Happy holidays, to those of you who celebrate holidays, and heartfelt gratitude to everyone else. The last few months haven't been easy, but your comments mean a lot. Sometimes everything. Really this story is for you, as my thanks for the words and support.

So thank you all, and Merry Christmas!

Promise

A rubbery thud echoed around the empty great hall. Beneath tall stained glass windows illuminated by afternoon sun, past thick pillars that stretched to the heavens, up the mountain of stairs to the high-backed throne, the ball bounced again.

Vacant eyes turned to the youth in silent appraisal. Simply observed, cheek against fist, slouched against the throne. The baggy robes did little to impede her movement as she turned to make the return trip back down, bouncing the ball on each stair as she went.

Thud.

"Are you even pretending to work anymore?" sneered a voice from the far corner of the hall.

Thud.

At a table hidden in the shadows an androgynous man hunched over papers, quill scratching on parchment.

"Why is it still here?" the youth asked, turning to the throne, "It doesn't do anything."

"Aw, is the little child stumped over the first obstacle she comes across? Can't even slay a simple dragon?"

"Quiet, Thing 3. I'm noodling."

"Yes, noodle away. And remember, if you don't show results soon you'll go back to your cell."

"Enough, Excellus," the giant in the throne boomed. He didn't move, but his voice reverberated off the stone walls almost breaking the youth's rhythm.

Thud.

"Why do you keep it?" the girl pressed, marching over to the desk in the corner and swiping a paper from under Excellus' piggy nose, "Look at this, 'Ylisse enslaves women to fight on the front lines,' it's garbage..."

"Excellus' strengths lie in propaganda. Yours in strategy. Do not confuse your responsibilities."

Excellus' jowls quivered, "Or perhaps you'd like to take my job, again?"

The youth didn't respond. She ran a hand along the page, mouthing the words. Excellus glanced to the throne, but the giant's features were cast in shadow as it spoke.

"What troubles you, child?"

"This fat sack of crap," she answered immediately, waving the paper at Excellus and letting it fall to the floor, "For being a lying greasy… Liar! I thought you claimed to unify people."

"What childlike naivety!" Excellus chirped, raising a jeweled hand to his mouth, "How preciously stupid."

"Find a solution to the dragon, and I will throw Excellus from the highest window myself."

They stared at the form eclipsed in the throne's shadow.

"Promise?"

"S-sire!"

"You have my word."

The girl dashed out of sight.

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud...

Sharp details blurred, colors blending as sounds echoed and died into blood-stained sand, stone walls transforming into roaring crowd as Robin looked around the arena.

"Marth" dashed at him, sword coming within inches each swipe.

"I just want to talk!" he called, ducking low under a horizontal swing.

She swung around him, a tactic that would work on a target who wasn't constantly backing away. She didn't want to talk, even through the mask he could see her intent was murder.

So what happened? Why wasn't her next attempt until two years later? She could have snuck into his chambers any night ‒ she knew the castle, his abilities. What postponed her judgment?

"Hraaaaa...!"

Time stopped, her mouth open in silent battlecry, Falchion poised to break his steel sword.

Images swirled out of focus again, moving on. That was a painful memory. He preferred not reliving it.

The sound ebbed away, sensations filtering to base instinct, images shifting ‒ crowds turned to silent walls, sand to soft bed. Lucina's face remained, now below him, arms wrapped around his back as her mouth opened in ecstasy.

What.

His voice rose to meet hers in climax, body shuddering, wracking with pleasure as she rocked against him. Tremors shook through his body as he came down from his high, panting heavily.

No ‒ Stop.

He took a deep breath, pulling away until her legs locked around his back, trapping him. He smiled down at her dark hair spanning the blankets in a beautiful mess. She beamed up at him, half-lidded eyes closing with satisfaction and happiness.

He dipped to nudge her nose with his, drawing a wider smile from her as he rested his forehead to hers. She seemed to sense hesitation and opened her deep blue eyes. He exhaled, letting out the words he'd been struggling with in a single breath.

"Marry me, Lucina."

Gods, enough‒ please. Next! NEXT‒

Her mouth opened in surprise before the smile wouldn't be contained any longer.

"I do." She giggled, correcting herself, "I-I mean okay… Yes, of course I will... Robin."

NNNNnnnnnnnoooooooooooo!

"...Robin."

Robin awoke, feeling cold sweat. Lucina's face before his made him thrash against the bushes violently before she clapped a palm to his mouth, arm restraining his.

"Shh," she cooed gently, letting his heavy breathing subside, "You're okay. It was just a dream."

"It was a nightmare," he corrected raggedly, not looking at her. "It was terrible…"

"Do you want to talk about it?" Her eyes narrowed in concern, and she placed a hand on his forehead before he pushed it away.

"Gods no."

"What did you dream?"

"Why are you so curious?" Robin asked, staring over her shoulder as distant sawing grew louder.

"You… Talk in your sleep."

Robin stared at her. "I do not."

"Okay."

"I-I talk about a lot of things. All the time."

"Yes."

"And I voice thoughts and opinions not necessarily true nor desirable in any way‒"

She nodded with raised eyebrows.

"S-so whatever I said doesn't mean anything. Whatever you heard was a lie. You have lying ears. Shut up!"

"You're being very defensive. What do you believe you said?" Lucina asked, tilting her head curiously.

"Nothing ‒ we just talked!" Robin rubbed his face, trying to shake the grogginess out before she played any more mind games on him.

"You and me?"

"No! I didn't dream about you!"

"I didn't say you did."

"Good!"

"Did you?"

Robin supposed his habit of teasing her relentlessly deserved a comeuppance, even if she was taking advantage of his sleep deprivation. She'd caught him off guard, but it was time to tip the scales.

"It was a sex dream."

"What?" Lucina uttered, staring.

"Yep. Hot and heavy, not a thing between us. Well, one thing…"

"If you wouldn't whimper like an infant, I would very much like to hit you."

"Hey I didn't choose to dream it! The heart wants what it wants, you know?" he explained to her disbelieving expression, "You can't hold that over my head, I fell asleep with a beautiful woman pressed against me, what was I supposed to‒"

"Stop talking," Lucina commanded, rolling over.

"You wanted to know."

"I wanted the truth, not some… Fantasy-fiction, about… That."

"Really? I thought most people prefer that stuff. There's nothing wrong with a healthy interest in sex, it's normal!"

"You are probably the last person I would look to for advice on 'normal.'"

"Speaking of things that are normal and completely out of my control, could you scoot your hips forward? The ah… Space is…" Robin cleared his throat, trying to think about other things, "Getting tight."

She was spared a groan as the call for formation came from the end of the wood.

"Robin," she murmured, reaching back to get his attention. "Something's happening, this may be our chance."

Robin exhaled in silent relief, glad for the distraction.

"Scouts‒ report!"

A panicked shout came from another direction. Hurried. Distressed.

"Form ranks! Form ranks, the undead attack!"

A scream of pain, metal clashing in the distance.

"Risen…" Lucina muttered, poking her head from the shelter.

"Diversion," Robin corrected, pushing at her back and following close behind, "Let's get to the horses."

He stood looking around, seeing the Valmese progress. They'd hewn a number of trees down the opposite side of the path, but he didn't realize how open the visibility had become. The only reason the mini phalanx a hundred yards away didn't see them was the undead pouring from the mountain-side of the woods.

His eyes narrowed. The risen were armed, in rough formation. These weren't feral wanderers, they were Grima's will.

"Robin!"

He turned, following Lucina to the horses. A warning cry from behind told them they were spotted.

Rounding a tent after her he saw an immediate problem. Lucina's horse struggled against its harness in fear. Say'ri's mare however, was on its side, risen lifting a bloodied axe from its neck.

He drew a sword from a weapon rack as Lucina ran to her horse, calming it and working its fastenings. The risen watched him, sunken eyes regarding his stance with measured intelligence that didn't belong to its body.

It could sense his injuries. It would target him.

Many Shepherds would mistakenly attest to Robin's fighting ability, but he wasn't an exceptional combatant. What he was exceptional in was ignorance of basic tenets of engagement, which when combined with erratic spontaneity and a dash of creativity, was often more than enough to bewilder most opponents to defeat.

That didn't work on risen, who didn't measure or calculate or predict with any interest in self preservation. They attacked regardless if it meant their destruction, their purpose was to harm ‒ not survive.

It presented an interesting dynamic he didn't particularly enjoy working with.

Falling into a lurching sprint the undead barreled at him. He ducked under the dull axe, surprised when he wasn't able to rise from his knee. Adrenaline kept the pain at bay, but his leg simply wasn't responding. Too spent, too injured.

He looked up. "Shi‒"

The risen swung round, tackling him bodily to the floor. It pinned him with a forearm as the axe rose in the other hand, before horse hooves were followed by the sounds of two chunks of meat hitting the dirt.

Robin sat up, holding his chest. A severed arm lay a few feet from the open skull, both cuts clean across the same angle. Black miasma spilled from its open mouth, coal-ember eyes fading to black.

Ahead of him the Valmese were routed, retreating into the woods as half the risen pursued, other half turning fiery gazes on him.

Horse hooves returned and he looked up to see Lucina's hand outstretched.

Chrom tossed his gloves to the table, striding back onto the balcony as the late afternoon sun slipped past the rooftops. The day was won but there was still work to be done. They couldn't sit on this victory, their unexpected asset meant it was time to push westward. As much as he'd like a decent night's rest, they'd have to be on the move by morning.

Frederick knocked, announcing the arrival of their savior. The woman had an ageless face, long ears protruding from locks of green hair. A manakete. Chrom stared, never having met one of her kind before.

"You have my eternal gratitude for your aid today, Lady..."

"Tiki," Frederick answered for her, bowing his head apologetically as she slowly turned to him.

"Lady Tiki, if there's anything you wish an exalt's favor could grant you, to repay‒" Chrom began as she turned back to him, raising a hand.

"I have no interest in kings' favors, I came because of a greater threat. One your companion assures me is the true focus of this war."

"Grima." Chrom's eyes narrowed with a nod, "We share a common enemy with the realm... But which companion summoned your aid? I would like to thank them myself."

"Robin, and his mate Not-Marth."

"Lucina," Frederick added, glancing to her permissively.

Chrom stared at her, then Frederick.

"Robin and Lucina? They're alive?!"

"Verily."

"Where did you see them, milady?" Frederick asked, moving to the table and gesturing to the map of Valm.

Tiki studied it for a moment, turning her head this way and that before pointing slowly.

