A/N: Behold, the original spark that, for better or worse, brought 'Her Anchor' into existence.

Severa hated it… she hated all of it. She hated how her mother is the picture of perfection, hated how her father is the wall of steel that no one can pass… or see. She hated how she just had to fall in love with Robin, the world's greatest tactician, then their daughter comes along and one-ups her as well.

Severa struggles to simply keep at a skill close to them, whereas the other children of the Shepherds, even Yarne, the Taguel who spends more time watching his surroundings than training, it just comes to them so naturally.

Everyone seemed to inherit the best of their parents… except Severa, who's only noticeable, or rather unnoticeable trait is her father's ability to literally hide in plain sight. Even Morgan didn't get that, rather her precious, not that she would be caught dead saying that, daughter is every bit a Tactician like her father. By Naga, Morgan can even ride Pegasi with ease and wield a lance, like Cordelia, and hold her ground for several minutes like Kellam. Did the greatness just skip Severa? A cruel joke played on her by the gods to make her miserable?

Perhaps it was best she got her father's 'invisibility' skill, so no one could find her when she just wants to train. Right now, though? Severa is swinging her sword at a wooden dummy, while nearly everyone else readies themselves for bed. Tomorrow is the day, the day that Chrom originally died in her own timeline, the day that is causing even Lucina to slowly buckle under the stress, despite how many times she says 'I'm fine.'

"Robin, we need to talk." She stops mid-swing as she overhears Lucina mere feet away from Severa. Of course she didn't see her, nobody does.

"Of course, you know I'm willing to help." Came her lover's, not that she would be ever caught saying that, response. "So, what do you need?"

Severa's gaze switched from the battered training dummy to Lucina and Robin, both are a stone's throw distance from her, "Alone." Lucina amends while gesturing towards the other Shepherds, excluding Severa. The red-hair mercenary notes that Exalt's daughter has her Falchion while leading Robin out of sight, into the forest. Why does she have a sinking feeling in her gut? She scowls and decides to follow, her own steel sword sheathed.

Whatever Lucina wants to talk to Robin about, she really doesn't want anyone to hear her, which only makes the bad feeling Severa is getting even worse. Yet, Robin follows as if he doesn't suspect the same. "Tomorrow is it, Robin." The future princess finally stops, near a cliff overlooking the ocean. Severa stops mere feet away from them. "Tomorrow is the day my father died…"

"He won't." The Grandmaster said with such conviction that even the most pessimistic person would believe him. "I'm… we're prepared, we have knowledge that the Future shepherds didn't. All thanks to you and the other children."

"I wish I could believe you, but…" Lucina not trusting Robin's judgement? Severa unconsciously takes a few steps more, still as unnoticed as before. She could practically touch her husband from here. "There is one fact I omitted, one I couldn't trust to anyone."

He crosses his arms and gives her a critical look, "I trust you have good reason?"

She nods, "Father was killed by a close friend, the closest in fact. Someone who could be within striking range at any given moment." Her posture falters as tears finally threaten to break loose. "Someone he trusts with his life… I didn't want to believe it, but after yesterday…"

"That is some pretty important information Lucina." He seems upset, "And why haven't you told me this before?"

Her hand grips the hilt of her sword and Severa mimics her action, "Because that person is you." The song of steel sounds out as Falchion is now pointed at Robin, and neither of them bats an eye as Severa's own sword rings out. "I didn't want to believe it, but after seeing your will taken from you…"

Robin seems unbothered by the fact that there is now a sword mere inches from his throat, but Severa feels a chill as he gives Lucina the type of glare he reserves for his enemies, the type of cold, calculating gaze that means business. "I wouldn't." He simply replies.

"Validar will force you, as he forced you to give him the Fire Emblem."

"Put Falchion down, and…" He stops mid-sentence as the blade is now poking his skin, yet he doesn't falter.

"Father needs to live." Her grip falters and the sword goes back to its previous position.

"And how would Chrom feel when he finds out his 'best friend' died by your blade? Well, his blade technically." He is still cold, distant.

