This… is the one. As I assume that you all know what happens in the next few chapters of the game, you know what this means.

Just a quick side note: there's one section of this chapter that's almost entirely written in italics. This section is a flashback and I would appreciate it if you don't skip past that. I think that's one of my best written segments ever. Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 10

"We have to get out of here NOW! Cut down anyone who gets in the way!" Chrom yelled out his command as he boarded Sumia's Pegasus. "Robin! Where to?"

"The fliers and riders have already been informed of the route! Follow them!" Sumia, Cordelia, Cynthia, and Phila took off, their battle partners riding with or next to them. "There are dark mages using Mire spells everywhere around here and they can attack from long distances! Be ready at all times! And protect Chrom and the Emblem at all costs!"

The Shepherds surged forwards like a mighty wave, wiping down all in their path. While the battle was still difficult, Robin took it as an opportunity to observe the talents of the new recruits: Kenshin, the shy cavalier, and Morgan, his daughter.

The cavalier's fighting style was very much influenced by his mother's Pegasus Knights, but boosted by the immense strength of his father. He primarily used his lance, twirling it with as much grace as any woman atop a flying steed. Kenshin did not limit his attacking to a seated position: he stood up on the horse and slashed downwards at one point, while the horse kicked an assassin in the head with enough force to shatter his skull. At one point, the cavalier charged into a room that was not on the main route. He emerged with his steel lance- and two dark mages skewered onto the end like a shish-kebab.

"Ew." Robin shook his head until he heard Lucina yell, "Robin! Ready a wind tome!" The grandmaster turned in time to see the Great Lord dash in the direction of an assassin who was guarding the gate. "Now!" Robin shot Rexcalibur at Lucina, propelling her quickly through the hall, skewering yet another Plegian.

Cynthia and Morgan were the first through the gap. Morgan jumped down from the Pegasus, drew her Falchion and an Arc-Thunder tome, and set to work. She sliced the bow of an assassin that was firing at her aunt, then blasted him in the head with lightning. She stunned a berserker by firing lightning onto his steel axe, then slashed his throat with Falchion. When she and Cynthia were approached by a sword-master and a berserker, she charged her aunt's lance with lightning while the pega-pony princess slashed through the berserker's defenses. They turned to take on the sword-master, but Stahl had slashed his stomach open in a rather gruesome manner. He spurred his horse on, but was hit by Mires twice. He fell to the ground clutching his chest while his horse ran away.

"Stahl, be careful! You'll get yourself killed!" Maribelle ran to heal him, but the cavalier pushed her away. "I thought you weren't happy with who you were paired with. I thought a rich royal like yourself didn't want to associate with a lowly Paladin. Angry you ended up with the overly-joyful, over-eating loser instead of Chrom? Afraid I won't be accepted by the Galto household? Blame me for the way Brady ended up? Because in my eyes, that boy is everything I dreamed he would be."

Tears began to well up in Maribelle's eyes. "Stahllion," She addressed her husband by his full name, "I never regretted us. I just wish it happened naturally. I regretted not being able to meet your brother and father and help out with the apothecary. I regretted missing out on dates and moonlit nights. And if you or Brady asked me to give up all of my family's inheritance in order to stay with you two, I would toss it all aside and live happily with you, whether it's as Shepherds or as Apothecaries or whatever!"

"Is this the part where I'm supposed to kiss you? I hope it is." Maribelle laughed through her tears and nodded. The Paladin then reached up and pressed his lips against Maribelle's, while the Valkyrie ran her hands through her husband's perpetually messy olive hair. "You always know just how to make me smile, Stahl."

In the actual battle, the Shepherds were pushing to the gate, where a berserker waited with a bolt axe. "Leaving Plegia so soon? Please, stay awhile. Stay…" The Shepherds would never hear the next word to come out of his mouth because Virion's arrow had gone through it. Algol the berserker fell to the ground, unable to speak anymore.

"We need to create a diversion in case the Plegians try to continue pursuing us. Frederick, Lissa and Gaius will lead the main group out the main gate. Chrom, Lucina, and I will head out this way." Robin led the two Great Lords down the hall quickly until Validar suddenly materialized out of nothing and shot a dark blast at Chrom. The Exalt fell to one knee in pain. "Father!" Lucina ran to Chrom and helped him stand up.