"It has been many years since looking at one of these, forgive me... But I believe my home is around here."

"Three day's march."

Frederick looked up at Chrom's words. The prince was pulling his gloves back on, ready to move out now.

"Milord, think this through. We can't divert our entire offensive to scour the countryside for two people. The Valmese are likely fortifying their strongholds as we speak, every step we don't take now is ground we must fight for later."

"It's my best friend and daughter, Frederick." Chrom moved towards the door before Frederick's size stopped him, "Move."

"They made it that far on their own, they can find us much easier than we'll find them."

"They need me!"

"You need them," Frederick corrected, "But we need you." He pointed out towards the balcony, past which the medical tents were visible on the other side of the harbor.

Chrom grit his teeth, hating being an exalt. Contrary to popular belief he couldn't do anything he wanted. Everything he desired had to be politically qualified, he couldn't take a stroll without giving a speech about it first.

"We could send... Forerunners. If we know where they'll be." Chrom looked to Tiki.

"I passed many enemy forces sweeping through the country on the way here. They seemed to be targeting villages, searching for something."

"The resistance," Chrom commented, remembering Robin's correspondences.

"It won't be safe for them in the villages," Frederick noted, looking over the map and pointing, "The capital is the only city large enough to hide them. And they know that's where we'll eventually be."

"Handpick the team. I want them on the road by nightfall."

Chrom turned to Tiki as Frederick bowed and left.

"Milady, we would be honored if you moved with us. Your abilities are unmatched."

"Until the enemy finds a manakete." Tiki's mouth curved, dismissing herself as Chrom turned back to the map.

He tapped the capital city, and for the first time in days, smiled.

Dusk had already settled over Valm as the horse trotted past the village gates. Lucina was barely awake at the reins, exhausted from the day and poor night's rest before sleeping under a bush. Behind she felt Robin occasionally nod off against her. He reminded her at the strangest of times ‒ he really was human. Whatever powers enabled him to run for days on end, they were not limitless. He did have to eat, and sleep. He was not immortal, despite fate doing everything in its power to keep him alive.

They reached the stables and she dismounted, Robin sliding off behind her as Say'ri appeared at the doors.

"You found him. I was worried when you did not return this morning, is everything alright?" she asked, seeing Robin's staggering gait while he yawned.

"We encountered some trouble along the way, but Lady Tiki is alive and well. She is helping our army in battle as we speak," Lucina explained, unfastening the saddle before Say'ri took it from her.

"I will prepare a meal, maybe you will take a trip to the onsen ‒ hotspring?" Say'ri corrected herself. At their mutual looks of confusion she explained, "They have healing properties, rejuvenation for the weak and wounded."

"I'd actually be okay with just a bed or… Whatever it is you sleep on here. Leaves?" Robin looked over the village from the stable doors.

"This is not a rich village, expect a mat," Say'ri sighed, moving past him, "Please follow me."

She led them down through the village center. The villagers continued to stare as though it were the first time seeing them. Lucina knew they didn't mean to be rude, though the constant feeling of curious eyes quickly lost its novelty. There was little farming to do at night so many people gathered around pavilions or houses to talk or do whatever farmers did in their free time, men wearing garments that left little to the imagination.

"Lady Lucina can stay in the guest home."

Lucina recognized the humble abode as the one she'd rested in before and moved up the steps, turning when she heard Robin's voice.

"I'm not staying with her?"

Say'ri stared at Lucina, avoiding Robin's eyes.

"I-it is very irregular. For an unmarried woman to… Ah…"

Robin waited with raised eyebrows, visibly not in the mood for the implication game that her culture thrived on. When she continued to stare at Lucina's boots he questioned further.

"Wrestle?"

"N-no! W-well yes, but also to share..."

Robin glanced to Lucina who also wasn't following the conversation.

"It's irregular for unmarried women to share? That seems selfish."

"Sleeping quarters. With a man," Say'ri hissed quietly, glancing around as her cheeks flushed even in the dark, as if the mere mention of such an act would bring shame upon her.

"We are companions, it is preferable that we stay together," Lucina explained patiently before Robin could say something rude.

"I understand, but the others…" Say'ri's eyes begged them to leave the matter be.

"If you think I'm going to fall asleep in a room full of sweaty, dirty dudes wearing thongs, waking up to 'I've dreamt of your soft features…' you're mistaken."

"That would never‒"

"They've been staring at us since we entered," Lucina added, glancing back down the hill in discomfort.

"And their man-thongs creep me out."

"The fundoshi is part of our cultural clothing!"

"They don't look too fun."

"Please, I beg of you, we can talk about further arrangements in the morning…"

"Tell them whatever you have to tell them to make this work," Robin dismissed, moving up the steps to join Lucina. "I'm going to power down and would prefer someone I know watching my back."

Say'ri said nothing, staring imploringly at Lucina with her mouth open. Lucina gave her an apologetic look and slid the door open.

She entered and Robin closed the door behind her, taking the cue to remove his shoes and drew a mat beside the small pile of wood in the firepit.

Lucina watched as he conjured a flame, feeding the wood until it caught fire, then placed it with the others and removed his cloak. He pulled a thin blanket from the folded pile and laid down with his back to the flame.

"You're going to sleep?" she asked, starting to fumble with her armor.

"It's been a couple days. Could use an hour or two," Robin mumbled, not moving.

"You're not going to bathe?"

He was still for a moment before groaning, "Good idea."

She finished removing her armor, sitting by the fire and warming her bare feet, watching him struggle to remove his robe. She sensed a rare opportunity to engage him in serious dialogue.

"Robin. How did you know about the manakete Tiki mentioned?"

"Why'd you wait two years to try to kill me?" Robin panted, sitting down to shrug himself out of the robe and work his bootlaces.

She stared at him.

"I'm sure you have your reasons for not telling me, and I still trust you," he continued, struggling a boot off and tossing it towards the door, content that should let matters rest until she spoke.

"I didn't wait."

He looked over at her, but she was looking into the fire.

"I was going to do it, several times. But…" Lucina shook her head, "Each was… Inopportune."

"Oh-ho, there's a story here," Robin grinned, interested now, but Lucina's sobering gaze lingered on the fire.

Light bootsteps echoed quietly off stone walls of the empty castle. Moonlight spilled across the floor from the windows, but the darkness of the halls was only interrupted by braziers at every intersection.

Lucina stalked along the wall, draping her cape over a brazier and smothering the flames. She held her breath, listening intently. It was bizarre being here again, the halls from her memories… Everything seemed so much taller then. Less colorful. The view from that window overlooked the courtyard...

She shook her head. The barracks were just ahead.

The door opened and she spun around the corner.

Frederick entered the hall looking around the darkness. He noticed to the smoldering brazier, approaching with a scowl. Taking flint from somewhere amidst his armor, he struck it against the metal, blowing at the embers relit.

Flames crackled to life again, and he turned to survey the illuminated corner behind him. He sniffed, and continued down the hall.

Lucina snuck along the corridor from the far side, slipping into the barracks and closing the door silently.

She wound her way past boxes and crates, hearing voices from somewhere further in. There could be witnesses, what mattered was the result.

For father...

A tankard hit the table and Chrom's forehead rested on the wood.

"You. Smell. Terrible." Robin stood nearby, armed crossed.

"Tha' why you're 'ere?" Chrom slurred, not rising.

"That and to make sure you don't drink yourself to death."

"Leave me alone…" Chrom mumbled, still unmoving.

Lucina moved around the boxes, out of sight to position herself behind the tactician.

"Emmeryn‒"

"Emmeryn isn't here, no more..." Chrom finally rose, unfocused glare on Robin's shoulder.

"She's not. You are," Robin replied, stepping forward to sit at the table just as Lucina reached the spot behind him.

"Cause my people need me," Chrom rolled his eyes, "Need me, need me, need me…"

"Well that's what you get for being so damn likeable," Robin explained, hand inching forward towards the tankard before Chrom lifted it to take another swig.

"I can't even grieve, everyone looks at me, 'What are we gonna do, what will Ylisse do!' Like I'm supposed to just know, everything, right?!"

"You are a miserable drunk," Robin sighed, swiping the drink away and sniffing the contents. "No more."

"No, more!"

"No, no more."

Chrom slumped forward, reaching forward with a hand. Robin held it.

"Not you!" Chrom exclaimed angrily, but Robin didn't let go.

Lucina perched three meters above them on boxes, sliding Falchion free. One, plunging blow was all she needed.

"Chrom, you've suffered terribly, and you have every right to grieve, but this is not the way to do it. You still have family, and a country, who needs you to rally."

"Leggo."

"No."

"Robin!"

"Chrom, you've lost. But the world needs you to suck it up and put on the big boy pants now. She's not coming back."

Chrom stared at him. Robin exhaled, shaking his head. "Now, Plegia has moved its armies‒"

The table flipped, Chrom diving over it to tackle Robin against the tower of boxes which teetered dangerously. Lucina scrambled onto a rafter beam, legs kicking wildly to pull herself up with one arm.

"Take it back!"

"Gods you are such a pain in the ass drunk!"

"I hate you!"

"Grow up!"

Chrom mounted him, rising to drive a fist straight for one of Robin's four swirling heads. It connected with the stone floor.

He looked numbly at the bent wrist. Robin shook his head, shoving him off. "I'm forbidding you from ever touching drink again."

"'s prolly a good idea…" Chrom mumbled, slouching against the boxes. "Robin?"

"What?"

"Don't leave me, okay? Don't… Go. Like she did."

Robin sighed, putting his back to the box beside him and drawing his knees up. "You're lucky it's me, 'cause no one else can say this without lying, but, Chrom," he put a hand on Chrom's knee and met his vacant stare, "I will never die."

Chrom nodded, convinced. He scooched closer, falling against Robin's shoulder and snoring immediately.

Robin rolled his eyes to the empty rafters above.

"Even if I believed the words false, the comfort they offered to my father was real," Lucina finished, finally looking to Robin.

He sat attentively, watching her. "Then the war began… And we were both out of time."

"I was weak, moved by my own desire to spare life if I could. I thought… I hoped, the future had been averted. But when the time came, I knew I had to set aside my ideals, and finish what I came to do."

Robin shook his head. "Don't you ever say that again, Lucina. You're the not-weakest person I've ever met in my life."

She smiled faintly. "I've answered your diversion, now answer my question."

"Question?"

"How did you‒?"

"Wow can you smell that, I need to shower," Robin exclaimed, pushing off the ground with a grunt.

"What do you dream of?"

