A Bird's Flitting Dream

by Neph Champion

Beloved was the first thing Robin can remember seeing so of course she would fall in love with him. But she is not by any means shy and will do anything to make sure that her dream never comes to pass. And who knows, perhaps she will win Beloved's heart along the way…

14. The Grimleal

Title: A Bird's Flitting Dream

Writer: Neph Champion

Idea: Awakening: Robin has never been shy, she is confidant and controls powerful magic. She is clear spoken and articulate and has no problem making her opinion knows. Unfortunately, she can't remember anything but a horrible dream, her new commander Beloved and her own name. But there's a problem, if she's not talking tactics with Beloved she gets tongue tied, can't seem to string two words together without stuttering, and she seems to almost lose her voice! What is going on?

Summary: Beloved was the first thing Robin can remember seeing so of course she would fall in love with him. But she is not by any means shy and will do anything to make sure that her dream never comes to pass. And who knows, perhaps she will win Beloved's heart along the way…

Disclaimer: Fire Emblem is the property of Nintendo.

Warning: Robin is Build 1, Face 1, Hair 3, Hair Color: 12.

(The Grimleal)

Robin pulled her hood down and wiped her brow. "It's much too hot to be marching." Her darkened golden eyes took in everyone else from her place behind her prince. "I think we need to take a break, or risk death by heat stroke."

Chrom turned to look over their soldiers and nodded in agreement. "I think Frederick is the only one not sweating. That's not fair."

Robin eyed the Great Knight then turned to look at their Cavaliers. "Yes," her breathy voice accepted. "Even Stahl and Sully are sweating on their horses. How does he keep cool?"

"Have you noticed anything strange, Robin?"

Robin looked back up at him. "Now that you mention it, yes." Her eyes scanned the landscape. "I'd have thought we'd see more of Gangrel's troops, but we've barely seen any."

Chrom nodded. "Let's set camp for a while. I think we all need to cool down."

An hour later

"I'd like to think that it's our own cunning that's gotten us this far," Chrom sighed and watched as Robin, again, refined her plans to save his sister.

"I agree," she didn't look up from her work, "but we've seen too little of the Guard."

"I wonder where they are." Chrom looked down at the board his fiancée was playing with. "Whatever his trap, Gangrel's in no hurry to spring it."

Robin's hands stilled. "That's not it."

Chrom blinked. "No?" He turned to look into her eyes.

That dark chuckle was back. "No, he wants us to make it to the castle." Had her eyes darkened another shade?

She smirked. "No doubt he plans to cut off any escape route I plan and kill us all." She brushed feather-light fingertips down one of Chrom's cheeks. "Don't worry. I've thought of everything."

Chrom shivered. "If you're sure."

She turned when Frederick opened the tent flap. "What is it?"

Frederick frowned. "Milady, milord, our scouts report some manner of engagement downfield."

Chrom closed his eyes. So much for their break. "Understood." He turned to Robin. "Get everyone ready to move."

"Of course my prince," she agreed as she packed up her board and pieces. She silently swept from the tent.

"The sand is going to bog down our units," Frederick muttered as he and Chrom followed her.

"Only mages and fliers will be unhindered," Chrom agreed.

"Then Miriel, Ricken, Cordelia and Sumia are a must for this battle." Robin looked back at them with those darkened eyes and smile. "We can discuss strategy as we walk."

Chrom quickened his step so that they were again side by side. "Any ideas?" He eyed her curiously.

Robin dropped back just slightly. "A few. Sumia and Cordelia will be with our cavaliers I think, and then Miriel will pair up with Virion again." She licked her lip. "Then, I was thinking that Ricken could help Maribelle, and since Lissa is so close to becoming a Sage, I'd pair her with Kellam."

"And then the two of us as always, right?" Chrom prodded.

Her smile softened. "Yes, I'll ferry you across the sand, lover."

Three village dessert

The young blonde with pointed ears panted and looked behind with fear filled eyes. "Have I lost them?" She hoped she had.

"Wait!" the ginger haired older man shouted as he caught up.

She screamed in surprise, leaped high into the air, and whipped around to see who it was. "Get away!"

The man sighed. "Why you no comprehending wee one?"

The girl moaned. "Why can't everyone just leave me alone?"

"Please be keeping down with voice," the man pleaded quietly. "You give away position. Very bad that!"

