Chapter X: The Chosen Name

There was a stillness in the air as the Shepherds travelled back to Ylisstol. Robin didn't know how much longer this was going to take but she knew that she wasn't going to be able to go much further on her own like this. Earlier that day Robin had been busying herself with working through the last little details of what was a post war manifest. She had felt guilty about what had happened and had said that it was for the best that she at least did something to help. Her body however in its current state was not helping matters. She was heavily pregnant and for the time being she wasn't even sure that she was going to be of much help. No one really needed a tactician once war was over.

Chrom came to see if Robin was alright. She had insisted on doing something to help and Chrom had let her, only to be somewhat yelled at by Maribelle that the poor woman was in need of a break. However Chrom had suggested that they could see if she needed help and Maribelle had sighed rather loudly, "I'll go and get Lissa then," She said, "after all we wouldn't want to have her go into labour without someone to help her." and Chrom heaved a sigh,

"I'm sure that Robin would have told us if that were the case, but alright."

So it was that Chrom found himself visiting Robin in her tent where she was resting in her bedroll going over the manifest of their soldiers and working out who had died and which families need to be sent condolences. She seemed alright, if a little tired and there wasn't anything to suggest that she was in any pain. Indeed she seemed happy that they were back in Ylisse and was relaxed. By the time that Maribelle had arrived Robin was about halfway though the manifest. Chrom had helped a little and he was sitting on a small chair. Maribelle had bought Lissa and for the most part Robin wasn't too concerned. She was busy with the task that Chrom was presently helping her with. Of course she had to ignore the feeling of uneasiness that the child within her had been oddly still. She just chalked it to the child resting within her.

Caleb was tired, he'd spent the entire day working on helping the others put up what was to be their home base. It was out of the way and not that easy to find unless someone was actually looking for it. Lucina had spent the day keeping Caleb completely distracted and he was sure that she was up to something. After all it was his birthday. However he didn't see what the fuss was about. After all he wasn't any different than he was yesterday. However it was clear to Caleb that he should just simply wait and see what was going to happen. He paused and felt like he was missing something important. He sighed and checked another task off his list that Lucina had given him. It was all he could do for the moment.

Robin had felt the wave of pain as the afternoon turned to night. She tried not to show it but Maribelle had a fair guess. Even so the fact that Robin didn't really think that the baby within her was ready to enter the world. How wrong she was.

Lissa had been surprised when Robin suddenly went into labour. She had managed to get the supplies that Maribelle had felt that they might need to help the young woman have her baby and Lissa had wondered what the child would be like. Lon'qu was naturally outside of the tent and Lissa had felt like she wanted to help him as best she could to get rid of his fear of women, as did all of the Shepherds. Lissa returned her attention to poor Robin when the woman let out a low moan of agony. A healing staff wasn't much use; the pain was merely eased and not rid of after all. Lissa had learned how to help a woman in child birth as part of her training as a healer. Tharja had suddenly appeared. She spoke to Robin in Plegian as if also offering to help which Robin seemed to decline. Lissa didn't really understand but Tharja frowned and spoke in Ylissean with much difficulty "She wont let me help with dark magic, but I do know a thing or two about delivering babies."

"Is that so?" Maribelle asked, Tharja looked calm and nodded. She didn't like the fact that there was only two people that were allowed to help Robin and felt that the poor woman needed as much help as possible. Chrom had of course been shooed out with the rest of the Shepherds hovering about asking what had happened. Tharja sighed,

"Even as a messenger I suppose." She took Lissa and Maribelle by surprise but Robin gave word of approval,

"Of course," Robin spoke in Plegian, "Just no dark magic...I don't want to...well...I'm sure you'll understand Tharja."

"I suppose you don't want the possibility of the vessel for Grima? Fine, I won't use the normal magics," Tharja responded, "you have my word Lady Robin."

Of course what happened between the two women wasn't understood by the two healers in the tent but it seemed that they had agreed on something. Tharja had turned to head to the entrance of the tent and then turned back. She said something calmly and Robin nodded.

