When I regained consciousness I was on grass. My body was sore, but I was alive. I forced my eyes open. I was flat on the ground, so I forced myself to roll over onto my back. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, unaware and unconcerned that a battle for the sake of the human race had just taken place beneath it.

I looked to my left and right and saw that my comrades were still not conscious. I imagined it was my nature that made me hardier than they were, and I imagined they would soon rise. I prayed each of them was alive and unharmed, but I did not have time to check on them. I needed to find Robin.

With some effort I pushed off of the ground and forced myself into a sitting position. Robin was not anywhere near me. That was not a surprise. We had been separated during the battle and I imagined that when my mother had transported us to the ground it had been in much the same place as we had been in the air.

We had won, that was clear enough. Had we not I would not be on the ground and the sun would not be over my head. But I needed to know that Robin had lived. I called out to him. There was no answer. The island was as silent as the grave. I looked around again just to ensure that I had not missed him. I had not. I saw Morgan nearby. She was on her back and clearly breathing. I would attend to her as soon as I had ensured Robin's safety.

With much more effort than before I turned myself around. Some distance away I saw what I was searching for and I felt my stomach drop. I saw in the distance three unmoving men. Chrom, the avatar, and, to my horror, Robin. I did not have the strength to stand, so I began to crawl towards him. My hands and knees ached and were likely scratched and possibly bleeding, but it mattered not to me. I needed to reach him. I needed to know that he was alive. That he had survived the battle. That he had kept his promise.

It felt as if it took me an eternity to reach him. Each movement I made felt as though it was pulling him further away from me. He had to live. He had to be alive. He was still here, so he must have lived. I prayed to every god I could name that he was still alive. Even as I did and even as I crawled I called out to him. Still he did not move.

After the eternity had passed I finally drew even with him. He was flat on his face and I could not tell if he was still breathing. I placed my hands beneath him and rolled him over. I put my ear next to his face and heard the most blessed sound I could imagine. It was the sound of his breath. I placed my ear next to his chest and once again heard the blessed sound of his heart. It was weak and slow, but it was beating. He lived. But for how long?

"Robin," I said as I shook him gently. "Robin, please. Wake up." My voice became tight as my eyes began to fill with tears. "Robin. Robin I beg you, wake up. Please. Wake up, my Robin. Please. Gods above, please, let him live. Robin. Robin. Robin..."

"T-Tiki? Is th-that...you?" I could hardly believe my ears. It was Robin's voice speaking, and yet it was not. It took me a moment to understand the source of the voice that was speaking. It was the avatar. He had a grievous and obviously fatal wound, and I had assumed he was dead.

"I...I am here," I said to him. I heard him sigh in relief. My first feeling was revulsion. He spoke to me in such a familiar way, and yet he was the man who had nearly destroyed the world.

"I...I h-haven't heard your voice in s-s-so long," he said weakly. "Since you...died. I'm...so...sorry. My f-fault. A-all of it." He coughed and I saw a black fluid spill from his mouth and dribble down his chin.

"Are you free of Grima's control?" I asked. I realized from what he was saying that it must have been so. He could not possibly have been the Fell Dragon. There was too much humanity in his voice. Too much, dare I think it, kindness.

"Grima...finally...out of...my head," he said. I saw him close his eyes and begin to weep. "Is...he alive?"

"Barely," I said. My voice was uneven and I was having trouble maintaining it. "He is clinging to life. I'm sorry, I need to get him some aid." I turned to look around, but I saw that no one was yet awake. I needed to stand. Needed to rouse one of the healers. He needed help. I needed to save him.

"I...can...help him," said the other Robin. I quickly turned back to him. His eyes were open once again.

"How? You are dying," I said. "What can you do?"

"Hit him with...curses," he said, "my fault. Need to...make up...give me...his hand."

"You are too far away and I cannot move him," I said. I did not want to take the risk. I had little knowledge of healing, but I recalled that moving an injured person could be disastrous. It was even possible that I had harmed him by turning him over. I prayed I had not.

"Then...give me...yours..." he said. Part of me did not want to. I did not want to touch this man. And yet if it could help my Robin, I would. And even so, I could not bring myself to hate this false Robin. Perhaps it was because he was still Robin, even if he was but a shade. I reached out and took his hand. It was not Robin's. It was too rough, too cold. But I could feel the similarity in the shape and the curve of his fingers, and in the love behind the touch.

"Now what?" I said to him.

