A/N: These next two won't exactly be fluff and more a little on the sadder parts with a little changes

Chapter 15: Choices

Robin stood in solitude out in an open field, feeling the wind blow through his hair. He needed his alone-time after the events that transpired. The group had lost the Fire Emblem… all because Validar had control over Robin's every move. Everyone in the Shepherds had tried to reassure Robin that he wasn't at fault. He didn't believe a word of it, however, and felt he had to excuse himself from the camp, to think over everything.

He heard the rustling of grass from behind him, but didn't turn. It was only when the arrival spoke up that Robin turned.

"Beg pardon, Robin. Might I have a word?" It was Lucina, and she looked as confused and lost as Robin felt.

Curious, Robin faced Lucina. "...Oh, Lucina. What is it?"

She fidgeted with a stray strand of her hair as she spoke. "It's about my father. I have memories of him, you know. From when I was little. Before he… died." Robin merely nodded his response to her as she continued.

"He was courageous, and kind, and everyone spoke fondly of him. People say he was brave right up until the very end. I always yearned to know him better. And now that I do... I can see that the world will be robbed of a very great man… I won't allow that to happen."

Again, Robin nodded. "I understand. You love him… we all do."

Lucina looked as if she were on the verge of tears. "Uncle Robin, I... Please, forgive me…" and with that she raised the Parallel Falchion up at Robin's neck. Robin instinctively stepped back, and eyed the sword warily.

Lucina cried out in anguish and regret, "Stay where you are, Robin! I have no choice. I must kill you. No matter how much it pains me to do so. But, in the future… you are my father's murderer."

Robin raised his hands in defense, alarmed but not fearful. "Look, I understand where these feelings are coming from, Lucina, but that's insane! Why would I kill Chrom?"

Lucina never lowered her sword an inch as she spoke to Robin. "I was not certain myself, until now... I knew he had been killed by his closest friend. Having witnessed your bond with him, I doubted it could be so... but today's events make it clear. You are at Validar's mercy. I suspect it's he who forces you to take my father's life, and very soon…"

Tears were now flowing down from her eyes as she stared over at the man she called family for most of her childhood. "If my father is right, then we can change our fates. If this dark future is to be averted, sacrifices must be made. I am truly sorry, uncle! I know this is murder, I... I know it, but…" She choked out her last few words, and only then was Falchion lowered a little.

Robin lowered his hands gingerly as he stared down at his feet. If it were true that he would be the one to end Chrom's life, then it will just cause the same horrendous future again, and again, and again. It was not ideal… he would be making his wife a widow, and his two daughters fatherless. But in the grand scheme, one small loss is well worth sparing the lives of so many other families and loved ones from the pain that Validar and the Grimleal would cause.

With his head still hung low, he spoke to Lucina "...Very well. I forfeit my life."

Lucina's head lifted in surprise, not expecting Robin's words, as she believed that he would put up a fight for his life, instead of accepting his necessary sacrifice. She hesitated, pondering the situation for a minute, and then brought Falchion back up to its earlier position. Lucina was only able to utter "Godspeed, Uncle Robin."

Robin squeezed his eyes shut as he waited for the blade to meet its mark, but all he heard was a sharp clang and then the sounds of struggling. Opening his eyes, he saw Falchion very close to his body, but it was held back by a sword and a lance being wielded by his two daughters.

Surprised as the two were, Robin and Lucina's attention was caught by a commanding voice from behind them. "That's enough!"

The two figures approaching from the rear made both Robin and Lucina avert their eyes. Cordelia and Chrom, both with disappointed looks on their faces, stepped before them. Morgan lowered her weapon and ran to hug her father, while Severa never took her eyes off of Lucina and Falchion.

Lucina spoke up first. "Father, we just wanted to-" but a harsh look from Chrom silenced her protest.

Chrom turned to Robin, saying, "You are my closest friend, and I trust you. We will speak on this tomorrow. Lucina," the exalt barked as he turned to face his daughter, "we will talk on this now." He motioned with his finger, and Lucina obediently followed behind, all the while avoiding the piercing gazes from Severa and Cordelia.

Robin's eyes never left the ground, but he could feel the disapproving eyes of his wife and eldest daughter, and the worried gaze from his youngest. Moments of silence dragged on between the four for what felt like hours, until Cordelia said only one word to command Robin to explain. "Well?"

Robin did not immediately speak up about his actions, so Cordelia stepped out in front of him with her arms crossed and tapping her foot. Robin looked up, but quickly removed his gaze, returning it to the unjudging ground. After a few more minutes, Robin took a deep breath and said, "Isn't it obvious?"

It was that comment that caused Cordelia to snap. "NO, IT'S NOT! HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL?! HOW YOUR FAMILY FEELS?! COMING OUT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE OKAY, AND SEEING LUCINA POINTING HER SWORD AT YOU, WITH YOU JUST ACCEPTING IT?!"

Each word was enough to make Robin wince, but he returned back, now just as upset. "WERE YOU EVEN WATCHING AT PLEGIA?! VALIDAR CONTROLLED ME AND MADE ME DO HIS BIDDING WITHOUT A PROBLEM! WHAT IF HE HAD ME HARM ANY OF YOU?! HE PROBABLY WILL, AND IT WILL JUST TURN INTO OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE!"

Severa took her turn, butting into the heated argument. "But we've already proven that the future can change! And so we reach a setback, and you just decide, 'Welp time to off myself'!?"

The family was angrily yelling back and forth, though before long, it was a cry from Morgan that ended it. "Please, stop! Please, stop yelling." The youngest was kneeling down in the field with her hands over her ears, a pained expression evident on her face.

Severa quickly moved over to her sister, taking on the protective older sibling role, and glaring up at her parents. She hugged her sister, whispering comforting words through the cracks of Morgan's fingers. Severa then stood up with her sister and told her parents, "We'll go back to camp, now. It's been a long day, and we're tired."

Their two daughters walked off back to camp. Robin returned his gaze to the ground in shame. Cordelia, staring at Robin's bowed head, softened her glare considerably. "You are not a pawn to Grima, or to Validar. You are Robin, and my husband, first and foremost."

With that, she walked off, following Severa and Morgan, looking back to her ashamed husband only once, just catching the tears streaming down from Robin's eyes.