"The Fire Emblem. Give it freely, or it will be taken." Chrom coughed and replied, "Just try," readying Falchion again. Validar merely laughed and replied, "I won't need to do anything." He turned to face Robin and reached out his hand. "Draco! Let Grima take control!"

Robin dropped his sword and began to convulse in pain. Lucina ran to his side as he screamed in agony, clawing the ground under him. "Robin! What's wrong? Speak to me! Are you alright?" But when he looked up again, his eyes shone purple. He shoved Lucina out of the way, then ripped the Fire Emblem off of Chrom's shoulder. Then Robin, possessed by Grima's power, handed the Fire Emblem to Validar.

"Well done, my child." Validar snapped his fingers and Robin collapsed to the ground, free of his father's control. "At last, the Fire Emblem belongs to me. And with my Gemstone, it is complete! Now, to set the Table and perform the rite..." Validar vanished in a spark of red light. "Damn you, Validar…"

"Chrom, I… I don't know w-what came over me…" Chrom ran over to Robin and helped him up. "I know, but right now we need to focus on getting out of here!" Robin nodded and followed him out of the side gate, meeting a strange lack of resistance. But as they ran to join the other Shepherds, Lucina was shaken by the realization that she was trying so hard to deny.

"You need to leave me behind, Chrom." The Shepherds were 10 leagues away from the Plegian capital, where they set up camp for the night. The mood was tense: only Nowi, Owain, and Morgan were trying to cheer people up. While the Shepherds gathered around fires, Robin, Chrom, and Frederick talked in hushed voices. "H-he could use me again... I can't be trusted! This c-cursed blood in m-me must somehow g-give my f-father dominion over me..."

"But he never had full control. You can fight it, Robin. And if he expects you to blindly obey, that might be the surprise we need." Despite Chrom's attempt to cheer him up, Robin was still distraught. "Chrom, you put too much faith in me."

"Robin, I put my army of over 40 soldiers in your hands and you have yet to lose a battle. I have every reason to trust you with everything." After Chrom's statement, Frederick added, "You've come this far, Robin. You cannot give up now!" Robin slowly nodded, said, "Thanks," and started to walk away from the camp.

"Milord, it's probably best if we leave him alone for a while." Chrom looked on at Robin for a few seconds longer, watching his cloak billow in the wind. Then he turned and followed Frederick into the camp.

The grandmaster of Ylisse stared down at the diary of his mother, reading it again in new light. My husband has gone mad with his ambition to bring Grima into this world. Robin always knew that much. His ambitions were going to even affect our newly born son, so I took him away last night and ran, as far as I could. The tactician now knew why his mother's flight was so dire. Validar has sent the Grimleal after me, of course, calling me a traitor and giving them orders to kill me and take my son back to Plegia for their horrible schemes. A new teardrop replaced the ones that had dried from the battle at Sage's Hamlet. I can't begin to describe what they plan to do with my son, but I will not let them take him. He will not be Draco any longer, but Robin instead, for I wish for him not to become-

"Not to become Grima's minion." He crumpled up the journal entry and stuffed it into his pocket. Robin stood there for a while longer. I've betrayed them all. My friends, my commander, my wife, my daughter-

"Father? Are you okay?" Robin turned to see his daughter approach him, his own tattered cloak on her back. Robin slowly replied, "Not really. You've heard what happened to me at the end of the battle there, right?"

"Yes, Father, but everyone knows that you didn't mean to. We'll get the Emblem back, Father. You'll see. Then you and Mother can have your wedding and settle down in the Shepherds' village." Robin laughed lightly and replied, "I do hope so, but a lot of things have to go right before then." Morgan shrugged and hugged her father tight, while Robin wrapped his arms around her as well. "Now go back into camp, kiddo. Hang out with your aunt Cynthia and Yarne- they sometimes feel underappreciated, I think." Morgan nodded and ran back to the camp. Robin merely sat in silence until he felt a finger tap his shoulder.

"Robin? Might I have a word?" Lucina was standing behind him with a determined stance and doubtful eyes. "Sure, Lucina. What do you need?"