Robin turned to her and slowly unbuckled his pants, making eye contact to be as awkward as possible. She stared at him, undaunted.

"I trust you, Robin. Your actions have always been honorable, even if the words your speak are little more than a jester's. But I wish to know what guides you."

Robin finally looked away, stepping into a towel and out of his clothes. "Me too."

He made for the door and she cleared her throat. "Thank you."

"What for?"

"For saving me from the Ghazi… For making sure I didn't drown, and bringing me ashore. It was considerate of you to leave me in Say'ri's care, rather‒"

"Oh I wasn't saving you," Robin shook his head, "You were going to be food."

Lucina stared at him. "What?"

"Oh yeah. Who knew how long I'd be floating out there, I had to make sure I didn't starve."

"You can't be serious."

"I'm Frederick-serious," Robin frowned at her, "Another day? You'd be missing a leg."

"You're disgusting," Lucina turned away, unable to believe she attempted having a real conversation with him.

"I'd have picked your least favorite one though, being the considerate guy I am."

"Go bathe."

"Yes princess," he bowed low to exit, closing the door behind him.

She glared into the fire, shaking her head in annoyance before beginning to undress. She could do with a bath as well, but wanted to give him plenty of time to ensure their paths didn't cross.

Lucina walked through the gardens, moonlight pouring across the vineyard as party guests mingled and laughed all around her.

She almost bumped into a masked couple giggling and strolling arm-in-arm back towards the castle. She watched them pass, mouth under her own mask set. The party had begun an hour ago, but she still hadn't found‒

"C'mon Lissa, this way!" His voice called from beyond the hedge ahead.

She approached cautiously, dropping into a low combat stance. Her aunt's laughter bubbled and Lucina peered through the bushes, spotting Robin leading a blindfolded Lissa towards a small table set up near the hedged alcove, away from the main party.

"Robin, I don't hear anyone else around, where are we going?!"

"Hush, we're almost there! Don't wanna spoil the surprise! Sit, here, and I'll be right back!"

Lucina's fingers wrapped around the knife at the back of her belt, moving parallel with them towards the table. He'd disappeared behind a hedge, and her thoughts ran wild with nefarious deeds he intended for Lissa. She hadn't spotted weapons on him, but whatever perversions he was capable of, Lucina would stop him, here and now.

She would save her aunt, and father, and the world‒

"Surprise!"

Her eyes widened as Robin reemerged from the hedge, helping Chrom carry the largest cake she'd never seen.

Lissa lifted the blindfold, staring at them. "Y-you guys! I can't eat all this!" she laughed jokingly, but the delight in her voice was infectious.

"You'll have help, but we wanted to wish you a proper happy birthday away from the crowds. It was almost two years ago to the day when the three of us came together," Chrom announced, beaming at her, "And after everything that's happened… I want to always remember our time together. Family is the most important thing, and the three of us are family."

"Sorry Lissa, you can't date me now."

"Oh, darn," Lissa smirked, wrinkling her nose at Robin.

"To many more birthdays, together!" Chrom exclaimed, holding their hands.

"To many more memories, and to family!" Robin added.

"This has been the best day ever. Nothing could ruin it!" Lissa replied happily, putting her arms around the men's shoulders.

Lucina grit her teeth, slinking away from the hedge.

She opened her eyes, looking to the ceiling. The sky outside the vertical shutters was grey. In the distance a faint whisk-thud could be heard.

The embers had long since dimmed, and she looked across the fire to see Robin on his side facing her. She watched his shoulders rise and fall for a minute before looking to her other side. She reached past Falchion to gather her clothes for the day.

The whisk-thud called her attention as she dressed. A longbow.

Lucina glanced once more to Robin's sleeping form before buckling Falchion to her side and stepping out of the guest house. The morning was brisk, cold air erasing any remnants she had of grogginess, but was quickly forgotten in the wake of the sight.

She hadn't realized she'd yet to see the village or the landscape in proper light. The sun rose far to the east, marking the distant horizon a dull orange through the cloudy sky. The reflection of the light on the rice paddies created pools of color far into the distance, but the light looked to be short-lived. Rain clouds converged on the horizon.

"Lucina."

She turned to see Say'ri at the bottom of the path leading up to the guest house with the longest bow Lucina had ever seen held against one shoulder. That would explain the noise.

"You can shoot that?" Lucina asked dubiously, walking down the hill and comparing the bow to the woman's stature. It was almost two meters tall.

"I can. Would you like to learn?" Say'ri asked as other archers began to file out from behind one of the buildings towards the village houses.

Lucina considered her offer before shaking her head, "We must return to the Ylissean army today."

Say'ri's winced apologetically, bowing slightly.

"That will be difficult… Valmese are currently moving through the countryside, searching for the resistance. As a foreigner you would be immediately captured and questioned."

"I am accustomed to covert travel."

"Is Robin?"

"He…" Lucina thought for a moment, remembering his wounds. She doubted he would wake up today. "Likely needs rest," she finished with an exhale.

"Consider your time here as being an ambassador. Beginning good relations between our people."

"It doesn't seem I have much choice," Lucina conceded with a smile, gaze returning to Say'ri's bow.

"Then I shall take you to the range," Say'ri suggested, sliding the oversized bow from her shoulder and gesturing to the building.

Lucina followed her to the yard where an empty grassy lot separated the overhang from straw targets. Say'ri lowered the bow to the ground and moved a standing quiver behind it, gesturing to her.

Lucina unbuckled Falchion and rolled her shoulder, kneeling to sweep up the bow with one hand and pausing. She rotated the shaft, realizing the grip was asymmetrical. This would be new. Turning she almost knocked the quiver over before seeing she had to free each arrow individually from the stand. She glanced at Say'ri but the woman just smiled, clearly expecting a clumsy beginning.

Lucina eyed the target. Thirty meters. She'd made farther shots, and this bow looked like it could clear some distance. She took a calm breath, nocking the arrow at her side and testing the tension.

Closed her eyes. Another breath, slow exhale.

She inhaled sharply with the bow rise, string stretching before the arrow flew. She exhaled with a small smile as the arrow hit the wide edge of the straw circle. Not accurate by any means, but given her first shot with this absurdly long off-balance weapon she allowed herself some leeway.

"Your technique is…" Say'ri commented, Lucina turning to face her. She cleared her throat, "Most interesting."

"I didn't have an instructor," Lucina turned the bow over in her hands before offering it to Say'ri, "Though with a Ylissean recurve I could pierce an apple from that distance."

"I've no doubt you could do the same with the yumi in hours, with your aptitude," Say'ri nodded, taking the bow and gesturing to take Lucina's spot, "But kyudo is more than striking a target…"

Say'ri paused, trying to find the words. "It is… The training of focus, and discipline. A moment to recollect your concentration in the middle of a battle."

Lucina watched as Say'ri donned a three-fingered glove and knelt with the bow, facing the side of the range. She stood, placing her feet with utmost care in a line to the target. She knelt again, drawing the bow before her ceremoniously, turning it downrange before placing an arrow against the drawstring. A deep breath, then she stood, raising the bow like an offering and turning her head to the target. She widened her stance, adjusting her feet in centimeter details and proceeded to tentatively test the string, face the target, and adjust the arrow slightly before taking a deep breath and repeating the process.

This went on for almost another minute.

Lucina stared. How Valm conquered so easily was becoming clear.

The shaft, not the string or the arrow, pushed forward, creaking quietly. The arrow pulled back slightly and after almost ten seconds the arrow flew, striking the target in the center.

"Your technique is… Most patient," Lucina managed finally, moving towards Falchion.

"Try it."

Lucina turned back to see Say'ri step away from the quiver, bow on the ground beside her.

"I will teach you."

Lucina didn't know if she had the will to endure such an agonizing process but politeness edged her forward. Say'ri moved behind her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder and hip.

"Kneel," she instructed, guiding Lucina's motions.

Lucina found herself frequently pushing against the other woman's hands, instinct telling her to move into the next position. But Say'ri was patient, not allowing her to break from the pace her hands were setting.

"Uchi-okoshi…" Sayri murmured, lifting Lucina's elbows with resistance.

"Why must it go over my head," Lucina objected, "the bow can be drawn from here."

"Because I hit the target," Say'ri answered, pushing the elbows up finally, "and you did not."

Lucina closed her mouth, feeling childish. She obeyed the rest of Say'ri's commands without question, and when the bow was drawn fully Say'ri removed her hands.

"When you fire‒"

The arrow flew, landing under the straw target.

"Too soon," Say'ri continued without pause, "do it again."

"Again?" Lucina asked, feeling even more childish as she said it.

"Yes."

"All of it?"

Say'ri simply looked at her and Lucina bit her tongue.

"I'm sorry, I am…" Lucina took a deep breath, "Not a patient person."

"I agree. Did you have something else you needed to do today?"

Lucina chewed the inside of her cheek and closed her eyes. This wasn't training her martial prowess, this was conditioning her mental ability. Her patience…

"It may help if we pass the time with conversation," Say'ri offered, smiling as she gestured to the bow and Lucina stepped towards it.

Lucina went through the motions, Say'ri's hands behind her.

"I never see you without your weapon," Say'ri observed, looking to Falchion behind them, "Is it special to you?"

"It's my family heirloom. Yes, it is very special. Only those of my lineage can wield it, in the hands of another it would be nothing more than a dull blade." Lucina glanced back at her weapon before Say'ri corrected her head.

"I know of no such magic weapons in Chon'sin. Many among the resistance must make do with dull blades."

"Who are the resistance? How many in your number?"

"The resistance is anyone who dreams of a free Chon'sin," Say'ri answered, pulling away as Lucina pushed the bow forward, "To another who asked, I would say our number couldn't be counted. To you, I will say the truth. We don't know. I only know how much we lose every day, from reports."

"Then we've arrived in time to aid," Lucina paused, Say'ri giving her a moment to concentrate on the target. After ten seconds the arrow flew, hitting the inner ring.

"Yes, though perhaps the other way around. The resistance wishes to aid Ylisse, we don't have the numbers to shake Walhart's grip. Your donated supplies and strategies have allowed us to hold on this long, but we can't continue to take the damage we've been suffering."

"I don't know of such logistics, I'm afraid," Lucina muttered as she knelt with another arrow.

"Strange, each supply cache bore the Ylissean family seal. My letters with Robin suggested everything had been authorized by…" Say'ri caught Lucina's expression and fell quiet.

"Excuse me," Say'ri apologized looking down, "I understand you do not care to speak of him. Truthfully I was surprised when you asked to share quarters last night."