Robin for her part was in a lot of pain. She did her best to not cry out; certain that if she did it wouldn't help the situation. So when she was told that it was time to push, she kept her cries to a minimum. The baby came relatively easily and she was aware that it was a boy. Then she saw the mark. Ice cold dread filled her as the infant was cleaned to prevent infection. Robin almost didn't want to hold him. But she did. It was then that she felt a jolt of déjà vu. However she looked at the infant boy in her arms more closely. He wasn't anything like what had been described as Grima. In fact...it was as Robin had not realised. He was just a normal baby. With that in mind she took a step away from her ancestors and spoke, "Caleb," the tiny boy didn't seem to notice but did grab her finger. His arms flailed about in a nonsensical fashion and she could see that he was caught up in her bangs. Maribelle and Lissa both stood back as Robin carefully cradled the tiny boy, both were confused as to what Robin had said, but she spoke to them, "His name will be Caleb," She spoke in Plegian, more to the boy than those present, "May your loyalty be not to Grima, but to the people that truly love you. May you take the course of action that I could not, my son."

Meanwhile the future version of the baby that had just been born was currently checking off the last item of his list for the day. He'd not seen any of the other children just yet but he did hear an altercation going on. Caleb headed towards it and heard more clearly what was going on.

"Fend! How dare you imposter a man of justice and pretend to be him while causing the suffering of people!"

Caleb knew that voice and he ran, "Cynthia! I'm here let me help you!"

Everyone turned as Caleb raced onto the scene, "Caleb! What fortune it is indeed to cross paths with you again," Cynthia grinned using Plegian, "Can we cut down these scoundrels now?"

"Well, we probably should so they don't cause any more trouble, ok?"

"OK!" And she pulled out her lance. Caleb gripped his tome and charged into a battle that was going to be really short.

With the imposter cut down Caleb explained to the people what Chrom actually looked like. He added that the real Chrom had the Mark of Naga and that next time if they were uncertain to ask the man to see it. With the little peace made Caleb lead Cynthia back to the others.

Cynthia grinned and said, "Hey Caleb what day is it?"

"Cynthia why the sudden chatter in Plegian?"

"Because I missed talking in it!" Cynthia sighed, "I miss Dad ya know."

Caleb sighed and replied, "The day is April 19th." and Cynthia squealed suddenly,

"Owah! Happy Birthday Caleb!" Cynthia cried in Ylissean hugging him. Caleb heaved a sigh and smiled. Cynthia was like a little sister to him and Caleb was glad that his "little sister" was here now,

"Thanks Cyn," He replied, "Now let's get back to home base."

"Alright!"

When at last Cynthia and Caleb arrived to the camp Alana set upon them. The child was confused at first about the young pegasus knight and her steed but once Caleb explained that "Aunty Cynthia" would be joining them she calmed down. She lead them both to the "mess" tent and there was a surprise for Caleb. He'd grinned and allowed the others to celebrate. He sort out Lucina knowing that this was somewhat her idea. And he liked it. He also wanted to fill her in on what had happened. As the others gathered and somewhat celebrate the return of another Caleb marked down on his list that they still had Kjelle, Gerome and Inigo to go on their little list. Lucina sighed and Caleb felt that a little kiss would be fine. Lucina had been a little surprised but then she had a feeling that he was being a little sneaky. She smiled and was glad to see that he was happy. It was after all her plan all along. Especially since as Owain had pointed out Caleb had not had a good birthday in a very long time.

Else where a figure sat angry and sullen. Another year without taking the new vessel and the fruit had gone missing. As well as his most preferred puppet. He was fuming and wanted to bring about the destruction of this world. Anger made him tense but he didn't care. This body had become almost useless to him and the damn boy he needed wasn't as alone as he needed the boy to be. With a frown the figure looked over to the company he had at present. He would succeed soon enough. There wasn't failure. Fate would happen as it should. The figure decided that he would have to play with the humans just a little bit. Yes even he needed fun on occasion. And watching the maidens die would be nice, he decided...