"I told you I would do anything to change fate, and if that means your death…" Lucina voice cracks, but her determination stays.

The Grandmaster's eyes wander, as if he is uninterested, and Severa's heartbeat quickens as his gaze lasts slightly longer when looking her way. Yet, his eyes leave her once more, perhaps he saw an animal? "No."

The sudden declaration catches Lucina off-guard, "No, what?"

Robin puts his hands in his pockets, "I won't let you kill me."

"I have…"

"I have my reasons as well." He backs up a few inches.

"Father must live!" She repeats.

"Killing me will hurt him." He simply states, "Hurting him damages moral, which will decrease the odds of winning." He pauses as emotion finally returns, "Killing me will remove her only anchor, the reason she doesn't just jump off a cliff."

Severa's heartbeat tripled, she never told him that, but she internally smacked herself, of course he would figure it out. "Who's her?" Lucina demands.

"Severa." His arms cross once more, "The woman I love. The woman who gave Morgan life… The woman who has been standing here, listening the entire time."

Gods?! He knew? He knew! Severa's grip faltered, he always knew. It was just a part of his many plans. "She isn't here." Lucina glares.

"Yes, I am." Severa's sword meets Falchion, startling the princess. "But of course you never noticed me… nobody does. Except Robin." She amends.

"What are you doing here?" She demands.

"Protecting Robin, as you would protect Chrom." Unlike Lucina, her grip doesn't falter, "The only way you are getting to Robin is through me."

"Preventing Grima's return is the reason why we returned, and we can't do that if father dies."

"I don't care." Severa spits, causing Lucina to recoil, "Robin is the only one ever to notice me. How do you think it feels? Not living up to your parents' reputations? Always invisible? How many times did you notice my contributions?" Severa's sword is now at Lucina's throat, "You are not taking him from me."

"You are making a…" Lucina starts, but yelps as Severa's blade nicks her throat, not enough for an open wound, but enough to keep her from talking.

"Maybe I am." Severa admits as Robin remains silent, "Maybe I am making a mistake, but if it means protecting Robin, then I will gladly make this same 'mistake' over and over again. Back. Off."

Falchion slowly, but surely makes its way back into its sheath, yet Severa's blade stays, "If father dies…"

"Then you'll suck it up and finish Grima off." The red-hair mercenary snaps.

Lucina glares from Severa to Robin, before scowling in disgust, "I can't believe you let yourself be controlled by his magic!" The princess leaves.

"Love." Robin's voice rings out, finally causing the stress that has built up to simply fade away. "I'm sorry for not telling you that I always noticed you."

"You… had your…" Her voice finally cracks as she sheathes her own sword.

He shakes his head and places his hands on her shoulders, "No, that is not a good reason. I was causing you so much distress. Now that this has passed, I promise that I will always acknowledge your presence… as will Morgan."

"You knew this was going to happen?" Her eyes widen, "And Morgan…"

"All part of the plan." Unlike any other time, he frowns as he speaks those words.

Still, one more thing bugged her, "How did you find out? That you were…" She refused to finish the sentence.

He grimaces, "You still have scars, you know." He gently pushes her sleeves up, "I know they aren't from battle, like you keep telling people."

If he were anyone else, she would have lashed out, "They are from a battle." Robin was about to retort, but she continued, "A battle for finding a reason to keep going… a battle that no longer goes on."

A small smile graces his face, "And who's the victor?"

The frown that normally adorns her face fades, "As long as you and Morgan are alive? Me." A smile shows.

He pulls her into a hug, she tenses before returning it. "I love you, Severa."

"...I love you, too, Robin." She pauses before adding, "Don't think I'm going to say that often…"

"You don't have to." He mutters, "Actions speak louder than words." The embrace breaks, "Shall we return?"

"Yea." She nods as the two walk side-by-side back to camp.

Only two people notice her, and frankly, those two people is all she wants to notice her. Robin and Morgan, husband and daughter.