"It's not…" Lucina stood and knelt again, forgetting which step she'd been on. "It's complicated."

"If you do not wish to speak of him‒"

"Why would I not wish to speak of him?" Lucina stood again, measuring her feet once more.

"You wish to speak of him?" Say'ri asked, nudging her stance a little wider.

"No."

Say'ri nodded politely, and Lucina chewed her cheek as she strained to remember which movement came next. Say'ri guided her.

"Forgive me, I speak of things I don't know of, I'm certain you have your reasons for distrusting him," Say'ri removed her hands as Lucina set into the motions with familiarity now, "But he interests me."

Lucina dropped the arrow, quickly picking it up and readjusting herself with a glance at Say'ri who shook her head, start over. She sighed and closed her eyes, kneeling in silence for a moment before starting again.

"He calls me penpal in his letters, but I am unfamiliar with the word. Is this a term of endearment?" she asked hopefully as Lucina forgot to measure her stance.

"I…" Lucina closed her eyes, focusing. That's all this was. Say'ri was testing her ability to focus. Trying, and failing, to distract her. She swallowed and adjusted her feet. "I do not believe so."

"Oh."

The crestfallen tone made Lucina glance over. "So who are you to the resistance? You speak of it often, and I see the way others look at you. With hope."

"I… Suppose I am the closest thing we have to a leader, now," Say'ri admitted, causing Lucina to almost drop the arrow again.

Lucina considered her. Early twenties, around her own age, the weight of her world on her shoulders. Lucina knew the look well.

"From Robin's letters, perhaps you and I are more alike than we thought," Say'ri spoke, "You were the leader of some form of resistance yourself, were you not?"

"Something like that," Lucina acknowledged, suppressing the curiosity of what Robin said of her.

"Then I pray to goddess to have a shred of the strength you have, to have been so young and still seen through your trials. Robin described your… Perseverance, from his first encounter with you in Plegia."

"Remember you have the strength of everyone who relies on you, and that you can't fail while there's still hope," Lucina encouraged her, determined not to lead the conversation back to Robin. "Today seems to be quiet though, no correspondence with other villages?"

"With the patrols sweeping the countryside all operations have been halted to avoid focusing their attention. They must believe we are everywhere," Say'ri recited, lifting a finger sagely before letting it fall with a smile, "Words from Robin."

Lucina sighed and remeasured her feet. She was never going to fire this arrow. "Since you seem so determined to talk of him, why not talk to him?"

"Oh, that would be far too embarrassing," Say'ri waved a hand before her blushing face, "That is not… Chon'sin custom. The women speak to one another and the closest one to the man must make hints that her friend seeks to know him more, so that if he too is interested, he knows he can pursue her."

They stared at each other for a moment. Lucina raised an eyebrow, and Say'ri watched her with held breath.

"You want me… To tell him to pursue you?" Lucina clarified, bemused. She felt like she was a young girl again.

"N-no, I mean, unless it comes up…" Say'ri hinted, looking away.

"Say'ri, I say this from the experience of growing up in war," Lucina began, suddenly feeling much older than the other woman, "Set those feelings aside. This conflict is the most important thing any of us can focus on right now, anything else is a distraction."

"Oh… I understand… That was rude and foolish of me, I apologize for being inconsiderate..." Say'ri replied, looking to the ground, "I never considered your feelings."

"My what?" Lucina asked automatically, sounding more like an automaton than she'd intended.

"Your… Feelings?" Say'ri met her gaze questioningly, "Is this the correct word?"

"Must not be," Lucina replied, lifting the bow and facing downrange.

Rain began to patter the roof, drops collecting along the edges of the overhang before plummeting to the ground.

"If I may offer my own experience from war," Say'ri spoke quietly, stepping back as Lucina performed the motions, "Life is very short. Seize opportunities when they come, because we are soldiers, and tomorrow we may be dead."

Lucina took the opportunity to aim undisturbed for an exceptionally long time. After almost a minute her arm began to quake and she lowered the bow. Say'ri looked at her.

"There are… Things you want? After the war is over?"

They were quiet for another moment as the rain continued to collect along the roof tiles, condensing into thick strings that fell to the grass.

"A family," Lucina realized, before glancing at her, "My family, I mean. My mother, and father, aunt…"

"Not a family of your own?"

"I will be content with the family I already have."

Say'ri smiled, "That's something."

She pulled another quiver beside the first and bowed, "I must see to some things, please feel free to stay here as long as you wish."

Lucina watched her go. After a minute she lifted the bow, drew the shaft forward, the string back, and held it for a second before releasing.

Some hours later Lucina found herself wandering the forest behind the village. She'd been told around the village would be safe, but not to wander too far for fear of landslides and such from the rain.

Lucina felt a landslide would be an unlikely end to her tale after everything else she'd endured. Still, she carefully picked her way up the broken path further into the trees.

Flattened stones in a rough line were the only markers that this was indeed a path, so overgrown it was easy to imagine these rocks were here by chance. But all paths led somewhere, and she was curious where this would end. The faint sound of bamboo striking rock ahead of her made her pause, then proceed when she heard it again.

As a child she never had to pretend to be an explorer. Every day was a new landscape, always on the move, one step or less ahead of Grima's hordes. It occurred to her how rarely she got to explore for curiosity's sake over necessity's.

Rain fell from the brim of her hood and she looked ahead, spotting a clearing. The bamboo struck again as she stopped at the entrance.

A quick glance told her she was alone and she drew her hood back to take in the sight. A face carved into the mountain wall before her, barely visibly through the moss. Around the clearing several small towers of precariously balanced stones atop one another. At the edge of the clearing she found the source of the sound ‒ an arm of bamboo loosely fixed to two small poles. When it collected enough water the weight shifted, letting it spill forward to empty over a bed of grass. The empty arm then fell back into place, thunking against the flat stone behind it before slowly filling with rainwater again.

This seemed to be some form of shrine, though for what and who still used it was a mystery. The mountain face was eroded by rain and time and not much effort was put into keeping the way clear. The only sign of recent human activity was the water-catcher-thunker. Perhaps the purpose was simply to be a place of sanctuary for those who wished for a calm place of body and mind.

She inhaled through her nose, enjoying the scent of rain. It never rained from her time and though she'd been here a little over two years, she never tired of it.

Lucina spotted an ancient-looking wooden bench beside the thunker. She took a seat, tree branches overhead offering some protection from the rain.

Though she loved the weather, she was glad it didn't hit this time yesterday. On the ground under the bushes, prone in a growing pool of mud. As if being trapped with Robin hadn't been bad enough…

She chided herself. It hadn't been that bad. He teased and joked and couldn't be serious if lives depended on it ‒ as they frequently did ‒ he was almost the polar opposite of Lucina in every way, and yet… He wasn't a bad man. Everyone else liked him. Say'ri especially so.

Smiling to herself, she imagined how that relationship would play out. Say'ri's reserved culture, head-on-head colliding every day with Robin's being Robin. For everyone's sake, Lucina decided not to facilitate that wreck waiting to happen.

Still, Say'ri's question came back to her. A family of her own… Something she'd quickly dismissed, she was still young to think about that. But perhaps, one day, when the war was over… With someone she trusted. Someone who would always be by her side.

She sighed, shaking her head with a smile. The change in environment must be getting to her, it wasn't like her to lose herself in such childish daydreams. When she realized she was smiling at nothing she quickly straightened her face.

Lucina sat under the tree until the cloudy sky turned darker and the rain stopped, and she made back towards the village. When she arrived she found a group of women waiting at the gates, gabbling and waving when they saw her.

She smiled uncertainly and waved back, wondering how she related to their excitement. But as she neared they simply raised their voices to chant at once: "Omedeto gozaimas!"

She stared, bewildered. They waited for a moment, glancing at each other with that look of polite puzzlement they were so adept at expressing. Finally one met her eyes, tilting her head.

"Anatawakekkonshimaska?"

Lucina stared, uncertain sound rising from her throat. Their animated motions did little to help her understand their rapid tongue. The woman looked to her friends before one of them raised their hands to mime.

"Ah!" The girl turned back to Lucina, raising her hands to interlock her fingers in mid air, nodding encouragingly.

Lucina slowly mimicked the motion, watching them with a polite smile. The women squealed and rushed towards her. She had an instinct to reach for her weapon but they were already pulling her towards the town center.

"Wh-where are we going?" she asked, not wanting to disappoint their enthusiastic chatter but being utterly lost as to what was happening.

They stopped at a large building and ushered her inside. It seemed to be some form of inn or restaurant, though the empty tables suggested business was slow. She took the cue to strip her boots and moved with the women to the tables as they continued the dialogue she had no part in.

"I have no money," Lucina explained urgently, raising her hands to show nothing. One of the women understood and explained quickly, and the others laughed and waved their hands.

"Daijoubu," the lead woman spoke softly, resting a hand on her shoulder with a smile before turning towards the kitchen and bellowing, "Sumimasen!"

A cook poked his head around a corner and the two rattled off a quick exchange before he went to work.

"Sou ka…" Another woman turned from her friend and leaned towards Lucina with a smile, thinking for a moment before speaking slowly, "Ro-bin-san?"

"Yes," Lucina nodded, eager to understand something the women were talking about.

The woman raised her fingers to interlock them in air again and Lucina looked around to the others, not sure what was being asked.

"Hazukashii!" the lead woman exclaimed, slapping the girl's shoulder and making the others giggle.

"Hazu… Kashi," Lucina repeated slowly, making the others roar with renewed laughter. She glanced around with a cautious smile as the chef arrived balancing a tray of tea cups.

"Lucina!"

She turned to see Say'ri sticking her head through the entrance, beckoning at her. Lucina bowed apologetically to the others and stepped to the entrance, privately glad she could speak to someone again.

"You are well?" Say'ri asked, staring over her shoulder.

"I fear I have no idea what is happening," Lucina admitted, "but the women here seem very kind."

"Erm… Yes. They are quite happy to have a… Reason to be happy."

"Are you well?" Lucina asked in turn, noticing the other woman's fair skin seemed flush.

"Y-yes. I am well. How long did you intend to stay in this village?"

"I wish to leave tomorrow if that remains acceptable."

"Yes! Good, we shall give provide supplies for your journey," Say'ri breathed in relief, nodding at her.

Lucina tilted her head. "I do not mean to sound ungrateful, you've provided so much for us already, but… Do you want us gone?"

