Chapter 5: Fear of What Was, and What Will Be
Opening the window to her personal chamber, Robin sighed as she looked out over the courtyard of Ylisstol, enjoying the golden glow the setting sun bathed everything in as the transition to night began. It had been another long march returning from Regna Ferox, with the more frequent skirmishes with Risen and the occasional tussle with bandits. There had even been a dispute among merchants that she and Chrom had helped put to rest, if only temporarily. The victim (or perhaps instigator) in that case had been an energetic young lady by the name of Anna, who seemed very keen on getting the better end of a deal at any cost.
To be fair, she did promise to pay back any egregious expenses back at a later date. If nothing else, she seemed to be an honest business dealer. Plus, she recommended that wonderful hot spring before she left.
Robin smiled at the memory of enjoying the natural oasis hidden in the snowy mountains, then frowned as she recalled Chrom stumbling into her just as she had left the spring. Apparently, he had not taken her words about "needing time to herself" to heart, and had come across her completely naked, more to his initial surprise than embarrassment. It wasn't until she started screaming and throwing rocks at him that he started apologizing profusely, making a hasty retreat before any of the other Shepherds discovered them. Once she had dressed and swiftly returned to camp, neither could look at each other the rest of the day without blushing, which made Lissa highly suspicious, constantly pestering Robin for details which she adamantly refused to share.
I don't want anyone else to know, at least until I pay him back somehow. Although, he did look pretty cute, being all flustered and embarrassed. Maybe I could let him off the hook after a solid bit of teasing; gods know he never really treated me like a woman before.
Robin smirked at the thought, then paused as she mulled over her last train of thought.
Wait a minute, cute? I find Chrom CUTE? Oh gods, am I starting to-?
A solid knock on her chamber door caused her so spin around, taking a quick breath to settle her mind and emotions.
"Roooobin, are you in there? I need to talk to you about something."
Recognizing the voice in question, Robin smiled as she opened her door and admitted Lissa in, who was fiddling with the sleeve of her dress nervously.
"What's on your mind Lissa? Is Frederick giving you a hard time again? He's training you to use axes last I heard."
"No! Well, yes but-that's not what this is about." Lissa was biting her lip, something Robin noticed she only did when it was serious. "I'm worried about Maribelle. She's been keeping to herself a lot ever since we got back. Have you had a chance to see how she's doing?"
Robin grimaced, being reminded of the incident that she had tried avoiding thinking about too much. The ruler of Plegia, known as the Mad-King Gangrel, had taken a portion of his troops into southern Ylisse, pillaged a town and taken several hostages, including the Duke of Themis' daughter. Using her as a hostage, Gangrel had demanded that Emmeryn give him the Fire Emblem as recompense, as well as declaring his intent to bring retribution against Ylisstol for the last war waged against them. Refusing to back down, Chrom and the Shepherds had engaged Gangrel's forces and rescued the hostages as well as Ricken, a young mage and nobleman who had infiltrated the Plegian forces to save Maribelle. Once the battle was finished, Robin and the others had returned to the capitol to update Emmeryn on current events and prepare for war.
"She's fine Lissa, you know how tough Maribelle is," Robin said gently, giving the young princess a reassuring smile. "I think she's doing it to spend more time with Ricken than anything else. He visits her daily, and the two of them seem very close from what I've seen."
"Oh yeah, their families have been friends for ages," Lissa agreed, brightening up as a mischievous gleam shined in her eyes. "Though she'd never admit it, Maribelle's had a crush on Ricken ever since they joined the Shepherds. What about you, Robin? Anyone in the army you fancy?"
"Wha-? No! Nothing like that!" Robin averted her eyes, her cheeks turning red as her thoughts turned back to Chrom.
"Reaaaaaly? Not even a certain blue haired prince we might know?" Lissa grinned like a cat who'd just caught a mouse, a smug look of triumph on her face as she watched Robin go even redder.
"That-that's not-" Robin was frozen in place, her mind racing with several emotions, some of them she wasn't sure were her own. "I don't know what I feel about him. Besides, what about you? Surely there's someone you have feelings for."
"Nope, not yet," Lissa replied cheerfully, shrugging her shoulders as she went to sit on the end of Robin's bed. "I was curious about that guy who joined us from Regna Ferox, Lon'qu I think his name was. He's definitely got that tall, dark and handsome look going for him. While it is fun to pull pranks on him, it seems he's always nervous whenever I'm around."
"Oh, don't take that personally, he's like that with every woman in the army," Robin said, recalling how the usually stoic swordsman would avoid training with her when she had tried to gauge his capabilities. Smiling as she recalled how she had even started chucking spare figs from a storage crate at one point to motivate him, Robin turned to the door and walked out. "Anyway, I'll meet up with you later tonight Lissa. I need to talk with Chrom about something."
"Yeah, you got this! Go get him!" Lissa called, laughing as Robin hurried down the corridor, her face going red at the encouragement.