"It's about my father. I have memories of him, you know. From when I was little. Before he...died. He was courageous, and kind, and everyone spoke fondly of him. People say he was brave right up until the very end." Lucina wiped a tear out of her eye, but not for the reason that Robin thought. "I always yearned to know him better. And now that I do... I can see that the world will be robbed of a very great man." She looked back up into her fiancé's eyes. "...I won't allow that to happen."

"I understand, Lucina." Robin reached out and held her hand in his. "You love your father, Lucina. We all do." Lucina pulled away from him and dropped one hand down to the hilt of Falchion. "Robin, I... Please, forgive me..."

"How is Lucina handling it? She didn't look happy earlier." In response to Sumia's question, Chrom shrugged. "She's talking to Robin now, I think. I trust that they'll be able to work it out." Chrom hesitated, then continued. "I have a confession to make, though." Sumia gave her husband a puzzled look as they sat down on the bedroll in their tent. "Continue."

"I told you that I fell in love with you after the fifth or sixth pie. But in truth, I had fallen in love with you at the Longfort when you saved my life. I wanted as many chances to talk to you and be with you as possible, so in reality, I lied. Robin didn't decide who I married. I bribed him to pair me with you. Flipping out at him the other day was all an act." Chrom wore a guilty look on his face until Sumia put one hand on the side of his head and pressed their lips together. "That's extremely romantic," Sumia whispered as they continued to kiss.

Suddenly Sumia stopped. "Hold on. What did you pay Robin to do that?" Chrom bit his lip, hesitant to reply. "Chrom, how much am I worth to you?"

"I…" Chrom took a deep breath. "I gave Robin… a tome."

"A TOME?!" Sumia had an incredulous look on her face. Chrom tried to keep a straight face, but couldn't help but laugh. Sumia did too. "I hope it was a strong one! I swear, if it was just a Wind tome or something…"

"It was the Book of Naga, Sumia! He wanted one of the twelve holy weapons of ancient times!" Sumia laughed even harder and pushed Chrom down onto the bedroll just as Frederick was walking in.

"Is… this a bad time, Milord?" Chrom sighed and stood up to face Frederick. "No, now's just fine, Frederick the Wary. What do you need?" The great knight of Ylisstol hesitated before continuing. "There have been many shocking revelations among the Shepherds lately, so I think now is a good time for me to get something off of my chest."

Chrom and Sumia both had a curious look on their faces. "This tent is rather stuffy. I want you to continue, but let's step outside." Frederick nodded and held open the tent flap for the Exalt and his queen. "Now, what is it that you wanted to tell me?"

"Do you remember that day, a day or two after we met Robin, when Emmeryn was told she was going to have to marry foreign loyalty, probably Plegian?" Chrom shuddered. "That was an unpleasant day for me. As much as I try not to, I remember it." Chrom suddenly stopped and gave Frederick a curious look. "But now that I recall that day again, I remember one specific detail: you were nowhere to be found that day. After all of the times I wished you would leave me alone, on that one day you actually did, and it was probably the worst day of my life up to that point. And again when Emmeryn died: as soon as we escaped pursuit, you vanished for days."

"I apologize for that, Milord. I wish to explain my reason." Frederick paused for a moment, then continued his explanation.

"Emmeryn asked me when you were only ten and Lissa was six to protect you and Lissa when I was knighted. As she was the daughter of your father the Exalt, I agreed without hesitation. I was 15 years old." The stoic knight choked up for a second, then continued: "Years went by, and eventually you founded the Shepherds soon after Emmeryn became the Exalt. I had forgotten about the promise, but Emmeryn had not. She sought me out and asked me to become your bodyguard. She was the Exalt. I could not disobey. But as I went on protecting you and milady Lissa, I still went in to report to her occasionally." The Great Knight paused once more. "You know what, could Milady cast the memory-seeing spell, please? I believe Robin taught it to you once." Sumia nodded and muttered the incantation, then tapped Frederick's forehead, drawing forth wispy memories.

"Sir Frederick, how are you today?"

"I am just fine, your majesty. Do not concern yourself with such futile things."

"Sir Frederick, every citizen of all of Ylisse is my concern, my siblings' bodyguard even more so. Also, please do not call me 'your majesty.' It feels odd, coming from someone who does so much more than I."

"Do not sell yourself short, your maje- er, Emmeryn. You have led the kingdom from chaos to prosperity. That is something I could never do."

"And yet it is I who need You to protect my brother and sister."

