Hello everyone, since we're in the holiday season, I decided to give you a brand new shot featuring my favorite couple from Awakening. That being said, here is Gift of the Shepherds.
The Yuletide had hit Ylisse like never before. The land was paved in snow, bringing a beautiful scenery to many, children busy playing out while families were busy. Truly it was a time to be alive for this year.
Unfortunately for one couple, this year's Yuletide wasn't going so well. Robin and Cordelia have been faithful servants to the crown ever since the war against the Grimleal ended, with Robin being the chief advisor of Ylisse and Cordelia being the captain of the Pegasus knights, but with having two kids now, they have recently gone under hard times. Through out most of the year, they always managed to get by, but when ever it was winter, suddenly the money they have saved up would disappear. Had it not been for pride, they would've accepted any form of help they could possible get. However, both Robin and Cordelia were too proud to ever accept charity. For Robin, it was because he owed so much to Chrom for taking him in, while Cordelia's perfectionism made it impossible for her take anything from her best friend, Sumia.
So the two trudged on this holiday season, trying their hardest to come up with enough money to make ends meat while still buying presents for their small family. Luckily for them, future Severa and Morgan had long since moved out, with Severa having moved in with her husband Inigo, while Morgan having gotten her own home in Ylisstol, so that left the couple to just focus on their own kids from the present.
"Home at last!" Cordelia sighed as opened the door to their cabin. After the war, Robin and Cordelia were given a small acre of land to live by themselves. And boy did they take advantage of that small acre of land.
Cordelia had just gotten back from shopping for her daughters presents. For Severa, she got the cutest little dress that she had been eyeing on for quite sometime, while Morgan, she got her a stuffed Pegasus Pony toy. Just like their future counterparts, the present day Morgan and Severa seemed to emulate off them in some form. Placing their presents under their tree, Cordelia got to work brewing some tea in order to calm her nerves. While she was thankful in getting presents for her two daughters, unfortunately for her, there was one problem left.
She couldn't come up with an idea on what Robin wanted. Robin was always a tricky man to get presents for, as he always insisted that the best present he could ever want was his wife and daughters in his home, but he already has that. It seemed like that every time a holiday struck, Robin was always going all out in buying the best gift for Cordelia, and all she got him was just, well, herself. Granted Robin was more than happy with Cordelia as his wife, but that didn't shake off the tiny bit of guilt she had.
So going to their bed room, Cordelia looked around to see what Robin might've wanted. It was easier said than done, as Robin wasn't very practical in what he wanted. The only selfish thing he could ask for was a delicious meal every night after work and a beautiful red head to hold in his arms at night. Just then, Cordelia's eyes landed on their book shelf.
Just like Sumia, Robin loved to read. And the amount of books in their home could fill up a small library. And no other pair of books was Robin more proud to own than "A tactician's guide to world" a three part series of books on what a tactician needs in life. It was Robin's prized possession as he would always read the two books he had. Unfortunately Robin only owned two out of the three books in this series. It always sat there, in the store, taunting him as he desperately wanted to buy, but didn't have the money to spare.
It then hit Cordelia, she could buy Robin the third book as his present. Surely that would be good enough. Aside from his favorite meal and herself in his arms of course.
Unfortunately, she couldn't go right now, as she needed to pick her daughters up from school, but she made a mental note to go as soon as possible the next day. "Don't worry my love, i won't let you down."
(((0)))
For Robin, things weren't going too well in the gifts department. He was thankful he finally got his daughters their presents as well, for Severa, he got her the cutest doll she had been begging for, while Morgan, he had gotten her a new story book. But unfortunately, all that left was his lovely wife, Cordelia. He didn't know what to buy her, as Cordelia, like him, didn't care too much for presents. But that didn't stop him from spoiling her.
When they were still newly weds, Robin would always take Cordelia out on the most expensive of dinner dates, buying her the most expensive of gifts. But then they had kids and the money started slipping away from them. But Robin wouldn't let that get in the way. As he sat there in his office at the palace, he kept thinking to himself what to get his wife at a reasonable price.
