"Well that's everything" Chrom nodded.
"I'll have to think up more strategies later after we have more information." Robin informed.
"In the meantime, I finally have my wife back," Chrom wrapped his arms around Robin, "and there's still sometime before dinner."
"And we should spend it with our daughter too." Robin giggled, "I did promise her."
"That you did." Chrom smiled, "Then shall we go find her."
It didn't take long for the royal couple to end up at the library. What surprised them was the sounds of storybooks already being read. They walked in silently and saw Lucina and Owain sitting in front of Alex. The grandmother glanced up long enough to notice the adults, but refused to disrupt the flow of the story. Soon enough the book was finished.
"This one next!" Lucina held up another book.
"Lucina my voice is getting tired. Maybe someone else should read for a while." Alex thrust her chin in the direction of the doorway.
Lucina turned, "Father! Mother!"
The princess rushed over to the waiting arms of her father. At the same time Owain walked over and Robin offered to help him find Lissa and Vaike. In the end the duty fell to one of the servants. After that it left Robin, Chrom, Lucina, and Alex alone together.
"I suppose I never introduced myself," the Exalt rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, "I'm Chrom, your son-in-law."
"Robin told me." Alex nodded, "She also told me about the little girl who is every bit as vibrant as I was informed."
Lucina grinned widely at her grandmother. Alex smiled and shook her head.
"Can we read more stories?" Lucina asked.
"Robin your daughter is the only child I've met who could give your love of book a run for it's money." Alex sighed.
Robin chuckled, "And you haven't even met Morgan yet. Anyway Lucina how about I do the reading. It looks like you're wearing Grandmother out."
The Queen took the princess's hand and walked over to the stack of books.
"That still sounds odd..." Alex muttered under her breath.
For the first time Chrom took a good look at the mother of his wife. It was clear that Robin's appearance took after hers. Notably was in the face and eyes. He had no idea what to say to this woman.
"I suppose I have to say thank you." Alex mentioned quietly.
Chrom turned his head toward Alex.
"Robin told me if it weren't for you, Grima would have taken her over. She says all of her friends and loved ones saved her, but you most of all. My daughter was born with the worst fate I can imagine. I did everything in my power to hide her from the Grimleal, and all information of the Grimleal from her. But that didn't do anything to help her. It was you who in the end saved her from the fate I feared. So, I should say thank you. Thank you for protecting her." Alex breathed never looking at Chrom. Her eyes were focused on the woman across the room.
Chrom was no fool. The words Alex had uttered held an incredible weight, and he knew it. This was a statement of gratefulness and pain. Thanking him for doing what she failed to do. This was the woman who loved, bore, and raised Robin. She was the one for guided Robin into becoming the woman she was when he met her. His eyes moved towards his beloved wife and daughter both excitedly looking at books.
"I suppose I should be grateful to you as well. If it weren't for you Robin would have been raised a devote Grimleal. If you hadn't fled with her and raised into the woman she is today; I never would have met her let alone fallen in love." Chrom returned.
A short silence fell between the two.
"You truly love my daughter and make her happy?" Alex asked almost soundlessly.
"With all my heart." Chrom responded without missing a beat.
"Then we should get along fine." Alex finally looked at her son-in-law.
Realizing that he just received a blessing from his mother-in-law, Chrom smiled.
"Father, Grandmother." Lucina beckoned their attention.
Both of them turned toward the child. She was seated happily beside her mother but clearly impatient.
"Are you going to listen too?" Lucina asked.
"Of course." Chrom beamed broadly walking over.
Alex chuckled at the situation before following behind for story time again after all these years.
Alex stared around the crowded dining hall. The amount of people here was surprising. She had been told the Shepherds were having a "check in" meeting to catch up and hear news from around the world. While she was glad to see her daughter surrounded by friends, part of her wished she had come at a different time.
Thankfully she had managed to avoid most attention. The Shepherds were more interested in each other than this strange woman. While Alex had to get through a few introductions, she had evaded the attention of most of the room. She sat in an isolated corner chastising herself for her inability to release her nerves and still clasping her hands together.
But her mind couldn't help wandering through some of the interactions she had today. Her time with Robin, Chrom, and Lucina had been a delight. The few Shepherds she met were pleasant as well. It was nearly every other interaction that was a problem.
Alex was acutely aware of the icy, judgmental looks she had been getting from people around the palace. Word traveled fast, and they seemed to already know who she was and her past. The few times she had talked with staff, their tones had matched the icy looks. Although she admitted it was understandable, maybe even justified.
