till her eyes returned to his. "...Is this true?"

Robin shook her head solemnly. "I don't know...But I also don't know if it's a lie. Loath as I am to say it, I felt a...a strange connection, between us."

"Oh, gods..." Chrom's brow furrowed. "That hierophant doppelganger... Could she be the king's daughter, as well? Are you twins?"

Robin racked her brain for any recollection of having a father or a twin sister but to no avail. "I...I'm sorry Chrom. I can't remember.." The strangeness of recent events finally caught up to Robin and at that instant overwhelmed her. The hopelessness of it all made her eyes cloud over. "But if I'm being honest... it would explain much..." She bit her lip, feeling tears welling up as she struggled to hold them back.

He was supposed to be dead...

He is my father...

He can enter my...my mind...

I have a twin...

Why can't I remember any of this?

I...I only need Morgan now...

I don't want him as my father!

Blinking back her tears, she gently broke free of Chrom's hold on her. "...I'm not even sure I want to know the truth of my past anymore..."

Chrom's finger brushed the bottom of her chin as he gently tilted her head up. His eyes met hers in such strong conviction that Robin could not look away. "You are yourself, before you are any man's daughter. Remember that."

Robin's eyes softened and she slid her hand into his, drawing their joined hands away from her chin as she gave him a reassuring smile, her heart finally settling down. "...Thank you, Chrom."

Chrom's thumb smoothed over her knuckles as his hand tightened around hers, savoring this one moment as it filled his heart with much needed warmth. "Can you walk?"

Though she knew it was wrong, Robin was at her weakest and she allowed herself this small indulgence. "Yes...yes I think so."

With their fingers intertwined, the two were about to head back to camp but stopped in their tracks when they heard rustling from the brush. Chrom nudged Robin behind him as they heightened their guard up against the intrusion.

Frederick emerged from the cover of the trees. Seeing that it was him, Chrom quickly released Robin's hand. Frederick lowered his head in a brief greeting before making his report. "Milord, we are under attack! Risen have encircled the camp!"

Chrom gritted his teeth. "But...we posted sentries! How did this happen?"

Robin closed her now empty hand into a small fist, in order to keep the remnants of Chrom's warmth for even a second longer. Frederick's eyes narrowed at the sight of them but kept his thoughts to himself. He returned to the matter at hand. "They made a stealthy approach, milord. I've never seen Risen behave like this. Either they are learning our ways, or someone is commanding them..."

Chrom instantly thought of the one man who could pull off such a feat. "Validar!" He cursed under his breath, "This is his doing- I'm sure of it. Equip anyone who can bear arms, and tell them we fight for our lives."


Robin prepared everyone for battle, gathering her finest team to take down the Risen chief while the rest of the Shepherds stayed close behind as backup.

A murder of crows swarmed onto the battlefield right before the battle, unveiling a Plegian dark mage with a rather morbid sense of humor.

He introduced himself as Henry and through a series of jokes, relayed the crows' message for them.

Trapped...

Robin looked up at the two cliffs and examined the valley that they were in. Haha...This is one mountain of an uphill battle...

Great. I've been infected.

Shaking off the tasteless humor, Robin began formulating a strategy. She predicted all the safe spots for her fliers to stand by on to keep them safe from the archers. She devised the ideal team for the front line based on their level of capabilities to support one another and backed up the weaker ones with long ranged attackers. The healers would have to stay out of harm as well but she already made sure they had Physic staves.

"Ready everyone? Let's win this!" Chrom raised his sword and his troops raised their arms in return. Morale was high in spite of the heavy atmosphere that was thick with looming death and poisoned by the foul stench of rotting flesh.

Robin saw only one surefire way to win this battle. She sent herself headfirst into the valley so that all the archers would come after her. The ones with Longbows were trickier but she set them up so that she could reach them with her magic attacks.

When the flow of monsters slowed, she sent troops to claim the fortresses to stop enemy reinforcements. The fliers each carried an attacker with them and claimed the fortresses on the leveled ground on either side of the valley.

Good... Time to advance for the boss fight.