"Oh boy this is getting me no where." robin sighed to himself as he massaged his temples.
Just then, his office door opened with Chrom coming in, "there are better places to mope around you know?" That joke did not humor Robin as it made him roll his eyes in frustrations. "Okay, not a fan of jokes I can see."
"Sorry Chrom, I'm just a little preoccupied." Said Robin. "With the Yuletide coming up, I have to find a present for Cordelia. But the problem is is that the Yuletide is in two days. I don't know what to do."
"I can see that, gift shopping is hard." Chrom smiled. "I remember one time I didn't know what to get for Olivia last year."
"Didn't you try stitching her a teddy bear?" Robin asked.
"Yeah that was a mistake. But she loved it." Said Chrom as he looked down on his hard, thankfully healed from his attempts of stitch thing last year. Stitching, not a natural talent of his. "Perhaps you should think of what Cordelia likes."
Robin then thought about it. Cordelia was a simple woman, preferring to wear tunics to pretty dresses, boots to high heels, and the make up she wore was never really expensive. As far as Robin knew, she was too humble. That was until he thought about her hair. If there was one thing Robin knew Cordelia was proud of, it was her red hair. He would always see her combing and braiding it, always making sure to clean it, and saw that nothing but the finest oils and perfumes they could afford that was worthy of touching her beautiful hair.
He then thought about her comb, it was serviceable, but it was already showing it's wear and tear by now. She needs something new. "Her hair, I can get her a new comb for her hair."
"Now that I think about it, Olivia has told me your wife had her eyes on those gold combs in Anna's shop when they and Sumia went shopping for gifts yesterday." Said Chrom. "If you like I could give you the money for it, given how expensive gold combs are. Consider it my gift to you."
"No way Chrom!" Said Robin. "I can't take money from you. You and Olivia have already given us enough."
"Alright, but once again Robin, if you ever need any help, please don't be embarrassed to ask." Chrom placed a hand in Robin's shoulder as the tactician was about to leave the castle. "I know you guys have gotten in hard times recently, with raising two kids and all, but you have to set aside pride and accept help. I know you would do anything if I was going through harder times."
Robin then went red in embarrassment. "I'll consider it Chrom." With that, Robin put on his coat and scarf and began to leave the palace.
Chrom then looked solemnly at the empty office. "Poor Robin, too proud to even admit he needs financial help. Maybe I should raise his salary, it's the least I can do for the man who helped me out so much in life."
(((0)))
Shopping was easier said than done for Cordelia. Every book store she went too said the same thing to her. "We're sorry ma'm, but unfortunately the last volume of the book you're looking for is all sold out."
Hanging her head I defeat, Cordelia continued on with her journey, trying to look for a suitable gift for her love. Adjusting her coat, Cordelia entered another store and saw a portly man looking at her.
"What can I help you with?" Asked the sales clerk.
"I'm look volume 3 for a tactician's guid to the world." Said Cordelia.
The sales clerk simply smiled at Cordelia. "Your just in luck," he then got out the book, as Cordelia's eyes grew wide in excitement. This was it, this was the book Robin had been wanting for a long time now. "I managed to snag three of these bad boys off a trading route. This right here is the last one."
"Fantastic, how much?" Cordelia smiled as she got out her purse.
"Well for a pretty lady like you, it's for the low price of three hundred gold coins." The sales clerk smiled at Cordelia.
Cordelia then opened her purse and frowned. She was two hundred coins short. "Drats!" Cordelia said to herself. "How about we trade for it?"
"Can't do!" The sales clerk shook his head. "If I took a trade from every pretty girl who walks in this store, it may look like I'm playing favorites."
"How about I put a payment down now, and come back to give you the rest later?" Asked Cordelia.
"Sorry ma'm, but my answer still stands. Unless I get my money's worth, I won't part with this book." Answered the sales Clerk.
"Please, it's for my husband, there's gotta be something you can do?" Cordelia desperately asked, trying to at least gain sympathy from the man.
"The only thing I'll accept is 'here is your money sir'." Said the sales clerk. "I run an honest business here. You can either buy this book from me, or take your leave somewhere else."