She had been a Grimleal-the wife of Validar for that matter. Robin was a Fellblood, but she had proven herself time and time again. Alex had not. To these people she was a Grimleal. She had married a man who had nearly destroyed their homes, lives, and world. They didn't know she had suffered just as much at the hands of the Grimleal.
Perhaps she was reading too much into this. It could just be her commoner social status, or that she had broken some custom and offended them. With a shake of her head she attempted to dispel the unsettling thoughts, yet a few lingered in the back of her mind.
Before she knew it, the meal had been served. It was a gourmet meal that many dream of eating, yet the sight and smell of it forced her mind back. It conjured images and thoughts of days where this kind of dish was served daily, but she felt nothing. She was cold, empty, and void. There was nothing in those days but violence and the will of others. Abruptly Alex felt her appetite fade in the present. She longed for her fresh garden vegetables and fish straight from the river. Knowing she had to eat something, Alex absentmindedly nibbled at the "delicacy" on her plate.
It wasn't long before she couldn't force anymore down. She looked around the room. In her eyes, everyone either looked occupied or unfriendly. Somehow the grand hall manged to feel all too big and all too small at the same time. Alex took this as her liberty to leave and headed to the library. She selected reading material and walked to the courtyard. The only things on her mind were relaxing, fresh air, and getting out of her head for a while.
Alex had been reading for around an hour when a group began to enter the courtyard. She looked up to see a flock of children gathering on the grass. Clearly to their young minds there was fun and games to be had. Alex just sat and smiled, admiring the carefree, upbeat nature all of them possessed. It wasn't long before Alex was spotted.
Lucina beamed and walked over to the aging woman.
"Are you going to play too Grandmother?" the princess asked.
"Well I came out here to read." Alex answered.
"Doesn't mean you can't play now." Lucina insisted.
"Are you sure you want this old lady to play with you?" Alex attempted to dissuade the girl.
"Yes" Lucina replied instantly.
"Who's that Luci?" a young girl with poofy pigtails walked up.
"This is my Grandmother." Lucina declared proudly.
The little girl looked right at Alex, "I'm Cynthia!"
"Nice to meet you." Alex chuckled.
"Who's that?" another child's voice came.
Before Alex knew she was completely surrounded by children. Although realistically she should have know to expect this. She was a new curiosity in their small but growing worlds. She sighed knowing the tenacity of the children had her beat. Though she also noted the children's caretakers watching her closely.
"Alright what game are we playing?" Alex surrendered.
"How about 'Heroes of Justice'?" Owain suggested.
"Again Owain? You always say that." Severa huffed.
"I like 'Heroes of Justice'!" Cynthia objected.
"Maybe something calmer." Noire chimed in.
The children continued to squabble like this for quite some time. Alex chuckled quietly while she watched. There was something nostalgic about the sight and sound.
"What's your favorite game Grandmother?" Lucina brought Alex back to reality.
That was a question Alex was determined not to give the full answer to. There was no way she was going to encourage these children to be as foolish as she had been; let alone as reckless and wild.
"Hmm when I was your age I think it was hide and seek." Alex answered neglecting to mention that the best hiding spots were the high branches of tall trees. (Where young children did not belong. Although that hadn't stopped her.)
The children all seemed to agreed to this idea.
"Grandmother is 'it'" Lucina decided immediately.
Instead of protesting Alex just covered her eyes and began counting. When she opened them the children had all scampered off. Although a few tell tale clues were littered about the courtyard. Feet peeked out between flowers. Hair mysteriously grew out from the sides of trees. Giggles echoed beneath benches. Alex found herself laughing despite her reluctance to play.
"Oh where could they be?" Alex mused loudly.
Her answer came in giggles and loud whispers to "be quiet!". With an eye roll and a smile Alex set about her work. She wandered around often repeating "I wonder where they are?"; then turned toward the giggles. She would often pretend she didn't notice them only to spin around and catch them. It didn't take long for her to find all of them.
The game changed after this. They played more hide and seek, chase, and 'Heroes of Justice'. Pretty soon the children were all tuckered out and settled around a tree with Alex. After the last round of 'Heroes of Justice' the conversation was set on the legends of the past.
"Whose your favorite hero Grandmother?" Lucina asked.
Alex thoughtfully answered, "Katarina"
"You mean that lady who betrayed the Hero-King? Why would you like someone like that?" Cynthia admonished.
"Well," Alex stared off into the sky, "yes she did betray the Hero-King. Her life spun completely out of control and she found solace with the wrong people. But, entering the Hero-King's army and becoming friends with his soldiers changed that. When she was offered a chance for redemption by the Hero-King and a close friend: she took it. After many years of work, she straightened her life out. I like to think of her as proof that no matter how unforgivable your actions, it's still possible to set yourself right."