"You are the Exalt. I was sworn to your service from childhood. I only do my job in protecting your siblings."

"What of training his Shepherds into a strong fighting force? What of going out of your way to find Ricken and convince Chrom to take him in when his parent's riches were lost?"

"What? How did you-"

"I did not merely place my trust in you because you looked tough when we were young. I saw that kindness and caring in your heart. I knew you would go above and beyond if necessary to protect my brother and sister."

"Well then, I defer to your knowledge, Emmeryn."

"Even that is more than you should grant me. Just call me Emm. That's an order, Sir Frederick."

"Frederick. Pleasure to see you out here."

"Indeed. It truly is a beautiful day, and nowhere more beautiful in Ylisse than in this very garden."

"It's odd to see you when Chrom and Lissa are not within fifty feet of you."

"But they are. They're trying to convince the council to let them hire a tactician for the Shepherds in the third window from the left over there."

"Hm. Even if the council agrees, they won't be able to find any good tacticians. Chrom's best chance of finding one is to find one passed out in a field."

"Well, that's not my concern. But I must ask: why are you out here alone, Emm? You are the Exalt, you should have a bodyguard."

"I am not alone. A Great Knight of Ylisstol is here, and he would protect me if the need arose, correct?"

"Of course, Milady, but I am not that great. The title is deceiving. There are many enemies that I cannot protect you from. As the Exalt, you need to keep yourself safe."

"Or I can allow those additional guards to protect nearby villages, keeping many more citizens safe than I could before, and allow one capable knight to oversee my family."

"I am not as strong as you believe. My potential as a soldier has been reached. I can barely beat your brother in our sparring matches, Lissa will soon be strong enough to become a war cleric, and you are a perfectly capable sage yourself. Soon Kellam will take my place in the knighthood, and I will fade away."

"Your selflessness and kind heart must never leave the Shepherds. Even if your strength fades, you must stay. Can you promise me that, Frederick?"

"Yes, Emm. I promise."

"You summoned me, Milady?"

"Indeed I did, Frederick. Will you walk with me?"

"Of course. Anything the Exalt asks."

"Chrom and Lissa are with the Shepherds, so I hereby give you the rest of the day off. As you are now off-duty, you may go wherever you choose. So I ask again: Will you walk with me?"

"Of course. Anything you ask."

"Excellent. I wanted you to see the garden again, because there is something you ought to see out here."

"What is this? Why are all of the leaves orange? Are those all butterflies?!"

"Hehe, yes. This is something that only happens once every year, and I don't believe you've ever been out here during the migration."

"Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful."

"I agree completely. The way the monarch butterflies crowd around each other and flutter quickly, as well as the crimson sunset, creates an air of calm and elegance."

"You're absolutely right. But I wasn't talking about the environment."

"…Frederick, I…"

"My apologies, milady. That was completely unfit for a knight in your service. I will give you my resignation in the morning."

"No, Frederick. Not only are you off-duty, but that is a perfectly natural thing for a person to say to someone they love… and who loves them back."

"Are you certain, Emm? Don't feel pressured about this."

"There is not a doubt in my mind. Never have I seen anyone so kind and so dedicated. You have gone above and beyond in protecting my family. Chrom may not appreciate you, but I do. I love you, Frederick."

"I love you too, Emm."

Chrom stood in shock as he watched Emmeryn reach up and kiss her brother's longtime bodyguard. Sumia looked like she was about to faint in a swoon. Cordelia had her hand over Henry's mouth as they watched without permission from a short distance away. Frederick's eyes were fixed on the ground.

"Sir Frederick… I had no idea that my sister meant so much to you." The Exalt set his hand on his bodyguard's shoulder in sadness. "The memory isn't over, Chrom."

"Emm?"

"Frederick. Come in. But close the door quickly- we don't want Chrom or Lissa to know about this. They'd never let you or me hear the end of it."

"Very well."

"But enough of that. How was your day, Frederick? Have my brother and sister been kind to you?"

"Yes, they do occasionally show gratitude. But as I predicted, Chrom defeated me in a duel for the fifth time today. My usefulness has run out."

"Nonsense, Freddy. You are still an intuitive warrior, great teacher, and skilled guardian. Chrom knows that. He likes you a lot, even if he never shows it."

