Unlimited
AU Notice/Side story Notice: This drabble is less a drabble and more a sidestory to "Fire Emblem: Alternative" (Hence the title "Unlimited").
Yen'fay stood his ground against Walhart, and Lucina found herself drawn into the Shepherds in a time of peace. Finding love with Robin, she contemplates having a family...
Lucina sighed as she sat off to the side of the rowdy group of Shepherds.
"Gawds, Robin isn't even IN this round and I still lose!?" Severa's voice was clearly irritated.
"No one wants to play with that straight faced card shark, but you've done lost your top with that one, cupcake!" Gaius called out.
"Funny thing to say to your daughter!" Severa exclaimed.
"You chose to play, sugar." Gaius responded.
"…I think… that… it was… Sumia… who lost this round." Robin called out, looking at the cards.
"Hey, look at that, Robin's totally wasted." Vaike said. "Wait, he's right!"
"How!?" Sumia gasped.
"Sev… has a straight. Not just high card." Robin said.
"You only had two pair..!" Gaius commented, looking slyly at Sumia, who blushed madly before slipping off a sock and throwing it straight into Gaius's face.
"…Robin's not even playing, and he's making people lose!" Someone called out- amidst the roar, Lucina couldn't tell who though.
"Oi! Someone throw dirty sock in Gregor's drink!"
"Corde, you can't fold all the time, else we're gonna start calling those losses!"
"That's not fair, and you know it!"
"Gawds, mother!"
"Severa, that's a loss. Your top belongs to the darkness now!"
"Gawds! Shut it Owain!"
"Robin won't save you this time."
Lucina shook her head, trying to avoid the raucous group behind her. She swirled her drink that she hardly even had touched, letting out another sigh.
"Hey, Blue!" Gaius called out to her.
"What is it Gaius?" Lucina responded.
"Why don't you-"
"No." Lucina cut Gaius off immediately. She couldn't even tell why she was with them at that time. "I'm not going to debase myself."
"Hey, we just want to lighten the mood. Have a little fun." Gaius responded. "We haven't had any bandit attacks in a while, so relax a bit."
"…Don't… look into the… glowing… purple… lights. They'll.. turn you into Vincent… or was it Victor… bad strategy." A sharp stuttering voice could be heard, that Lucina immediately recognized as that of Robin. "Don't…mix…purple…balls either. Creates… dark gods… Mix blue ones though… that's good idea- stronger units... Also the dancer needs to keep paws off the goods…"
"Hey, look at that, Robin's completely gone."
"For the tactician, he's such a bully!"
"Did he say something about a dancer?"
"Oi, Gregor can drink him under table any day."
"You've got nothing on Basilio!"
"Cask of Ferox is nothing on Swell Sword!"
Lucina promptly spun around in time to see Robin stumbling around. He wobbled towards her and started to fall, prompting a near knee-jerk reaction from her to catch him. She let out a small sigh of relief, before turning back to face Gaius, paying no mind to the others. "I think I'll just be getting him to his tent, before retiring myself, Gaius."
Gaius shook his head, and slipped a sucker into his mouth before turning back to the others, leaving Lucina with Robin. She shook her head setting Robin down so she could get him onto her back so she could get him to his tent, which as she did, she found him shuffling his weight, making him surprisingly easy to carry for a drunkard. She smiled as she left the mess tent, taking in a deep breath of the cool night air as she made her way out towards Robin's tent.
"Hey. I'm not actually drunk." Robin whispered. "Set me down."
"What?" Lucina replied, but quickly complied to his request. He stood on his own without issue, confirming at least part of his claim to sobriety, before shaking his right arm, sliding a bottle of wine from his sleeve.
"Rule 1 of strategy: Deception. I switched my drink with cider so I wouldn't actually get drunk, but could act the part." Robin chuckled. "They're great folk, but in a gathering like that… I dunno, but I know I wouldn't have been able to get out of there seeming anything but drunken."
Lucina covered her mouth, laughing a bit.
"Although, Gaius was a bit right- you can be a bit… too tense." Robin said walking around her, "but, I suppose we have plenty of time for that." His eyes panned downwards towards her hand. "Although I'm glad you didn't partake in that game."