"No!" Say'ri exclaimed quickly, averting her eyes from where she'd been staring over Lucina's shoulder, "Nothing like that, I enjoy your company, but… You want to leave tomorrow."

"Yes."

"Yes," Say'ri repeated, nodding again.

Lucina narrowed her eyes. "Are we in danger?"

"No, but… You want to leave tomorrow."

"Then I will… Make sure Robin is well enough for travel," Lucina replied, stepping past her to don her boots again.

"Ehh?!" The women at the counter saw her leaving and squawked something at Say'ri who replied with equal vigor, waving her hands at Lucina to go as the other women erupted in giggles once more.

Lucina stepped into the cool night air and looked around the village. It was a pleasant place with kind people and unique culture. Truthfully she wished she could spend more time here, but it was best they be on the move tomorrow. Say'ri moved beside her and they made their way up the main road.

"Any word on the Valmese patrols?"

"Too many. They seem to be regrouping at key locations across Valm, falling back west," Say'ri answered.

"The battle went in our favor, then," Lucina smiled in relief, hand on Falchion's hilt.

"To make Walhart regroup, very. But we will speak of it more tomorrow, I have to make arrangements before our journey."

"You're coming with us?" Lucina asked, stopping before the guest house.

"I would like to meet with Lord Chrom in person, and I believe I could better coordinate the resistance movements with the Ylissean army's if we were a table across from one another." She gave a soft smile Lucina returned, "If you wouldn't mind my company, of course."

"We would be honored to have you." Lucina mirrored the polite bow as Say'ri departed, making her way up the path to the house.

She slid the door open and unfastened her boots once more, seeing Robin's mat lay empty.

"Robin?" she called, looking around.

"In here."

His voice came from another wall and she realized it too slid open. She looked around the new room, spotting him shirtless on his back on the hardwood floor.

"What are you doing?"

"I've been having some difficulty breathing, finally got too hard to sleep," Robin muttered, "Been trying to fix it."

"Let me see."

"I don't think you want to‒" Robin began but she was already approaching, rolling him onto his side and inhaling sharply.

A chunk of wooden shrapnel was lodged near his spine, buried deep in his back between two rips.

"Robin!"

"Yeah."

"Y-your back, th-this…"

"Pretty wicked, right?"

Lucina took a steadying breath. She'd seen much worse, but this required immediate attention.

"When did this happen?" she asked, rising to move to the other room to fill the hanging pot with water but finding it already full.

"I noticed it yesterday during my bath."

She poured the hot water into a basin and carried it back to him.

"It's deep, did something happen on your first mission from Say'ri?"

"Nothing worth remembering…" he chuckled and coughed. He felt his mouth with a finger and pulled it out to reveal red lines along the grooves. "That's not good…"

"We're taking that out now," Lucina stated, finding small towels and soaking several in the hot water, pausing when an impossible thought occurred, "Was it from the Ghazi?"

Robin considered it. "That would explain the hole in my cloak. And shirt. And back."

Lucina stared, tracing the wound silently.

"It's not that bad," he explained after a moment of quiet.

She said nothing, retrieving the towel and dabbing at the dried blood along the wound.

"So how was your day?" he asked, propping his head up facing away from her.

"You discovered this last night and you didn't wake me." Lucina shook her head, ignoring his idle chat.

"You were sleeping, and…" Robin trailed off.

"And?"

"And it was super cute."

The towel stopped moving and he frowned, narrowing his eyes. "That sounded less creepy in my head."

"Can you be serious for a single minute of your life?" she breathed, sitting up and placing the towel back in the water. "This could have killed you."

"Then you'd have been bested by a shard of wood," Robin snickered until a loud squelch filled the room. He swore.

Lucina held the scrap of wood before her, making sure it hadn't splintered as she leaned into the towel covering the wound with her free hand. She was done playing nurse, if he wanted to pretend it wasn't bothering him then she wasn't going to bend over backwards.

He writhed silently on his stomach, arms wrapped around his head as he hissed.

"This should have killed you," she tossed the shard aside and grabbed another clean towel as she examined the wound, "And you make light of it."

He moaned in response, lifting one foot off the ground and driving it back into the wood.

"Your life is more than just your concern," Lucina muttered, stemming the fresh blood with the towel. "Every friend you make, relationship you build… When you die, you're taking something from each of them. Something important, that can never be replaced. And not caring because you won't be around to deal with it is just selfish."

Robin didn't lift his head as she continued to apply pressure for another minute.

"Guess I should have told you that, on the ship?"

"That was different."

"Why, is life not life?"

"Because I can help you with this," Lucina muttered, stripping another soaked towel for gauze, "If you let me. We're out here, away from home and allies, together. We'll need to rely on each other… And trust each other."

"Like partners?!" Robin asked excitedly, raising his head as much as she'd allow.

"Yes, like partners," Lucina conceded, smile playing on her lips at his enthusiasm before turning stoic. "So don't hide things like this, ever again."

"Or you'll kill me?"

"Or I'll leave you here, in this village."

"I don't want that. But Lucina, you can't expect me to wake up someone who's so cute when they sleep for something so trivial."

"Robin..." Lucina uttered, leaning in until their cheeks were almost touching, "Don't watch me sleep."

She rose. "I must inform Say'ri we won't be able to travel for a few days, if your healing is as exceptional as it was before."

He lifted an arm to gives her a thumbs-up as she left. "Good talk!"

Almost a week passed as Robin healed, slept and ate. He usually ran on less of those things than most, but if resources like energy and sleep were held at a bank his account would be several weeks overdrawn.

During their time in the village Lucina and he'd become idols, greeted heartily and offered constant food whenever they strolled through the streets together.

Robin found the time with her to be far more tolerable than anticipated. Her bedside manners weren't quite on par with Lissa's, but over the last few days Lucina had become almost… Friendly. Or at least less prone to violence, which Robin interpreted positively. She'd even taken to his humor on occasion, though his flirtations were always brushed off. Which was nice, he usually busted them out when he wanted to change the subject or be alone.

He credited her newfound patience and flexibility to their companion. Say'ri spent most of her free time with them, or at least Lucina, and it was heartwarming to see the two women bond. Lucina offered advice on resistance operations, or just an ear for Say'ri to vent, and it was clear the two had formed a lasting friendship in a short time.

That said, Say'ri seemed to be growing in anxiety. She never failed to ask how Robin was or if he was able to travel, and her persistence made him think there was another reason.

Last night she simply appeared at their door, sighed, bid them goodnight, and left. They looked to each other before Lucina guessed Say'ri had resistance-matters to take care of, and they continued their dinner. Robin had taught Lucina how to use the wooden stick-like utensils customary in Chon'sin, and she'd become adept in short time.

As they lay on opposite ends of the dying fire, staring at the darkening ceiling, Robin voiced his thoughts about Say'ri.

"What do you think's eating her?"

"You don't think it's stress? We've gotten a moment's reprieve from the war, but she hosts it every day through reports and orders," Lucina answered, scowling at smoke filtering from the room.

"Sorry about that," Robin sighed, "I know my grievous injuries culminated at an unfortunate time."

He glanced over with a smile to indicate jest, but her eyes were lost in thought before she spoke. "I've… Enjoyed the time."

Lucina met his gaze and quickly qualified the statement, "I mean I wish more than anything to be helping the others, pushing at the warfront, knowing I was being useful, but… I can't remember a time when I couldn't do anything, so I wasn't pressured to be doing something. The time with you has been… Nice."

Robin stared at her, feeling uncharacteristically intimate as his cheeks warmed. The gamut of jokes and lewd comments to push her away bubbled to the forefront of his mind before she spoke again, looking at the ceiling.

"If you open your mouth to say anything besides 'Goodnight,' I will close it for you."

Robin swallowed with a smile. He was becoming too predictable. "Goodnight, Lucina."

"Goodnight, Robin."

Robin awoke to the sound of birds and feeling of sunlight beaming directly through the window slants onto his face. He groaned, rolling over. While the mat was hardly comfortable he couldn't complain when he had a proper sleep. He didn't dream either. That was nice.

Finally admitting to himself he wasn't going back to sleep, he sat up. The room was empty, fire pit swept of ashes. Deciding he needed a bath he rose, grabbing a spare towel from the corner and stripping to his smallclothes. Raised voices from somewhere in the distance outside caught his attention just as he started fumbling with the door. They weren't raised in fear or anger, it was something he hadn't heard in some time.

Excitement.

"Robin!"

He heard his name called and the door opened, revealing Say'ri with an expression of frozen surprise. Her mouth was open but she seemed unable to form words in the wake of his attire.

"Robin!" Lucina appeared from behind Say'ri, snapping the towel out of his hand angrily and holding it over his torso as Say'ri spun away blushing furiously.

"I-I'm sorry, it was rude of me to intrude."

"May I help you, ladies?" Robin asked irritably, waving Lucina off and wrapping the towel around his chest.

"You've been asleep for almost eleven hours, Say'ri wanted to make sure I wasn't sharing a room with a corpse," Lucina responded seriously, folding her arms as Say'ri chewed her lip.

"Th-that… Was part of it."

Lucina looked to her as Robin spotted the crowd gathered at the bottom of the hill. As he watched more women arrived, carrying wreaths of flowers and laughing cheerfully. An old woman spotted them, waving and hobbling up the path. Say'ri saw her and her embarrassment was forgotten in a flurry of words.

"You have to understand the villages in Chon'sin are very... Traditional. It's unthinkable for an unmarried woman to share quarters with a man."

"Are we still on that?"

"I have not received the impression I've offended anyone," Lucina thought back over the last week.

"Y-you haven't." Say'ri winced, hands wringing nervously before her waist.

"If anything everyone has seemed rather spirited. I've been hearing 'kekkon' often, what does it mean?" Lucina frowned, now watching the old woman's progress.

"Don't tell her, let me guess." Robin thought for a second, "Orgy?"

He ignored Lucina's sigh and looked to Say'ri who looked to the ground.

"Oh, oh something funny's about to happen, isn't it?" Robin's stare turned to Lucina, smile creeping across his face, "Is Lucina in trouble? I love it when bad things happen to her."

"Be quiet," Lucina growled, glaring at him then to the old woman with a hint of trepidation, "Say'ri, what's happening? Why is the village elder coming up here?"

"She's coming to... Prepare you."

"For?" Robin and Lucina asked with a grin and a nervous expression, respectively.

"To preserve tradition, and spare you shame, I... May have told them you were…"

"A ghost!"

"To be wed."

"Hah!" Robin bellowed, pointing at Lucina as her face drained of color.