"But the other Shepherds will be able to teach any new Shepherds the ropes. And then when your siblings grow strong enough to defend themselves and everyone else, the council will have me released."

"Well, even if the Shepherds one day don't need you, or if my brother finds he doesn't want you here anymore, I still need you. I still want you to be here."

"I would willingly stay as long as milady asks."

"And if Emmeryn, rather than your liege, requests it?"

"My answer remains the same, my love."

"Frederick? What are you doing out here? It's not nice out here. Robin will need you at full strength."

"I heard the news. From Sir Brady Galto. About your meeting with the council today."

"Frederick, please, you must listen to me-"

"What happened to 'I still want you to be here?' Does your love for approval from the council out-prioritize that for me? Did you even have any in the first place?"

"Of course I did, Frederick! I still do! But I must put my kingdom first. Plegia readies for war, and strengthening our ties with them could prevent it. Please, you must understand, I would never leave you out of choice, but in this situation, I have none."

"Emm… n-no, this cannot be… surely the council knows that marrying you off to Plegian royalty will change nothing! Those 'Risen' are linked to them! I'm sure of it!"

"They cannot take any chances. Chrom will be the new Exalt once the deal is done. Frederick, you must guide and protect him as Exalt. Please? As one last favor for me?"

"I… yes. I can. But know this: I have loved you since that day you assigned me to guard your siblings, and I will never stop loving you."

"And my heart will eternally cry out for one last embrace. You may not have a monument in stone for your deeds, but you have one in my heart forever."

The new Exalt, Chrom, along with Sumia, his queen, had tears welling up in their eyes as they watched more tears stream down from the two lover's faces as they embraced one last time. Then Emmeryn walked away slowly, leaving Frederick, thought by many to be completely stoic, a sobbing mess. Then the image faded and the smoke dissipated.

"You have a lot to think about for the next two days, so I will leave it up to you as to when you decide on whether to fire me or not for that." Then the Great Knight walked away in a hurry.

Chrom was still in shock. "Frederick, wait!" He began to walk after him, but then a taguel bounded up in front of him. Before Chrom could ask Yarne to get out of his way, Cynthia and Morgan slid off of his back and ran to Chrom in a panic.

"Grandpa, we need your help, quick!" Chrom and Sumia were totally bewildered by this sudden plea. "Morgan, dear," Sumia crouched down slightly to be on level with her grand-daughter, "What are you saying?"

"Mother, Lucina's holding Robin at sword-point! She's going to kill him!" Chrom snapped into action as soon as the words escaped Cynthia's mouth. "Cynthia, Yarne, take Morgan to our tent and don't let anyone in or out of that tent until one of us tells you to! Sumia, please go find a medic- but not just anyone, it has to be somebody we trust. Only Lissa or… Libra. I'll go try to defuse the situation!"

"Lucina?!" Robin shouted in panic as his fiancé's Falchion hovered under Robin's chin. "Stay where you are, Robin! I have no choice. You are my father's murderer. I must kill you."

"What madness is this?!" Lucina had expected such a response, and continued to remain steeled and determined. "I knew he had been killed by his closest friend. Having witnessed your bond with him, I doubted it could be so... But today's events make it clear. You are at Validar's mercy. I suspect it's he who forces you to take my father's life, and very soon."

"Lucina, wait-"

"If my father is right, then we can change our fates. If this dark future is to be averted, sacrifices must be made. I am sorry, Robin! I know this is murder, I... I know that..." For a moment, shame almost overtook her determination, but she held her arms up. So this must be what heartbreak feels like.

"Lucina, you don't have to do this." Lucina shook her head. "Don't make it harder! Don't resist, and your death will be swift and painless. If you hold any love for Chrom, then let this be done..." She stalled for a moment, waiting for his next action, expecting to have to duel past him and strike him down. Just one more man. You've killed many in this war, just one more man…

"Very well." Oh, gods… "My life is yours... It always has been." She looked into his eyes and saw no fear or hate or disdain- only love, and on his face, a tragic smile. "D-don't look at me like that!" Lucina began to shake slightly. This was much harder than she had anticipated- and she had readied for gut-crushing sadness and rejection. Robin accepting her judgement was far worse. "I love you! Do you have any idea how hard this is for me?!"