Lucina shrugged her shoulders looking at Robin. "I suppose I don't… act normal enough as I should. I try to, but this… lull leaves with mixed feelings. I want to be just a normal woman, that's true, but I can't shake the worry."
"That's alright." Robin said, pulling her into a close hug, then kissing her cheek. "You- we have time."
Lucina nodded, then placed her hands on Robin's shoulders, and propped herself into a proper kiss.
Both blushed as they broke, and Robin took hold of her hand, and both kept walking towards his tent, or rather, their tent. "Say, I know we only got married recently, and you can be a bit… worried at times, but what do you think of starting a family?" he asked as he lifted flap to the tent.
Lucina stopped, "You mean… us?"
"Yes, dear." Robin responded.
Lucina blushed wildly at Robin's surprisingly forward question. "I- I don't know." She shook her head before lighting the lantern that hung from the tent post. "Can we really, Robin?"
"Well, I can't see why not." Robin said, setting the bottle of wine aside, and unlacing his boots. "Besides the threat of a war that we have no idea when it's coming… a war that I fully intend on making sure we win."
"…because I don't belong in this world?" Lucina said, taking off her own boots, and yawning in the process.
"Now who said that?" Robin asked.
"My presence is a mystery and yields unnecessary questions and can create problems for my father, Robin." Lucina replied. "I'm not from this time, this world, to begin with. I have no real place here."
"Are you unhappy with me?" Robin said.
"Of course not, I love you. You're kind to me like no other. You make me actually feel normal. When I'm with you, I feel like I actually belong…" Lucina said, her voice running low towards the end.
Robin didn't say a word, but grabbed hold of her and pulled her into a kiss. As they broke, they both stumbled on to their bed. "Perhaps, that's because you do belong here. Ask Chrom about it. He wants you to stay with him. Your mother does too. I certainly do."
"I know... they've said it a few times, and I love you and don't want to leave your side… even if I have to put my duty first when that time comes." Lucina nuzzled herself closer to Robin, who brought her into an embrace. "Still though… a family? Can I really bring new life into this world? Do I have that right?"
"You certainly do." Robin said, quickly kissing Lucina on the forehead. "That's your right as a woman. It doesn't matter what world you're from."
"..and what of the war, Robin? What if you or I die? What if we fail? What kind of mother would I be to bring a child into this world only deny her a life with her family? I… I've been through that… it worries me.."
"I won't allow it. We mustn't fail, so I'll make sure we all get through this alive, and I'll set to it that the Fell Dragon never gets a chance." Robin's tone was every bit serious as it was loving.
"I'd love to believe that, but right now I'm—"
Robin's move to kiss his wife was unexpected as always, and as always effective. "Lucina… you know to not doubt me when I'm serious."
"I know." Lucina said, "But even then I'm not sure I'm ready for that just yet… we have our whole lives in front of us. But… I would like to. Starting a family with you sounds nice… the mere thought of being able to live a long, normal life at your side makes me feel like the luckiest woman alive."
3 years later
Castle Ylisstol
Lucina groaned in pain, holding Robin's hands tightly, her eyes clamped shut, and her face drenched in tears.
"Almost there, Milady!" A woman said from the other side of the bed. "Your second child is almost out!"
Robin's eyes panned the room before settling back onto Lucina's face, and despite a surging sense of joy, there was an odd sense of tension in the air, as Lucina was giving birth. Twins. The first had been a girl, who was being cleaned off by one of the nurse-maids as the other was being pushed from Lucina's womb.
"WAAAAHHH!" A sharp, shrill cry from the freshly newborn child filled the room, and immediately Robin turned to the far end of the room.
"He's a boy!" The maid said before turning around and grabbing a mend stave from a rack in the room.
"…A boy?" Robin said, "A daughter and a son… two beautiful children."
He looked back at Lucina, who wore a content smile on her face, the pain of giving birth lifting from her as the magic of the staff soothed her body.
"We'll clean him off and then bring him to you, milady."
"Ah-alright." Lucina said, clearly still pained and exhausted.
Robin smiled and knelt as Lucina released his hand. He planted a quick kiss on her forehead. "Lucina… you did great."