"I thought you'd be gone before today!" Say'ri explained quickly, bowing deeply before her.

Lucina's mouth opened silently, too shocked for words as Robin regained his composure.

"Who's she marrying?" Robin wiped a tear from his eye, looking around, "Poor guy doesn't know what's about to hit him."

"You will," Lucina scowled, hand on Falchion's hilt as she recovered her ability to speak.

"Then… He will," Say'ri murmured, glancing up at him before returning to her bowed position.

Robin looked over from Lucina bearing down on him and frowned.

"Wait, why?"

She avoided his eyes, heat positively radiating from her face.

"Why will he know what's about to hit him, Say'ri?!" he asked, deadly serious now.

"What did you expect?! She was sleeping with you!" she burst, embarrassment giving way to frustration.

"Why would I expect to be marrying her?!"

"Why would she be marrying someone else but sleeping with you?!" Say'ri's voice was rising to match his now, meeting his eyes as her blush deepened.

"I was not sleeping with him!" Lucina objected, finally having caught up.

A moment of silence fell over them as her face began to flush as well.

"W-what I meant was... We weren't 'sleeping'..."

"Lucina, stop talking." Robin grabbed her hands mid-airquote and put them at her sides, "Okay. This is fine, we just need to leave before this catastrophe hits. When is it?"

Another pause fell over them as Lucina looked to him, he stared at Say'ri, and she cleared her throat, glancing to the elder now halfway up the path.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"You said 'tell them anything to make it work!'" Say'ri folded her arms defensively.

"How was this going to play out, in your head? After a few days we'd just say 'Surprise, not really!'"

"I had to think of something quickly and… You were supposed to be gone a week ago!"

"Why didn't you tell us a week ago?!" Robin fumed, throwing his arms out.

"I am the worst ambassador, making mockeries of culturally s-sacred traditions…" Lucina muttered miserably, holding herself in shame.

"They were just so happy…" Say'ri explained slowly, wringing her hands, "To have something worth celebrating. Something beautiful to take their minds off this war… It's been a long time since this village has seen anything happy."

"I brought home a bunch of prisoners like, last week!"

"And they are repaying the debt they owe you!"

The village elder arrived, beaming up at them. She waved Say'ri away and pushed past Lucina to grab Robin by the towel.

"What's happening where am I going?"

"To bathe, and to be prepared for the ceremony," Say'ri answered, wincing after him as he was dragged from the doorway down the path.

"I don't even know what ‒ I'm not wearing one of those fun-derwear things!" he called up at her as a group of men arrived at the bottom of the hill to envelope him.

Say'ri turned apologetically to Lucina.

"I… Cannot begin to describe my shame for my part in all this. It wasn't meant to go this far."

"I am the one who is ashamed," Lucina answered automatically, burying her face in her hands, "Being an actor in this hollow ceremony… I am insulting your very culture."

"Please, do not think of it like that. You are giving these people a reason to enjoy life once more, and think of something other than the horrors of this war if only for a day," Say'ri spoke soothingly, seeing her in much worse shape than she felt.

Lucina glanced up at her words.

Say'ri took the opportunity to smile encouragingly, "It is true, perhaps the marriage is not real in your eyes. But think of it as a play, and you are an actor in a show that will make these people immensely happy."

Lucina nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. "Yes, I can do that. My mission to bring light to these people will not fail."

"And do not fear, it will not last long into the evening," Say'ri grinned sheepishly, leaning closer to whisper with reddened cheeks, "They will leave you to your wedding night."

"Why, what is happen on the wedding night?"

Say'ri opened her mouth uncertainly. Lucina tilted her head.

"Ah, the village elder is ready for you," Say'ri breathed in relief, bowing her exit as the elder returned to now pull Lucina to the group of women.

The tavern door swung open as the travelers entered along with cool evening air. A few locals turned their heads to see the strangers deposit gear and take seats at the bar before deciding they weren't Valmese and lost interest. It was a small town on the main road, travelers came and went every day and unless they were Valmese, it didn't mean trouble.

"Oh! Oh! Oh!"

Vaike raised an eyebrow, looking up to the ceiling where the muffled cries came from as drinks were delivered.

"May be my kind of town after all," he muttered, grinning to Gaius who shook his head.

"Oh gods!"

Lissa wrinkled her nose at the ceiling. "Are they…?"

"I'm just glad to be off the frontlines. That…" Gaius glanced around, lowering his voice, "The landing was terrifying. I was a thief, not a thug. That frontline stuff is not for me."

"Don't stop!"

"An irrelevant distinction." Gerome sniffed his cup before taking a small sip.

"Not to be rude, man, but why are you even here?" Vaike asked him bluntly before downing his mug.

"I'm Lucina's companion. I care what happens to her."

"Yeah?" Gaius teased, leaning in, "How bad?"

"Bad," he answered stoically, taking another sip. The mask didn't betray any sign of preference on the matter, mouth set in stone.

"Well you're cast from the same mold, give you that much." Gaius shrugged, deciding the subject wasn't worth the effort to pursue.

"Graaaaah!"

An awkward silence fell over them as the regular patrons continued conversing, as though nothing were out of the ordinary.

"Think he came." Vaike extended his bottom lip, nodding sagely.

"Gross."

"Thank you, Lissa," Gaius muttered before turning to the innkeep, "How many more days until we reach the capital?"

"A few," the man answered, squinting into a mug he cleaned, "Once you reach the trade road you can try to barter passage on a caravan."

"A lot of work going into tracking two people," Vaike chuckled, scratching the back of his head, "I sure hope the Shepherds would be on it like this if I went missing."

"You know we wouldn't," Gaius dismissed, scratching his chin.

Gerome placed his cup on the counter a little too hard, water droplets hitting his hand.

"We are not rescuing some common soldier. Lucina is the hope of our time, and the only one who can prevent our lives from becoming your future. You will feel honored to have any hand in rescuing her."

"Yeah, she seems real helpless," Gaius muttered into his cup, taking a sip.

Lucina held back a sigh as Say'ri leaned away, examining her. Finally satisfied, the other woman set aside the makeup and called to someone in the other room.

Women filed in, each carrying folded clothes.

"This seems… Extravagant," Lucina murmured, reddening from the attention as they made her stand and began measuring her body.

"Please, do not feel undue gratitude," Say'ri explained, blushing slightly, "these kimonos are largely the same. Ylissean wedding dresses differ bride-to-bride, correct?"

"I do not know. I have never been married."

"Oh." Say'ri turned away as the women helped Lucina into one layer of clothing after another, expert hands tying precise knots with practiced precision.

She lost count of how many layers of fabric were now between her and being able to breath, but she could barely move her legs.

"I-I think the… Kimono may be too small." Lucina commented, testing the hem. "I can't even take a full step."

Say'ri turned to her and stared, smile spreading her features.

"It fits you perfectly. You are very beautiful."

Lucina opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. She'd never been called that before, even platonically.

"Robin is a very lucky man."

Lucina stopped fumbling with one of her waist sashes to stare at her. "We are not really marrying."

Say'ri corrected the misaligned sash and raised her eyebrows, "If you were‒"

"Then I would be a terrible wife," Lucina confessed, suppressing a chuckle due to her inability to take a full breath.

She was seated as another woman started on her hair, not giving the issue another thought before Say'ri knelt before her.

"Would he be so lucky. As is, he is an unlucky man," Say'ri spoke as Lucina watched her stand, "That this marriage is not real."

Lucina managed a small smile at that, looking over to see Say'ri receive a large bundle of white cloth.

"What is that?" Lucina asked as Say'ri unfolded the cloth to reveal it was an oversized hood, big enough to be a shield if it were wood and not pristine fabric.

"This rests on your head." Say'ri demonstrated.

It easily tripled the size of her head. Lucina bit her tongue to keep herself from laughing.

"It symbolizes your vow to become a dutiful and obedient wife."

Not laughing became easier as Lucina raised an eyebrow, looking to the hood, then to Say'ri.

"All I'm saying is that I'd be more worried about Robin." Gaius shrugged defensively, avoiding Gerome's obvious glare.

"You would worry for the harbinger of an apocalypse over the savior who could stop it all?" Gerome was staring at him, arms folded.

"Alright, let's cool off the drama for a couple seconds," Gaius chuckled, raising his hands calmingly, "There's no proof Robin does any of the stuff you claim."

Gerome stood suddenly, Vaike rising too until the other man pulled up a sleeve revealing a wide, raised scar that ran up his entire arm, disappearing under the cloth before it ended.

"I was ten when I encountered my first risen, and though I survived, it marked me for the rest of my life. Every day," Gerome muttered, running a finger along the scar, "I see all the proof I need."

When it became apparent Gerome wasn't going to lunge at Gaius, Vaike sat and admired the scar.

"Nice badge. Wanna see the one I got rescuing a dame?"

"No."

"So I was walking around late one night," Vaike continued, standing and unbuckling his belt, "and I hear this girl crying out, 'help me, help me!' from down an alley. Being the gentleman I am, I rush to find out what's going on. Streets are empty, it's just me, right? I come down the street, turn the corner, there's the woman, and four dudes, all armed and waiting for the first sucker who came running."

Lissa and the others were watching now as Vaike dropped his trousers to reveal a jagged white scar an inch over his smallclothes.

"I learned something about women that day," he finished, lifting a finger, "They're just as dangerous as men."

"You're implying that Lucina is somehow comparable to your Robin?" Gerome asked, refusing to look down.

"I'm just sayin' things aren't always what they seem, is all."

"How uncharacteristically insightful of you," Lissa commented, also not looking down.

"I'm sorry," the bartender finally interrupted, clearing his throat, "Can you please tell your friend to put his pants back on?"

"Alright Vaike, I think they get it." Gaius made a lifting motion with his hands.

"Not until this guy sees!"

"I saw it," Gerome lied.

"You did not! Look!"

"I saw it!"

"Look at my groin!"

"Please..." The bartender covered his face as two patrons left, muttering "Gaijin…" under their breaths.

"What's easier, making me put pants on or him looking down?" Vaike asked loudly, inciting the reluctant audience for opinion.

"For goddess' sake Gerome, just look at the man's groin."

"I will not."

"Looking's free, touching's gonna cost ya." Vaike grinned, jingling his belt buckle as Gaius turned back to the bar in embarrassment.

"You're both being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn."

