She was glad that they sent her a warning that they would be late coming home. Perhaps for good reason, they didn't tell her why they might be late, if she had to be glad that they warned her, at least.

The slight pride in their foresight was briefly replaced with disappointment when she learned why they kept their reasoning hidden. They came home as usual, and Morgan gave his report at the next meal so he wouldn't have to repeat it twice. And maybe they realized that whatever reason kept them would gain a reaction from her, because after Robin asked after it Morgan shrank back a bit and admitted in one quick sentence, "We were ambushed by thieves on the way there?"

Robin just blinked at them for a moment, then slowly asked, "But you weren't hurt?"

"The merchant was with us," Lucina replied. "Two mercenaries came as well. No one was hurt, just a bit tired the next morning."

"All right," Robin said, letting out a little breath and folding her hands in front of her.

Chrom gave her an amused look. "I'm actually impressed that you're taking this that well."

"I'll grow more worried as the day progresses, don't worry," she replied simply. "I'll be questioning everything by tonight, but…right now, I can't ask for anything more than what they've already done." Talking to the kids, she added, "Did you have any other trouble?"

"Nope," Morgan said. "I did put a letter we got on your bed, though—I was told that it came from a friend."

Robin nodded. "Thank you. I'll look over it when I have the chance."

Morgan continued his report after that, and their day progressed as per usual after the meal. It wasn't until Robin was getting ready to sleep for the night—with Chrom already half-asleep in bed, having moved the letter to a table—before she could get to the letter Morgan had brought.

She sat down on the bed, took the letter and opened it, recognizing the handwriting fairly quickly. Reading over it once, then twice, she stood back up again to make sure she wasn't wrong. Chrom opened his eyes when he noticed. "Did you forget something?"

Robin gave Chrom the letter. "It looks like Morgan's handwriting, doesn't it?" Robin asked.

"I can't tell handwriting just by looking at it, Robin; I just know it's words in a language I understand."

"Just read it, then. It sounds like him, at least, and I'd like to check to see if the handwriting's similar to what he left us with."

"It could literally be anyone."

"It could, but I'm willing to be proved wrong about certain things."

Robin proceeded to look for the letter that Morgan had left behind when he had left the castle—something he didn't warn about, didn't mention prior, and the reasoning of which she couldn't readily accept. She would be glad to hear that he was still alive, at least, even if a letter likely meant that he couldn't make it back to Lucina's time. She couldn't get herself to stop jumping to conclusions.

Finally, she found one of the last few things Morgan left behind. The kids had told her it was there, along with the book which helped him decide to leave, and she had mostly avoided it. More so than the book, it provided her with ill thoughts—but, in this case, she could be glad for its existence. Bringing that letter back to the other, she took the other from Chrom—who had sat up so he could watch her without risk of falling asleep—and compared the two. The handwriting almost completely matched, and she showed it to Chrom.

Chrom acknowledged the similarities with a nod, and Robin sat down next to him. "You think it's Morgan?" He asked for further clarification.

"That's what I'd like to hope," Robin replied with a little smile. She read over the letter again, putting the departing one on the table next to the bed.

The letter simply read:

To Robin,

I don't know if you'll be happy or sad to hear from me—I don't know where you think I went. I can assure you, though, that I'm fine and well. That probably helps a bit, right?

I'm sorry I can't say any of this in person; I go all around the place now, getting ready to head back to where the others are. Plus, by now it might confuse the littles.

I have a request, if you don't mind me asking something of you when I haven't seen you in a decade. I have two friends—both of them are mercenaries, and they'll be the ones giving you this. If they ask after events—if they ever run into the littles or you—that happened while I was gone, can you tell them? They won't share anything; I have their word. I would like to hear about what happened after I left, specifically… I know it wasn't exactly easy.

I won't sign with my name, but I think there's enough information to know who this is from. Take care and stay safe.

…

The next morning, Robin continued on with her normal day. In some way, she should probably be frustrated—but she was relieved for the same reason. She had some work to do in the morning, so most of that time was spent in her office near the library; once that was all done, she opted to head to the training area.

Lucina was already there, practicing by herself as she typically did in the late mornings. She lowered her sword when she noticed Robin, giving a small greeting. "Good morning, Mother," Lucina said. "You don't often come in the mornings unless Morgan is with you."

"I thought I'd see how you're doing," Robin replied kindly. "May I join you?"

"I won't decline."

Robin nodded, picking up a sword and getting ready for a quick training session. While she did, she asked, "Do you know who gave Morgan the letter?"

"Two mercenaries that helped us earlier," Lucina replied, preparing to fight as well. "One of them, anyway. He said they were both soldiers in the army—specifically claimed to be a friend of you, as well."

"I have reason to believe the mercenaries are friends," Robin said with a nod. They stood across from each other now, waiting for the conversation to end before starting the match. "The letter itself is from an old friend, so those mercenaries must be too. If they ask after certain events, you can tell them."

Lucina's position faltered for a moment. "'Certain events' meaning what happened when Morgan and I were younger?" She asked, sounding somewhat confused and…almost incredulous, actually.

"You don't have to tell them the whole thing," Robin reasoned. "Just as much as you remember."

"If I told them…would you want me to ensure that Morgan wasn't close?"

"He can listen if he's there, but you won't need to go out of your way to include or exclude him—the same goes for the other Mini Shepherds."

"All right. If we meet again, I will tell them."

"Thank you, Lucina. Now, are you ready to start?"

"Yes, of course. I'm ready."