"Ooo!" Morgan's eyes practically sparkled, "How about this one?'
"Looks promising," Robin eyed the small family restaurant, but he was unsure. Ever since they had stopped in this village to try and find somewhere to eat, they had not been met by the most welcoming of people. Which was disappointing to say the least. After finally defeating Walhart, many were looking forward to some R&R.
Unfortunately, it went about how Robin had expected when they went to check up on them. He and Morgan were not even obviously armed. These people seemed spooked. Even more so since Chrom had introduced himself to that first vendor. Which seemed especially odd since this region was supposedly one of the regions more opposed to Walhart. One would think they would receive a hero's welcome.
"Come on, Morgan," Robin guided her away by the shoulder, "Let's see if your mother had any better luck."
"Mother!" Morgan ran up to her mother upon joining with the others, "Did you find us a place to eat? I'm starving!"
"I'm afraid not," Lucina replied dourly, "But I could try and make you something if you need it." Lucina was still trying to adjust to the whole motherhood thing, and she had opted for a bit of doting approach. She particularly did not like for Morgan to be far from either herself or Robin though her own parents would do in a pinch.
"Thanks, but you don't have to do that."
"It's no bother. I–" Lucina was cut off by the arrival of Frederick looking particularly troubled.
"Milord," He bowed in front of the prince, "I bring troubling news. It seems that a group of bandits have be marauding around this area pillaging, demanding protection money, and generally being a nuisance. Worse still, the band calls themselves the Shepherds and their leader appears to be masquerading as you, milord."
"That is troubling. We can't let them keep terrorizing these good people. Do you have any idea where they might be?"
"Reports indicate that they have retreated to the north east."
Chrom sighed, "Alright, Shepherds, looks like we still have a job to do. Let's go take care of these imposters."
"Then maybe they'll let us eat something!" Morgan cheered.
"Morgan," Robin chided his daughter as they went to prepare for a skirmish.
"Right, right, stop the baddies cause it's the right thing to do. Then get food."
Robin sighed, but Lucina was still concerned, "If you want food, here, take some of my rationed jerky."
"Thanks, mom!" Morgan took the dried meat and eagerly began munching away on it with gusto. That was enough to occupy her attention for a good minute and a half before she was wandering around yelling at any Shepherds to get moving.
"She's certainly full of energy," Lucina smiled watching Morgan "gather" the Shepherds.
"That she is," Robin smiled fondly, "I'm not sure where she gets it from to be honest."
Lucina smiled for a moment longer before her expression once again became serious, "Do we have to bring her along? This could be dangerous."
"I know, but do you want to try and tell her that she can't go? Besides, who would watch her? Both for her sake and to keep her out of mischief?"
"I suppose you're right, but I hate having to put her in danger."
Robin gently put a hand on his wife's shoulder, "Don't worry. I'll make sure she's with you or me. We'll keep our little girl safe."
"I know we will," Lucina smiled at him, but before they could continue, Morgan set her attention toward them.
"Hey! Come on and stop making googly eyes at each other!"
The two promptly blushed and separated before following after their excitable daughter. Fortunately, it did not take them very long to find the group of ruffians in question. They were holed up in some ruins that Robin quickly started analyzing while the others started pairing off for the coming battle.
"Do you have your sword?" Lucina asked making sure Morgan was battle ready. She had volunteered to stay with her near the back wanting to personally make sure that she was safe, but Robin would still be trying to stay near them as well.
"Yes, mother," Morgan groaned at her mother's overprotectiveness. She may have lost most of her memories, but she had to wonder if she had always been like this. Not that she did not appreciate getting so much attention from her mother, but every so often she could go a smidge far.
"Good, I–huh?" Lucina looked up in time to see a pegasus flying back toward the enemy lines away from a confused Chrom.
"Mother?" Morgan tilted her head in slight concern.
"S-sorry, it just…I thought I heard a voice I hadn't heard in a long time," Lucina shook her head. She supposed it had been a while at this point. She still wondered if she should have told her parents that she had a sister, but…what good would it do them if they might never see her? Perhaps her guilt was getting to her. Here she was living a happy life with a family of her own while her friend's fates remained unknown after all.
Besides, why would Cynthia be among the enemy ranks?
After the fighting began, Lucina made sure to keep Morgan toward the back of the formation where, fortunately, she did not see any combat. Unfortunately, Robin was driven to the front with a notice from Chrom about some sort of development. Whatever it was, he did not return to the flank, but he must have been okay or else there would have been much greater turmoil in their ranks.
For the most part, the battle was pretty cut and dry. There were no reported casualties even among a band of mercenaries deceived by the imposter Chrom. Who happened to look nothing like Chrom.
"I'm telling you, I'm fine!" Morgan whined as Lucina looked her over to make sure she did not have so much as a scratch anywhere on her. Finally satisfied, the new mother pulled back with a smile. However, when she looked past her daughter, her mouth fell ajar at what she saw.
"Mother?" Morgan watched as her mother suddenly ran off past her.
"Cynthia!?" Lucina looked at her sister wide-eyed.
"Lucy?" The pegasus knight turned around on her heels, "Lucy! It is you!" The pigtailed young woman energetically bounced toward Lucina pulling her into a bone-crushing bear hug.
"Can't…breathe…"
"Oops! Sorry," Cynthia dropped her sister.
"It's fine," Despite the extreme hug, Lucina was smiling, "I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again!"
"Yeah, and you didn't even tell mom and dad about me!" Cynthia was understandably a bit upset.
