Beneath the Threads

XXII.

A few more months passed and the activity around Ylisse was quiet, aside from the small packs of Risen that appeared from time to time. Lucina was sixth months old and Robin had been tending to her duties as tactician at the castle. Most times when she worked in her office, she kept Lucina in a crib, picking her up and playing with her when she took breaks.

Plegia was provoking Ylisse again, Aversa at the forefront. Robin thought it was Validar that was really pulling the strings, but she had no proof of it. The word from Valm was that the aid sent by Ylisse was helping turn the tide in the fight against Walhart. The war was projected to end within the year. Robin was relieved that Chrom didn't have to lead the campaign. By his side, she was able to move past her vices.

Robin scribbled at her desk in the early morning. Lucina giggled behind her, and she turned around to see her playing with small doll Chrom had bought her. She smiled, glad her husband was finally able to pick out a gift fit for her size, as the stuffed bear he had got her when she was newly born was still too large for her to play with. Robin picked her up and smiled.

"What's so funny?" Robin cooed. She lightly tickled Lucina's stomach. The baby giggled, her laughs echoing the room.

Her baby filled her with joy, just as her grown children did. Morgan mimicked her in so many ways it was sometimes surreal. She worked with him on improving his strategic mind, and often, Lucina joined them. Lucina was already born in her time, yet, Morgan wasn't. In some ways, it worried Robin. She wanted to see him grow up, just as she was with her daughter. Yet, a part of her was relieved. The longer she went without being with child, the better she felt. She hated that part of her. She wanted Morgan to be born, but she couldn't quell her fears of having another baby.

Maribelle opened the door with a smile. Robin had asked for them to meet for a chat as friends. She was a strong presence in Robin's life, and though they had a rocky start when they first met, they were nearly inseparable. She had been there during so many integral moments of her life, she had even known about her pregnancy before Chrom had. Not only that, but she had helped her escape the fight against Gangrel, and had been there as a healer and supportive friend when her child was born. There was no one else she shared such an intimate bond with aside from Chrom.

Maribelle walked to Robin's side of the desk and took Lucina from her arms. She smiled and cooed the laughing baby, sitting with her at the opposite side the desk.

"You're such a happy baby, aren't you?" she said. "Are you being nice to your mother?"

"She's as sweet as she can be." Robin smiled. "Though she isn't like that every day."

"What are you working on?" Maribelle asked as she bounced Lucina her lap.

"Some scenarios for fighting Risen. The reports of sightings are increasing along the Plegian border." Robin frowned and tapped her quill on the table. She put it down.

"Goodness. I hoped that we wouldn't need to confront Plegia again, but it comes as no surprise."

"We may need to gather the Shepherds again if things get worse. There have also been sightings of the Plegian army marching towards the border."

"I'm at your service. Let me know when to gather my supplies."

"Thank you, Maribelle." Robin paused. "Do you think I'm doing well for my station as Chrom's wife?"

"Of course!" Maribelle nodded. "Have you seen the way he looks at you? The day Lucina was born was a genuine surprise. I've attended dozens of births, and I've never seen someone as supportive and dedicated to the mother's care as he was. To add to that, he's the only father I've ever seen be there when the child's born."

"I suppose you're right...but what about my role as queen? I know I'm not technically in the role yet, but I'm in it in a de facto way. I worry I don't perform to the caliber I should."

"What? That's nonsense, Robin." Maribelle shook her head. "You tend to your station well. In fact, you're phenomenal. You've done everything you can to provide to the Halidom while also dealing with your own struggles in your personal life. You know how I am about stations. I wouldn't lie to you about something like this."

"Thank you. I've just been wondering about a lot of things lately." Robin stared absentmindedly at Lucina.

Maribelle furrowed her brows. "Are you doing alright, darling?"

"I'm okay. I've made great strides in moving on from the past. I couldn't have done it without you, Lissa, or Chrom. So, thank you."

"That's what we're here for. You've done the same for me during our friendship." Maribelle rose and put Lucina in her crib. "There's still something on your mind. What is it?"

"You know about Morgan and Lucina…" Robin said. She had explained the situation to Maribelle a few months back, hating to keep something so integral to her life from her close friend.

"Of course. How are they doing?"

"They're fine. I've just been thinking about how Lucina's born already and Morgan's….not."

"You're wondering when you might come to expect him, aren't you?" Maribelle said. "Do you think you're with child?"

Robin shook her head, her heart pounding. "No, I'm not pregnant, that's for certain. But I know I will be sometime. I feel so guilty for having Lucina already and not him…"

"That's not your fault, Robin. He's from another time. You'll have him eventually. Let things come to pass at their own pace."

"That's what Chrom says…" She paused. "But, I'm terrified of having another child, Maribelle."

Maribelle frowned. "What about it? Raising the child?"

"No. Having Lucina in my life has been a joy. I'm scared to be with child and give birth again. What if it tears me apart like it almost did last time?"

"Robin, this stems from your capture. You were pregnant and a hostage, which influenced your health greatly. The stress from the aftermath of that is what made your birth so grueling. Your next time should go a lot easier, since you will have the comfort of your home. You might find your second a bit more enjoyable than the first, since you can focus on motherhood instead of all those other factors."

"You're right. My fears have been causing a bit of tension between Chrom and I...but he's been patient with me. I told him I was going to talk to you about it, to see how I can move past it."

"You're not being intimate because you're scared you'll become pregnant."

Robin nodded. She wiped the tears on her cheeks. Maribelle stood and walked to the other side of the desk, wrapping Robin in a hug. She cried quietly. Maribelle ran her fingers through her hair.

"I don't want to do this to Chrom...it's not fair to him," Robin mumbled. "I'm frustrating him, I know I am."

"I don't think he's frustrated with you, I think he's upset you're being weighed down by struggles. This all comes from what Gangrel and Aversa did to you, and with Aversa still provoking, it angers him that she's still out there. Not only did she hurt the Halidom, but she hurt you, your baby, and your marriage. That's where his frustration comes from, I assure you. It's where mine does. You're a victim to all this. You are not to blame."

"Thank you, Maribelle. I knew talking to you would help me."

"Of course. I'm here for you, darling."