"If Chrom needed me to give my life for him, I would do so without hesitation, because he is my commander and friend. But when I gave you that ring on your finger, it meant my very soul is yours. Everything I have to give, from a Brave Sword to the cloak on my back to my very life, is yours to take." While Lucina stood shaking, eyes drifting towards the hilt of Falchion, Robin spotted Chrom watching from a short distance away, his hand gripping a spear, which he aimed at the circular hole in Lucina's Falchion. Robin shook him off. "Just… promise me…" Lucina looked up into his eyes hesitantly, waiting for him to continue.

"...Promise me you'll find someone else who cares for you. Promise you won't be alone..." Robin had tears in his own eyes now. "I want you to be happy, Lucina. That's all I've ever wanted."

These word felt like a dagger in Lucina's heart. The princess expected Robin's last words to be painful, but this was agony. She knew that she didn't want to kill the man she loved more than anything. "N-no... Ah gods, no..." Instead of a slight shake, Lucina's knees were buckling as she tried to hold the Falchion up in her unwilling arms.

"I'm ready now. Do what you must." And at that, Robin closed his eyes. Any second now, the world will be saved. All of the Shepherds will survive, and all of the future children's work will have paid off. I'll get to see my mother. Validar's plot will fail. I've won. Now I just need to wait.

"I… I must…" Lucina's face was drenched in sweat and tears. All of her years of suffering, all of the work to prevent her catastrophic future, had paid off. All she had to do now was kill the love of her life and the father of her daughter. Morgan. Oh gods. What will she think of me now? Despite this doubt, all of her common sense was screaming at her to do the deed. She knew she should kill Robin and save them all. She should save the world, and all she needed to do was take one life.

But she couldn't.

Robin's eyes flew open as he heard the Falchion cut through the air, and watched as Lucina stuck her sword into the soil next to her soon-to-be husband. Lucina was still shaking.

"Damn me! I can't do it! I love you too much!" Lucina threw her arms around Robin's shoulders and buried her face in his jacket, sobbing uncontrollably. Robin wrapped her arms around Lucina's waist to keep her from falling down as her legs gave out from the pressure. "I'm sorry, Robin! I'm s-so sorry! Please forgive me!"

"Easy now. Easy. It's all right... I forgive you." His assailant and lover's torrent of emotion slowed down to a steady sob as Lucina slowly regained her footing.

"Are you done, Lucina?" Chrom walked forward and picked up Lucina's Falchion, sheathing it in the place of his own, which was still in his tent. His daughter stood up in alarm and fear. "Father! I... I can explain!"

"There's no need. You're not the only one who can eavesdrop. I heard every word." Lucina hung her head in shame. "Lucina, I know your heart is in the right place... But I trust Robin. You cannot shake my faith in him. Robin and I have held fast through good times and ill... We swore to be two halves of a greater whole. You underestimate the strength of those ties, the bonds we share. I believe in them more than some foretold 'destiny.'"

Lucina shook her head hesitantly. "Easy to say when you haven't seen it…"

"We can change things, Lucina. As much as I try to deny it, you two already have. We can stop that horrible future from ever coming about."

"I hope so, Father. And Robin…" She hesitantly looked into her fiancé's eyes. "Please, please, forgive me."

"I already have, Lucina. A thousand times over." As Robin spoke, Sumia ran out to them, Lissa and Libra close behind. "Everything under control, dear?"

Chrom nodded. "Yes. Thank you for coming just in case, you two. You'd best hurry back- you've probably been out of Gaius's sight for longer than he's okay with." Lissa rolled her eyes and began to run back to camp.

"You have made the correct choice, Lucina." Libra turned and began to walk back to the camp.

Sumia walked over to Lucina, who was hesitant to meet her mother's eye. "You alright, dear?" Lucina embraced her mother, who gently caressed her hair. "You did the right thing, Lucina. That's all that matters."

Chrom put one hand on his daughter's shoulder. "I'll leave you two alone for a while." Then the Exalt followed his wife back towards the camp, leaving Robin and Lucina alone outside of the camp.

"R-Robin… I'm so, so-" Lucina was cut off as Robin grabbed her collar and pulled her close, pressing his lips onto hers. Lucina kissed the tactician back for a while before he pulled back and said, "Come on. It's getting late, and we've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Lucina nodded as they began to walk back into camp, the blue-haired princess still holding the tactician close until they entered their tent.