"Take...his." I did as instructed. I sat there on my knees and the false Robin closed his eyes. "Think...of him. Will the power...through you." I closed my eyes and focused my thoughts on my beloved. I did not know how detailed an image I needed to make, but I decided I would make it as detailed as I could. First I pictured his face. I pictured the shape of his nose, the angle of his chin, the warm brown of his eyes, the faint flush that was always in his cheeks, the softness of his lips against mine.

Next I focused on his body. I thought of the strength in his arms and the warmth in his embrace. I thought of his gentle touch when he caressed me, the thrill of him running his fingers through my hair, the way we fit together as though we were always intended to be as one. I thought of the sound of his voice when he whispered sweet words to me in the night and when he told me stories of his friends and his life. I thought of the sensation of his body against mine when I had revealed myself to him. I thought of the most wonderful sound in the world. The sound of his heart beating in his chest. The sound that proved that he was alive. That he was Robin.

Suddenly I felt a jolt of magical energy rush through me. I seemed to travel through my entire body before exiting through my left hand and into Robin. He held that position for several moments as the power that flowed through me became painful. Still, I endured. Once the pain had faded I opened my eyes once more and saw that the false Robin looked much weaker. My Robin appeared to be breathing more deeply.

"What was that?" I asked. I had never heard of such a power.

"Gi...ft..." he said weakly. "Took...from...Aver...sa..."

"I do not understand," I said, "but I thank you. For whatever it may be worth, I thank you." To my surprise, he smiled.

"Wel...come..." I believed I understood his feelings, at least. He had been in love with his version of me. Robin had told me about his conversation with Aversa. She said that this man bragged about how he led her to destruction. He must have...allowed Grima into himself in order to live forever. He fell, and when he had I—she—must have followed. And if Grima truly ruled his body but allowed him to remain conscious to see it, he must have been in agony to watch her give herself up.

"I forgive you," I said. I could not hate him. Not when he had done so much for my sake. It had resulted in the worst of consequences, but I could not rightly say that I would have acted differently. Perhaps I would have. Perhaps not. It was impossible for me to say what I would have chosen in another world. Besides, at the end of it all, the true villain was Grima. And this was not Grima. This was Robin.

"Thank...you..." he said. I could tell he was using the rest of his strength to speak. He would pass within moments. He sounded as though he was trying to speak further. I leaned closer.

"What?" His voice was faint. It was barely a whisper.

"Think...she's...wai...ting...for...me?" I patted his hand gently.

"I pray she is," I said. What he deserved was not for me to decide. I could not love him as I did my Robin, but I could not hate him. Perhaps the Tiki he loved would be there to greet him when he passed. I could not say. I could only send him off.

"Ah..." he closed his eyes. Moments later I saw his chest cease to rise and his hand went limp. He was gone. I took his hand and placed it on his chest. I saw that the expression on his face was nearly a smile. Perhaps it was the closest he could come to one through the pain he felt. I hoped that he had gone to a better life.

I looked over at my Robin. His breathing was much steadier than it had been. His eyes were not yet open, but he was breathing. I started to look around for a healer. I saw behind me that the others were starting to rouse. I began to call out for a healer. Lissa was among those waking up and she noticed me. She rose slowly to her feet and made her way over to me as quickly as she was able.

"Tiki?" I heard from nearby. I looked and saw that Chrom was conscious as well. "Is he…?" I shook my head.

"He lives for the time being. The avatar...he sacrificed the last of his life to give Robin his power." Chrom looked stunned. He looked to the false Robin and back to me.

"He did? How? Why? I don't understand."

"I believe that when you defeated Grima it freed this Robin from his control. He seemed to be himself in his last moments." Chrom shook his head in confusion as Lissa arrived.

"Gods, how is he?" she asked. "Is he alive? What happened? Did he..."

"No," said Chrom. "I struck the final blow." I breathed a sigh of relief. I had been so focused on his immediate survival that I had forgotten to even ask. Lissa began to attend to him with her staff. After a minute she shook her head.

"This isn't working right. Was he hit with dark magic?"

"That is what the false Robin said." Lissa turned to the rest of the group.

"Tharja! I need your help!" Tharja had only just stood, but she joined us the moment she heard Lissa's call. She knelt down over him as Chrom forced himself to his feet to find a healer for his own injuries.

"Dark magic?" she asked. Lissa nodded.

"Do whatever you can," she said. Tharja closed her eyes and held her hands an inch above Robin's chest. My only familiarity with dark magic was Bantu's teachings and Gharnef's evil, so I had little idea what she was doing. Still, it seemed to be working. The pained expression on Robin's faced eased and became more neutral. Lissa began further work with her staff. Moments later I heard what may have been the most wonderful sound to grace my ears in thousands of years of life.

