Beneath the Threads
XXIII.
Ylisse and Plegia's relations imploded. Chrom gathered the Shepherds and they met with armies at the border. The Risen version of Gangrel had been terrorizing villages on both sides to instill fear in civilians, and it had the intended effect on Robin as well. Validar demanded the Fire Emblem, and was pulling out all the punches in order to retrieve it by force. Chrom hated that they had been dragged into more conflict, but with Validar's threats of resurrecting the Fell Dragon, things couldn't stay cordial. In addition, he wanted vengeance against Aversa for all the struggles she had inflicted on his wife.
Robin was at his side as chief tactician. She had left the baby at the castle, which hurt her and Chrom more than they could have ever fathomed. Her and Chrom had their grown children with them, which brought Robin comfort and worry at the same time. They could handle their own, but Robin would never stop worrying as their mother.
She walked to the strategy tent one early morning. She yawned, but woke more when she heard loud voices coming from within it. She opened the flap and saw Morgan and Lucina huddled in the corner.
"What's wrong?" Robin asked, her brows furrowed.
"Mother! It's not safe!" Lucina exclaimed. "There's a…."
"Bug!" Morgan finished. "A vile creature! Get away, Mother!"
Robin frowned. "All this commotion over an insect?" She sighed. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted what they were talking about. Her empty stomach turned at sight. She flinched when it fluttered. She ran in between her children and wrapped her arms around them.
"Gods!" she exclaimed. "I've never seen anything like that! That's the spawn of Grima!"
Chrom opened the flap. "What's going on in here?"
"Chrom, take care of that thing!" Robin demanded. "Don't let it come near my children!"
"What?" Chrom said, spotting the insect. "This bug?"
"It could bite them!" Robin hugged them closer. Chrom raised his brow at her, then turned and squashed it in an instant with his boot.
"There," he said with a sigh. "Really? None of you could take care of this?"
They shrugged. Chrom shook his head.
"You could've sent the whole camp into a frenzy!" he scolded. "Robin, how am I supposed to scold our children when you're enabling their behavior?"
"Hey!" Robin said. "Did you see that thing? It could've been poisonous! Everyone reacts to insect poison differently. It could've seriously made them ill. The mother nurtures and the father protects!"
"I'm pretty sure both parents take on those qualities." Chrom sighed. He chuckled. "Well, it was amusing seeing you all like that, at the very least. Seasoned soldiers, cowering at a bug!"
Lucina chuckled. "I'm sorry, Father. I suppose that was a bit unbecoming of us."
"It's alright. Every family has these moments. I'm glad for some lightheartedness every once in awhile." Chrom moved to the strategy table. "Anyway, we need to discuss strategy for the day. Morgan, Lucina, you can stay and discuss with us if you'd like. I know you're trying to learn tactics."
They nodded and they family gathered around the table. Chrom began moving pieces around. Robin watched him, already forming possible strategies in her mind.
"The Risen version of Gangrel is at the lead of the army," he said. "We face him in our next battle. He appears slightly weaker than his living version, but, still, he's not to be taken lightly. Lucina and I know how he fights, so we should lead the team to confront him. At least as an undead, he can't talk back."
Robin bit her lip. She glanced to Chrom, who saw the brimming upset in her eyes. He swallowed.
"Morgan, Lucina, please give your Mother and I a moment alone," he said softly. "Go ahead and attend breakfast. We'll meet you there and discuss our thoughts over our meal."
They left, leaving the couple alone. Robin began to cry, Chrom's hand at her shoulder.
"Hey," he said. "It's alright."
"It's not…" she whispered. "I-I can't…"
"I think you should be with us when we confront him. End him with me, Robin. Get your vengeance on the battlefield. This is your chance. It'll give you closure."
"You're right." Robin wiped her eyes. "I'll destroy him."
"That's it." Chrom smiled. "I'll be at your side. Don't hold anything back."
They reached Risen Gangrel on the battlefield. He turned, an aura of black and purple surrounding him. His eyes met Robin's. She froze, her fear taking hold. She remembered when he grabbed her shoulder and shoved her into the sand, putting stress on her and her unborn child. She had the Gods to thank for her daughter being born healthy, and she thanked Naga every day that she was able to hold her baby in her arms. Robin narrowed her eyes, tears of anger in her ducts. She pulled out her Levin Sword and marched towards him. Chrom followed.
The Undead King stared at her. She raised her sword, lightning bolting down onto him. She kept attacking him over and over, until her sword ran out of its magic and broke in two. The Risen had collapsed after the second attack, but Robin couldn't stop herself. After it was over, she fell to her knees and sobbed.
Chrom sat on his knees beside her. He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm proud of you. This will help you, I promise."
Robin nodded through her tears. She tried to stand, but Chrom stopped her.
"Relax, my love," he said. "I'll carry you back to camp."