It was twilight when Robin finally tracked down Chrom, standing in the main courtyard with a look of concern casting a shadow on his face. Shaking her head to banish the echoes of Lissa's laughter, she approached the prince, noting the deep sigh he vented as she stepped up next to him.
"Here you are. What brings you out at this hour?" Robin tried to keep her voice casual, not letting the turmoil of her emotions to show.
"Oh, hi Robin. I'm just…wrestling with unpleasant thoughts," Chrom replied, his face briefly lighting up at her presence before his brow furrowed again. "Tomorrow we will march to Regna Ferox to request reinforcements against Plegia. But before we go, there's something you should know."
"Such as…?" Robin had never seen Chrom brood like this; it seemed completely contrary to his usual optimism.
"…Not everything Gangrel said was a lie. The last exalt, my father, waged war against Plegia for many years," Chrom confessed, a look of guilt crossing his face. "The violence…it was a brutal campaign, only ending with my father's death 15 years ago."
I don't remember reading any of this in the library…perhaps those records were destroyed at some point…
"Plegia rightfully remembers their suffering, but his war was no kinder to his own people," Chrom continued, unaware of Robin's musings. "As the fighting dragged on, our army became more and more diminished. Farmers who could barely wield pitchforks were conscripted and sent to their deaths. Soon there was no food left, and the kingdom began to collapse."
Robin blanched as a vision from her dreams resurfaced: castles and farms in flames, the echoes of endless warfare, and the screams of the dying and grieving filling the sky along with endless smoke that blotted out the sun.
"I was young, but I remember those dark times…I know how they affected Emmeryn."
"Such an experience would change anyone," Robin sympathized, blinking away her vision as she focused on Chrom once more.
"Indeed. When our father died before her 10th year, he left her quite the legacy. Plegia's desire for vengeance…our own people's unbridled rage…my sister became a target for blame from all sides. But she never let anyone see her pain. Only Lissa and I understood."
"It must have been so hard." Robin had a sudden urge to give the prince a hug, an impulse she barely kept in check.
"I can't claim to know how she does it, Robin. I could never greet such hostility with warmth and patience," Chrom confessed. "While our people mocked and vilified her, she reached out and healed them. She brought soldiers home to their families. She ended the war. And when Ylisse's spirit was mended and the people 'forgave' her? She never resented them for it. She represents the best of the halidom-the part most worth protecting. She IS peace."
Robin watched as his face set in a determined scowl, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous look in them.
"But some men would take advantage of that. Men like King Gangrel. The day he understands peace is the day death gives it to him. So perhaps I must be death's agent. Even though Emmeryn would never order him killed, nor would I wish her to."
"Well spoken, sir."
Both Chrom and Robin turned in surprise, facing a familiar masked warrior emerging from the gathering darkness.
"Marth," Chrom declared with a hint of suspicion in his voice. "How did you get in here? The main gate was sealed hours ago."
"That cleft in the castle wall, behind the maple grove." Marth replied, avoiding looking at Robin who was closely observing the youth in question.
"There? But how would you...?" Chrom had a look of shock that caused Robin to raise her eyebrows.
"You know that spot Chrom?" Robin glanced at the prince before returning her gaze to Marth.
"Yes. I bashed in part of the wall while training the Shepherds," Chrom explained, cringing at the memory and the small snort Robin made. "It's only a small hole, and I thought it well concealed, but…"
"You're secret is safe with me," Marth assured, shifting posture slightly to glance around quickly. "I've come to warn you."
"Warn us of what?" Robin folded her arms, her mind racing through several scenarios.
"The exalt's life is in danger." Marth spoke with absolute conviction, no doubt at all to be heard.
"What, Emmeryn? That's absurd. She's guarded at all hours," Chrom said dismissively, waving his hand at the castle behind him.
"What if I told you I have seen the future? Would you believe me?" Marth noted the dawning realization on Robin's face, head tilting in observation. "A future where Emmeryn is killed: here, tonight."
"Seen the future? Have you lost your wits?" Chrom was looking between Robin and Marth, disbelief plain on his eyes.
"Yes, I expected you wouldn't believe me," Marth admitted, drawing the sword that seemed so identical to Falchion. "So, allow me to prove it!"
No sooner were the words spoken than a hooded figure leaped forward from a nearby bush, blade drawn and aiming for Chrom. Marth intercepted the assailant, cutting him down with a single blow.
"Will that suffice as proof?" Marth calmly wiped the blade clean on the newly made corpse.
Chrom nodded, then drew his blade as a second assassin jumped out, striking him down but not before the figure launched a strike that shattered Marth's mask. Stepping forward with her own sword drawn, Robin caught Marth, a look of satisfaction on her face as the youth was revealed to be a girl in her mid teens.
I knew it, she was trying too hard, Robin thought smugly, noting the look of surprise Marth wore as she looked up at the tactician, a slight blush glossing her cheeks as she righted herself and nodded at her in thanks.
"Wait, you're a woman?" Chrom stood dumbstruck, looking between the two ladies as they both gave him a near identical smirk.
"And apparently quite the actress too," Marth replied, her voice a lot more relaxed now that she wasn't forcing a masculine tone. "Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't figure it out sooner."