Robin coughed.

He fell into a coughing fit that lasted nearly a full minute. It caused his body to convulse but Lissa pressed her staff to his chest and he relaxed down to the ground. Soon after he opened his eyes and looked around. I felt my throat grow tight.

"I...feel like I've been in this position before," he said weakly. I began to weep and bent down to touch his forehead with my own.

"Oh, Robin. Oh, my beloved Robin..." I felt him gently squeeze my hand with his.

"I'm okay," he said. "I'm okay." I had never heard sweeter words. I had to force myself not to pick him up and embrace him.

"Can't believe...you were this stupid," said Lissa. "Almost went and...almost died again." She began to cry. "Stupid. Making me worry like that."

"Sorry," he said. "I'm okay. I think. I feel intact, at least."

"You were cursed. Severely," said Tharja. "I'm doing what I can. You should live. You'd better live or I'll kill you myself." I would have become angry at such a threat, but Robin had explained her to me before. I knew that it was simply her way of expressing her deep concern. In her own way she was showing how much she cared.

"Thought I wasn't going to make it," he said, "but for some reason I'm feeling better now."

"It was the other you," I said. "He gave you the last of his power. Beloved...I am so glad you are alive. I was so afraid." Once again I felt him gently squeeze my hand.

"I'm here," he said. "It's over."

"Truly it is," I said. "The world is safe." He did not answer. No one did. We remained in silence as the two women worked to heal him. I sat back up to get out of their way, but I did not—would not—release his hand. He was here. He was alive. He had allowed Chrom to seal away Grima and he would live forever. We would never be apart. All my fear had turned to joy unspeakable at the knowledge that the man in front of me would never leave my side.

The others began to slowly gather around us as they finished attending to their own injuries. Before long the entire group was standing over us as I continued to hold Robin's hand. I felt Morgan kneel beside me and embrace me. I turned to her and gave her a kiss.

"Dad...you're still alive. You made it."

"I did, sweetheart," he said. He sounded exhausted. I could not hold it against him. He had just saved the world. "Thanks for all your help." He looked around at everyone gathered. "Is anyone hurt?"

"Nothing that won't heal in time," said Libra. "Well...for the most part, at least."

"We should be asking you that," said Cherche. "You're the one on the ground."

"I'll be fine," he said. "Does anyone know what happened to the other me?"

"He is dead," I said. "Though I believe that before he died he was freed from Grima's control. He apologized for everything that happened. It was...so very like you." I wondered if I would have been so willing to let go of any hatred I felt if it was not Robin who had been overshadowed. Perhaps I would not have. It mattered little. The only thing that mattered was that the two people I loved more than life were with me and they were safe.

"Lady Naga?" said Chrom. My mother appeared above us.

"You have done well, Awakener. The Fell Dragon is once again sealed away and the world is free of his control for a thousand years."

"You honor me," said Chrom, "though I believe the honor rightly belongs to the man who gave so much of himself to get us here."

"It is true," said my mother, "you have proved me wrong, Fellspawn."

"Any time," said Robin. He closed his eyes and smiled. It warmed my heart.

"Return home now, with my blessing. The world has been delivered from the darkness. Daughter."

"Yes?" I said.

"Please remain here with your family. I would speak to you alone."

"As you say." My mother vanished. The Shepherds started talking among themselves and their conversation became excited and cheerful. Many of them began to embrace one another. Several of them took it in turn to take Robin's free hand. Lucina thanked him from the bottom of her heart. I did not think I had ever seen her so happy in the time I had known her. Robin, in turn, tried to be as gracious as possible to all involved, though I could tell he was barely able to stay awake. I simply sat with him and held his hand while Morgan held on to me.

The Shepherds began the process of taking down their camp and returning it to the ship on the shore of the island. It took several hours to accomplish and by the time it was done Lissa and Tharja completed their work on Robin. They both said that he would make a full recovery and he simply needed rest. He would have it. I would not make him stand at all until we reached his home.

Once the ship was loaded and everything was completed, the Shepherds departed and left me, Robin, and Morgan behind. They were reluctant, but they knew that my mother had requested a private audience. Once they were gone, my mother reappeared in front of the three of us.

"Greetings once more, daughter," she said.

"Hello, mother," I said. "What is it you wished to say?" I tried to be cordial, but I was becoming weary myself.

"There are two things I would like to do," she said. "First, I would like to say something to...Robin."