"Robin…" Lucina looked back at her husband. "We're… parents now…"
"Nothing has changed though. We've just received a wonderful gift." Robin said, hearing the squealing babies as the nursemaid brought them back to the couple, and handed the twins to Lucina.
"They're… so beautiful." Lucina said looking at them, she then turned back to Robin, "any ideas for a name?"
"Hm… perhaps… well, our son, there's a grand name for him that I must say: Mark."
"And our daughter?" Lucina said, cradling the two children in her arms.
"…Morgan, perhaps?"
Nine Years later
"Lords of Ylisse!..." a white haired man staggered into the castle hall.
"Who are you?" Chrom asked staring at the man.
"My name is Yen'fay… I am the last of the Chon'sin. As much of a dishonor it is for me to have been forced to flee my homeland, I bear an urgent missive…"
"…Mark. Morgan." Robin said, looking at his two children.
"What's going on? Where's mother!?" Morgan cried.
"Mother's fine." Robin responded. "But her and I have to go away for a while."
"Why?" Mark asked.
"…Your mother and I have a duty to fulfill to Lord Chrom." Robin explained, placing his hands on the two kid's shoulders. "We have a promise to keep. To him, to each other, and to you. A promise we made before you were born."
"But…"
"No buts, Morgan." Robin shook his head. "You and Mark have to stay here. Keep little Lucy and Inigo company."
"I want to go with you, Father!" Mark exclaimed.
"No. Where mother and I are going… you cannot come."
"Why?" Morgan asked, sniffling.
"It's dangerous." Robin said.
"But if it's dangerous, why do you have to go, father?!"
"Like I said, it's a duty and a promise." Robin said. "Your mother and I have to fight to keep you safe."
"…so that's it. It's that… Walhart guy… isn't it? You're going to war." Mark said, looking downward.
"Clever boy." Robin said, "You really do take after me."
Mark smiled slightly looking up at his father.
Eleven Months Later- Following the Valm Campaign
"Sire, King Validar of Pelgia has arrived in regards to the Fire Emblem." A knight said looking at Chrom.
"Very well." Chrom let a drawn out breath, tossing a glance at Robin. "It can't very well be much of a trap. He came to us." he whispered.
"Even still, something's not right about this." Robin replied.
"King Validar…" Chrom said, his voice firm.
"Prince Chrom." Validar replied.
"I was informed you had something to give me?" Chrom inquired.
"My my! No time for courtesy, milord? Such impatience... Do you really want it that badly? This concerns me. The Gemstones and the Fire Emblem can be...treacherous artifacts. A fact Plegia and the Grimleal sadly know all too well..."
""Sadly"? You speak ill of when the first exalt used them against the fell dragon?" Lucina nearly shouted as she spoke.
"I do." Validar smirked. "Now, Chrom. Give me the Fire Emblem... Give it to me!"
"Never." Chrom replied.
"Well then…" Validar laughed.
"You mad scoundrel! This is a declaration of war!" Lucina exclaimed.
"This parley is over. Guards! Seize him!" Chrom shouted, rising and drawing Falchion.
"Haha…! In proposito tenet, draconem appetat. Desperatio autem est veritas, verus dolor, fecit. Et ineluctabilis fati! RUGIET CECIDERINT DRACO!" Validar turned his hands towards two knights who charged at him, unleashing a blast of dark magic, killing them swiftly. "Now then? I'll repeat my demand. Surrender the Fire Emblem."
"I'll kill you before I'll hand it over." Chrom replied.
"Give it freely, or it will be taken." Validar said, ignoring Chrom's threat.
"Just try it!"
"I won't need to do anything…!" Validar said, a wicked smirk on his face. He tilted his head to the side and pointed at Robin. "ROBIN! BRING YOUR FATHER THE EMBLEM!"
Robin winced in pain, his body trembling. "Nngh! Ahh..." He groaned as he started to move towards Chrom. His movements jittery and unnatural, filled Chrom with a strange since of dread. A blast of weak magic emitted from Robin's hand blew Chrom and Lucina back.
"Robin... What are you...doing?!" Chrom said, as Robin pried the Emblem from Chrom's grasp, and handed it over to Validar.