She ran up the slope, ahead of everyone else. Upon her evaluation of the boss, it could prove to be a rather difficult battle for most of her teammates.

I've no choice...I'll take it out then.

But Robin was already worn out from all the fighting she'd already done.

"Robin...!"

"...Hm?" Robin turned to see Chrom close behind her. "Hey..!"

He reached out for her arm and tugged her towards him. "You must be tired so just stay behind me while I take out that Risen chief okay?"

Thanking the night for veiling the faint blush that crept onto her cheeks, she nodded.

Robin watched his back as he walked ahead of her. He does this...every single time I need someone the most...How am I ever going to stop loving him?

Pushing her frivolous thoughts aside, she followed him to the middle of the bridge where the boss awaited them and they engaged it in battle.

The Risen Chief spoke. "Grr..kill...prince...!"

This confirmed their suspicions; someone behind the scenes directed this Risen attack.

Chrom charged at it with a strong blow from Falchion, Robin followed up his attack with an Arcthunder attack, and Chrom swooped in for the finishing blow.

"Kill...priii...agh..." The Risen boss fell and the battle was finally over.

Robin let out a breath that she did not know she was holding.

Thank goodness I didn't fail them...

"That's the last of them," declared Chrom as he turned to look at Robin. He cracked a small smile and she smiled back. "Gods, I thought it might nev-"

But before he could finish his sentence, a black flash passed her eyes and when she finally registered what had happened, a Risen assassin was poised to strike a fatal blow at Chrom.

Robin felt her heart stop as she reached out towards him. She tried to run towards him but her feet felt heavy, like lead. No...! NO! "Chrom, look out!" she cried.

"Huh?! Ah!" Chrom unsheathed Falchion to block the blow but the assassin was already in the midst of swiping his sharp dagger at him.

"Father, no!" A familiar voice broke through the tension and shot out from the shadows to Chrom's side.

Robin gasped. Marth...?

Marth blocked the blow from the assassin and upon its failure, it fled back into the night.

Marth sheathed Parallel Falchion and addressed Chrom with relief. "Thank the gods you're safe!"

Chrom put Falchion away and looked at Marth with an unreadable expression. "...You called me 'Father'..."

Taken aback, Marth stiffened. "Did I? I... Perhaps we may speak privately?" And with that Marth tilted her head towards Robin.

Robin stared straight ahead, her mind all out of sorts.

I know who she is...

...She... Robin could not explain the feeling that took over her heart. She felt hostility emanate from Marth and it was directed at her.

Chrom turned his head to Robin, his heart torn between comforting Robin and facing his alleged child. He then tentatively returned his gaze back to Marth. "Perhaps we should, yes. But let us settle back to camp first."

Marth nodded and with one last look at Chrom and Robin, left.

Robin felt the thorn that she tried to ignore in her heart dig itself deeper. Before her feelings betrayed her, she quickly turned her back to him and started to walk away till she felt her wrist encircled by his strong hand.

"Wait, Robin."

Robin planted her foot in the ground but did not turn around. If she did, she would undoubtedly throw herself into his waiting arms and relinquish all the contents of her heart to him, pleading with him to comfort her, to love her.

"Chrom." Her voice cracked slightly. "I understand. It's okay. It's meant to be this way."

"No it's not! Robin I-"

Not wanting to hear what he had to say Robin flung his hand off the second his grip slacked. "Chrom please! ...We can talk after you speak with Marth..."

With a reluctant sigh Chrom resigned and let his hand fall back to his side indifferently. "Alright..."

Robin clenched her fists and then dashed off.

Oh gods... When will this all end...?


A/N: Wow! That was one doozy of a chapter ._. It was extra long as well haha. I'm trying to make up for the fact that I haven't updated in a month. But, if you accept my excuse, I have been forcibly recruited to help renovate the house this summer and therefore never had the proper chance to sit down and write. In any case, thank you so much everyone for waiting! I know you all have been looking forward to this chapter and I hope it did not disappoint!

Next chapter: Chrom faces the daughter whose mother is not the woman he loves most and what's worse, it seems his daughter is aware of that fact! And what will Chrom have to say to Robin? How does Robin feel about all of this?

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