"Great, my throat is dry, my shoes are full of sand, and if that wasn't enough," she glared up at him, "some big weirdo is trying to kill me!"

"Oy, you break Gregor's heart," Gregor pouted. "Why you treat like villain?"

Robin shook her head. "I can't believe I heard that over the crunching of our footsteps."

"What's wrong Robin?" Chrom asked and turned to follow her gaze.

"Something is going on over there, but I'm not sure what."

He nodded. "Shall we take care of it?"

"Yes, I think we should," she agreed.

"You there," Chrom called, "what are you doing with her?"

"You mean Gregor?" Gregor asked. "Gregor do nothing wrong!"

"Your companion seems pretty freaked out to me," Robin called. "What are we supposed to think?"

"This day has been nothing but insults and punches to groin," Gregor slumped, "and all for doing good deed. Listen, friend. Gregor only want to—"

Gregor turned around when he noticed the sky blue haired woman he was talking to tense and placed himself in front of the girl he claimed to have rescued. "Grimleal…" he snarled.

"Beloved, what are the Grimleal?" Robin's eyes narrowed. The man that had appeared was too far away for her to hear what he said, but the man and girl didn't like him.

"Oy, this most terrible." Gregor turned to look at Robin and Chrom over his shoulder, "Do you see now? They make with the catching of us!"

Robin put her hand on Chrom's arm. "I really don't think he's with them, beloved."

Chrom nodded his head in agreement. "Why are they all after her?"

"Gregor not knowing," Gregor replied with a shrug.

Chrom shook his head. "This is making my head hurt. We can sort him out later. We need to protect the girl."

The girl stared. "Y-you're going to help me?"

"Why not?" Robin asked with a smile. "You need help, so we'll do everything we can to keep you safe."

"Just hold on until we get there. We'll drive them off," Chrom called. "Lon'qu, pair up with Sumia. She'll get you over there."

Nodding, Lon'qu swallowed. He'd help this girl as best he could.

"Oh great, there are villages here." Robin cast her eyes around. "We need to warn them."

"Cordelia," she called and turned to the other Pegasus Knight, "I need you to warn all the villages."

"Yes, Princess Tactician!" Cordelia pulled her reins taught, ready to move.

Sumia landed her Pegasus so that Lon'qu could mount on his own. "I'll get you too them as fast as I can."

"T-thank you." His knuckles white, Lon'qu held onto her saddle.

Sumia dropped Lon'qu off by the girl and Gregor.

"What's your name?" Lon'qu asked.

"N-Nowi," the girl, Nowi, replied as one of the Grimleal attacked her from behind. Nowi turned and held up a stone in one hand. "Get away from me!"

Lon'qu ignored this and leapt at the attacker after Nowi set the Thief on fire, killing him.

Robin turned. Her Arcthunder spell hit the mercenary she'd been keeping off Chrom's back. "She's a dragon?"

"By the Gods," Chrom breathed. "I never thought I'd see a Manakete."

Robin looked intrigued. "Maybe it's not she that needs our help, but we who could use hers." She looked up into Chrom's eyes as she shot an enemy behind him.

"Yes, I think you're right."

Cordelia huffed slightly as she made it to the closest village. "Ho there," she called, "there's a battle outside your walls, but we'll do our best to protect you."

An elder met her. "Gods praise ye, good people. Gods praise ye one and all." He motioned for one of the others to bring a gift. "We lives in constant fear of what the Grimleal will do to us, so we does! 'Ere! Take this staff with me blessings. It can fetch distant comrades to safety. Be sure to place it in the hands o' one gifted in spells or the like. Magic folk be able to reach the farthest with it."

"I shall, Elder. Thank you," Cordelia bowed before re-mounting her Pegasus as the gates to the village closed behind her. She put the Rescue Staff in the sling on her saddle and eyed the battlefield. "There's Lissa. I think I'll drop this off with her before I head to the next village."

Lissa was healing Nowi when Cordelia touched down. "Lissa, here, something for you."

Lissa looked up. "How nice." She reached over and took the Rescue Staff. "I've got one already, so, when I see Maribelle I'll give it to her."

Cordelia shook her head. "Couldn't see her with all this sand. That is why I brought it to you."

Lissa waved her off. "You should head to the next village."