Cordelia then glared at the man and was about to leave in defeat until she something a store sign across the street. It was a wig shop, with a woman putting up a sign that said they were now buy hair. Cordelia then ran her hands through her luscious beautiful hair. The hair she spent time taking care of. 'It's for robin.'
She then turned to the man, "could you hold onto the book for me, I think I found a way to get the money after all."
"Of course, but please be quick." Said the sales clerk. "I gotta head to my mother's house pretty soon."
Cordelia then ran out the store and across the street to the wig lady, surprising her with her speed.
"Hello there, need something?" Asked the Whig lady.
"Yeah, how much for this?" Cordelia then pointed out her long red hair, making the Whig lady's eyes go wide.
"With that length, and that color, I'll gladly pay you five hundred gold coins." The Whig then brought out a lie of scissors with an enthusiastic smile. "Well come on in and take a seat."
'Oh i hope I don't end up regretting this?' Cordelia nervously thought to herself.
(((0)))
"Come again?" Robin asked with his eyes the size of plates.
"Like I said, the low low price of five hundred gold coins." Anna said as she showed Robin the gold hair combs. "These combs are specially made after all. Forged by my sister."
"C'mon Anna, can't you give me a discount." Robin desperately asked. "For old times sake."
This was very true. After the war, despite her intentions, Anna couldn't find it in her to leave Ylisse, knowing all her friends were there. So she decided to settle, get married to their resident sellsword, Gregor, and even had a son. So her doing favors for the shepherds wasn't unheard of.
Anna then sighed. "Okay, given how you and I are friends, how about this, instead of giving me the money, you instead trade something of equal or greater value."
"Perfect!" Robin then got out his Levine Sword. "Behold, the sword of Legend. This bad boy will catch a high price I'm sure."
Anna simply gave Robin a laugh. "This is an accessory shop, not a weapon shop."
"Knew it would've been too easy." Said Robin. 'C'mon robin, think, is there anything you own that you could trade for those combs.'
An idea then lit up in Robin head. His treasured books, A Tactician's guide to the world, would not only give a hefty price, but it was also enough to get his beloved wife new combs for her beautiful hair. 'But I love those books' it was true. They were his favorite books he owned. 'But something's are more important than others.'
Robin the to turns to Anna and said "would you mind holding onto those combs for just a little bit. I'll be right back with something to trade."
"No problem old friend." Anna winked at robin as she took the combs and out it behind the counter. "But please hurry, my husband, Gregor, should be done with dinner soon and I don't want to miss it."
Robin then ran out the store and towards his cabin, his heart racing at what he was about to do. Then again, anything was worth it just to see his beautiful wife smile at him.
(((0)))
"Honey I'm home!" Robin said as he clutched a present in his arms. He was then greeted by his favorite people in the world.
"Daddy!" Present day Morgan and Severa ran over to hug Robin. Robin bent down and hugged his little Giles as they gave him a tight hug a loses on the cheek.
"Did you get me anything daddy?" Asked an excited Severa.
"Did you get me another story book?" Asked Morgan. They both saw he was holding a present and decided to ask if it was for them.
"Now girls, you can't expect me to at you anything after I come back from work." Robin said as both his little girls groaned at him. "Besides I already got you presents."
"I'm glad your home, my love." Cordelia walked up and hugged Robin. Robin noticed odd about Cordelia, as she wore a hood over her head, hiding her long hair. Just as Robin was about to ask why she was wearing a hood indoors, she said "I'll explain the hood later, my love." Grabbing his hand, Cordelia led Robin to the dining room. "Dinner is almost ready."
"Great! I'm starved!" Announced Robin.
They sat down in anticipation, Severa and Morgan were bouncing in hunger as they saw a huge plate of roasted beef placed on the table. Robin cleared his throat when he saw Severa and Morgan try to lunge at the food in front of them.
"Sorry daddy." Morgan said as Cordelia started to make her a plate of food.
It wasn't long for Robin and his daughters to start scarfing down on food. While Cordelia was a lot more elegant in her eating habits, Robin and her daughters loved to just stuff their faces until they had a full stomach. Though Cordelia didn't complain about it, as she thought it was kind of cute that the normally cool and collected tactician would just scarf down on food at a moments notice.