"I won't look," Gerome turned to him, ignoring Vaike's large frame, "Because it's as meaningless as your attempts to defend the man who ended my world. I know who he really is, under the facade you think you know. I know the darkness that broods inside his soul, that will reveal itself only when its realization is too late. And when you finally see him for what he is, and your world turns to ash and death, my gift to you will be my pity. You will mourn for someone who never existed, and rue every day you did not prevent it. Even now while you defend his honor, he plots the death of your world."

"How much longer until this thing happens?" Robin yawned, flapping the fabric to try to get some air in his robes.

But if the men understood him they didn't show it. Instead they took his complaining an indication he wanted more of the foul tasting alcohol they were guzzling, filling a cup and passing it his way. It reached the man before him who thankfully drank it, passed out, and hit the wooden floor beside him.

"Worst bachelor party ever," Robin muttered, wrinkling his nose and making to rise before an old man stopped him.

"Choto-choto matte…" The man ushered him back down with a smile, calling for more alcohol and turning to gabble to the other men.

"My groomsmen are passing out before the ceremony's even starting."

He saw his comment garnered no attention and slowly moved to one of the sliding doors. Back to the door he fumbled behind him, finding the handle, and slid out into the evening.

The village was quiet, only soul in sight the nightwatch atop his tower. Rowdy voices came from the building behind him, excitable giggles from the other large house across the road. He supposed Lucina was enjoying her party, with Say'ri being able to translate. She probably didn't have to wear this ridiculously sweltering outfit either.

Spotting the village shrine where he assumed the wedding was to take place, he strolled up the dirt road until he came to the hill. The sounds of merriment died away and he enjoyed the quiet chimes that came from the corners of the shrine ahead as a soft breeze blew. He reached the long wooden steps and kicked off his wooden sandals, ignoring the offering box and sitting on the top step. It had a nice view of the village and the fields beyond.

The moon rising over the mountains to the east reflected off the pools of water between him and the horizon, heralding the hues of twilight that pushed back the dulling colors of the sky behind him. The shrill call of an evening cicada resounded from the woods beyond the shrine. Sombering, yet peaceful.

Setting aside the whole "marriage" debacle, it was a pleasant night. He couldn't imagine living in the countryside, the boredom would kill him. But it was nice to finally just… Sit down. He couldn't remember the last time he had consecutive days of someone not trying to kill him.

Another cicada joined the first, singing from the trees, fireflies appearing to hover over the rice paddies. The sounds were tranquil, and he could feel himself relaxing just before the sounds of footsteps made him turn and jump, almost tumbling down the stairs.

"Robin!"

Lucina stretched her arms out to catch him but he regained his footing, clutching his chest.

"Why are you so pale?" He stared, looking her up and down, "I thought you were a ghost!"

"It's the makeup," she explained, shaking her head, "I told Say'ri it was a bit much, but…" she caught his expression.

"Wow."

"W-what is it? Is something wrong?" Lucina asked, looking herself over. When she couldn't find anything out of place she looked up, seeing him shake himself.

"N-no, you're just… Ah…"

His brain was in a fog and he needed to focus on something to snap out of it. She was normally in neck-high battle attire; seeing her in dress clothes, even modest layers of thick fabric, was new. She wasn't a lethal killing machine anymore… Well she was, but she didn't look it. Now she was a… Person.

A very pretty person.

"Your hair is ah… Different."

"Say'ri said it was more traditional." Lucina felt the back of her head where most of her mane was pulled together with a ribbon. "She said it was much thicker than they were accustomed to working with, so this would have to do. Does it… I mean is it…"

He blinked, unsure what she was asking and realizing she probably didn't either, but blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"It looks good. That, you, I mean..." He put his hand out to mean her, and she stared at him. "Yeah."

"Are you feeling alright?"

"It's great! Am I warm in here?"

"We're outside."

"I'm going to go check on the party ‒ see if Say'ri needs anything."

"Oh, no please," Lucina took one step after him, severely limited in her ability to move up and down stairs, "I just told Say'ri I needed some air, if you go back I fear they'll find something else to decorate me with."

"Oh, sure…" Robin replied, looking around and failing distract himself. Why was thinking so hard all of a sudden? "I'll just… Sit."

He made back up the steps, resuming his seat at the top and looking out over the village again, not really seeing it. After a moment Lucina sat beside him and he stiffened, trying to lean against the support beam casually and failing to look at all natural.

How did he make it seem normal that he wasn't looking at her? Was it too obvious?

He glanced over but her eyes were on the moon.

"This land is amazing," she broke the silence, leaning back on her hands. When she saw he was paying attention she continued, "I've spent the last two years consumed with one purpose, and I fear it blinded me to much of what this world has to offer. I wish… I hadn't missed the last two years."

"You could think forever about what who's missed," he shrugged calmly, privately exhaling a sigh of relief for the conversation topic and looking up to the moon too, "Or you could consider how nice this evening is."

They sat and listened for a minute, watching the quiet village.

She smiled at the sky. "You're in danger of becoming tolerable company, Robin."

"I've heard most successful marriages start that way."

She sighed and smiled wider as the doors opened to the houses below, night air filling with the sounds of celebration.

Gaius' mouth set in dissatisfaction as he surveyed Gerome, other man's unflinching confidence far more obnoxious than his words. He was saved a response as Lissa rose.

"What a load of BS. Like living a hard life makes your drama matter more. Grow up." She left her drink on the counter and departed.

Gerome watched her go, silence falling over the tavern as regular patrons tried to pretend they weren't overhearing everything.

"Really though," Gaius frowned, turning to him, "Maybe crime made me who I am today, but it's not why I chose to continue doing it."

"He does it because it's awesome," Vaike chimed in.

"That's right," Gaius agreed, flaring his wrists out to conjure lockpicks in either hand.

Gerome made a drawn out sigh as the ceiling creaked, boots appearing from the stairs in the corner accompanied by giggles.

"Later, ladies, later! A man's gotta eat…"

The Shepherds turned to see a handsome young man with dark hair arrive at the bottom of the stairs, girl on each arm, and stare at them.

"Gerome?"

His gold earring glinted as he looked between Gaius brandishing his lockpicks and Vaike with his pants around his knees, hips directed at Gerome standing between them. Gerome covered his face with one hand as the newcomer chuckled.

"You look like you've ah… Kept busy."

The villagers had been gathered before the shrine for at least an hour, elder droning on as every person watched with an absolute rapt attention Robin wasn't quite capable of feigning. He couldn't understand a word she was speaking, but he wasn't terribly invested either. It was, after all, a fake service.

On the other side of the stairs Say'ri stood beside Lucina, mouth in constant motion as she translated quietly, but if she was saying anything interesting Lucina didn't show it. Perhaps it was the royalty in her blood but Lucina seemed adept at pretending to listen to long-winded speeches from dignitaries.

Robin shifted uncomfortably, taking a silent breath as Lucina shot him a glare that said Don't you dare do anything embarrassing.

Robin turned his head slightly and stuck his tongue out at her so the audience wouldn't see. She shook her head, refusing to give him any more attention.

The elder finally finished speaking, turning to him with a toothy smile. He blinked, wondering how long everyone had been staring at him.

"Uh… Say'ri?" he whispered, watching the crowd watching him.

"You must speak to the virtues of your…" Say'ri cleared her throat, glancing over, "Lucina."

"Ah. Right, my Lucina." Robin flushed slightly, moving to the middle of the stairs to stand a little taller. "Well, um… None of you have any idea what I'm saying, right?"

The crowd beamed up at him as Lucina pinched the bridge of her nose. "Gods..."

"Is he going to say something romantic, that he would be too embarrassed to say if they could understand him?" Say'ri murmured excitedly, watching him with rapt attention.

"No."

"When I first met Lucina, my first thought was, 'Hey, that dude's pretty cool.' Then he turned out to be my best friend's daughter. That was a little weird, but then I didn't see her for two years, which was nice."

He stared off dreamily before continuing.

"After she came back, proclaiming things like I end the world and that cats were not for battle, I didn't like her very much. At all. Especially when she beat me. Still, I mostly ignored her because she's smaller than me, so I could always pretend not to see her."

"Did I use the word 'virtues,' correctly?" Say'ri covered her mouth in horror, staring at Lucina who looked unfazed.

"Yes."

"And then one day, sometime between being tied to a chair getting pummeled by a large pirate whispering sweet nothings to his identical twin and about five minutes ago, I realized something. I realized that Lucina has every right to hate me. Everything she'd ever heard, been told and learned was that I killed her father, I brought the undead to this world, I ended this world. She lived with that belief her entire life, embarked on a one-way trip to save a place that looked like home, full of people she used to call friends, and was told she was wrong. No one believed her, and all she wanted was for them to live. She wanted the world to live. And I was the one thing in the way."

He licked his lips, looking down.

"I'm sorry I wasn't the answer you were looking for, I wish it had been that easy." He chuckled, scratching his brow, "I'm sorry you grew up without a father, and lived the life you had to, instead of the one you wanted to. I'm sorry that in some time and place, I couldn't be there for you, the way I should have been. And… I'm sorry, for you, that we met. Because terrible circumstances brought you here to be with us now, and no one should endure what you have."

He glanced over, seeing Say'ri covering her mouth, village elder smiling blankly, and Lucina's downturned face hidden by hair.

"But I'm also glad. And that's probably the most selfish thing I've ever said but if you hadn't come back, things would have happened the same ‒ or worse. And I don't want to kill Chrom, or end the world, and maybe… You being here is all we need to stop that from happening. I don't know what happened, and I wasn't there before. But I am now, and I'll do whatever I have to do, to make sure this time you get the life you deserve, Lucina. Because you are a good person and good people… Deserve… Nice things."

He fumbled his words when he heard a sniff from behind Say'ri, leaning to try to peer over her shoulder.

"Is she hiding?"

Say'ri half-turned before Lucina stopped her.

"You have to go up there," Say'ri whispered out of the corner of her mouth over her shoulder, smiling to ease Robin's look of concern.

"I can't," Lucina mumbled.

"You must say your vows!"

"I don't have any."

"Neither did he! Just… Speak from your heart."

"This isn't a real wedding!" Lucina reminded her, hearing the audience beginning to murmur.

"Then just…" Say'ri covered her eyes, "Finish the ceremony. They'll think you were speechless."

"What do I say?"

Say'ri frowned before speaking slowly.

"What you do."

"I've never been married, Say'ri!"

"The couple must finish their vows with a kiss," Say'ri explained quickly before her blush became obvious.

"What."

"This is common knowledge!" Say'ri hissed defensively.

"Not to me!"

"Did I say something wrong?" Robin asked, taking a step closer.