"Very well done, my child!" Validar said, drawing from his cloak a black sphere. "And with my Gemstone, Sable, it is complete! Now, to set the Table and perform the rite..." Validar laughed and cast a spell, vanishing into thin air.
Robin fell to the ground shaking as Chrom started to rise to his feet. "What have I...done?! Chrom, I'm sorry! I don't...know what came over me... I'm so sorry!"
"It wasn't your fault." Chrom said, helping Robin to his feet. "…It was that dastard's."
"Still.. What I did... It's...it's unforgivable." Robin replied.
Castle Courtyard, That Evening.
"Robin, a word..?" Lucina said, trembling as she spoke.
"Yes, my love..?" Robin replied, his voice shaky and uncharacteristically weak.
"It's about my future…" Lucina said. "…and particularly about my father."
"He's a great man, Lucina, one of the truest friends anyone could ask for." Robin replied.
Lucina could hear her husband swallow something after he spoke. "…and I can't allow the world to be robbed of such a great man."
"I understand. You love him. ...We all do." Robin replied.
"Then you understand… I'm so sorry, dear." Lucina said, as Robin turned around. Her sword was drawn and pointed at him, her body poised in a combat stance. "I have to kill you."
"What!?" Robin exclaimed backing away from Lucina.
"In my future..! The one we swore to prevent… you're my father's murderer!" Lucina exclaimed, her face full of tears.
"That's insane… why would I.. kill Chrom?" Robin replied.
"I only knew he had been killed by his closest friend." Lucina wept, "I couldn't believe it was you. The bond you share with him is far too genuine to be one that… a traitor would have. But today's events make it clear… you're at Validar's mercy… It's he who forces you to take his life… and soon."
Robin took a step back from Lucina. "Lucina… wait.." He muttered.
"We made a promise to secure the future no matter the cost… we cannot allow Validar to have his way… I know this is viricide..! I know that..!" Lucina wept, trying to keep her form. "But… remember our promise… no matter the cost, victory… comes first. Remember the speech you gave…"
"Make your death… count." Robin replied, tears rolling out of his eyes.
"If you hold any love for Chrom, you'll let this be done. Don't resist and it will be painless…" Lucina said. "If you hold that promise to be true…"
"Make your death count…" Robin muttered again. "Lucina, wait. I can't let you do this."
"…perhaps I ask too much. But…" Lucina said, "Draw your weapon then, and let combat decide."
"No. I'd sooner die then harm you. Than to harm the mother of our children. To harm my wife."
"Then—"
"But listen to me, we didn't just make a promise to secure the future. We made a promise to secure it for each other, for our family. I'd give anything to see that goal achieved, but I'd also give anything to be with you, to be with our family." Robin said.
"…Robin… that's… ah… no." Lucina looked into Robin's eyes. "I love you. I love our family. Beyond our wedding day, the day I gave birth to Mark and Morgan was the happiest day of my life, Robin."
"We have a lot to live for. That's why I can't just let you throw everything away. We can find another way." Robin shook his head.
"Gods… I can't do this. You're right… I'm so sorry." Lucina collapsed, Falchion falling to the ground. Robin knelt next to her, wrapping his arms around her as she buried her head into his chest. "Please forgive me..!"
"I already do, my love."
Mark's eyes were wide. "Mother tried… to kill… father." he said to himself shakily as he looked out of the window. He slunk back into his bed. "She… tried… to kill him…"
Following Grima's Defeat
"Mother…? Where's father?" Mark asked, his eyes settling on Lucina's face.
"He's… gone away for a while. I don't know where though." Lucina replied shakily.
"He's coming back… right?" Mark asked.
"Yes." Lucina's eyes watered as she looked at the child.
"When…?"
"I… don't know…"
Author's Note: The timeline here is focused on the gap of time created by Yen'fay and the Chon'sin fighting back against Walhart instead of siding with them [Yes, this means Say'ri is dead, and Yen'fay would serve Say'ri's role]. There's about 15 years between Gangrel's Defeat in this timeline [sped up by Lucina's interference] and the Valm Campaign. Lucina and the other children join for reasons outside of why they do in game- Lucina's reason is explained in Fire Emblem:Alternative [the fic to which this drabble is a sidestory to (also the ending to this drabble is... there)]. Reads, Reviews are much appreciated.