"I didn't know if we'd ever find you. I didn't want to get their hopes up. Besides, what were you even doing here?"
"Oh, uh," Cynthia tapped her fingertips together, "I…may have thought that I was fighting for Chrom."
"Cynthia," Lucina sighed in disappointment, "How could you even remotely believe that man was our father?"
"I don't know! I didn't really remember what he looked like, and he said his name was Chrom, and he had people fighting for him called Shepherds."
"And extorting those villagers?"
"I…thought they were villains?"
"Really, Cynthia, you must be more careful," Lucina sighed and let another smile grace her features, "Still, I am glad you are safe."
Cynthia opened her mouth about the time that Morgan finally ran over, "Mother! Are you okay?"
"'Mother?'" Cynthia looked at the young girl's deep cerulean hair that matched hers, Chrom's, and… "Lucina?"
"A-ah," Lucina stuttered, "Right, um, allow me to introduce you. Morgan, this is my sister, Cynthia. Cynthia, this is Morgan. My daughter."
"What?" Cynthia looked back and forth between the two, "How long have you been here? But she doesn't even look that much younger than you!"
"Apparently I'm from the future. At least, that's what they tell me. I can't remember much actually. But I have the brand!" Morgan removed her left glove to show the back of her hand which, sure enough, had the brand of the Exalt, "See?"
"So, you really are Lucy's kid? Well, I'm glad you finally settled down, Lucy! By the way, who's the lucky fellow?"
"Oh! There he is!" Morgan pointed, "I'll go get him."
Cynthia looked at the man Morgan pointed out, "Wow, he's hot. Good going, Lucy!"
"I-I suppose he is quite handsome."
"So, uh, have you two, you know?"
"C-Cynthia!" Lucina's face burned bright red, "T-that is none of your concern."
"So that's a no."
"Maybe," Lucina looked away as Morgan ran up with Robin.
"Okay, so what was so important that I had to rush right over?"
"This is Cynthia," Morgan gestured to the pegasus knight, "She's mother's sister."
"Oh, so you're the famous Cynthia," Robin smiled holding out his hand, "A pleasure."
Cynthia shook it with gusto, "Ditto! Wait," She furrowed her brow at her sister, "You told him about me, but not our own parents?"
"I…confide in him," Lucina replied weakly.
"Well," Cynthia huffed, "So long as he's good to you. He is good to you, right? Does he shower you with flowers?"
"There hasn't been a shower, but he finds the time for small romantic gestures," Lucina smiled gently at her love, "He's really sweet."
The mood was promptly ruined by the sound of Morgan and Cynthia retching which prompted a response from the tactician.
"Laugh it up you two. Maybe one day you'll understand."
"Perhaps with a certain wyvern rider in black," Lucina spoke slyly to her sister making her blush.
"I told you that in confidence!"
"That was before you made fun of me and my husband."
"Hmph, well, in that case," Cynthia grabbed her niece by the arm, "I'm stealing your daughter. No niece of mine is going to grow up without proper instruction in the way of a hero."
"Oh! That sounds like fun. Can I? Please?"
"I…suppose," Lucina reluctantly agreed, "But stay near everyone else! We'll be leaving soon!"
"And, they're gone," Robin chuckled, "Maybe it isn't so far fetched that Morgan's so hyper. I don't suppose that you're secretly a bundle of energy?"
"If I am, I put it toward more constructive ventures."
"Such as painting?"
"I," Lucina looked at Robin in shock, "How did you…?"
"I saw something you painted while we were in talks after Walhart's defeat. Not sure why you threw it out. Looked great to me."
"You're too kind. I only ever had a few lessons growing up. I know I'm amateurish at best."
"You might be out of practice, but I think you have talent. Maybe something to consider when we get back home?"
Home. "Perhaps I'll keep it in mind."
"Good. You'll need a hobby after all once this saving the world business is done. Now, I need to go finish making sure everyone's ready to head back." Robin leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, "See you during the march."
"Right," Lucina replied somewhat absently. As he left her alone, Lucina was plagued by her thoughts. Home. Did she have one? Both Robin and her parents would insist that she did, but…Lucina was still filled with doubts as to if she should stay.
However, she could hardly imagine a life without her husband and daughter. They had become so ingrained in her life and heart that life without them seemed so hollow. Off in the distance, Lucina saw Cynthia teaching Morgan her "heroic" poses and a smile returned to her face.
Perhaps her father was right. Maybe she was too hard on herself and worried too much. After all, she was married to one of the smartest men she knew, and he did not seem to be worried. Why should she be?
As far as she was concerned, she was beyond lucky to have this family, and she thought that perhaps it was selfish of her, but she wanted to keep it.
A/N: You know, given how this has gone I wouldn't be too surprised if a real summer Lucina down the rode was still tied into this travesty. And what have they done to Lucina's character? Is this three times now they've had her tear up around Mia of all people? As it stands, I've mostly reduced by playing to anything that gives orbs.
That aside, I do apologize if I reached out to anyone that didn't want to talk or if my saltiness got on your nerves. Despite that, I wouldn't mind talking to some like minded people if you're up for it. Just, uh, be warned if you try to bring up Heroes. Or, hey, if you want to discuss stories.
I did finish another chapter draft for the Robin story. I'm thinking my next big thing might be more of a return to form, but it's a bit of a daunting task. In the meantime, I'm also thinking of a Chrom and Morgan centric one shot, but I'm not sure what all they'd do.
