(A/N: This is the only chapter not in Lucina or Morgan's view; instead, Robin gets a highlight! It helps show both sides of the story, and I tried my best to explain how she got from this point to where she is in Mini Shepherds. I hope you enjoy this chapter and the chapters still to come!)

Robin had been making plans to wake up for the past ten minutes or so, since she was fully awake and just hadn't mustered the strength to get up yet. The only reason why she wasn't already up was because she knew today was set aside to be a free day; the only reason why she opened her eyes was because she felt small hands persistently nudging her, as well as two voices alternating between "Mother" and "Mom." Sleepily, she turned towards her two children. "I thought Morgan was watching you this morning," she said.

"He isn't here," Lucina said.

"…What?" As she was asking it, she sat up. He hadn't told her about leaving; maybe he went to get something from town? Or maybe he was just sleeping in, and none of the kids went to check.

"Paper!" Morgan told Lucina, waving around a piece of paper.

"Give me that," Lucina whispered. Taking the paper from her brother, she then gave it to Robin. "This was on his bed. Books were there, too."

Robin cautiously took the note, reading its contents quietly.

Mother,

I decided to leave. I would have said goodbye, but I didn't want you to talk me out of it. I have to look for someone—and if it turns out I can't find it, there's something else I want to find, too. I feel like this is something I need to do, so…until we next meet?

I copied everything from the book down so I have a copy; the original's still here with you. Take care of lil' Morgan—try not to put him through trouble for my sake. I'm sorry—I waited a bit too long to pull a Lucina. Take care,

Morgan

It was very, very hard not to react. Lucina was observant for her age, and Morgan was quick to pick up on negative emotions. Calmly, she said, "How about you two find Aunt Lissa? She should be in the dining hall waiting for breakfast."

Lucina nodded, looking down at Morgan. "Come on, Morgan."

"Okay!" Although Lucina didn't seem to entirely like it, Morgan took hold of her hand. "Lead way!" Lucina did just that, even closing the door behind them.

Robin stood up and got changed. Putting the note in her pocket, she headed downstairs after checking to make sure Morgan wasn't actually in his room. Entering the dining hall, she was pleased to see that Lissa was entertaining the kids successfully with a story that may or may not be true; she still looked over at Robin when she entered, though.

"Is Morgan not awake yet?" Lissa asked. Owain, only a year older than Morgan, was vying for his mother's attention from his chair. Lucina was sitting in her usual spot, patiently waiting for the story to continue. Morgan simply watched Robin until she sat down and placed him in the chair next to her. "He said he'd watch the kids, but your two came running to me."

"He isn't in his room," Robin replied. "He just left a note."

Lissa looked at her, then held out her hand. Robin took the note out of her pocket and gave it to her. As Lissa read it, Owain tried to get a peak—he was gently nudged away, even though he couldn't understand the words written on it. Once she was done, she handed it back to Robin. "Do you think it's legit?" Lissa asked. "And I'm not asking your mom brain—I'm asking your tactician brain."

"…I'm not sure," Robin admitted. "It could be either one… Did he seem distant last night?"

"Maybe," Lissa said, thinking about it. "He still played with the littles, but he left dinner early."

"Do you know where Chrom is?" Robin asked.

"Out in town with the Shepherds," Lissa replied simply. "I was going to join him after breakfast. Want me to send him over when I get there?"

"It'll be quicker if I came to him," Robin said. "The kids can stay with the staff for a while."

Lissa seemed accepting of that, and no one spoke again until after breakfast was served and everyone ate. Then, Lissa looked up at Robin. "You're handling this really well, considering it's, you know…Morgan."

"Only because I have witnesses," Robin said quietly, making a small gesture to the children—none of which were currently paying attention. "I would've chased down Chrom by now if not for them."

"Well, if you need to scream or something, just tell me," Lissa offered. "I'm always willing to lend an ear; if it turns out to be like the others, I've lost my son, too."

Robin nodded, and soon enough they all dispersed. Lissa brought the children to one of the castle staff while Robin went out into Ylisstol to find Chrom. The more time that passed, the worst she felt. A worrying mind was beginning to get the best of her; she didn't even wait until Chrom was done his conversation with Miriel, Vaike, and Sully before she gave him the news.

"Chrom." It was said urgently, and he took notice immediately. "Have you seen the older Morgan anywhere?"

She wasn't sure what she had been expecting the answer to be, but she knew what she had hoped it would be—that small bit of hope vanished when he shook his head. "Not since last night," Chrom replied, turning towards her. "Did something happen back at the castle?"

Unsure if she could explain it calmly, she took out the note and handed it to him. Chrom read it and gave it back to her, saying, "One of the guards told Frederick that they saw Morgan leave sometime last night. As far as I'm aware, he left by himself and didn't come back."

"That gives me something to work off of, at least," Robin said, sighing. "…Thank you, Chrom. Lissa will be coming out shortly and I can send Frederick. You can go and have fun; I'll watch the kids."

"Are you sure?" Chrom asked. "I know you well enough to recognize when a problem bothers you. You're welcome to come with us, or I can stay at the castle with you."

Robin smiled, an attempt to be reassuring that faltered, and she knew Chrom could see through it. "I'll be fine," she said. "We'll find a solution, or at least come up with a scenario. This won't break me, Chrom, I promise." Although he didn't look convinced, Chrom let her return to the castle. She told Frederick to meet with the other Shepherds, rounding up the kids and taking them to the library.

She could maintain her outward composure, but her inward thoughts were chaos. She was more fearful of where Morgan was going than anything else. She was scared that he was like the other future children; leaving with little to no warning to some place away from the known world. Chrom told her that Lucina left the night of returning to Ylisstol. Robin had experienced Owain's departure herself, when he said he would be leaving. Tharja told her of Noire's frequent trips, eventually never coming back but with magical assurance that Noire was still alive. Morgan could have done the same…except he never told anyone, whereas the others gave some warning to their parents in this time or any friends that could relay the message instead. Robin was scared, hurt, and concerned…eventually, she was guilty, too. For nearly eight years, she went against Morgan's wish and betrayed her promise to Chrom.

Robin searched for Morgan's whereabouts; his location, his motivation, anyone he might be with and anyone who might know something about him. She found nothing yet continued looking, and both Lucina and Morgan suffered because of it. Lucina could always tell that something was wrong, but she didn't ask once, growing closer to Chrom because he rarely kept secrets from her; Morgan was disallowed from leaving Ylisstol due to Robin's fear that he would disappear too, and while Morgan still thought highly of her, the two only spoke during a few brief tactics lessons until Chrom and Lissa finally pulled her away from her fears and Robin taught him how to fight.

Robin often agonized over fantasy scenarios, ones involving both Morgans. If she had talked to future Morgan, perhaps he would have at least told her where he was going; maybe if she had spent more time letting Morgan explore on his own, letting him grow at the same pace Lucina and Owain had, then she wouldn't feel as guilty. But nothing could change her actions, and now she strived to correct her mistakes. The feeling, unbeknownst to her, was shared by the son she had lost.