The children looked at Alex with a mix of confusion and wonder.
"Sorry did that go over your heads?" Alex sighed, "Basically even if you mess up; you can still fix things."
"Has she always been your favorite?" Owain questioned.
"No," Alex chuckled at her lost philosophy, "when I was your age my favorites were Kris and Mark. Actually they were Robin's favorite too."
"I've never heard of them." Severa snorted.
"Not many people have. In fact no one even knows if they really existed or not." Alex replied.
"Who were they?" Cynthia asked excitedly about these new heroes.
"Kris was one of the Hero-King's loyalest knights and closest friends." Alex began, "He's sometimes called the Shadow Hero because so much about him is unknown. Mark was a tactician for Lady Lyndis and Lords Eliwood and Hector; as well as their close friend. While she never fought her strategies were supposed to be unbeatable. No one knows what happened to her, but many called her the Superb Mind. Both of them fought their hardest and proved to be brilliantly minded. But above all they cherished their allies: their friends. Though history seems to have forgotten."
"Like Mother!" Lucina exclaimed.
"Well preferably not the last part." Alex chuckled, "But yes when your mother told me about the war I thought she sounded a lot like them."
"Did you want to be like them?" Cynthia asked wide eyed.
Alex stared off distantly, "I really don't know Cynthia. If I ever did it will be an unfulfilled dream. The best I could even hope for is Katarina."
The children looked at each other confused at the strange tone that had entered the old woman's voice.
"So that's the plan." Robin finished, "More than anything we need information and to be alert. If someone wishes to be either on the research work or patrols please tell me. Otherwise I will formulate groups based on where everyone is best suited."
The room murmured a bit but seemed to agree to leaving the decision to Robin.
"That's all. Everyone is dismissed." Chrom's voice broke the formal spell of the meeting.
Immediately groups began to break. Mostly consisting of children reuniting with their parents. Lucina and Morgan were no exception. After hugs between all members of the family, the four settled down to talk.
"Have you both been well?" Lucina asked.
"Yes Lucina." Chrom smiled at his daughter and wrapped an arm around his wife.
"As you can see your father is as protective as always." Robin teased and Chrom rolled his eyes, "Have you two been well? It seems like it's been forever since you last stopped by." Robin maternally smoothed both of her children's hair.
"I have enjoyed traveling. It is wonderful to see the world at peace." Lucina grinned.
"It really is a lot of fun." Morgan chimed in, "What about you two? Anything interesting happen lately? Other than the Morgan of this time."
Robin bit her lip in debate. Was this the right time to mention Alex to the children? After all they were family. Although there was still a lot of things to work out with Alex. This must have been a lot for her to take in the past days. Introducing her to the children would only add to the many things she had missed over the years. On the other hand, Alex had already met young Lucina and that had gone well, and the children might know what had happened to Alex in the future.
"We did meet someone interesting recently. Her name is Alex, and she is my mother." Robin answered.
"Really? That's amazing!" Morgan beamed.
"Truly?" Lucina blinked startled by the news.
"She's a nice woman. At least she made a good impression on everyone so far." Chrom added.
"I don't suppose you know what happened to her in the future?" Robin inquired.
"I'm still drawing a blank." Morgan chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'm not sure. I never actually met her." Lucina shook her head, "This is a very old memory, but I think I asked about her once. I believe Mother said that she and Grandmother had a big fight and were no longer speaking. Mother had looked very sad when she said that. That may not be a reliable memory though."
Robin's face became puzzled. So far everything had been going smoothly. Her mother hadn't mentioned any fight between the two. Although she might be pretending it didn't happen.
"Is she here?" Morgan asked.
"Somewhere yes. I haven't seen her since dinner though." Robin answered.
"Can we meet her?" Morgan followed up.
"I don't see why not." Chrom agreed.
With that the family headed off to find the aging woman.
I AM SOOOOOO SORRY! I truly meant to update more once school started. It turned out those minor problems I mentioned at the end of the last chapter were not minor. I have been through computer hell and back. (Resulting in a new computer.) Once that was taken care of I had a few big writing assignments due. Then Rune Factory 4 came out...then Pokemon...then midterms (shudder). I also am pretty involved on campus and have a job. Anyway things have been a real mess on my end. I plan to try my best to get more writing time. *Fingers crossed*. I still want to make it up to you guys somehow. I'm open to suggestions, keeping in mind my lack of time. THANK YOU SO MUCH for putting up with this. I really did not mean for this to happen.