"Go ahead," he said.

"...You have done well. You proved me thoroughly wrong. I must...apologize."

"Don't worry about it," he said.

"I must. I did not give you the opportunity you deserved. I reacted in anger, and for that I must apologize. Please, forgive me."

"Already done," he said.

"I thank you, and I must also make one more request of you."

"Anything."

"...Please take care of my daughter." He squeezed my hand.

"You know I will."

"Indeed. As to the second thing I wish to say...it is...nice to meet you, granddaughter."

"Hi grandma!" said Morgan brightly. She let go of me and ran over to embrace the ghostly form of my mother. I nearly started to laugh. My mother was not truly present and her ghostly form was so much larger than Morgan, but she still put her arms around her and even patted her head.

"My daughter tells me that you are a beautiful girl. She loves you with her whole heart."

"I know. I love her too. She's a great mom even though I can't remember her. It's nice to meet you in this time. I hope I get to talk to you more." She sounded so energetic and I saw my mother grow a little embarrassed.

"I...feel the same," she said. "You may visit me whenever you wish."

"Thanks grandma!" said Morgan. She let go of my mother and returned to us. I looked at Robin and saw that he had a wide smile on his face.

"You should return to your home," said my mother. "Daughter...Tiki...I hope you are happy together. I...love you very much."

"I love you as well, mother. Thank you for your blessing." My mother nodded and vanished. Robin opened one eye and looked at me.

"I'm a little tired," he said.

"Fear not, beloved. I will carry you." I reached into the pocket of my robe and withdrew a dragonstone. Morgan let go of me and began walking towards the boat. I focused my will into the stone and grew to my full draconic form. Robin did not let go of my hand until I towered over him. He smiled up at me and even as a beast it made my heart race. I gently lifted him up and carried him to the boat.

It was time to go home.


In the weeks that followed we began the project of rebuilding the damage caused by Grima's return. Robin and I were both kept extremely busy by all that was required of us and it meant that we were unable to spend nearly as much time together as we wished we could. Still, every night we would return to our home and share the bed. He told me when the work began that he would be sure to stay awake until I arrived should he come home first, so I promised to do the same for him.

There was one day about two weeks into the work where I excused myself from my normal duties to show my support for him in his. He had been called to act as the representative in the matter of what was to be done with Aversa. Many in the city knew who she was and wanted her to be punished for her actions in the previous war that had been fought years earlier. Robin was the chief advocate for the faction that said that she had already atoned for her previous actions by aiding in the fight against Grima. He was not able to gain enough support and the matter was brought before the ruling authority. That, of course, was Exalt Chrom.

"...as I have clearly stated before, she has been genuinely helpful in the rebuilding efforts and is obviously remorseful for her actions three years ago. To continue to treat her as a hostile agent is misguided and borders on cruel," said Robin. Aversa was sitting nearby at the front of the hall. The hall was empty save for a chosen few officials and the Exalt's family, as well as me.

"None of that erases the fact that this woman was directly responsible for the war with Plegia that resulted in the death of Exalt Emmeryn!" said the official who led the faction in support of her punishment. "Exalt Emmeryn was the most beloved ruler this nation has had in decades and was the only reason Ylisse regained its good standing after the behavior of the previous Exalt! We cannot let her murderer go unpunished!"

"With respect, minister," said Robin, "her murderer has been punished. The Mad King Gangrel was killed more than three years ago. Aversa was not the puppet master, she was one of the puppets."

"It is widely known that she was the true power behind the throne of Plegia at the time! Our spies always reported that she was seen dispatching orders all over the nation!"

"She was acting at the behest of King Validar, the man who replaced King Gangrel," said Robin. Even if you want to argue that she was the force behind Gangrel she was still not the mastermind. Validar was, and Validar is also dead, killed some three weeks ago in the second war between our nations. Both men died at the hands of Exalt Chrom himself. Justice has, I think, been carried out."

"Your excellency," said the official, "you cannot possibly sit here and allow this woman who was a top member of an enemy nation walk free in our capital! Not only that, but you have allowed as her advocate a man we all know you hold in high regard!"

"Hold," said Chrom. His tone was one of complete authority. "Argue what you wish about Aversa, but I will not allow you to bring Robin's station into this discussion. I have agreed to judge impartially and I will do so. If you cannot make your case without casting aspersions on your opposing counsel then I will have no choice but to rule against you." The man was stunned into silence. Robin in turn waited until he was ready to speak again.