"No, I was simply… Translating. For the elder."

The old woman kept grinning at him. Say'ri spun, now behind Lucina and forcing her into the middle of the steps.

"Thought you were gonna leave me at the altar," Robin chuckled, tilting his head slightly to glimpse her face, "But I meant all that."

She nodded silently, wiping damp eyes and chancing a glance at him.

"If you don't want to say anything it's fine, I just needed to get that off my chest." He grinned disarmingly, sensing something was wrong, "You okay?"

She mumbled something, not looking at him.

"Hm?"

"They want to watch us…" The mental image flashed through her mind, and Lucina's brain stopped being able to process the idea.

Robin turned his head questioningly, "Say'ri, what did you do to her?"

"The ceremony is completed with a kiss," Lucina explained, staring at his chest, face beet-red.

Robin flushed, then looked at Say'ri. "I don't think she wants to do that."

"Be grateful they don't know she's royalty, or the process is a little more… Involved," Say'ri answered, not looking at them.

"I don't think I want to do that. It feels like I'm taking advantage of the situation, in a totally not-cool way! I'm not kissing someone who doesn't want to," Robin stated, hands coming to Lucina's shoulders protectively.

"Robin," Lucina uttered, unable to take another moment of being between this rock and hard place. He met her gaze and she suppressed the lightheaded feeling sweeping up her body. She took a deep breath, unable to believe the words as she spoke them.

"We don't tell anyone about this."

Robin swallowed, blush matching her own as he realized what she was saying. "We don't have to. Here, I'll aim for the side of your mouth‒"

"You're making it worse, let's just… Get this over with." She spoke with reservation yet finality, and he knew once her mind was made there was only one ending.

"Only if you promise not to enjoy even a second of it."

"Agreed. And don't look at me," Lucina added, shaky hands resting on his neck.

"I won't."

"And no tongue," she muttered, drawing closer, staring at his lips.

"None," he whispered, trembling hands settling on her waist as she tilted her chin up towards him. He leaned forward, hovering inches from her parted lips. He couldn't explain the sensation, he'd kissed before, it wasn't a huge deal, but this was. Lucina was. Royalty from the past, savior of their future, once would-be killer, embracing him like a lover. He realized he was resisting the slightest tug of her hands, almost like she… Like she, and he, in some universe, could possibly…

He mentally shook himself. It was all an act, they were doing this for the people. Lucina was just playing her part. Any vibes he was picking up were him being wrong, Lucina barely even liked him. He compartmentalized the surprising jolt of disappointment and gathered his courage. He would just push forward, peck on the lips, get it over with and...

Screams from the village watchtower made them look downhill, but not separate. Sounds of metal, boots, smoke visible coming from the walls.

"The village is under attack!" Lucina called turning to Say'ri.

"Reception's off no take-backsies!" Robin announced, tearing the outer layer of his robe off.

The villagers were already scattering, panic setting in as the nightwatch shouted at Say'ri.

"Valmese!" Say'ri called, ushering the elder down the path as ranks of armored soldiers filed up the main road.

As they watched the soldiers brought torches to wooden houses. A few brave villagers threw themselves at the phalanx only to be rebuffed, thrown to the ground by thick shields as the soldiers marched on.

Robin's eyes narrowed as he watched their progress. Their weapons were stowed.

"Let's go, Robin!" Lucina called, stumbling down a step and catching herself. She growled in frustration, reaching down to tear her long skirt only to reveal several more layers.

"They're not killing," Robin muttered, making back up the stairs towards her.

"These are people's homes!" Say'ri shouted up the stairs to him, handing the elder off to the other villagers who brought their weapons and gear, "Do something!"

"Your people have a chance to run for it, homes can be replaced. They're here for something else," Robin shook his head, taking his weapon. He grabbed Falchion and looked back to see Lucina panting, having just made it through the second layer of skirt.

"Find the resistance!" a centurion bellowed from the middle of the village over the sounds of panic and fire. Shouts were heard as several soldiers pointed up at the shrine, spotting them.

"There you go," Robin turned back to Lucina and frowned, "Can you walk?"

"No!" she grunted, "These robes are entirel‒"

"Say no more, helpless Waifu," Robin handed Falchion to Say'ri and knelt.

Lucina protested briefly but her robes prevented her from properly struggling and he was able to lift her over his shoulder with ease.

"I, your faithful Husbando, will carry you to safety."

Lucina's face burned as she gave up resisting, Say'ri slinging Falchion over her shoulder and leading the way behind the shrine, onto the wooded path. Behind them the sounds of chaos grew louder as more houses burned.

When they reached a clearing Say'ri stopped, looking back over the hill silhouetted by orange glow. The Valmese armor would make it impossible to give chase through the woods, but still Say'ri trembled with rage. The rush of shock was wearing off.

"You can't go back," Robin touched her wrist, ready to grab it.

"My people…"

"Will live. If you're dead or captured the resistance ends, and they need you Say'ri. We need you," Robin reminded her, spinning around to give Lucina a chance to persuade her.

"Please put me down."

Robin turned back.

"Exactly. Come with us to the Ylissean front, you can continue to manage the fight against Walhart from there."

"It's too dangerous, if patrols are this far west and pulling back, we'll only encounter more. The only hope is to hide in the capital." Say'ri stared at him imploringly for one second before shaking her head and handing over their equipment.

"Mila?" Robin asked, taking the gear with his free hand. That threw a wrench in things.

"Yes, find a main road, they all lead to Mila."

"What is going on?" Lucina asked, pulling on Robin's hair to make him turn, "Where is she going?"

"There are documents and maps hidden in one of the houses. If they're found, other villages will be in danger. I must make sure they are destroyed."

"Then we'll help," Robin started to put Lucina down before Say'ri shook her head again.

"I will move faster on my own, and you cannot be captured." She untied her headband and unfolded it, wrapping it around the bottom half of her face, "Now go, I will meet you in the capital."

"How will we find you?" Lucina asked, twisting to face Say'ri as best she could over Robin's shoulder.

"Find the inn, The Slumbering Dragon, the resistance hideout within the city. I will find you there."

"Wait, I think I've read this in a book somewhere, and no you don't." Robin's hand closed around hers but she slipped out of his grasp with ease.

"We don't have time for this, go, now!" Say'ri pushed at him and took a step back, making sure he didn't follow.

He shook his head, not liking this plan one bit, but Say'ri knew the land. They'd just slow her down. Her eyes softened for a brief moment.

"Thank you. You brought hope for a future to a people who desperately needed good, and reminded me of why we fight. Our paths will cross again, Robin. Lucina."

Robin turned so Lucina could say goodbye, but after a moment of silence he turned back. Say'ri was gone.

"May I change?" Lucina asked hollowly.

"Let's put some distance between us and the village, first," Robin answered, turning into the trees as the orange glow behind the hill grew brighter.

They walked in silence for over an hour, though time was impossible to track between the adrenaline and tiredness.

"Y'know I'm actually kind of enjoying these pants. They breathe..." Robin flapped his baggy pants to demonstrate. "And the shirt's not bad once it's down to under three layers."

Lucina stumbled behind bushes out of sight, trying to disrobe.

"Eh, hell with it. I can always get more ancient ceremonial wedding clothes." He undressed and donned his usual outfit, rolling his shoulders, "I really do need to stitch up that back though. Now I feel the draft…"

After a few moments of silence he looked over at the bushes, not hearing movement.

Robin took a tentative step forward, not wanting to walk in on something he shouldn't be seeing.

"Lucina? Can I… Come in?"

When no one answered and he pushed through the brush to see a slope on the other side. He lit a flame over his hand. Clothes were folded on the ground, sandals neatly placed by the edge..

"Lucina?" he called more urgently, jumping to slide down the dirt bank, flame held high.

He stepped over roots and rocks and heard a splash before cold rushed into his boot. He'd stepped into a creek, and looked up the stream to see Lucina on a rock before a small stone bridge in the moonlight. Her back was to him, but she had to have heard him.

"Gods you scared me," he chuckled, letting his flame-arm fall and approaching her, "Wedding's over you know, running off now won't change anything."

She'd changed into her normal clothes, though her hair was still held up by the ribbon. She didn't look as he approached, holding her knee as she watched the water flow past her.

He moved to her side, reaching out hesitantly to touch her shoulder until she spoke, voice hoarse.

"I was born to a war. I didn't know it yet but everything… Everyone I would ever know would be consumed by it. I came to understand this as life, as you understand clean water, and blue skies. But I thought… I hoped by coming here, things could be different. Yet I fear that war will not cease to haunt me until it has consumed me as well."

Robin opened his mouth, half-grin in place with no idea what to say.

"I'm just… So… Tired," she took a shuddering breath, shoulders quaking, "Of losing."

A tear slid silently down one cheek to disappear into her cloak as she slowly pulled the ribbon from her hair, thick mane cascading over her shoulders.

"Say'ri is going to be fine, she knows the village, the area," Robin reassured her, looking elsewhere and wincing. He wasn't very good at this.

"And the people of the village? The Shepherds, will they be fine?"

Robin didn't have an answer. Saying 'I promise no one will die,' seemed pretty disingenuous in face of a war. Anything could happen, and he wouldn't lie to her. He was about to say such when she surprised him.

"Today was supposed to bring joy, yet all I ever seem to find is destruction."

"Today wasn't your fault‒"

"I don't care about fault, I care about not witnessing any more war. Attending a wedding that doesn't end in flames. Saying goodbye to a friend and not wondering if it's the last I'll ever see them. Of… Not caring, because everyone I've ever known has left."

Robin bit his lip, offering a shrug. "I'm here."

She scoffed, choking back tears. "For how long?"

Robin stared at her.

Some people could handle loss. Emotionally distant, cold people.

Lucina wasn't one of those. She felt every person who was ever ripped from her, and her stoicism evolved not from nature, but from loss after loss. Pieces of her chipped away until she was fragile, and he could see her near the breaking point. Like a statue that had too much already taken from it, one more chip and...

"For as long as you'd have me," Robin uttered. They couldn't be light words, not now. Everyone needed someone in their life to lean on, to love and be supported by. She didn't have family, or many friends… But she had him. And he would not let her down again.

"I-if you're joking, or y-you're going to up and‒"

Robin moved behind her, arms coming around her collar and side. She was rigid for a moment, before her shoulders started to quake.

"Promise…" she whispered.

He gently pulled her back against him, resting his chin on her shoulder. The creek bubbled quietly between the sounds of sobbing as tears flowed free.