"Will do." Cordelia had her Pegasus take off again. It took her five minutes, and two fights to reach the second village. "Ho there, sir!" she shouted over the noise.

"Yes Ma'am?" the villager asked.

"There's a lot of fighting going on." She smiled. "We'll do your best to protect your village though."

"You have our thanks for the warning. Please, take this. It's my family's treasure." He handed over a Master Seal. "I would offer more, if only I could. A fellow with enough experience could use it to grow even stronger."

Cordelia slipped it into her saddle bag. "We'll do our best. Thank you, sir."

He waved before the gates closed.

Cordelia knew that Robin would want the Seal so that she could hand it out to the next person to get a promotion, but when she looked around, she noticed that Robin and Chrom were in the middle of a fight with three of their enemies. "I'll give this to her after the battle."

She headed to the last village. Three more battles and she was there.

"Really? You'll protect the village? ...This little dung heap?" the woman asked when Cordelia had explained the situation to her. "Goodness, you're kind! I suppose I should give you a little something."

Her husband brought something out. "Here. Someone with enough experience could use this to start a new life." The woman said as she handed the Second Seal to the Pegasus Knight. "It's like running off to join a circus troupe...But more classy-like."

Cordelia knew that her Princess Tactician would be ecstatic that they now had a Second Seal, not that anyone really needed it yet. "Thank you, Ma'am."

When Cordelia looked around again, she saw that Robin and Chrom were fighting the general.

Robin growled. "What is he, fanatical?"

"Seems so," Chrom glanced at her. "Do you want to take him or should I?"

"Let me," she looked up at him lovingly. "Don't worry, alright?"

The general laughed. "You dare defy Grima, god of annihilation?"

Robin didn't answer as she concentrated on her spell. "Arcthunder!"

Chrom tensed as the spell hit. "We're not done yet," he jeered almost playfully as he attacked the man.

Robin laughed as Chrom rushed back to her side. "Here's how it's done, beloved." She shot another Arcthunder spell, and the man faltered.

"Master Grima," he coughed and fell to his knees, "my life force is yours."

Robin blinked. "Grima?" Something about that name was familiar and tickled at the back of her brain. That was something she should have known, right?

"Let's worry about that later." Chrom slung his arm around her shoulders as Nowi approached with Gregor and Lon'qu.

Lon'qu didn't seem to mind Nowi as much as the other women in the Shepherds, probably because she was a Manakete.

Nowi sniffed. "This was just the worst day ever."

Robin pulled her into a hug. "Hush now, little dragon. We will take care of you."

"Ho now, wee one! Do not make with the crying of tears." Gregor put a hand on Nowi's shoulder. "The evil people are now dead people. This is good, no?"

Nowi sighed as she shrugged Gregor's hand off and leaned against Lon'qu's legs. "You're right. Thank you." She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I was so mean to you earlier."

Nowi shrugged and looked up at Lon'qu. "I just get nervous around people outside my," she looked away, "age group."

Gregor burst out laughing. "Your age group?" He snorted in amusement. "Gregor much closer to your age than others here."

Chrom coughed. "Say, it is Gregor, right?"

Gregor nodded.

"Gregor, can you look after her? We need to press on." Chrom turned to Robin. "I think we've wasted enough time."

Gregor rolled his eyes. "Gregor is mercenary, yes? Maybe you hire Gregor instead." He looked around at all the dead bodies and laughed a bit guiltily. "True, Gregor just finish killing former employers, but still very reliable. So long as you not try to hurt little girl, Gregor will not hurt you."

He twiddled his fingertips. "Also, Gregor need steady income. ...Many angry former employers."

Robin turned back to him. Her mind was already assimilating Gregor into her plans and what his place in Chrom's army could be. "You're a sellsword?"

Gregor nodded happily. "Yes! Very swell sword! Cost performance very high. You have Gregor's word."

Chrom looked down at his fiancée. "What's going on in that head of yours, Robin?"

"That Gregor can continue Donnel's training." She grinned up at him. Her golden eyes glittered darkly in the bright sunlight.

Knowing that Robin knew best, Chrom nodded. "Sure, why not? You're hired."

Nowi pouted. "What about me huh?" she exploded but calmed when Lon'qu put his hand on her shoulder. "I won't go back to the auction block!"

"Wait, you mean like a slave?" Lissa asked.

Nowi nodded, not daring to speak.