The two men went back and forth with their arguments for nearly an hour. I thought Robin's case to be the stronger of the two, but, I admitted to myself, I was likely biased in his favor. Once they had finished their cases, Chrom was given the attention of all as he spoke again.

"My sister was likely the most forgiving woman who ever lived," he said. "I have tried to live by her example in my conduct as your Exalt. I believe that she would have extended the hand of forgiveness to someone truly repentant. I also believe that Aversa is truly repentant." I saw Robin smile as Chrom continued. "With that said...I cannot simply allow her conduct to go unpunished. Therefore I will be giving her a punishment that I deem fair." He pointed to Aversa. "You will be placed under house arrest. Given the high ranking nature of your former station in Plegia, you will be placed under the direct supervision of the highest-ranking official in charge of rebuilding. Under him you will be put to work at whatever task he assigns until such a time as he has determined that you have repaid your debt to our nation. Does that satisfy all present?"

Robin looked unworried. One of the officials began to protest. "Good," said Chrom as though the man was not speaking. "You are all dismissed. Aversa, you are to report to my office where you will be met by your overseer. Good day."

Chrom stepped down from the throne and left the hall with Aversa. Once the officials had also departed I joined Robin. He smiled at me and took my hand as we walked to Chrom's office. As we walked the halls we heard Aversa speaking.

"...going to be hard labor, isn't it? Who's this minister in charge?"

"Did no one tell you?" said Chrom. "You'll find out in a moment. I can hear him coming now."

"Gods blood, I should have left when I had the chance...no, I shouldn't say that. Robin gave me this chance and I want to leave here with a clear conscience."

"Good for you. Really." We reached the door and Robin knocked. "Coming," said Chrom. "This is him now." Chrom opened the door and Aversa looked up at the two of us.

"...Oh."

"Hi Aversa," said Robin cheerfully. "I'm your new boss." She blinked several times in surprise.

"I...guess this isn't so bad," she said. "I suppose there are worse people."

"I've actually been instructed to give you the most unpleasant punishment I can think of. It was the trade off for getting this result."

"What? So then all that arguing..."

"Was just for show, to placate the officials' faction and keep the peace. This was settled days ago between the three of us."

"Oh. Nice of you to tell me."

"Couldn't let you know ahead of time. Only three of us were allowed to know just in case any information leaked." She shrugged.

"Alright, give it to me. Let me hear it." Robin began to laugh.

"I'm going to have you do the least pleasant thing I can think of for you. It won't be fun and it'll be a lot of work, but once it's over you'll be a free woman."

"Spit it out," she said. Robin grinned.

"You have to plan my wedding."

"...Oh."


Weeks of reconstruction work became months. Over that time I began to notice a change in Robin. It was subtle, but I knew him well. Whenever we were able to be together he still treated me well and he still took care of me the way he always did, but I noticed small differences in the way he acted. His touch when he embraced me was slightly more hesitant than usual. He smiled a little less often than he normally would. Sometimes when he thought I could not see I would notice an expression of gloom on his face. My heart ached for him, but I knew that I needed to trust him.

He would tell me when he was ready. I knew he would. I could not be sure when that would be, but I knew it would happen. Still, I tried to be more affectionate than usual with him. It was difficult as I was always affectionate with him, but I made the effort. I held him a little tighter. I let my kisses linger a moment longer. I tried to wake up a minute earlier to spend a few more moments with him before the day began. If I could think of any small way I could show my concern for him, I would do it. It was not until the eve of the day we were to marry that I finally learned.

I knew that we had a busy day the next day, so I worked as hard as I could to finish my tasks quickly. I hurried to our home. I was much earlier than I expected to be. When I arrived I saw Robin sitting on our bed with his head in his hands. He was facing away from me and was not audibly sobbing, but I could still see that he was weeping. I rushed across the room to put my arms around him. He gasped in surprise at my presence.

"Tiki! You're...a lot earlier than I expected," he said. His voice was uneven and he was clearly in distress. I began to kiss him gently. He did not push me away, but he did seem to wish me to stop.

"Robin, please, speak to me. What troubles you?"

"I...Tiki, I'm sorry. I know I've been worrying you. I...I'm sorry."

"But why are you sorry? Robin, what has happened? Please, I beg you, tell me." He shook his head and became silent. My heart ached for him. Something was devastating him, but I could not tell what. I began to cry and I held myself against him.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"I beg you, Robin. I have seen that you are in pain. Please, let me help you."

"You...deserve so much better than me," he said. I pulled him in closer.