"Wait, you knew Robin? For how long?" Chrom appeared even more bewildered, much to Robin's amusement.
"Weeeeell," Robin started, but the moment was shattered as an explosion rocked the castle, all three of them dashing across the courtyard as flames erupted from various sections as the sound of battle broke out.
"This is a coordinated strike!" Robin sheathed her weapon, both her and Lucina slightly outpacing Chrom. "You two secure Emmeryn. I'll rally those in the dining hall and meet you outside her chambers."
"But Robin, shouldn't we-" Chrom started, a look of panic on his face.
"She's right, we don't have time to waste," Marth said grimly, her eyes widening as her blade started glowing in her hand. "The longer we take, the higher the chance they have in reaching her before us. If you have any faith in her, trust that she knows what she's doing now."
"Alright, be safe!" Chrom and Marth made a hard left while Robin continued deeper into the heart of the castle, all three of them determined to stop this threat at all cost.
Well, this has been quite the eventful evening.
Robin was once more in the courtyard, doing a headcount of everyone who had engaged the enemy with some being treated to by the resident healers. Robin smirked as she noted Lissa practically doting on a newer figure, a young man with bright orange hair who had a roguish look and what appeared to be a sweet of some kind in his mouth.
Gaius, if I'm remembering correctly. Seems like Chrom ran into him trying to rob us but managed to sway him to our cause. I don't think there's a need to watch him; I have a funny feeling Lissa will be doing plenty of that from now on.
Robin then turned to the one person separated from everyone else, a solitary female fighter with a lean, muscular figure wearing a tight leather vest and pants. But what easily stood out to the tactician was the animalistic features; bare hands and feet covered in fur, and two prominent bunny ears on top of her head.
"Hello, I don't believe we've been properly introduced," Robin said politely, stopping a few feet away after seeing her flinch at her approach. "I'm Robin, and is your name Panne?"
Panne nodded, keeping her arms crossed as her face held a permanent glower. "You're the tactician who led us in that battle," she spoke in a clipped voice, with a slight edge underlying her voice. "You have a keen and swift mind. Do not expect me to lower my guard around you or any of the other humans."
"I understand, it must be hard for you," Robin said sadly, inclining her head slightly. "As the last taguel left, I can't fathom the depth of your pain and hatred. I have no words to share that could possibly heal your wounds. Please, accept my sorrow as recompense."
Panne's eyebrows vanished into her thick brown hair, and she let her arms fall to her side as she looked at Robin with a look of wonder.
"You remind me of your leader," she finally said, her ears twitching slightly. "You both have this aura, a sense of sincerity I've never felt from humans before. But also, you have something else, I can't describe it…"
"Hopefully, it isn't something too negative," Robin replied shyly, tucking a strand of her hair back as she grew self-conscious under Panne's scrutiny.
"Hard to say," Panne said thoughtfully, her nose shifting as she sniffed around Robin. "Perhaps it might be worth staying around to find out."
"Thank you for putting your trust in me," Robin said sincerely, seeing a person ducking around a pillar heading in the direction of the maple grove. "Excuse me, I must attend to something else."
Robin set off, barely noting as Panne nodded, a small smile on her face as she watched the human head out. Following an impulse that welled up from deep within her, she made a dash through foliage and dirt paths until she arrived at the largest tree in the grove, the same one she had taken to reading under since living in the palace. Less than a minute after arriving, a certain blue haired lass stepped out from the gravel path, heading towards the same tree.
"Leaving so soon?" Robin rounded the trunk, causing Marth to pause in her tracks. "I imagine Chrom wasn't so keen on you leaving like this either."
"No, he had words with me earlier," Marth admitted, a small smile on her face as she looked up to Robin. "You both had similar ideas in mind. I'm glad things worked out the way they did tonight."
"You claimed to know what would come to pass," Robin said slowly, eyeing the youth in front of her keenly. "I trust your aim was to prevent that future from happening?"
"Yes, that is indeed the case," Marth nodded, her gaze turning pensive. "Now that both Emmeryn and the Fire Emblem are safe, that terrible future should no longer become a reality."
"But you're not certain of that, are you?" Robin stepped forward, putting herself within arm's reach of the young warrior. "There's more you need to do, which is why you're leaving."
"Heh, nothing gets past you," Marth laughed, her smile returning as she looked up at the older woman in front her. "Thank you for not divulging my gender. It means a lot to me."
"It wasn't my secret to share," Robin said kindly, putting a hand on Marth's shoulder. "I trust your good intentions, and that we will see each other again. Be safe, Marth."
"Thank you, that means more than you know. Farewell," Marth replied, a slight tremble in her voice. As she vanished into the night, Robin watched her go, a single tear falling unnoticed down her cheek.
Alright, now I'm on a roll! My Robin in this story is not nearly as passive, and is more knowledgeable than in the original game because it drove me crazy thinking that she wouldn't try to learn as much as she possibly could after losing her memories. Reviews are always appreciated, and see you in the next chapter!