"How could they do that to such a beautiful dragon," Robin wondered from where she stood. Her mind already began working Nowi into her plans as well, especially since she seemed attached to Lon'qu.

"To men more despicable than you can possibly imagine." Nowi agreed. "They made me transform for them. They drank and laughed and called out tricks."

"What kind of scumbags buy and sell a little girl?" Robin growled. She sounded a lot like Nowi's dragon form. "Even if she can turn into a dragon."

Chrom's cheeks flushed as he listened to Robin mutter about what she would do if she ever met men like that. "Robin."

"Hmm? Yes, beloved?" she purred and leaned against him heavily.

Chrom coughed, tried, and failed to get his composure back. "She may be little, milady, but not nearly so young as you might think." He recited from his lessons. "Manakete live a very long time."

"Really?" Robin smiled. "How old are you Nowi?"

Nowi blushed. "I don't know, a thousand and something?" she grinned. "But look, no wrinkles."

Frederick nodded. "The dragonkin are said to be more resilient than men. Nowi would make a strong ally." He looked from Robin to Gaius. "Besides, we cannot risk her falling back into the hands of the Grimleal."

"Grimleal?" Robin sighed, there was that word again. "Will someone please explain who the Grimleal are? That term sounds familiar, but it's driving me crazy. And while I asked earlier Chrom, I do still want an answer."

Chrom kissed her forehead. "The Grimleal are the followers of the Fell Dragon Grima," he pulled her closer, "the selfsame dragon the first exalt defeated a thousand years ago. Even today there are some who yearn for the fiend's return."

"I see." She tucked her head under his chin. "This does not bode well for us."

Her eyes darkened. 'Grima must never be allowed to awaken,' Robin decided as she played with the string that held Chrom's cape in place.

Flavia came up behind them. "Well, shall we get some rest?" She grinned. "We're almost to the Plegian capital. We'll need all our strength soon enough."

Robin nodded. "Shepherds, back to camp!"

"Yes, Princess Tactician!" they all called as they began shuffling back to the base camp.

Robin was sharpening her steel sword by the fire several hours later when her sharp ears picked up sound coming from Lon'qu's tent.

"Lon'qu, play with me." Was that Nowi's voice?

"No." That was definitely Lon'qu.

"Oh come on please?" Nowi asked. "It's boring playing by myself!"

Lon'qu sighed. "I like being alone. Go ask someone else."

"I was going to but they all look super busy," Nowi pouted.

"Are you saying I don't?" Lon'qu seemed to be getting slightly frustrated. "Because I am busy, very busy in fact."

Nowi sniffed as she tried not to cry. "That's not fair."

Lon'qu stiffened slightly. He was glad that he wasn't facing her. "Your tears have no effect on me." Maybe explaining his problem would get her to go away?

"Besides...everyone knows I have a crippling fear of women." Lon'qu looked at the crying Manakete over his shoulder.

"...And yet, why do I not feel that fear around her? I must learn why," he muttered to himself.

Nowi sniffled again. "What did you say?" She tried to wipe the tears from her eyes. "I can't hear you."

The things he'd do to find out why Nowi didn't scare him. "Nothing of importance." He gave her a small smile. "I have decided that I will play with you for a bit, but like I said, I still have some things I need to do so we can't play long, alright?"

"Yay!" Nowi hugged him. "You're the best, Lon'qu!"

He chuckled, "Stop hopping around, what game do you want to play?"

Nowi blushed; she hadn't actually thought that far yet. "Um." Her frown looked more like a pout. "I know. Let's play house."

"I'm not sure I know that game," Lon'qu admitted. "It doesn't really sound like a game I'd enjoy." He trailed off, not wanting to upset the petite dragon girl.

"It'll be fun." Nowi tried to reassure her savior. "You get to play Dad."

Lon'qu sighed. "If you insist, just remember I don't have much time to play."

"Great." Nowi's smile could have lit up the whole camp. It certainly left Lon'qu dazzled. "I'll be Mummy."

"Is that it?" Lon'qu asked.

Nowi nodded. "Yep."

"I was kind of hoping for something with dice," Lon'qu shook his head, "not that it matters."

Robin giggled as she slid her now sharpened sword into its sheath and hopped up to go find her beloved. She couldn't wait to tell him about Lon'qu and Nowi's attraction to each other.

(End)

Wow, my Beta's on a roll.