Just as they were done eating dessert, a delicious apple pie, Cordelia got to work tucking her daughter's in for the night. While Morgan was already sound asleep in her room, Severa was still awake. But the fatigue from the amount of meat she ate made it sure she would pass out soon.
"Mommy, how come you have your hood up, even inside?" Asked Severa. "I wanna comb your long beautiful hair."
"Not tonight sweaty." Said Cordelia. "Maybe some other time." Cordelia then tucked Severa into her bed. "No got to sleep, my love. Tomorrow, you have a lot of presents to open in the morning."
"I can't wait." Severa yawned as she went to sleep. Kissing her forehead, Cordelia quietly slipped out of the room and down stairs to the living room to see Robin sitting on their couch in front of the fire escape.
There he was, her one true love, the man who made hundreds of other women glare at her in envy, the man who single handedly gave her a reason to love again after her heart was shattered by Chrom. Robin, just thinking about his reaction to her present made her heart flutter.
Robin meanwhile was nervous early as his wife, while he would sell of any of his prized possessions for his loved ones presents, those books he sold were hard to find. And he just sold them for gold combs. But the thought of running them through her long red hair made him smile.
Cordelia sat down next to robin, her face blushing ever so red. Robin then got out a present he had stashed with him.
"I know it's a little early, but I can't wait to see your reaction." Robin said as he handed the present to Cordelia.
"Oh Robin, you shouldn't have." Cordelia said as she started to unwrap the present. When she opened the box it was in, she gasped. It was the gold combs she had her eyes on for quite some time. "Robin, how did you get this."
"Let's just say your man always provides." Robin said. "Now come on, take off your hoodie. I wanna comb you hair with these new gold combs I got you."
Cordelia gripped her gold combs in her hands, a slight tear going down her eyes as she said "I'm sorry Robin, but I'm afraid I won't be able yo use these for some time."
"Why not?" Robin gave her a confused look. "Cordelia, everyone knows you have the most beautiful hair imaginable. I got these combs for you because only the beat hair deserves the best combs."
Cordelia then took one deep breath and took off her hood, revealing her self to Robin. His eyes went wide as he saw his wife's hair. It was short now, just reaching bellow her chin.
"Ha, I forgot how much you look like Morgan." Robin commented on her new look. "But why would you cut your hair?"
Cordelia the got out a present and handed it to Robin. "I needed to make quick money so I can buy you your gift."
Robin then opened it and gasped, it was the third volume of a tactician's guide to the World. Part of the same books he sold to afford the new combs for Cordelia.
"Now you collection's complete, my love." Cordelia stated as she kissed him on the cheek. "I hope you enjoy it."
"Oh Cordelia, I don't know what to say." Robin said.
Cordelia then looked at the gold combs in her hands. Her eye brow arched, they were currently in a pickle when it came to finances, and she knew Robin was too proud to ask Chrom for a loan. "Robin, how did you afford to get me these combs."
Robin then sighed. "I traded the first two books in the series to Anna so I can get these combs for you."
Cordelia gasped at this. "Robin, you shouldn't have done that. I would've been happy with any pair of combs you got me. I swear it. You don't have to go all out and spoil me."
Robin then laughed a little. "And I would've been happy coming home to you and the girls." He then gave a solemn smile. "I guess we got carried away a little huh?"
"No kidding." Said Cordelia. "But don't you fret, it won't take long for my hair to grow back. In a couple of months, it'll be back to its normal length and I can use these bad boys."
"And I think I read those two books enough to know them by heart. Now I can finish the saga and know everything in life." Smiled robin. "But really, all I need in life is you and the girls. That's all"
Cordelia then kissed Robin straight on the lips and started caressing his body. "Getting frisky, are we?" This comment made Cordelia giggle as the two stared to strip one another for a night of passion.
While the two may have gone through hard times every now and then, their love was apparent that no matter what, they'll make it through anything. Because Robin and Cordelia loved each other above all else.
Merry Christmas everyone.
