(A/N: This is in Robin's view, shortly after the epilogue. Also beware of mild Chrobin shipbait; I've tried to keep it neutral for a majority of the story but I'm pretty sure it gets a bit shipbaity…not like I'd be the best person to determine that, but still.)
Robin initially went to Malin's room, but only stood by the door. Now that she was away from everyone, she allowed herself to feel a bit more regretful. Had that really been the only option? What she had said earlier still stood.
Eventually, Chrom came to her. He was trying his best to be reassuring, she could tell, but there was a certain look in his eyes that seemed so foreign, she couldn't entirely believe that it was actually him.
"How well do you remember when Emm died?" Chrom asked quietly.
"Like it was just days ago," Robin replied. "I…I failed on both accounts, didn't I? I couldn't think of something quick enough, in Emmeryn's case; and I didn't act quick enough in Malin's. I could've done something else. I was hoping for a change of mind…for him to realize that he didn't need to feel out of place. Morgan tried talking to him, but that didn't work. His mind was set. He seemed more motivated when Grima protested."
"What exactly happened?" Chrom said, maintaining an urgent but gentle tone. "You said that you raised your blade against him. What went wrong?"
"We left, just as we planned," Robin explained, turning away from Malin's room and heading towards the library. Chrom followed at her side, listening to her every word. "I didn't expect Malin to follow us. We got to Mount Prism and requested Naga's help, but she said that whatever aid she could give relied on Grima's compliance. We were at a loss for solutions, and Grima didn't wait for us. He reached for my sword—thinking about it now, he might not have even had intentions to kill me. I reacted before Morgan or Lucina could, using the knife to transfer Grima into me.
"Malin came while I was unconscious. There are so many things I dislike about my lineage…the fact that I'm the perfect Fell vessel allowed me to see what Grima was thinking, just as he could do the same with me. I don't think he ever realized that I was doing it, but I was able to see his plans. In the end, the idea that Malin came up with would've been the only possible solution that could be done in a few years. Grima planned to gain enough power to live independently from his vessel; we didn't have that time. Malin asked me to kill him, and I…I accepted. Neither of us wanted Morgan and Lucina there, but they returned anyway. I killed Malin and blamed it on an unnamed thief that wouldn't have realistically been able to land a scratch on him."
She took a deep breath, and Chrom placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's just… I don't know if it's because Morgan and Lucina had to watch, or because of the person I had to kill," Robin said. "This isn't something I'll be able to easily get over. He died so then I didn't have to…making it a bit easier on Morgan and Lucina, but still leaving behind a gap that someone needs to fill in. But…I don't feel just guilt…it's a sense of powerless, as well."
"This whole situation reminds me of when Emm died," Chrom replied. "Hence the question I asked earlier. From what it sounds like, Malin made the choice to die so then no one else had to bear that punishment. Forgive the way I'm comparing things, but it's similar to how Emm died so then I wouldn't have to feel guilty about whatever choice I made; she chose for me."
"You're comparing me to the fire emblem, aren't you?" The question was rhetorical, of course; she knew Chrom well enough to know what he meant when he spoke. "I'm not that important, Chrom. I know that the fire emblem is majorly important to Ylisse—bards sing about it, for gods' sake. Like I told Lucina months ago: a single person isn't that important. Things can get broken and tattered, but they don't stay that way forever. In both cases, you were implying that I'm essential to Ylisse. But I'm not; not when I'm incapable of so much…"
"I'm not sure when you last heard, but bards sing songs about you as well," Chrom argued. "You're just as important as anyone else; we've all lost someone, but Malin made the right choice. Even if the means were questionable, he knew what everyone needed and provided it."
"Chrom…" Robin began quietly.
"I'm going to tell you what you told me when Emm died," Chrom replied firmly. "Alone, we can't compare to who we have lost. But together, we might even be better than them. If you fall, I'll help you back up. If we ever have to fight to maintain peace, I'll be right by your side. You don't have to be like Malin; you can stay just the same, making the same choices and making the same mistakes. All you need to do is do whatever you can to live up to him in his memory."
"And…what if I drag you down with me?" Robin asked tentatively, knowing the answer but still wanting to hear him say it.
Chrom was finally able to give a completely reassuring smile. "That's what friends are for, isn't it?"
A small smile appeared on Robin's face as well. "I suppose you're right… Thank you, Chrom. I…feel a bit better now." She had gotten so distant, for a time…she almost forgot what it felt like to have someone who would stubbornly stay by your side, even if you were acting unbearable. She didn't even completely realize that she felt that way until Chrom said it.
They fell into pleasant silence, eventually parting ways when Robin decided to sit by Morgan in the courtyard. She would discuss policies with Chrom later; for today, she decided that she would just reflect on the past with her son by her side.
Robin might not be able to move on from Malin's death quickly…but she knew that she wouldn't let herself believe it was entirely her fault. He wouldn't like that, and a part of peace for a country was peace in its citizens' hearts. She made a quiet promise to herself that she wouldn't let Malin down.