"Mother? Father?" Morgan popped into the tent shortly afterward. "Are you done trying to kill Father?" Lucina placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders, her heartbeat loud enough for both Morgan and Robin to hear. "Morgan, I'm sorry… I just wanted to s-save the future… I'm s-such a t-terrible mother…" Her daughter threw her arms around her, while tears flowed down her mother's face. "It's okay, Mother. I know you went through a lot. I'm just glad that we're all okay." Robin walked over and the entire family was in an embrace. "Thank you, Morgan. Now, you'd best head to your tent. Tomorrow's battle won't be easy." Morgan nodded and hurried out of the tent.

Robin was about to start getting ready to turn in for the night when Lucina suddenly pressed her lips onto Robin's. Shocked initially, Robin then returned the gesture, his heart starting to beat faster as Lucina pulled off his coat. The tactician then undid the straps holding Lucina's armor on and tossed them aside. Breathing hard, Lucina pulled off Robin's shirt, pressing him down onto their bedroll. Robin grabbed Lucina's hand as she went to remove something else.

"Lucina, are you sure about-"

"I've never been more sure of anything." Robin paused for a second, then replied, "Okay, but you have to meet me halfway." Lucina closed her eyes, hoped that Robin wouldn't think she was hideous, and removed her tunic, revealing her very scarred chest, even more so than Robin's.

"What? Did you think that I would think less of you? Not a chance." Lucina sat down on top of Robin. They didn't talk again all night.

"You have my gratitude for your generous offer to help me walk, Kenshin. I yearn to have seen the Elegant Executioner in combat." Kenshin nodded hesitantly as he supported Owain and followed Severa to wherever it was that she intended to go. "Hurry up, Kenshin! We haven't got all night!" The red-haired mercenary stopped suddenly in front of Robin's tent, nearly causing Kenshin to walk into her. "Did you hear that? What's going on in there?" She poked her head through the tent flaps, then quickly withdrew, laughing through the hand she had put over her mouth as she sat down on the grass.

"After all of your talk about being in a hurry? What hath brought a halt to my lovely scarlet-haired lady?" Owain and Kenshin poked their head through the tent flaps, then quickly withdrew.

"That was something the Scion of Legend did not need to see his cousin do." Owain shuddered as he sat down next to Severa.

"Same for me, Oak- I mean, Owain. That's not what I expected to see at all. I thought Chrom told them they couldn't do that."

"Told who they couldn't do what?" Cynthia and Yarne were walking up to them with puzzled looks. Before Owain or Kenshin could object, Severa said, "Oh, you of all people have to see what your sister is doing!" She grabbed Cynthia's left wrist and Yarne's right and shoved them towards the flap of the tent. They poked their heads into the tent, then quickly backed away.

"My sister will be in huge trouble if Father ever finds out about that! Naughty girl! And she has the nerve to lecture me about the way I act!" Cynthia was trying as hard as she could not to laugh loud enough for Robin and Lucina to hear. Yarne just buried his face in his hands. "I wish I hadn't seen that…"

"Oh don't be such a crybaby, Yarne," Severa chimed in, "Think about the blackmail! We'll be able to get them to do anything we want because they don't want Chrom to know!" All of the eavesdroppers had their hands over their mouths as they heard Lucina moan Robin's name inside the tent. They shuffled away before falling into fits of laughter.

"What's so funny, guys? I'm just going to talk to Father." The eavesdroppers went wide-eyed as Morgan started to walk towards Robin's tent. Severa and Cynthia quickly grabbed Morgan's arms and started walking away.

"Silly, you shouldn't be bothering your parents so much! Come on, Morgan, there's some really cool stuff in the armory now that I think you'll like."

"Wait, hold on! What's going on? But I-"

"Severa's right, Morgan! Did you know that the Book of Naga is one of the many tomes in the armory? That's probably the most powerful tome in existence!"

"Really?" Severa and Cynthia, as well as Kenshin, Yarne, and Owain, hastily nodded. "Okay, sure! Let's go see it!" At those words, the five eavesdroppers quickly ushered her away.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I'd really appreciate some reviews: I put a lot of thought into this chapter, and I'd love to hear what you guys thought of it. Thanks!