"Robin, please stop saying things like that. I love you with all that I am. I want you. I have promised myself to you. We are to be married tomorrow. When you speak like this it makes me feel as though you do not trust my judgment. Please, speak to me. I do not understand what is wrong. Help me understand. Make me understand if need be, but do not hide your feelings and act like you are unworthy of me!" Tears began to run down my face. He looked away in shame, then stood up and moved away from me. He looked out the window.

"I'm...so sorry. All I do is cause you pain," he said. I saw him clench his hands into fists.

"No you do not! You have brought me joy untold! Being with you makes me happier than I have ever been! Robin, I beg you, stop speaking like this and tell me what it is that troubles you so!" My voice was growing louder. I did not want to start yelling, but I could see the agony he was feeling and I wanted to help him. He simply would not let me.

"I was going to die!" he said suddenly. I rocked backward on the bed. He dropped his gaze and spoke more softly. "During the final battle. After we defeated the avatar. I...I was going to do it myself. After I promised you I wouldn't. I promised you so many times that I would live. I promised you I would let Chrom do it, and I was going to do it myself. I was going to die and leave you behind." I could hear him start to sob. "Tiki...I'm so sorry. I'm...you deserve someone who won't break his promises. I'm..." I stood up and hugged him from behind.

"Oh, Robin..." No wonder he had seemed so distant. Heavens, I could only imagine the guilt he was feeling.

"Now...you know. I didn't want to admit it. I've been...so ashamed of myself."

"What happened? Why did you change your mind?"

"I...didn't," he said.

"I do not understand."

"I was going to...to do it. I had my tome in my hand. I...I had my spell ready. And just as I was about to fire it off...it was Chrom. He...punched me in the stomach." Oh heavens, no. I understood completely. I understood better than he did, though I had not realized it until now. "Tiki...I was going to die. I was ready. I even...I planned for what to do if I never came back. That's why I...I'm not...I'm not worthy. I couldn't even...live for you."

"Oh, Robin...you believe you are not worthy? No, it is I who is not worthy of you."

"Wh-what?"

"I told you...I find it difficult to sleep without you. That night...when you left to speak to my mother and I woke up I...I took a walk of my own. I met Chrom. I told him...I asked him to keep you safe, no matter what. When you chose to die he must have...oh, Robin, how can I say that I am worthy of you? You were willing to die for the sake of the world. I...I was not even willing to let you." I felt him trying to turn, so I let go of him to allow it. He looked at me with tears in his eyes then he wrapped me up in a tender embrace.

"Oh, Tiki. You can't...don't blame yourself. You wanted to be happy. You deserve to be happy. I should have...never put your happiness at risk. Gods above, please forgive me." I held him desperately. I feared he would disappear if I let go. I sobbed into his shirt. We remained that way for several minutes.

"I just...want you," I said. "I want...I want my Robin. So long as you are alive..." I could not finish. I could not think what I wanted to say.

"You have me," he said. "Maybe...maybe this was for the best. Maybe I needed Chrom to hit me. To...save me from myself. We can...beat him next time. I'll be there with you, whether I deserve to be or not." I forced myself to become calm, though my voice remained shaky.

"Robin...I love you. Never question it again, I beg you. I promise you that I will love you for...for all time."

"I love you too," he said. "You're...my greatest joy. Never...never again. I'll never put you through that again."

"Were you...going to tell me?" I asked. I had to know or it would likely continue to trouble me.

"Yes. I...don't know how long it would have taken, but...yes. I'm...sorry I've been too ashamed to tell you sooner."

"How can I do anything but forgive you? But...can we make a promise?"

"Anything."

"No more secrets. Never again. Let us share everything."

"I promise. No more secrets." I felt my tears stop. I imagined his would as well. I was safe in his loving arms. He was with me. I had no need to fear any longer. He was with me. My stomach growled, which made him laugh gently.

"Robin...would you...mind if we went to get dinner? I am becoming...rather hungry." I felt him kiss me again and again. Any hesitation I had felt from him was gone. I was nearly overwhelmed with the love I felt for him and the love I felt him bestow upon me. How blessed I was to have won the love of this most wonderful of men. Truly there was no woman who lived who was more fortunate than I.

"We really should go eat," he said. "We need our strength. After all...we have a big day tomorrow."

A/N: This is almost it guys. There's one more chapter of main story left. Just the one, and a few epilogue chapters. The Voice and the Vessel is...almost over. I don't know what's after that besides finishing Lost and Found, but it's been a heck of a ride to get here.

You guys realize this story is longer than Order of the Phoenix?